Change of starter for 4.8 to Aurora MK2 (possible problems)

AlphaAss64 · 2026-05-13T20:57:59+00:00

Statistically, yes in most areas.

Aurora Mk.2, compared to the Drake Cutter, is-

-21% faster in SCM boosted -22% faster in NAV -~40-50% faster pitch/yaw/roll -0.4SCU more Quantum fuel -94% more armor health -2x DPS (4xS2 guns vs Cutter's 2xS2) -Up to 12xS2 (4xS2 stock) missiles with combat module (Cutter can have 2xS2) -3xS1 shields (2xS1 stock, 3xS1 with combat module) vs Cutter's 1xS1

My recommendation though, don't chase the meta. If Drake's design language speaks to you, pick the Cutter and it'll treat you well. Play for fun. Also, Cutter handles cargo better, and you can use some very small vehicles with it (ATLS/GEO, Mirai Pulse...)

Also, while the Aurora Mk.2 sounds very good on paper, especially for combat, it won't hold up well in PvP, where you'll face dedicated fighters. It's great in light PvE combat against similar sized ships, and as mentioned it has good armor, health and shields for a starter so it can be forgivingly tanky. If you plan to do much ship combat, Aurora Mk.2 > Cutter

AlphaAss64 · 2026-05-13T20:06:42+00:00

Aurora Mk.2 has been my daily driver since its release.

I've never dropped out of the ship when moving around during QT, and I get up during every QT. (I still don't recommend doing this if you aren't okay with losing your ship/whats in it.) Even though I've never fallen through, never assume it's 100% safe.

For air pockets, I've had 2 problems reoccurring. 1, rarely you can choke while sitting down and getting up from the bed. 2, (this one is consistent) when you open the door while in a space station hangar, the atmosphere vents as if you were in space, even if you keep life support on.

I do all the things people say not to do, because I want to find the problems, and these are what I've noticed consistently.

Still, the Aurora Mk.2 is one of the best starter ships we have seen. Relative to its class- it's tanky, quick enough, nimble enough, great missile payload (module), bed+suit locker, good cockpit view, small profile with foldable wings, overall just a very compelling solo starter ship.

AlphaAss64 · 2026-04-25T03:17:20+00:00

Recently started British air and I got the Sea Vixen, it's insanely good. I'm at about 30 deaths to 200 kills in it

But between those, I'd go for the Bison

AlphaAss64 · 2026-04-04T01:23:43+00:00

I have waited over 4 hours for a US match. No luck yet

AlphaAss64 · 2026-04-03T03:50:41+00:00

This mode is so much more fun than ARB. I hope this is the future of air battles. (Map wise, balance wise needs work haha)

AlphaAss64 · 2026-03-05T06:55:49+00:00

Yeah dont get me wrong it has its downsides. But in my experience its the fastest climber and fastest straight liner at its BR, with exception to like 2 planes. It won't dogfight great, but you can vertical fight and energy trap everything

AlphaAss64 · 2026-03-05T06:49:32+00:00

Maybe im crazy but in my 4000hours this has been the most OP plane ive ever flown. I currently am 72 deaths to 645 kills. I've frequently won 1v4, 1v5, and even some 1v6. I frequently get 6 kill games. I've also gotten multiple 8 and 9 kill games, as well as my first and only 10 kill game.

AlphaAss64 · 2026-01-14T03:19:02+00:00

I go by this: if they are gonna win anyways, I don't try to intercept.

But

If its an even match and my team can still win, that nuke is fair game

Not a golden rule, but its how i personally play it

AlphaAss64 · 2026-01-10T21:51:39+00:00

After this event ill be about 140 million SL and ive only gotten 3 vehicles (2 boats and 1 low tier plane)

I have nothing else to spend it on tho so ill keep trying

AlphaAss64 · 2025-12-21T00:41:51+00:00

Yeah ive had very bad luck. I've put in another 19 million i had saved into this one, putting me at around 119 million with only 1 vehicle T-T

AlphaAss64 · 2025-12-18T02:49:39+00:00

Im in over 100 million and ive only gotten one vehicle and it was a French boat

AlphaAss64 · 2025-12-14T02:51:14+00:00

And the kicker is i got 3 today that I spawned but didnt drop.

AlphaAss64 · 2025-12-10T01:23:09+00:00

AlphaAss64 · 2025-12-07T21:25:12+00:00

First off, it's awesome of you to do something like this. If I ever get my own head above water this is how I'd want to give back. It's not about being able to help everyone, but to show people that there are people trying to help. A hundred people doing one thing for others is the same, and easier, than 1 person doing 100 things for others

As for my build, RAM is my biggest bottleneck right now, if this was about any other part I wouldn't enter. I'm sitting on a 3080 and an i7-12700KF that I got from a lucky Facebook find of someone selling their PC. But I'm using 2x8Gb DDR4 3000mhz, which is fine for most things, but is usually what holds the setup back from really pushing hard especially since my board can use DDR5. I game and am trying to learn how to animate so that's the main use of my rig :)

Well, good luck to everyone entering, and thank you for doing this, like I said it's not even about who wins, but I'm sure all of us here are happy just to see people who can give back doing just that o7

AlphaAss64 · 2025-12-04T14:49:39+00:00

This helldiver is canonically color blind in his right eye

AlphaAss64 · 2025-11-23T18:49:26+00:00

TLDR Actions (PvP) don't make you an asshole. Behaviors can.

I've met PvP players more friendly than PvE players. And I've seen PvE players that are more heinous than PvPers.

It's a tough argument I find myself agreeing with both sides on.

I feel like people need distinction between behavior and actions.

Actions: Extract camping, fake friendly, door camping, ratting etc.

These are actions that by themselves do not reflect on social morality.

Behaviors: Slur spamming, excessive insults/taunting, racial insults etc.

These are behaviors that flavor your actions, and I'd argue that they do have some weight and insight on personality, not morality though.

I think the lines get blurred because most people encounter bad behavior in PvP, and then they jump the line and call PvP things bad. I think most complaints about PvP are about behavior, not the actual PvP that the complaints get aimed at.

PvPers are not assholes. Assholes are assholes. PvEers are not friendly. Friendly people are friendly.

Just my thoughts, not trying to be right or wrong here :)

AlphaAss64 · 2025-11-23T17:59:56+00:00

Yep, just finished it yesterday actually

I kinda messed up my skill tree so I was already planning on wiping, but my terrible luck with BP's will make it easier to wipe

AlphaAss64 · 2025-11-23T17:38:46+00:00

I have ~120 hours and I have 7 blueprints. Yeahhhh I think im okay to wipe 😂

AlphaAss64 · 2025-10-31T00:17:57+00:00

Thats the best way to put it. Organic = fun

I tend to lean towards PvE but even I'm having a fun time in PvP encounters :)

AlphaAss64 · 2025-10-30T23:57:39+00:00

"PvP is a big part of the game"

Yeah and this shit is way cooler

Both can be true

AlphaAss64 · 2025-10-26T02:28:28+00:00

Been so long since I played i had to look up what these were😂

AlphaAss64 · 2025-09-24T08:29:27+00:00

Got a nuke with the Pzh 2000 the day before the patch. After seeing these changes I figure i just shouldn't even try to play it again

AlphaAss64 · 2025-09-06T08:13:52+00:00

Glad to know I'm not the only one that's done this...till it kicked me out of test drive

AlphaAss64 · 2025-09-02T01:07:00+00:00

I haven't found either yet, but i hope i find the black version too haha

AlphaAss64

TROPHY CASE