In this review, Even Lee highlights the Drake Cutlass Blue as a versatile bounty hunting ship in Star Citizen, featuring a unique quantum dampener, solid armament, and good cockpit design, though it is vulnerable to engine damage and less maneuverable against nimble fighters. Rated 78 out of 100, the ship excels in squad-based PvP and PvE roles but is less suited for solo frontline combat, making it ideal for players seeking a balanced fighter with bounty hunting capabilities.
In this review of the Drake Cutlass Blue in Star Citizen, Even Lee provides an in-depth look at the ship’s features, capabilities, and performance, particularly focusing on its role as a bounty hunting vessel. Priced at $175 on the pledge store and 374,400 AUEC in-game, the Cutlass Blue offers a reasonable claim time of just under 10 minutes, with an expedited option of just over 3 minutes. The ship’s armament includes two size 3 Mantis GT220s and two size 3 DR model XJ3 distortion weapons, along with 24 size 2 Tempest 2 missiles. However, Even suggests swapping the Mantis weapons for CF337 Panthers or NDBs to improve shield damage, as distortion weapons are less effective unless shields are down.
The Cutlass Blue features a manned turret equipped with two size 3 CF337 Panthers, which is crucial for maximizing combat effectiveness. Without a manned turret, the ship is at a disadvantage, though it remains capable. A standout feature is the Burke quantum dampener, which creates a 4,000-meter field that prevents enemy ships from jumping away or entering nav speed, effectively trapping them if they remain within range. The ship’s shield generator and health pool are moderate, but its design spreads hit points across wings and engines, making it vulnerable to engine damage that can lead to a loss of control.
Performance-wise, the Cutlass Blue has a top speed of 220 SCM and a boosted speed of 467 forward, with decent maneuverability but struggles against smaller, more agile fighters. The reviewer notes that while it can hold its own in PvP, it is not ideal for frontline combat against nimble light or heavy fighters unless supported by a skilled crew. The ship is better suited to squad-based engagements and controlling space within the dampener’s range rather than solo brawling.
Inside, the Cutlass Blue offers 12 SCU of cargo space and a prisoner containment area, highlighting its bounty hunting role. The interior includes crew beds, an engineer terminal, and storage lockers, though some features like the weapons locker are currently inaccessible. The ship’s cockpit provides excellent visibility and a user-friendly interface with multiple MFDs and a radar station. The reviewer speculates on how bounty hunting mechanics might evolve in Star Citizen, especially regarding player prisoners and potential griefing issues, but remains optimistic about future implementations.
Overall, Even Lee rates the Drake Cutlass Blue a 78 out of 100, praising its solid PvP and PvE capabilities, cockpit design, and unique quantum dampener feature. However, its vulnerability to engine damage and less-than-ideal maneuverability hold it back from being a top-tier combat ship. The Cutlass Blue is recommended for players looking for a versatile squad fighter with bounty hunting functionality, though those prioritizing cargo might prefer the Cutlass Black variant. The review concludes with an invitation for viewers to share their thoughts on the ship and thanks the community for their support.