The reviewer provides a mixed assessment of the StarLancer TAC, praising its aesthetic design, shield strength, and interior quality, but criticizing its poor weapon placement, limited interior functionality, and sluggish maneuverability, which hinder its support role. They conclude that, in its current state, the ship is not worth purchasing but remain hopeful for future updates that could improve its usability and effectiveness in Star Citizen.
The reviewer provides a detailed overview of the StarLancer TAC, highlighting its appearance and intended role. They describe the ship as having a classic MISK look, with notable missile and turret placements. The ship is positioned as a support vessel rather than a combat-focused craft, designed for troop deployment and protection, though current gameplay does not fully support its intended use. The placement of weapons, particularly the two size fives on the sides, is questioned, as they are not useful for front-facing combat, which limits the ship’s effectiveness in its role.
The reviewer criticizes the ship’s interior space utilization, especially the large room dedicated solely to escape pods, which could have been better used for armory or additional crew facilities. They also point out the lack of a door to access the hangar directly from the main corridor, which is inconvenient during combat. The hangar itself is praised for its aesthetics and capacity to hold multiple vehicles, but its usefulness is limited by the absence of gameplay mechanics that involve deploying troops or utilizing the ship’s support capabilities.
A significant negative point is the ship’s cockpit and display setup. The cockpit is narrow and deep, restricting visibility, and critically lacks MFDs, which are essential for tactical operations. This omission makes the ship less practical for combat situations, leading the reviewer to decide not to use it further. They express disappointment that the ship’s intended tactical role is hampered by these design choices, and they hope Star Citizen’s developers will address these issues in the future.
On the positive side, the ship’s aesthetic appeal is appreciated, with a unique and charming design reminiscent of modern aircraft or flying fortresses. The interior design of certain rooms, like the crew quarters and medical bay, is praised for its quality and visual appeal. The ship’s shields are also considered a strong point, with two sizable size three shields providing good defense. However, the ship’s slow speed and poor maneuverability are major drawbacks, especially when compared to other ships of similar or larger size, such as the Idris or Connie.
In conclusion, the reviewer’s overall impression is mixed, with equal parts praise and criticism. They emphasize that the ship’s current shortcomings—particularly its speed, lack of functional weapon placement, and absence of gameplay mechanics—make it an unappealing purchase at present. They suggest that with improvements like better speed, more functional weapon layouts, and enhanced interior usability, the StarLancer TAC could become a more viable support vessel. For now, they have decided to sell their ship but remain hopeful for future updates that could enhance its value and role in the game.