The creator explains that despite the Drake Caterpillar’s lower cost and larger theoretical cargo capacity, its inefficient loading mechanics and limited livability make it less practical compared to the Anvil Carrack. They choose to abandon the Caterpillar in favor of the Carrack due to its easier cargo handling, superior living accommodations, and greater versatility for long-term gameplay.
In this video, the creator compares two cargo ships in Star Citizen: the Drake Caterpillar and the Anvil Carrack, explaining why they are considering abandoning the Caterpillar in favor of the Carrack. The main focus is on cargo capacity and usability as a cargo runner. Although the Caterpillar is significantly cheaper at around 12 million credits compared to the Carrack’s 36 million, the Carrack offers more features and better living accommodations, including medical facilities and space for two smaller ships, making it a more versatile option for long-term gameplay.
The cargo capacity of both ships is analyzed in detail. The Caterpillar, despite having a theoretical maximum cargo of 576 SCU, struggles with the current cargo system because it cannot efficiently load smaller cargo sizes (ones and twos) at many terminals, limiting its practical capacity to about 432 SCU. The Carrack, on the other hand, holds around 450 SCU and can handle size 16 and 8 cargo boxes more effectively. The creator demonstrates that while both ships can carry roughly the same amount of cargo in terms of volume, the Carrack’s cargo loading is less fiddly and more manageable, especially since manual loading of small boxes in the Caterpillar is very time-consuming.
The video also explores the physical loading and unloading process of both ships. The Caterpillar has a large hangar and multiple cargo bays but suffers from awkward loading mechanics, especially with smaller cargo boxes that require precise placement. The Carrack’s cargo bays are more compact and have some design issues, such as a lip that makes loading certain cargo tricky, but the creator finds workarounds that make the process manageable, particularly with two people working together. Overall, the Carrack’s cargo handling, while not perfect, is considered easier and more practical for solo or small crew operations.
Beyond cargo, the creator emphasizes the Carrack’s superior livability and operational features. The Carrack offers medical facilities, multiple living quarters, and the ability to dock smaller ships inside, making it ideal as a mobile base for exploration and mining operations. These features contrast with the Caterpillar, which lacks a medical bay and has more limited living space. Additionally, the Carrack’s improved flight handling, especially in atmosphere, and the ability to deploy blast shields for protection are noted as significant advantages over the Caterpillar.
In conclusion, the creator decides to move away from the Caterpillar and adopt the Carrack as their primary cargo runner and living ship. Despite the higher cost, the Carrack’s combination of cargo capacity, ease of loading, living amenities, and versatility with smaller ships make it a better fit for their playstyle. The video closes with an invitation for viewers to share their thoughts and a reminder to like and subscribe for more Star Citizen content.