The November 12, 2024, update for Star Citizen Alpha 3.4.3 PTU introduces significant enhancements to the Polaris ship, including a quadrupled hydrogen fuel capacity and improved Beasto weapon systems with increased damage and projectile speed, despite a reduced firing rate. The patch also addresses radar access for the Polaris and 890 Jump, along with bug fixes for landing gear issues, while encouraging community feedback on the new features.
On November 12, 2024, a new patch for Star Citizen Alpha 3.4.3 PTU was released, introducing significant updates and features related to the Polaris and Star Lancer ships. The patch includes a polish pass for the Polaris, focusing on animations and physics optimizations, as well as an increase in the hydrogen fuel tank capacity. The update also introduces changes to the Beasto guns, including a custom lockdown gimbal system and adjustments to radar priority for the Point Defense System (PDC).
One of the standout features of this update is the increased hydrogen fuel capacity for the Polaris, which has been quadrupled from 250 to 1,000 units. This enhancement allows for longer missions without the need for frequent refueling. Additionally, the Beasto weapon system has undergone significant changes, including an increase in velocity from 900 m/s to 1,300 m/s and a rise in alpha damage from 1,500 to 2,400. However, the firing rate has been reduced to 50 rounds per minute, prompting mixed reactions from players.
The video showcases gameplay testing of the new features, including a chessboard that players can interact with aboard the Polaris. The host explores the new weapon capabilities, demonstrating the Beasto weapon’s improved damage and penetration range. Despite the reduced firing rate, the increased damage output and projectile speed contribute to a more powerful weapon system overall. The testing also reveals that while the turret can destroy enemy ships, it does not eliminate the crew inside, highlighting a potential area for further development.
In addition to weapon updates, the patch includes radar access improvements for the Polaris and the 890 Jump, although the exact implications of this feature remain unclear. The video encourages viewers to share their understanding of radar access in the comments. Lastly, the update addresses some bug fixes, particularly concerning the landing gear of various Hercules variants, but the host finds that issues with landing gear positioning persist, indicating that further adjustments are still needed.
Overall, the Alpha 3.4.3 PTU patch brings notable enhancements to the Polaris and introduces new gameplay mechanics, particularly regarding weapon systems and ship functionality. While some features have received positive feedback, such as fuel capacity and damage output, others, like the landing gear issues, continue to require attention from the developers. The video provides an engaging overview of the updates and encourages community interaction to clarify certain features.