This is not going to be some massively OP ship that wrecks everything. Step 1: Forget everything about the marketing materiel. CIG has stated numerous times that it is just in game marketing fluff, and has no bearing on development. Step 2: Actually look at the DPS from S7 weapons. We currently have one S7 weapon in game, the M9A laser cannon. It does 1742 DPS. To contrast this, a stock Sabre with 4xS3 Panthers does 1760 DPS. Yes, thats right, the Sabre has more DPS than the Ares from guns. Step 3: Missiles. The brochure has the Ares with quite the missile complement, rivaling that of the Gladiator. Yes the Gladiator, you know that fighter with the torpedoes that you never see anyone using in game? The ship stat page however, has a far smaller missile loadout, with no torpedos. Which is correct? Not even CIG can say for sure. I remember when the Herald lost more than half it's missiles after it had already been released onto the public PTU. Offhand I'd say 4 S5 and 8 S3 missiles seems likely. Strong? Yes. But S5s aren't so great against smaller ships. A strong point for the Ares still, but not as crazy as it may seem at first glance. Step 4: Fixed weapon only. Weapon. Singular. If anyone actually flies in game right now, you know just how difficult it can be to hit a small target like an Arrow with fixed weapons. This combined with it's average at best DPS means you aren't going to be blowing fighters out of the sky. It will be decent against medium ships, but hardly devastating. Step 5: Armor. The Inferno has medium armor just like the Ion. Yet it's heavier? Because reasons? Honestly this makes no sense and I have no idea how it was approved for publishing like this. Still it's interesting to note that they went out of their way to clarify that neither of these ships has heavy armor. Step 6: Shields. The Inferno matches a freelancer in shields, and the Ion will have 50% more shields. Tanky? Yes, but a dedicated fighter should be a bit tankier than a cargo ship. Step 7: Maneuverability. This will be the biggest determining factor in the ships power. CIG has no trouble making ships with more guns handle like bricks, and be worthless because of it. Look at the Tana. It can have higher DPS than a Super Hornet, with more missiles, but flies like a lead balloon filled with cement. Step 8: The Freelancer MIS. Higher DPS from guns (1920), guns are on auto turrets so full gimbal capability, same shields as an Inferno, MORE missiles, a turret for backup, while also having multiple beds, living space, and a cargo bay. Also cheaper. AND it's a smaller cross section, so it's harder to hit. TLDR: If you aren't screaming about how the MIS balances the game, then you can stop about the Ares, because the MIS outclasses it in every way. It is a pretty boat though. Thank you for coming to my TED talk. P.S. The Vanguard Harbringer also out DPS's and outclasses the Ares.