Difference between revisions of "Hermes Class Probe"

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The '''Hermes''' is a small, incredibly fast unmanned '''probe''' meant for exploring enemy territory.
 +
Sending these on an espionage mission will get you a report about their planet.
  
  
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'''ADVANTAGES'''
 
'''ADVANTAGES'''
  
−
This is the only [[espionage]] craft in the universe, and it is extremely fast. Also, no planetary defenses have [[Rapid Fire]] against the Hermes Class, so they can be used as fodder in some assaults.
+
This is the only [[espionage]] craft in the universe, and it is extremely fast.
 +
 
 +
No planetary [[defenses]] have [[Rapid Fire]], so Hermes can be used as fodder in some assaults on targets with defenses but few ships.
 +
 
 +
In sufficient numbers, Hermes can have surprisingly high survivability against the [[Erebus Class Fighter]].
 +
 
 +
Hermes boost overall score by counting as one fleet point each.
 +
 
  
 
'''DISADVANTAGES'''
 
'''DISADVANTAGES'''
  
−
Every other ship has [[Rapid Fire]] against the Hermes Class. And it has no combat potential at all.  
+
Every other ship has Rapid Fire against the Hermes Class.
 +
It has no combat potential at all (i.e., its attack strength is 0).
 +
 
  
 
'''ESPIONAGE REPORTS'''
 
'''ESPIONAGE REPORTS'''
  
−
The details for espionage reports can be found in the page for [[Espionage Tech]]
+
The details for espionage reports can be found in the page for [[Espionage Tech]].
 +
Note in particular that if a probe does not retrieve all information, sending more probes in one group may be able to produce a more detailed report.
 +
 
  
 
'''ATTACKING WITH'''
 
'''ATTACKING WITH'''
  
 
Even though the Hermes has a small amount of cargo space to hold fuel, it is unable to capture resources from a raid on an enemy planet.
 
Even though the Hermes has a small amount of cargo space to hold fuel, it is unable to capture resources from a raid on an enemy planet.
 +
The main effect of this is to ''prevent'' hyper-fast farming of planets without ships or defenses.
 +
 +
Note that although Hermes can be used to detonate [[Space Mine]]s at a target, and such detonations can (25% chance each) strike defending ships (earning DSP for ships destroyed), such attacks may be deemed intentionally unprofitable and therefore harassment and grounds for suspension.
  
 
==Usage==
 
==Usage==
 
The espionage probe can be sent out in two ways. One is by clicking the eye-shaped icon in the galaxy view for the planet you wish to espionage. Another is to send it from your fleets page by typing in the coordinates and selecting the espionage mission type and the number of probes you wish to send.
 
The espionage probe can be sent out in two ways. One is by clicking the eye-shaped icon in the galaxy view for the planet you wish to espionage. Another is to send it from your fleets page by typing in the coordinates and selecting the espionage mission type and the number of probes you wish to send.
  
−
==Uses==   
+
Sometimes it is desirable to probe a planet that is so distant the Hermes cargo space is insufficient to hold the fuel required.
 +
In this case it may still be possible to do the espionage by entering the target coördinates on the Fleets page and selecting a reduced speed.
 +
 
 +
==Other Uses==   
 
The Espionage probe is normally used for espionage against other players, in order to gauge their strengths, determine what sort of threat they pose, or whether they are a suitable target to attack.  However, espionage probes can also be used in a few other ways.
 
The Espionage probe is normally used for espionage against other players, in order to gauge their strengths, determine what sort of threat they pose, or whether they are a suitable target to attack.  However, espionage probes can also be used in a few other ways.
  
−
Fodder: When attacking an opponent, a number of Hermes probes are sometimes sent out along with the invading force. As the defenders randomly fire at the attackers, a fodder screen of Hermes probes might save a larger ship (such as an Athena) from a plasma cannon. The cost is crystals lost from the probes, but as they cost little to rebuild, and can be rebuilt quickly, the net result may be worth the loss.
+
Fodder:
 +
When attacking an opponent, a number of Hermes probes are sometimes sent out along with the invading force.
 +
As the defenders randomly fire at the attackers, a fodder screen of Hermes probes might save a larger ship (such as an Athena) from a [[Plasma Cannon]].
 +
The cost is crystals lost from the probes, but as they cost little to rebuild, and can be rebuilt quickly, the net result may be worth the loss.
 +
 
 +
Ferries:
 +
The miniscule cargo space inside a single Hermes makes this ship undesirable for regular transportation, but with a very large fleet of Hermes, it becomes possible to transport reasonable quantities of resources with exceptional speed.
 +
The fuel efficiency and speed of the Hermes mean that many trips actually require a fractional fuel cost, which is rounded up for a single ship, but distributed among the whole fleet for an armada of several ships.
 +
You may be surprised by how much space you then have.
 +
Ferries like this can be used for sending hydrogen to get a fleet out of a bind, to top off the last resource needed for a build or research project, or for moving the last bit of resources off a planet prior to abandoning it.
  
−
Ferries: When a player has gotten all nine of their planets, it is sometimes useful to abandon a world, and recolonize it, or recolonize elsewhere. A player would want to move all their resources, crew, and ships off of the world before abandoning, but as long as a fleet is in transit away from the planet, it cannot be abandoned. The wait time can be hours, and a few resources will be generated during the wait. Some players will use hermes probes, with their phenomenal speed, to scoop up the last of these resources just before abandoning. If one uses a large number of probes they can also be used to transfer cargo between planets, much like an Atlas class, albeit much much faster, although the cargo capacity of 5 makes this an expensive idea to attempt.
+
[[Moon]] shots:
 +
Players with sufficient crystal find that fleets of probes are the most convenient method of trading moon shots (or donating moons to smaller players).
 +
In Conquest, destroying 6000 probes in a battle provides a 20% chance of generating a moon.
 +
6000 probes can be destroyed by a defending force of as little at 500 [[Artemis Class Fighter]]s.
 +
 
 +
Against Erebus:
 +
The [[Erebus Class Fighter]] (along with the [[Moros Class Battleship]]) does not have rapid fire as such.
 +
Since the Erebus base attack is less than 30% of the Hermes base hull, Hermes generally survive single hits from Erebus.
 +
(The fact that Erebus attacks bypass shields is irrelevant as the Hermes has no shielding.)
 +
Consequently, a sufficient number of Hermes can be a defense against Erebus, which is the fastest ship capable of destroying an [[Hephaestus Class Attack Platform]].
  
 
==Statistics==
 
==Statistics==
Line 51: Line 90:
 
[[Crystal]]: 1,000<br />
 
[[Crystal]]: 1,000<br />
 
[[Hydrogen]]: 0<br />
 
[[Hydrogen]]: 0<br />
 +
<strong>Debris Value</strong><br />
 +
Crystal: 300<br />
 
</div></div>
 
</div></div>
  
Line 72: Line 113:
 
[[Helios Class]] x 0<br />
 
[[Helios Class]] x 0<br />
 
[[Hermes Class]] x 0<br />
 
[[Hermes Class]] x 0<br />
 +
[[Empusa Class]] x 0<br />
 +
[[Thanatos Class]] x 250<br />
 
[[Zeus Class]] x 1250<br />
 
[[Zeus Class]] x 1250<br />
 
[[Ships|All Others]] x 5<br /></p>
 
[[Ships|All Others]] x 5<br /></p>
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<br clear="all" />
 
<br clear="all" />
  
−
== Easter Eggs ==
+
==Requirements==
−
The Hermes Class is similar in design (and function) to a Protoss Observer from StarCraft.
+
 
 +
<center>
 +
{| cellspacing="0" style="text-align: center;"
 +
| colspan="2" | [[Espionage Tech]] 2
 +
|-
 +
| width="50" | &nbsp;
 +
| style="border-left: 1px solid black;" width="50" | &nbsp; 
 +
| width="50" | &nbsp;
 +
| width="50" | &nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="2" | '''[[Jet Drive]] 3'''
 +
| colspan="2" | &nbsp; &nbsp; '''[[Shipyard]] 3''' &nbsp; &nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| style="border-left: 1px solid black; border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | &nbsp;
 +
| style="border-bottom: 1px solid black;" | &nbsp;
 +
| style="border-left: 1px solid black;" | &nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
| &nbsp; || &nbsp;
 +
| style="border-left: 1px solid black;" | &nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| colspan="2" | '''Hermes Class Probe'''
 +
|}
 +
</center>
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==

Latest revision as of 19:50, 9 August 2015

Hermes class.png
Hermes Class Probe
Production information
Ore Cost

0

Crystal Cost

1,000

Hydrogen Cost

0

Technical specifications
Cargo capacity

5

Base Speed

100,000,000

Engine unit(s)

Jet Drive

Requirements
Shipyard

3

  [Source]


The Hermes is a small, incredibly fast unmanned probe meant for exploring enemy territory. Sending these on an espionage mission will get you a report about their planet.


Evaluation

ADVANTAGES

This is the only espionage craft in the universe, and it is extremely fast.

No planetary defenses have Rapid Fire, so Hermes can be used as fodder in some assaults on targets with defenses but few ships.

In sufficient numbers, Hermes can have surprisingly high survivability against the Erebus Class Fighter.

Hermes boost overall score by counting as one fleet point each.


DISADVANTAGES

Every other ship has Rapid Fire against the Hermes Class. It has no combat potential at all (i.e., its attack strength is 0).


ESPIONAGE REPORTS

The details for espionage reports can be found in the page for Espionage Tech. Note in particular that if a probe does not retrieve all information, sending more probes in one group may be able to produce a more detailed report.


ATTACKING WITH

Even though the Hermes has a small amount of cargo space to hold fuel, it is unable to capture resources from a raid on an enemy planet. The main effect of this is to prevent hyper-fast farming of planets without ships or defenses.

Note that although Hermes can be used to detonate Space Mines at a target, and such detonations can (25% chance each) strike defending ships (earning DSP for ships destroyed), such attacks may be deemed intentionally unprofitable and therefore harassment and grounds for suspension.

Usage

The espionage probe can be sent out in two ways. One is by clicking the eye-shaped icon in the galaxy view for the planet you wish to espionage. Another is to send it from your fleets page by typing in the coordinates and selecting the espionage mission type and the number of probes you wish to send.

Sometimes it is desirable to probe a planet that is so distant the Hermes cargo space is insufficient to hold the fuel required. In this case it may still be possible to do the espionage by entering the target coördinates on the Fleets page and selecting a reduced speed.

Other Uses

The Espionage probe is normally used for espionage against other players, in order to gauge their strengths, determine what sort of threat they pose, or whether they are a suitable target to attack. However, espionage probes can also be used in a few other ways.

Fodder: When attacking an opponent, a number of Hermes probes are sometimes sent out along with the invading force. As the defenders randomly fire at the attackers, a fodder screen of Hermes probes might save a larger ship (such as an Athena) from a Plasma Cannon. The cost is crystals lost from the probes, but as they cost little to rebuild, and can be rebuilt quickly, the net result may be worth the loss.

Ferries: The miniscule cargo space inside a single Hermes makes this ship undesirable for regular transportation, but with a very large fleet of Hermes, it becomes possible to transport reasonable quantities of resources with exceptional speed. The fuel efficiency and speed of the Hermes mean that many trips actually require a fractional fuel cost, which is rounded up for a single ship, but distributed among the whole fleet for an armada of several ships. You may be surprised by how much space you then have. Ferries like this can be used for sending hydrogen to get a fleet out of a bind, to top off the last resource needed for a build or research project, or for moving the last bit of resources off a planet prior to abandoning it.

Moon shots: Players with sufficient crystal find that fleets of probes are the most convenient method of trading moon shots (or donating moons to smaller players). In Conquest, destroying 6000 probes in a battle provides a 20% chance of generating a moon. 6000 probes can be destroyed by a defending force of as little at 500 Artemis Class Fighters.

Against Erebus: The Erebus Class Fighter (along with the Moros Class Battleship) does not have rapid fire as such. Since the Erebus base attack is less than 30% of the Hermes base hull, Hermes generally survive single hits from Erebus. (The fact that Erebus attacks bypass shields is irrelevant as the Hermes has no shielding.) Consequently, a sufficient number of Hermes can be a defense against Erebus, which is the fastest ship capable of destroying an Hephaestus Class Attack Platform.

Statistics

Cost

Ore: 0
Crystal: 1,000
Hydrogen: 0
Debris Value
Crystal: 300

Specifications

Hull Rating: 100
Shield Rating: 0
Weapons Rating: 0
Cargo Capacity: 5
Base Speed: 100,000,000
Hydrogen Consumption: 1
Engine Type: Jet Drive


Requirements

Espionage Tech 2
       
Jet Drive 3     Shipyard 3    
       
     
  Hermes Class Probe

See Also


Ship List

Ships in Starfleet Commander
Other Utility Ships Dionysus Class Recycler - Gaia Class Colony Ship - Genesis Class Solar Satellite
Helios Class Solar Satellite - Hermes Class Probe - Shadow Probe - Triton Class Recycler - Zagreus Class Recycler
Transports Atlas Class Cargo - Carmanor Class Cargo - Charon Class Transport - Hercules Class Cargo
Starfighters Artemis Class Fighter - Apollo Class Fighter - Empusa Class Fighter - Erebus Class Fighter - Magnon Class Fighter - Mantus Class Fighter - Vortex Class Fighter
Light Capital Warships Cirrus Class Cruiser - Curetes Class Cruiser - Poseidon Class Cruiser - Typhon Class Cruiser
Medium Capital Warships Athena Class Battleship - Hades Class Battleship - Moros Class Battleship
Heavy Capital Warships Prometheus Class Destroyer - Thanatos Class Destroyer
Other Warships Ares Class Bomber - Hephaestus Class Attack Platform - Pallas Class Bomber - Zeus Class
[SOURCE] - [EDIT]
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