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Opinions on the Andromeda please
beraht
Member Posts: 79 Arc User
I have enough to get the ship, I also have the other Galaxy consoles for the set, but before I get it, I wanted to collect some opinions before spending the zen for my tac captain, who already flies cruisers. I like the new fleet galaxy look, so going fleet version with it is what I have in mind.
How do owners like the ship? Is is a good ship for STF's? I don't do PvP so really the PvE experience and its viability in end-game content, as well as general fun factor (if that's a thing) are what I'm most concerned with.
How do owners like the ship? Is is a good ship for STF's? I don't do PvP so really the PvE experience and its viability in end-game content, as well as general fun factor (if that's a thing) are what I'm most concerned with.
Post edited by beraht on
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The Eclipse is way stronger in the TAC Cruiser role.
The T6 Guardian may not have as heavy an ENG capability as the T6 Galaxy but it has a LtCdr TAC & SCI station, making it a truly multi-role Cruiser.
The T6 Galaxy is a good TAC Cruiser. At Fleet level it however only has 3 TAC Consoles but otherwise is balanced in Console layout. Sure, you may not have that 4th TAC Console but you can stuff in another Embassy +Plasma SCI Console for the plasma explosions. The one thing that it lacks is handling. Compared to the Eclipse, Avenger, it's a slow ship. But otherwise, the T6 Galaxy performs well enough and is a very tough beast. Also, unlike all the Command FDCs, the Galaxy has all 4 Cruiser Commands, including the important "Weapon System Efficiency" Cruiser Command so your energy weapons consume a bit less weapons power (more damage for you).
The trait for the T6 Galaxy however sucks for use in the Galaxy. It requires use of RSP, which by itself has a very long CD and you need good Particle Generator Skill to make it matter. Also, it's very short ranged in its effect, 3km IIRC. That's a bit problematic to do in a sluggish ship like the Galaxy.
The Console is nice. It increases your Subsystem Power Levels cap by +5 for all. This is good if you have a build that brings lots of power to all your subsystems. This is even better if you're an ENG since you should be swimming in Overabundant Subsystem Power all the time.
In short, if you always did like the lower tiered Galaxy play, the T6 version improves on that and gives you a game-changing LtCdr TAC station instead of a pitiful Lt TAC.
Very tough ship. Dying in one should be a shameful experience.
Andromeda
Eclipse
Andromeda has a bit of a write up. Eclipse doesn't. Warmaker already provide a superb write up so no worries.
Take these vids as just a little added aid to help you say "Can I see myself in this ship?" Just an assist as it were.
The Eclipse and Phantom Mastery in combination make any cruiser and most other class ships measurably better. And they rock for any and all classes. So if you had money to burn, those are your go to ships.
But off the shelf, if you like the classic and only ever intend to get one ship, you may prefer the Andromeda. It can certainly handle the damage requirements of end game.
The console is meh, the trait is ok if you use RSP.
As an Andromeda without the Galaxy skin i wouldn't have purchased it and would have missed out on a good well rounded ship with a good mixture of having a iron jaw for tanking and a good right hook for hitting back.
The Tier 6 trait is meh unless you use RSP.
All in all def a ship to enjoy and one that is competitive and a ship that has satisfied my need for a end game Galaxy Class Starship.
Actually managed on a tact to push my tier 6 galaxy past the 32k dps mark in ISA using elite fleet phasers
Are you sure RSP needs Particle Generators? The gamepedia says it uses shield emitters.
What sort of bridge officer ability setup do people use on the Andromeda? I just hit 50 and got mine, and I am pretty new to the game.
Trying to figure out the best way to set her up.
Hope the OP does not mind if I ask some questions in here!
I was thinking about getting the T6 for the console and trait, then the Fleet version, but just from looking at the short range of those abilities, I might just jump straight to fleet and stick with the two piece Galaxy set instead of going for the three piece set.
Of course, looking at the Guardian it seems to have more useful console/train lineup.
But damn that redone fleet Galaxy sure looks nice!
I wasn't talking about RSP itself needing Starship Particle Generator Skill. I was talking about the T6 Galaxy's trait that buffs RSP. The damage effect with this trait when using RSP requires Particle Gen Skill. The general rule in STO is this:
If there is damage being applied and it doesn't come from a weapon, Particle Generator Skill is used.
-Lord Commander Solar Macharius
The C-Store version for the console is well worth it, as the extra power (passive) it offers can equate to effectively another Tac console if you can keep your weapon power up.The active is decent if you have slow/non-moving targets, or you fire off 'Suppression Barrage' Command BOff ability along with FAW as the stuff you want to kill is coming at you to slow them down while in your field.
The Starship Trait I find handy only rarely, even though I usually slot RSP in my builds. Usually by the time the RSP is finished all the small stuff near me is dead and the burst doesn't do enough damage --being buffed by only an Exotic Particle Field Exciter in my case-- to be a finishing move for larger stuff.
However, if you're going for more flexibility with some offense, the Guardian or even a T5U Tactical Odyssey will do better, with the former having access to Ionic Turbulence, APB, and GravWell 1, and the latter having a more flexible LtC Universal seat (if you're not interested in the Command abilities of the Andromeda).
As well, the Guardian's Mastery Trait is a pretty reliable panic heal for competent captains, and its console pairs well with shield-tanking builds or abilities (RSP and FB alternately or together) on top of making it even meaner (while active, the console can boost energy and exotic damage for a short time). The new Sci skill from Blood of the Ancients also works pretty well with the offensive potential of the Guardian (IT1 + APB + GW1 + FaW + Destabilizing Resonance), which makes it a surprising burst damage bruiser of a cruiser.
If you want pure sustained offense in a cruiser, the Eclipse is currently the alpha and omega in the Fed cruiser department, and has an especially useful Mastery Trait. Rumors of a T6 Avenger might see its status threatened some, depending on what it will supposedly bring to the table.
If you want dedicated support and tankiness, the Command Cruisers are much more preferable, even though they're missing full Cruiser commands. The Tactical variant has the especially potent AHOD Mastery Trait. A key advantage Feds have with the Command cruisers is that they can build a self-sustaining CD reduction build w/o A2B, using a Tac character, the Temporal Negotiator, the Xindi Boff, the Delta Console, the Phantom's Reciprocity Mastery Trait, and the Command Cruiser's CD Reduction Inspiration command. All of which allow for faster skill turnaround on Tac and Sci abilities (and Command abilities; all of which re/charge the Inspiration gauge faster; thus it's effectively self-sustaining).
I own all of them, and have played around with them. Andromeda is nice (love the modern Delta look over its older variations and making it a plasma bomber), but it's overshadowed by all the other listed ships in plenty of ways, even if going back to the basics (in which the T5U Tac Odyssey can still do better).
For a tactical, she might end up a tad short on tactical BOFF powers. Matter of preference really.
My tactical flies the tactical command battlecruiser and it works very well for him, even without the weapon power cruiser command. Putting in a spire warp core mitigates the weapon power drain a bit.
"Let them eat static!"
The Eclipse does just fine in taking the damage. It features the same Super ENG Heavy capability of the Galaxy with the BOFF & Console layouts. Yet the Eclipse retains superior offensive capability with far superior handling.
The Fleet T-5U Dreadnought is superior in DPS, though it may not be able to take as much damage as the Andromeda. Seeing that higher DPS allows a greater threshold to hold aggro for, I find the Andromeda good, but not quite as good for tanking. I had really hoped that BFAW3 would make up for the reduction in tactical consoles, but it doesn't.
Even with the possibility of using the ensign universal for tactical, it may not be enough to create enough DPS for the Andromeda to match or surpass the Gal-X.
Last I read, the dedicated Galaxy-fans are pushing 20k-40k much more easily than they used to with the T5FU version (10k minimum is suggested for most current Adv queues), and are not being laughed at (or insulted) for bringing a large paperweight into the ring anymore.
But if you're asking about how easily it can contribute to Adv. queues, the answer is: Not as much as the other cruisers listed and for the reasons listed.
Buy it if you want it. The T6 and it's Fleet Variant can handle the current meta with no problem as long as it has a half-competent build. Just don't expect anything amazing with the extras (console, console set bonuses, and Mastery Trait) if that also matters to you.
The andromeda certainly can contribute. It's a very good ship. It can take a lot of punishment. If you favor survival a bit more more than DPS, but still want to do good DPS, she's a fine ship. She can take a beating. My previous comment is that I'd take a Fleet T5U Galaxy Dreadnought over the Fleet T6 andromeda is on my preference to get a bit more DPS. The balance of DPS to survival ability between the two ships is that one leans a tad more to DPS and the other towards survival. It depends on your preference. I was informed by someone that BFAW3 would make up the difference of losing a tac console, but I have not realized it. I don't have kemocite 1, which might have been the missing link to bringing the Andromeda up to similar performance in DPS. If that is the case, the Andromeda would have the edge, but barely, because it can take a bit more of a beating.
In other words, a well setup T4 ship can contribute in advanced queues, so a T6 can most certainly do so.
The T6 Galaxy is decent enough. I said before, there is a better TAC Cruiser (Eclipse; best Fed TAC Cruiser) and there is a better Multi-Role Cruiser (Guardian).
However, a good player will make any ship shine.
Don't worry, the T6 Galaxy can bring the pain in competent hands and competent build