Difference between revisions of "GTF Hercules Mark II"

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{{FS12_Ships}}{{shipimage|image=[[Image:Herc2.jpg]]|caption=The GTF Hercules Mark II}}The '''GTF Hercules Mark II''' was a replacement for the original [[Great War]]-era [[GTF Hercules|GTF ''Hercules'']]. It is superior in most aspects of the original Hercules, with the notable exception of primary firepower. This sacrifice is offset by more space for [[Weapons Database (FS2)|secondary weapon]]s.
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{{FS12_Ships}}Boasting superior speed, maneuverability and missile loadout capacity than its forebear, the '''GTF ''Hercules Mark II''''' had become the Alliance's primary heavy assault fighter in 2367. While it lacks the punch of its predecessor when it comes to primaries, it’s a very effective combat craft suited for multiple types of engagements due to its compatibility with most types of primary and [[Weapons Database (FS2)|secondary weapon]]s.  Some squadrons favored this craft heavily, such as the [[GTD Aquitaine|GTD ''Aquitaine'']]'s ''107th Ravens''.
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The 2nd Generation "Herc" experienced heavy action in several combat theaters, including the [[Neo-Terran Front|NTF]] Civil War and the Second [[Shivans|Shivan]] Incursion.
  
 
==Description:==
 
==Description:==
 
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{{shipimage|image=[[Image:Gtfherculesmarkii-old.jpg]]|caption=The GTF Hercules Mark II}}
 
===FS2 Demo Tech Room Description===
 
===FS2 Demo Tech Room Description===
 
The second generation of the Hercules fighter.  It is faster, more maneuverable, and still carries a decent payload.
 
The second generation of the Hercules fighter.  It is faster, more maneuverable, and still carries a decent payload.
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===Developer Notes===
 
===Developer Notes===
 
None
 
None
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 +
===Concept Art===
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<gallery>
 +
Image:Concept_gtf_hercules_mark2.jpg
 +
</gallery>
  
 
==Performance:==
 
==Performance:==
 
===Statistics===
 
===Statistics===
{{Ship Stats|Heavy Assault|RNI Systems|Average|55.0 - 65.0|120.0|Heavy|275|610|17}}
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{{Ship Stats|Heavy Assault|RNI Systems (FS2)<br>KresCo Engineering (FS2 Demo)|Average|3.8, 4.2, 3.8|55.0 - 65.0|120.0|Heavy|275|610|17}}
  
 
===Armaments===
 
===Armaments===
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| colspan=3| Compatible Secondaries
 
| colspan=3| Compatible Secondaries
 
|-
 
|-
| colspan=3| [[GTM MX-64|MX-64]], [[GTM EMP. Adv|Emp. Adv]], [[GTM Tempest|Tempest]], [[GTM Hornet|Hornet]], [[GTM Tornado|Tornado]], [[GTM Harpoon|Harpoon]], [[GTM Trebuchet|Trebuchet]], [[GTM TAG-A|TAG-A]], [[GTM TAG-B|TAG-B]], [[GTM Infyrno|Infyrno]],
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| colspan=3| [[GTM MX-64|MX-64]], [[GTM EMP Adv.|EMP Adv.]], [[GTM Tempest|Tempest]], [[GTM Hornet|Hornet]], [[GTM Tornado|Tornado]], [[GTM Harpoon|Harpoon]], [[GTM Trebuchet|Trebuchet]], [[GTM TAG-A|TAG-A]], [[GTM TAG-B|TAG-B]], [[GTM Infyrno|Infyrno]],
 
|}
 
|}
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 +
==Modding Resources==
 +
{{shipimage|image=[[File:Herc2_MVP.jpg|650px]]|caption=The GTF Hercules Mark II in the latest MVPs}}
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'''Retail''':<br>
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:$POF File: fighter2t-02.pof<br>
 +
:Textures: fighter2t-02(a/b/c), thruster01<br>
 +
 +
'''MediaVPs''':<br>
 +
:$POF File: Herc2.pof<br>
 +
:Credits: Devils_hitman / StratComm / Axem<br>
 +
 +
==Gallery==
 +
 +
<gallery>
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File:RScreen0033.png|A wing of Hercs patrol through a nebula.
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File:RScreen0046.png|<center>A Herc II fighter defending a [[GTCv Deimos]].
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File:Aristeia12.png|<center>A wing of Herc 2s engaging a Maxim strike against the Wargods in [[Aristeia]].
 +
</gallery>
  
 
==Veteran Comments==
 
==Veteran Comments==
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''The Herc II gets introduced rather cruelly to you; in your first mission in the fighter you are thrown against Shivan [[SF Mara|Maras]] and [[SF Astaroth|Astaroths]], both of which can outmaneuver and outrun you with ease. A Lion at the Door demonstrates the problems with the Herc II in rather brutal fashion on high difficulties.''
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''The Herc II gets introduced rather cruelly to you; in your first mission in the fighter you are thrown against Shivan [[SF Mara|Maras]] and [[SF Astaroth|Astaroths]], both of which can outmaneuver and outrun you with ease. [[A Lion at the Door]] demonstrates the problems with the Herc II in rather brutal fashion on high difficulties. [[Mystery of the Trinity]] can end up subjecting you to SF Dragons to boot, for the ultimate in bad introductions; survival of that situation is difficult on ANY difficulty.''
  
  
''The problem with the Herc II is the early missions, where it's the required fighter, often just aren't well suited to pure heavy fighter forces, which leaves some people with the impression it is an inferior ship overall. It really isn't. It's quite a good ship for Clash of the Titans II or Dunkerque for instance, and it's my preferred ship for Proving Grounds''
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''Despite this the fighter is a capable heavy assault ship; its spacious secondary bays and having only four gun banks appear to be a reaction to and endorsement of the Hornet-spam technique for dealing with enemy logistics craft and cruisers.''
  
  
''Extremely large ordnance capacity with decent maneuverability, a true heavy assault. Don't let Dragons get on you, though, because you can't shake them.''
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''The problem with the Herc II is the early missions, where it's the required fighter, often just aren't well suited to pure heavy fighter forces, which leaves some people with the impression it is an inferior ship overall. It really isn't. It's quite a good ship for [[Clash of the Titans II]] or [[Dunkerque]] for instance, and it's my preferred ship for [[Proving Grounds]].''
  
  
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'' I give it that it does have cavernous secondary banks, but for me it still doesn't have the firepower that makes a good heavy assault fighter; and it most certainly doesn't have speed to make up for it. I simply find this ship awkward.''
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''It's surprisingly maneuverable, but is slow as hell. Its thick armour, heavy shielding and huge secondary banks give you the opportunity to survive long missions without support, like [[Love the Treason]]. However, the [[GVF Tauret|Tauret]] is a better assault fighter, with more guns, even more missiles and less maneuverability.''
  
  
''It's surprisingly maneuverable, but is slow as hell. Its thick armour, heavy shielding and huge secondary banks give you the opportunity to survive long missions without support, like Love the Treason. However, the [[GVF Tauret|Tauret]] is a better assault fighter, with more guns, even more missiles and less maneuverability.''
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''This ship could be simplified as the Terran [[SF Basilisk|Basilisk]]. Both the Herc II and Basilisk have two guns per slot as well as the same missile capacity. The main differences are that the Herc II has a slightly slower turn rate and lower maximum velocity and more hull hit points but less shield hit points than the Basilisk.''
  
  
''While the Hercules II's secondary capacity is huge compared to most fighter-type ships, its complete lack of speed and low maneuverability make it an easy target, especially for [[flak cannon]]s. The only solution is the conventional Maxim-Trebuchet trick in which you take down everything from a distance&mdash;basically functioning as an artillery or a mobile missile launcher pad. Tempests and Harpoons work the best in dogfight (32 Harpoons in the first bank and 400 Tempests in the second) , as long as nobody is in your back. In every other cases, it's an expensive target practice.''}}
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''The Herc II is forced upon the player in the retail campaign to fly a series of missions that it is completely unsuited for. As a result, it can be very easy to get frustrated with this craft's shortcomings and overlook its advantages. Think of it as a high-capacity missile launcher with good durability and adequate maneuverability, and a rather small target profile, to boot. You can equip 22 Trebuchets (10 and 12 in each bank, respectively) at once, giving you excellent long-range capability for a variety of situations. Its four primary slots are well-placed, and with two banks you can outfit the Herc II for a variety of tasks--standard anti-fighter Prometheus S's, a pair of Maxims and a pair of low-energy Subach-HL7's, etc. Thus, the Herc II is not really an assault fighter; it's more like a high-capacity missile launcher that can perform other tasks decently, without even needing a change in loadout. This makes frantic convoy escort/protection missions vastly easier, as you can afford to fire off Trebuchets at entire wings of bombers, while still having enough to spare for sniping the main beam cannons on marauding cruisers/corvettes.''
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}}
  
 
[[Category:Ship]]
 
[[Category:Ship]]

Latest revision as of 07:32, 8 October 2021

Terran ships
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Shivan ships
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Notable ships of FreeSpace 1


Terran ships
Fighters
Bombers
Transports and freighters
Cruisers and corvettes
Capital ships
Installations
Misc ships
Sentry Guns
Cargo Containers
Vasudan ships
Fighters
Bombers
Transports and freighters
Cruisers and corvettes
Capital ships
Misc ships
Sentry Guns
Cargo Containers
Shivan ships
Fighters
Bombers
Transports and freighters
Cruisers and corvettes
Capital ships
Misc ships
Sentry Guns
Cargo Containers
Notable ships of FreeSpace 2


Boasting superior speed, maneuverability and missile loadout capacity than its forebear, the GTF Hercules Mark II had become the Alliance's primary heavy assault fighter in 2367. While it lacks the punch of its predecessor when it comes to primaries, it’s a very effective combat craft suited for multiple types of engagements due to its compatibility with most types of primary and secondary weapons. Some squadrons favored this craft heavily, such as the GTD Aquitaine's 107th Ravens.

The 2nd Generation "Herc" experienced heavy action in several combat theaters, including the NTF Civil War and the Second Shivan Incursion.

Description:

Gtfherculesmarkii-old.jpg
The GTF Hercules Mark II


FS2 Demo Tech Room Description

The second generation of the Hercules fighter. It is faster, more maneuverable, and still carries a decent payload.

FS2 Tech Room Description

The GTF Hercules Mark II is the next generation of Terran heavy assault fighter. Introduced during the Great War, the original Herc's balance of firepower and maneuverability made it the most versatile strike fighter in the fleet. Some military historians have claimed the Hercules won the Great War, citing its deployment in key battles near the end of the Shivan conflict. Implementing recent advances in fusion drive technology, the Mark II improves the assault fighter's speed and maneuverability without sacrificing loadout capacity.

Developer Notes

None

Concept Art

Performance:

Statistics

Type Heavy Assault
Manufacturer RNI Systems (FS2)
KresCo Engineering (FS2 Demo)
Maneuverability Average
Yaw, Pitch, Roll 3.8, 4.2, 3.8 s
Max Velocity 55.0 - 65.0 ms-1
Max Afterburner Velocity 120.0 ms-1
Armor Heavy
Hitpoints 275
Shields 610
Length 17 m


Armaments

FreeSpace 2
Bank Guns Standard Loadout
1st 2 Subach HL-7
2nd 2 Prometheus R
Compatible Primaries
Subach HL-7, Akheton SDG, Prometheus R, Prometheus S, Morning Star, UD-8 Kayser, Circe, Lamprey, Maxim
FreeSpace 2
Bank Capacity Standard Loadout
1st 80 Harpoon
2nd 100 Hornet
Compatible Secondaries
MX-64, EMP Adv., Tempest, Hornet, Tornado, Harpoon, Trebuchet, TAG-A, TAG-B, Infyrno,

Modding Resources

Herc2 MVP.jpg
The GTF Hercules Mark II in the latest MVPs


Retail:

$POF File: fighter2t-02.pof
Textures: fighter2t-02(a/b/c), thruster01

MediaVPs:

$POF File: Herc2.pof
Credits: Devils_hitman / StratComm / Axem

Gallery

Veteran Comments

Please read the Veteran Comments policy before editing this section.


The Herc II flies okay. My only complaint is with the weapons placement, as having the primaries set side by side makes shooting a fleeing target with horizontal deflection tricky. The secondary max loadout is a blessing, sometimes I like to load out on nothing but Harpoons and be a mobile SAM launcher.


I like all the Hercs. Good armour with large missile capacity, although a bit on the slow side, but decent maneuverability.


The Herc II gets introduced rather cruelly to you; in your first mission in the fighter you are thrown against Shivan Maras and Astaroths, both of which can outmaneuver and outrun you with ease. A Lion at the Door demonstrates the problems with the Herc II in rather brutal fashion on high difficulties. Mystery of the Trinity can end up subjecting you to SF Dragons to boot, for the ultimate in bad introductions; survival of that situation is difficult on ANY difficulty.


Despite this the fighter is a capable heavy assault ship; its spacious secondary bays and having only four gun banks appear to be a reaction to and endorsement of the Hornet-spam technique for dealing with enemy logistics craft and cruisers.


The problem with the Herc II is the early missions, where it's the required fighter, often just aren't well suited to pure heavy fighter forces, which leaves some people with the impression it is an inferior ship overall. It really isn't. It's quite a good ship for Clash of the Titans II or Dunkerque for instance, and it's my preferred ship for Proving Grounds.


While in the main campaign the Herc II is pretty much useless, in user-made campaign missions with lots of enemies, the Herc II is a godsend (provided that you have the right weapons, and no other ships like the Erinyes are available). Its thick armour and shielding is enough to get you through the fiercest of battles.


It's surprisingly maneuverable, but is slow as hell. Its thick armour, heavy shielding and huge secondary banks give you the opportunity to survive long missions without support, like Love the Treason. However, the Tauret is a better assault fighter, with more guns, even more missiles and less maneuverability.


This ship could be simplified as the Terran Basilisk. Both the Herc II and Basilisk have two guns per slot as well as the same missile capacity. The main differences are that the Herc II has a slightly slower turn rate and lower maximum velocity and more hull hit points but less shield hit points than the Basilisk.


The Herc II is forced upon the player in the retail campaign to fly a series of missions that it is completely unsuited for. As a result, it can be very easy to get frustrated with this craft's shortcomings and overlook its advantages. Think of it as a high-capacity missile launcher with good durability and adequate maneuverability, and a rather small target profile, to boot. You can equip 22 Trebuchets (10 and 12 in each bank, respectively) at once, giving you excellent long-range capability for a variety of situations. Its four primary slots are well-placed, and with two banks you can outfit the Herc II for a variety of tasks--standard anti-fighter Prometheus S's, a pair of Maxims and a pair of low-energy Subach-HL7's, etc. Thus, the Herc II is not really an assault fighter; it's more like a high-capacity missile launcher that can perform other tasks decently, without even needing a change in loadout. This makes frantic convoy escort/protection missions vastly easier, as you can afford to fire off Trebuchets at entire wings of bombers, while still having enough to spare for sniping the main beam cannons on marauding cruisers/corvettes.