The Essence of Attrition: Damage Over Time
To truly grasp the power of Size 4 attrition weapons in Star Citizen, we must first understand the core principles of attrition-based combat. Unlike weapons designed for massive, instantaneous damage, attrition weapons focus on a sustained stream of damage over time. They’re about wearing down the enemy, constantly chipping away at their shields and hull, until they succumb to the relentless assault.
This approach offers several key advantages. Firstly, attrition weapons excel at applying constant pressure. They force the enemy to constantly react and prioritize defensive measures. Secondly, they can be particularly effective against heavily shielded targets. The continuous stream of damage eventually overwhelms the shields, allowing the pilot to inflict further damage on the hull and other ship components. Finally, attrition weapons can be a good choice for pilots who favor consistency over high-risk, high-reward tactics. While they might not always score a quick kill, they consistently apply damage that can lead to a slow but sure victory.
However, it’s equally important to acknowledge the potential drawbacks. Attrition weapons often struggle against highly maneuverable ships, who can evade their fire. They also might not be ideal for “bursting down” a target that is rapidly approaching and then will disappear again, as they generally lack the instantaneous punch of their counterparts. Finally, attrition weapons must be managed, as their ammunition, energy, and heat production can become limiting factors in extended engagements.
In the context of Star Citizen, understanding these trade-offs is essential. Different weapon types, from ballistic Gatlings to powerful laser cannons, offer unique roles in combat. Choosing attrition weapons means accepting these limitations but opening the door to a playstyle of controlled aggression and relentless pressure.
Exploring the Arsenal: Size 4 Attrition Weapon Choices
Within Star Citizen, a handful of Size 4 attrition weapons offer pilots the firepower and sustained damage output needed for dominating the skies. Selecting the right weapon for your ship and playstyle can drastically change your ability to survive and succeed in combat.
Let’s examine some of the key Size 4 attrition weapons currently available, providing details on their capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses:
The Attrition Beam Repeater
Manufacturer: Behring
Damage Type: Energy (Laser)
Rate of Fire: Moderate to High
Ammo Capacity: Infinite (Power-dependent)
Effective Range: Medium
Characteristics:
The Attrition Beam Repeater is a popular and reliable choice among pilots. Known for its consistent damage output and a relatively high rate of fire, it’s excellent for applying constant pressure to enemy shields and hulls. The Beam Repeater also provides the benefit of infinite ammunition, as it primarily runs off of the ship’s power systems, making it a powerful weapon for longer engagements. Pilots must monitor their ship’s power usage and heat output to use them to their full potential. The Attrition Beam Repeater is favored for its versatility. It is a good option for a ship facing diverse enemies or engagements.
* Damage per Second (DPS): High
* Effective Range: Medium. Damage degrades with distance.
* Heat Generation: Moderate. Requires careful power management and cooling.
* Strengths: Consistent DPS, infinite ammunition. Good against shields and hull.
* Weaknesses: Susceptible to countermeasures, power limitations.
The Distortion Repeater
Manufacturer: Klaus & Werner
Damage Type: Distortion
Rate of Fire: Moderate
Ammo Capacity: Moderate
Effective Range: Medium
Characteristics:
The Distortion Repeater is specifically designed to bypass shields and directly affect a ship’s internal systems. By focusing on the disruption of the ships systems, these weapons can be used to affect things such as radar capabilities, weapon performance, and other essential ship functions. While distortion weapons might not inflict as much direct damage as other attrition weapons, they can create a significant advantage by weakening the enemy and forcing them to prioritize repairs and systems management.
* Damage per Second (DPS): Moderate, with high potential for disruption.
* Effective Range: Medium, damage falloff.
* Heat Generation: Moderate.
* Strengths: Effective at disrupting enemy systems.
* Weaknesses: Limited ammo. Lower direct damage than conventional weapons.
The Ballistic Gatling Gun
Manufacturer: Apac
Damage Type: Ballistic (Physical)
Rate of Fire: Very High
Ammo Capacity: Limited.
Effective Range: Medium
Characteristics:
The Ballistic Gatling is a weapon with extreme rate of fire that offers devastating DPS. A gatling gun is incredibly effective at chewing through a target. However, the high ammo consumption requires careful management and strategic reloading during combat.
* Damage per Second (DPS): Very High.
* Effective Range: Medium, with rapid damage falloff.
* Heat Generation: Low.
* Strengths: Extremely high DPS at close range.
* Weaknesses: Limited ammo, high consumption.
The Mass Driver
Manufacturer: Unknown
Damage Type: Ballistic (Physical)
Rate of Fire: Low
Ammo Capacity: Limited.
Effective Range: Long
Characteristics:
The Mass Driver fires a kinetic projectile that can deal considerable damage to a target. While it might not offer the same relentless pressure as the other attrition weapons, the weapon is capable of dealing devastating damage from a distance.
* Damage per Second (DPS): High
* Effective Range: Long, with rapid damage falloff.
* Heat Generation: Low.
* Strengths: High damage from a distance.
* Weaknesses: Limited ammo.
As you can see, each Size 4 attrition weapon offers distinct strengths and weaknesses. The optimal choice depends on your preferred playstyle, the ship you’re flying, and the type of opponents you anticipate facing. The Attrition Beam Repeater is an excellent all-around weapon, providing both sustained damage and infinite ammunition. The Distortion Repeater is a viable option for disrupting enemy systems. Ballistic Gatling Guns offer devastating DPS in close quarters, while the Mass Driver offers a high damage punch from a long distance.
Ships of Sustained Fire: Matching Weapons to Vessels
Choosing the right ship is as vital as choosing the right weapon. The ideal vessel for Size 4 attrition weapons should possess several key characteristics: strong shields, solid armor, good power management capabilities, and a level of maneuverability.
Here are a few Star Citizen ships that pair extremely well with Size 4 attrition weapons:
The Vanguard Warden
Why it’s a great fit: The Vanguard Warden, a heavy fighter, is built for sustained combat. Its robust shields, thick armor, and efficient power plant provide the survivability needed for long engagements. With multiple hardpoints for size weapons, this ship can easily mount Size 4 attrition weapons on both the nose and its wings. This makes it a highly effective platform for overwhelming targets with consistent firepower.
Suggested Loadout: Equip the ship with multiple Attrition Beam Repeaters, or a combination of Beam Repeaters and Distortion weapons to apply high pressure and disruption.
The Constellation Andromeda
Why it’s a great fit: The Constellation Andromeda is a multi-crew ship with significant firepower. Its powerful shields, coupled with its ability to mount Size 4 weapons, make it well suited for engaging in prolonged battles. The Andromeda is perfect for crewed engagements, with one pilot in the cockpit and a turret gunner.
Suggested Loadout: Equip the ship with multiple Attrition Beam Repeaters, or a combination of Beam Repeaters and Distortion weapons to apply high pressure and disruption.
The Redeemer
Why it’s a great fit: The Redeemer is an upcoming gunship that’s designed for close-range combat. It comes with multiple Size 4 weapon hardpoints, making it a great fit for these weapons.
Suggested Loadout: Equip the ship with Ballistic Gatling guns to shred the target in seconds.
When selecting a ship for Size 4 attrition weapons, consider the following factors:
- Shields and Armor: Can your ship withstand incoming fire while you apply damage?
- Power Plant: Does the ship’s power plant have the output to sustain weapon firing?
- Maneuverability: Can you track your targets and maintain a firing solution?
- Cooling Systems: Can your ship handle the heat generated by the weapons?
- Hardpoint Availability: Does the ship have the hardpoints needed to mount the weapons?
Carefully consider these factors, and you can tailor your ship to excel with Size 4 attrition weapons.
Tactics of Attrition: Winning Through Persistent Damage
Simply equipping Size 4 attrition weapons is not enough to guarantee success. Success requires a mastery of combat tactics, flight skills, and an understanding of your weapons’ strengths and limitations. Here are key strategies to help you dominate in Star Citizen:
- Range Management is Key: Attrition weapons are often most effective within a specific range. Find that “sweet spot” for your chosen weapons and strive to maintain it. Learn to use your ship’s speed and maneuvering capabilities to control the distance between you and your target.
- The Art of Tracking: Attrition weapons demand accurate tracking. Practice maintaining your targeting reticle on the enemy ship, anticipating their movements, and compensating for their speed and direction. Piloting skill and precision are essential for delivering sustained damage.
- Ammo and Energy Management: Pay close attention to your ammo reserves (for ballistic weapons), and your ship’s power levels. Conserving ammo and energy will be crucial in extended engagements.
- Target Prioritization: Not all targets are equal. In any given combat scenario, prioritize the most dangerous targets. Consider the target’s weapons, shields, and maneuverability. Eliminating high-threat ships quickly can greatly improve your survivability.
- Know Your Limitations, and Embrace Your Strengths: Attrition weapons may not be ideal for all situations. Some weapons are better suited against specific types of ships. Know which fights you should avoid, and use your strengths to engage them.
Upgrades and Optimization: Refining Your Arsenal
To maximize the effectiveness of Size 4 attrition weapons, optimization and upgrades are crucial. This involves selecting the right components and modifying your ship to support a sustained firing playstyle.
- Power Plant Selection: Choose a powerful power plant that can handle the energy demands of your attrition weapons.
- Cooling Systems: Ensure your ship can dissipate heat effectively. High-efficiency coolers can prevent overheating, allowing you to maintain longer periods of continuous firing.
- Shields and Armor: Invest in strong shields and armor to withstand incoming fire while you inflict damage.
- Weapon Modifications: Consider modifications to increase damage, range, or rate of fire.
- Component Optimization: Optimize the performance of your ship. Use high-quality thrusters, shields, and power distribution systems.
Beyond the Basics: Advanced Techniques
To truly master Size 4 attrition weapons, you need to move beyond basic tactics and explore advanced techniques.
- Counterplay Strategies: Learn how to counter opponents who use attrition weapons. Pay attention to their tactics, learn their effective ranges, and use defensive maneuvers to avoid their fire.
- Teamwork and Coordination: In group combat, teamwork is paramount. Coordinate with your teammates to focus fire on individual targets. Support your teammates by applying pressure and disrupting the enemy.
- Situational Awareness: Constantly monitor your surroundings and your ship’s systems. Anticipate enemy maneuvers, and adjust your tactics accordingly.
Conclusion
Size 4 attrition weapons in Star Citizen provide a viable and rewarding path to victory. They offer consistent damage, the ability to wear down even the toughest opponents, and a playstyle that rewards patience and precision. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of these weapons, selecting the right ship, and mastering the combat tactics, you can become a formidable pilot and a force to be reckoned with.
Remember that practice is essential. Experiment with different weapon loadouts, ship builds, and combat strategies. Hone your piloting skills, and develop your own unique playstyle. The ‘verse awaits!
The path to mastery of Size 4 attrition weapons is challenging, but ultimately rewarding. Embrace the sustained damage, master the tactics, and you’ll unleash the fury.
