GTW Subach HL-7
The GTW Subach HL-7 (more commonly referred to simply as the Subach) is one of the GTVA's basic weapons, along with the GTM Tempest dumbfire and GTM Rockeye heat-seeking missiles. It is the first primary weapon granted to new recruits and is thus the first one encountered by the player in FreeSpace 2.
Though it lacks the sheer hitting power of many weapons encountered later in the campaign, the Subach remains a useful weapon throughout much of the game due to its high compatibility, refire rate, and consistent damage across both shields and hulls. It also consumes much less power than heavier guns, a powerful advantage since it allows one to divert extra power to shields and engines, increasing the efficiency of these systems, while still being able to continuously fire the Subach without running out of gun energy.
The Vasudans have a variant of the Subach HL-7 that can be mounted only on their ships, the GTW Mekhu HL-7.
The GTW Subach HL-7 |
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Contents
Tech Room Data
The Subach-Innes HL-7 is a xaser weapon, firing an intense, highly focused beam of x-ray emissions. Until the Shivans appeared with their shield technology, these weapons were considered an unnecessary and costly extravagance. But Great War dogfights against Shivan craft quickly taught the Allies that their ships didn't stand a chance unless they could punch through shields. The HL-7 works superbly against shields of all varieties and has become the standard issue Primary weapon for all Terran fighters and bombers.
Performance
Statistics - Subach HL-7
Range | 900 m | |
Rate of Fire | 5 shots per second | |
Velocity | 450 ms-1 | |
Base Damage | 13.5 | |
Armor Damage | Full | 13.5 |
Shield Damage | Good | 10.5 |
Subsystem Damage | Poor | 4.5 |
Statistics - Subach HL-D
Range | 900 m | |
Rate of Fire | 5 shots per second | |
Velocity | 450 ms-1 | |
Base Damage | 15 | |
Armor Damage | Full | 15 |
Shield Damage | Full | 15 |
Subsystem Damage | Poor | 4.5 |
Compatibility
The following table refers to weapons compatibility in singleplayer, and does not reflect the compatibility of dogfight variants in multiplayer. A ✓ mark indicates that a ship can mount the weapon, whereas an ✗ mark indicates that it cannot.
Terran Compatibility | Vasudan Compatibility | ||
Ship Class | Compatible | Ship Class | Compatible |
GTF Ulysses | ✓ | GVF Thoth | ✗ |
GTF Loki | ✓ | GVF Serapis | ✗ |
GTF Hercules | ✓ | GVF Horus | ✗ |
GTF Hercules Mark II | ✓ | GVF Seth | ✗ |
GTF Myrmidon | ✓ | GVF Tauret | ✗ |
GTF Perseus | ✓ | GVF Ptah | ✗ |
GTF Pegasus | ✓ | GVB Osiris | ✗ |
GTF Erinyes | ✓ | GVB Bakha | ✗ |
GTF Ares | ✓ | GVB Sekhmet | ✗ |
SF Mara (Terrans) | ✓ | ||
GTB Zeus | ✓ | ||
GTB Medusa | ✓ | ||
GTB Artemis (Inc. D.H.) | ✓ | ||
GTB Ursa | ✓ | ||
GTB Boanerges | ✓ |
Notes
Operation Templar and Subach HL-7
- It should be noted that the Subach is conspicuously absent from the canon campaign, Operation Templar, which took place sometime after the GTVA's formation in 2345. This indicates that the Subach had not reached mass production at the time. However, it is not entirely clear which year Templar took place in, apart from the fact that the GTVA existed at the time.
Veteran Comments
The HL-7 variants are generally never a bad choice. However, a less energy-efficient gun often allows for a quicker kill, particularly against heavy fighters and bombers.
Subachs are the saving grace of any Terran stealth fighter. Since stealth fighters can only carry one primary weapon, they would either be left with this, the Mekhu or the Prometheus. With its high rate of fire, fairly high speed of projectile and energy efficiency, I would use this on a Pegasus any day.