Star Citizen patch 4.3 has diversified the competitive ship meta, elevating ships like the Anvil Arrow, Gladius, Hawk, and Blade to S and A tiers by highlighting their unique strengths in duels and squadron fights. While classic favorites like the Saber and Hornet remain relevant, newer or optimized ships such as the L21 Wolf show great promise, with the meta encouraging varied playstyles and strategic team dynamics.
The release of Star Citizen patch 4.3 has diversified the competitive ship meta, moving beyond the previously dominant Gladius and offering players a broader selection to suit various play styles. The video focuses on S and A tier ships, detailing their strengths and weaknesses in both duels and squadron fights. The Anvil Arrow has been enhanced for greater agility and aggression, excelling at close-range combat and controlling the fight’s pace, making it ideal for players who prefer a high-risk, high-reward glass cannon approach. Its compatibility with MBD repeaters further boosts its effectiveness in tight engagements.
The Gladius has shifted towards a medium fighter role, trading some nimbleness for increased shield capacity and tankability, which improves its versatility in duels and squadron battles. While it cannot outmaneuver the Arrow, it can maintain a mid-range advantage and withstand more damage, giving it an edge against ships like the Hornet. The Hawk stands out as an exceptionally powerful duelist, especially with a meta build that includes distortion repeaters and EMPs to disable enemy systems. Its speed and maneuverability make it nearly impossible to escape, though its dominance in squadron fights is tempered by the risk of team fire penalties.
The Blade offers a strong balance of maneuverability and firepower, comparable to the Gladius but with Hornet-level damage output, making it a formidable ganker in squadron play despite its awkward cockpit design. The L21 Wolf, currently held at A tier due to component bugs, promises to be S tier once fully optimized. It combines speed, nimbleness, and ballistic weaponry to excel as a finisher and counter to fragile interceptors, thriving in hit-and-run tactics rather than prolonged duels.
Classic favorites like the Saber and Hornet remain relevant, with the Saber excelling in duels due to its speed, turn rate, and firepower, though it is more vulnerable in squadron scenarios due to its larger profile. The Hornet, while less maneuverable, compensates with heavier firepower and shines as a squadron assassin, capable of swiftly eliminating targets before retreating. The Buccaneer, though weak in one-on-one fights, excels as a squadron interceptor, using its speed and burst damage to ambush distracted foes and escape quickly.
Finally, the video touches on honorable mentions, noting that traditional interceptors remain viable but are somewhat countered by the L21 Wolf. Snub fighters like the Archimedes and Fury are still aggressive but less optimal in the current meta. Alien ships like the Talon, while still strong, are more vulnerable due to their larger size, making them easier to kite. Viewers are encouraged to continue the discussion in the comments or join the community Discord for deeper PvP insights.