The Star Citizen alpha 4.3.2 Evocati patch introduces a major overhaul to salvage mechanics, featuring specialized salvage ships, a new three-tiered material system, and refined gameplay loops involving material processing at refinery stations. Despite some bugs, the update lays important groundwork for future economy, crafting, and refining systems, promising deeper and more rewarding salvage gameplay.
The Star Citizen alpha 4.3.2 Evocati patch introduces a substantial update focused primarily on salvage mechanics, laying the groundwork for future economy and crafting systems. Although many anticipated roadmap features are not yet present, the update revamps structural salvage with increased complexity, adjusted salvage times, and the addition of refining processes similar to mining. Salvage now requires players to take raw materials to refinery stations for processing, signaling a move toward deeper gameplay involving material refinement and economy balance.
Each salvage ship in the game has been given a distinct identity and specialized role. The Reclaimer is designed for large-scale operations prioritizing quantity, while the Vulture serves as a balanced, middle-ground ship. The role of the Fortune salvage ship remains undefined, but there are strong indications that a starter salvage ship, possibly the Gollum, is being introduced in this patch. Salvage mechanics have been overhauled with increased fracturing and disintegration field ranges, repositioned sweet spots for optimal salvage, and significant multipliers that reward precise alignment and positioning, particularly benefiting ships equipped with tractor beams.
A new three-tiered material system has been implemented for salvage: powder, scraps, and chunks, each varying in density, yield, and refining time. All raw salvage materials currently refine into construction materials, but this is expected to diversify in the future. The gameplay loop involves collecting raw materials, transporting them via freight elevators to refinery stations, and processing them. Smaller ships offer quicker turnaround and immediate profits, while larger ships like the Reclaimer provide higher yields but with delayed payouts, encouraging both solo and group playstyles with different economic strategies.
The update also includes various gameplay improvements such as enhanced FPS tractor beams with faster and snappier controls, mission location filters for local planetary systems, and numerous bug fixes related to freight elevators and mission crashes. However, some known issues persist, including items floating when dropped, turret malfunctions at certain locations, and cargo grid problems with the Atlas ship. Despite these hiccups, the patch sets the stage for future expansions in salvage, refining, crafting, and economy systems.
Looking ahead, the community is curious about the timing of the patch’s wider PTU release and whether it will coincide with CitizenCon. The inclusion of crafting hints at its potential arrival in the near future, possibly not this year but soon. The video also highlights ongoing giveaways and promotions, including ship giveaways and discounts on tools like the Toby Eye Tracker and NordVPN, encouraging viewers to engage with the channel and the broader Star Citizen community. Overall, the patch marks a significant step toward more complex and rewarding salvage gameplay within Star Citizen.