C2 Hercules - The most popular cargo ship in Star Citizen

“It’s not a ship; it’s a flying cathedral that ate a cargo freighter and decided to haul tanks for fun.”

Introduction: A Star Lifter With Swagger

In the pantheon of Star Citizen cargo ships, the Crusader C2 Hercules doesn’t merely lift cargo; it ascends it.
This is a ship for those who believe bigger is better when it comes to engines, firepower, and ramp doors.

Built by Crusader Industries, the C2 is the civilian cargo variant of the Hercules line. It sits between the M2 (military) and A2 (gunship) versions, combining luxury design sensibilities with serious hauling capability. Think of it as if Bentley built a semi-truck, strapped VTOLs to it, and said “yes, it can carry your tank too.”

Basic Stats

Design Philosophy

The C2 is one of the few ships that can move entire bases and still look like a bird of prey while doing it.

The long, avian profile with its swept tail fins and suspended cockpit gives it a distinctly Crusader aesthetic: smooth, elegant, but unmistakably purposeful. Unlike utilitarian MISC haulers that look like flying shoeboxes, the C2 has design intent. Every curve says “I’m expensive and aerodynamic, even though I’m a flying brick.”

Its dual front-and-rear ramps allow drive-through loading. Perfect for staging battlefield deployments or race-day logistics. Load tanks from the rear, roll them out the front, and wave smugly as the cargo bay empties like a military parade.

Inside, Crusader’s interior design team has gone for Millennium Falcon meets private jet. The upper deck is bright, open, and modular, with integrated lighting and generous headroom. Every corridor feels engineered, not bolted together.

Interior Tour

Cargo Bay

Step into the cargo hold and it’s like entering a cathedral built to worship tonnage. The plating is studded with tie-downs and traction grips, perfect for Nova tank treads or Ballista wheels. At 696 SCU, the hold outclasses the Caterpillar (576 SCU) and rivals some capital freighters.

Lighting is theatrical; the red-accented rear lift area feels like a cargo runway from a science-fiction opera.

Living Quarters

The upper deck is bright and open. It feels less like a warship and more like a high-end RV for interplanetary road trips. Two bunks, a galley, and a booth-style lounge give the space a homey feel.

A full bathroom with a shower means you can finally wash off quantum jump grime in style, something Drake pilots can only dream of.

Bridge

Slide into the pilot’s seat and you’re met with the classic Crusader wraparound glass canopy. It’s like sitting in a high-tech observation deck.

Visibility is excellent, controls are intuitive, and the flight chairs glide forward on a cinematic track that makes you feel like a space admiral preparing for takeoff.

Three MFDs flank the pilot, mirrored by the co-pilot’s setup. Behind them sits a compact engineering console for monitoring power, shields, and components, perfect for a two-person crew.

Firepower and Defense

While not designed as a battleship, the C2 isn’t defenseless. The twin size-5 laser cannons up front pack a serious punch, enough to swat fighters that get too confident.

The turrets, though dual-mounted, cannot fire simultaneously without separate gunners. Flying solo makes you a target more than a turret platform.

Shields are strong, but the 81 k hull HP can melt quickly under sustained fire. Best advice: avoid fights and let escorts earn their pay.

Handling and Flight Feel

Despite its bulk, the C2 flies with surprising grace. Pilots describe it as “a rhino with jetpacks and manners.”

The SCM speed of 160 m/s isn’t remarkable, but the 320 m/s boost and responsive VTOLs give it impressive agility during landings. Clipping a landing pad edge in a C2, however, still feels like bumping a space station with a cathedral.

Practical Use Cases

• Heavy Cargo Logistics: trade goods, ore, or supplies

• Ground Vehicle Transport: ideal for Nova tanks, Ballistas, small ships

• Mobile Base Platform: interior storage and beds for forward operations

• Racing Support Ship: carries craft like the P-52 Merlin to events

Verdict

The C2’s internal logic makes sense: cargo access is easy, movement flow is clear, and every space feels purposeful.

Aesthetically it is one of the most beautiful large ships in Star Citizen. It represents form meeting function, Crusader’s industrial grace at its finest.

Pros

• Massive 696 SCU capacity

• Beautiful design and lighting

• Dual front and rear ramp access

• Good flight handling

• Comfortable interior for freighter class

Cons

• Low hull HP for its size

• Turrets limited without extra crew

• Power distribution quirks

• Large hangar footprint

Final Score 9 / 10

A flying cathedral of commerce: refined, reliable, and unmistakably Crusader. If you want to haul cargo with class and intimidate everyone at the spaceport, the Hercules C2 is your ship.