Proper tactics/behaviour on The Cure Found?

k668

Now first off, please don't hit me (you may say "don't PUG" though).

After a couple of months on STO, I've finally gotten round to enjoy Elite STFs - more to the point, I'm starting out with The Cure Found - although I'm not awfully sure about proper tactics and etiquette there. I've read the guide, and needless to say, it usually doesn't play out that way on PUG groups.

I usually opt for guarding the IKS Kang, which often works rather well, although it really seems to depend on whether the guys in the attack groups read the guide as well. At times, I get blown to smitherees because they TRIBBLE up and let all the nasties through at the same time.

Then there's other times when the attack groups seem to work together so effectively I'm feeling rather useless out there, just intercepting an occasional Raptor now and then. Last thing I'd want is steal the rewards for the others doing the tough job. However, it appears - more often than not - someone will sooner or later let the Kang's hull drop too low for the optional objective to succeed (or fail the mission altogether) unless I keep sitting there waiting for incoming hostiles and asking for an occasional assist. Would that be considered just the right way to do it, rather clunky improvisation or rather do-the-work-while-I'm-realxing-ish?

That said, I'm interested in how you'd usually act on PUG groups and/or how you'd expect people to behave to get the STF done right.

theraven2378

k668 wrote: »

Now first off, please don't hit me (you may say "don't PUG" though).

After a couple of months on STO, I've finally gotten round to enjoy Elite STFs - more to the point, I'm starting out with The Cure Found - although I'm not awfully sure about proper tactics and etiquette there. I've read the guide, and needless to say, it usually doesn't play out that way on PUG groups.

I usually opt for guarding the IKS Kang, which often works rather well, although it really seems to depend on whether the guys in the attack groups read the guide as well. At times, I get blown to smitherees because they TRIBBLE up and let all the nasties through at the same time.

Then there's other times when the attack groups seem to work together so effectively I'm feeling rather useless out there, just intercepting an occasional Raptor now and then. Last thing I'd want is steal the rewards for the others doing the tough job. However, it appears - more often than not - someone will sooner or later let the Kang's hull drop too low for the optional objective to succeed (or fail the mission altogether) unless I keep sitting there waiting for incoming hostiles and asking for an occasional assist. Would that be considered just the right way to do it, rather clunky improvisation or rather do-the-work-while-I'm-realxing-ish?

That said, I'm interested in how you'd usually act on PUG groups and/or how you'd expect people to behave to get the STF done right.

I tend to pick a side to defend Kang and wait cloaked in my Defiant untill the spawns on the side i'm guarding get into range then as i decloak i hit cannon scatter volley 2 and torp spread 3 to cause as much damage as possible, my cannons finish them off.

I then cloak and repeat.

doffingcomrade

The thing with the CSE is that there are multiple ways to play it, all valid, and the important part is that everyone be on the same page about it. Attempting to play it using a strategy that worked with one group can result in miserable failure if your new group simply is not equipped to carry it out. For instance, simply destroying the cubes sequentially, RML, is a fast and efficient tactic that works when you have a group capable of inflicting massive destruction, that can simply wipe out any and all spawns with impunity. Trying this with a more mediocre group will result in dismal failure. A more conserative MRRMLL strategy may be better if your group consists of a large number of low-DPS ships, but even this may not be a good plan if you find yourself in a group with 5 Snoozers, where an even more conservative "destroy all cubes simultaneously" strategy may be necessary.

The bottom line being: No single strategy is "best", and you have to adapt your plan based on what you have, especially in a PUG. If everyone sticks to the plan, even a misfit band of Rainbow cruisers can win the day...if people get obstinate and inconsiderate, then even 5 Bugs won't carry you to victory.

bubblygumsworth

MRRML (Middle probes, Right probes/cube, Middle cube, Right probes/cube. One on Kang. Kill team is in charge of guarding the lane on which the cube they are attacking is on. When the match starts, the person on Kang duty kills left lane first then right lane last. If the team splits up and kills both BoPs on each lane first then you will have screwed the BoP respawn timer, resulting in the person on Kang duty being ganked on left and right lanes.

Or if you're with a good enough team just play it RML (Right probes/cube, middle probes/cube left probes/cube) this can be done!

moronwmachinegun

k668 wrote: »

Now first off, please don't hit me (you may say "don't PUG" though).

I dunno. PUGs are where I hit the highest highs and lowest lows, if you know what I mean. The rush you get when you manage to finish the optional with seconds to spare on a PUG can't be overestimated. Hell, even if you just barely miss the timer the excitement is still pretty good.

k668 wrote: »

I usually opt for guarding the IKS Kang, which often works rather well...

If you want the optional, you MUST be willing to be responsible for it. I always ask in teamchat and if nobody is willing, I will take KANG even if I am in an escort.

k668 wrote: »

Then there's other times when the attack groups seem to work together so effectively I'm feeling rather useless out there, just intercepting an occasional Raptor now and then. Last thing I'd want is steal the rewards for the others doing the tough job.

NO NO NO a million times NO. You are NOT being useless. You are performing a key, necessary function. Don't belittle your contribution because you aren't killing things, you are doing a very important job. If, and only if, you feel comfortable, you can throw a few torps at the bottom layer of probes after popping the BOP spawn; even that I would be very careful about.

Bottom line: The goalie in a soccer game is just as important as the forward. If you happen to be part of a great PUG team you shouldn't feel bad one bit.

k668 wrote: »

That said, I'm interested in how you'd usually act on PUG groups and/or how you'd expect people to behave to get the STF done right.

I prefer RML myself, although on PUGs there are quite a variety as has been noted. Once we're on the R cube, I try to keep my Evasive ready so that as soon as it pops (or sometimes a little before if the team looks clued) I can head to M and stop the spawns there while the Kang guard hits the left spawn.

darkjeff

I agree with the others.

Standard tactic is MRRMLL with one on Kang. High DPS tactic is RML with one on Kang.
The ones not on Kang are responsible for dealing with the spawns in their lane.

In a PUG, you should do MRRMLL because you can never be sure of the competence of the team.

The guy on Kang is critical, even if there will be momentary lulls. If one of the ones attacking is a failboat, it still works out. If the failboat is the one guarding Kang, there goes the optional (unless somebody else notices and rushes to the rescue, breaking off the attack).

s1ckbeard

Cubes last

k668

Thanks for quite a bit of constructive feedback here.

moronwmachinegun wrote: »

I dunno. PUGs are where I hit the highest highs and lowest lows, if you know what I mean. The rush you get when you manage to finish the optional with seconds to spare on a PUG can't be overestimated. Hell, even if you just barely miss the timer the excitement is still pretty good.

I totally see the point. Things getting awfully close now and then is what makes Elite so attractive.

bubblygumsworth wrote:

If the team splits up and kills both BoPs on each lane first then you will have screwed the BoP respawn timer, resulting in the person on Kang duty being ganked on left and right lanes.

It's that timer and associated spawn triggers that seem to be the real headscratcher for me. I've been trying to figure out the pattern to get an idea of when to expect spawns, but things can get rather distracting, so I've had no luck so far. It only strikes me as obvious that destroyed cubes don't spawn new threats, so what is it that makes it so desirable not to take them down one by one (say, RML)?

focslain

General I don't guard if I don't have to, but I do ask. If I don't hear some one answer my question by the time I drop my turret by the kang, I'm on guard duty. I can heal decently, but my DPS is medicore, I know this and plan accordingly.

Taking up guarding, even in a good group is needed. I've had pugs fail horribly and other finish in under 7 mins.

As for if I'm not on guard I follow MRRMLL unless I hear otherwise. And I target the Nah'ang(sp? the battleship spawn) once I see it.

bareel

I go middle and typically clear the spawns, unless someone comes with or I clearly see everyone twiddling their thumbs at the kang. I kill the probes, neg, raptor, and try to keep it at 4 minutes time frame without help.

Then I clear right side except I ignore BoP spawns as someone is usually killing them. Then I pop the cube and evasive to mid, kill Raptor spawn, then cube. Then evasive to help finish off left raptors, negvars, then proceed to finish that portion.

Really the optimum way for a PuG to do it IMHO is for one person to go at each cube and keep the bops dead while working on the probes while a 'kill team' so to speak of two do what I do.

doffingcomrade

k668 wrote: »

It only strikes me as obvious that destroyed cubes don't spawn new threats, so what is it that makes it so desirable not to take them down one by one (say, RML)?

Destroyed cubes spawn no new threats, but the remaining cubes spawn greater threats: When one cube is destroyed, Raptors spawn instead of BoPs. When TWO cubes are destroyed, Neggys spawn instead of either. On top of that, when a cube goes down in flames, a special group spawns at all surviving cubes.

So, a lower-DPS group may find itself overwhelmed by the increasing strength of spawns, particularly if the cube blows and triggers a special spawn on top of the regulars. Groups with truly excreble DPS may not even be able to withstand mass-raptors, and may be best served by blowing all cubes simultaneously and running like hell for the Kang before things go totally to hell.