My PVP Armitage Build, or how I stopped worrying and learned to love PVP

bertiewooster

I started doing more PVP recently, so I figured I'd try to get some feedback on how to improve my build. Right now it's based loosely on the Hilbert Guide and a few others I found on the forums, plus my own experimentation. It's based off of my STF build, so all the weapons are borg, which will be replaced over time. I'm thinking about switching from AP to disruptor, I need to experiment more before I sink money into it though. Keep in mind that this is still very much a work in progress.

Build:

fore:
3xAP DHC's MKXII [acc][ctrh][borg], 1x AP DBB [acc][ctrh][borg] | the borg modifier is useless so I'll be replacing these with something else in time.

Rear: 3x AP turrets MKXI [acc][ctrh][borg] | I was in the process of getting MKXII of these when they switched it to the rep system, so I'm stuck with them for a while.

Deflector: borg
Engines: borg
shields: MKXII MACO

Devices: Subspace Field Modulator, Deuterium Surplus -- this is amazing, how did I not know about this before? It's saved my hide numerous times since I started using it.

Engineering consoles: MKXII uncommon monotanium, Zero Point Energy Conduit, Torp Spam Console -- I might not keep this in PVP. It's very handy in STFs but it gives mixed results so far in PVP. It is nice to be able to burst a bunch of kinetic damage though when needed.

Science: Field Generator MKXI rare, assimilated module

Tactical: 4x AP mag regulators MKXI, rare and uncommon -- I need to get better ones of these, but they're so hard to find/expensive. Another reason why I might switch beam types, it's easier to get a hold of consoles for non-AP weapons it seems like.

Hangar: advanced Danube runabouts


Boffs
Tactical Cmdr: TT I, CRF I, CSV II, APO III
Tac Lt: TT I, APB I
Tac Ens: BFAW I

Lt. Cmdr Eng: EPtS I, EPtS II, APtSIF II

Lt. Sci: TSS I, HE II | sometimes I switch this with another officer, who has: TSSI, ST I -- I like the extra shield heal but I also can't seem to live without HE. And ST seems to be on cooldown a ton since I ride TT a lot, so it's not very useful sometimes. Typically I don't use this setup.

Doffs (a bit of a hodgepodge): 3x shield distribution green (working on getting my purple), 1x conn officer, 1x damage control engineer

Performance with this has been pretty good in PVP. I've only played Fed PVP with this setup though. Last time I played against the KDF, I was held down (all power instantly drained and held with a gravity well) and stomped mercilessly by a Kar'Fi carrier so I'm scared to go back :P. Last PVP match I was in I didn't die (a rare occasion) and got 10 of the 15 kills required to win. The other team got 5 I think. Since I've set up this build I've been way better at surviving in PVP and have been able to get more kills because of it. That being said, it's still not all the way there, and the ship still has issues tanking (it is an escort, and I am a tac, but I think it can still do a little better). The biggest issue is dealing damage, though, because while it does do good amounts of damage it still has issues with taking down tankier cruisers. Bottom line though, I actually enjoy PVP now, whereas I used to hate it because I was usually the first one to go up in flames.

mixiplix777

I havent flown my armitage in a while now, I miss it some what.

I will be happy to get the fleet version and I will never leave it again.

pokersmith1

Since 1 DBB is all you have of beams, replace FAW1 with BO1 and use it wisely. Also APB is rarely useful in PvP because of TT. Therefore I would rather go with APD instead.

khayuung

Nice work!

In terms of upgrading, I recommend giving a full plasma build a shot. The Armitage is the only vessel (especially the Fleet one that has 4 tac and 3 sci slots) that can capitalize on every single BiS plasma burn weapon there is (including UR scorpions), and even throw in an immobilizing EWP. I've managed to stack up 5-7 burns in a couple of seconds without losing much tank and outpace any hull healing outside of a cruiser. Using tac captain skills makes the burn hurt like a cube. Hence I don't really care about the spam of HE; I can deplete a team of their HEs and still keep on burning.

This build is to take advantage of the current MACO/Fleet shield metagame where people stack their shield res to the high heavens but leave their hull naked.

The gear you need is readily available at Mk XII, and you have a choice of modifiers (unlike the lack of such in the exchange these days.) This build is also cheap to start (I'm still using 'lame' plasma weapons on top of the KCB, the omega and rom torps), and will tide you over until you get the turrets and DHCs from the Rom shop.

A note about what weapons to buy: Have a set of DHC and turrets with [CrtH]x2 for PVE, as this procs the Omega Weapon Amp more reliably and you don't really need that much accuracy. If you're specced for targeting, then you can get by with ACC CrtH for PVP, but ACCx2 may be better.

bertiewooster

I was wondering about plasma, because it is easily accessible. A lot of people say not to use it because of the various resists on the Borg shields though, although I've seen successful plasma builds in PVP before, which makes me wonder if it's really as bad as people say it is.

bertiewooster

Another problem I've been having with this is tanking. I haven't figured out how to make it as indestructible as some of the escorts I've played against are. I know it's possible because I've seen it done, but I haven't gotten there yet.

age03

Sounds nice I have been on my Armitafe in awhile either awaiting to get enough dilth to get the advanced pergeriun fighters.

I would just stick to AP fleet when you can and photon or q torps.