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Combat impulse engines - Efficiency question

caymonjgcaymonjg Member Posts: 0 Arc User
edited August 2012 in Federation Discussion
So, treat me like I'm stupid (because when I have to ask these questions, i usually feel stupid.)

Combat Impulse engines are listed as "efficient at low power" how does this work system wise with power management?
Post edited by caymonjg on

Comments

  • voporakvoporak Member Posts: 5,621 Arc User
    edited August 2012
    It means it is more efficeient the lower your subsystem power is.
    I ask nothing but that you remember me.
  • hereticknight085hereticknight085 Member Posts: 3,783 Arc User
    edited August 2012
    Basically it works better when your power is allocated to other systems, like the attack preset or defensive preset where your engines are down at 25/100 power. Basically you don't lose as much turn rate or move speed.
    It is said the best weapon is one that is never fired. I disagree. The best weapon is one you only have to fire... once. B)
  • quiscustodietquiscustodiet Member Posts: 350
    edited August 2012
    The wording is poor/misleading.

    It doesn't work "better" at low Power Level.

    Here's how it works:

    - Combat Impulse Engines have a low Base Speed, but are less affected than other Engines by Engine Power (.6 mod).
    - Hyper-Impulse Engines have a high Base Speed, but are more affected than other Engines by Engine Power (1.35 mod).
    - Impulse Engines are in the middle (1 mod, median Base Speed).

    Under 50 Engine Power, the effect of Power is a penalty; over 50 it's a bonus, so at low Engine Power, a Combat Impulse Engine loses less of its listed Base Speed but at high Engine Power, it gains less, which is compounded by the fact that it started lower.

    Example: Escort (.2 Ship Impulse modifier), using non-set white Mk XII Engines:
    - At Power Level 0, you're not moving regardless of your Engine (I think).
    - Between Power Levels 1 and 33, Combat Impulse Engines are the fastest.
    You won't go lower than 25 without being drained and depending on what your Skills are, that minimum can be raised significantly (I don't go under 49, 53 with BOFFs).
    - Between Power Levels 34 and 50, Impulse Engines are the fastest.
    - Over Power Level 50 (and during Full Impulse), Hyper-Impulse Engines are the fastest.

    Long story short: Hyper is usually best, but you're going to want to use Borg Engines for the set effect(s), like (pretty much) everyone else.
  • hereticknight085hereticknight085 Member Posts: 3,783 Arc User
    edited August 2012
    The wording is poor/misleading.

    It doesn't work "better" at low Power Level.

    Here's how it works:

    - Combat Impulse Engines have a low Base Speed, but are less affected than other Engines by Engine Power (.6 mod).
    - Hyper-Impulse Engines have a high Base Speed, but are more affected than other Engines by Engine Power (1.35 mod).
    - Impulse Engines are in the middle (1 mod, median Base Speed).

    Under 50 Engine Power, the effect of Power is a penalty; over 50 it's a bonus, so at low Engine Power, a Combat Impulse Engine loses less of its listed Base Speed but at high Engine Power, it gains less, which is compounded by the fact that it started lower.

    Example: Escort (.2 Ship Impulse modifier), using non-set white Mk XII Engines:
    - At Power Level 0, you're not moving regardless of your Engine (I think).
    - Between Power Levels 1 and 33, Combat Impulse Engines are the fastest.
    You won't go lower than 25 without being drained and depending on what your Skills are, that minimum can be raised significantly (I don't go under 49, 53 with BOFFs).
    - Between Power Levels 34 and 50, Impulse Engines are the fastest.
    - Over Power Level 50 (and during Full Impulse), Hyper-Impulse Engines are the fastest.

    Long story short: Hyper is usually best, but you're going to want to use Borg Engines for the set effect(s), like (pretty much) everyone else.

    And if you're a properly spec'd engineer, your engine power should never be below 50 unless you're getting drained, so engine types don't really matter (much).

    But he's right. If you don't have points spec'd into engine performance and you're gonna be on the attack or defence preset a lot, combat impulse engines are the thing for you. If you're gonna be on balanced then regular impulse engines, and if (god forbid I have no idea why) you're on the speed setting then hyper impulse engines are your friends.
    It is said the best weapon is one that is never fired. I disagree. The best weapon is one you only have to fire... once. B)
  • shookyangshookyang Member Posts: 1,122
    edited August 2012
    - Between Power Levels 1 and 33, Combat Impulse Engines are the fastest.
    You won't go lower than 25 without being drained and depending on what your Skills are, that minimum can be raised significantly (I don't go under 49, 53 with BOFFs).
    - Between Power Levels 34 and 50, Impulse Engines are the fastest.
    - Over Power Level 50 (and during Full Impulse), Hyper-Impulse Engines are the fastest.
    I have tested engine power levels the MACO Impulse Engines, Jem'Hadar Combat Impulse Engines, and Omega Hyper-Impulse engines (at MK XI) at power level 43.

    Hyper-Impulse engines were the fastest.
  • quiscustodietquiscustodiet Member Posts: 350
    edited August 2012
    Indeed, at 43 Power Level, from fastest to slowest: Omega>Maco>Jem'Hadar.

    My example was with White Mk XIIs, as specified.
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