i use a2b, then use a2d once the aux has recovered a sufficient amount of power.
once a2b finishes and goes into cd, aux power begins to replenish. the longer you wait the higher your aux power will get. and the higher your aux power is when you execute a2d the more effective a2d is.
a2b with 3 purple techs will reduce any boff skills currently in cd to global.
in your borg scenario you would pop your ep2w, dem, bfaw, tacteam, etc. then you would fire off a2b to invoke the cd reduction. a2b does seem to afford you a small (perhaps .5 second) grace period, so if you faw or whatnot doesnt actually activate until after the a2b there is a good chance it will inherit the cd reduction anyway. but a2b is always the last skill you want to execute.
at this point you would likely come under fire from the borg and be looking for a2b to expire so you can use a2d. once a2d is finished most everything except your dem should be ready for another cycle. dem has a very long cd and youre not going to be able to run it on every rotation.
Interesting, A2B/A2D looks appealing again.
An example Borg Cube probably wouldn't need a second DEM, but it is worth keeping in mind, and obviously A2D sets off a 10 second cooldown on A2B, but A2D still continues for another 13 seconds with a Blue Doff - what impact does activating A2B have on A2D for those 13 seconds? Presumably none, or drastic reduction in effectiveness?
As long as you keep talking about DPS on a cruiser with 2 tac consoles and a lieutenant tac station the things you say enter from an ear and exit to the other ear.
As someone else pointed out, it doesn't matter how hard you try, it will do bad compared to Fleet grade ships. Seriously, use one of the two above, THEN you would see what DPS means on a cruiser. You can't say a MU Sovvie does the job even close until you tried them, because believe me it doesn't.
Said from one who owns a Fleet Avenger (a slightly better Fleet Sovereign) and a Fleet Excelsior.
1. Change out APO (which you can't run) for EPtS3 (which you can run).
2. Go grab Nukara, Zero Point and Plasmonic Leech - grind rep for the first two, buy the 2nd. Then drop 2 of those neuts and the ICC console, which is ridiculous on a cruiser.
3. Doff B'Tran for 3 Purple Tech doffs - it'll take you about 7-10 days.
4. Run A2B1 and A2D1 - cycle them *continuously* - either spacebar it, or do what I do and tie them into your directional keys.
5. Also cycle EPtS3/EPtE1 *continuously* (see 4 above).
The net result will be near GCD on all powers, near constant uptime for EPtX, and a very fast, maneuverable cruiser. As for Doffs, first grind out a 6th slot through your fleet spire, then add a WCE (Keel'el for the cleanse proc), an A2D doff (Antimatter Scientist), and a TT-reduction Conn officer (because even with 2x A2B, TT isn't always at GCD).
Do this and you will at least survive longer in Ker'rat. Offensively, it's hard to get excited about a 2-Tac console ship, but at a bare minimum you should drop the torps, and consolidate around 7 beams (of the same energy type) + kcb. Then get 2x fleet locator consoles (again, same energy type - they stack) and you're good to go.
2. First two are slotted projects awaiting marks and Dil, 3rd is on to get list after EC cap removal, neuts will be replaced anyway. Personally I quite like my ICC, but I will try without it once I get the plasmonic.
3. before or after the nerf? Ill start it either way, purples are silly EC levels and as there is a way to get them without EC its a good idea to do it.
4. Same question as I asked the KDF above - what affect does A2B have on A2D when both are on simultaneously?
5. Do it already...
6. Fleet bonus Doff Slot - on to get list, and I've already got one TT Doff.
7. Survivability I'm almost happy with, just want TT1 up more often for redistribution of shields, at least one Fleet Locator is on to get list, it depends on effectiveness relative to the Counter Command 2-piece bonus I use currently whether I use 2 or not, rest noted for future use.
Riccardo - If I want to use a Mirror Sov, I've got the ******ned right to use a Mirror Sov, just as the person with a FACR, FAHCR, JHAS, whatever someone wants to fly has to turn up a beat me with their superior ship.
Too heavy engineering seatings for its too heavy science focus and zero damage dealing potential. .
I found a build putting out damage - I never said it would do damage better than a FACR or FAHCR, as that is, or at least should be all things being equal, outright stupid.
But the above bolded part is clearly wrong.
To clarify - I am not interested in tanking, because if all you do is tank, then the KDF move onto weaker targets and come back for you later, or even worse, just plain ignore you full stop.
4. Same question as I asked the KDF above - what affect does A2B have on A2D when both are on simultaneously?
a2d and a2b share a global cool down. you cant run both at the same time.
insofar as the power level goes, the only relevance of the aux power is at the time a2d is activated. if you were to boost aux to 125, pop a2d, then immediately switch to a low aux power preset it would have zero effect on the performance of the a2d currently in action. its commonly used that way in fact.
a2d and a2b share a global cool down. you cant run both at the same time.
insofar as the power level goes, the only relevance of the aux power is at the time a2d is activated. if you were to boost aux to 125, pop a2d, then immediately switch to a low aux power preset it would have zero effect on the performance of the a2d currently in action. its commonly used that way in fact.
You can if you do A2D first, 5 to 13 second overlap - obviously you don't for practical use, I just wondered hypothetically. Of course, the rest of your post covers it anyway, as A2D only cares about aux at the start, somewhat counter intuitively...
Riccardo - If I want to use a Mirror Sov, I've got the ******ned right to use a Mirror Sov, just as the person with a FACR, FAHCR, JHAS, whatever someone wants to fly has to turn up a beat me with their superior ship.
You said:
I found a build putting out damage - I never said it would do damage better than a FACR or FAHCR, as that is, or at least should be all things being equal, outright stupid.
But the above bolded part is clearly wrong.
To clarify - I am not interested in tanking, because if all you do is tank, then the KDF move onto weaker targets and come back for you later, or even worse, just plain ignore you full stop.
First, calm the fk down. If you react like this to someone who's pointing you a superior ship that retains the looks of the ship you want (surprise! The Regent includes the Sovereign design!), you can simply go back from where you came and stay there.
Any build does damage; as you're trying to build a Mirror ship, I guess you don't have any experience with tactical cruisers or at least haven't bought C-Store/Fleet versions.
I'm telling you that there is one ship, Fleet grade stats, has the exact looks of a Sovereign, its C-Store counterpart comes with Wide Angle Quantum Torpedoes and Metreon Gas Canisters console, hits hard with beams that EATS your variant despite the identical looks.
And you're telling me you prefer the MU? That's utterly outright more than stupid. I dare to find someone who would disagree.
But you look like someone who knows already what to do. If so, just continue with the crappy ship of yours and skip to next post.
I was talking exclusively about the above "zero..." quote - which you seem to have backtracked on into saying any build does damage - that was my point, you said it couldn't be done when it already had been done, and miss my point I was making - if I want to hamper myself for RP's sake on one ship (admittedly the character's main ship) on a single character, that does not invalidate any of your advice.
As said earlier, I'm taking it all in, and I've only completely disregarded one piece of advice as mentioned earlier. (being told to gtfo, in case you were wondering)
Now, as you will wonder, why Mirror Sov? Well, its Boff layout is closer to the Lt. Cm. Tac, Cm Eng, Lt. Eng, Lt. Sci, Ens. Sci 4 Eng/3 Sci/3 Tac that no Federation ship runs yet most perfectly describes a true Federation Star Cruiser to me, enough Tac power to be genuinely useful, enough Sci to be useful, and ample Engineering to support both...
The closest you can get of Fed Cruisers is one of Fleet Chimera, FACR, FAHCR, AC, SC or Oddy - As I personally didn't like the Sov, being an ex-Fed Flagship, being more Tac oriented than it felt like it should be as an ex-Fed Flagship, I swapped to a Mirror Star Cruiser.
Now, I realise that it was a stupid idea given the current state of STO, but well, sometimes mistakes define us, and it just wouldn't feel "right" to go to the FACR, no matter how logical.
The Mirror Sov, to me, having flown it for so long, feels like home - despite its flaws as you rightly (numerics aside) point out.
You may ridicule and mock, but for as long as STO features those first two letters, then I want this character to fly her Sov, as it is the only ship that truly makes me feel like the shows - the next closest ship is the T2 Connie, as it comes 99% almost as close, but is out on feasibility grounds, as you can only just make it good enough to match an average pugger...
You like your FAHCR obviously - as you noted in the thread in you sig, others once considered it beneath your skill level like you consider the Mirror Sov below mine, and you still used and use it because you like it.
The advantage you have is use chose a ship to fall for which is definitely best Eng heavy Cruiser...
TL;DR - I like my Mirror Sov, it feels right, and hence why I want to drag the most out of it within confines of phaser beam arrays and quantum torps, because that is what the Sov is most identifiable for.
Also, I wasn't swearing or over reacting IMO, I don't know why it would bother to censor an alternative to "diety-disapproved of" Oh well, Ill use that phrase next time I feel the need to use it...
I get the feeling your just trying to make something work on an extreme free player budget.
If that's the case. Just say so. Just say hey this is my only toon right now... I'm 100% f2p and will not spend any $. (many of us won't no big deal). I have yet to even unlock the EC cap never mind worry about having any real EC. So for a good while the only real option for me is a Mirror ship... I think you have already been clear that you want to hold to some RP elements. That's cool I guess.
You would just save everyone plenty of time if you just confirm if that is the case. Many of us enjoy trying to make extreme cheapo builds... so you might get some new ideas with that in mind.
Also if you can stretch your RP bend a bit at least for PvP... there are a few other Mirror cruisers that would fit what you want to do much better. Something like a Mirror BC (A stargazer) you could pretend to be Picard fighting dirty Ferengi or something.
I'm not purely F2P - just am currently due to circumstances.
I have 4 mains, (listed in Sig) 2 Fed, 1 Rom-Fed, and one KDF, plus a new character using an NX to go through the storyline now that purple levelling gear is no longer silly EC...
1 Fed is Ker'rat PvP with mild PvE with fleet-mates, The other Fed (the one with the Star Cruiser) is PvE with enough PvP to warrant this thread, my Rom does no PvP (cant decide what to put her in for a start...) and my KDF is pure PvP - at the level of if she vapes someone 1 vs 1 its a 50/50 at best as to whether she dies or they do... (TBF, she's still using Mk X kit...)
I don't RP as such, I have backstories etc. My 4 mains have grown over time, and my Vulcan has just settled into her Sov. I originally intended to have her career consist of commanding classes of ships that had an Enterprise (just need an Ent-B and Ent-F to complete the set...) but she's settled in to the point of I'm not sure if I want to move her onto an Oddy...
Now, Mirror Heavy Cruiser Retrofit - tried it, nice ship and objectively superior for what I want to do - but it doesn't feel "right" for her...
...and people wonder why I'm sarcastic. It's cause I already know the mentality of these Fed cupcakes. I see it every day in Ker'rat and CnH and arenas. Players nowadays don't even want to learn and will not accept help, no matter how bad they are. In their mind they rule the quadrant in their failboat cruising around doing nothing other than surviving for a few seconds while being an absolute detriment to their team. I just can't take it any more! Learn to play or gtfo! It's not coincidence that it takes 2:1 or even 3:1 odds in Ker'rat for the Feds to even be somewhat competitive. It's because the majority of Feds have the same mentality as the OP.
As a rule of thumb,
If you can make your build work without needing to use a2d/a2b.
People will show somewhat a great deal more of respect than if you were to be using those abilities. :cool:
As a rule of thumb,
If you can make your build work without needing to use a2d/a2b.
People will show somewhat a great deal more of respect than if you were to be using those abilities. :cool:
Ok, what do you suggest, a Doffed EPtX based build?
Look, Rck01 and Riccardo, two of the very best of the best Feds, have said to you awesome advices...follow them and you'll do things better!
The evul Neepa, one of the best HOBOs, was trolling you!:D
Take off their a2d/a2b and things would have a whole different outcome.
I look forward to the day when that happens.
As a rule of thumb,
If you can make your build work without needing to use a2d/a2b.
People will show somewhat a great deal more of respect than if you were to be using those abilities. :cool:
99% of cruiser-type ships use AtB/AtD, unless it's a healer.
Take off their a2d/a2b and things would have a whole different outcome.
I look forward to the day when that happens.
It's like saying "reduce bug's turn rate and things would have a whole different outcome. I look forward to the day when that happens."
Ranting over someone else's ship build that works using the powers granted by the game is no use, and makes this post funny and ridiculous at the same time :P
Look, Rck01 and Riccardo, two of the very best of the best Feds, have said to you awesome advices...follow them and you'll do things better!
The evul Neepa, one of the best HOBOs, was trolling you!:D
99% of cruiser-type ships use AtB/AtD, unless it's a healer.
Premade healers, Don't use a2b/a2d.
Atleast none from our fleet, and hey, look at how we do in premade, we don't souly rely on that gameplay mechanic to succeed.
Damn I wish I had listened when you guys told me to get it earlier, first fight it had was against a technically better equipped Temporal Destroyer in 1 vs 1 and the ACR won with a PvE set up. Ok, it took 10 minutes plus to actually get the kill done because we were too evenly matched, but still...
And I apologise riccardo171 about arguing about ship choice earlier in the thread, an ACR really does eat a Star Cruiser for breakfast, and I really should have shut up and listened. Sorry...
Damn I wish I had listened when you guys told me to get it earlier, first fight it had was against a technically better equipped Temporal Destroyer in 1 vs 1 and the ACR won with a PvE set up. Ok, it took 10 minutes plus to actually get the kill done because we were too evenly matched, but still...
And I apologise riccardo171 about arguing about ship choice earlier in the thread, an ACR really does eat a Star Cruiser for breakfast, and I really should have shut up and listened. Sorry...
Comments
Interesting, A2B/A2D looks appealing again.
An example Borg Cube probably wouldn't need a second DEM, but it is worth keeping in mind, and obviously A2D sets off a 10 second cooldown on A2B, but A2D still continues for another 13 seconds with a Blue Doff - what impact does activating A2B have on A2D for those 13 seconds? Presumably none, or drastic reduction in effectiveness?
As long as you keep talking about DPS on a cruiser with 2 tac consoles and a lieutenant tac station the things you say enter from an ear and exit to the other ear.
As someone else pointed out, it doesn't matter how hard you try, it will do bad compared to Fleet grade ships. Seriously, use one of the two above, THEN you would see what DPS means on a cruiser. You can't say a MU Sovvie does the job even close until you tried them, because believe me it doesn't.
Said from one who owns a Fleet Avenger (a slightly better Fleet Sovereign) and a Fleet Excelsior.
http://www.stoacademy.com/tools/skillplanner/?build=rcktacfachra2dreva_0
Notes:
1. Change out APO (which you can't run) for EPtS3 (which you can run).
2. Go grab Nukara, Zero Point and Plasmonic Leech - grind rep for the first two, buy the 2nd. Then drop 2 of those neuts and the ICC console, which is ridiculous on a cruiser.
3. Doff B'Tran for 3 Purple Tech doffs - it'll take you about 7-10 days.
4. Run A2B1 and A2D1 - cycle them *continuously* - either spacebar it, or do what I do and tie them into your directional keys.
5. Also cycle EPtS3/EPtE1 *continuously* (see 4 above).
The net result will be near GCD on all powers, near constant uptime for EPtX, and a very fast, maneuverable cruiser. As for Doffs, first grind out a 6th slot through your fleet spire, then add a WCE (Keel'el for the cleanse proc), an A2D doff (Antimatter Scientist), and a TT-reduction Conn officer (because even with 2x A2B, TT isn't always at GCD).
Do this and you will at least survive longer in Ker'rat. Offensively, it's hard to get excited about a 2-Tac console ship, but at a bare minimum you should drop the torps, and consolidate around 7 beams (of the same energy type) + kcb. Then get 2x fleet locator consoles (again, same energy type - they stack) and you're good to go.
RCK
2. First two are slotted projects awaiting marks and Dil, 3rd is on to get list after EC cap removal, neuts will be replaced anyway. Personally I quite like my ICC, but I will try without it once I get the plasmonic.
3. before or after the nerf? Ill start it either way, purples are silly EC levels and as there is a way to get them without EC its a good idea to do it.
4. Same question as I asked the KDF above - what affect does A2B have on A2D when both are on simultaneously?
5. Do it already...
6. Fleet bonus Doff Slot - on to get list, and I've already got one TT Doff.
7. Survivability I'm almost happy with, just want TT1 up more often for redistribution of shields, at least one Fleet Locator is on to get list, it depends on effectiveness relative to the Counter Command 2-piece bonus I use currently whether I use 2 or not, rest noted for future use.
Riccardo - If I want to use a Mirror Sov, I've got the ******ned right to use a Mirror Sov, just as the person with a FACR, FAHCR, JHAS, whatever someone wants to fly has to turn up a beat me with their superior ship.
You said:
I found a build putting out damage - I never said it would do damage better than a FACR or FAHCR, as that is, or at least should be all things being equal, outright stupid.
But the above bolded part is clearly wrong.
To clarify - I am not interested in tanking, because if all you do is tank, then the KDF move onto weaker targets and come back for you later, or even worse, just plain ignore you full stop.
a2d and a2b share a global cool down. you cant run both at the same time.
insofar as the power level goes, the only relevance of the aux power is at the time a2d is activated. if you were to boost aux to 125, pop a2d, then immediately switch to a low aux power preset it would have zero effect on the performance of the a2d currently in action. its commonly used that way in fact.
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You can if you do A2D first, 5 to 13 second overlap - obviously you don't for practical use, I just wondered hypothetically. Of course, the rest of your post covers it anyway, as A2D only cares about aux at the start, somewhat counter intuitively...
First, calm the fk down. If you react like this to someone who's pointing you a superior ship that retains the looks of the ship you want (surprise! The Regent includes the Sovereign design!), you can simply go back from where you came and stay there.
Any build does damage; as you're trying to build a Mirror ship, I guess you don't have any experience with tactical cruisers or at least haven't bought C-Store/Fleet versions.
I'm telling you that there is one ship, Fleet grade stats, has the exact looks of a Sovereign, its C-Store counterpart comes with Wide Angle Quantum Torpedoes and Metreon Gas Canisters console, hits hard with beams that EATS your variant despite the identical looks.
And you're telling me you prefer the MU? That's utterly outright more than stupid. I dare to find someone who would disagree.
But you look like someone who knows already what to do. If so, just continue with the crappy ship of yours and skip to next post.
As said earlier, I'm taking it all in, and I've only completely disregarded one piece of advice as mentioned earlier. (being told to gtfo, in case you were wondering)
Now, as you will wonder, why Mirror Sov? Well, its Boff layout is closer to the Lt. Cm. Tac, Cm Eng, Lt. Eng, Lt. Sci, Ens. Sci 4 Eng/3 Sci/3 Tac that no Federation ship runs yet most perfectly describes a true Federation Star Cruiser to me, enough Tac power to be genuinely useful, enough Sci to be useful, and ample Engineering to support both...
The closest you can get of Fed Cruisers is one of Fleet Chimera, FACR, FAHCR, AC, SC or Oddy - As I personally didn't like the Sov, being an ex-Fed Flagship, being more Tac oriented than it felt like it should be as an ex-Fed Flagship, I swapped to a Mirror Star Cruiser.
Now, I realise that it was a stupid idea given the current state of STO, but well, sometimes mistakes define us, and it just wouldn't feel "right" to go to the FACR, no matter how logical.
The Mirror Sov, to me, having flown it for so long, feels like home - despite its flaws as you rightly (numerics aside) point out.
You may ridicule and mock, but for as long as STO features those first two letters, then I want this character to fly her Sov, as it is the only ship that truly makes me feel like the shows - the next closest ship is the T2 Connie, as it comes 99% almost as close, but is out on feasibility grounds, as you can only just make it good enough to match an average pugger...
You like your FAHCR obviously - as you noted in the thread in you sig, others once considered it beneath your skill level like you consider the Mirror Sov below mine, and you still used and use it because you like it.
The advantage you have is use chose a ship to fall for which is definitely best Eng heavy Cruiser...
TL;DR - I like my Mirror Sov, it feels right, and hence why I want to drag the most out of it within confines of phaser beam arrays and quantum torps, because that is what the Sov is most identifiable for.
Also, I wasn't swearing or over reacting IMO, I don't know why it would bother to censor an alternative to "diety-disapproved of" Oh well, Ill use that phrase next time I feel the need to use it...
If that's the case. Just say so. Just say hey this is my only toon right now... I'm 100% f2p and will not spend any $. (many of us won't no big deal). I have yet to even unlock the EC cap never mind worry about having any real EC. So for a good while the only real option for me is a Mirror ship... I think you have already been clear that you want to hold to some RP elements. That's cool I guess.
You would just save everyone plenty of time if you just confirm if that is the case. Many of us enjoy trying to make extreme cheapo builds... so you might get some new ideas with that in mind.
Also if you can stretch your RP bend a bit at least for PvP... there are a few other Mirror cruisers that would fit what you want to do much better. Something like a Mirror BC (A stargazer) you could pretend to be Picard fighting dirty Ferengi or something.
I'm not purely F2P - just am currently due to circumstances.
I have 4 mains, (listed in Sig) 2 Fed, 1 Rom-Fed, and one KDF, plus a new character using an NX to go through the storyline now that purple levelling gear is no longer silly EC...
1 Fed is Ker'rat PvP with mild PvE with fleet-mates, The other Fed (the one with the Star Cruiser) is PvE with enough PvP to warrant this thread, my Rom does no PvP (cant decide what to put her in for a start...) and my KDF is pure PvP - at the level of if she vapes someone 1 vs 1 its a 50/50 at best as to whether she dies or they do... (TBF, she's still using Mk X kit...)
I don't RP as such, I have backstories etc. My 4 mains have grown over time, and my Vulcan has just settled into her Sov. I originally intended to have her career consist of commanding classes of ships that had an Enterprise (just need an Ent-B and Ent-F to complete the set...) but she's settled in to the point of I'm not sure if I want to move her onto an Oddy...
Now, Mirror Heavy Cruiser Retrofit - tried it, nice ship and objectively superior for what I want to do - but it doesn't feel "right" for her...
Ok, I've decided that I will swap to a ACR/FACR after all.
What I think would be a good idea as a long term plan: http://skillplanner.stoacademy.com/?build=usslibertyacr_0
Notes: Assume relevant Doffs are present, up to 6 Doffs. The [acc]x2 [Borg] [dmg] is meant to be a Omni-directional beam, [arc] in place of [Borg]
Fleet Version - add an extra [pha] Vulnerability Locator.
The expansion coming up may well cause changes, so this all needs a pinch of salt...
durp
/10 char
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
If you can make your build work without needing to use a2d/a2b.
People will show somewhat a great deal more of respect than if you were to be using those abilities. :cool:
Ok, what do you suggest, a Doffed EPtX based build?
Well, Doffed EPtX would essentially* allow EPtW, EPtS and EPtE full uptime, that has to count for something.
And it isn't like Ive got any respect to lose is it.
* Well, 95.23% uptime.
Hi. How are you?
@DevolvedOne
Take off their a2d/a2b and things would have a whole different outcome.
I look forward to the day when that happens.
http://sto-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=1080421
99% of cruiser-type ships use AtB/AtD, unless it's a healer.
It's like saying "reduce bug's turn rate and things would have a whole different outcome. I look forward to the day when that happens."
Ranting over someone else's ship build that works using the powers granted by the game is no use, and makes this post funny and ridiculous at the same time :P
Yeah! Well done fed comrade!
durp, durp and durp. And U?
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
hurp durp. How are stuffs and things?
Premade healers, Don't use a2b/a2d.
Atleast none from our fleet, and hey, look at how we do in premade, we don't souly rely on that gameplay mechanic to succeed.
Damn I wish I had listened when you guys told me to get it earlier, first fight it had was against a technically better equipped Temporal Destroyer in 1 vs 1 and the ACR won with a PvE set up.
And I apologise riccardo171 about arguing about ship choice earlier in the thread, an ACR really does eat a Star Cruiser for breakfast, and I really should have shut up and listened. Sorry...
Havent got to Ker'rat with it yet mind.
No worries bro. Enjoy your ship
I am, just regretting not getting it earlier, I could have had an extra month of it being PvP competitive...