This is a major update post on Star Citizen. Star Citizen Alpha 2.5 includes significant changes to the environment of the Persistent Universe in Crusader. This patch, now available in your Star Citizen launcher, introduces the GrimHEX pirate base, which is a major addition to the game world and an important part of the ever-evolving faction system. Three ships have been added to the flight state, the Reliant KORE and two ARGO short-range transport variants. Further details of the update are available in the patch note.
GrimHEX
The GrimHEX pirate base
For the first time in Star Citizen, those who live outlaws now have a base of operations! The GrimHEX Pirate Base is a home for those who choose to live outside the laws of the United Empire of Earth. There's a lot to discover at GrimHEX, including shops: skutters is a weapons and armor store with a specialization in energy weapons, and KC Trending is a new clothing store with unique merchandise, but only one. in the beginning. GrimHEX will continue to grow with upcoming patches with the addition of a bar, criminal missions and a no-run zone.
GrimHEX isn't just a cool place to explore - it's also a vital evolution of Star Citizen's faction and reputation system. With Alpha 2.5, Violators will now spawn (and respawn) in GrimHEX and no longer have Port Olisar as a Quantum Travel option.
GrimHEX is located deep in the Yela asteroid belt, and you'll need to explore the area yourself to locate it. Or, just ask a hacker… they're somehow trustworthy!
The Imperial Green Housing Exchange
The Housing Exchange (also known as Hexs) is a popular style of inexpensive stations carved out of asteroids, in an effort to save money on building materials. Hexs provides affordable housing as well as shopping and entertainment venues for temporary workers filling contracts in the area. The simplicity of their construction made them easy to maintain and their hexagonal shape in honeycomb pieces made them extremely durable. Although its origin is Everline Structures Inc, this style of station has been adopted by a variety of manufacturers due to their relatively low cost to build and operate, you can find these stations in various forms all over the universe.
Land(ing) Oh !
Landing system launches
As the universe expands, the process of landing (and rearming, repairing, resupplying) your ship, in a variety of different environments, will become all the more important. With Star Citizen Alpha 2.5, here is the first iteration of a landing system that offers simple, smooth automatic functionality and gives players the option of manual landing. The system will grow over the next few releases to eventually incorporate things like docking and the ability to request / obtain landing clearance through the Comms system.
With this patch, players are now able to enter landing mode by simply lowering their landing gear (done by pressing the "N" key on the keyboard). Landing mode reduces the ship's speed to Precision mode and changes the standard AR display to an AR landing display. The landing pad is either valid (blue), invalid or recommended (green). By default, valid platforms are unobstructed and the correct size for the ship, while invalid platforms are either obstructed or the wrong size. There will only ever be one recommended platform at a time, and it will normally be the valid platform closest to the player. Once on a platform, the player can either land his ship manually or automatically (by holding the "N" key). A few seconds later, the landing mode will be deactivated and the AR display will return to normal. Likewise, a few seconds after take-off, the landing mode will be reactivated as long as the landing gear is extended. Retracting the landing gear deactivates the landing mode.
Vessels
Reliant
The 2946 MISC Reliant is ready for launch. Featuring a distinct flying wing shape, ample cargo space, unique weapon racks and influenced by Xi'An technology, this new addition to MISC's lineup is sure to be popular in the inhabited universe. Intended as a "starter ship" for new pilots, the Kore variant of the Reliant is a transporter with additional speed and combat capabilities not found in a dedicated cargo ship.
In fact, the Kore was specially designed by MISC to act as a balanced support for its own Hull series. While the Hull line is dedicated exclusively to hauling cargo from point to point with little interference, the nimble and better armed Reliant is ideal for trips that might involve an engagement or two.
The Reliant KORE is now ready to fly. You can learn more about the 2946 MISC Reliant here.
Argon
In a galaxy full of badass hunters, intricate explorers, massive cargo ships and ready-to-cash miners, is there room for some simplicity? The ARGO Astronautics team says yes. The ARGO is not a fighter vessel and an ARGO is unlikely to be the first to land on an alien world ... but they are an essential part of human commerce, making them a valuable tool for any person interested in building a merchant empire.
The MPUV platform, commonly referred to as ARGO from the company that designs and produces the ship, consists of a universal cabin attached to a variety of different role-specific modules. The military forces of the United Empire of Earth use the ARGO in many variations, from search and rescue, personnel transport, to ammunition loading. The ARGO is, by all accounts, easy to learn (many new pilots are being trained on it) and above all effective in its particular roles. Today, two variants are available in service in the Stanton system.
The MPUV ARGO Astronautics is now available in two ready-to-fly variants. You can learn more here.
Item 2.0 System
Since several 2.x patches, elements of the Item 2.0 system have been introduced. With Alpha 2.5, they started converting player and ship elements. As with previous updates similar to ship components, this is done largely behind the scenes: the implementation of new component class systems, naming conventions and other necessary features, as well as modernization of all existing armor and weapons to be compatible. These changes will allow greater modularity to be implemented in the elements. This should not affect the function of all in-game items, and changes to player item stats should be minimal.
Take out the big guns!
M7A launches with a "Bang"
The Alpha 2.5 introduces a new weapon for the Voyager Direct and in-game: the Behring M7A size 5 laser cannon. This is the biggest cannon put together for civilian ships in Star Citizen and, needless to say, it packs it all. with punch. This long-range energy cannon versatility is the latest in Behring's M-series. The M7A is designed to act as an effective medium to long range high impact deterrent. The new AC8 lens system minimizes power loss over distance, making every shot equally effective at longer range. The M7A was also mounted on the Starfarer Gemini turret by default.
