GTM Synaptic

Weapons in Descent: FreeSpace

Primaries Secondaries Turrets Weapon Comparison Table, FS1

Weapons in FreeSpace 2

Primaries Secondaries Turrets Weapon Comparison Table, FS2

The GTM-1 Synaptic Bomb is an area suppression missile developed by the GTA and used during the Great War. The Synaptic carries a cluster of small "bomblets" that separate from the missile when it is near the target and explode violently after a short period of time, producing a saturation effect over a large area. In a pinch, the Synaptic can also be used as a conventional (but relatively weak, given its large size) dumbfire missile.

Tech Room Data

The GTM-1 Synaptic Bomb

Missile propulsion unit carrying several small intelligent "bomblets" - when distance to target is less than 100 m or when time to impact is less than 2 sec., bomblets direct missile to the most vulnerable part of the ship of those parts of the ship facing the missile - bomblets then separate from missile propulsion unit and form a sphere - inertia continues to carry bomblets in the direction of the target - the missile propulsion unit continues to advance toward the target - when the missile hits the target or 1.5 sec. after the missile should have hit the target, the bomblets explode - the spherical shape of the formation of the bomblets helps to ensure a fairly even level of damage across a sensitive area on the target - the spherical shape also ensures that the target will not be able to effectively maneuver away from the blast, thus "pinning" the target to a specific area in space - can also act as dumbfire - medium payload per bomblet (15 Kt) - very small payload for missile (2 Kt).

Nicknamed the "Earthshaker" by the bomber pilots who tested this, it is a bomber's best defense against fighters. The Synaptic Bomb can do a lot of damage to a lot of ships at one time.

Performance

Synaptic

Name	Synaptic
Range	225 m
Reload time	5.0 s
Velocity	90 ms-1
Damage	60
Armor damage	60
Shield damage	45
Subsystem damage	60
Shockwave radius (inner/outer)	50 / 100 m
Hitpoints	50
Spawn count	15
Spawned missile	Cluster Baby

Additional properties

• Weapon is a missile weapon (Secondary weapon)
• Weapon is marked as a bomb (Bomb)
• The shockwave doubles the damage against any target that takes a direct hit
• Weapon creates 15 Cluster Baby upon detonation (Spawn)

Cluster Baby

Name	Cluster Baby
Range	1050 m
Reload time	0.5 s
Velocity	175 ms-1
Damage	35
Armor damage	35
Shield damage	35
Subsystem damage	17.5
Homing type	Heat
Minimum lock time	1.5 s
Turn rate (360 degress)	180 s

Additional properties

• Weapon is a missile weapon (Secondary weapon)
• Weapon cannot be set as a weapon mounted on any ship, but is instead created by another weapon (child)

Veteran Comments

Please read the Veteran Comments policy before editing this section.

Generally the shockwave seems to wash over enemy interceptors' shields, and the bomblets rarely hit their marks, so load up on GTM Hornets or GTM Interceptors instead, or just put in another bank of bombs.

The Synaptic's nickname "Earthshaker" is most probably a reference to the Earthshaker Missile from Descent II, which Volition developed at around the same time as Descent: FreeSpace. Both missiles even look somewhat similar—big head, thin body and prominent thrusters.