MVAM vs heavy escort carrier

budgie1701

Hi all,

This question may have already been asked but I couldn't find it so if it has...sorry

I currently own a MVAM but was thinking of getting the new heavy escort carrier. Is it worth upgrading?

I love the Akira class and the idea of fighters is awesome but does it actually work or is it just a gimmick?

Thanks for your help

jjumetley

I would also like to hear your opinions. I'm going to buy both anyway but I still haven't decided which one to get now, and which one later.

johhanne

I've flown both and loved both. The Armitage has the edge though

viperjock

johhanne wrote: »

I've flown both and loved both. The Armitage has the edge though

how does it have the edge though.........I think that is what he was asking

dabelgrave

I tried the HEC, but I ended up going back to the MVAE since the HEC didn't seem quite as responsive as I'd hoped. I always found my fighters dying too fast, and in my opinion the extra turn rate of the separated MVAE is better than the extra hull of the HEC. Photon torp defense system? I can get along without that just fine.

The big difference to me is the MVAE is science heavy, while the HEC is engineering heavy.

johhanne

How does it have the edge? Better survivability, better dps with the blue pets and it's a lot of fun to fly! You always sacrificed a ton of survivability to split and splitting is on a 5min cd. Don't get me wrong the MVAM is a great ship but I love me my Armitage.

lomax6996

The Armitage has much the same punch as the Defiant Retrofit. It's not quite as squishy as the Defiant and has the same basic layout, power's wise. It has the added punch of the fighters but you can't launch very many at a time. I would say they're more than a gimmick but not really an "edge". Just a little bit of extra firepower (for as long as they last) and also give the opposing ship something else to shoot at (besides you). Overall I've found they make a difference but not a HUGE one. If you do well in a Defiant Retrofit (and don't make much use of it's cloaking ability) then you should do as well or better in the Armitage. It's not quite as nimble but the difference is minimal. As a carrier... it's a grand little Escort cruiser. As an Escort... it's as grand as the Defiant AND it brings it's own friends to the party.

corsair114

For PvE purposes, the Armitage has an unending wave of re-launchable Tractor Beam 2 and Chroniton Torpedo launchers in the form of the Danube Runabouts.

It's BOff layout is a bit annoying for tactical powers as it lacks a second LTC Tac slot, but is definitely a nasty, nasty ship that's tough as nails while still being pretty fast. It is, however, a little slow in the turn rate.

The Torpedo console can be a riot vs a large number of AI opponents, though.

thoroon

I love my Armitage with Consoles in the "new" S6 content. No Win etc. are so much more fun with some extra crosshealing capabilities, some extras to shoot down enemy fighters quickly etc.
Being able to tank any kind of cube in STFs alone is just the icecake.
Switching Hangar based on team setup is quite nice, too.

otakuboyt

If you are playing regular escort go with the HEC. IF you want something differnt. Go MVAM.

I play I kind of a CC/Carrier with that. I do very well on gate duty in STFs


CmTac - T:S 1 / AP:B 1 / C:SV 2 / AP:O
LtCSci - PH 1 / HE 2 / GW I (Purple Gravimetric Scientist and Deflector Officers)
LtTac - T:S 1 / C:RF 1
LtEng - EPtS / ET 2
LtTac - TT 1

I wait until the second to last probe or sphere comes into range. I hit Gravity Well. All 3-5 ships are pulled together. I then hit Tactical Team, Attack Pattern Beta, and Scatter Volley. The whole time the 2 pets are also attacking them.

I then hit the Torpedo Spread with my Forward Chroniton Torpedo Launchers. Generally they start blowing up close enough to each other that the ones that survive take damage from the ones that blow up.

If any are left I pick those off with Rapid Fire and a charge though with Theta Radiation Vents and my rear torpedoes. All the mean while the pets are hammering away at the group..

You can do most of it with the Escort Carrier but the LtCom Sci gives you the Gravity Well which bunches the enemy into a small space.

eulifdavis

corsair114 wrote: »

It's BOff layout is a bit annoying for tactical powers as it lacks a second LTC Tac slot

I have no idea what you're talking about. I fly the Armitage, and it comes with a Commander Tactical, Lieutenant Commander Tactical, Ensign Tactical, Lieutenant Engineering, and Lieutenant Science. That's plenty of tactical abilities.

lordcorrino

I fly both and love both. My two favorite ships. For PVE stick Aux. to Struc. in your Lt. Comm. engineering slot and blue shield drones and you now have the most survivable escort in the fleet. For PVP I'm not sure which is better. Lt. Comm. Sci can give some nasty debuffs, and MVAM console makes it one of the most maneuverable ships in the game. On the other hand I've heard people complaining about the Danube tractor spam in PVP so that's always a good sign.

darkenzedd

I own both and prefer the Armitage. The hanger gives a nice change and it only takes one of my runabout pets to tractor beam you and boom.
It isn't as maneuverable as the mvam, but having shuttles means I am still attacking a ship even I am caught out of position.
I would not rely on the hanger for damage dealing, but more for aggro and a distraction...

crusty8mac

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.

I keep thinking I will buy the Armitage for my engineer toon, load it with Danudes, as high a Tractor Beam BO as I can slot, get the four piece Borg set for another tractor beam, then be sure to spec all the way to 9 on whatever buffs tractor beams.

With that setup, there is no need for turn rate, you will be stuck until I am done with you.