Nuclear Option 0.34: To beat a Vagrant

The accessible and greatly successful Nuclear Option has once again been updated, this time to version 0.34, and with this update comes a new aircraft, new AI units and many QoL features for the mission editor!

But for now, I want to focus on the new aircraft: The VT-7 Vagrant. Joining the game as a rank 1 aircraft, it is not intended to be an end-game fighter but a VTOL trainer/light fighter which serves as a counterpart of the T/A-30 Compass. They are basically two sides of the same coin, both adapting themselves to the needs of their corresponding faction.

The Vagrant, according to the lore provided by the developers, belongs to the BDF. This means that the plane is meant to be a training platform for pilots who will end up flying the F/S-20 Vortex. The same can be said about the T/A-30 and PALA's frontline fighter, the Ifrit.

In the same way, you can compare both aircraft's capabilities and see how they are meant to compliment each other, and not overlap their mission profiles. The Vagrant has more of an air-to-air role, with the addition of an internal radar and more missile-capable pylons.

Meanwhile, the Compass does not have an internal radar but is focused on loading an increased amount of air-to-ground munitions, which works perfect for its primary role as a ground pounder/ air-to-ground light attack aircraft. Now, in terms of pure performance, both aircraft feel very similar. Their flight models do not seem to differ much, meaning that they are extremely easy to fly and manage, without having to get extra technical about the details. The Vagrant feels a bit more nimble, while the Compass feels a bit heavier.

You will feel right at home with the Vagrant if you enjoyed the Compass, and you'll welcome the addition of the VTOL capabilities!

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Now, the rest of the update does bring new units and a completely new capability at the disposal of both factions: mobile artillery.

It comes in two flavors: 155mm HLT Mobile Artillery trucks and MLRS trucks. Both have changed the battlefield quite a bit, making players and their factions feel more pressure from these units, even in the relative safety of an airbase.

Additionally, logistics and ammo management have changed immensely. You will need to resupply certain units if you want to keep their capabilities, so grab those UH-90s and Tarantulas, you wouldn't want your artillery or ships to run out of ammo in the middle of an Escalation match! Nuclear Option continues to constantly evolve and change, so expect even more additions to be done as updates get rolled out!

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About the Author

Santiago "Cubeboy" Cuberos

Longtime aviation fanatic with particular preference towards military aviation and its history. Said interests date back to the early 2000s, leading into his livelong dive into civil and combat flight simulators. He has been involved in a few communities, but only started being active around the mid 2010s. Joined as a Spanish to English translator in 2017, he has been active as a writer and the co-founder of Skyward ever since. Twitter | Discord: Cubeboy