Cloud Imperium Games has released Star Citizen Alpha 4.10.3 to the Wave 1 PTU, introducing a new combat-focused mission line in Nyx and a new energy weapon from Lightning Bolt Co.

The build, identified as 4.10.3-PTU.12999338, focuses on stability improvements, bug fixes, Long Term Persistence testing, and two major gameplay additions: Vanduul Incursion missions and the LBCO Skarnov rifle.

The new missions expand Intersec Defence Solutions contracts against the Vanduul and the Shattered Blade clan. They introduce additional combat locations and blueprint rewards for players who complete the more difficult encounters.

The update is currently in PTU testing, not LIVE. CIG has not announced a LIVE release date for Alpha 4.10.3.

Vanduul Incursion Adds New Combat Missions in Nyx

The main gameplay addition in Alpha 4.10.3 is a new contract line called Vanduul Incursion.

According to CIG's official PTU feedback announcement, Intersec Defence Solutions has opened new contracts against the Vanduul and the Shattered Blade clan. These engagements take place in deep space and include several Vanduul spacecraft, including Blades, Glaives, Scythes, and Stingers.

The mission line introduces different combat and recovery objectives, giving players more ways to engage hostile forces throughout the Nyx system.

The published mission descriptions include:

• Shattered Blade Raid: Clear hostile forces from auxiliary stations scattered across Nyx.
• Retake Ship: Board a vessel seized by the Shattered Blade and take it back.
• Vanduul Clan Extermination: Survive escalating waves of Vanduul ships across multiple difficulty tiers.
• 3-Way Standoff: Fight through an encounter involving the player, the Vanduul, and the Shattered Blade.
• Takedown: Fight through multiple waves of Vanduul until a target is drawn to the incursion site.
• Gather Vanduul Cryopod: Recover cryopods from the battlefield.

The higher difficulty tiers are designed for coordinated crews rather than solo pilots, making group combat an important part of the more challenging contracts.

New Combat Locations Expand Nyx

The Vanduul Incursion content also introduces additional space-combat and FPS locations throughout Nyx.

These locations provide new areas for the contract line's encounters, combining deep-space engagements with first-person combat and recovery objectives.

CIG has not announced a separate LIVE release date for these locations. Their current availability is tied to the Alpha 4.10.3 PTU build.

Some Missions Require Progress in Welcome to Nyx

Most of the Vanduul Incursion contract line normally requires players to complete the Vanduul Tech Smugglers work associated with Welcome to Nyx before the missions become available.

There is an important exception during PTU testing: all contracts are available in the current test environment.

This temporary testing arrangement allows players to exercise the new content and provide feedback without necessarily completing the usual progression requirements first. It does not establish the permanent access rules for the eventual LIVE release.

Harder Missions Offer New Blueprint Rewards

The mission line introduces additional progression rewards.

CIG's patch notes state that completing the harder difficulty tiers awards blueprints for:

• A new energy rifle.
• Two new heavy armor sets.
• A new flight suit.
• A set of new ship weapons.

The individual blueprint names and their full acquisition requirements should be checked against subsequent official documentation as testing continues.

The update also introduces a second Vanduul cryopod variant. The existing red pods contain living Vanduul, while a differently tinted variant identifies a dead Vanduul. CIG says the dead-pod variant is more valuable and can be traded to Wikelo.

LBCO Skarnov Is a New Energy Rifle

Alpha 4.10.3 also introduces the LBCO Skarnov rifle, a new first-person weapon from Lightning Bolt Co.

CIG describes the Skarnov as a fully automatic energy rifle with both full-auto and single-fire modes.

Its distinctive feature is an electrical effect. Hits produce an electrified pulse that detonates and chains to nearby targets. This effect may be useful when enemies are close together, although the actual tactical benefit will depend on combat conditions.

The weapon also has pronounced vertical recoil and can overheat during use.

Environmental temperature affects its heat behavior: hotter environments cause it to build up heat faster, while colder conditions slow that process.

These mechanics give the Skarnov a different handling profile from a conventional ballistic rifle. Its recoil and heat buildup are important considerations when using sustained fire.

The weapon is currently part of the PTU testing build, so its final balance should not be assumed to be settled.

Alpha 4.10.3 Focuses on Stability and Persistence Testing

Alongside the new gameplay content, CIG lists stability improvements, bug fixes, and Long Term Persistence testing among the main objectives for Alpha 4.10.3.

Long Term Persistence (LTP) testing focuses on whether persistent player data carries over correctly between PTU releases. This is a testing objective, not confirmation that persistence has already been fully validated.

The testing cycle therefore covers both the new missions and weapon and the reliability of persistent data across test builds.

Additional fixes and balance changes may be introduced as player feedback comes in.

Alpha 4.10.3 Is in Wave 1 PTU, Not LIVE

The current build is listed as:

• Version: 4.10.3-PTU.12999338
• Audience: Wave 1 PTU
• Status: Public Test Universe testing

Players should check the RSI launcher and official patch notes for the current testing access and any subsequent build changes.

CIG has not announced when Alpha 4.10.3 will reach LIVE. Its release timing may change depending on stability, bug reports, and the results of testing.

For now, the new Vanduul Incursion missions and Skarnov rifle should be treated as PTU content rather than features available on the LIVE servers.

What Alpha 4.10.3 Means for Star Citizen Players

The main addition is the expansion of combat content in Nyx. Vanduul Incursion introduces new Intersec Defence Solutions contracts, additional space-combat and FPS locations, and higher-difficulty encounters designed for crews.

The LBCO Skarnov adds a new energy weapon with electrical chain effects and temperature-sensitive heat behavior. Blueprint rewards and the additional Vanduul cryopod variant provide further incentives to engage with the new missions.

These features remain subject to PTU testing. Mission access requirements, weapon balance, rewards, and implementation details may change before the patch reaches LIVE.

Star Citizen Alpha 4.10.3 PTU FAQ

Is Alpha 4.10.3 available on LIVE?

No. The build covered in this article is in Wave 1 PTU testing. CIG has not announced a LIVE release date.

What is Vanduul Incursion?

It is a new Intersec Defence Solutions contract line involving combat against the Vanduul and the Shattered Blade clan in Nyx.

Which ships appear in the new missions?

CIG's mission descriptions name Blades, Glaives, Scythes, and Stingers among the hostile Vanduul spacecraft.

Can solo players complete the harder missions?

CIG says the higher difficulty tiers are designed for coordinated crews rather than solo pilots.

What is the LBCO Skarnov rifle?

It is a new energy weapon with full-auto and single-fire modes. Its electrified pulse can chain to nearby targets, and its heat behavior changes with environmental temperature.

What rewards can players earn?

The harder mission tiers award blueprints for a new energy rifle, two heavy armor sets, a flight suit, and ship weapons.

Do all Vanduul Incursion missions require prior progression?

Most of the contract line normally requires completion of the Vanduul Tech Smugglers work associated with Welcome to Nyx. For PTU testing, CIG has made all contracts available.

When will Alpha 4.10.3 reach LIVE?

CIG has not announced a specific LIVE release date. The patch remains subject to testing and further changes.