What Exactly Are Gimballed Weapons?
Definition
The term “gimballed” in Star Citizen refers to a type of weapon that can move independently of your ship’s orientation. Imagine a robotic arm that can swivel and adjust its aim, allowing you to target and track enemies even if your ship isn’t perfectly aligned with them. This movement is controlled by either the player’s input, the ship’s targeting system, or a combination of both. This flexibility gives gimballed weapons a significant advantage in the chaotic dogfights that are common in the ‘Verse. These weapons are often mounted on gimbals, a mechanical device that allows the weapon to rotate on one or more axes. This allows the weapon to compensate for ship movement and maintain a lock on its target, leading to more accurate and easier aiming. This design is meant to improve accuracy when fighting in the vastness of space.
The Perks of Using Gimballed Weapons
Enhanced Aiming
The core advantage of gimballed weapons is the enhanced aiming capabilities they provide. In the heat of combat, perfectly aligning your ship to your target can be challenging, especially against agile opponents. Gimballed weapons compensate for this, allowing you to keep your crosshairs on the enemy even when your ship is maneuvering wildly.
Easy Targeting
This aiming assistance makes it much easier to hit moving targets. In Star Citizen, combat often involves chasing down and outmaneuvering other ships. Gimballed weapons help you track targets as they zip around, making it more likely that your shots will land. This enhanced tracking ability can turn the tide of a battle, especially against ships that are more difficult to hit.
Beginner Friendly
Gimballed weapons are also generally considered more user-friendly for new players. The added aiming assistance lowers the skill floor, allowing beginners to get into the fight without the steep learning curve associated with fixed weapons. This easier handling can boost confidence and make the initial learning process more enjoyable. The game allows players to quickly become more comfortable with the mechanics of combat and allow them to focus on strategic elements like tactics and ship management.
Accuracy
Gimballed weapons can contribute to increased accuracy for players, translating into more consistent damage output over time. This increase in accuracy is especially noticeable in the hands of a player who is new to space combat or struggles with precise aiming. By helping to compensate for ship movement and other factors that can affect accuracy, gimballed weapons offer a more forgiving experience that increases the likelihood of successful hits.
The Downsides of Gimballed Weapons
Potential Damage Reduction
While gimballed weapons offer many benefits, there are drawbacks to consider. The most common trade-off is a potential reduction in overall damage output, often referred to as DPS (Damage Per Second). Because the weapon’s movement may be restricted to compensate for the flexibility and assist, this might decrease potential output over time. It is therefore important to understand the balance between ease of use and damage output when choosing your weapons.
Reliant Targeting System
Gimballed weapons also rely heavily on your ship’s targeting systems or the player’s ability to aim. If the targeting system is faulty or the player’s aim is off, the weapon’s potential benefits will be diminished. A reliable targeting system is necessary for the weapon to lock on a target and to keep it in range. Without this, the weapon cannot provide any assistance.
Ineffectiveness
In certain situations, gimballed weapons can be less effective. For example, at extremely long ranges, the slight movement of the weapon may not be enough to compensate for the distance and the accuracy may be lacking. Likewise, against exceptionally agile ships, the weapon’s gimballed movement may struggle to keep up, causing the player to miss more often.
De-Gimballing
Players must also recognize that the use of gimballed weapons means that the weapon might be “de-gimballed.” This means that weapons can be converted to remove the movement and offer greater damage output. De-gimballing can be advantageous in situations where players are confident in their aiming skills and are not concerned about the added accuracy that gimballed weapons provide.
Gimballed vs. Fixed Weapons and Other Choices
Gimballed vs Fixed
When selecting weapons for your ship, it’s crucial to understand the differences between gimballed and fixed weapons. Fixed weapons are mounted directly to your ship’s frame and fire in the direction your ship is pointing. They generally offer higher damage potential, but require more precise aiming and are more difficult to use, particularly in close-quarters combat. However, fixed weapons often have a higher damage output because they do not suffer the constraints of the gimbal mechanism, making them ideal for situations where precision is key.
Other Weapon Types
Beyond fixed and gimballed weapons, Star Citizen offers a variety of other weapon types. Turrets, for example, are mounted on specialized gimbals and can be controlled either by the pilot or by a crewmember. These weapons offer excellent coverage and are valuable for multi-crew operations.
Semi-gimballed weapons are also present; these weapons are generally mounted on gimbals, but have their movement restricted to keep them in a set area.
The best choice for you depends on your playstyle, the type of ship you fly, and the kinds of combat encounters you expect to face. Many experienced pilots use a combination of weapon types to balance the advantages and disadvantages of each.
How to Use and Equip Gimballed Weapons
Weapon Acquisition
Acquiring gimballed weapons in Star Citizen is generally straightforward. They can be purchased at various ship component shops located at major spaceports and landing zones throughout the ‘Verse. The in-game stores carry different types of weapons, including those with the gimballed feature. Remember to check the specifications of a weapon before you purchase it to determine its suitability for your ship and your playstyle.
Weapon Customization
Equipping gimballed weapons to your ship involves accessing the ship’s loadout customization interface. This interface is usually accessed either at a ship shop or through a mobiGlas application while in a station. From there, you can select the weapon mounts on your ship and choose the gimballed weapons you want to install.
Experiment and Practice
Experimentation is key to finding the perfect weapon loadout. Because different ships and players have different needs, you should test out various combinations and see what works best for you. This customization allows players to tailor their ships to their individual fighting styles.
Tips for Improvement
In addition to equipping the weapons, there are best practices to improve your performance when using gimballed weapons. These include maintaining your target’s position in your crosshairs, especially if you are new to space combat. Lead your shots by aiming slightly ahead of your target, and watch your ship’s target pips (the small indicators that show where your shots will land) to increase your accuracy. Learning these techniques can drastically improve your combat capabilities and help you become a more formidable opponent in the skies.
Concluding Thoughts on Gimballed Weapons in Star Citizen
In the vibrant world of Star Citizen, gimballed weapons offer a valuable tool for pilots of all skill levels. They improve aiming, particularly for those who are less experienced, and are relatively easy to use. Their ability to enhance accuracy makes them ideal for maneuvering and for tracking targets. By understanding the key advantages of using gimballed weapons, you can enhance your skill as a pilot and become a more effective fighter in the dynamic Star Citizen universe. However, it is critical to understand their drawbacks, and choose a balance between accuracy and potential damage.
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a fresh recruit, mastering the use of gimballed weapons is a crucial step towards dominating the skies. The enhanced flexibility of these weapons, especially in chaotic dogfights, will help you to overcome those who do not use them. Consider the advantages of these weapons and start experimenting with them. Try them out and fine-tune your weapons loadout to find what suits your playstyle. Consider experimenting with a combination of weapons to find your ideal configuration.
So strap into your ship, equip those gimballed weapons, and get ready to experience the thrill of space combat like never before. The ‘Verse awaits!
