Star Citizen Polaris vs A2 Hercules: Which Heavy Combat Ship Should You Choose?

The RSI Polaris is a heavy torpedo corvette built for fleet combat. The Crusader A2 Hercules is a bomber and vehicle transport built for ground assaults. Both carry Size 10 ordnance, but their weapons serve different purposes: the Polaris uses guided torpedoes against spacecraft, while the A2 drops unguided bombs on surface targets.

The Polaris carries 28 loaded S10 torpedoes, 576 SCU of cargo, a fighter hangar, and four Tier 2 medical beds. The A2 carries four S10 Colossus bombs, 216 SCU of cargo, and ground-vehicle loading facilities. The useful comparison is whether your group needs to attack large spacecraft or conduct a surface assault.

Version note: Numerical specifications in this article come from community-maintained vehicle records locked to Alpha 4.10.0-LIVE.12519617. They are not independent Alpha 4.10.1 flight-test results. Historical RSI design material is used to explain the intended distinction between bombs and torpedoes, not to override the version-locked vehicle data.

Polaris vs A2 Hercules: Key Specifications

This table compares the standard Polaris with the standard A2 Hercules Starlifter. It does not combine the A2’s equipment with the cargo capacity or loadouts of the C2 or M2.

Specification	RSI Polaris	Crusader A2 Hercules
Manufacturer	Roberts Space Industries	Crusader Industries
Primary role	Combat corvette	Heavy bomber / gunship
Ship size	Size 6	Size 5
Dimensions (L × W × H)	181 × 87 × 40 m	94 × 70 × 23 m
Crew listed in vehicle data	12	8
Total crew stations	12	8
Cargo capacity	576 SCU	216 SCU
Cargo-grid arrangement	2 × 288 SCU	1 × 216 SCU
Cargo-grid Box Size field	16 SCU	32 SCU
Main heavy ordnance	28 loaded S10 torpedoes	4 × S10 Colossus bombs
Shield HP	648,000	211,200
SCM speed	145 m/s	160 m/s
NAV speed	940 m/s	950 m/s
Dedicated fighter hangar	Yes	No
Medical facility	4 × Tier 2 beds	No dedicated medical facility identified
MSRP reference	$975	$750
Standard insurance claim	75.8 min	39.2 min
Expedited insurance claim	19.0 min	13.1 min

Sources: Polaris Alpha 4.10.0 vehicle record , A2 Hercules Alpha 4.10.0 vehicle record , and RSI’s original Hercules announcement . MSRP and claim times are snapshot references, not guaranteed current prices or permanent insurance terms.

The cargo-grid Box Size entries are fields in the extracted data. They should not be treated as independently tested limits on every object that might physically fit inside either ship.

The A2 is substantially shorter than the Polaris and has slightly higher recorded SCM and NAV speeds. The Polaris has more cargo capacity and a larger recorded shield pool. Neither difference, by itself, establishes how an actual fight will end.

S10 Torpedoes vs S10 Bombs: The Defining Difference

Size 10 describes a weapon class; it does not make every S10 weapon suitable for the same targets.

The Polaris’s main battery is designed around guided ship-to-ship attacks. The A2’s Colossus bombs are gravity-assisted, unguided weapons intended for surface bombardment. RSI’s Hercules Q&A  explicitly distinguishes the bombs from torpedoes. Its historical design discussion should not be read as a current, measured damage comparison.

Polaris: 28 loaded S10 torpedoes

The Polaris carries 28 loaded Size 10 torpedoes across four launchers.

RSI’s official Ordnance Hardpoints reference  explicitly lists 28 S10 torpedoes for the Polaris. That historical source supports the ship-level count; it is not an independent Alpha 4.10.1 firing test.

The Polaris is intended to threaten large spacecraft. Its crew must still consider target defenses, positioning, firing opportunities, and the availability of allied support. A large torpedo is not a guaranteed hit, and an intercepted or evaded torpedo still consumes ammunition.

The magazine gives the Polaris multiple opportunities to conduct heavy strikes, but those opportunities are finite. Launching without a suitable target or supporting plan can leave fewer torpedoes for a later engagement.

A2 Hercules: Four S10 Colossus bombs

The A2 carries four Size 10 Colossus bombs. Its Alpha 4.10.0 vehicle record lists two bomb racks with two S10 weapons on each rack, consistent with RSI’s original four-bomb design description.

The bombs are unguided. Their delivery depends on the bomber’s approach, release position, movement, and the location of the intended surface target.

An A2 crew must account for the target area and the position of friendly ground forces before releasing a weapon with an area effect. Four bombs leave relatively few opportunities to adjust the attack before rearming.

Can A2 bombs replace Polaris torpedoes?

No. The A2’s bombs are not guided anti-ship torpedoes, and the Polaris’s torpedo battery is not a substitute for the A2’s dedicated gravity-bombing arrangement.

The shared S10 designation does not establish an equivalent damage value. Their delivery methods, intended targets, and effects differ; a controlled, version-specific comparison would require separate evidence.

Space Combat: Corvette Weapons vs a Heavily Armed Transport

The Polaris brings more than torpedoes to a space engagement. Its weapon arrangement includes manned gun turrets, additional remote weapons, and seven point-defense cannons. The Star Citizen Wiki’s Polaris overview  explicitly describes seven PDCs; the count is not inferred solely from the seven AI modules in the extracted vehicle data.

These weapons serve different functions. Torpedoes threaten large spacecraft, conventional turrets provide direct fire, and point defenses help protect the corvette against incoming threats. The crew still needs suitable targets, firing arcs, ammunition or power, and enough operators for the manned stations.

The A2 has its own extensive remote-turret network. It can engage suitable airborne or spaceborne threats and provide gunship support during an approach to a contested landing zone. Its four Colossus bombs, however, should not be counted as guided anti-ship weapons.

Can the A2 fight other spacecraft?

Yes. The A2 is a heavily armed transport rather than an unarmed bomber. Its conventional weapons can contribute to a fight, particularly when enough crew members are available to operate its turrets.

That does not give it the Polaris’s primary anti-large-ship role. The A2’s bombs and guns solve different problems, while the Polaris was designed around a heavy torpedo battery supported by additional defensive systems.

A fully crewed A2 may defend itself and support a transport mission. A Polaris may attack a large spacecraft while coordinating with its carried fighter and other fleet members. Actual results depend on the ships present, crew coordination, damage, and the combat situation.

What happens after the heavy ordnance is gone?

After firing its torpedoes, the Polaris retains its conventional guns, fighter hangar, cargo hold, and medical facilities. It can continue participating in an operation, although its remaining guns do not replace the torpedo battery’s anti-large-ship purpose.

After releasing all four bombs, the A2 retains its conventional weapons and transport capability. It may continue supporting a ground operation, deploy its carried vehicle, or withdraw to rearm.

A prolonged fleet deployment can use the Polaris’s supporting facilities. A surface assault can still use the A2’s cargo hold and ramps after its bombs have been released.

Ground Combat and Vehicle Transport

The Hercules hull is designed to move cargo and vehicles, and the A2 combines that function with a dedicated bomb bay. Its large loading ramps make it relevant to missions involving ground equipment and personnel.

RSI’s Hercules Q&A  discusses transporting a Tumbril Nova tank in the A2’s cargo area. That supports the intended vehicle-transport role, but it is not an independent Alpha 4.10.1 test of every vehicle or loading arrangement.

A2: Bombing and vehicle deployment in one operation

Consider a group preparing to assault a defended surface location. The A2 could approach with a suitable ground vehicle and personnel aboard, release bombs over an identified target area, and reposition to deploy its cargo.

That sequence makes use of the A2’s surface-attack and transport capabilities. The crew still needs to keep friendly personnel clear of the intended impact area and account for remaining hostile defenses before attempting to land.

A successful bombing run does not automatically make a landing zone safe.

Polaris: Supporting a ground mission from a different role

The Polaris can transport supplies, provide onboard medical support, and deploy a fighter for reconnaissance or protection. It can therefore contribute to a ground operation without being the vessel that delivers the bombing run or transports the assault vehicle.

Its 576 SCU of rated cargo capacity does not automatically make it a better tank transport than the A2. Cargo capacity is not a vehicle-compatibility rating: ramps, access routes, usable interior clearance, and loading procedures matter.

A group whose primary requirement is to deliver an armored vehicle to a surface objective should evaluate the A2’s loading workflow directly rather than relying on the Polaris’s larger SCU figure.

Crew Requirements: How Much of Each Ship Can You Use?

The Alpha 4.10.0 vehicle records list 12 crew stations for the Polaris and eight for the A2 Hercules. These figures describe the recorded configurations; they are not minimum player counts required simply to take off.

Both ships can be flown with fewer people than their full complements, but available crew determines how many weapons and support positions can be used simultaneously.

Solo and two-player operation

A solo A2 pilot can fly the ship and prepare a bombing approach. The crew arrangement does not, by itself, establish which player must operate the bomb-release controls in Alpha 4.10.1.

A second player could handle another mission responsibility, such as a turret or ground-team preparation, while the pilot concentrates on flying. This is an example of crew planning, not an independently tested statement about every current control permission.

The Polaris distributes more of its defining capabilities across separate positions. A solo pilot cannot simultaneously operate its heavy torpedo station, manned turrets, engineering systems, and carried fighter.

Adding a second player reduces some of those conflicts, but does not make the corvette fully staffed.

Operating with a small group

A four-player Polaris group might assign a pilot, torpedo operator, turret gunner, and engineer. If that group wants to deploy a fighter, another player must join or someone must leave an existing assignment.

A four-player A2 group might assign a pilot, turret gunner, engineer, and ground-team member. The pilot and crew can coordinate the bombing approach without assuming that bomb release must be assigned to a dedicated second player. Once the ground-team member disembarks, the remaining crew must decide which onboard tasks still need attention.

These are illustrative staffing plans, not mandatory configurations or claims that every station has been independently tested in Alpha 4.10.1.

For a Polaris crew, assigning torpedo, turret, engineering, and fighter responsibilities  before departure can prevent several important tasks from depending on the same player.

Fighter Hangar and Medical Support

The Polaris has a dedicated fighter hangar; the A2 does not have an equivalent facility.

RSI’s published Polaris material describes a hangar capable of accommodating, repairing, and rearming a medium-size fighter, with the RSI Scorpius used as an example. That example should not be expanded into an official compatibility list for every similarly sized craft.

A Polaris fighter can investigate contacts, intercept threats, or support the corvette during a fleet engagement. Repeated launch and recovery still require practical clearance, coordination, and an available pilot.

A fighter that physically fits is not necessarily convenient to launch, recover, and service repeatedly. That distinction matters when planning a Polaris hangar loadout .

Ship Hangar Services and current limitations

CIG’s Alpha 4.8 Ship Hangar Services Q&A identifies the Polaris as a supported host for servicing compatible carried craft. The official article  is also available through a Star Citizen Wiki archive of the original Q&A .

The initial system requires suitable supplies on the mothership’s cargo grid, including fuel, RMC for repairs, and compatible ammunition for restocking. Having a large hold does not make those services automatic.

RSI’s Alpha 4.10.1 Known Issues  also documents a Polaris carrier-persistence problem: docked fighters may despawn after a bed logout from the mothership.

This is a documented risk, not a statement that every logout causes a disappearance. Crews should account for it when planning to leave a fighter stored aboard between sessions.

Medical facilities

The Polaris’s version-locked record identifies four Tier 2 medical beds. The A2 record does not identify a dedicated medical facility. Ordinary crew beds should not be confused with medical beds.

A Polaris crew can use its onboard medical facility for qualifying treatment and regeneration when the beds are functional, properly supplied, and within the applicable range. Tier 2 beds do not replace Tier 1 treatment for severe injuries.

An A2 ground team needs an appropriate external medical or regeneration point rather than assuming the bomber provides the same capability.

The Polaris’s medbay can support an extended deployment, but it does not replace the A2’s dedicated surface-attack equipment.

Cargo Capacity, Recovery Time and Ownership

The Polaris carries 576 SCU across two 288-SCU grids. The A2 carries 216 SCU in one grid.

The Polaris can reserve cargo space for mission freight, supplies, fighter-servicing resources, and equipment needed during a longer deployment.

The A2 can use its hold for cargo or a compatible ground vehicle while retaining its dedicated bomb bay. Releasing the bombs does not automatically convert the bomb bay into additional rated freight capacity.

RSI’s original Hercules Q&A described 234 SCU for the A2. The version-locked Alpha 4.10.0 vehicle record instead reports 216 SCU, which is the value used throughout this article.

Insurance claim times

Alpha 4.10.0 claim snapshot	Polaris	A2 Hercules
Standard claim	75.8 min	39.2 min
Expedited claim	19.0 min	13.1 min

Source: the version-locked Polaris  and A2 Hercules  vehicle records. These are snapshot values, not permanent insurance terms.

The A2’s shorter recorded claim time may matter to a player running relatively short missions. A Polaris group may also need to restock supplies and reorganize its carried fighter after recovering the ship.

Neither claim timer includes the cost or time needed to replace lost cargo or mission equipment.

Price and acquisition

The Alpha 4.10.0 records list MSRP references of $975 for the Polaris and $750 for the A2 Hercules.

These are reference values, not verified current standalone pledge prices, Warbond offers, CCU values, or third-party marketplace quotations.

The price references cannot establish the cost of replacing one ship’s role with the other. A player interested in ground bombardment still needs the A2’s bomb bay and vehicle-loading arrangement; a group planning capital-ship attacks needs to assess the Polaris’s torpedo and crew requirements.

Should You Upgrade from an A2 Hercules to a Polaris?

An A2-to-Polaris upgrade changes the ship’s primary purpose.

The Polaris adds a heavy anti-ship torpedo battery, dedicated fighter hangar, four Tier 2 medical beds, and greater rated cargo capacity. In return, the owner gives up the A2’s dedicated four-bomb arrangement and its Hercules vehicle-loading workflow.

Crew availability also matters. A group that can staff an A2 may still find it difficult to operate the Polaris’s wider range of combat and support stations simultaneously.

Current CCU eligibility and pricing must be checked against the exact pledge and offer. The difference between the two historical MSRP references is not a verified current upgrade price.

Polaris vs A2 Hercules: Which Ship Fits Your Group?

The Polaris suits groups that regularly engage large spacecraft and can staff its torpedo, defensive, and support systems. The A2 suits groups that need to bomb surface targets and transport ground equipment. An organization using both could assign the Polaris to fleet protection and the A2 to a surface objective, with crew coordination particularly important before bomb release or landing.

Final Verdict

Choose based on the mission and the crew you can reliably assemble: the Polaris’s heavy torpedoes serve fleet combat, while the A2’s four bombs and vehicle-loading facilities serve ground assaults. Their shared S10 designation does not make their weapons or operating roles interchangeable.