The Star Citizen 4.3 update introduces a mix of buffs, nerfs, and rebalances to various fighters, enhancing durability and maneuverability in some ships like the Aegis Gladius and Banu Defender while reducing others’ agility or body strength, such as the Arrow and Esperia Talon. These changes aim to refine combat dynamics and ship roles, encouraging players to adapt to new handling characteristics and paving the way for future adjustments based on player feedback.
The Star Citizen 4.3 update brings a series of ship adjustments primarily focused on small and light fighters, with some unique buffs to the Origin 600i series. Most ships experience a mix of slight nerfs to their moving parts and minor buffs to body and nose hit points, aiming for a more balanced gameplay experience. For example, the Aegis Gladius becomes tougher with increased SCM speed but suffers reduced max speed and pitch, along with significantly lowered thruster capacity, making it less maneuverable than before.
The Arrow, a key rival to the Gladius, receives a contrasting set of changes. It becomes more fragile overall but gains improvements in speed and maneuverability, particularly in roll, making it potentially the most agile ship in the game. However, its low durability means it can be easily destroyed if hit, emphasizing its role as a fast but glassy fighter. Meanwhile, the Anvil Hulk sees a notable buff in toughness, now surpassing the Arrow in durability, though its maneuvering thrusters are slower, balancing its improved survivability with reduced agility.
Medium and heavy fighters show different trends, with the Banu Defender notably receiving significant buffs in yaw and roll, thruster capacity, and acceleration, although its weapon inefficiencies still limit its popularity. The Mustang Alpha also sees modest improvements in speed and parts durability, reinforcing its status as a fast and competitive fighter. On the other hand, the Esperia Blade gains increased vital part durability and ammo capacity, while the Esperia Talon and Talon Strike suffer considerable nerfs in body strength, indicating a shift in their combat roles.
The Origin 600i experiences a mixed adjustment: a substantial reduction in overall body durability but a significant buff to the nose and front sections, making these areas tougher to destroy. This aligns with the ship’s design philosophy of having a durable front and more fragile rear and sides. However, its speed and maneuverability remain areas where players hope for future improvements, as the ship’s lore suggests it should be faster than currently modeled.
Overall, the 4.3 ship changes present a blend of buffs, nerfs, and rebalances aimed at refining combat dynamics and ship roles. While some adjustments, like those to the Gladius, Arrow, and Anvil Hulk, are seen as positive and impactful, others feel less significant or even unnecessary. The update encourages players to adapt to new handling characteristics, especially when switching between light and heavier fighters, and leaves room for further tweaks based on player feedback and gameplay experience.