I am asking this lame nOOb or even nub question because I want to know if phasers and other subsystem damaging attacks work on NPCs or are they only for PVP?
I did try to search the forum for this but I found nothing. And I have not noticed subsystem attacks working on mobs. At least I cannot tell if they work.
They do. It's just that they don't stay offline for very long and then get an immunity to it for a bit once you land it. That's why phasers and subsystem targeting skills aren't favored for PVE.
Yes, they do have subsystems, the only difference is that it seems like they only have 2 settings, on or off. So Phasers and other things like boarding party can disable subsystems, but it seems as though you cant actually drain their subsystems, or if you can it makes almost no difference to the NPC's performance.
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Anyone want to give me a Temporal Heavy Dreadnought pack? I'll be your friend
Nitpicking is a time-honored tradition of science fiction. Asking your readers not to worry about the "little things" is like asking a dog not to sniff at people's crotches. If there's something that appears to violate natural laws, then you can expect someone's going to point it out. That's just the way things are.
The answer is yes, but npc's care very little if you do, or you don't because they simply rely on huge hull strength, and simple AI to try and eliminate pc's.
They do. From time to time when using phasers, you might notice an NPC ship's shields just disappear (or it stops moving altogether). But a second or two later, they're back. It happens rarely enough to make it completely unreliable as a primary focus, though when it does happen, you want to shove a torp down their gullet.
Apparently, in PvP this occurs more reliably or is easier to make use of. In PvE, there are several damage types that produce more useful or more overtly beneficial effects.
Yes, they do have subsystems, the only difference is that it seems like they only have 2 settings, on or off. So Phasers and other things like boarding party can disable subsystems, but it seems as though you cant actually drain their subsystems, or if you can it makes almost no difference to the NPC's performance.
With the exception of some boss ships, you can definitely drain NPCs to zero. Heck, I can bring down KASE and ISE's tac cube's shields down with a Tier 5 Romulan rep enhanced drain. I throw a strong Tyken's 3 to the groups of spheres in ISE, and it stops them all dead in their tracks since they loose engines completely.
Why don't players see this more often?
Because, outside of PvP, you seldom see these builds as they are looked down upon even if they work fine in elite STFs.
Been playing around with Drain Boats in ESTFs lately and having a lot of fun doing so. Haven't gone the min/max route yet but it does seem possible NPCs in these can be stopped by pulling power from them. Doesn't seem to be as long as I'd like or as effective, though. This is probably more because I don't really have a handle on this yet.
It does make a nice change from being the kid with the biggest B.F.G. on the block however.
A six year old boy and his starship. Living the dream.
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Mine Trap Supporter
Anyone want to give me a Temporal Heavy Dreadnought pack? I'll be your friend
Although to clarify, you can drain them until they shut off entirely.
Joined January 2009
Praetor of the -RTS- Romulan Tal Shiar fleet!
Apparently, in PvP this occurs more reliably or is easier to make use of. In PvE, there are several damage types that produce more useful or more overtly beneficial effects.
With the exception of some boss ships, you can definitely drain NPCs to zero. Heck, I can bring down KASE and ISE's tac cube's shields down with a Tier 5 Romulan rep enhanced drain. I throw a strong Tyken's 3 to the groups of spheres in ISE, and it stops them all dead in their tracks since they loose engines completely.
Why don't players see this more often?
Because, outside of PvP, you seldom see these builds as they are looked down upon even if they work fine in elite STFs.
It does make a nice change from being the kid with the biggest B.F.G. on the block however.