What to know
The Ares Star Fighter Ion is an anti-capital fighter manufactured by Crusader Industries. With the Ares Ion, a single oversized weapon is built to damage gunships and capital-class targets, not chase light fighters.
Ares Ion specifications
The targets the Ares Ion is designed to face
The Ares Ion is a specialist fighter built around the anti-capital laser built for large targets. It is designed to damage gunships and capital vessels, not chase small fighters. Three missile racks give the Ares Ion a total load of twenty Size 3 missiles alongside its main weapon. The Ares Ion provides 0.86 SCU of external storage and dedicated gun racks near the rear of the ship.
How the Ares Ion supports its weapons
Capital ships are the Ares Ion's priority, with its weapons and flight profile built around attacking large, valuable targets.
Development note: The Ares Ion is flight ready and entered the live game in Alpha 3.15.1. Because Star Citizen remains in active development, specifications, features, and imagery may change over time.
Fighting equipment aboard the Ares Ion
The Ares Ion gives one pilot the primary weapon built for large targets for attacks on gunships and capital vessels. Its main weapon is poorly suited to chasing small, agile targets.
Three missile racks give the Ares Ion a total load of twenty Size 3 missiles alongside its main weapon.
The Ares Ion provides 0.86 SCU of external storage and dedicated gun racks near the rear of the ship.
The cockpit puts flight, targeting, weapons, and damage information in front of the pilot.
Heavy sensor, shield, and weapon use can strain the power system, so the crew must watch heat and output.
The Ion's anti-capital loadout
The Ion is built around a single bespoke SF7E The main cannon. Its accurate, high-impact fire is intended for gunships and capital-class targets, while twenty Size 3 missiles give the pilot a separate guided option.
A Size 7 laser cannon built for large targets
The Ares Ion is built to put the Size 7 laser cannon built for large targets into targets large enough to justify its specialist weapon.
Friendly fighters should keep light attackers away while the Ares Ion concentrates on the larger ship it was sent to damage.
The pilot checks the Ares Ion's main weapon and protection before committing to another attack on the same heavy target.
Using the Ares Ion's strengths against the right opponent
The Ares Ion is built to place the primary weapon built for large targets on a much larger ship while friendly fighters keep smaller threats away.
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Choose a capital-class target
The Ares Ion gives up broad dogfighting flexibility so it can sustain fire against a much larger target.
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Hold the main weapon on target
The Ares Ion should stay outside the easiest defensive turret fire while keeping the main cannon built for large targets within effective range.
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Concentrate fire on one major system
The pilot balances aim, distance, and the Ares Ion's condition while using the anti-capital laser built for large targets.
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Let escorts handle the light fighters
The Ares Ion is strongest when friendly fighters keep small attackers away while it concentrates on the heavy target.
Ares Ion's combat equipment in detail
The Ares Ion combines its Size 7 laser cannon built for large targets with the handling, protection, and targeting systems needed for its combat role.
The Ares Ion's Size 7 laser cannon is built for deliberate long-range shots against large and capital-class ships. It pressures shields and exposed systems while friendly fighters protect the Ion from agile attackers.
Inside the Ares Ion, responsive handling helps the pilot keep the gun battery on target through tight turns.
For the Ares Ion, sensors and weapon controls help the pilot identify a suitable target and keep the gun battery aimed at it.
Protection around the Ares Ion's cockpit helps the pilot survive return fire without turning the fighter into a heavy ship.
The Ares Ion puts an oversized weapon in one pilot's hands
Flying keeps the ship alive, but target choice and steady control of the primary weapon built for large targets are what justify bringing the Ares Ion into the fight.
Flying and fighting in the Ares Ion
The Ares Ion is not a general dogfighter. Its pilot works around a larger target while friendly fighters deal with the small craft that can interrupt the attack.
For the Ares Ion, a single oversized weapon is built to damage gunships and capital-class targets, not chase light fighters.
The Ares Ion gets the most from the main cannon built for large targets by staying close enough to hit without giving the target a simple shot back.
Escorts keep agile attackers away and give the Ares Ion's pilot time to work on the larger target.
See the Ares Ion in action
Watch official footage of the Ares Ion in action and see it from every angle.
Find your Ares Ion
Explore in-stock Ares Ion ships, upgrades, and game packages available from The Impound.