I know from reading that there are many that really think the Atrox failed as a full on carrier for feds but is it still fun to fly?
Armitage only has one hangar so I don't consider it a "real" carrier. It's about as carrier-like as my Vestas.
I enjoyed my Qu'Vov and absolutely lub my Kar'Fi to bits, so would do you think I would enjoy the Atrox on fed side? Tholian carrier is out of the question as I will never have the cash for it. All my money gets gobbled up with rep and fleet (hehe fleet = 2-3 people) projects.
I enjoy my Vesta on my Fed Sci but really enjoy my Kar'Fi on my KDF Sci. Now I know that the Atrox is not the same creature as the Kar'Fi.
But is it fun to fly?
I figure the stalkers or whatever they are called could be my orion slavers but not sure what fed carrier pets would feel similar to the Adv. frigates.
Requesting additional input and opinions on the Atrox please before I make my final decision to dump that much zen.

Jorm
Comments
The Atrox accels in the role of controller tank. You have Boff power slots for dual GW and dual TB. If you place Doffs correctly, you are looking at some SERIOUS control spam. If you use the correct hangar pets for the situation, the Atrox becomes deadly.
I have PERSONALLY witnessed a single Atrox and Defiant take 2 cruisers / 2 escorts in PvP and walk away with only 1 death on the carrier team's side. They used good communication and teamwork to dismantle their opponents, simply by the carrier holding one opponent at a time still while the Defiant came in on an Alpha strike. The pet spam was just there for added insult and to make the enemy targetting sensors overload.
Awesome ship, but don't expect to be a DPS god in it. Leave that to the escort that is hunting in your wake. 'Nuff Said.
It could be because im not a sci but I could not pull the atrox off
My voquv is a machine massive dmg from adv.bop's and able to lay some decent fire down itself with a Lcmdr tac Boff
From what I've seen of most sit-ups out there the atrox sucks in pve if you want to be a player that holds somebody in place whilst another person does the damage then go for it but if you want to do actual damage and complete missions by yourself save your money and wait n see if something pops up in the z/c store that screams I must have you
Lets face it you can grav well and tractor beam donatra as much as you want but unless somone "brings the rain" as it were she ain't just gunna commit Star Trek suicide
(These opinions are based on pve as I don't pvp much)
Recluse versus Atrox:
Hull: Recluse (43500 versus 40500)
Shields: Recluse (1.35 versus 1.2)
Turn rate: Recluse (5.5 versus 5.0)
Consoles: Recluse (2 tac, 4 eng, 4 science, versus 2 tac, 3 eng, 4 science)
BOFF layout: Recluse, for 90% of possible builds
LTC Engineer versus LTC engineer
LTC science versus LTC science
CMD Universal versus CMD Science
EN tactical versus LT tactical
EN science versus --
....So basically the recluse changes 1 "hard" slot from tactical to science, but you get a universal commander which I think is actually unique outside of Birds of Prey. You have a LOT of options here. Recluse with a commander engineer is an unkillable fortress/heavy flight deck cruiser, while slotting a commander tactical gives you some exciting potential with APB and the awe-inspiring "heavy disruptor" version of the thermionic torpedo. And, of course, you can throw in a science guy to fill the same role as the Atrox is forced to from birth.
Does the Atrox offer anything at all? Well, yes. The biggest thing is the advanced stalkers. These fighters are very mean. None of the pets that the Recluse can use, not even the Widows it comes with, will quite measure up. And the Atrox has nicer power bonuses: It gives +5 power to shields and +10 to aux, compared to the Recluse's odd +5 power to engines and +5 to aux.
Still. Between its better durability, universal commander slot, and 10th console slot, you need a very specific reason to not choose Recluse over the Atrox.
Even more reason not to use Atrox if you have a Karfi or Recluse.
The Recluse is a much more powerful carrier. It's faster, more maneuverable, flexible BO layout, and the widow fighters are pretty darn good and don't cost extra dil. They're excellent against stationary unshielded targets in STFs. I actually think they're better DPS than peregrines although that's just a feel and not hard numbers. I saw a post saying that the beams are more powerful against stationary targets since the weapons are in arc more than peregrines with the dual cannons. Maybe that's it.
I still like flying the Atrox though. I like the BO layout better if you want to go strong science (Cdr Sci, LtC Sci, LtC Eng, Lt Tac vs. Cdr Sci, LtC Sci, LtC Eng, Ens Sci, Ens Tac, little too much sci and only one Ens Tac for my tastes). I think the Atrox is a much prettier ship, and the engine noise on the Recluse annoys me.
Yeah, not very strong stat reasons to fly the Atrox, but I'm happy flying it. I fly both whenever the mood suits.
You seem to like carriers, so there is a good chance you would enjoy it.
I think the one thing that will be very different is that the Atrox is very focused on support.
It only has a single Tac Lt, unlike the Karfi and Vo'Quv which have more tac slots.
The Atrox is a great support/heal/tank - the Recluse is better but you mentioned that's out of your price range.
If you don't PvP the benefits for the Recluse are going to be largely irrelevant to you, PvP is where the Recluse really shines IMO.
Kyle
i have had a love - hate relationship with my atrox. since you are a "top" atrox user i would like to see your build just out of curiousity.
initially i felt like i threw money away when i got the atrox and put it in moth balls for a month or 2. i eventually got it back out and tried it again and liked it much better.
i got lucky and got the recluse and never really use the atrox much anymore. i do pretty good with the atrox, but as a tac officer i have become addicted to the massive killing power of an escort. i spend most of my time in escorts now, but like a break now and then and use one of my other ships.
anyway....looking forward to seeing your build.
3-peice Borg with MACO shield is the best.
Front: 3x Phaser DHC, depending on the day I sometimes throw a Quantum here.
Aft: 3X Phaser Turrets
Tac: TT 1, CRF 1 if you have cannons. If not then get one of the Attack Patterns.
Eng: EPtW 1, RSP 1, AUXtSIF 2. You can switch RSP for something else, but it is great against alpha strikes.
Sci: HE 1, TSS 2, TR 2. TR is up to you, I am thinking of changing it for PO and trying that.
Sci: HE 1, TSS 2, Anything here, ( I have PH 2 and TSS 3 right now.) GW 3.
Consoles: Eng is Neutronium armor.
Sci is Field Generators and the Borg console.
Tac is Phaser consoles
Hangers: I just use Prigtures.
Kyle
Still leaning pretty heavy on getting it but haven't pulled the trigger yet.
But this is some good reading for me.
Quick question on the DHC build, I thought that I had read a long time ago that range effects on cannons put optimal under 5k and for beams it was over 5k. With the turn rate on the Atrox would it lend itself to beams over cannons for this reason?
Jorm
Any other questions?
Kyle
The Atrox is a fine ship. I like the Kar'Fi a lot better. I never really got on much with the Vo'Quv.
I think it might be because Fed is a sci and my KDF is a tac. If I was a sci in a Vo'Quv it might have been a little better.
In the end on my Atrox after trying every possible combination I finally settelled on 6 beams, tac team 1, and attack pattern beta 1. I liked attack pattern delta better but cursed myself every time I wanted to bump my DPS on a passive target so I finally caved and went back to beta.
Fleet Admiral Space Orphidian Possiblities Wizard