In this video, the creator demonstrates how the RSI Hermes ship in Star Citizen Alpha 4.6 can safely carry nearly 600 SCU of cargo—more than double its official capacity—by strategically loading boxes both on and off the cargo grid, resulting in a highly profitable trading run. The video also highlights the ship’s efficient loading design and minor tractor beam limitations, offering valuable tips for maximizing cargo space and trading efficiency.
In this video, the creator continues testing and guiding viewers on the RSI Hermes ship in Star Citizen Alpha 4.6, focusing specifically on its cargo capacity, which is the ship’s primary function. The initial plan is to conduct a trading run by transporting human food bars from Grim Hex to Follow Field in Pyro, aiming to maximize profits by filling the ship with as many commodities as possible. The official cargo grid capacity of the Hermes is 288 SCU, which would yield a profit of 76K AUEC on an investment of 93K AUEC, but the creator is determined to push beyond this limit to find the maximum safe cargo capacity.
Loading the cargo is made easier by the Hermes’ design, featuring a rear ramp positioned conveniently near an elevator and equipped with a ground light indicator for precise positioning. The ship also boasts an onboard tractor beam with two fixed positions and a second elevator for easy access, allowing loading even when the cargo area is fully packed. However, the tractor beam has some limitations, including slow rotation and limited positioning control, which the creator hopes will be improved in future updates. Despite some minor bugs with the tractor beam, the loading process is efficient, especially when combined with the max lift tractor beam for repositioning boxes.
The creator demonstrates how to maximize cargo space by placing boxes both on and off the official cargo grid, using a technique to unsnap boxes from the grid and arrange them tightly against the ship’s walls and in unused spaces. By stacking 32 SCU and 8 SCU boxes strategically, the creator manages to fit a total of 592 SCU—more than double the official capacity. This capacity rivals larger ships like the C2 Hercules, with the added advantage of easier loading and unloading thanks to the Hermes’ design.
During the trading run, the creator encounters a limitation when trying to sell the human food bars at Follow Field due to its maximum cargo acceptance limit of 16 SCU. To overcome this, the plan is adjusted to sell at Stanton Gateway, which accepts larger cargo sizes but offers a lower rate of return. Unloading at Stanton Gateway is straightforward and quick, facilitated by the external elevator and the ship’s convenient ramp placement, making the entire trading operation smooth and efficient.
In conclusion, the creator successfully demonstrates that the RSI Hermes can safely carry nearly 600 SCU of cargo, significantly exceeding the official grid capacity and making it a highly effective trading ship in Star Citizen. The trading run results in a gross profit of over 100,000 AUEC, proving the ship’s viability for profitable trading missions. The video highlights both the strengths and minor flaws of the Hermes, providing valuable insights and tips for players looking to maximize their cargo capacity and trading efficiency in the game.