Choosing the perfect ship in Star Citizen can make or break your experience in the vast, uncharted universe. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know which ship suits your needs best. Today, we’re diving into a thrilling comparison of three incredible new ships in Star Citizen 3.24.2: the Zeus CL, Zeus ES, and Spirit C1. Whether you’re looking for a cargo hauler, an exploration ship, or a versatile all-rounder, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make the right choice.
Before we dive into the gritty details, let’s break down what makes each of these ships unique and essential for different types of pilots in Star Citizen:
● Zeus CL: This medium-sized cargo ship is your go-to for efficiently transporting goods across the galaxy. Whether you're running trade routes or delivering essential supplies to far-off planets, the Zeus CL ensures you have the cargo capacity and reliability to get the job done. It's ideal for players who want to focus on the logistics of trading and cargo hauling without worrying too much about combat or exploration.
● Zeus ES: For the bold adventurers among us, the Zeus ES is your exploration dream. It's a medium exploration ship crafted for those who yearn to uncover the universe's hidden wonders, from undiscovered star systems to mysterious anomalies. The Zeus ES isn’t just about getting from point A to B—it’s about the thrill of discovering something new. If adventure and exploration are in your blood, this ship is calling your name.
● Spirit C1: While also a medium cargo ship, the Spirit C1 stands out from the Zeus CL with its unique set of features. Whether it’s added versatility, speed, or specialized equipment, this ship caters to those who seek a different edge in the cargo business. Maybe you're after faster transport times, or perhaps you want a ship that can handle a bit more danger while hauling goods. The Spirit C1 offers those distinct advantages, making it a top choice for pilots who want more than just a standard cargo hauler.
Understanding the stats and features of these Star Citizen Ships is crucial. It helps you decide whether to keep your current vessel, invest in a new one, or “melt” your ship for in-game credits to spend elsewhere.
Each ship offers something unique, and knowing which suits your playstyle will make all the difference in Star Citizen’s expansive universe.
One of the first major differences between Zeus CL, Zeus ES, and Spirit C1 in Star Citizen 3.24.2 is cockpit space and crew capacity:
● Zeus CL and Zeus ES can accommodate three crew members: one pilot and two co-pilots.
● Spirit C1, on the other hand, has room for only two: one pilot and one co-pilot.
This might seem like a small difference, but if you plan on manning your ship with a full team, the Zeus CL or ES might be more suitable for you. Thus, Zeus CL and Zeus ES are the clear winners when it comes to Cockpit and Crew Capacity.
When it comes to top speed between Zeus CL, Zeus ES, and Spirit C1 without using boosts, the differences are minimal:
● Zeus CL: 200 m/s
● Zeus ES: 200 m/s
● Spirit C1: 204 m/s
Boosting speed tells a similar story:
● Zeus CL and Zeus ES: 400 m/s
● Spirit C1: 405 m/s
However, maximum navigation speed is where these ships diverge:
● Zeus CL: 1,000 m/s
● Zeus ES: 1,050 m/s
● Spirit C1: 1,130 m/s
The Spirit C1 is the winner when it comes to speed, making it the fastest in navigation mode, with a 130 m/s speed advantage over the Zeus CL and 80 m/s over the Zeus ES.
Maneuvering your ship is crucial in combat, exploration, and tight spaces. Here’s how the Spirit C1, Zeus ES, and Zeus CL handle maneuverability without a boost:
● Zeus CL: Pitch/Yaw: 31°/31°, Roll: 105° per second
● Zeus ES: Pitch/Yaw: 33°/33°, Roll: 110° per second
● Spirit C1: Pitch/Yaw: 36°/36°, Roll: 101° per second
Boosted stats show a similar story, with the Spirit C1 being the most maneuverable in terms of pitch and yaw, though slightly lacking in roll compared to the Zeus ships.
Durability is a massive factor when selecting the Best Ship in Star Citizen, and this is where the Spirit C1 truly shines:
● Zeus CL and ES: 24,120 hull HP
● Spirit C1: 67,600 hull HP (almost three times more!)
But don’t be fooled by hull HP alone—shield strength is equally important:
● Zeus CL: Three size 2 shield generators
● Zeus ES: Four size 2 shield generators
● Spirit C1: Only one size 2 shield generator
Thus, we can clearly see that the Spirit C1 has more health, more in contrast to Zeus CL and Zeus ES, while Zeus ES has more shields in contrast to Spirit C1, and Zeus CL.
If you’re a trader, cargo capacity will be at the top of your priority list. Here’s a difference between the Cargo Space of Star Citizen Ships: Zeus ES, Zeus CL, and Spirit C1.
● Zeus CL: 128 SCU (highest cargo capacity)
● Zeus ES: 32 SCU
● Spirit C1: 64 SCU
The Zeus CL dominates Zeus ES, and Spirit C1 when it comes to Cargo Space, while the Spirit C1 offers a balance between cargo and versatility. Of course, there’s always room to store cargo off-grid, increasing the potential load.
Exploration and long-distance travel require solid fuel capacity. Here’s a difference between Spirit C1, Zeus CL, and Zeus ES when it comes to Fuel Capacity.
● Hydrogen Fuel:
○ Spirit C1: 450,000 units (lowest)
○ Zeus CL: 665,000 units
○ Zeus ES: 931,000 units (highest)
● Quantum Fuel:
○ Spirit C1: 3,750 units
○ Zeus CL: 3,825 units
○ Zeus ES: 5,335 units
Clearly, the Zeus ES is the king of long-range exploration with its superior fuel capacity, while the Spirit C1, and Zeus CL trail behind.
Want to stay under the radar? Here’s a quick breakdown of emission signatures for infrared (IR) and electromagnetic (EM) readings between these ships:
● Infrared (IR):
○ Zeus CL: 14,086
○ Zeus ES: 15,534
○ Spirit C1: 18,831 (highest)
● Electromagnetic (EM):
○ Zeus CL: 12,247
○ Zeus ES: 16,752
○ Spirit C1: 8,227 (lowest)
The Spirit C1 excels in keeping its electromagnetic emissions low, thanks to fewer components, making it harder to detect in certain situations.
Here’s where firepower matters, especially if you’re jumping into combat. Below, we got a comparison of Weapons, Missiles, and Components between Zeus ES, Zeus CL, and Spirit C1.
● Zeus CL and Zeus ES: Both have two size 4 pilot-controlled weapons, along with a co-pilot-controlled remote turret featuring two size 3 weapons.
● Spirit C1: Comes equipped with four size 3 pilot-controlled weapons, but no additional turrets.
● Zeus CL and ES: Two size 2 missile racks, allowing eight size 2 missiles (but the racks are locked, so you can't switch to bigger sizes).
● Spirit C1: Two size 4 missile racks, offering flexibility to mount:
○ 2 size 4 missiles
○ 4 size 3 missiles
○ 8 size 2 missiles
○ 16 size 1 missiles
The Spirit C1 is the most versatile in terms of missile options, making it a fantastic choice for combat enthusiasts.
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So, which ship should you pick for your next journey across the galaxy? Each one from Star Citizen 3.24.2: Zeus ES, Zeus CL, and Spirit C1 offer unique strengths tailored to different gameplay styles, so it all depends on how you want to navigate the vast universe of Star Citizen:
● Zeus CL: If you’re all about cargo, this is your best bet with its massive storage capacity.
● Zeus ES: Perfect for explorers who need high fuel capacity and solid durability.
● Spirit C1: A versatile cargo ship with decent speed, maneuverability, and missile flexibility, though slightly lacking in shields.
No matter which ship you choose, each one is designed to excel in its own way, catering to different playstyles and missions. But remember, the key to enjoying Star Citizen to the fullest is picking the ship that aligns best with your gameplay style.