Star Citizen gives players access to a range of ships from small nimble fighters to massive cargo haulers. The Crusader MSR sits somewhere in the middle with a classification of Medium Cargo / Medium Data Runner.
Although the MSR doesn't excel in one particular area, its versatility will allow the player to engage in multiple gameplay loops in Star Citizen (some of which are still not available). With many comparisons to the Millennium Falcon, the community has really enjoyed the immersive feel of the MSR and its delightful interior. This guide will cover everything from the main features of the ship to the weaponry and systems available.
Main Features
Cargo Bay and Engineering
The Cargo Bay is the main access point for the MSR and can be found at the rear of the and is a great place for the player to store both small and large vehicles, everything from the infamous Hoverquad to the cyclone.
Unfortunately, only small fighter ships such as the Merlin can fit in the rover bay so be careful when loading up multiple vehicles at once.
From here, there is a small engineering room to the left that allows access to all the ship's core components including the hyperdrive, shied generators, and more.
The access lift found at the back allows access to the rest of the ship. Be cautious when accessing this as players can get stuck underneath when it is raised.
Server Room And Turret Access
The MSR also has data running capabilities. This isn't currently in the game but will be added with an update in the future. Currently, we are waiting to enter the 3.18 update which will feature new gameplay loops such as salvaging.
Here, players can also find access to the upper and lower turrets that can provide additional firepower with a large crew.
These turrets are fully physicalized with the player being moved to the respective location (upper/lower). These feature 2 panther repeaters each but can be swapped out for another size 3 weapon.
Recreation And Habitation
As the player moves through the ship, they will find the recreation room. This has a great atmosphere and comfortable lighting. The chess board here also allows access to the crawl spaces found throughout the ship.
In the habitation area, there are 3 beds and a desk to allow players enough space to log off and return to the ship when needed.
Cockpit
The cockpit features 2 seats that raise into position allowing for a great panoramic view out of the front window. The design here allows for a completely undisturbed view which is great for both atmospheric and space combat.
Although a lot of space is wasted here, it does give a somewhat luxurious feel with some interesting moving parts.
Hidden Cargo And Crawl Spaces
Finally, the MSR features a hidden cargo bay. For those looking to transport illegal commodities, this will keep them hidden from security scans and stop them from getting a crime stat and possibly being sent to prison.
This area can be accessed to the right of the main cargo bay through a hidden door. Here, the player can also enter the crawl space that leads to every other room on the ship.
Although there are other areas on the ship that aren't mentioned above, they currently aren't being used as the gameplay loops haven't been implemented into the game.
Price and Costs
As the MSR does reach into the medium cargo category, the refueling and repair costs can be substantial when piloted in a certain manner. However, with the ability to haul a decent amount of commodities, the player can easily make this money back.
With 114SCU of storage, it is on the lower side when compared to other cargo ships. But its versatility does allow the player to engage in multiple gameplay loops.
At a starting cost of 4,912,000 aUEC, the MSR is quite expensive for those entering the game. However, with some work, more experienced players can easily get their hands on this awesome ship.
It is far cheaper than some other vehicles currently available which does make its price competitive when looking for a medium-sized versatile ship.
Ship Handling
As a cargo ship, it may be expected that the MSR is lacking in both speed and maneuverability. This is not the case.
With a top speed of 1,287 m/s, this ship can easily escape combat and jump to another location with ease. Its sleek design also allows for great maneuverability in the atmosphere which makes it a great option for bounty-hunting missions.
It will take a reasonably skilled pilot to make the most of the MSR in space combat, but the same can be said for most ships in Star Citizen. For a ship of this size, it is a great place to start for players looking to invest in a slightly larger ship and step away from some of the starter ships available.
Combat and Weaponry
Although the MSR can be flown alone, it isn't recommended. The pilot has access to 2 panther repeaters as a stock option which can deal a decent amount of damage with a good pilot.
However, the MSR also features 2 other turrets with the same firepower as the pilot meaning a few more crew players can easily triple the damage output.
The pilot also has access to size 2 and size 3 missiles which allow for a slightly more versatile fighting style. This paired with the MSR's maneuverability can make it a deadly choice in some situations.
Conclusion
To conclude, the MSR comes with some awesome features for those looking to engage in multiple gameplay loops currently in Star Citizen as well as some coming to the game in the future (data running).
The Asymmetric style and color scheme give it a unique look, even among Crusader ships alone. The interior is fully fleshed out and really immerses the player in any Sci-Fi adventure.
Players may want to look into changing some of the components with some upgrades to allow for faster travel around the Stanton system and better combat efficiency.
The community has compared the MSR to the Millennium Falcon from Star Wars for multiple reasons. If the player is looking to become the "Han Solo" of Star Citizen, this is the best ship for it.
Star Citizen is available on PC.