GTF Hercules

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File:Hercules320x240.jpg
The GTF Hercules

The GTF Hercules (nicknamed "The Big Momma") was first introduced during the Great War and flew several successful missions against the Shivans, becoming the "mainstay" of Terran forces during the Great War. Later during the NTF Rebellion the Neo-Terran Front uses copious numbers of the Hercules.

The replacement of this class was the GTF Hercules Mark II with increased agility and secondary loadout at the expense of having only four primary guns.

The FreeSpace Reference Bible states that a wing of four Hercules fighters at some point took out a Vasudan Aten cruiser. Since in-game information explicates that the Hercules was designed during the Great War, this cruiser has probably been a Hammer of Light one.

Description:

FS1 Tech Room Description

The GTF Hercules is the slowest and most unmanageable fighter in the fleet. This is offset, however, by its overpowering weaponry and shielding. It carries 6 primary weapons, as well as two full secondary banks. This heavy assault fighter is best suited for small target attacks and bomber escort.

FS2 Tech Room Description

The old workhorse of the Terran fleet, the Hercules is a beloved but aging design. It was the mainstay of the Terran forces during the Great War, but it is slowly being phased out of the modern fleet. As they are replaced by Herc IIs, Myrmidons, and other recent designs, Hercules fighters are increasingly relegated to training and guard duties far from the front lines. Pilots who've flown Hercs for years love the ship's heavy armor and firepower and have learned to compensate for its low speed and poor maneuverability. The old Hercs are still widely used by NTF forces.

Developer Notes

Low max velocity offset by its tremendous offensive capabilities. High weapon capacity.

Name origin

Hercules is the Latin name for Herakles, son of Zeus. Hercules is a symbol of masculinity and action. He was an esteemed and powerful warrior, and it is said that "he made the world safe for mankind."

Performance:

Statistics

Type	Heavy Assault
Manufacturer	Han-Roland Corp.
Maneuverability	Average/Poor (FS1/FS2)
Yaw, Pitch, Roll	50.0 - 64.0 s
Max Velocity	120.0 ms-1
Max Afterburner Velocity	Medium/Heavy ms-1
Armor	250
Hitpoints	600
Shields	20
Length	{{{10}}} m

Armaments

• Gun Mounts

FreeSpace 1			FreeSpace 2
Bank	Guns	Standard Loadout	Standard Loadout
1st	4	Avenger	Subach HL-7
2nd	2	Disruptor	Prometheus R
Compatible Primaries			Compatible Primaries
ML-16 Laser, Disruptor, Avenger, Flail, Prometheus, Banshee, Leech Cannon, S-Breaker			Subach HL-7, Akheton SDG, Prometheus R, Prometheus S, Morning Star, UD-8 Kayser, Circe, Lamprey, Maxim

• Missile Banks

FreeSpace 1			FreeSpace 2
Bank	Capacity	Standard Loadout	Standard Loadout
1st	60	Interceptor	Harpoon
2nd	60	Fury	Hornet
Compatible Secondaries			Compatible Secondaries
MX-50, D-Missile, Fury, Hornet, Interceptor, Phoenix V, EM Pulse, Cluster Bomb			MX-64, Emp. Adv, Tempest, Hornet, Tornado, Harpoon, Trebuchet, Infyrno

Veteran Comments

Please read the Veteran Comments policy before editing this section.

I would say this is an okay fighter during the first Great War, but during FS2, it has become out-dated. It has six gun-points, so it has reasonable firepower, but that firepower is offset by its slow speed and 'blockiness'. During FS1, it was a decent fighter, but it has been replaced by the GTF Hercules Mark II and the GTF Myrmidon in FS2. I like this a little better than the newer GTF Hercules Mark II, because of its firepower, but there is almost always a better ship to use in FS2.

I like this fighter. It may be old in FS2, but it's better than some of the newer craft, such as the Myrmidon. It doesn't have the maneuverability, speed, armor, or capacity of its newer version, but it has more gun points better placed, and a still large missile capacity. In addition, it shares the same general compatibility with virtually all weapons available.

I have always felt that the old Herc is far superior to the Herc 2 in terms of firepower and in general in fulfilling its role as assault fighter. If anything, the Ares is the true successor to this fighter. In FS1 you could take on literally anything in one of these, and the Herc 2 pales in comparison with the original.

The Herc II has 25 extra hull points, 10 extra shielding points, 50% more secondary capacity and has a normal speed 5 m/s faster than the Herc I, at the expense of two primary gunmounts. Personally I think the gunmounts are worth it, but it all comes down to playstyle, really.

If in a mission you have a choice between this vessel and the Myrmidon, I'd choose this one, mostly for compatibility to the best missile in the game (IMHO), the Harpoon (with which the Myrmidon is not compatible).

The main issue I have with the Herc I is the placement of the set of 4 gun mounts. Those are difficult to hit other fighters with, leaving the other set of 2 gun mounts that are useful in a dogfight. The other issue is that, in my experience, it has a tendency to take more damage than a Herc II due to its shape, especially from the rear

Generally speaking in FreeSpace 2 I prefer the Herc II for its larger secondary capacity, smaller target profile and slightly higher durability or the Myrmidon for its superior maneuverability, greater adaptability, and equal firepower. In FreeSpace 1, however, nothing can take out a Seraphim like a Hercules with quad Avengers and a pair of Banshees. This fighter has some obvious weaknesses. Its large target profile, low speed, and low maneuverability combined with its widely distributed gun points, make it a bad choice to dogfight fast, maneuverable vessels like the Dragons. If confronted by a similarly small, highly maneuverable opponent when in this fighter, don't hesitate to empty your missiles on them.

I personally hate this ship. It handles like a potato, and lacks top speed, as well as a sufficient afterburner reserve. I would choose anything over this ship. Although it has high weapons compatability, why equip it with the best weapons if you're always too slow to line up to make a shot? The best way to use this ship is to stay in one place, on top of a friendly ship, and pretend you're a sentry gun.