The video demonstrates the RSI Meteor’s Leonidis cannons as highly effective weapons in Star Citizen 4.5 Live, capable of penetrating and disabling critical ship components across various vessel sizes, especially in PvP combat. However, the Meteor’s structural fragility and a bugged hardpoint limit its overall performance, while its missile systems prove to be a powerful complementary asset in combat.
In this video, the creator continues their exploration of weapon effectiveness in Star Citizen’s 4.5 Live patch, focusing on the RSI Meteor and its Leonidis cannon. Previously, they ranked the Leonidis cannon among the top 10 weapons in terms of ammo penetration, which is a critical factor for damaging ship components. The video begins with a detailed overview of the Leonidis cannon’s specifications, highlighting its impressive penetration value of 9.9 meters—comparable to larger size six weapons despite being a size five. The Meteor is equipped with two of these powerful cannons, each dealing 1,600 alpha damage, complemented by four size three Deadbolt 3 cannons and a versatile missile loadout, though the ship suffers from a bug affecting one of its hardpoints.
The creator then moves on to combat tests, starting with player-versus-player engagements. Using a Hornet as the target, the Leonidis cannon demonstrated its ability to quickly disable critical components such as the power plant and shield generators, even with full shields active. The tests extended to larger ships like the medical Terapin, Perseus, and Polaris, where the cannon consistently penetrated armor and hull to damage internal systems, particularly power plants and quantum drives. Notably, the Meteor’s Leonidis cannons could disable the Polaris’s power plant despite its size and defenses, showcasing the weapon’s exceptional potential in capital ship combat.
In contrast to PvP, the PvE tests revealed different dynamics. NPC ships typically explode when damaged rather than having components individually disabled. The Meteor struggled somewhat due to its fragility, especially against multiple Gladius fighters employing ballistic weapons, which proved highly effective against the Meteor’s lighter armor. However, the ship’s missile capabilities, particularly the Rattler 2 size two missiles, were extremely effective in quickly eliminating enemy targets, indicating a strong missile meta that complements the Meteor’s ballistic firepower.
Throughout the video, the creator emphasizes the importance of targeting specific components to disable enemy ships efficiently. The Leonidis cannon’s high penetration and alpha damage make it ideal for this role, but the Meteor itself requires careful handling due to its vulnerability, especially against ballistic weaponry. The combination of Leonidis cannons, Deadbolt 3s, and a robust missile loadout creates a versatile and deadly platform, albeit one that demands tactical awareness and precision from its pilot.
In conclusion, the video showcases the Leonidis cannon as a formidable weapon in Star Citizen’s current meta, capable of penetrating and disabling critical ship systems across a range of vessel sizes. While the RSI Meteor benefits greatly from this firepower, its structural weaknesses and a bugged hardpoint limit its overall effectiveness. The missile systems aboard the Meteor also stand out as a powerful asset deserving further exploration. The creator hints at future tests and investigations, inviting viewers to stay tuned for more insights into Star Citizen’s evolving combat mechanics.