Hrmm, I've got the Singularity Stabilizer from the T'varo which builds +2 SC/s for 15s. Also has a PWO(Torp+SC) with an 8% chance to get +10 SC when firing torps. Let's see what happens...and lol, yep - was able to build SC while firing the Focused Beam, thus extending the uptime...
If it does better what my aux2batt fleet mogai does, then id give it a whirl.
So I guess thats my question then?
Better just patch tribble and look into this.
The 2 piece set bonus resolving like a boff bonus seems too powerful. If you assume that the quad cannons with their standalone stats are equivalent to fleet plasma, (yes, yes, they dont have [acc]x2 woohoo) then that makes the console effectively a purple XII tactical console, with a cool toy and it goes in any slot. I'd suggest dialing it back to around 7.5%. At that level it'll be flavour of the month OP for a bit, but balance out as merely "good" when fleet tac consoles come out.
The 2pc T'varo gives the same ability-like +10% to projectiles that the 2pc Enhanced Plasma Infusion gives to Plasma. Having to mount those Quads is going to limit the folks that use it...at least the 2pc T'varo is two consoles, not forcing you into a weapon (kind of like the 2pc/3pc harness does). [Dmg]x4 is just kind of /facepalm...[Dmg] being the worst mod.
Devs: The text in the description says it puts a stacking debuff on the target but the actual breakdown in the tooltip doesn't say anything about it. Is this just an explanation of why it does increasing damage over time, or will it lower damage resistance against everything? Only against plasma? Hull DR, Shield DR, or both?
The 2pc T'varo gives the same ability-like +10% to projectiles that the 2pc Enhanced Plasma Infusion gives to Plasma.
Yeah, but how many T'varo builds get 90%+ of their dps from torpedo damage and still parse at the upper end of the DPS scale? Even running a full set of bugged torp consoles from enemy action, I've yet to see one come close. Yes you can make one kill people in PVP, yes you can make one do a respectable level of escort grade dps; but no, they're not camping the OP end of the dps spectrum. 10% projectiles is a different sport to 10% plasma.
Yeah, but how many T'varo builds get 90%+ of their dps from torpedo damage and still parse at the upper end of the DPS scale? Even running a full set of bugged torp consoles from enemy action, I've yet to see one come close. Yes you can make one kill people in PVP, yes you can make one do a respectable level of escort grade dps; but no, they're not camping the OP end of the dps spectrum. 10% projectiles is a different sport to 10% plasma.
Personally, I'm not a fan of DPS discussions. The less damage required to eliminate a target, imho, is better than high DPS numbers. A T'varo won't rake up those high DPS numbers because the target will already be dead.
As for getting the +10% Plasma with the Quads and the BOFF layout, that's going to rule out the top DPS builds anyway.
Lt Eng, Lt Sci with the En Uni being used as Eng or Sci...would still be 4-5 Eng/Sci slots...no?
What Escort-like ship isn't sporting 4-5 Eng/Sci slots outside of the Kumari?
I Refer to 4-5 from the same field.... as in LT Cmd Engi or Lt Cmd Sci + an ensign... on top of another LT from the other class.
Honestly it ends up being 6 total slots where a player can slot pure heals... the dual class ship every single time is getting really old... I would be happy to see more ships that honestly stick to there class.
If this is the romulan escort then why is it not that.
The issue isn't that escorts sport a couple Ensign and LT heals... its opening up that LT commander Debuff / Cruiser class heal slot.
I am sick of seeing escorts running RSP2... or EPTS 3... or Gravity Well... or Shockwave.... even the odd escort that is dropping Warp Plasma is stupid.
Its a nice cool option... on a handful of ships... but its gotten to the point where every single ship they release is a Lt. Cmd Uni... The Hybrid ship isn't the cool little odd ball ship anymore its the defacto setup for every new ship... and yes having Debuff or Heal class slots on the spike class is bad design flat out. Somehow the romulans get screwed with nothing but Hybrid class layouts.... I for one would like to see a standard ship class options for the romulans... I know there is the hef... but man what an ugly oversized piece.
I know there is the hef... but man what an ugly oversized piece.
I think Romulans have been trying to overcompensate for Kirk's Enterprise showing up the T'liss. And then Picard's Enterprises holding their own against larger warbirds.
...Or something, since the Ar'kif is one of the smaller warbirds available and it's still about the size of a Negh'var.
(One has to complement the Romulans on their apparent mastery of RCS technology, however)
I Refer to 4-5 from the same field.... as in LT Cmd Engi or Lt Cmd Sci + an ensign... on top of another LT from the other class.
My bad...world of difference there. Basically what was an area of the Vet ships being spread to other ships...potentially allowing for the AtBscorts. It does give an advantage (depending on how one looks at it) to the Romulans over the Fed/KDF outside of Lockbox ships.
First up, I do like the overall design of the ship. It very much 'feels' the part of a medium-sized Romulan attack ship while also integrating some design styles/accents of 'modern' Cryptic ships(Federation has a clean black and white look, Klingons have a 'carapaced' look with spikey cannonry, Romulans have an almost banded armor plating look - very.. Roman.).
I suppose my primary concern about this ship is that it is not especially tactical for a "Tactical Warbird". Perhaps you have a different vision for the ship, but my interpretation a quad-cannon ship is that it should be closer to a glass-cannon (with a Romulan/Science twist).
After reviewing all of the 'escort' warbirds Romulans current possess, I would like to propose the following bridge arrangements:
Ar'kala Tactical Warbird X, X, X, X X, X, X X X, X X
Ar'kif Tactical Warbird Retrofit X, X, X, X X, X, X X X, X X, X
I believe this would better compliment the current ship lineup while giving the ship itself a sense of character and purpose among the rest. This layout also presents players with a very offensively minded ship that can potentially trade defense for control, or an extreme amount of offensive options. (I believe only the Kumari can match/surpass the tactical seating potential of the Retrofit)
Console-wise, perhaps it can be better rounded(theoretical fleet as a 4, 3, 3) to contrast the rest of the Romulan lineup that is ironically heavy on tactical consoles but not on bridge seating. This may also help balance the ship by mitigating some of its decloaking bite. It also gives people more room to stuff gimmicky consoles on the ship for unexpected surprises.
The pictures quoted below show a turn rate of 29.9 with engine power at 37 and no turn consoles equipped. My guess is that the base turn rate is between 14 and 16. The ship seems more like an escort or destroyer than a battlecruiser to me.
Singularity Beam (need to be in Annihilation Mode and be attacking a target/have Singularity charge to fire) specs: http://i.imgur.com/3SKUl3e.jpg -- works with Plasmonic Leech http://i.imgur.com/0oHKuvZ.jpg -- buffed by [Pla] Embassy Consoles and Tac consoles
Devs: The text in the description says it puts a stacking debuff on the target but the actual breakdown in the tooltip doesn't say anything about it. Is this just an explanation of why it does increasing damage over time, or will it lower damage resistance against everything? Only against plasma? Hull DR, Shield DR, or both?
My guess is that an earlier version of the ability lowered damage resistance, but they changed it to just do increasing damage over time and forgot to update the text.
First of all i love the overall appearance of the Ship.
It's a nice looking kitbash of a DD Sandwich and a Mogai.
All following statments are my personal opinion.
Two things i don't like about the set is the need to equip the quad cannons for the set bonus.
Any weapon with exclusive [Dmg] modifiers ain't cut it to me.
The same with ENG power drain Warbirds have already low power levels before mods so using gear that actualy drains ENG power is making you pretty quick a sitting duck.
Related to BOff layout i agree with some prior Posters that the Setup now for the T5 is not rly that much a diffrence to the Mogai at all so just for the appearance running this ship?
Imho Warbirds should be more unique and as of there size should take certain aspects into consideration. As of that i would love to see for this ship a BOff layout like the following.
XXXX
TRIBBLE TRIBBLE X X
This truly would set this Ship apart from FED and KDF Ships of the line and would both pay Tribute to the message it stats to be a TAC ship and it's size as a Warbird.
I haven't been fortunate enough to fly it (I think I have to be part of some testing club?) but from what I've seen, it look truly amazing! It takes the best parts from a Mogai and a D'deridex and mashes them into one pretty bird.
All in all this ship works nicely, it's very beautiful. It isn't too different from comparable escorts, despite the annihilation mode and quad/console.
Comparisons with Ha'Feh, Mogai and even the Temporal Destroyer (bears some resemblance to the screenshot in annihilation mode) are necessary.
I like the good inertia and turnrate, makes it very agile. It has less slightly HP and quite less shields than a Mogai, following more the Ha'Feh.
The BOff layout is okay, I would prefer a 2nd RSP on an Engineer like on the Mogai but it sits again nicely between Ha'Feh and Mogai
-> nothing wrong with it.
I like the NONE windows option, even if it isn't working atm - would like to have that in the release version. Windows type #1 are bugged atm. The Annihilation mode animation/looks are also not yet in.
Quad Cannon and Console:
1. Quad is pretty to look at, but the weak 4x DMG mod and - engine power are quite killing it. Same issue as the FED/KDF versions.
2. the 10% plasma damage set bonus makes up for it somewhat
3. The Focused Singularity Modulator "Annihilation Mode" and its special ability are WEAK.
+10 Weapon power is nice, but this ship already sacrifices engines for the Quads, and it's -10aux and -10shields. The increase for singularity charge is not so much a bonus as rather needed to fire this special attack, which looks exactly like my Cutting Beam, apparently? I didn't really notice it doing much if any damage.
It is a very beautiful ship and fun to fly, but people get the Ha'feh for free during leveling and I am not sure if they will get this one or the pack for ZEN just for the Quads and looks.
It's well balanced, but there are already many escorts that are similar and - maybe a matter of taste - I prefer the Mogai BOFF layout and consoles.
Questions:
1. Will these two ships be sold as bundle? I either want the full deal with both consoles for a reasonable price or would rather pass tbh.
2. Fleet version planned, what console would be added? It would have to compete with the Fleet Ha'Feh.
While I really like this ship and nothing is wrong with it, it is even very beautiful, it is also rather redundant somehow.
EDIT: How about a 5/2 or 5/1 only gun slot (to compensate for the advantageous 5 front guns) layout? It is a Tactical Warbird and very much made for frontal firepower and then it would be sth. like the Romulan Andorian Escort.
2. Fleet version planned, what console would be added? It would have to compete with the Fleet Ha'Feh. ...
Ha'feh and Dhelan got a 5th tac console, Mogai got a 4th eng, T'varo has 3/4/3.
Looking for a missing configuration would lead to a 4th sci console for the fleet tactical warbird, on the other hand it might be hard to justify not giving the tactical bird a 5th tac console.
...
While I really like this ship and nothing is wrong with it, it is even very beautiful, it is also rather redundant somehow.
I agree with this sentiment. Most of the Warbirds are just too similar, if you already have a retrofit / fleet warbird, there is little reason to get this one (at least unless you're a collector).
The Fed Escort lineup (and the fleet variants) is there much more variable. Patrol Escort as the default escort, MVAE as LTC sci variant featuring the multivector mode to spice things up, Armitage is LTC eng with the added hangar bay for some carrier flavor, Kumari plays the "brute force" card with 5 forward weapons. All of them are just escorts, but any of them is unique.
The romulan lineup ist much more unified. Battlecloak and Singularity might be the chains limiting the individual uniqueness of many Warbirds due to balance.
But why "waste" one more ship model to play as another minor variant in the same league as Daeinos, Dhelan, Ha'feh, Mogai and T'varo? Maybe a much different approach would be in order, braking the chains of just being the latest variant of the "default" warbird.
I may be wrong, but when I used the Singularity Overcharge my Quad Cannons were firing at their normal rate, as if they weren't influenced by this ability. All other DHCs were rapid firing as indended.
Also, I hear people report the quads sounding like the FED ones. For me (KDF-Rom) they sound like the KDF quad disruptors. You may want to look into this.
As for the ship itself, I'm honestly disappointed we're getting YET ANOTHER escort/destroyer type ship with a twist on its lt.cmdr. station. The boff layout is the same as the Temporal Destroyer, but the ship itself benefits from a unique 2pc set bonus (oh hey, even more plasma damage...) and unique offensive ability.
I remember the discussion back in the day regarding Mogai vs Dhelan and their respective subroles in regard to lt.cmdr. station. Well forget about all that, because now we're getting a brand new powerful escort with a lt.cmdr. universal station, so do what you like with it! I wouldn't be surprised if Cryptic decides to give the fleet variant a 5th Tactical Console slot, to make it the brand new overkill.
Also, any chance to change the name of "Annihilation Mode"? It seriously sounds childish at this point.
*sigh* I seriously gave up hopes for any new proper cruiser or science vessel - not only for Romulans. DPS all the way I guess...
But why "waste" one more ship model to play as another minor variant in the same league as Daeinos, Dhelan, Ha'feh, Mogai and T'varo? Maybe a much different approach would be in order, braking the chains of just being the latest variant of the "default" warbird.
Most ships are just 2x +/-1 variants. That's where they got into the hybrids to expand that. People asking them to push more is how we ended up with the dorked up D'deridex.
Something else to consider is that we don't know what the Fleet seating will be like...
...ships are going to have design imperfections - they need to...otherwise Cryptic would have a difficult time selling more than a few ships.
edit: Think about some of the suggestions, you'd basically end up with a Fleet Ha'feh with better inertia and a different console layout. A different kind of minor variant than it is...people are complaining about minor variants while just asking for different minor variants.
And you'd basically have the Fleet Ha'feh with less inertia, possibly different console layout, and a smaller model. How would that minor variant be any different than another minor variant outside of it being a minor variant preferred by some over another minor variant preferred by others?
I can see saying Cryptic should go the Cmdr/LCdr Tac route, calling it a Tactical Warbird - it should be more like the dozens of cookie cutter Tactical ships in the game...and even though there are dozens of those cookie cutter ships, the Romulans are just as deserving as everybody else is of getting to enjoy that cookie cutter nature of ships...
Don't get me wrong, my opinion's no more valuable than that of anybody else...but when we're just talking about different minor variants, that's all we're talking about.
Cause those two BOFF layouts...you're looking at the Ha'feh and MU Ha'feh with +20 Inertia. That's it...and the different model. Some folks just hate the Ha'feh (and Ha'nom) models...
The increase for singularity charge is not so much a bonus as rather needed to fire this special attack...
The Focused Beam has a 3m CD... that Annihilation Mode's +Singularity Charge works great for more than just using the beam. Throw in the Singularity Stabilizer, and you're looking at using multiple Singularity Abilities between Beam uses - as well as just a faster way to max Singularity Charge for the better Subsystem boost from the Singularity Core.
Heck, if you've got the Singularity Specialist Trait - any of the +SC DOFFs...one might be tempted to say that it's too powerful because of how you can stack things to rock 5 pips so much of the time.
The console isn't something I'd ever bother with on a build, it doesn't really make much sense. +10 weapon power at the expense of -10 shield and -10 aux as a Romulan with -40 net over the other factions, I don't think this is ever worthwhile. Nobody really spams singularity powers (or at least shouldn't) so the increased charge rate isn't really necessary.
Charge up singularity beam is pretty underwhelming, as most of these gimmicky weapon consoles are - but "annihilation mode" does sound pretty awesome. I like the ship, but I'd ditch the console.
It's nice to have Plasma Quads for thematic reasons, but all of the Quads have become obsolete from power creep so it's purely a thematic/visual thing if you want it. Not worth using it for the 10% plasma bonus if all you care about is dps which is something I'll get into now...
Set Bonus:
*EDITED* Apaprently this is a +10% ability-like buff, not a base plasma console-like buff so I'll have to re-evaluate this. It might even be worth the junky console for, but more testing needs to be done.
The ship itself:
I think you could do some really fun and useful builds with it. Then again, I loved the fleet Dhelan and this has a lot of similarities. Feels like most people will set it up with lt.com Eng, but Lt.Com Unis are so versatile you could use it for anything and make the build work.
This ship is beautiful! I'd love to stick the skin on my Dhelan because IMHO it's much much nicer. I can't stress that enough, best looking Romulan ship model Cryptic have made for me. Really lovely, sell this as a skin for the Dhelan and I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
I'm guessing it's going to end up 3/3/4 for the fleet version. I think the Dhelan would be a better ship for more situations overall, but you can do some interesting things with a Lt.Com Eng.
Verdict:
6.5/10 It's alright, but it's nothing special. Given how stupidly brilliant the Scimitar boff layout and console layout is, this sort of pales in comparison. Then again, the scimitar has absolutely everything but turn rate and a sensible size - so most other ships pale side-by-side.
Aesthetically great, functionally decent, one for ship collectors for sure. I'd struggle to recommend this over a Dhelan, Scimi or even T'Varo, though - unless you have niche build in your mind.
EDIT: As an aside, it's the only ship I've ever seen where the assimilated borg engine visuals looks great.
EDIT 2: Turn rate is good. Don't know the base but in system it's 35.5 just from skills and tachyokinetic converter, nothing else with +turn.
Appearance/Model: I like the looks of this ship, nice design, the model's pivot point is too far to the rear. A problem we see repeated that affects performance, and has been an issue since the design of the original KDF Raptors.
The Axis/Pivot point issue with this ship isn't as severe as it is for the Mogai, but that's more due to the overall width of the Mogai which hinders that ships ability to keep narrow arc weapons on target in fast paced combat (PvP).
I really wish the Art team & Systems team could collaborate on this angle, because "base Turn Rate" is more than just a single stat like "16". It is very heavily influenced by the design of the model, the length/width and the location of the pivot point.
Stats/Performance: This ship is squarely middle of the road, it might be popular in PvE primarily due to the Plasma focus.
Specifics
BOFF layout: It doesn't give us anything particularly different or novel compared to other warbirds.
Being locked into Ensign Eng means you have almost no choice but to slot Ltc Eng if you are a performance focused player. There are other warbirds that already do this, and do it better.
So for a ship that is supposed to be "All Escort" it will, in reality, be another hybrid that is Eng focused.
Consoles:
The T5-R version (non-fleet) has
4 Tac
3 Sci
2 Eng
So we have a ship that is "pure escort", but it will have LTC Eng BOFF, Ens Eng BOFF except low on Eng Consoles.
Final thoughts: Unfortunately, due to the amount hybrids that Romulans already get, this ship comes across as a slice of a tiny niche that is already occupied by ships that generally do the same or better due to more streamlined design.
The Dhelan will be better at the Sci/Scort focus while having greater versatility.
The Mogai will be much better at the heavy destroyer role, being both versatile and durable.
The T'Varo will be better at the full offense role, with more versatility, enhanced battle cloak.
The Ha'feh is already enough "pure escort" with a better BOFF & Console layout for it.
Then, going beyond the standard.
The Temporal Destroyer has more versatility, better options, with a similar design but a much more durable frame (sans-battlecloak, it's biggest flaw).
The Vet ship is more versatile, with a good console load, and it's only flaw being that it doesn't have a fleet version.
Items/Powers: I haven't fully tested this, so I will refrain from comment.
Although the Quad Cannon issue I mention, directly impacts any motivation to actually use/not use the 2 piece set.
The Quad Cannons are, sadly, saddled with DMGx4. Making it all but pointless in PvP, especially as these oddly still drain -weapons and -engines, which is really unnecessary.
Quad cannons for Roms, KDF, Feds should be added to the Fleet store.
1 per ship, and mutually exclusive with the versions that come on ships.
Comments
So I guess thats my question then?
Better just patch tribble and look into this.
The 2pc T'varo gives the same ability-like +10% to projectiles that the 2pc Enhanced Plasma Infusion gives to Plasma. Having to mount those Quads is going to limit the folks that use it...at least the 2pc T'varo is two consoles, not forcing you into a weapon (kind of like the 2pc/3pc harness does). [Dmg]x4 is just kind of /facepalm...[Dmg] being the worst mod.
Then the suggestion makes no sense.
Lt Eng, Lt Sci with the En Uni being used as Eng or Sci...would still be 4-5 Eng/Sci slots...no?
What Escort-like ship isn't sporting 4-5 Eng/Sci slots outside of the Kumari?
Yeah, but how many T'varo builds get 90%+ of their dps from torpedo damage and still parse at the upper end of the DPS scale? Even running a full set of bugged torp consoles from enemy action, I've yet to see one come close. Yes you can make one kill people in PVP, yes you can make one do a respectable level of escort grade dps; but no, they're not camping the OP end of the dps spectrum. 10% projectiles is a different sport to 10% plasma.
amen to that, we have too many tac ships for roms already this should have been a sci ship.
yes I wanted quads for my tacs but I could have waited a few more months for that to come, I want a sci ship for romulans now.
Personally, I'm not a fan of DPS discussions. The less damage required to eliminate a target, imho, is better than high DPS numbers. A T'varo won't rake up those high DPS numbers because the target will already be dead.
As for getting the +10% Plasma with the Quads and the BOFF layout, that's going to rule out the top DPS builds anyway.
I Refer to 4-5 from the same field.... as in LT Cmd Engi or Lt Cmd Sci + an ensign... on top of another LT from the other class.
Honestly it ends up being 6 total slots where a player can slot pure heals... the dual class ship every single time is getting really old... I would be happy to see more ships that honestly stick to there class.
If this is the romulan escort then why is it not that.
The issue isn't that escorts sport a couple Ensign and LT heals... its opening up that LT commander Debuff / Cruiser class heal slot.
I am sick of seeing escorts running RSP2... or EPTS 3... or Gravity Well... or Shockwave.... even the odd escort that is dropping Warp Plasma is stupid.
Its a nice cool option... on a handful of ships... but its gotten to the point where every single ship they release is a Lt. Cmd Uni... The Hybrid ship isn't the cool little odd ball ship anymore its the defacto setup for every new ship... and yes having Debuff or Heal class slots on the spike class is bad design flat out. Somehow the romulans get screwed with nothing but Hybrid class layouts.... I for one would like to see a standard ship class options for the romulans... I know there is the hef... but man what an ugly oversized piece.
I think Romulans have been trying to overcompensate for Kirk's Enterprise showing up the T'liss. And then Picard's Enterprises holding their own against larger warbirds.
...Or something, since the Ar'kif is one of the smaller warbirds available and it's still about the size of a Negh'var.
(One has to complement the Romulans on their apparent mastery of RCS technology, however)
My bad...world of difference there. Basically what was an area of the Vet ships being spread to other ships...potentially allowing for the AtBscorts. It does give an advantage (depending on how one looks at it) to the Romulans over the Fed/KDF outside of Lockbox ships.
I suppose my primary concern about this ship is that it is not especially tactical for a "Tactical Warbird". Perhaps you have a different vision for the ship, but my interpretation a quad-cannon ship is that it should be closer to a glass-cannon (with a Romulan/Science twist).
After reviewing all of the 'escort' warbirds Romulans current possess, I would like to propose the following bridge arrangements:
Ar'kala Tactical Warbird
X, X, X, X
X, X, X
X
X, X
X
Ar'kif Tactical Warbird Retrofit
X, X, X, X
X, X, X
X
X, X
X, X
I believe this would better compliment the current ship lineup while giving the ship itself a sense of character and purpose among the rest. This layout also presents players with a very offensively minded ship that can potentially trade defense for control, or an extreme amount of offensive options. (I believe only the Kumari can match/surpass the tactical seating potential of the Retrofit)
Console-wise, perhaps it can be better rounded(theoretical fleet as a 4, 3, 3) to contrast the rest of the Romulan lineup that is ironically heavy on tactical consoles but not on bridge seating. This may also help balance the ship by mitigating some of its decloaking bite. It also gives people more room to stuff gimmicky consoles on the ship for unexpected surprises.
The pictures quoted below show a turn rate of 29.9 with engine power at 37 and no turn consoles equipped. My guess is that the base turn rate is between 14 and 16. The ship seems more like an escort or destroyer than a battlecruiser to me.
My guess is that an earlier version of the ability lowered damage resistance, but they changed it to just do increasing damage over time and forgot to update the text.
It's a nice looking kitbash of a DD Sandwich and a Mogai.
All following statments are my personal opinion.
Two things i don't like about the set is the need to equip the quad cannons for the set bonus.
Any weapon with exclusive [Dmg] modifiers ain't cut it to me.
The same with ENG power drain Warbirds have already low power levels before mods so using gear that actualy drains ENG power is making you pretty quick a sitting duck.
Related to BOff layout i agree with some prior Posters that the Setup now for the T5 is not rly that much a diffrence to the Mogai at all so just for the appearance running this ship?
Imho Warbirds should be more unique and as of there size should take certain aspects into consideration. As of that i would love to see for this ship a BOff layout like the following.
XXXX
TRIBBLE
TRIBBLE
X
X
This truly would set this Ship apart from FED and KDF Ships of the line and would both pay Tribute to the message it stats to be a TAC ship and it's size as a Warbird.
Just my2cent
P.S. Is there a Fleet Version already planed?
I can't wait to fly one when they're released!
Good job devs.
Comparisons with Ha'Feh, Mogai and even the Temporal Destroyer (bears some resemblance to the screenshot in annihilation mode) are necessary.
I like the good inertia and turnrate, makes it very agile. It has less slightly HP and quite less shields than a Mogai, following more the Ha'Feh.
The BOff layout is okay, I would prefer a 2nd RSP on an Engineer like on the Mogai but it sits again nicely between Ha'Feh and Mogai
-> nothing wrong with it.
I like the NONE windows option, even if it isn't working atm - would like to have that in the release version. Windows type #1 are bugged atm. The Annihilation mode animation/looks are also not yet in.
Quad Cannon and Console:
1. Quad is pretty to look at, but the weak 4x DMG mod and - engine power are quite killing it. Same issue as the FED/KDF versions.
2. the 10% plasma damage set bonus makes up for it somewhat
3. The Focused Singularity Modulator "Annihilation Mode" and its special ability are WEAK.
+10 Weapon power is nice, but this ship already sacrifices engines for the Quads, and it's -10aux and -10shields. The increase for singularity charge is not so much a bonus as rather needed to fire this special attack, which looks exactly like my Cutting Beam, apparently? I didn't really notice it doing much if any damage.
It is a very beautiful ship and fun to fly, but people get the Ha'feh for free during leveling and I am not sure if they will get this one or the pack for ZEN just for the Quads and looks.
It's well balanced, but there are already many escorts that are similar and - maybe a matter of taste - I prefer the Mogai BOFF layout and consoles.
Questions:
1. Will these two ships be sold as bundle? I either want the full deal with both consoles for a reasonable price or would rather pass tbh.
2. Fleet version planned, what console would be added? It would have to compete with the Fleet Ha'Feh.
While I really like this ship and nothing is wrong with it, it is even very beautiful, it is also rather redundant somehow.
EDIT: How about a 5/2 or 5/1 only gun slot (to compensate for the advantageous 5 front guns) layout? It is a Tactical Warbird and very much made for frontal firepower and then it would be sth. like the Romulan Andorian Escort.
Ha'feh and Dhelan got a 5th tac console, Mogai got a 4th eng, T'varo has 3/4/3.
Looking for a missing configuration would lead to a 4th sci console for the fleet tactical warbird, on the other hand it might be hard to justify not giving the tactical bird a 5th tac console.
I agree with this sentiment. Most of the Warbirds are just too similar, if you already have a retrofit / fleet warbird, there is little reason to get this one (at least unless you're a collector).
The Fed Escort lineup (and the fleet variants) is there much more variable. Patrol Escort as the default escort, MVAE as LTC sci variant featuring the multivector mode to spice things up, Armitage is LTC eng with the added hangar bay for some carrier flavor, Kumari plays the "brute force" card with 5 forward weapons. All of them are just escorts, but any of them is unique.
The romulan lineup ist much more unified. Battlecloak and Singularity might be the chains limiting the individual uniqueness of many Warbirds due to balance.
But why "waste" one more ship model to play as another minor variant in the same league as Daeinos, Dhelan, Ha'feh, Mogai and T'varo? Maybe a much different approach would be in order, braking the chains of just being the latest variant of the "default" warbird.
Also, I hear people report the quads sounding like the FED ones. For me (KDF-Rom) they sound like the KDF quad disruptors. You may want to look into this.
As for the ship itself, I'm honestly disappointed we're getting YET ANOTHER escort/destroyer type ship with a twist on its lt.cmdr. station. The boff layout is the same as the Temporal Destroyer, but the ship itself benefits from a unique 2pc set bonus (oh hey, even more plasma damage...) and unique offensive ability.
I remember the discussion back in the day regarding Mogai vs Dhelan and their respective subroles in regard to lt.cmdr. station. Well forget about all that, because now we're getting a brand new powerful escort with a lt.cmdr. universal station, so do what you like with it! I wouldn't be surprised if Cryptic decides to give the fleet variant a 5th Tactical Console slot, to make it the brand new overkill.
Also, any chance to change the name of "Annihilation Mode"? It seriously sounds childish at this point.
*sigh* I seriously gave up hopes for any new proper cruiser or science vessel - not only for Romulans. DPS all the way I guess...
Most ships are just 2x +/-1 variants. That's where they got into the hybrids to expand that. People asking them to push more is how we ended up with the dorked up D'deridex.
Something else to consider is that we don't know what the Fleet seating will be like...
...ships are going to have design imperfections - they need to...otherwise Cryptic would have a difficult time selling more than a few ships.
edit: Think about some of the suggestions, you'd basically end up with a Fleet Ha'feh with better inertia and a different console layout. A different kind of minor variant than it is...people are complaining about minor variants while just asking for different minor variants.
Going to change the registry of the ship and I get the options R.R.W and U.S.S (no I.R.W to be found)
Looks like it's taking allied prefixes instead of Romulan prefixes. I haven't copied my KDF-rom over to check, if someone from the KDF could confirm?
Kirk's Protege.
And you'd basically have the Fleet Ha'feh with less inertia, possibly different console layout, and a smaller model. How would that minor variant be any different than another minor variant outside of it being a minor variant preferred by some over another minor variant preferred by others?
I can see saying Cryptic should go the Cmdr/LCdr Tac route, calling it a Tactical Warbird - it should be more like the dozens of cookie cutter Tactical ships in the game...and even though there are dozens of those cookie cutter ships, the Romulans are just as deserving as everybody else is of getting to enjoy that cookie cutter nature of ships...
Don't get me wrong, my opinion's no more valuable than that of anybody else...but when we're just talking about different minor variants, that's all we're talking about.
Cause those two BOFF layouts...you're looking at the Ha'feh and MU Ha'feh with +20 Inertia. That's it...and the different model. Some folks just hate the Ha'feh (and Ha'nom) models...
Yeah, R.R.W. or I.K.S. are the options.
The Focused Beam has a 3m CD... that Annihilation Mode's +Singularity Charge works great for more than just using the beam. Throw in the Singularity Stabilizer, and you're looking at using multiple Singularity Abilities between Beam uses - as well as just a faster way to max Singularity Charge for the better Subsystem boost from the Singularity Core.
Heck, if you've got the Singularity Specialist Trait - any of the +SC DOFFs...one might be tempted to say that it's too powerful because of how you can stack things to rock 5 pips so much of the time.
OK, looks like it's a universal bug with the prefixes then. I'm sure that'll be a pretty easy fix.
Kirk's Protege.
Report of the ships console + set bonus:
The console isn't something I'd ever bother with on a build, it doesn't really make much sense. +10 weapon power at the expense of -10 shield and -10 aux as a Romulan with -40 net over the other factions, I don't think this is ever worthwhile. Nobody really spams singularity powers (or at least shouldn't) so the increased charge rate isn't really necessary.
Charge up singularity beam is pretty underwhelming, as most of these gimmicky weapon consoles are - but "annihilation mode" does sound pretty awesome. I like the ship, but I'd ditch the console.
It's nice to have Plasma Quads for thematic reasons, but all of the Quads have become obsolete from power creep so it's purely a thematic/visual thing if you want it. Not worth using it for the 10% plasma bonus if all you care about is dps which is something I'll get into now...
Set Bonus:
*EDITED* Apaprently this is a +10% ability-like buff, not a base plasma console-like buff so I'll have to re-evaluate this. It might even be worth the junky console for, but more testing needs to be done.
The ship itself:
I think you could do some really fun and useful builds with it. Then again, I loved the fleet Dhelan and this has a lot of similarities. Feels like most people will set it up with lt.com Eng, but Lt.Com Unis are so versatile you could use it for anything and make the build work.
This ship is beautiful! I'd love to stick the skin on my Dhelan because IMHO it's much much nicer. I can't stress that enough, best looking Romulan ship model Cryptic have made for me. Really lovely, sell this as a skin for the Dhelan and I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
I'm guessing it's going to end up 3/3/4 for the fleet version. I think the Dhelan would be a better ship for more situations overall, but you can do some interesting things with a Lt.Com Eng.
Verdict:
6.5/10 It's alright, but it's nothing special. Given how stupidly brilliant the Scimitar boff layout and console layout is, this sort of pales in comparison. Then again, the scimitar has absolutely everything but turn rate and a sensible size - so most other ships pale side-by-side.
Aesthetically great, functionally decent, one for ship collectors for sure. I'd struggle to recommend this over a Dhelan, Scimi or even T'Varo, though - unless you have niche build in your mind.
EDIT: As an aside, it's the only ship I've ever seen where the assimilated borg engine visuals looks great.
EDIT 2: Turn rate is good. Don't know the base but in system it's 35.5 just from skills and tachyokinetic converter, nothing else with +turn.
Kirk's Protege.
Appearance/Model: I like the looks of this ship, nice design, the model's pivot point is too far to the rear. A problem we see repeated that affects performance, and has been an issue since the design of the original KDF Raptors.
The Axis/Pivot point issue with this ship isn't as severe as it is for the Mogai, but that's more due to the overall width of the Mogai which hinders that ships ability to keep narrow arc weapons on target in fast paced combat (PvP).
I really wish the Art team & Systems team could collaborate on this angle, because "base Turn Rate" is more than just a single stat like "16". It is very heavily influenced by the design of the model, the length/width and the location of the pivot point.
Stats/Performance: This ship is squarely middle of the road, it might be popular in PvE primarily due to the Plasma focus.
Specifics
BOFF layout: It doesn't give us anything particularly different or novel compared to other warbirds.
Being locked into Ensign Eng means you have almost no choice but to slot Ltc Eng if you are a performance focused player. There are other warbirds that already do this, and do it better.
So for a ship that is supposed to be "All Escort" it will, in reality, be another hybrid that is Eng focused.
Consoles:
The T5-R version (non-fleet) has
4 Tac
3 Sci
2 Eng
So we have a ship that is "pure escort", but it will have LTC Eng BOFF, Ens Eng BOFF except low on Eng Consoles.
Final thoughts: Unfortunately, due to the amount hybrids that Romulans already get, this ship comes across as a slice of a tiny niche that is already occupied by ships that generally do the same or better due to more streamlined design.
The Dhelan will be better at the Sci/Scort focus while having greater versatility.
The Mogai will be much better at the heavy destroyer role, being both versatile and durable.
The T'Varo will be better at the full offense role, with more versatility, enhanced battle cloak.
The Ha'feh is already enough "pure escort" with a better BOFF & Console layout for it.
Then, going beyond the standard.
The Temporal Destroyer has more versatility, better options, with a similar design but a much more durable frame (sans-battlecloak, it's biggest flaw).
The Vet ship is more versatile, with a good console load, and it's only flaw being that it doesn't have a fleet version.
Items/Powers:
I haven't fully tested this, so I will refrain from comment.
Although the Quad Cannon issue I mention, directly impacts any motivation to actually use/not use the 2 piece set.
The Quad Cannons are, sadly, saddled with DMGx4. Making it all but pointless in PvP, especially as these oddly still drain -weapons and -engines, which is really unnecessary.
Quad cannons for Roms, KDF, Feds should be added to the Fleet store.
1 per ship, and mutually exclusive with the versions that come on ships.
ACCx2 DMGx2 modifiers, useful, but balanced.