Beam Barrage vs Beam Training

martakurill

After some preliminary runs, it is looking to me like these traits are applying their at different parts of the damage formula, however I have to say I'm pretty bad at reverse engineering Cryptic math. Can anyone take a look and compare these two?

Seems to me like beam training is a much weaker buff...

sohtoh

Both are Category 2 buffs.

Beam Training: the 5% is actually closer to 4.8%. It's effects are always on and does not require any kind of activation

Beam Barrage: The listed 2% is more like 1.9%. The 1.9% requires a beam ability to activate. The effects last for 30 seconds. However, using a beam ability before that 30 seconds has expired; restarts the 30 second countdown and adds another bonus increasing it to 3.8%. Using a beam ability a third time will increase the bonus to 5.7%, which is the maximum. The 5.7% will remain active as long as you use a beam ability before the 30 second countdown has expired.

martakurill

Thanks for the reply. That really clears thing up!

angrytarg

So beam barrage is actually only useful if you cycle at least two beam abilities back to back? (Otherwise beam training grants a bigger bonus and beam barrage is better replaced with something like operative)​​

sohtoh

angrytarg wrote: »

So beam barrage is actually only useful if you cycle at least two beam abilities back to back? (Otherwise beam training grants a bigger bonus and beam barrage is better replaced with something like operative)​​

More like three beam abilities back to back. Beam Training would be a more consistent buff than Beam Barrage. As far as Beam Barrage vs Operative, it would depend. Operative looks like it adds about 1.7% versus Beam Barrage's initial 1.9%, as long as you activate a beam ability at least once every 30 seconds.

angrytarg

sohtoh wrote: »

More like three beam abilities back to back. Beam Training would be a more consistent buff than Beam Barrage. As far as Beam Barrage vs Operative, it would depend. Operative looks like it adds about 1.7% versus Beam Barrage's initial 1.9%, as long as you activate a beam ability at least once every 30 seconds.

I usually only run one ability to enhance attacks, if any at all (most of my ships only have two or three tac seats), so I guess for me beam training and operative do more than beam barrage which seems like a trait that only really shines in either escorts and/or with some other magic cooldown reduction traits.​​

eristhevorta

You can have both treats active at the same time and benefit from both bonuses, just like I use "Daft Cannoneer" and "Cannon Training".

angrytarg

eristhevorta wrote: »

You can have both treats active at the same time and benefit from both bonuses, just like I use "Daft Cannoneer" and "Cannon Training".

Yes, but "operative" for example may be better as it's a lower bonus per permanently active. If I only benefit from beam barrage by firing two or three abilities in 30 seconds it's wiser to choose a passive trait. I'd for example take bulk technician over beam barrage to bolster my HP or the +crit one.​​

meimeitoo

angrytarg wrote: »

eristhevorta wrote: »

You can have both treats active at the same time and benefit from both bonuses, just like I use "Daft Cannoneer" and "Cannon Training".

Yes, but "operative" for example may be better as it's a lower bonus per permanently active. If I only benefit from beam barrage by firing two or three abilities in 30 seconds it's wiser to choose a passive trait. I'd for example take bulk technician over beam barrage to bolster my HP or the +crit one.​​

Personally, I found the 1% extra CrtH from Operative a bit disappointing (on the 30% or so I normally have). I prefer Beam Training over it.