Star Citizen Guardian MX Guide: Weapons, Price, Solo Use & Worth It

The Mirai Guardian MX is the combat-specialized member of the Guardian family: a single-seat heavy fighter that trades the standard Guardian's habitation space and some mobility for more guns, more missiles, substantially stronger shielding, and reinforced structural protection.

Current Alpha 4.10 data gives the MX four pilot-controlled Size 4 guns, 24 Size 2 missiles, two Size 2 shield generators, 89,300 vehicle HP, and a crew of one. It has no cargo grid and no bed, so its value is concentrated almost entirely in combat rather than general-purpose ownership.

That makes the Guardian MX a strong fit for players who want a heavy fighter whose important combat systems remain in one pilot's hands. Its main limitation is equally clear: compared with the standard Guardian, the MX gives up the small liveaboard interior that made the original more suitable for extended independent travel.

Guardian MX Specifications in Alpha 4.10

SpecificationCurrent Alpha 4.10
Manufacturer	Mirai
Role	Heavy Fighter
Crew	1
Length	26 m
Width	17 m
Height	10 m
Cargo grid	0 SCU
SCM speed	208 m/s
Maximum speed	1,100 m/s
Pilot weapons	4 × Size 4
Stock guns	4 × CF-447 Rhino laser repeaters
Missiles	24 × Size 2
Stock missiles	Ignite II
Shields	2 × Size 2 FullStop
Total shield HP	21,120
Vehicle HP	89,300
Armor health	10,800
Hydrogen fuel	7.8 SCU
Quantum fuel	4.6 SCU
Quantum drive	Size 2 Crossfield
Current recorded MSRP	$290
Standard claim time	8 min 20 sec

These figures come from the version-locked Alpha 4.10 vehicle data rather than older launch specifications.

What Makes the Guardian MX Different?

The MX is not simply a Guardian with an enlarged missile magazine.

The standard Guardian currently uses two Size 5 pilot guns, 16 Size 2 missiles, one Size 2 shield generator, 69,200 vehicle HP, and 9,000 armor health. It also retains the habitation area that the MX removes. Current speeds are slightly higher at 213 m/s SCM and 1,125 m/s maximum.

The MX changes that formula in four important ways.

First, it replaces the two large gun mounts with four Size 4 mounts. That gives the pilot more individual weapon hardpoints and makes a repeater-heavy setup particularly natural, although it gives up the Size 5 weapon class available on the standard ship.

Second, missile capacity rises from 16 to 24 Size 2 missiles.

Third, the ship receives a second Size 2 shield generator. Current stock shield capacity therefore rises from 10,560 on the Guardian to 21,120 on the Guardian MX.

Finally, Mirai devoted the space needed for these upgraded combat systems to fighting rather than habitation. CIG specifically states that the MX sacrifices the Guardian's bed, bathroom, and food processor. The removal of the bed also removes the Guardian's dedicated escape-pod function.

The result is a more focused ship: better suited to launching, fighting, rearming, and going back out than living aboard for extended periods.

Guardian MX Weapons

Four Size 4 Pilot Guns

All four main guns are controlled directly by the pilot. The stock Alpha 4.10 configuration mounts four CF-447 Rhino Size 4 laser repeaters, so there is no turret gunner or second crew position required to unlock the ship's primary damage output.

That pilot concentration is one of the MX's strongest ownership advantages.

Many heavy fighters distribute part of their potential across a turret or second seat. The MX instead puts its entire gun battery, missile system, movement, and shield management in front of one player.

Four separate S4 mounts also create different loadout possibilities from the standard Guardian's two S5 mounts. The base ship favors fewer, larger weapons; the MX spreads its gun output across four medium-large hardpoints.

That distinction is more useful than comparing stock DPS alone. Capacitors, weapon selection, projectile characteristics, and future balance changes can all move DPS numbers. The persistent difference is the 4×S4 versus 2×S5 hardpoint layout.

24 Size 2 Missiles

The MX has two bespoke missile racks integrated into its upper wings, each carrying 12 Size 2 missiles. The current stock configuration uses 24 Ignite II infrared missiles.

CIG's Guardian MX Q&A adds an important restriction: the missiles themselves can be changed, but the integrated racks and their missile size cannot. You can therefore change the type of S2 missile carried, but you cannot replace the rack with a conventional setup designed around larger missiles.

In practice, those 24 missiles work best as an additional pressure layer rather than something the ship must expend in every engagement. Against PvE targets, they can help shorten dangerous approach windows or keep pressure on a ship attempting to disengage. Against players, repeated launches can force defensive reactions even when the missiles themselves do not decide the fight.

The limitation is logistical. A pilot who relies heavily on all 24 missiles turns a relatively self-contained laser fighter into a ship that needs more frequent rearming.

Shields, Armor, and Survivability

The Guardian MX's defensive upgrade is substantial in current 4.10 data.

Its two stock Size 2 FullStop shield generators provide 21,120 shield HP, exactly double the current stock shield pool of the standard Guardian. Vehicle HP is also higher at 89,300 versus 69,200, while the armor component rises from 9,000 to 10,800 health.

Those raw values should not be interpreted as a simple universal "time to kill" calculation. Star Citizen distributes damage across ship parts, armor, components, shields, and local structures. Where a shot lands still matters.

The cockpit armor illustrates this well. CIG states that deploying the MX's cockpit armor gives the cockpit additional local health even without waiting for a future damage-system implementation, but that protection does not help when incoming fire strikes the wings or main body instead.

So the MX rewards pilots who use its extra durability to survive attack windows and reposition. It is not an invitation to absorb unlimited fire in a turning battle.

Handling and Flight Performance

The additional combat hardware comes with a mobility cost.

Current 4.10 data puts the Guardian MX at 208 m/s SCM and 1,100 m/s maximum speed, compared with 213 m/s and 1,125 m/s on the standard Guardian. CIG also describes the MX as heavier and less agile than the base model.

The difference is not large enough to make the MX feel like a slow gunship. It remains a compact, single-seat heavy fighter with strong translational thrust. But its design priorities are firepower and survivability first, agility second.

That becomes important in PvP. Against a lighter or more agile opponent, repeatedly trying to win a pure nose-to-nose turn contest wastes one of the ship's strengths. The MX benefits more from controlling engagement distance, preserving momentum, using missile pressure to disrupt the opponent, and capitalizing when four S4 guns can stay on target.

CIG originally compared the MX with ships such as the Hurricane and F8C Lightning, but those launch-era comparisons should not be treated as permanent current balance statements. For example, CIG's Q&A described the F8C as tougher, while Alpha 4.10's raw vehicle data now lists 89,300 HP and 21,120 shield HP for the MX versus 40,200 HP and 14,960 shield HP for the standard F8C data set. That does not automatically prove the MX survives every fight longer, but it does show why current Live data should take precedence over an older qualitative comparison.

Can You Solo the Guardian MX?

Yes. The Guardian MX is a true single-pilot combat ship.

Current data lists a crew of one, and its four guns and missile battery are controlled by the pilot. There is no second combat seat that must be filled before the ship reaches its intended weapon output.

That makes its practical crew requirement unusually simple:

Practical crew: 1 player.

For a solo combat pilot, this is one of the MX's strongest advantages over heavy fighters whose headline firepower assumes a turret gunner.

The compromise appears outside combat. There is nobody aboard to divide responsibilities with, and the MX does not provide the liveaboard amenities found in the base Guardian. It is therefore "solo-friendly" because its combat capability is concentrated in one seat, not because it provides every convenience a solo owner might want.

Interior, Storage, and the Missing Habitation Area

The Guardian MX still has an accessible interior and physicalized systems, but it should not be mistaken for the standard Guardian's long-range living arrangement.

CIG removed the habitation section to make room for the upgraded combat equipment. That means no bed, bathroom, food processor, or dedicated bed-based escape pod.

Current data does retain personal storage and a weapon locker with room for two pistols and two rifles, so the ship can support a pilot carrying FPS equipment between combat or ground missions. It simply does not have a cargo grid.

That distinction matters for ownership.

A pilot can use the MX as transportation to a bunker, outpost, or combat zone and carry personal equipment. What it cannot do is turn those trips into meaningful commodity hauling. Its listed cargo capacity is 0 SCU.

If you routinely want to combine fighter gameplay with physical cargo, the MX is the wrong platform regardless of how much empty interior volume you can physically place loose items into.

Fuel and Range in Alpha 4.10

Fuel is one area where older Guardian MX references are particularly easy to get wrong.

Current 4.10 data lists approximately 7.8 SCU of hydrogen fuel and 4.6 SCU of quantum fuel. Earlier versions exposed a much smaller 1.8 SCU quantum tank; current patch data shows that value increased to 4.6 SCU while hydrogen capacity was reduced from 9 SCU.

The standard Guardian currently carries the same 7.8/4.6 SCU combination.

CIG's original design explanation therefore still applies at a high level: the MX shares the Guardian family's fuel arrangement, but its additional mass means the combat variant can consume more fuel during conventional and atmospheric flight.

The more meaningful ownership difference is the loss of habitation. The MX can travel substantial quantum distances, but quantum range and the ability to comfortably operate as a small liveaboard fighter are not the same thing.

Guardian MX for PvE

The Guardian MX is particularly easy to justify for solo PvE combat.

Four pilot guns mean there is no unused turret damage while playing alone. The second shield gives more room for mistakes than the base Guardian, while 24 missiles provide a large expendable reserve for harder targets or situations where ending an engagement quickly matters.

The best targets are ships large enough that the MX can maintain meaningful gun time without constantly losing its firing solution. Against very small, agile targets, the ship's heavier handling becomes more noticeable.

For repeated bounty or combat missions, ammunition logistics depend heavily on loadout. Staying with energy weapons keeps the main guns independent of ballistic ammunition, while missile-heavy play increases rearm frequency.

The MX therefore works well as a repeatable solo combat platform, but pilots looking for a ship that also handles cargo, living facilities, or multi-role mission chains should look beyond the extra weapons.

Guardian MX for PvP

In PvP, the Guardian MX has enough concentrated firepower and protection to punish positioning mistakes, but it should not be approached as an oversized light fighter.

Its larger mass and lower agility relative to the base Guardian mean a disciplined opponent can try to deny sustained nose time. A successful MX pilot needs to manage vectors and firing windows rather than rely only on continuous turning.

The missile reserve adds another tool. Twenty-four S2 missiles can consume countermeasures, interrupt clean disengagements, or force the opponent to maneuver when the MX wants to reset its own position.

Its downside is predictability: everything important is concentrated in the forward pilot-controlled combat package. There is no independently tracking turret to cover a poor angle, and no second player who can contribute offensive pressure while the pilot repositions.

That makes the MX dangerous, but also execution-dependent once an opponent understands how to stay outside its strongest firing windows.

Guardian MX Price and In-Game Availability

Current Alpha 4.10 vehicle data records an MSRP of $290. This is the reference pledge value, not a statement that an RSI standalone listing is permanently available at every point of the year. Official pledge-store availability can change with events and sales.

You may also encounter a $270 Warbond figure in ship databases. That belongs to Warbond SKU history and should not be treated as a guaranteed current standard standalone price.

The better news for players who only want to use the ship in-game is that the Guardian MX is currently purchasable for aUEC in Alpha 4.10:

• New Deal, Lorville: 7,038,360 aUEC
• Astro Armada, Area18: 7,408,800 aUEC

These listings are tied to 4.10.0-LIVE.12519617.

For players deciding between spending pledge value and earning the ship in-game, that 7.04 million aUEC entry point is important. The MX is expensive enough to require a meaningful credit grind, but it is not dependent on real-money ownership for access.

Guardian MX vs Guardian

The standard Guardian is the better fit when you value the complete small-ship ownership experience rather than maximum combat specialization.

It currently costs less on the reference MSRP scale at $250, uses two Size 5 weapons instead of four Size 4s, retains its habitation facilities, and is marginally faster. Its 16 missiles and single S2 shield make it less heavily equipped than the MX, but the bed, bathroom, food processor, and escape-pod function give it something the MX cannot reproduce through loadout changes.

Choose the Guardian MX when the extra shield, four-gun array, larger missile supply, and stronger combat chassis matter more than living facilities.

Choose the Guardian when two S5 mounts and long-duration personal usability matter more than maximizing the chassis for combat.

For the broader Guardian family decision, the existing Mirai Guardian review also covers the standard, MX, and QI roles in more detail. Mirai Guardian Review

Guardian MX vs M80

The Origin M80 is one of the strongest current alternatives for someone specifically shopping for a single-seat heavy fighter.

Current Alpha 4.10 data gives the M80 two S5 and two S4 guns, 20 missiles, two S2 shields, 2 SCU of cargo, a 225 m/s SCM speed, and a 1,400 m/s maximum speed. Its MSRP is listed at $300.

That creates a straightforward split.

The M80 has the advantage in raw weapon-size mix, straight-line speed, and actual cargo capacity. The MX carries more missiles, has much higher current raw vehicle HP, and follows a more armored combat-first design.

The M80 also makes more sense when getting into and out of engagements quickly is central to how you fly. The Guardian MX suits pilots who place more value on staying in the fight and applying sustained four-gun plus missile pressure.

Our current Alpha 4.10 M80 guide covers that ship's weapons, speed, cargo, solo use, and ownership compromises separately. Star Citizen M80 Guide

Who Should Buy the Guardian MX?

The Guardian MX makes the most sense for a player who primarily wants a single-seat heavy combat ship and does not need the fighter to double as a home, cargo carrier, or multi-crew platform.

It is especially well matched to pilots who want all primary combat output under their own control. The extra shield and reinforced structure provide more defensive margin than the standard Guardian, while the 24-missile reserve creates options before and during gun engagements.

You should be comfortable with its specialization. The $290 reference value buys combat capability, not broader utility.

Who Should Skip It?

Skip the MX if a bed and habitation facilities are part of why the Guardian family interests you. The standard Guardian preserves those features while still delivering two S5 guns.

It is also difficult to justify as a multi-role daily driver. With 0 SCU of cargo, no bed, and no non-combat specialty equipment, almost every dollar or aUEC spent on the MX is going toward its fighter role.

Players prioritizing higher straight-line speed, mixed S5/S4 guns, and a small secured cargo grid should compare the M80 before committing.

And if your heavy-fighter gameplay regularly includes a second player, a platform designed around a meaningful turret gunner may provide more shared gameplay than a ship intentionally optimized around one pilot.

Is the Guardian MX Worth It?

The Guardian MX is worth considering when the requirement is specific: a durable, heavily armed heavy fighter that one player can operate without leaving major combat capability unused.

Its strongest features work together rather than merely looking good on a specification sheet. Four S4 guns are all pilot-controlled. Twenty-four S2 missiles create a large secondary weapon reserve. Dual S2 shields double the standard Guardian's current stock shield capacity, and the reinforced chassis gives the pilot more margin once shots begin landing.

The trade is specialization. You lose the standard Guardian's bed, bathroom, food processor, and escape-pod arrangement, and there is no cargo grid to turn the ship into a broader mission platform.

For a player who wants combat first and everything else second, that is a coherent trade.

For someone attracted to the Guardian because it combines a fighter with a compact long-range interior, the MX removes too much of what makes the base ship distinctive.

Players considering pledge or upgrade ownership can check current Guardian MX availability after deciding whether that combat-first trade actually matches how they play.

FAQ

How many guns does the Guardian MX have?

The Guardian MX has four pilot-controlled Size 4 weapon mounts. Its Alpha 4.10 stock loadout uses four CF-447 Rhino laser repeaters. Unlike several multi-seat heavy fighters, none of those primary guns require a second player.

How many missiles does the Guardian MX carry?

It currently carries 24 Size 2 missiles, split across two proprietary 12-missile racks. Missile type can be changed, but CIG says the integrated racks and missile size cannot be replaced.

Does the Guardian MX have a bed?

No. CIG removed the habitation area to make room for the MX's upgraded combat systems. Unlike the base Guardian, the MX has no bed, bathroom, food processor, or dedicated bed-based escape pod.

Can you buy the Guardian MX in-game?

Yes. In Alpha 4.10 it is listed at 7,038,360 aUEC at New Deal in Lorville and 7,408,800 aUEC at Astro Armada in Area18.