Which is better ... Andorian Escort or the new fleet patrol escort?
I've always been a fan of the Andorian ship but have to say I'm curious on how the new kid on the block compares to it.
I think the new Tempest is considerably better. With 5 tac console slots, two lt.cmdr BOFF stations, it can easily run Aux2Batt with both DEM2 and RSP1 (20 sec duration with the RSP DOFF), making it very tanky while being able to hurt targets through raised shields. Its Nadion saturation bomb console deals very high spike damage, and the resulting hazard cloud is a real threat at 500 phaser damage/sec per bomb (6 bombs dropped per activation).
According to a reviewer (with whom I agree with), the Tempest-class Patrol Escort Refit (Fleet version) has only three real competitors:
Fleet Heavy Escort Carriers (Armitages stand out thanks to thier Hangar bay)
Andorian Escorts (5 fore weapons, potentially 5 tactical console slots)
Fleet Avenger Battle Cruisers (more endurance, 5 fore weapons)
Most of the other endgame escorts are kind of eclipsed by the Tempest, if for one detail: their number of tactical seats allowing the slotting of Superior Operative-traited Romulan Embassy Boffs, which would grant more critical hit chance.
You can do more raw damage with the Andorian Escort. But those are for players that know what they're doing and can survive on the most minimal of repairs on very low ENG ships.
The new FPE though is hard to beat in a total package. Overly generous BOFF seating, good handling short of a Defiant, yet has 5 TAC Consoles. If one has issues surviving in an Escort, the BOFF seating will carry your butt.
I'm in agreement on the FPE. It's a superior ship to all others in it's class.
I'm running 2 versions at the moment. A Tac version running Elite Phasers - very happy with this. Highly survivable and for the first time I'm impressed with the Elite Phasers.
The second is a bit of an experiment running with engineering captain. Not as pleased with this despite the a2b potential. Still a work in progress though.
"Better" is not the word to use in this case. Tempest is better in tank, but worse in dmg. If someone actually bothers to run an embassy console in stfs, gets no aggro, needs little tank, and only want to do dmg, more tank isn't "better." The thing about tank is its benefit is all or none. For a 4 dhc ship, one more dhc is 25%. That extra tank which you gave up the extra dhc for, can either save you from a respawn screen, or gain you nothing. Excess tank, above the minimal for survival, don't get you anything, but excess dmg can always help shorten runtime.
There are plenty of comparisons between different ships that can be described as one being "better" than the other, in that they're actually better in every way.
I’ve been thinking of getting the new escort as well. Mostly because back when we didn’t have as many ships to choice from it seemed like the best option to me. Now I never use it and kinda miss it, it’s ugly but grows on you. I have the 3 pack of Andorian ships. The 5 tac console kumari is a flying coffin for all party’s involved yes it will most certainly out damage the new patrol escort but its boff layout is crazy tac heavy. Which makes it horribly fragile. If you do get the pack you could look at its other layouts you lose a tac console but still keep the extra weapon slot plus a more sane boff layout. Which one has the higher dps if you take this into account I have no idea. Maybe somebody else will chime in and say.
If you do go the full on kumari way I’d suggest fleet neutronium and anything else like the agro reduction console from the embassy to help you wind up less splodie. It will still happen but with a bit of caution and fancy bits you will lower it from often to simply frequently. It’s also important to remember the louder you scream while flying away from what’s trying to kill you the fast you go, doubly so if your ships is pooping itself and you can’t stop it because hazard emitters is on cool down.
In all cases the Kumari dishes out anywhere from 1 to 3k more DPS EXCEPT the last 2 configs which came out almost exactly even but both were below the DPS of any of the 1st 5 configs for both ships.
Survivability honestly isn't a major difference from my perspective... If you get agro in either one you are gonna get hurt, get agro from the wrong thing (ISE Gateway for example) you go boom quickly. I got about the same death rate in either one. Keep moving in ANY escort, attack pattern and tac team the heck out of your BOFFs and you stand a much better chance.
If that unalterable aft cannon was a full turret mount it would probably tip it to the FPE, but for now...
If one of those two, then the FPE but why those two? Why not an Armitage?
Yes, you have only 4 Tac concoles but with Spire consoles you still do a LOT of Damage and you have a Hangar Bay. Use Elite Swarmers and you have an incredibly flexible ship because even when you can`t use your forward Cannons because you are Stuck somehow- (TRactorbeam, Grav. Well or whatever) the Hangar Pets are not. They will attack.
And consider that you would have to use Phasers on both Ships to make the Consoles (wing Cannons or the Nadion Sat. Bomb) as useful as Possible. Phasers are not the best weapons type. And you have to put the consoles somewhere so you loose eingineering, Science or Tactical slots.
If one of those two, then the FPE but why those two? Why not an Armitage?
Yes, you have only 4 Tac concoles but with Spire consoles you still do a LOT of Damage and you have a Hangar Bay. Use Elite Swarmers and you have an incredibly flexible ship because even when you can`t use your forward Cannons because you are Stuck somehow- (TRactorbeam, Grav. Well or whatever) the Hangar Pets are not. They will attack.
And consider that you would have to use Phasers on both Ships to make the Consoles (wing Cannons or the Nadion Sat. Bomb) as useful as Possible. Phasers are not the best weapons type. And you have to put the consoles somewhere so you loose eingineering, Science or Tactical slots.
Because the Armitage is a hybrid..it does not have the same turn rate as a true escort... you do not use the Andorian for its consoles.. the Nadion bomb on the other hand is very powerful in its current form.. and with bio phasers its a little beter then basic phasers.
You do not need to use phasers.. and for dps you want to use elite scorps and yellow stones for utility / pvp. On a carrier.
I know, this is a thread about the FPE-R and the Kumari, but still...
FWIW, my Hunter can:
1. Tank as hard as the FPE-R - I can run 2x A2B, 2x A2D or hybrid A2B/A2D while also having PH, ST and HE.
2. Get a higher Crit rate than the FPE-R - I can run 2 SROs + A2B/A2D, or up to 3 if I eschew A2B/A2D altogether.
3. Outrun/out-maneuver the FPE - better base turn rate with 4 engineering console slots = space for multiple RCS or Neut+Turn consoles. Also ties into 1 above.
In fact, the only thing I see as an exclusive for the FPE-R is the ability tor run both DEM and RSP. But if you need *both* of those to be effective then you're doing something wrong.
Note: The above is written from the perspective of a PvP-oriented player flying a Hirogen Hunter. And to date, the hardest players for me to kill are...other Hunter pilots.
Just not that impressed by the FPE-R, this coming from someone who owns and still loves the original FPE...
Because the Armitage is a hybrid..it does not have the same turn rate as a true escort... you do not use the Andorian for its consoles.. the Nadion bomb on the other hand is very powerful in its current form.. and with bio phasers its a little beter then basic phasers.
You do not need to use phasers.. and for dps you want to use elite scorps and yellow stones for utility / pvp. On a carrier.
I would have to agree, the Andorian consoles are kinda fun, but honestly best left off.
I have flown only the Andorian on my tac captain (sci and engy versions) ever since it came out. I love it. I do PvE and PvP, and know exactly what that ship can do: speed tanking, amazing firepower. Probably the only escort in-game now that can run with just DHCs and turrets (no dual beam overload) and have enough spike to kill quickly. Or run 4 DHCs and still have room for a nice BO. Overall the reason I flew it so long was because I enjoyed it and found it to be a beautiful ship (minus the interior...)
That being said, however, I am having a huge affair with the FPER. It does have a little less firepower. Maneuverability is made on either ship easily with Omega, Aux2Damp, etc. But I'm not going to lie, the reason I fly it is because this little ship is supper bosted. Not OP, but very very powerful. Flown right the thing tanks like a cruiser and destroys like a Defiant. Speaking of, minus the turn-rate, which is easily overcome, this is far superior to the Defiant. As to it being better than the Andorian...frontal firepower (minus a Nadion Alpha): no. Survivability which means longer time staying alive and dishing out firepower, and throwing tons of heals to teammates, and being able to keep every ability at global cooldown while laughing at NPC's: heck to the freaking yes.
Ohh, and for a console comparison, Andorian Overload really is massive, but usually sucks in PvP, mostly because by the time it charges up, your target is out of arc. The Nadion console is a beast, has no charge up time, and iirc has a guarantee that at least 1 of the 6 will hit your target. When they all hit combined with a full Alpha Overload...let's just say I truly believe myself when I call the FPER a stupidly powerful ship.
One day I may return to my Andorian, but for now I'm really enjoying the new shiny.
Because the Armitage is a hybrid..it does not have the same turn rate as a true escort... you do not use the Andorian for its consoles.. the Nadion bomb on the other hand is very powerful in its current form.. and with bio phasers its a little beter then basic phasers.
You do not need to use phasers.. and for dps you want to use elite scorps and yellow stones for utility / pvp. On a carrier.
Instead of 16 it has 15 ° turnrate, so what? THat can be compensated my using a console from the Fleet mines.
If i dont use the andorian for the consoles, what do i use it for? it has 5 Forward weapon slots but is fragile as hell.
My ARmitage is far more flexible with the swarmers (i used Scorpions but still prefer the swarmers)
because they can attack while i am still in a save distance, they still cause damage even wheni am flanking the enemy or flying away from it and therefore can not use my front DHC.
THe Nadion console may be powerful but it still has a 3 Minute cooldown.
And while hte old Escort designks like the Hermes look good the new one , the TEmpest looks like , no i can´t say that here.THe Saucer Section looks Amazing, really but the Windows look like they extend over the saucer, like they are just popping out of the hull. And the Nacelle design, basically looks amazing but is too flat and the Bussard Collector s also look strange somehow.
So the FPE Is a good ship, i agree but has some design flaws and for the NSB and the Tail gun to be as stron as Possible you HAVE to have Phasers, no matter if they Are Fleet Phasers, Elite Fleet or Bio Phasers
Instead of 16 it has 15 ° turnrate, so what? THat can be compensated my using a console from the Fleet mines.
If i dont use the andorian for the consoles, what do i use it for? it has 5 Forward weapon slots but is fragile as hell.
My ARmitage is far more flexible with the swarmers (i used Scorpions but still prefer the swarmers)
because they can attack while i am still in a save distance, they still cause damage even wheni am flanking the enemy or flying away from it and therefore can not use my front DHC.
THe Nadion console may be powerful but it still has a 3 Minute cooldown.
And while hte old Escort designks like the Hermes look good the new one , the TEmpest looks like , no i can´t say that here.THe Saucer Section looks Amazing, really but the Windows look like they extend over the saucer, like they are just popping out of the hull. And the Nacelle design, basically looks amazing but is too flat and the Bussard Collector s also look strange somehow.
So the FPE Is a good ship, i agree but has some design flaws and for the NSB and the Tail gun to be as stron as Possible you HAVE to have Phasers, no matter if they Are Fleet Phasers, Elite Fleet or Bio Phasers
You mean a Fleet Patrol Escort with the Tempest skin from the Patrol Escort Refit?
No, i dont own one. And i dont have to. i had the Chance to "test fly" the Tempest (fleet) of a friend of mine with Phasers and skills that i also would not change. i flew the old Patrol Escort, seen the Refit in the Shipyard, where you can zoom in to get a nice view from every angle and read and saw reviews of it.
Good shipper se , strong, less hull but stronger Shields than the Armitage but to squeeze the last Dmg point out of it ( console and tail gun) you Need Phasers since they are Phasers. So yuo loose the Dmg Bonus from AP weapons and the Obelisk set which you got for free with the Warp Core and the 360° Beam Bank.
Some say that instead of the AP Bonus with the Obelisk set, you have the Console from the new featured Mission. THats wrong because its a Tac console and needs a Tac console slot in which you cant equip a Fleet Spire console with 31% Dmg.
And you loos the flexibility and Dmg Bonus of a Hangar Bay. which i learned to love fighting Undine and Tholians because, as i said, they bring Damage output to your flanks so even if you can´t move and the enemy is attackingf from the left they add a lot of Damage to your aft weapons that can fire to the sides (assuming you fly the standard Escort with Cannons front and Turrest, 360° Bank or Kinetic cutting beam aft).
You mean a Fleet Patrol Escort with the Tempest skin from the Patrol Escort Refit?
No, i dont own one. And i dont have to. i had the Chance to "test fly" the Tempest (fleet) of a friend of mine with Phasers and skills that i also would not change. i flew the old Patrol Escort, seen the Refit in the Shipyard, where you can zoom in to get a nice view from every angle and read and saw reviews of it.
Good shipper se , strong, less hull but stronger Shields than the Armitage but to squeeze the last Dmg point out of it ( console and tail gun) you Need Phasers since they are Phasers. So yuo loose the Dmg Bonus from AP weapons and the Obelisk set which you got for free with the Warp Core and the 360° Beam Bank.
Some say that instead of the AP Bonus with the Obelisk set, you have the Console from the new featured Mission. THats wrong because its a Tac console and needs a Tac console slot in which you cant equip a Fleet Spire console with 31% Dmg.
And you loos the flexibility and Dmg Bonus of a Hangar Bay. which i learned to love fighting Undine and Tholians because, as i said, they bring Damage output to your flanks so even if you can´t move and the enemy is attackingf from the left they add a lot of Damage to your aft weapons that can fire to the sides (assuming you fly the standard Escort with Cannons front and Turrest, 360° Bank or Kinetic cutting beam aft).
You do not even own the ship.. then you have no idea..
You are totally wrong about the new console.
Its tier 2 damage bonus not tier 1 like a tac console.. the 2 set bonus from the set stacks with other tac console.. so its more + damage using the relay and 4 fleet tac consoles. Fleet tac console do not stack there damage, while the relay stacks its damage with each other tack console. Shows how much you know.
Phaser for me does 555.7 damage with relay + 4 fleet tacs
Phaser for me 535.4 damage with 5 fleet consoles.
On top of that when using Bio Phasers the proc chance for the snare and radiation damage goes from 2.5 to 4.5% with extra radiation damage. On top of that adds torp damage allowing you to run a torp spread and the new bio torp does a lot of damage at the moment.
It tempest also has the ability to run a a2b build allowing you to maintain max engine, weapon and shield power all the time. If built right.
I own both ships so I know the capability of both ships. And looking at pictures tells you nothing... on top of that you used a "old" version of it.. what does that have to do with anything.
The ship has 2 Lt Commander slots.. the flex ability of that is huge.
I'm not saying the HEC is a bad ship.. I own it.. I liked it..but it doesn't hold a candle to the tempest.
Comments
andorian escorts vs fpe...
lots of fire power but lower survivability vs surprisingly good firepower and potential for really good defense
My PvE/PvP hybrid skill tree
I think the new Tempest is considerably better. With 5 tac console slots, two lt.cmdr BOFF stations, it can easily run Aux2Batt with both DEM2 and RSP1 (20 sec duration with the RSP DOFF), making it very tanky while being able to hurt targets through raised shields. Its Nadion saturation bomb console deals very high spike damage, and the resulting hazard cloud is a real threat at 500 phaser damage/sec per bomb (6 bombs dropped per activation).
Fleet Heavy Escort Carriers (Armitages stand out thanks to thier Hangar bay)
Andorian Escorts (5 fore weapons, potentially 5 tactical console slots)
Fleet Avenger Battle Cruisers (more endurance, 5 fore weapons)
Most of the other endgame escorts are kind of eclipsed by the Tempest, if for one detail: their number of tactical seats allowing the slotting of Superior Operative-traited Romulan Embassy Boffs, which would grant more critical hit chance.
The new FPE though is hard to beat in a total package. Overly generous BOFF seating, good handling short of a Defiant, yet has 5 TAC Consoles. If one has issues surviving in an Escort, the BOFF seating will carry your butt.
I'm running 2 versions at the moment. A Tac version running Elite Phasers - very happy with this. Highly survivable and for the first time I'm impressed with the Elite Phasers.
The second is a bit of an experiment running with engineering captain. Not as pleased with this despite the a2b potential. Still a work in progress though.
"Better" is not the word to use in this case. Tempest is better in tank, but worse in dmg. If someone actually bothers to run an embassy console in stfs, gets no aggro, needs little tank, and only want to do dmg, more tank isn't "better." The thing about tank is its benefit is all or none. For a 4 dhc ship, one more dhc is 25%. That extra tank which you gave up the extra dhc for, can either save you from a respawn screen, or gain you nothing. Excess tank, above the minimal for survival, don't get you anything, but excess dmg can always help shorten runtime.
There are plenty of comparisons between different ships that can be described as one being "better" than the other, in that they're actually better in every way.
If you do go the full on kumari way I’d suggest fleet neutronium and anything else like the agro reduction console from the embassy to help you wind up less splodie. It will still happen but with a bit of caution and fancy bits you will lower it from often to simply frequently. It’s also important to remember the louder you scream while flying away from what’s trying to kill you the fast you go, doubly so if your ships is pooping itself and you can’t stop it because hazard emitters is on cool down.
The FPE just takes a too big for me DPS hit from the 4 vs 5 forward. The extra 1.5 aft weapons do not even it out.
I've experimented with (Kumari/FPE):
5/4 Fleet Dual Phaser Cannons (all configs without the Andorian console) + Fleet Phaser Turret(s) and KCB
4/3 Fleet Dual Phaser Cannons + Hyperplasma + Fleet Phaser Turret(s) and KCB
4/3 Fleet Dual Phaser Cannons + Fleet Photon + Fleet Phaser Turret(s) and KCB
5/4 Dual Beam Rom Plasma + Fleet Disruptor Turret(s) and KCB
4/3 Dual Beam Rom Plasma + Hyperplasma + Fleet Disruptor Turret(s) and KCB
5/4 Rom Plas Beam Array+ Rom Experimental array+ KCB (+FPE Rom beam)
4/3 Rom Plas Beam Array+ Hyperplasma+ Rom Experimental array+ KCB (+FPE Rom beam)
Example builds for other components, no other consoles used except to swap Phaser relay to Disruptor Induction Coil or Plasma Infuser as appropriate...
http://skillplanner.stoacademy.com/?build=kumari1_5972
http://skillplanner.stoacademy.com/?build=fpe1_5972
I ran all configs in ISE with ACT...
In all cases the Kumari dishes out anywhere from 1 to 3k more DPS EXCEPT the last 2 configs which came out almost exactly even but both were below the DPS of any of the 1st 5 configs for both ships.
Survivability honestly isn't a major difference from my perspective... If you get agro in either one you are gonna get hurt, get agro from the wrong thing (ISE Gateway for example) you go boom quickly. I got about the same death rate in either one. Keep moving in ANY escort, attack pattern and tac team the heck out of your BOFFs and you stand a much better chance.
If that unalterable aft cannon was a full turret mount it would probably tip it to the FPE, but for now...
FPEr is better at 80% of the gameplay, other ships are niche build platforms
Its boff layout is better, and unless your sitting still shooing at a gate all the time.. I find its versatility better.
Yes, you have only 4 Tac concoles but with Spire consoles you still do a LOT of Damage and you have a Hangar Bay. Use Elite Swarmers and you have an incredibly flexible ship because even when you can`t use your forward Cannons because you are Stuck somehow- (TRactorbeam, Grav. Well or whatever) the Hangar Pets are not. They will attack.
And consider that you would have to use Phasers on both Ships to make the Consoles (wing Cannons or the Nadion Sat. Bomb) as useful as Possible. Phasers are not the best weapons type. And you have to put the consoles somewhere so you loose eingineering, Science or Tactical slots.
Because the Armitage is a hybrid..it does not have the same turn rate as a true escort... you do not use the Andorian for its consoles.. the Nadion bomb on the other hand is very powerful in its current form.. and with bio phasers its a little beter then basic phasers.
You do not need to use phasers.. and for dps you want to use elite scorps and yellow stones for utility / pvp. On a carrier.
I know, this is a thread about the FPE-R and the Kumari, but still...
FWIW, my Hunter can:
1. Tank as hard as the FPE-R - I can run 2x A2B, 2x A2D or hybrid A2B/A2D while also having PH, ST and HE.
2. Get a higher Crit rate than the FPE-R - I can run 2 SROs + A2B/A2D, or up to 3 if I eschew A2B/A2D altogether.
3. Outrun/out-maneuver the FPE - better base turn rate with 4 engineering console slots = space for multiple RCS or Neut+Turn consoles. Also ties into 1 above.
In fact, the only thing I see as an exclusive for the FPE-R is the ability tor run both DEM and RSP. But if you need *both* of those to be effective then you're doing something wrong.
Note: The above is written from the perspective of a PvP-oriented player flying a Hirogen Hunter. And to date, the hardest players for me to kill are...other Hunter pilots.
Just not that impressed by the FPE-R, this coming from someone who owns and still loves the original FPE...
RCK
I would have to agree, the Andorian consoles are kinda fun, but honestly best left off.
I have flown only the Andorian on my tac captain (sci and engy versions) ever since it came out. I love it. I do PvE and PvP, and know exactly what that ship can do: speed tanking, amazing firepower. Probably the only escort in-game now that can run with just DHCs and turrets (no dual beam overload) and have enough spike to kill quickly. Or run 4 DHCs and still have room for a nice BO. Overall the reason I flew it so long was because I enjoyed it and found it to be a beautiful ship (minus the interior...)
That being said, however, I am having a huge affair with the FPER. It does have a little less firepower. Maneuverability is made on either ship easily with Omega, Aux2Damp, etc. But I'm not going to lie, the reason I fly it is because this little ship is supper bosted. Not OP, but very very powerful. Flown right the thing tanks like a cruiser and destroys like a Defiant. Speaking of, minus the turn-rate, which is easily overcome, this is far superior to the Defiant. As to it being better than the Andorian...frontal firepower (minus a Nadion Alpha): no. Survivability which means longer time staying alive and dishing out firepower, and throwing tons of heals to teammates, and being able to keep every ability at global cooldown while laughing at NPC's: heck to the freaking yes.
Ohh, and for a console comparison, Andorian Overload really is massive, but usually sucks in PvP, mostly because by the time it charges up, your target is out of arc. The Nadion console is a beast, has no charge up time, and iirc has a guarantee that at least 1 of the 6 will hit your target. When they all hit combined with a full Alpha Overload...let's just say I truly believe myself when I call the FPER a stupidly powerful ship.
One day I may return to my Andorian, but for now I'm really enjoying the new shiny.
Oh and yes, the hunter is a great escort, too. If you want a lockbox ship (and can't afford the 400+ mil Bug ship), I'd go with that.
Instead of 16 it has 15 ° turnrate, so what? THat can be compensated my using a console from the Fleet mines.
If i dont use the andorian for the consoles, what do i use it for? it has 5 Forward weapon slots but is fragile as hell.
My ARmitage is far more flexible with the swarmers (i used Scorpions but still prefer the swarmers)
because they can attack while i am still in a save distance, they still cause damage even wheni am flanking the enemy or flying away from it and therefore can not use my front DHC.
THe Nadion console may be powerful but it still has a 3 Minute cooldown.
And while hte old Escort designks like the Hermes look good the new one , the TEmpest looks like , no i can´t say that here.THe Saucer Section looks Amazing, really but the Windows look like they extend over the saucer, like they are just popping out of the hull. And the Nacelle design, basically looks amazing but is too flat and the Bussard Collector s also look strange somehow.
So the FPE Is a good ship, i agree but has some design flaws and for the NSB and the Tail gun to be as stron as Possible you HAVE to have Phasers, no matter if they Are Fleet Phasers, Elite Fleet or Bio Phasers
do you even own a fleetTempest?
lockbox ships aren't mainstream options
can't be bought from c-store, and cost several millions of EC to buy one from the exchange
unless the OP asks for lockbox alternatives, best to act like they dont exist
You mean a Fleet Patrol Escort with the Tempest skin from the Patrol Escort Refit?
No, i dont own one. And i dont have to. i had the Chance to "test fly" the Tempest (fleet) of a friend of mine with Phasers and skills that i also would not change. i flew the old Patrol Escort, seen the Refit in the Shipyard, where you can zoom in to get a nice view from every angle and read and saw reviews of it.
Good shipper se , strong, less hull but stronger Shields than the Armitage but to squeeze the last Dmg point out of it ( console and tail gun) you Need Phasers since they are Phasers. So yuo loose the Dmg Bonus from AP weapons and the Obelisk set which you got for free with the Warp Core and the 360° Beam Bank.
Some say that instead of the AP Bonus with the Obelisk set, you have the Console from the new featured Mission. THats wrong because its a Tac console and needs a Tac console slot in which you cant equip a Fleet Spire console with 31% Dmg.
And you loos the flexibility and Dmg Bonus of a Hangar Bay. which i learned to love fighting Undine and Tholians because, as i said, they bring Damage output to your flanks so even if you can´t move and the enemy is attackingf from the left they add a lot of Damage to your aft weapons that can fire to the sides (assuming you fly the standard Escort with Cannons front and Turrest, 360° Bank or Kinetic cutting beam aft).
You do not even own the ship.. then you have no idea..
You are totally wrong about the new console.
Its tier 2 damage bonus not tier 1 like a tac console.. the 2 set bonus from the set stacks with other tac console.. so its more + damage using the relay and 4 fleet tac consoles. Fleet tac console do not stack there damage, while the relay stacks its damage with each other tack console. Shows how much you know.
Phaser for me does 555.7 damage with relay + 4 fleet tacs
Phaser for me 535.4 damage with 5 fleet consoles.
On top of that when using Bio Phasers the proc chance for the snare and radiation damage goes from 2.5 to 4.5% with extra radiation damage. On top of that adds torp damage allowing you to run a torp spread and the new bio torp does a lot of damage at the moment.
It tempest also has the ability to run a a2b build allowing you to maintain max engine, weapon and shield power all the time. If built right.
I own both ships so I know the capability of both ships. And looking at pictures tells you nothing... on top of that you used a "old" version of it.. what does that have to do with anything.
The ship has 2 Lt Commander slots.. the flex ability of that is huge.
I'm not saying the HEC is a bad ship.. I own it.. I liked it..but it doesn't hold a candle to the tempest.