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Gear Choices

o1derfull1o1derfull1 Member Posts: 294
Hello all. I've been playing for around a month now, and am ready to start looking at gearing up my ship. The problem is I'm not really sure where to go to that, given the dizzying array of options.

In a previous MMO it was pretty obvious what the next tier or step-up would be drops/exchange < 5 man dungeons < 10 man raids < 20 man raids for PvE and PvP was also clearly labeled by tiers for specific classes.

Here the lines are blurred between classes and hybirds are very viable (eng capt on tac ship, tac capt. in carrier etc), and there's a lot of individual customization and no 'best' ship or 'best build' or even 'best damage type'. While I appreciate the freedom to use what I like and make my own set-ups, I'm also very overwhelemed with even beginning to to try to figure out what's available.

So far, I've figured out that there is pretty decent gear (compared to my drop blues) available by:
Craft (Aegis set, notably)
Quest Sets/individual pieces (jem hadar set, subspace modulator device, etc)
Rep Gear/Sets (romulan plasma ground weapons, omega/MACO sets etc)
the Dilithium store (I'm not even sure what this is, is this the C-Store?)
The C-Store (if different from the Dilithium Store)
The Lobi Store
Fleet Items (Apparently different fleet holdings have shops that offer special consoles and other items/weapons)
Then apparently there's also buying Ships from the starbase with Zen for the gear that comes with them (like special consoles)

So I'm just kind of lost/overwhelmed with options, and don't know enough to even ask the right questions at this point. Is there any place that lists, say, all the beam based fore-ship weapons, or all the kinetic weapons, or all the consoles, etc. And when I say all, I mean available form any of those above places.

How can I even go about beginning to compare things. Should I by X ship because of it's stats, or by Y ship instead because even though the stats are worse, it comes with a good console.

Should I save up dilithium to by stuff from the dilithium store, or should I save up ECs to buy stuff people get from lockboxes/lobi and put on the exchange? Or should I convert dilithium to Zen to buy C-store stuff with? I don't know because I don't know what's available from what, or how it compares to other things available from other places.

If someone could help me through this, or just point me at some resources that give me lists or comparisions of all of a certain type of gear, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
_________________________________________________

::WARNING:: This game is not intended for use as a source of self-esteem.
Post edited by o1derfull1 on

Comments

  • o1derfull1o1derfull1 Member Posts: 294
    edited June 2013
    No one has any links or resources or ideas? How did everyone sort through the bevy of gear to find just the right console/weapon/shield/etc? for the marks/dil/zen/EC they had?
    _________________________________________________

    ::WARNING:: This game is not intended for use as a source of self-esteem.
  • wanderintxwanderintx Member Posts: 144 Arc User
    edited June 2013
    I suppose it would be best to know more about your play style. If you want to PVP or play a lot of STFs, that probably leads you into an escort and a combination of the Omega Rep and Fleet gear. Generally speaking, those two places are where the "best" gear is found.

    If your play style leans more casual though, I would pick a ship you like and try out inexpensive mk xi or even mk x gear out from the exchange or some of the good free stuff you get from missions. So, if you like the look of Tetryon weapons but aren't sure if the proc is useful enough to you, as many don't, you can try it out. There are a lot of solid builds for any taste, but it amounts to what is fun for you.

    Currently, I'm trying out the Romulan reputation plasma weapons on my favorite ship, the Nebula, and having fun. If I want to wail on the Borg, I'll hop into my Breen ship with fleet anti-proton weapons.

    I'd worry less about stats until you find a bit of a groove, then go for it. Build out from there.

    The STO wiki is always useful for comparing things - http://sto.gamepedia.com
  • divvydavedivvydave Member Posts: 184 Arc User
    edited June 2013
    ^^Beat me to it :D
  • o1derfull1o1derfull1 Member Posts: 294
    edited June 2013
    I appreciate your response.

    To answer some of your questions:

    I'm a newbie tac in an escort, which I gather is similar to being a NE hunter.

    I'm more PvE oriented, but wouldn't mind trying PvP in the future. I'm not interested in min-maxing for PvP though.

    I also don't want borg-specific gear, because I plan on fighting multiple kinds of enemies in different PvE encounters.

    I've looked at the wiki, and it unfortunately is lacking in several key areas, and doesn't really offer what I'm looking for. In order to compare things you have to 1) know what they're called to look them up first and 2) hope that there is A) information on the page and B) the information is current.

    For example, typing in 'console' and 'tactical consoles' yields no relevant results listing the various end game consoles that are available where to get them, what they cost, what their stats are, how they compare to other similar consoles, etc... So if I want to see what the 'embassy' consoles are or how they are different from the valdore console, for example, I have to 1) know that both those things exist in the first place and 2) know their names, and then 3) try to find information on each individual one on the wiki and hope it has the information and that it's accurate and current.

    There must be something I'm missing if no one else is having this amount of difficulty.
    _________________________________________________

    ::WARNING:: This game is not intended for use as a source of self-esteem.
  • jetwtfjetwtf Member Posts: 1,207
    edited June 2013
    Look at the top of the website here. find the button called "Community" inside that there is a choice called "Wiki" click that and all the question you are asking about lists of gear is all there. There are also new player guides and much for you to read. Once you are done there then return here with questions.
    Join Date: Nobody cares.
    "I'm drunk, whats your excuse for being an idiot?" - Unknown drunk man. :eek:
  • vesterengvestereng Member Posts: 2,252 Arc User
    edited June 2013
    If it's for farming eSTF don't stress it, you can get away with anything there.

    Save your dilithium for the next c-store things you want.

    But yes if you want specific advice you have to explain what role you going for, your class, ship etc.

    My first half year of STO I just farmed eSTF in whatever shields I liked that night to the point some were 2 tiers below.
    The upside to that mentality is switching builds, weapons and roles have been cheap for me.

    Which is the other side of the coin; if you still learning you might find yourself changing abilities that require an entirely other set, so think about that too.

    You going to invest in something make sure you like the skin and the build and even the ship well enough to keep it for a long while.
  • o1derfull1o1derfull1 Member Posts: 294
    edited June 2013
    Look at the top of the website here. find the button called "Community" inside that there is a choice called "Wiki" click that and all the question you are asking about lists of gear is all there.

    No. I know it's fun to feel superior and dismiss the newbs when they dare to advertise their ignorance in public, but I've attempted to do my own research before bothering the forums with my concerns. Feel free to actually read the thread before posting next time, and you'll see I did get 'done there' and returned here with exactly this question. See below.
    I've looked at the wiki, and it unfortunately is lacking in several key areas, and doesn't really offer what I'm looking for. In order to compare things you have to 1) know what they're called to look them up first and 2) hope that there is A) information on the page and B) the information is current.

    For example, typing in 'console' and 'tactical consoles' yields no relevant results listing the various end game consoles that are available where to get them, what they cost, what their stats are, how they compare to other similar consoles, etc... So if I want to see what the 'embassy' consoles are or how they are different from the valdore console, for example, I have to 1) know that both those things exist in the first place and 2) know their names, and then 3) try to find information on each individual one on the wiki and hope it has the information and that it's accurate and current.
    _________________________________________________

    ::WARNING:: This game is not intended for use as a source of self-esteem.
  • o1derfull1o1derfull1 Member Posts: 294
    edited June 2013
    If it's for farming eSTF don't stress it, you can get away with anything there.

    Save your dilithium for the next c-store things you want.

    But yes if you want specific advice you have to explain what role you going for, your class, ship etc.

    Thank you for your thoughtful response. While I would definetly appreciate any advice (as I said tac/escort - looking for sustained (not burst) dps, but not just for borg STFs) I would also like information about how to learn what gear is available in the first place, where to get it, what it costs, what the stats are, how it compares to other similar pieces, etc.
    _________________________________________________

    ::WARNING:: This game is not intended for use as a source of self-esteem.
  • wanderintxwanderintx Member Posts: 144 Arc User
    edited June 2013
    No, there's a lot of info to digest when you look at consoles, equipment, weapons doffs and the skills that affect your ship's performance. It gets pretty overwhelming.

    What I've learned has been from playing for two years and reading forums and looking at builds. You can search a lot of other player builds here - http://www.stoacademy.com/tools/skillplanner/search.php

    Consoles can be pretty straightforward.

    Tactical - Fill every slot with the console that improves the damage of the energy type you use - Phaser Relay for Phasers as an example

    Science - I believe the popular options are either Emitter Arrays which boost your shield heals or Field Generators which boost your overall shield capacity. Extra 3rd or 4th slots go to special consoles in most cases.

    Engineering - Two Neutronium consoles are always good general defense. Extra slots again for special consoles.

    Special Consoles - These tend to be filled with things like the Borg Assimilated Module, Tachyokinetic Converter, or Zero-Point Energy Conduit which all boost your critical hits.
  • pyryckpyryck Member Posts: 6 Arc User
    edited June 2013
    OP -

    Instead of trying to pick your brain for ideas on what to suggest to you, how about you visit "The Academy" forum here on the STO forums(if you go up a level in the forums there are more "areas" available to look into) and then up at the top is a link to "Player Guides."

    You won't leave the STO site and the stickied guides are available to refer to as you want/need. They are created by players for players with some of them being extremely well written in explaining everything about STO that any starting player might want to look over. :)

    p.s. here's a link the Player Guides subforum
  • o1derfull1o1derfull1 Member Posts: 294
    edited June 2013
    Special Consoles - These tend to be filled with things like the Borg Assimilated Module, Tachyokinetic Converter, or Zero-Point Energy Conduit which all boost your critical hits.

    This is the kind of stuff I'm talking about. Is there no list of these kinds of things? How do I compare them to sets to see if it's worth it to get a set with a console, buy a ship with a special console, or get one of those from wherever you get those.

    For example, the wiki DOES have a nice list of 'sets' showing all available sets (I think rep and quest). It's a little cumbersome to navigate and compare, but it's doable. How is there no similar like for "mark XII weapons" or "consoles" or "devices"? How do I know a red matter converter exists to look it up to read about to find out how to go get one?

    I'm trying to do a broad search for specific things that are relevant, and then slowly narrow it down.

    ie -
    1) Computer, show me all mark XII ship weapons.
    2) OK well based on procs, it looks like I want plasma or anti-proton
    3) Computer show me all plasma and anti-proton mark XII ship weapons.
    4) Hmm, ok I don't need to see mines, torps or beams, I like cannons.
    5) Computer show me all plasma and anti-proton mark XII cannons.
    6) Well I'm focusing on fore weapons, and I don't like the damage of single cannons.
    7) Computer show me all plasma and anti-proton mark XII dual cannons and dual heavy cannons.
    8) OK, well +dmg seems good, but I like acc/crit better
    9) Computer show me all plasma and anti-proton mark XII dual cannons and dual heavy cannons with Acc and/or CritH.
    10 Hmm those mark XII acc/critH/critD anti-proton dual heavy cannons look like they're the best for me.
    11) Computer show me how much those cannons cost and where to get them.
    .... repeat for aft weapons, sheilds, consoles, deflectors, etc.....
    _________________________________________________

    ::WARNING:: This game is not intended for use as a source of self-esteem.
  • o1derfull1o1derfull1 Member Posts: 294
    edited June 2013
    Instead of trying to pick your brain for ideas on what to suggest to you, how about you visit "The Academy" forum here on the STO forums(if you go up a level in the forums there are more "areas" available to look into) and then up at the top is a link to "Player Guides."

    OK I really appreciate everyone's well-intentioned efforts to help by pointing me to the wiki and the Academy. But I think something is being misinterpreted, lost in translation, or I'm just failing to make myself clear.

    I've been to the academy and the wiki. I am a voracious reader, and I'm the guy who will read the whole manual that comes with a new game, before even installing it.

    I cannot find, and maybe I am missing something buried somewhere, what I am looking for. To be clear, I am not looking for general advice, or asking generic 'what do I do' or 'tell me the best gear'.

    I am looking for a way to see what gear is available, where and compare it to other gear, on my own to make my own decisions.

    I am sorry if I am not communicating this effectively, and I do greatly appreciate everyone's attempts to help me.
    _________________________________________________

    ::WARNING:: This game is not intended for use as a source of self-esteem.
  • divvydavedivvydave Member Posts: 184 Arc User
    edited June 2013
    Run DHCs all of same type (Phaser etc) and a torp if you wish, use specific tactical consoles (Phaser relay) in your tactical slots, Neutronium alloy in your eng slots, and some shield emitters in your sci slots.

    Stick to this whilst levelling and you wont go far wrong

    Once your at end game join a fleet and start the reputation system,

    You should now have a clearer picture of what gear you want, its a learning process made more difficult because of the tooltips being USLESS sorry to say.

    Have fun
  • wanderintxwanderintx Member Posts: 144 Arc User
    edited June 2013
    If something along the lines of what you're asking for exists, I'm not aware of it. Again, most of what I know is from two years accumulated reading and experimenting.

    The closest I've seen is a tool that lets your compare ships, but it will not tell you how the gear stacks or compares or that a Biofunction Monitor is currently a pretty worthless console despite how great it's description sounds.
  • gaalomgaalom Member Posts: 536 Arc User
    edited June 2013
    Your best choice is to use the Dilithium store to pick up some MKXI gear, for your consoles the exchange, ships sets doing the featured series. R&D currently is a Dilithium sink with zero use, except for the Agies which is only good for cruisers. As for ground weapons and armor any new player is going to be at a disadvantage. Previously you could do dailies for marks, as well as exploration missions for marks, and use those to get starter gear for the ground. You no longer can. Your best bet would be the Rep system for ground gear, or the Dilithium store. Given the quality of R&D compared to the Dilithium store. Its best you sink your Dilithium into the store and not R&D. Once your doing stfs or Romulan dailies you need to unlock which ever one your going for. Whatever you do, do not grab any of the gear, the Dilithium costs for stuff is through the roof. Wait until you unlock the last tier, and use all the Dilithium you saved up to start picking up MKXII gear.

    As for weapons what stats you should go for is entirely your choice. I wish I had a better answer for you but they took away our last free in game option for gear a long time ago, and that was R&D. It was not great and it was a grind fest, but it was at least usable and Dilithium free. One final note do not be conned by people saying getting Dilithium is easy. Its not, it has a refined limit, and to get it in large quantities is most difficult. By difficult I mean you grind, instead of enjoying the game. A strange concept these days to enjoy the game. Anyways I hope this info helps.
  • lordmalak1lordmalak1 Member Posts: 4,681 Arc User
    edited June 2013
    I see. Nothing like that really exists, stowiki is close tho. Energy weapons are almost identical damagewise at each level, it's only the energy type special powers that differentiate them. Torpedos are the same as above. You may need to also look at the patch notes for the past 6 months, MANY changes to plasma weapons have been done to make them more effective as they've been weak compared to other weapons because STF set gear (now called omega rep gear) was designed to counter plasma type weapons.

    I chose antiplasma only to find Phasers and Disruptors better against certain enemies. I used an AEGIS set until I earned mk12 KHG and Omega sets. Save you're money, learn from playing the game what works for your playstyle. White or green mk 10 or 11 gear off the exchange works fine in STF's, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I ran mk11 white gear on a T4 raptor in elites for months with no problem.

    The wiki site is layed out kinda funny, but console info can be found in the main page menu 'ship items', as well as the boosting consoles on each energy weapons page.
    KBF Lord MalaK
    Awoken Dead
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    Now shaddup about the queues, it's a BUG
  • tc10btc10b Member Posts: 1,549 Arc User
    edited June 2013
    o1derfull1 wrote: »
    This is the kind of stuff I'm talking about. Is there no list of these kinds of things? How do I compare them to sets to see if it's worth it to get a set with a console, buy a ship with a special console, or get one of those from wherever you get those.

    I would recommend copying your account over to tribble. There you can instantly gain a number of the best equipment pieces. Such as MACO shield etc and play with it without worrying about steep costs. Though you might find it difficult to run something such as an STF.

    Ships that come with special consoles, by and large come from the C Store and this is the only way to get those consoles. Depending on your faction certain consoles are available from lockboxes but these are detailed on the wiki.
    o1derfull1 wrote: »
    How is there no similar like for "mark XII weapons" or "consoles" or "devices"? How do I know a red matter converter exists to look it up to read about to find out how to go get one?

    Because quite frankly, asking for Mk XII weapons is asking a very broad question. By and large the only way to gain them is either through random drops, a price gouged exchange or the fleet market.

    A mark XII weapon is almost entirely identical to a Mk XI weapon of the same rarity and modifiers with only a minor increase in DPS. This is detailed on the wiki by using the very broad search terms. (i.e. Photon Torpedo Laucher ) You will then see a page where you can compare and contrast the consoles that boost the damage as well as damage values.
    o1derfull1 wrote: »
    I'm trying to do a broad search for specific things that are relevant, and then slowly narrow it down.

    See above. Red Matter converters and such items are only available to preorders. You can type these into google or the wiki and it will tell you what they are, what they do and how to get them.
  • aelfwin1aelfwin1 Member Posts: 2,896 Arc User
    edited June 2013
    o1derfull1 wrote: »
    I am looking for a way to see what gear is available, where and compare it to other gear, on my own to make my own decisions.

    There is no cross reference table (if that is your ultimate desire) , but if I were you I'd listen to what some players are trying to tell you and not dismiss them just because it's not what you want to hear .

    Anyway , to start things off slowly , here are a two lists .

    Weapons , and their difference by damage type :

    http://sto.gamepedia.com/Damage_type


    Tactical Consoles and what they boost :

    http://sto.gamepedia.com/Tactical_Consoles


    A few tips :

    - for your ship , decide on one type of energy weapon and boost that single type with multiple weapon consoles that match that energy weapon .

    - on ground you'll do well if you equip 1 pulswave (midrange) and one High Density Beam Rifle (long range) -- use the Z key to switch between them .

    - finish the Omega Reputation ASAP . you will need the gear that it offers .

    - do not use plasma weapons in PVP as most players use gear (shields) that have a 20% innate defense against plasma weapons (which the Borg use) .
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