GTF Loki
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| The GTF Loki |
The GTF Loki is an experimental stealth fighter which was used by rogue Galactic Terran Intelligence forces during the Hades Rebellion. It later became an staple part of the NTF's fighter forces during the NTF Rebellion. Its high speed, weapons compatibility, and maneuverability is offset by its low armor and weapons capacity.
Contents
Description:
FS1 Tech Room Description
Designed by GTI engineers, the GTF Loki is undoubtedly the best reconaissance craft in Terran or Vasudan service. Its hull shape and shielded reactor chamber lends itself to providing a low sensor profile, and is yet capable of very high speed maneuvers. Its relatively light armament and low armor rating make it unsuitable for extended firefights, however.
FS2 Tech Room Description
The GTF Loki is designated as a fighter, but it's more of a heavy reconnaissance craft. The Loki's micro-roughened hull and shielded exhaust chamber give it an extremely reduced profile to detection sensors. This makes it ideal for reconnaissance and infiltration missions that rely on stealth rather than firepower. Lacking the weaponry and armor to survive prolonged battles, the Loki can usually stay alive long enough for its high maneuverability and speed to discourage pursuers. Lokis are widely used by NTF forces.
Developer Notes
High max velocity offset by its tiny payload. High weapon capacity.
Name origin
The demonic figure of Loki is commonly believed to be the god of chaos in Germanic and Scandinavian myths. There are numerous stories about Loki, many depicting him differently, and contradicting each other in other aspects, too.
Performance:
Statistics
| Type | Recon |
| Manufacturer | Han-Roland Corp |
| Maneuverability | High/Good (FS1/FS2) |
| Yaw, Pitch, Roll | 75.0 - 64.0/95.0 s |
| Max Velocity | 160.0 ms-1 |
| Max Afterburner Velocity | Medium ms-1 |
| Armor | 250 |
| Hitpoints | 400 |
| Shields | 20 |
| Length | {{{10}}} m |
Armaments
| FreeSpace 1 | FreeSpace 2 | ||
| Bank | Guns | Standard Loadout | Standard Loadout |
| 1st | 2 | Avenger | Subach HL-7 |
| 2nd | 2 | Disruptor | Prometheus R |
| Compatible Primaries | Compatible Primaries | ||
| ML-16 Laser, Disruptor, Avenger, Flail, Prometheus, Banshee, Leech Cannon | Subach HL-7, Akheton SDG, Prometheus R, Prometheus S, Morning Star, UD-8 Kayser, Lamprey, Maxim | ||
| FreeSpace 1 | FreeSpace 2 | ||
| Bank | Capacity | Standard Loadout | Standard Loadout |
| 1st | 20 | Interceptor | Harpoon |
| Compatible Secondaries | Compatible Secondaries | ||
| MX-50, D-Missile, Fury, Hornet, Interceptor, Phoenix V, EM Pulse | MX-64, Emp. Adv, Tempest, Hornet, Tornado, Harpoon, Trebuchet | ||
Veteran Comments
The Loki was never a superior fighter. It suffers from a small secondary capacity and weak shielding. In Silent Threat it was only marginally superior to the Valkyrie, and then only in a dogfight. In FS2 it is in over its head against the second-generation GTVA fighters. In its defense, it was intended to be a stealth fighter, so comparison to the Pegasus might have been more appropriate, but it is left wanting in that comparison as well.
Since the NTF uses the Loki frequently in the first half of the Main FreeSpace 2 Campaign, you should be able to easily outfly it. Although maneuverable, it lacks the firepower and protection of the Myrmidon or Hercules Mark II.
Most players look upon this craft as inferior to any other fighter. This could be true, but anyone who does not rely only on secondaries can use this craft pretty to good effect. It can carry the UD-8 Kayser and its gun points are positioned for easy aiming. You can easily hit medium-sized fighters with all four shots loosed with each pull of the trigger. It is also very small and fast, making it a good interceptor, if you are of a kind who does not use secondaries often.
The Loki is consistently underrated. Many players don't realize that the Loki is actually tougher and speedier than the Ulysses. Gun points are also well placed.
The Loki is a surprisingly capable interceptor. It functions much like a slightly heavier Valkyrie. Afterburner velocity is the second highest for anything you get to fly, and afterburner reserves are not bad either. It is fairly durable as well, and as noted above, configuration of the gun points is comfortable, however maximum normal velocity is too low for my tastes, and the sole secondary bank is too small. I'd prefer to take a Perseus instead.
This was good back in FS1, and it's still a decent ship. It's lost some of its advantage in FS2 due to better shielding and armor on the newer fighters, but the Loki is still a force to be reckoned with in the hands of an experienced dogfighter. It can truly be infuriating to have these swarming on you if they've got good pilots, as it's the Dragon of the GTVA, however, the AI does not effectively utilize the ship's capabilities.
The Loki is the only light and agile fighter that doesn't suffer from sub-par shielding (Vasudan craft), energy output (Perseus, Ulysses) or primary firepower (Ulysses, Pegasus, Ptah). The small target profile and the powerful afterburners also contribute to make this the most survivable craft in an extended dogfight.
The Loki isn't as terrible craft as many people think and has only slightly weaker armor and better shields than a Perseus. It is extremely maneuverable, has a fast afterburner, and surprisingly high weapons compatibility for a recon fighter. Due to its small missile bank and low normal speed, most take a Perseus over this if it's available, but if I'm going to be packing Kaysers or the Prometheus S I want something with a stronger reactor. Surprisingly, the Loki has a better recharge rate than the Perseus. This is what the Myrmidon should have been, a space superiority fighter.
The Loki supports a surprisingly wide and powerful range of guns for its size - a Kayser and a Maxim allow it some great firepower and flexibility, as you can pick off subsystems and turrets from out of a capital ship's range to support friendly capital ships (taking out beam cannons or the weapons control system is good!), or you can use two Kaysers to just annihilate any fighter that dares look down on you. Early on I generally pack two Subachs and set them to dual fire, occasionally dropping all power out of Weapons, as the Loki's capacitors can support quite a lot of Subach fire.
