The Aegis Sabre is a popular stealth fighter in Star Citizen, and Aegis Dynamics has released several variants tailored for different roles. To help you choose the right ship, this guide breaks down the differences between the base Sabre and its variants: the Sabre Comet, Firebird, Peregrine, and Raven. Each model has unique strengths, equipment, and ideal use cases, from dogfights to stealthy infiltrations.
| Variant | Role/Focus | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Aegis Sabre | Stealth Fighter | Balanced stealth and speed; strong agility + countermeasures |
| Sabre Comet | Dogfighter | Enhanced maneuverability (bankable thrusters); special livery |
| Sabre Firebird | Assault Fighter | Massive missile barrage (12x S3 missiles); high burst damage |
| Sabre Peregrine | Racing/Interceptor | Extreme top speed (engine boosters); lightweight & agile |
| Sabre Raven | Interdiction | Low signature stealth (reduced sensors/heat); covert ops |
Aegis Sabre (Base Model)
The standard Aegis Sabre is a highly maneuverable stealth fighter. It was designed for space superiority missions where speed and shock-and-awe are crucial. Key features include built-in countermeasure launchers (decoy and noise) that let you break enemy locks, and a balanced armament suitable for hit-and-run attacks. In combat, the base Sabre’s strengths are its agility and stealth: it can dart into battle, unleash a burst of firepower (typically two nose-mounted guns and missile ordnance), then slip away under cover. This makes it ideal for pilots who prefer striking hard and disappearing, or those who rely on sensors and ECM gear in dogfights.
- Stealth & Countermeasures: Comes with both a decoy and a noise launcher to confuse pursuers.
- Mobility: Excellent thrust and agility for dodging shots and weaving through enemy fire.
- Balanced Weapons: Typically armed with mid-sized laser/ballistic guns and a modest missile load. Not the heaviest hitter but more than enough for most fights.
Sabre Comet
The Sabre Comet is a special-edition dogfighting variant of the Sabre. Released as part of a flight simulation promotional series, it’s a tribute ship with a unique livery and finely-tuned combat loadout. While it shares the same basic frame and weapon mount points as the base Sabre, the Comet features enhanced thrusters that allow for bankable turns – you roll to one side and use thrust vectoring to turn on a dime. This makes it extremely deadly in one-on-one dogfights. The Comet’s weapons are geared for sustained skirmishes: you’ll notice great handling in close combat.
- Dogfighting Focus: Specially geared for tight, one-on-one combat.
- Bankable Thrusters: Enhanced maneuverability for sharper turns and energy retention during rolls.
- Unique Appearance: Comes with a striking, limited-edition paint job celebrating a famous pilot.
The Comet’s increased agility can catch even seasoned pilots off-guard. Its bankable thrusters require finesse; using them recklessly can cause overshoots. Remember that unlike the missile-heavy Firebird, the Comet has no extra missile rack, so it relies on gunplay. Practice throttle control on the Comet before jumping into heavy skirmishes.
Sabre Firebird
The Sabre Firebird is the missile-armed assault variant. It transforms the Sabre into a short-range bomber with sensational firepower. The hallmark of the Firebird is its 12x Size 3 missile rack mounted in a retractable pod under the fuselage. In combat, you launch massive barrages of missiles to shred larger targets before they can take notice. In addition to the missile launcher, the Firebird retains twin Size 3 guns for strafing. Thanks to its agile frame, it can zip into position, unleash all its missiles, and then use its speed to escape. This high-speed, high-damage approach makes the Firebird a terror against capital ships or any craft caught in the open.
- Missile Salvo: One of the largest deployed missile capacities on a small ship; ideal for long-range ambushes.
- Twin Cannons: Two Size 3 guns on the wings/side for closer targets or finishing blows.
- Speed & Armor: Despite the heavy missile pod, it maintains strong thrusters and fortified armor to survive after the strike.
Sabre Peregrine
The Sabre Peregrine is the extreme speed variant, designed for racing and straight-line velocity. Aegis took the Sabre frame and stripped it down for pure speed: it features custom high-output engines and lightweight construction. The Peregrine boasts the highest straight-line acceleration and top speed of all Sabre models. It sacrifices traditional firepower (you’ll find minimal missile capacity and lighter gun loadouts) in favor of rocket-like performance. An interesting note: despite being a racer, the Peregrine keeps a surprisingly sturdy armored frame so it can still withstand some damage. If your aim is to outrun everything – be it an enemy or a race timer – the Peregrine is built for it.
- Extreme Velocity: Superior thrusters and weight reduction give it blistering acceleration and top speed.
- Light Weapon Load: Reduced missile pods and lighter guns to keep mass down.
- Enhanced Boosters: Extra engine performance to zoom ahead after combat.
All Sabre variants share high base speed and agility, but each is tuned for a niche. Use the **Comet** for tight dogfights, the **Firebird** for missile-based assaults, the **Peregrine** for sheer velocity, and the **Raven** (below) for stealth. Think of your typical mission profile when choosing: e.g., if you often strike convoys, the missile salvo of the Firebird might be unmatched.
Sabre Raven
The Sabre Raven is the stealth/interdiction specialist. Commanders dubbed it the “infiltrator” variant. It retains the Sabre’s natural speed and maneuverability, but Aegis engineers have reduced its signature to the minimum. The Raven includes advanced sensor and power dampeners to lower its heat output and radar visibility. In gameplay terms, it’s excellent for slipping past enemy defenses or executing covert ops. The trade-off is that the Raven is lighter on offensive payload; it carries smaller armaments (often only size-1 guns) to keep heat down. If you enjoy ambush plays or electronic warfare (like using ECM), the Raven’s low-profile silhouette makes it perfect for surprise strikes.
- Low Signature: Modified engines and systems that make the ship much harder to detect.
- Electronic Warfare: Often paired with advanced jamming or stealth gear; ideal for sneaking behind lines.
- Agile & Quiet: Keeps the Sabre’s agility but uses weapon mounts (and equipment) that minimize heat generation.
Every Sabre variant includes an external 250K µSCU cargo pod and a dedicated underbelly gun rack (for tools or extra ammo). This means even the stripped-down racing **Peregrine** still has some hidden storage. You can carry extra missiles, decoys, or other small items in that stowage pod on any Sabre!
Choosing the Right Sabre
All Sabre variants excel at fast-paced combat, but your ideal pick depends on how you like to fly:
- Balanced/Stealth (Base Sabre): Great all-rounder. Choose this if you want a mix of speed, decent weapons, and full stealth capabilities (decoys, noise). It’s a safe pick for varied missions.
- Dogfighting (Sabre Comet): Pick the Comet if you love one-on-one aerial duels and want extra maneuverability. Its bank turns give you an edge in close combat.
- Missile Assault (Sabre Firebird): Go Firebird when you need raw firepower. Its missile salvo can obliterate larger targets, so it’s perfect for raid or base attacks.
- Racing/Speedruns (Sabre Peregrine): Ideal if you crave speed records or hit-and-run tactics. Use it to dash between objectives or in competitive races.
- Stealth/Infiltration (Sabre Raven): Best for stealth missions. Its low signature lets you slip past enemies. Pair it with ECM for maximum effect.
In summary, no Sabre is outright “best” – it comes down to role. The base Sabre is a solid all-around fighter, while the variants push the design in extremes (dogfighter, missile bomber, racer, or covert ops). Consider what your squad needs or what suits your playstyle. Armed with this breakdown, you can now decide which Aegis Sabre will dominate your next mission. Fly safe, pilot, and may your Sabre never miss its mark!
