In this preview, Ean Lee examines the Origin M80 heavy fighter’s sleek, combat-focused design and powerful weaponry, highlighting its blend of stealth and firepower while questioning its speed and maneuverability. He appreciates the ship’s practical interior and anticipates its impact in Star Citizen, inviting community feedback and expressing cautious excitement for its upcoming release.
In this preview of the Origin M80 heavy fighter for Star Citizen, Ean Lee shares his initial impressions based on available images and video clips. He highlights the ship’s unique design, which blends the sleek, stealthy aesthetics of an F-35 with the aggressive military look of an F-14 Tomcat. Unlike typical Origin ships known for luxury and polished finishes, the M80 has a compact, aerodynamic hull with minimal glass, emphasizing its role as a dedicated combat vessel built for hunting rather than touring.
The ship’s weaponry is notably powerful, featuring two size 5 CF557 lasers and two size 4 CF447 laser repeaters, delivering an impressive burst damage rate of about 4,090 DPS. Additionally, it carries 16 size one missiles, with speculation about potential hidden missile compartments that could house larger ordinance. This heavy firepower positions the M80 as a serious contender against other combat-focused ships like the Guardian, Vanguard, or F8C.
Regarding performance, Ean expresses curiosity and some concern about the M80’s speed and maneuverability. He estimates a top SCM speed of around 224 with a high boost, suggesting it might be tuned either as a stealth-oriented ship or a fast interceptor. However, the limited thruster placement hints that turning and stopping might be challenging, potentially sacrificing agility for raw speed or stealth capabilities. This raises questions about whether the M80 will prioritize stealth and reduced emissions or raw top-end performance.
The interior design, revealed in a sneak peek by CIG, shows a functional living area accessible via a rear ramp similar to the Vanguard. This practical entry method contrasts with the ship’s otherwise combat-focused exterior, which lacks the luxurious glass features typical of other Origin ships. The emphasis on a stealthy, compact design underscores Origin’s intention to make the M80 a serious heavy fighter rather than a luxury cruiser.
In conclusion, Ean is excited but cautiously optimistic about the M80’s potential within Star Citizen’s universe. He invites viewers to share their thoughts and looks forward to seeing how the ship performs once it is fully integrated into the game. He also mentions upcoming content schedules related to the ship’s release and thanks his audience for their support, signing off with anticipation for the M80’s entry into the verse.