Q&A: CRUSADER ARES

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Following the concept release of the CRUSADER ARES Star Fighter, the developers took community-voted questions to provide more information on this recently unveiled high-powered fighter.

Flight Characteristics

The Ares is not as nimble for its size as other Crusader ships due to the significant compensation required to carry the S7 weapon. Its handling characteristics are closer to a Vanguard or Freelancer than a Sabre or Hornet.

Benefits of S7 Weapons

While the DPS of a single S7 may be equal to multiple smaller weapons on paper, larger weapons like the S7 provide several benefits:

  • Higher penetration rates (when physicalized damage is implemented)
  • Increased weapon durability and resistance to distortion/damage
  • Longer range

These advantages make the S7 more effective against certain targets compared to multiple smaller guns with equivalent total DPS.

Ammo Capacity

The Inferno variant has dedicated ammo storage beyond the norm, allowing it to carry 2-3 times the normal capacity of a ballistic weapon.

Long Range Capabilities

The Ares is a single-seat fighter with no interior. Its stated long-range "capability" comes from the large size of the weapon with its inherent longer range of engagement, in addition to its complement of missiles.

Batteries

Batteries are a component that most ships will feature. They function like real world batteries and can be charged up and used while the power plant is offline for both redundancy and lower signature performance.

Weapon Swapping

The S7 weapons for the Ares variants are bespoke to the ship. They cannot be swapped between variants or with other S7 weapons.

Development Status

The Ares is currently Concept Complete and not in active development. It will be shown on the RSI Roadmap when scheduled for release.

Armor Differences

The Inferno's armor will be significantly more effective and thicker compared to the Ion variant. Before physicalized damage is implemented, this will come in the form of extra health. Once physicalized, the armor will be thicker and tougher to penetrate.

The Ion has relatively thin armor due to other components taking up a roughly equal amount of mass, equalizing the flight performance between variants.

Weapon Specifications

Exact numbers are subject to balance changes, but current estimates put the damage at over 2400 per second with a range of over 8 km.

Capital Ship Effectiveness

The Ares will not be able to kill a capital ship alone, but would be a good choice to bring in a fleet when engaging one. Its large S7 weapon will be more effective at penetrating capital ship armor compared to smaller weapons once physicalized damage is implemented.

Sound Design

The developers will aim to give the Inferno's weapon a unique sound, though its RPM will be lower than an A-10's main gun.

Carrier Compatibility

Based on current dimensions, the Ares can only be accommodated by the Javelin capital ship. It is too wide to fit in smaller carriers like the Idris or Polaris, but could land on the larger pads of the Kraken.

This Q&A provides insight into the specialized role and capabilities of the Ares as a heavy fighter designed to engage larger targets. Its massive S7 weapon gives it unique advantages, but also imposes limitations on its agility and carrier compatibility compared to smaller fighters.

The Thunderous Roar of the Ares

Captain Zara Vex of the Star Citizen Referral Code Club leaned back in her pilot's seat, admiring the sleek lines of her newly acquired Crusader Ares Ion. She had been saving up for months to add this beauty to her fleet, and now it was finally time to put it through its paces.

As she prepared for takeoff from Port Olisar, her comms crackled to life. "Hey Zara, heard you got that new toy of yours. Want to meet up and show it off?" It was her friend and fellow RSI Referral Code Club member, Jack.

"You bet! Let's rendezvous near Yela and see what this baby can do," Zara replied with a grin.

As they approached the rendezvous point, Zara couldn't help but marvel at the Ares' unique flight characteristics. It wasn't as nimble as her Sabre, but the raw power more than made up for it. She knew that when it came to what code to use for new recruits, the Ares would be a tempting option for those looking to pack a serious punch.

Suddenly, an alarm blared through the cockpit. "Hostile contacts detected!" Jack's voice came through, tinged with excitement. "Looks like we've got some Vanduul scouts. Want to see how that S7 handles?"

Zara's heart raced as she lined up her shot. The massive weapon hummed with energy, and she couldn't help but think of all the new pilots in The Star Citizen Referral Code Club who would love to experience this moment.

With a thunderous roar, the S7 cannon unleashed its fury. The Vanduul scout didn't stand a chance, its shields collapsing under the immense firepower. Zara whooped with joy, realizing why the Ares was so effective against larger targets.

As they cleared the area of hostiles, Jack's voice came through again. "That was incredible! I bet the folks back at the Referral Code Club would love to hear about this. Maybe we should organize a demo flight for the new recruits?"

Zara couldn't agree more. As they set a course back to Port Olisar, she couldn't wait to share her experience with her fellow club members. The Ares had proven its worth, and she knew it would be a valuable addition to their fleet for future missions.

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