The Pledge By Chad Tomlinson on 02-Sept-2025 in gaming

Source: Citizen Con 2021 | Robert Space Industries

Banu traders are renowned for their merchant prowess, traveling the space lanes and trading with everyone from humans to the Vanduul! Their sturdy, dedicated trading ships are prized beyond all other transports, sometimes passing from generation to generation of Banu.

Letter from the Chairman: $25 Million | Roberts Space Industries

Since June 2013, I’ve been optimistically watching CIG develop Star Citizen and Squadron 42. The Origin 300i from the now vintage Digital Bounty Hunter LTI pledge now a distant memory.

Drake Cutlass

In February 2015, I discovered that access the Revel and York hangar from a secondary pledge was included with the Drake Cutlass Black. Thus fund were quickly reinvested, upgrading the 300i and securing a more substantial vessel the Drake Cutlass Black.

Outsourced to a third party, modeled prior to the game metrics being established, the outcome was a broken mess. The cargo hold was too short, its hull was too large, whilst the thruster layout made it impossible for the game engine to simulate flight. CIG fudged the physics to get the Cutlass in game, but even minimal damage would cause it to spin uncontrollably. Although technically a versatile ship, it was completely impractical, which left me regretting my choice to upgrade.

The Rework

In 2017 CIG solidified the Drake Cutlass Black as a spartan short range vessel with a limited cargo capacity. Although it promised to be an outstanding versatile vessel the memory of the old model remained. Envisaging a life amongst the stars, the rework offered limited facilities, clearly not intended for exploration.

Banu Merchantman

Shortly after announcing the Drake Cutlass rework, CIG presented the Banu Defender, boasting an opulent organic style. The ship’s surface adorned with subtle patterns and textures offering a first glimpse into the luxurious design philosophy of the Banu Merchantman.

An extremely versatile palatial trade ship, able to haul almost anything to anywhere, the Banu Merchanman at its original pricepoint offered an incredible opportunity. Concept art, promotional material and whispers of a symbitoic relationship with the Banu Defender promised that the Merchantman’s features would only expand.

At that time, $0 Cross-Chassis Upgrades or CCU’s were still available, I had obtained an upgrade from the $250 Aegis Redeemer to the Banu Merchantman. I’d also obtained a free $10 CCU from the Drake Cutlass to the Drake Buccaneer, an Origin 85X LTI token, and an Aurora MR.

I took the plunge, redeeming everything but the Digital Bounty Hunter package, I consolidated all the fund and with the CCU’s upgraded to the Merchantman.

Concept Production

Since 2017, the trading vessel has blossomed into an immense luxurious capital class vessel, comparable to an Idris or 890 Jump. Sporting an onboard shopping mall, hangar, crew, guest, medical, and security facilitates the ships scope has ballooned like the game.

However, I’m still stuck in pledge limbo, having only briefly played both the 300i and Cutlass before upgrading, I’m unable to claim any ship as my own.

Due to the complexity of the Banu Merchantman with its unique assets, the vessel isn’t likely to be available upon release, so I remain at CIG’s mercy. I’ll likely be given access to a loaner, the Drake Ironclad being most likely option, as it has comparible internal storage and features.