Consider upgrading for better performance and features.
Consider upgrading for better performance and features.
You're considering upgrading to a Gladius CCU for your 325a at a reasonable price, preferring its style over general-purpose gear. You're seeking recommendations for the best dogfighter among your current ships—Gladius, Cutlass Blue, and Herald—and are open to advice on which one excels in combat. Your focus is on performance for escort duties, so I'll tailor suggestions accordingly.
There seems to be a Gladius CCU on the market! It makes sense, but I'm facing the same situation as my 325a Alpha package—uncertain about what to do since the experience isn't great. Of course, I have an Andromeda to support this claim. Updated April 7, 2015 by Wauthar
Additionally, regarding a comparable subject, the Cutlass Blue stands out significantly over other proposed Multi-Crew dog fighters. It generally excels in shields, power, weapons, and crew size (Gladiator, Freelancer, Cutlass, Super Hornet, Vanguard).
My take is that keeping the ship in an alpha package keeps you in alpha status since the package ties you to it. As long as you don’t damage it, your rank stays the same. If you want more assurance, I recommend reaching out to customer service for clarification. Assuming my understanding is right, you won’t be stuck with a ship you dislike, no matter what package you choose. @ CommanderFett I think the Gladius could be a better option. It might not be as quick, but it offers stronger potential and a setup suited for escort duties and extended battles. They’re also working on upgrading the gladius to match its price point, similar to their approach with the cutlass. That should help. Also, herald won’t serve well in dogfighting unless you intend to use it for that role; otherwise, it’s better suited for its original function. The main issue is these ships aren’t fully functional—blue cutlasses don’t behave as expected, and they lack essential features like stealth, larger shields, and effective thrusters. Their acceleration and handling still need improvement. For the gladiator, they just added recent changes, so you might see better performance soon.
The present vessel is the Black. I checked the stats page of the Blue and it surpasses every other multi-seat fighter in the game, even the new Vanguard. https://robertsspaceindustries.com/ship-specs Choose the Freelancer MIS, Super Hornet, Gladiator, Cutlass Blue, and Vanguard. I know the Herald isn't meant for dogfighting—I have other purposes for it.
My main choice is that my alpha stays tied to the 325a (formerly Aurora LN) package. Yet I really prefer the appearance of Gladius more than the 325a, so I’m leaning toward buying a Gladius CCU even though they look similar.
The alpha package remains a solid option if you proceed with it. This point was raised by others in the subscriber forums, and support can help confirm it. It shouldn’t cause any issues. I’ve understood that only black models are available—my blue anniversary edition is fine—but for the cutlass, we’re limited to this version at the moment. The blue ones will feature bigger hardpoints and more ships. I’ve observed that s4 shields don’t offer much improvement over smaller versions yet, though I’m hoping the gap will become clearer. A single round of s1 sledges shouldn’t be enough to end your fight with an s4 shielded cutlass.