test content
What is the Arc Client?
Install Arc

PvE Build Advice

darknyte80darknyte80 Member Posts: 12 Arc User
edited October 2012 in Federation Discussion
Following the changes to the Borg set pieces (and associated bonuses), I'm in need of some advice. (Original Thread: http://sto-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=417101)

I'm a VA Tac + Escort pilot, as it stands I don't really have issues with any PvE content (bear in mind I don't PvP and don't do STFs on Elite) - however with the changes, I'm wondering if perhaps it's time to shake things up a little with my build.

It's more the shield/engine/deflector combination that I'm looking for some guidance on.

As it stands - I run the following:
Borg Deflector
Borg Shields
Aegis Engines
Borg Console

The only reason I really run the Deflector + Shield + Console is to get the 2 and 3 piece bonuses of hull regen and shield regen, however I can't justify running the shields and deflector for just the hull regen.

So, assuming I keep the Borg Console in-place, also assuming my play-style is to have a balanced escort, one that can dish out reasonable damage, but doesn't 'pop' at unfriendly fire. (So, not quite a glass cannon, more like a plastic grenade launcher)

I've been debating to go back to full Aegis as I seemed to get on well with it.
I have Jem'Hadar Shield + Engine, but not deflector.

I've got no problem grinding to get anything if necessary, I will also soon (hopefully) have the Fleet Escort Retrofit instead of the Adv Escort Retrofit.

Any thoughts or advice of any kind would be helpful :)
Post edited by darknyte80 on

Comments

  • dareaudareau Member Posts: 2,390 Arc User
    edited October 2012
    Simple word of advice:

    Don't completely trash your current build just because they're getting rid of the ability to get the "3 piece" shield regen unless you're running all 3 pieces of "borg"...

    If the shield is that integral to the build, go ahead and slap the Borg imp. engine into your build. Yeah, you lose a little turn benefit etc., but as a 'scort you'll go from turning within a dime to turning on a dime... :P

    If the turn rate is much more important to your build, then by all means, slot either full aegis (for the 3 piece aegis bonus), or just stick with a 2 piece bonus (omega's tet glider is one of the better 2-piece only bonuses, and the borg set hull regen is almost as good...)
    Detecting big-time "anti-old-school" bias here. NX? Lobi. TOS/TMP Connie? Super-promotion-box. (aka the two hardest ways to get ships) Excelsior & all 3 TNG "big hero" ships? C-Store. Please Equalize...

    To rob a line: [quote: Mariemaia Kushrenada] Forum Posting is much like an endless waltz. The three beats of war, peace and revolution continue on forever. However, opinions will change upon the reading of my post.[/quote]
  • luxchristianluxchristian Member Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited October 2012
    I would wait until the changes are live on the Holodeck server. Then fly some STF's and look if you even notice the changes ;-)
    Because the new bonus'es aren't set in stone and can change at any time :-)
    And you have time until ~mid november to collect the other sets to be prepared :-)


    The more important question is why do you need so desperately the heal procs from the borg set if you only do normal STF's?
  • darknyte80darknyte80 Member Posts: 12 Arc User
    edited October 2012
    It's a tough call.
    I like the current turn rate, it's nice and means I don't need to keep making u-turn movements to get forward-facing to a target.

    Well, I'm only running 3 borg pieces at current, but as the console won't be in the set and I lose the shield bonus, so I'm wondering if the current build will provide as much protection as it did.

    Not that the proc fired all that often, but it was a life saver when it did.
    I guess the bigger question is what kind of shield I prefer - lower shield strength + higher regen or higher shield strength + lower regen.

    The Aegis fits the second category, the Borg one fits the first.

    It's all a tough call - I liked it the way it was before, it worked so well.
    Full Aegis would be nice, but am wondering if maybe using a regenerative shield (like the Borg shield) would give good results. It's just the regen rate is usually not as good as the Borg shield.
  • darknyte80darknyte80 Member Posts: 12 Arc User
    edited October 2012
    The more important question is why do you need so desperately the heal procs from the borg set if you only do normal STF's?

    Good point.
    I also do Fleet Events, so want to make sure my ship is at least useful for whoever I'm playing with.

    Regular story PvE content isn't an issue, it's more a case of wanting to have a good ship so I stand a chance in Fleet Events and such and that I don't let the team down.
  • darknyte80darknyte80 Member Posts: 12 Arc User
    edited October 2012
    Now I have my fleet escort retrofit, very nice it is too.

    So did a little experimentation with full aegis and found that as a rule, the extra defence it gives is nice but the shield just doesn't regenerate fast enough for me any more.

    So I've got the Borg Console + Borg Shields + Aegis Engines + Aegis Deflector

    The Veteran MACO shield says it only gives 150~ regeneration?
    Yet I've seen numbers in the thread at the top of this page going into the early 200's, so my question is now - which one is right?

    Is it one of those things that until you get the shield and slot it, you won't know what it's true cap or regen actually is?
  • edited October 2012
    This content has been removed.
  • shimmerlessshimmerless Member Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited October 2012
    IDK if I'll ever give up MACO shields but the fleet engines are the bee's knees.
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
    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
  • guriphuguriphu Member Posts: 494 Arc User
    edited October 2012
    This is a fairly easy-to-get, easy-to-use fleet Patrol Escort build for PvE. It's pretty much the same build you could use for PvP, but adjusted for the fact that NPCs are really, really, really dumb, and therefore don't need as much precautions taken against them.

    Hardware:
    4x dual heavy cannons fore (fleet [dmg]x3[acc] if you can get it, mk12 borg otherwise, antiproton, polaron, or plasma for PvE)
    1x tricobalt mine launcher aft (I think there's a borg one which should be fine)
    2x turret aft (same as your cannons)
    Full borg set.

    Duty officers:
    1 warp core engineer
    3 shield distribution officers
    1 duty officer of your choice

    BOffs:
    Tac Team 1, Cannon Rapid Fire 1, Attack Pattern Omega 1, Cannon Rapid Fire 3
    Tac Team 1, Attack Pattern Beta 1, Dispersal Pattern Beta 2
    Emergency Power to Shields 1, Reverse Shield Polarity 1
    Emergency Power to Shields 1
    Hazard Emitters 1, Transfer Shield Strength 2

    How to play it:
    Constantly cycle EPTS1 and TT1. These are proactive buffs, not reactive ones. Have them running at all times.

    Cycle CRF3 and CRF1, but try to time CRF3 with your tactical officer buffs.

    Omega is for clearing tractor beams; if you're fighting an enemy that uses those, save it for that purpose. RSP1 is for popping your shields back up when they are getting critically low. Hazard Emitters 1 is for hull heals and clearing plasma DOTs. TSS2 is your shield heal.

    Time your Dispersal Pattern Beta 3 with your tactical officer buffs to drop three super tricobalt mines on boss enemies. You can use it once while your tactical buffs are on cooldown, as well, because tricobalts have a 1 minute cooldown.
  • darknyte80darknyte80 Member Posts: 12 Arc User
    edited October 2012
    f2pdrakron wrote: »
    Both.

    The Mk XI and Mk XII have different stats, MK XII naturally have higher ones.

    It was the Mk XI I was looking at, however I also looked at the Mk XII and the regeneration there was in the ~170 mark (if I recall correctly), it certainly wasn't ~200.

    My point was more that - whilst looking at the stats of the Mk XI at the MACO Commander NPC, the stats it gave for the MACO Mk XI shield didn't tally up with what I'd seen and read elsewhere.

    Now if there is a difference of some ~3k shield cap and ~70-80 regen from Mk XI to Mk XII, then that's better by orders of magnitude.
  • darknyte80darknyte80 Member Posts: 12 Arc User
    edited October 2012
    IDK if I'll ever give up MACO shields but the fleet engines are the bee's knees.

    Which particular fleet engines do you like?
    Is there a particular reason you like them more than what else may be on offer?

    (Not trying to start a flame-war or anything, just curious as I haven't seen the fleet engines yet)
Sign In or Register to comment.