Idea for a new Engineer Space Ability

pegasussgc

Let me start off by saying, I think both Science and Engineers need more or better space abilities but this thread is about my idea for an Engineer ability.

I would like to see an ability (name TBD) that would instantly +1000 threat generation with a SMALL defensive buff for 30 seconds with a 2 or 3 min cooldown. This would be very effective giving cruiser captains the chance to draw fire away from escorts and science ships. I'm aware of the threat generation skill, while this is good to have if you plan on tanking, it is not enough to keep an enemy or enemy fleet's attention. DPS seems to be the ruling factor on where the NPC's focus their attention, this new ability I'm proposing used in conjunction with the threat generation skill would help overcome that.

I'd appreciate any feedback anyone has about this and if anyone has any other ideas for Engineer or Science skills.

mimey2

Hmm...that is a nice ability, if you don't mind me expanding on it a bit:

Perhaps it could also give a boost to shield resistance

But have the resistance buffs boosted by threat generation skill. So if you have nearly full or totally full points in that, you can get a significant boost, to better handle the incoming damage.

I know you said small boost, but if someone wants to truly pull aggro, they will probably have points in threat gen anyways, and this would further improve that and make it more worthwhile.

That said, still like your idea. I once had some ideas a few months ago on some new Cmdr level powers.

starkaos

The thing about player abilities is that any player can and should use them. If engineer automatically meant tanker, then this would be a good power for engineers. However, engineers don't need to use cruisers so having a taunt power is not a good idea for some. Therefore, the only options are have it as a reputation power or bridge officer power which means that any player can use it.

An idea for engineering and science powers in space is probes. They don't deal damage, but have a constant effect to enemies or allies. So they are similar to hangars, but no control over them. So they could be similar to other powers, but last longer as long as its not destroyed. Like a sensor probe that gives better data on the ships in the area to increase accuracy.

bubblygumsworth

I was thinking more of a "taunt" button that would only work in PvE. STO's threat control is utter TRIBBLE, escorts can still pull the threat away from a engineer captain who is fully speced in threat control.

allocater

A taunt is really needed. You could use "Directed energy modulation" for this. Let's say a 3 DOFFs that add threat to this power. So you can equip and unequip them. But STO seems to go with science consoles for threat generation.

Unknown

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adamkafei

fulleatherjacket wrote: »

Oh great, a new way to make cruisers even more like chewtoys while escorts pwn everything with impunity. This game really needs to stop being "Escorts Online", and "Cruisers get all the responsibility and none of the reward" bull****.

Yup, what we need is more ensign eng skills

seekerkorhil

The logic of "cruisers are tanks" is flawed anyway.

An escort running at 90% defence with EPTS 1 is capable of tanking more incoming damage than a cruiser running at 60% defence with EPTS 3.

Properly flown escorts are the real tanks of this game. Especially when flown by engineers or science.

pegasussgc

fulleatherjacket wrote: »

Oh great, a new way to make cruisers even more like chewtoys while escorts pwn everything with impunity. This game really needs to stop being "Escorts Online", and "Cruisers get all the responsibility and none of the reward" bull****.

Well, cruisers getting no reward or at least recognition, is exactly why I would like to see a new Engineer ability. I chose this one because on some level, cruisers are built for this, support roles, taking the heat off more "squishy" escorts while they do the heavy DPS. As it is right now, most decent escort pilots can make it through ESTF's without dying more than once, admittedly making this ability less needed. Having the ability available however, would hopefully give the devs a reason to make some NPC's stronger (not 1-shot insta-kill stronger) while making the mission(s) still achievable with a mixed team (eng, tac, sci) each having a purpose or usefulness.

tachyonharmonic

I agree that it feels like cruisers and science vessels need to be more useful. I'd be quite happy to cruiser-tank, but there's no need or reason for it at the moment.