For years, I’ve passionately defended Star Citizen when discussing it with friends. My argument has always been that while purchasing a powerful ship might offer a competitive edge, true skill in piloting could still outshine any material advantage. It was one of the aspects I loved most about the project—the idea that a highly skilled pilot, even in the most basic starter ship, could outmaneuver someone in a much more expensive craft, provided they had put in the time and effort. I’m no “ace” pilot. I’d say I’m slightly above average, using mouse and keyboard without the intensive training many elite players undergo. However, the best pilots—the ones who inspired others to improve and spend time mastering their skills—are still out there today, but the dynamic has shifted. They’ll still dominate most of the time, but the moment we enter atmospheric combat(and still significant but to a somewhat lesser degree in space), it turns into a simple DPS race. Whoever can point the most guns at their opponent will always come out on top. That competitive balance I once praised has now been distorted to the point where even I, someone who isn’t exceptional, can take down some of the best players, simply because of this overwhelming damage output. And honestly, that feels bad. I’m deeply disappointed with the current direction of vehicle combat and flight mechanics. It feels like we've lost the emphasis on skill, and that’s heartbreaking for those of us who loved what the game once represented.