The Intergalactic Aerospace Expo (IAE) 2955 has officially opened its doors, and Roberts Space Industries isn't wasting any time with the festivities. The long-awaited RSI Perseus Heavy Gunship is now live and flyable, marking a significant shift in sub-capital combat dynamics for Star Citizen players.
Heavy Firepower on Deck
For years, the Perseus has existed mostly in concept art and brochures, promising a dedicated gunship role that sits between the smaller corvettes and the massive destroyers. With today's release, that promise is reality. The ship defines itself by what developers describe as an "exceptional offensive array."
Unlike the Polaris, which focuses on torpedo strikes, the Perseus is a brawler. It relies on massive, manned turrets to shred armor. This release is specifically timed with the IAE 2955 kickoff, meaning players logging in for the event will likely see these heavy hitters patrolling the skies immediately. If you are piloting a Hammerhead or a Carrack, you might want to check your radar twice; the Perseus is designed to punch exactly in that weight class.
Is the Perseus worth the crew requirement?
The introduction of the Perseus reinforces the multi-crew meta that Cloud Imperium Games has been pushing toward. This isn't a ship you solo effectively. To utilize that offensive array, you need coordinated gunners. For organizations, this fills a crucial gap in fleet composition—a vessel capable of sustained, high-caliber fire without the resource drain of a Javelin.
More Than Just Gunships
While the Perseus is stealing the spotlight, the recent "Talkin' Shop" developer broadcast dropped crumbs for the industrial crowd as well. Alongside the heavy combat focus, the team previewed a small salvager ship.
This is arguably just as significant for the game's economy. Right now, salvage is dominated by the massive Reclaimer or the Vulture. A new entry in the small salvager category suggests more options for solo or duo industrial players who want to scrape hulls without needing a massive crew. While the Perseus dominates the combat discussion at IAE 2955, keep an eye on the expo floor for more details on this industrial workhorse.