Hey, I'm an engineer currently running the excelsior retrofit and before season 6 it was perfect but since season six it's 1700 damage per hit max (Per beam) isn't enough to keep comfortably on top of probes in KASE so here I am asking how I can improve it
My current weapons are:
Forward
Mk XII Quantum torp launcher [Borg]
Mk XII Tetryon beam array [Borg]
Nk XI Polarised Tetryon Beam array
Mk XI Phased Tetryon Beam array
Aft
Mk XII Quantum torp launcher [Borg]
Mk XII Tetryon beam array [Borg]
Nk XI Polarised Tetryon Beam array
Mk XI Phased Tetryon Beam array
Deflector: Aegis
Engines: Aegis
Shields: Aegis
Consoles
Engineering
Borg Console
Mk XI Neutronium alloy (Blue quality)
Mk XI Ablative Hull armour (Blue quality)
Transwarp computer
Science
2x MK XI Field Generator (Blue quality)
Tactical
3x MK XI Tetryon pulse generator (Blue quality)
Power levels
Wep: 100
Def: 96
Eng: 50
Aux: 50
BOFF abilities:
Lt CMDR Tac: tac team, HY torp II and BFW III
CMDR Engi: EPtW I, Reverse shield polarity I, EPtS3, Eject warp plasma 3
Lt Engi: Engi team I, Aux to structural I
Ensign Engi: EPtA I
Lt Science: Sci team I, Jam targeting sensors II
I hope that's everything you need to know, if it isn't don't hesitate to ask
You can make torps work in the Excel, but for PvE stuff you really want multi-target abilities, so it's better to take spread over high yield.
As far as getting damage out of beams goes, there's an expensive option (which will get you maximum damage output) and a cheaper option, which is serviceable. The best option overall (although it takes some getting used to) is to run all single cannons with turrets in the rear. While beams are much more useful for multiple target scenarios to spread out pressure damage, STFs aren't actually that packed with enemies (IIRC there are only two or three probes at a time in Khitomer).
For peak beam performance, there's this, but it requires purple Technicians which are very pricey:
Also remember to keep a pile of weapon batteries in a device slot so you can recover after broadsides.
For a cannon build, here's your Tac layout (this is important):
TT, C:RF1, C:RF2
If you're only doing STFs, the best consoles are monotanium or neutronium since 99% of NPC Borg damage is kinetic (surprisingly, very little is plasma; they use a lot of powerful shield drains instead).
In the Tier 5 Excel, your transwarp shouldn't be occupying an Eng console, so I'm not too sure what's going on there.
I agree with the previous poster, a cannon/turret build can be quite potent.
I ran my Excelsior with 6 beams and 2 torps like you do, and I liked it, and I still do fly it sometimes.
Here's just my own thoughts:
Equipment:
That's all fine, Aegis set will do you good, but if you want, a combo of MACO shields with the three piece borg set can be good as well. Weapons are good, though I might recommend all Borg-specific in the future if you are wanting to do lots of STFs. Also, if you want to, put a slower loading torpedo in the back, like a tricobalt, it can be nasty in High Yield or Spread form.
Consoles:
Engineering, I again agree with the above poster, the transwarp computer, take it off for now, it won't help that much in a fight, put it in sector space if you need to transwarp a lot. Use 3 Neutroniums, or 2 of them and a Monotanium along with the Borg console. Or even take off the Borg console (if not move it somewhere else) and put in an Emergency Force field console to keep your crew from dying so easily.
Science, those are fine, if you want to, put a shield emitter console in one spot, or the borg console.
Tactical, those are fine as well.
If you want to use it, the Theta console would also be good.
BOFFs:
Engineer Cmdr: E-power to shields 1, RSP 1, Aux to Structural 2, along with any one of the decent Cmdr level abilities, pick which you use and like the most.
Engineer Lt: Engineering team 1, Aux to Inertial Dampeners 1 or RSP 1.
Engineer Ensign: E-power ability of your choosing.
Science Lt: Polarize Hull 1, HE 2. If fighting non-tractor beam using enemies: TSS 1 and HE 2. Regardless, don't use more than two 'Team' abilities on one build.
Tactical Lt. Cmdr: Tactical team 1, then either BO 2 and HY 3, or BFAW 2 and torpedo spread 3.
That build should provide a great deal of being able to survive, without giving up a lot of firepower. Sure you aren't using cannons as the previous poster said, but I've found it can be an effective build as your little Excelsior faces down the giant Tactical Cube.
I remain empathetic to the concerns of my community, but do me a favor and lay off the god damn name calling and petty remarks. It will get you nowhere.
I must admit, respect points to Trendy for laying down the law like that.
I find taking Polarize Hull isn't as mandatory as it would be on an escort because you're an Excelsior and a little thing like a tractor beam doesn't come close to the amount of punishment you can safely take. That said, it's totally a good choice and YMMV.
Well thanks for your suggestions however I have to say that cannons are a little less than practical for me, firstly I don't have the power to run them sensibly, secondly it goes against my play style for the ship and STFs aren't my only use for the ship, the ship does everything including the odd PvP and I can't fault it's ability to survive I just need a method of increasing it's damage potential (This is where you say "With your characters profession you've maxed it out" in which case I will just have to wait and hope they lower NPC stats a bit)
Well thanks for your suggestions however I have to say that cannons are a little less than practical for me, firstly I don't have the power to run them sensibly, secondly it goes against my play style for the ship and STFs aren't my only use for the ship, the ship does everything including the odd PvP and I can't fault it's ability to survive I just need a method of increasing it's damage potential (This is where you say "With your characters profession you've maxed it out" in which case I will just have to wait and hope they lower NPC stats a bit)
Again, Thank you for your thoughts on the subject
Generally power use should never be an issue (in fact the only time power becomes a problem is during a beam array broadside/BO). This is doubly so for Eng captains: that's supposed to be your strength!
If you just want to crank up the juice a little more, I'd suggest ditching the torps, taking FAWII, getting rid of EPtA (it's only somewhat buffing your Aux2SIF, not worth it) and taking DEM. It's true that your options in an Eng cruiser are tighter but there are always things you can do to make it go +1.
Well, I tried out the 8 beam layout with DEM and I did less damage and had lower survivability than with my 6 beam with aux2SIF so I have decided to stick with what I have as it seems to be the best balance of damage and survival
Again I thank you all for your ideas and suggestions and I will leave it up in case anyone else wishes to use it for their benefit
Well, I tried out the 8 beam layout with DEM and I did less damage and had lower survivability than with my 6 beam with aux2SIF so I have decided to stick with what I have as it seems to be the best balance of damage and survival
Again I thank you all for your ideas and suggestions and I will leave it up in case anyone else wishes to use it for their benefit
...You're not forced to choose between DEM and Aux2SIF. In fact you can take Aux2SIF at Commander level and be more survivable than you were before (it's actually quite weak as a Lt. skill).
Do you keep combat parser logs? Can you post them for us?
Trying to go from memory whilst we are in a patch...
My Excelsior-R
3x mk xii beams[borg] AP [fore/aft]
1x mk xii[borg] quantums [fore/aft]
3 piece borg with MACO xii shields
Tactical: 2x AP mag[blue], 1x AP mag[purple]
Eng: 2x mk xi Monotanium mk xi[purple], 1x mk xi Neutronium[purple, borg console
Sci: 1x mk xi Field Generator[blue] (purple sooo expensive), 1x mk xi Emitter Amp[purple] - sometimes switch out for another blue Field Gen.)
Divices: Subspace modulator, weap battery for an occasional broadside drain, lg shields batt as a bkup, can't remember the last...
Of course as with any cruiser, keeping your strongest asset on target [broadside] is a must and throttle control really helps as does altitude changes. I love coming out of a broadside, slam reverse to get nose on target and let loose a TS of quantums. Can't give you the char stats as my memory isn't that good but is is geared to dps.
As to BO powers, lets see how I remember this...
Tac: TT1, TS2, FAW3
Eng: 2x EP2S, 2x EP2W, RSP, ummm... ummm....
Sci: TSS, PH
As to BO powers, I'll post later if you like with full detail but my memory isn't that good [I'm over 50 so there ya go]... :eek:
"If you can't take a little bloody nose, maybe you ought to go back home and crawl under your bed. It's not safe out here. It's wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross. But it's not for the timid." Q Join the 44th Fleet. [FED and KDF] Apply Online: startrek.44thfleet.com
The thing with torps is that while they take pressure off the beams, it's much harder to make them sync with your shield drain, and if you aren't specced into making them work (torp DOffs are a must, you can grab cheap ones at the DS9 STF vendor) you won't get anything out of them. They're not a bad choice by any means but honestly, the highest single-target, consistent DPS build you're going to get involves pure cannons.
The thing with torps is that while they take pressure off the beams, it's much harder to make them sync with your shield drain, and if you aren't specced into making them work (torp DOffs are a must, you can grab cheap ones at the DS9 STF vendor) you won't get anything out of them. They're not a bad choice by any means but honestly, the highest single-target, consistent DPS build you're going to get involves pure cannons.
True enough, I will never out-dps an escort on a single target nor do I try as it is about team play. But, a good pilot in a good beam cruiser build can put out great sustained dps over the course of an encounter like the S6 Fleets and PVE IF the broadsides are done well AND using throttle control to bring her on target for torps when shields drop [i use the mouse wheel at .20 increments]. Both have their place and my cruiser does very well filling its role. In most of my runs, my sustained dps is higher than escorts but I still can't hold a candle to the raw power of the escort in 1 on 1.
"If you can't take a little bloody nose, maybe you ought to go back home and crawl under your bed. It's not safe out here. It's wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross. But it's not for the timid." Q Join the 44th Fleet. [FED and KDF] Apply Online: startrek.44thfleet.com
True enough, I will never out-dps an escort on a single target nor do I try as it is about team play. But, a good pilot in a good beam cruiser build can put out great sustained dps over the course of an encounter like the S6 Fleets and PVE IF the broadsides are done well AND using throttle control to bring her on target for torps when shields drop [i use the mouse wheel at .20 increments]. Both have their place and my cruiser does very well filling its role. In most of my runs, my sustained dps is higher than escorts but I still can't hold a candle to the raw power of the escort in 1 on 1.
Fair play, I might bring out the old girl, throw some torps on her (never been an 8-beam fan) and see what the parser chucks out at me. I so love the Excel that I'll just jump at any excuse to fly one.
Fair play, I might bring out the old girl, throw some torps on her (never been an 8-beam fan) and see what the parser chucks out at me. I so love the Excel that I'll just jump at any excuse to fly one.
Cheers mate! Happy hunting!
"If you can't take a little bloody nose, maybe you ought to go back home and crawl under your bed. It's not safe out here. It's wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross. But it's not for the timid." Q Join the 44th Fleet. [FED and KDF] Apply Online: startrek.44thfleet.com
To the OP, before dismissing cannons as not fitting your playstyle, I would at least give the 4 cannon/4 turret build a try with the respective BOFF powers for cannons. You might be surprised with how well it works. :cool:
To the OP, before dismissing cannons as not fitting your playstyle, I would at least give the 4 cannon/4 turret build a try with the respective BOFF powers for cannons. You might be surprised with how well it works. :cool:
will consider it! I'll need more BO slots! :eek:
I
"If you can't take a little bloody nose, maybe you ought to go back home and crawl under your bed. It's not safe out here. It's wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross. But it's not for the timid." Q Join the 44th Fleet. [FED and KDF] Apply Online: startrek.44thfleet.com
Comments
As far as getting damage out of beams goes, there's an expensive option (which will get you maximum damage output) and a cheaper option, which is serviceable. The best option overall (although it takes some getting used to) is to run all single cannons with turrets in the rear. While beams are much more useful for multiple target scenarios to spread out pressure damage, STFs aren't actually that packed with enemies (IIRC there are only two or three probes at a time in Khitomer).
For peak beam performance, there's this, but it requires purple Technicians which are very pricey:
TT, AP:B, FAW3
EPtW1, Aux2Bat, DEM2, Aux2SIF3/EWP3
EPtS1, EPtS2,
ET1/EPtW1
HE1, TSS2
Otherwise, simply run this for your Eng BOff setup:
EPtW1, EPtS2, DEM2, Aux2SIF3/EWP3
EPtW1, EPtS2
ET1
Also remember to keep a pile of weapon batteries in a device slot so you can recover after broadsides.
For a cannon build, here's your Tac layout (this is important):
TT, C:RF1, C:RF2
If you're only doing STFs, the best consoles are monotanium or neutronium since 99% of NPC Borg damage is kinetic (surprisingly, very little is plasma; they use a lot of powerful shield drains instead).
In the Tier 5 Excel, your transwarp shouldn't be occupying an Eng console, so I'm not too sure what's going on there.
Everything else seems spiffy, though.
vids and guides and stuff
[9:52] [Zone #11] Neal@trapper1532: im a omega force shadow oprative and a maoc elite camander and here i am taking water samples
I ran my Excelsior with 6 beams and 2 torps like you do, and I liked it, and I still do fly it sometimes.
Here's just my own thoughts:
Equipment:
That's all fine, Aegis set will do you good, but if you want, a combo of MACO shields with the three piece borg set can be good as well. Weapons are good, though I might recommend all Borg-specific in the future if you are wanting to do lots of STFs. Also, if you want to, put a slower loading torpedo in the back, like a tricobalt, it can be nasty in High Yield or Spread form.
Consoles:
Engineering, I again agree with the above poster, the transwarp computer, take it off for now, it won't help that much in a fight, put it in sector space if you need to transwarp a lot. Use 3 Neutroniums, or 2 of them and a Monotanium along with the Borg console. Or even take off the Borg console (if not move it somewhere else) and put in an Emergency Force field console to keep your crew from dying so easily.
Science, those are fine, if you want to, put a shield emitter console in one spot, or the borg console.
Tactical, those are fine as well.
If you want to use it, the Theta console would also be good.
BOFFs:
Engineer Cmdr: E-power to shields 1, RSP 1, Aux to Structural 2, along with any one of the decent Cmdr level abilities, pick which you use and like the most.
Engineer Lt: Engineering team 1, Aux to Inertial Dampeners 1 or RSP 1.
Engineer Ensign: E-power ability of your choosing.
Science Lt: Polarize Hull 1, HE 2. If fighting non-tractor beam using enemies: TSS 1 and HE 2. Regardless, don't use more than two 'Team' abilities on one build.
Tactical Lt. Cmdr: Tactical team 1, then either BO 2 and HY 3, or BFAW 2 and torpedo spread 3.
That build should provide a great deal of being able to survive, without giving up a lot of firepower. Sure you aren't using cannons as the previous poster said, but I've found it can be an effective build as your little Excelsior faces down the giant Tactical Cube.
vids and guides and stuff
[9:52] [Zone #11] Neal@trapper1532: im a omega force shadow oprative and a maoc elite camander and here i am taking water samples
Again, Thank you for your thoughts on the subject
Generally power use should never be an issue (in fact the only time power becomes a problem is during a beam array broadside/BO). This is doubly so for Eng captains: that's supposed to be your strength!
If you just want to crank up the juice a little more, I'd suggest ditching the torps, taking FAWII, getting rid of EPtA (it's only somewhat buffing your Aux2SIF, not worth it) and taking DEM. It's true that your options in an Eng cruiser are tighter but there are always things you can do to make it go +1.
vids and guides and stuff
[9:52] [Zone #11] Neal@trapper1532: im a omega force shadow oprative and a maoc elite camander and here i am taking water samples
Again I thank you all for your ideas and suggestions and I will leave it up in case anyone else wishes to use it for their benefit
...You're not forced to choose between DEM and Aux2SIF. In fact you can take Aux2SIF at Commander level and be more survivable than you were before (it's actually quite weak as a Lt. skill).
Do you keep combat parser logs? Can you post them for us?
vids and guides and stuff
[9:52] [Zone #11] Neal@trapper1532: im a omega force shadow oprative and a maoc elite camander and here i am taking water samples
Deflector: omega
Engines: omega
Shields: Aegis or maco
engie consoles: 3x neutronium, borg
base power levels;
Wep: 100
Def: 50
Eng: 25
Aux: 25
Ensign Engi: EPtS I
Lt Science: Sci team I, Hazard Emitters II
doffs;
2x shield distro
1x antimatter (for warp plasma proc)
2x projectiles
My Excelsior-R
3x mk xii beams[borg] AP [fore/aft]
1x mk xii[borg] quantums [fore/aft]
3 piece borg with MACO xii shields
Tactical: 2x AP mag[blue], 1x AP mag[purple]
Eng: 2x mk xi Monotanium mk xi[purple], 1x mk xi Neutronium[purple, borg console
Sci: 1x mk xi Field Generator[blue] (purple sooo expensive), 1x mk xi Emitter Amp[purple] - sometimes switch out for another blue Field Gen.)
Divices: Subspace modulator, weap battery for an occasional broadside drain, lg shields batt as a bkup, can't remember the last...
Doffs: 2x Projectile Weapons Officers[purple-borg], 3x Shield Dist DOFF[purple]
Of course as with any cruiser, keeping your strongest asset on target [broadside] is a must and throttle control really helps as does altitude changes. I love coming out of a broadside, slam reverse to get nose on target and let loose a TS of quantums. Can't give you the char stats as my memory isn't that good but is is geared to dps.
As to BO powers, lets see how I remember this...
Tac: TT1, TS2, FAW3
Eng: 2x EP2S, 2x EP2W, RSP, ummm... ummm....
Sci: TSS, PH
As to BO powers, I'll post later if you like with full detail but my memory isn't that good [I'm over 50 so there ya go]... :eek:
Join the 44th Fleet. [FED and KDF] Apply Online: startrek.44thfleet.com
vids and guides and stuff
[9:52] [Zone #11] Neal@trapper1532: im a omega force shadow oprative and a maoc elite camander and here i am taking water samples
True enough, I will never out-dps an escort on a single target nor do I try as it is about team play. But, a good pilot in a good beam cruiser build can put out great sustained dps over the course of an encounter like the S6 Fleets and PVE IF the broadsides are done well AND using throttle control to bring her on target for torps when shields drop [i use the mouse wheel at .20 increments]. Both have their place and my cruiser does very well filling its role. In most of my runs, my sustained dps is higher than escorts but I still can't hold a candle to the raw power of the escort in 1 on 1.
Join the 44th Fleet. [FED and KDF] Apply Online: startrek.44thfleet.com
Fair play, I might bring out the old girl, throw some torps on her (never been an 8-beam fan) and see what the parser chucks out at me. I so love the Excel that I'll just jump at any excuse to fly one.
vids and guides and stuff
[9:52] [Zone #11] Neal@trapper1532: im a omega force shadow oprative and a maoc elite camander and here i am taking water samples
Cheers mate! Happy hunting!
Join the 44th Fleet. [FED and KDF] Apply Online: startrek.44thfleet.com
I
Join the 44th Fleet. [FED and KDF] Apply Online: startrek.44thfleet.com