Heron

Up to date for latest version, 0.97a.

Heron-class Fast Carrier
Midline Cruiser
120,000¢
Logistical data
CR per deployment	12%
CR per deployment	12%
Recovery rate (per day)	3%
Recovery rate (per day)	3%
Recovery cost (supplies)	20
Recovery cost (supplies)	20
Deployment points	20
Deployment points	20
Peak performance (sec)	360
Peak performance (sec)	360
Ordnance points	100
Ordnance points	100
Maintenance (supplies/month)	20
Maintenance (supplies/month)	20
Cargo capacity	90
Cargo capacity	90
Maximum crew	250
Maximum crew	250
Skeleton crew required	150
Skeleton crew required	150
Fuel capacity	60
Fuel capacity	60
Maximum burn	8
Maximum burn	8
Fuel per LY / Jump cost	3
Fuel per LY / Jump cost	3
Combat data
Hull integrity	6000
Armor rating	750
Flux capacity	5000
Flux dissipation	300
Top speed	80
Systems data
Defense	Omni Shield
Shield arc	180
Shield upkeep/sec	150
Shield flux/damage	0.8
System	Targeting Feed
Fighter bays	3
Mounts	1x Medium Universal 6x Small Energy
Advanced data
Fleet points	14
Fleet points	14
Acceleration (su/sec2)	60
Acceleration (su/sec2)	60
Deceleration (su/sec2)	40
Deceleration (su/sec2)	40
Max turn rate (°/sec)	20
Max turn rate (°/sec)	20
Turn acceleration (°/sec2)	25
Turn acceleration (°/sec2)	25
Mass	800
Mass	800
Game data
ID	heron
Hints	CARRIER
Tags	midline_bp, merc, ind

	The Heron provides the strategic and tactical mobility of a cruiser with potential firepower limited only by available strike-craft. It is the perfect accompaniment to the quick-moving and hard-hitting fleet of an admiral who knows when to take the initiative, hit quickly, and withdraw while enemy forces are still responding to the threat.
–In-game description

	Historically the Heron represented a movement in Domain Armada strategy from a heavy capital ship doctrine based on overwhelming firepower toward a focus on strike craft and support cruisers that enable sufficient firepower to be quickly focused on weak points, a strategic shift that would reverse itself as a natural reaction against tradition from each successive generation of Armada officers. This process was occurring once more in the cycles immediately preceding the fall of the gate system and, in something of a coup for the so-called "Cruiser School", the forward-thinking Altair Exotech won the Heron design contract over the traditional manufacturer of heavy Armada warships, Orion Shipyards. However the doctrinal shift embodied by the Heron was interrupted by the isolation of The Fall, and as such it is not often found in core Hegemony fleets (whose officers still cling to tradition). This hull has however found great popularity among the independent worlds, megacorporations, and mercenary forces of the Sector that tend to field leaner, faster fleets.
–Additional Codex description

Overview

The Heron is a midline cruiser carrier. It is very fast, as fast as the Falcon, which means it can easily keep itself out of trouble and quickly join the fight if it enters the battle as reinforcement. Its shipsystem increases damage done by fighters of all types. It's only downside is that it is a pure carrier and so it has almost no way of contributing to the fight outside of its three flight decks.

Availability

The Heron can be acquired in Persean League markets, fleets, and bounties.

Tips and strategies

The following section contains user-submitted suggestions, these may be inaccurate or outdated.

Objectively the best pure carrier in the game, Heron are very versatile and can be tailor to different roles. One of the most popular use of it is to use 3 Thunder as a way to hunt down frigates and destroyers. Another popular build is to fill it with bombers to act as a finisher against targets that are high on hardflux, a common build is to mix Dagger, Longbow and Broadsword together.

Changelog

Patch 0.9.1a: Removed COMBAT tag from the Drover and Heron Patch 0.8a: Reduced top speed to 80 (was 90)