Cloud Imperium Games released the Aegis Sabre Raven EX alongside Alpha 4.10.1 on September 16, 2026. It is the sixth variant of the Sabre, Aegis’ line of space superiority fighters, and its selling point is a quantum dampener: a device that stops nearby ships from entering quantum travel, the fast travel drive everyone uses to leave a fight.
Very few ships can do that, and by CIG’s count only one other can do it with a single pilot. CIG also published a Q&A that explains where the EX sits between the standard Sabre and the original Sabre Raven, and what the launch means for owners of that rare original.
What the Sabre Raven EX is
The EX combines the combat capability of the original Sabre with the look of the Sabre Raven, then adds the dampener. CIG describes it as having a different flight role and mission purpose from the original Raven, aimed at players who like the Sabre line and have always wanted the Raven’s visuals on a ship they can fly their own way.
- Four configurable size 3 weapon hardpoints, the same as the standard Sabre and an improvement over the original Raven
- A built-in quantum dampener that disables enemy quantum drives within its range
- Shares paints with the whole Sabre family. The new paints released with it work on every earlier Sabre, and existing Sabre paints work on the EX
Quantum dampener versus quantum snare
The two terms get mixed up, and CIG’s Q&A separates them. A quantum dampener prevents ships within range from entering quantum travel, which keeps a target from escaping once the fight has started. A quantum snare does the other half of the job: it forces ships out of quantum travel. Ships that carry both refer to the combination as a Quantum Enforcement Device, or QED.
The Sabre Raven EX has the dampener only. It can hold a target in place, but it cannot pull one out of a jump.
How it compares to the Sabre and the original Raven
CIG says the EX is intended as a blend of the two. In weapons it matches the Sabre. In flight it falls in between.
- Faster than the standard Sabre, but less agile
- More armor than the original Raven, but less reduction of stealth emissions
- Same four size 3 hardpoints as the Sabre
Which other ships have a quantum dampener
As of Alpha 4.10.1, CIG lists only four other flyable ships with a quantum dampener: the RSI Mantis, the Drake Cutlass Blue, the RSI Scorpius Antares and the Mirai Guardian QI. Of those, only the Antares and the Guardian QI are considered fighters, and only the Guardian QI can be operated solo. That is the limited company the Raven EX joins.
The original Sabre Raven is not being replaced. CIG says it remains a rare and unique ship within the game.
Paints, Warbond and Chairman’s Club offers
Five paints launched with the ship: desert camo with metallic highlights, black with metallic highlights, dark teal with yellow trim, military green with yellow trim, and blue with metallic highlights. CIG’s sale page says some offers are limited to members of the Chairman’s Club and include a bonus Blue Steel paint for the Raven EX.
The page also notes that Warbond versions cannot be obtained with store credit. Warbond is CIG’s label for offers that must be paid for with new money rather than credit from melted pledges.
Also released: the Argo ATLS IKTI Akuma
The same release added the Argo ATLS IKTI Akuma, a Nine Tails themed variant of the ATLS power suit. It anchors the Nine Tails Shogun Pack, which also contains weapons, armor and a matching paint for the Drake Cutlass.
The standard ATLS GEO IKTI was added in Alpha 4.2 and can only be earned in game, and CIG says it intends to keep it that way. The Akuma is the pledge-store alternative, which CIG frames as an option for players who want to secure a vehicle permanently during the alpha.
- A unique Nine Tails default livery, exclusive to the Akuma
- Mounted plasma repeaters with splash damage
- A jump pack that gives up a modest amount of jump height for more distance and fuel capacity
- Compatible with all other ATLS paints, past and future
What this means for new players
This is not a first ship, and nothing here changes what a new player should buy. A quantum dampener matters for bounty hunting and player-versus-player interception, which are easier to judge after a few weeks in a starter. CIG’s Q&A also carries its usual disclaimer that ship designs can change in response to feedback and balance work, so treat the comparisons above as the current intent rather than fixed numbers. If the Sabre line appeals to you, the sensible route is to start with a basic game package and try fighters in game before spending more. Our Star Citizen referral code guide explains how the 50,000 UEC signup bonus works and how to apply code STAR-6WPK-3K56 before you enlist.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the sixth variant of the Aegis Sabre space superiority fighter, released with Star Citizen Alpha 4.10.1. It combines the Sabre’s four size 3 weapon hardpoints with the Sabre Raven’s appearance and adds a quantum dampener.
It prevents ships within its range from entering quantum travel, so a target cannot jump away from the fight. It does not pull ships out of quantum travel; that is what a quantum snare does.
No. The original Sabre Raven remains a separate, rare ship. The EX has more armor and four size 3 hardpoints but less stealth emission reduction than the original Raven, and it adds the quantum dampener.
As of Alpha 4.10.1, CIG lists the RSI Mantis, Drake Cutlass Blue, RSI Scorpius Antares and Mirai Guardian QI, now joined by the Aegis Sabre Raven EX.
The standard Argo ATLS GEO IKTI is earned exclusively in game and CIG says it intends to keep it that way. The new Nine Tails themed IKTI Akuma variant is sold as part of the Nine Tails Shogun Pack.
Source: Aegis Sabre Raven EX – No Escape, No Mercy. Details come from CIG’s Aegis Sabre Raven EX Comm-Link and the Q&A: Aegis Sabre Raven EX and Argo ATLS IKTI Akuma, both published September 16, 2026.
