In Star Citizen’s 3.23 update, gimbals no longer automatically track targets, requiring players to manually aim for increased overall DPS. While gimbal mode offers more flexibility in aiming, it comes with a trade-off of slower firing rate, making it useful for larger ships to counteract limited maneuverability and target agile opponents effectively.
In Star Citizen’s 3.23 update, gimbals have undergone changes where they no longer automatically track targets. Players must now manually aim their gimbals, which allows for a full rate of fire for weapons when not in gimbal mode, resulting in increased overall DPS on the target. However, the effectiveness of this DPS is dependent on the player’s ability to hit the target accurately. To determine if you are in gimbal mode, look for the lock icon in the lower right side of the HUD. Activating gimbal mode is done by pressing ‘G’, which switches the HUD to targeting mode.
When in gimbal mode, the guns move and track independently of the player’s ship, providing more flexibility in aiming. However, firing in gimbal mode is noticeably slower, presenting a trade-off between increased accuracy and reduced firing rate. This feature is particularly useful for larger ships with low maneuverability, allowing players to better engage targets that are attempting to outmaneuver them or get around their ship’s nose. While the overall DPS may be lower in gimbal mode, the increased likelihood of hitting agile targets before they can evade can be advantageous.
Gimbals are recommended for use on larger ships to counteract their limited maneuverability and to target agile ships that are attempting to outmaneuver the player. The ability to track targets independently can help players maintain a strategic advantage in combat scenarios where agility plays a crucial role. Despite the trade-off of reduced firing speed, the accuracy provided by gimbals can be essential in landing critical hits on agile opponents. In situations where precision is key, a few well-placed shots from gimbals can make a significant impact.
By mastering the updated gimbal system in Star Citizen, players can enhance their combat effectiveness by leveraging the improved aiming capabilities and flexibility offered by manual gimbal control. Understanding when to switch between gimbal mode and standard firing mode is essential for optimizing combat performance, especially when facing agile opponents. While gimbals may result in slightly lower overall DPS, the increased accuracy they provide can be a game-changer in engagements where hitting the target swiftly is crucial. With practice and strategic implementation, players can utilize gimbals to their advantage in combat situations to gain the upper hand against opponents.