In this video, the creator tests and compares various ballistic ship weapons in Star Citizen Alpha 4.5, finding that Deadbolt 4 cannons excel in alpha damage and component destruction, while AD4B cannons offer superior sustained DPS and ammo capacity, both outperforming the C788 bliss cannons. Additionally, the Sen 3 Tachang cannons provide a unique high burst damage playstyle with slower firing rates, making them suitable for hit-and-run tactics.
In this video, the creator continues testing various ship weapons in Star Citizen Alpha 4.5, focusing on the C788 ballistic cannons, Sen 3 Tachang cannons, and different sizes of Deadbolt cannon loadouts, particularly on the Guardian MX ship. The patch is noted as a “deadbolt meta” patch, making these weapons especially relevant. The video begins with testing the C788 bliss cannons, which are equipped on the Guardian MX with four guns. The creator engages several NPC ships, including Freelancers, Vanguards, and Firebirds, noting that while the C788 can destroy ships, it uses a large amount of ammo and takes a relatively long time to do so. Compared to previous patches, the C788 is more effective but still not optimal for combat.
Next, the video compares the C788 to the Deadbolt 4 BLA cannons on the same ship and mission. The Deadbolt 4 demonstrates a significant advantage, destroying ships much faster and using far fewer rounds. The creator highlights the stats, showing that the Deadbolt 4 has nearly four times the sustained DPS and double the alpha damage of the C788, despite both being size four bliss cannons. The C788’s main advantage is its long range, but due to its slow projectile speed, this advantage is limited in practical dogfights. Additionally, the expected area-of-effect damage advantage of the C788 is negated by equal ammo penetration values in this patch, making the Deadbolt 4 the preferred choice for most combat scenarios.
Following this, the video tests the AD4B bliss galling guns on the Guardian MX. These guns come with a massive ammo capacity of over 5,000 rounds and excel in sustained DPS, outperforming the Deadbolt 4 in total damage output. Although the AD4B has lower alpha damage and ammo penetration compared to Deadbolt 4, its higher sustained DPS and larger ammo pool make it effective for prolonged engagements. The creator notes that the Deadbolt 4 is better for component destruction due to higher ammo penetration, which is more relevant in player-versus-player combat rather than against NPCs.
The Sen 3 Tachang cannons, which were previously locked to the BU Defender, are now available for other ships like the F7A Hornet Mark II. These size three TAM cannons have very high alpha damage but low sustained and burst DPS, making them suitable for hit-and-run tactics, especially against smaller ships. The cannons have a slow rate of fire and require charging before firing. In combat tests, the Sen 3 cannons show good damage potential but take longer to destroy ships compared to other weapons. The video also highlights the interesting visual and sound effects of these weapons.
Overall, the video provides a detailed comparison of different ballistic weapons in Star Citizen Alpha 4.5, emphasizing the strong performance of Deadbolt and AD4B cannons over the C788. The Deadbolt 4 stands out for its alpha damage and component destruction capabilities, while the AD4B shines in sustained damage and ammo capacity. The Sen 3 Tachang cannons offer a unique playstyle with high burst damage but slower firing rates. This comprehensive testing helps players make informed decisions about weapon loadouts depending on their combat preferences and mission requirements in the current patch.