The Anvil Paladin in Star Citizen 4.9 offers impressive firepower and a high health pool but is hampered by weak shields, low armor deflection, and vulnerable components, making it less effective as a frontline gunship compared to competitors like the Starlancer TAC. While its interior and cockpit design are functional and aesthetically pleasing, the ship is better suited for PvE and support roles, earning a score of 72 out of 100 with hopes for future improvements.
In this 10-minute review of the Anvil Paladin ship in Star Citizen 4.9, Even Lee provides a detailed analysis of the ship’s current state and performance. Priced at $350 on the pledge store or nearly 16 million AUC in-game, the Paladin is positioned as a heavily armed gunship, but its stats reveal significant shortcomings. Despite its impressive firepower, including multiple size four and five laser weapons and missiles, the ship struggles due to its relatively low shield capacity and armor deflection compared to competitors like the Starlancer TAC and Redeemer. The reviewer suggests alternative weapon loadouts, such as using dead bolts and revenants, to improve its combat effectiveness in the current game meta.
The Paladin’s defensive capabilities are a major concern, with its 72,000 quadrant shield being notably weak for a gunship, and its armor deflection values among the lowest in its class. Although it boasts a high total ship HP, the distribution of health and armor makes it vulnerable to component damage, which can quickly incapacitate the ship. The ship’s speed and maneuverability are decent but still inferior to some rivals, further limiting its battlefield viability. The reviewer contrasts the Paladin unfavorably with the Starlancer TAC, which offers better armor, shields, and utility, including medbay and cargo space, while being more affordable.
The interior of the Paladin is functional but comes with quirks. It has only one entrance, posing escape challenges if the ship crashes or flips. The layout includes engineering areas, weapon and suit storage, a small cargo grid of just 4 SCU, and living quarters with limited space for four crew members. The design favors separating the pilot and co-pilot from the turret gunners, who have less comfortable accommodations. The ship features multiple doors and fire extinguishers, with some engineering terminals appearing bugged in the current version. Despite these limitations, the interior is well-designed aesthetically, featuring a kitchen area and usable bathroom facilities.
From a cockpit perspective, the Paladin offers excellent visibility and a stylish design, including a deployable armored shield for the windows that provides a cool visual effect but no actual stat boost. The pilot and co-pilot seats are well equipped, with easy access to radar and repair terminals. The remote turret system is notable for its ability to switch between top and bottom positions, enhancing combat flexibility. However, the reviewer emphasizes that the Paladin is better suited for PvE and support roles in PvP due to its vulnerabilities and the need for careful targeting during combat.
Overall, the Anvil Paladin receives a score of 72 out of 100, reflecting its current struggles in Star Citizen 4.9. While it has significant firepower and a high health pool, its weak shields, low armor deflection, and critical component vulnerabilities limit its effectiveness as a frontline combat ship. The reviewer hopes for future updates to improve its survivability and role clarity, as it currently lacks a clear identity compared to other gunships. Until then, the Paladin remains a visually impressive but tactically compromised vessel in the game.