A diverse array of weapons ensures pilots can engage in combat effectively, whether relying on the raw power of ballistic weapons, the sustained fire of energy weapons, or the strategic advantages of distortion arms and guided munitions. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of each weapon type, highlighting their unique characteristics and tactical applications.
Ballistic weapons fire solid projectiles, and have a limited amount of ammunition. Once depleted, they require restocking at either a landing zone or Repair & Rearm station.
Ballistic weapons will mostly bypass shields, allowing them to directly damage the hull.
Energy weapons do not require ammunition, they will on their own regenerate ammunition. How much ammo that is regenerated can be tweaked by balancing the power triangle.
As versatile weaponry, they will damage shields and hulls.
Distortion weapons are specialized energy weapons, that do not damage the ship, but instead disable subsystems, if applied long enough. It is better to use these weapons on your target's hull, as shields are very resistant against distortion damage.
Once the shields of your target are broken, sustained Distortion fire will then disrupt the target's power systems and components. Eventually, this will result in the power plant becoming disabled.
Missiles are fire-and-forget self-guided explosive munitions systems. They come with different seeker heads to track track specific signatures: electromagnetic (EM), infrared (IR), and cross-section (CS).
Cluster Munition Explosive Projectiles (CM) fire a group of smaller explosive missiles once closer to your target, overwhelming your opponent's defenses.
Torpedoes function the same way missiles do. However, they're much larger and more powerful. Due to their increased mass, they're also slower than missiles and vulnerable to vehicle turrets and PDCs (Point Defense Cannons, such as the ones on the Idris).
More specialized vehicles with torpedo bays are required to utilize these weapons, such as the Aegis Retaliator and Eclipse with their Size 9 torpedoes. The Anvil Gladiator, Aegis Vanguard Harbinger, and the Crusader Ares can equip Size 5 torpedoes.
Bombs are ordnance that is meant to be used within a planet's atmosphere.
A skilled bomber pilot will need to enable their bombing mode by selecting the Missile Operator Mode, select the Bombs, and then designate an area with a blue circle on their heads-up display, align with the area, and release the bomb at the right time to hit their designated target.
They can only be used by specialized vehicles, such as Crusader's Hercules A2 and Spirit A1.
EMPs deal large amounts of distortion damage with a distance falloff. The amount of damage scales as they charge up. It is advised to take down the shields first, as shields are resistant to Distortion damage.
You can detonate an EMP at any point to release its pulse, damaging all vehicles in the vicinity. The pulse will first damage their shields and then spread to the components, causing malfunction in extreme cases.
As a specialized weapon, EMPs are only compatible with a selection of ships, such as the Aegis Sabre Raven, Aegis Vanguard Sentinel, Anvil Hawk, and RSI Scorpius Antares.
Quantum Enforcement Devices (QEDs) have two usages. Only certain vehicles, like the RSI Mantis are able to pull ships out of quantum travel thanks to a specialized module called a Quantum Snare. The Mantis can maintain a large bubble around itself, pulling out every ship passing through it.
Quantum Dampening prevents the activation of quantum drives within a short range while active. It can be activated instantly, trapping unwary ships as long as they're within radius.
Weapon types vary to suit different combat scenarios, ranging from melee scatterguns to mid-range repeaters or even the far-reaching Mass Drivers. Ballistic and Energy weapons also come in various types that have strengths and strategic uses. Weapons also come in various sizes, allowing you to properly equip your ship for its role.
Finding the right weapons for your ship is crucial for outfitting your vessel to suit your combat needs. Learn where to purchase or acquire each type, from well-stocked space stations to specialized shops on planetary surfaces. Knowing where to find these armaments ensures you're always prepared for any encounter.
Here are the main four cities where you can find most shops.
Open your in-game map to pinpoint these weapon shops and explore their diverse inventories to gear up for your next adventure.
Head to Area18 where CenterMass and Dumper's Depot offer a range of armaments.
In New Babbage, CenterMass is your go-to for top-tier weaponry.
Orison features both Cousin Crows and the Crusader Showroom, providing diverse options for your arsenal.
For those on Lorville, visit the HD Showcase or the Hurston Dynamics Showcase for an extensive selection.
Simply approach a module you're interested in, and the User Interface will display its information and price. You can also browse the full shop's gear by using one of the terminals!
Mastering the art of combat in Star Citizen involves more than just selecting the right weapons; it requires understanding how to effectively use them in various scenarios. This section provides essential tips and strategies for optimizing your weapon choices and enhancing your combat performance.
Use the energy management triangle shortcuts on your MFD to distribute power between weapons, shields, and engines based on the combat situation. Balancing these will ensure you're making the most of your ship's capabilities.
Flares are decoys that produce a very bright signature in all signature types that missiles may be attracted to dependent on their own internal countermeasure resistance. Chaff countermeasures work exactly the opposite: They produce a so-called noise field in which all contained signatures will be dampened down; They can be used to break target locks that ships or turrets may have on you.
What ship is best for beginners? What vehicle loadouts work well? What are modules? Gain knowledge and experience from seasoned citizens with the Guide System and make sure to join the discussions on Spectrum!