Eng Boff Cover Shield - Time for a change?

yakodym

What do you think of the eng boff cover shield ability? Do the boffs ever drop it in a way that's useful, or do they just keep dropping it at random places, sometimes blocking your path? Do you think it would be better if it changed somehow, or should it stay how it is? Let everyone know in the poll!

captainoblivous

Improve AI so that boffs actually use Cover Shield in a useful way

Personally, I'd say work on the AI so that it can use it at least somewhat competently if at all possible. However, I think that the way the power works may well be impossible to work into a competent AI. Perhaps cover shield could be reworked that it moves the shield with the casting player like a riot shield, rather than being a static object? Heck, even just make it so players can move through it?

angrytarg

Replace with Force Field Dome

From your options I'd like to see BOFFs getting Force Field Dome instead. They are unable to use the cover shield it in any meaningful way and even if you use it manually (you can disable BOFF abilities so they only use it when you tell them to, simply right click on it until it's red) BOFFs move so erratic and unpredictable it will end up in the way. I don't see merit in trying to fix that as our BOFFs are even unable to walk straight ahead without inexplicably wobbling around for several years now, no fix in sight. With a FFD they can't do any actual harm but simply project an AoE shield buff, which is better.

The player version could be improved in several ways. At first make it passable for allies, eliminating the possiblity to grief with it and to get trapped in the geometry. Second possible improvement would be the ability to shoot through it, a bigger version of the cover shield that comes with the Dyson armour. Or they coud introduce ballistic shields at one point, allowing the cover shield to be transformed into a mobile one.​​

seriousdave

Improve AI so that boffs actually use Cover Shield in a useful way

captainoblivous wrote: »

Personally, I'd say work on the AI so that it can use it at least somewhat competently if at all possible. However, I think that the way the power works may well be impossible to work into a competent AI. Perhaps cover shield could be reworked that it moves the shield with the casting player like a riot shield, rather than being a static object? Heck, even just make it so players can move through it?

Both great ideas for an improved cover shield. +1

postinggum

Don't equip a boff with it, its a noob error, I did this with my first toon and had no end to door blocked frustration with it.

Equip them with another group damage resistance power instead: hammer and anvil, med gen/ shield gen with transporter doff or strategic analysis, maybe give a tac overwatch. Hammer and anvil on a capt has a high uptime, large area of effect and will push damage resistance to its resonable limit.

dareau

Other

Unless I really missed something, STO is not a "cover based shooter" like some people attempt to "make it out to be" - honestly, I do better just bum-rushing a room, dropping into crouch, and blasting away from dead center of the open area instead of doing the more appropriate "dive for cover" or "make sure my flanks are protected"...

I also play Science - medic, and focused a lot on mitigating flank damage...

So, in my (limited) experience, both Captain and BOff Cover Shields don't do much but get in the way - both of the user and those potential targets that would be shooting at the user.

Which makes it barely OK for defending "fortifications" - med & shield generator with mortar ones, since turrets can't shoot through the mess...

Otherwise, I never use the power, nor call for flanking engineers to either. I don't think any of my BOffs even have it - and if they do, it's still on them cause they're running their default powerset...

angrytarg

Replace with Force Field Dome

dareau wrote: »

(...)
So, in my (limited) experience, both Captain and BOff Cover Shields don't do much but get in the way - both of the user and those potential targets that would be shooting at the user.
(...)

The cover shield is a very useful ability as any dedicated ground Engineer can tell you. The problem is the same as with spae gameplay - killing things fast negates any use of defensive abilities.

The cover shield isn't only a defensive position to protect generators and mortars or a healer or grenadier, it also takes threat off of you. A strategically placed shield will get attacked by NPCs allowing snipers to take out the targets unharmed. It can block melee opponents or trap them in AoE attacks. Of course, running in a room and sitting there being nigh invincible due to rep traits, specs and autoheal while dealing superior damage negates the need for tactics like this just like space gameplay has no need for a dedicated healer or tank.​​

autumnturning

Take Dyson Armor modifier:

+43.6 All Damage Resistance Rating to non-flanking damage while crouched

Copy/Paste/Replace into Cover Shield (mechanics) with ONE CHANGE ...

+43.6 All Damage Resistance Rating to non-flanking damage while --> not moving <--

That way, when STATIONARY the Cover Shield deploys ... and when MOVING the Cover Shield "collapses" to permit movement.

/thread

welcome2earf

For boffs, it should be something akin to a mobile shield emitter that buffs your shield and other boff's shields.