Depends on the particular toon. For raider-style combat, the Bajoran Interceptor looks good and hits hard, pretty much a cross-factional Raider only without a cloak (but I did borrow the quad cannon from the old T4 Defiant-class, so that's nice). If I'm in more of a tanky mood, the Yorktown science cruiser works great, although I've only begun to explore the possibilities in the new Khitomer-class battlecruiser. If I just can't make up my mind, the Ranger-class battlecruiser (or, even better, the 26th-century Paladin-class with the Ranger skin) works okay for both. And I've recently begun to really love the Sommerville because I can use its agility, speed, and cloak to alpha-strike the enemy several times in an engagement.
When this ship first came out I was pretty against it and I admit I was wrong. Its turned into the best ship in the game. With 5 rear weapon slots and +20 Flight Speed for Mines no other ship comes close.
My all time favorite ship and I do not ever plan to fly anything else. Ferengi D'Kora Marauder. It may not be the prettiest ship but the interior is perfect. Only things to make me even happier is find a build I like and get the Ferengi fighter for the console that I need to complete the set. Yeah its a little Squishy but I think with the right build it will be all I fly. Second favourite ship. Klingon Bird of prey, just trying to grind out some Zen so I can get the T6 starter pack. Oh and I just wish that the D'Kora could cloak. if it could it would be by far best ship IMO.
"bortaS bIr jablu'DI' reH QaQqu' nay'"
Revenge is a Dish, Best Served Cold ~ Khan Noonien Singh
No such thing as a "best" ship. Only ships that provide more tools to certain build types than others. what is "best" for me as a tank will not be what is best for someone who is a space wizard, or a pure damage dealer.
far as ships I like, I tend to like the Galaxy class, Odyssey, Keldon, Defiant, Sovereign, and Aquarius to name a few. There's also the Nebula since I didn't name a sci ship. Far as looks wise for the cruisers for my Galaxy class I used the Venture neck with Andromeda nacelles, standard galaxy deflector and saucer. So bit of a kitbash. I tend to prefer the bigger beefier ships that will tear your world asunder if you make them mad. Case and point that Galor that shoved out of the way just by the force of the phasers from the 2 Galaxy class ships in Sacrifice of Angels in DS9.
"Someone once told me that time was a predator that stalked us all our lives. I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey and reminds us to cherish every moment, because it will never come again." - Jean Luc Picard in Star Trek Generations
No such thing as a "best" ship. Only ships that provide more tools to certain build types than others. what is "best" for me as a tank will not be what is best for someone who is a space wizard, or a pure damage dealer.
I agree with the above point but thats why its your opinion according to the title
In my opinion the best ship class is the KDF bird of Prey and the best ship of its class is the Kor (not that there is much to choose from)
The Kor is a rare bird to see in sto I find and I think thats as everyone doesn't see its charms - Its the veritable jack of all trades ship. People are unsurprisingly hung up on the concept of the bop being a pure 'physical' damage dealer that is designed for torpedoes due to its cloak
Indeed, its an amazing torpedo spitter but that is only part of its repertoire if you look under its skin
Its an amazing science ship.
Sure it doesn't have the secondary deflector but what does it have? Seats with no predefined roles
For instance if I want to play recklessly with my ship (which I do considering theres no real punishment for exploding) I can run -deep breath- Kemocite1, subspace vortex1, subspace boom1, endothermic inhibitor beam 1 or 3, sic 1 or 3 (I alternate depending on enemy), structural analysis1, overload cascade 2, photonic shockwave 1 and gravity well 3
and I still have a hazard emitter (and the rac consumable), doffed aux2dampners and spread2!
Want a pure tac ship? the Kor can do that but look under the hood and its so much more - only thing it cannot do well and that is a physical tank but if you want to play medic? the Kor is an incredible ship for that; hiding under ebc and appearing long enough to deploy a string of heals (which when I kerrated long, long ago drove some feds insane as I'd prevent their vape run from finishing the target )
No such thing as a "best" ship. Only ships that provide more tools to certain build types than others. what is "best" for me as a tank will not be what is best for someone who is a space wizard, or a pure damage dealer.
Thought that was obvious and covered in the initial post.. which is why I was careful to illustrate that it's just personal opinion and no one can be wrong. If you feel the need to point it out again for some reason.. then ok.
I will say, it's a good sign for the game the way the replies are so varied. Only one or two ships have even been repeated which shows that there is a good variety of highly viable ships for all build styles.
Some were a surprise to read, but some good reasons for them. Again, these are just your opinions so no one can be 'wrong.'
On my ENG these days I mostly us the Legendary Miracle Worker Assault Cruiser.
The Sovereign class is a beauty and this version performs really well.
However I got a choice there. The Legendary Miracle Worker Light Cruiser and Miracle Worker Flight Deck Carrier are alternatives on the same level.
On my TAC I mostly now use the Legendary Pilot Warship.
Defiant class has always been visually appealing and this version is just an all around beast.
Before that I mostly used the Fleet Heavy Strike Wing Escort. Works for me very well and the Akira class is also a very appealing design.
For my SCI I currently favour the Legendary Miracle Worker Multi-Mission Science Vessel.
Very potent and versatile ship. At the start of Voyager I actually didn‘t like the look of the ship but it kinda grew on me in time. Though it will never win any beauty contest for me.
Anyway I have alternatives there as well: The Crossfield Science Spearhead works for me very well though I despise the looks of it.
Before that I really adored the Palatine Multi-Mission Reconnaissance Explorer.
I used a Aventine Multi-Mission Reconnaissance Explorer for a very long time before the T6 came about.
What's the best ship for me in my personal option that is, hmm that's a good question, as I've said before I like to build my characters around a theme, so what is best depends on the character.
At the moment I prefer large semi-tanky cruisers on my main (I'm currently using 10th anniversity disco connie but that's because I'm leveling the mastery for it though that's sort of the style of ships I'm using with her anyway), With my AoY Toon I'm using the Enternal as she's a science based temporal officer for her theme and that fits her theme perfectly. Though I guess you could say I like big ships and cannot lie
What's the best ship for me in my personal option that is, hmm that's a good question, as I've said before I like to build my characters around a theme, so what is best depends on the character.
At the moment I prefer large semi-tanky cruisers on my main (I'm currently using 10th anniversity disco connie but that's because I'm leveling the mastery for it though that's sort of the style of ships I'm using with her anyway), With my AoY Toon I'm using the Enternal as she's a science based temporal officer for her theme and that fits her theme perfectly. Though I guess you could say I like big ships and cannot lie
I also like bigger ships. Not sure why though. Maybe it's the influence of TNG maybe? From polls and market data it's been shown to be the most profitable and popular series in the franchise so far. So given that fact and the fact that it is the only series that featured large hero ships as far as my limited insight into star trek product goes, no other series had large imposing ships.
So I think it's strange that when I think star trek I think large powerful capital class cruisers. Not escorts, or science ships, or light cruisers.
No such thing as a "best" ship. Only ships that provide more tools to certain build types than others. what is "best" for me as a tank will not be what is best for someone who is a space wizard, or a pure damage dealer.
I agree with the above point but thats why its your opinion according to the title
In my opinion the best ship class is the KDF bird of Prey and the best ship of its class is the Kor (not that there is much to choose from)
The Kor is a rare bird to see in sto I find and I think thats as everyone doesn't see its charms - Its the veritable jack of all trades ship. People are unsurprisingly hung up on the concept of the bop being a pure 'physical' damage dealer that is designed for torpedoes due to its cloak
Indeed, its an amazing torpedo spitter but that is only part of its repertoire if you look under its skin
Its an amazing science ship.
Sure it doesn't have the secondary deflector but what does it have? Seats with no predefined roles
For instance if I want to play recklessly with my ship (which I do considering theres no real punishment for exploding) I can run -deep breath- Kemocite1, subspace vortex1, subspace boom1, endothermic inhibitor beam 1 or 3, sic 1 or 3 (I alternate depending on enemy), structural analysis1, overload cascade 2, photonic shockwave 1 and gravity well 3
and I still have a hazard emitter (and the rac consumable), doffed aux2dampners and spread2!
Want a pure tac ship? the Kor can do that but look under the hood and its so much more - only thing it cannot do well and that is a physical tank but if you want to play medic? the Kor is an incredible ship for that; hiding under ebc and appearing long enough to deploy a string of heals (which when I kerrated long, long ago drove some feds insane as I'd prevent their vape run from finishing the target )
Being able to pack loads of science powers is one thing, but the Kor only has 3 science consoles. Add that it does not have the previously mentioned secondary deflector and the damage output from science will be mediocre at best.
Not to say it cannot be a fun ride, but i have to disagree with the combination "Amazing" and "Science Ship" when referring to the Kor.
As for my "best", i play many different ships with each different play styles so to choose one above the others feels heretical.
This program, though reasonably normal at times, seems to have a strong affinity to classes belonging to the Cat 2.0 program. Questerius 2.7 will break down on occasion, resulting in garbage and nonsense messages whenever it occurs. Usually a hard reboot or pulling the plug solves the problem when that happens.
I really don't know what I'd call best. I have over a dozen characters to fly different ships in different ways.
Best looking is still the Excelsior, but obviously it suffers from a primitive Boff layout. The legendary ships do get a mention for some incredible detailing though.
I'd say most surprisingly good is my D'Khellra. I threw that build together really fast, just following a few key ideas, and it happens to be the toughest ship I have, while also being nicely versatile. I took it through Gravity Kills advanced the other day, spammed FAW to hold aggro from everything, never died, and also managed to do some good control work, sending plenty of those silly turtles to their crushing doom with well timed use of the projected singularity console. It is just an all around performer.
Lots of ships can do more damage, have better control, and are easier to fly, but that build just does all of that to a degree that just comes together very well.
For me it's either my fleet Akira or my Amarie Smuggler's Heavy Escort.
I fly the Akira on my main, who's an Eng and I've managed to make it into a fairly effective combat ship that can both take and deal heavy punishment. Plus it also happens to be the best looking Starfleet ship (imo 😁)
I gave my Tac my Amarie and nothing can beat popping several buffs and opening up with the Supplemental Weaponary Controller console and watching groups of ships get shredded. Plus it has an awesome interior with all the amenities.
No such thing as a "best" ship. Only ships that provide more tools to certain build types than others. what is "best" for me as a tank will not be what is best for someone who is a space wizard, or a pure damage dealer.
I agree with the above point but thats why its your opinion according to the title
In my opinion the best ship class is the KDF bird of Prey and the best ship of its class is the Kor (not that there is much to choose from)
The Kor is a rare bird to see in sto I find and I think thats as everyone doesn't see its charms - Its the veritable jack of all trades ship. People are unsurprisingly hung up on the concept of the bop being a pure 'physical' damage dealer that is designed for torpedoes due to its cloak
Indeed, its an amazing torpedo spitter but that is only part of its repertoire if you look under its skin
Its an amazing science ship.
Sure it doesn't have the secondary deflector but what does it have? Seats with no predefined roles
For instance if I want to play recklessly with my ship (which I do considering theres no real punishment for exploding) I can run -deep breath- Kemocite1, subspace vortex1, subspace boom1, endothermic inhibitor beam 1 or 3, sic 1 or 3 (I alternate depending on enemy), structural analysis1, overload cascade 2, photonic shockwave 1 and gravity well 3
and I still have a hazard emitter (and the rac consumable), doffed aux2dampners and spread2!
Want a pure tac ship? the Kor can do that but look under the hood and its so much more - only thing it cannot do well and that is a physical tank but if you want to play medic? the Kor is an incredible ship for that; hiding under ebc and appearing long enough to deploy a string of heals (which when I kerrated long, long ago drove some feds insane as I'd prevent their vape run from finishing the target )
Being able to pack loads of science powers is one thing, but the Kor only has 3 science consoles. Add that it does not have the previously mentioned secondary deflector and the damage output from science will be mediocre at best.
Not to say it cannot be a fun ride, but i have to disagree with the combination "Amazing" and "Science Ship" when referring to the Kor.
As for my "best", i play many different ships with each different play styles so to choose one above the others feels heretical.
Fleet kor has 4 but thats not just it - if you select the right consoles with passives you can turn it into a (if you ignore boosting torpedo damage much) a seven or eight (or more...actually I think only two of my consoles don't affect my science) science consolled ship - add on the cheap kdf only (due to them being tied to fed ships) consoles like aux core ejection with its exotic damage boost and it works as a sci ship
The beauty is the ebc - if you know what is safe to use or not under it (for example don't use drb as you remain uncloaked during its duration), you can omit a lot of the powers you need to survive in pve (that and the kors a rare ship where the ship hp regen skill actually worth investing in to 3pts) and run it as a science alpha bomber
As long as you remember not to stay firing at a target you can survive a lot...as long as you don't get decloaked
What's the best ship for me in my personal option that is, hmm that's a good question, as I've said before I like to build my characters around a theme, so what is best depends on the character.
At the moment I prefer large semi-tanky cruisers on my main (I'm currently using 10th anniversity disco connie but that's because I'm leveling the mastery for it though that's sort of the style of ships I'm using with her anyway), With my AoY Toon I'm using the Enternal as she's a science based temporal officer for her theme and that fits her theme perfectly. Though I guess you could say I like big ships and cannot lie
I also like bigger ships. Not sure why though. Maybe it's the influence of TNG maybe? From polls and market data it's been shown to be the most profitable and popular series in the franchise so far. So given that fact and the fact that it is the only series that featured large hero ships as far as my limited insight into star trek product goes, no other series had large imposing ships.
So I think it's strange that when I think star trek I think large powerful capital class cruisers. Not escorts, or science ships, or light cruisers.
When it comes to ship scale you kind of have to compare ships to others of the same era, for example the NX-class was big for a starfleet ship of the that era but now is at lower end of "medium" if not on the higher end of "small". The Constitution was the pretty much the largest Starfleet vessel in general service until the Excelsior came along in the 2290s (IIRC), while it can be argued that the Crossfield is a bit larger it did never enter general service only having 2-3 prototypes fielded with 2 of those lost.
Really the only series that didn't have large hero ship (for their era) would be Deep Space 9, Voyager and Picard. With the Defiant being one of the smaller ships of her era, the Intrepid being medium sized and La Sirena being a civilian transport of unknown class and even smaller then the Defiant.
I really wish Fighter Class ships were more represented/Viable, Small, Tough and hard to target. Some of the ships that are of the Upper Scale of Massive when flying them kind of feel like big ol slugs.
"bortaS bIr jablu'DI' reH QaQqu' nay'"
Revenge is a Dish, Best Served Cold ~ Khan Noonien Singh
As a Tactical Captain I can use Torpedo Spread 3 and yet make use of the nasty science skills. It has a great turn rate and is fairly tough to take down. The sleek look reminds me of the F4-AU Corsair the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps used in WWII. It's a fantastic sci/torp boat and quite customizable for other styles of play. It can be a damage dealer while using exotic skills to control enemy movement. The Temporal consoles put the POW! In power. Being able to heal right back up while your opponent is in Temporal stasis is a game changer.
(I got lucky the first day the Wells came out. I flew it for five years before upgrading. So the Verne is a welcome upgrade.)
It changes based on my mood. Universe class is probably the strongest I've flown. I like the APU cruiser because it's a solid enough ship, I never see them & it looks decent with an all turret build. Scimitar (T5 or T6) because when I've got lots of enemies stuck in the Grav well in front of me CSV3 + Torp spread 2 + Romulan hyper plasma torpedo + 3 of the doff that reduces torpedo cooldowns is a sight to behold.
Ojectively, any Miracle Worker Flight Deck Carrier is the best the game has to offer. With 8 weapons slots, the 12th console, and 2 awesome hangar pets, it's the best. Period.
'Best,' however, != 'What do I like to play the most.' For instance, I am currently playing my Dranuur T6 Scout ship again. It's fun, it's cute, and certainly good for Science. Edoulg is maybe a little 'better', but its significantly slower turn rate makes it less popular with me. Likewise, I really love my Iktomi: it's adorable, small, doesn't have an annoying saucer, or bird-shape, and comes with a pretty interior. And I also like to fly my Miradorn, even thought it may objectively also not be the 'best' ship out there. And my Klein Temporal Destroyer is just an awesome wee ship too, sleekly shaped, and good for Temporal stuffz. Etc.
I consider "best" to be the ones that I have personally enjoyed using the most. Not best by the subjective standards of the DPS crowd!
So the ships in this game that hit that sweet spot for me have been the NX Escort Refit, the Dauntless Experimental Science Vessel, the Kelvin Heavy Destroyer, the Amarie Smuggler's Heavy Escort and the Malem Light Warbird.
Ojectively, any Miracle Worker Flight Deck Carrier is the best the game has to offer. With 8 weapons slots, the 12th console, and 2 awesome hangar pets, it's the best. Period.
It cheeses me off severely that the good variants of the D7 are only available from the gamble boxes. You can buy excellent Enterprise variants in the Zen store, but the only D7 variants available therein are...mediocre, at best.
So the ships in this game that hit that sweet spot for me have been the NX Escort Refit, the Dauntless Experimental Science Vessel, the Kelvin Heavy Destroyer, the Amarie Smuggler's Heavy Escort and the Malem Light Warbird.
I am curious how the Dauntless has been among the most enjoyable for you. I really like its appearance, but having so many tactical seats on a science vessel plus a completely worthless console, no DHC, and only Lt level specialist seating I can't find good reason to actually use much. Hybrid tac-sci ships is not something that really works either as you're forced to split abilities between the two, especially without transformer mode. Even stacking 4 torp fleet consoles with Gravimetric, Particle Emissions etc., I see drawing too much away from exotic abilities.
So the ships in this game that hit that sweet spot for me have been the NX Escort Refit, the Dauntless Experimental Science Vessel, the Kelvin Heavy Destroyer, the Amarie Smuggler's Heavy Escort and the Malem Light Warbird.
I am curious how the Dauntless has been among the most enjoyable for you. I really like its appearance, but having so many tactical seats on a science vessel plus a completely worthless console, no DHC, and only Lt level specialist seating I can't find good reason to actually use much. Hybrid tac-sci ships is not something that really works either as you're forced to split abilities between the two, especially without transformer mode. Even stacking 4 torp fleet consoles with Gravimetric, Particle Emissions etc., I see drawing too much away from exotic abilities.
Hybrids work just fine. You don't need to max out exotic damage or weapon damage, nor do you even need to seriously care about exotic damage in a science ship. Drain and control are options, and even a mere 250 EPG is useful and complimentary to whatever else you're doing.
At the most basic level, It isn't hard to run EPTW on a science ship with max power to aux and the rest to weapons, or vice versa with EPTA, and end up hitting the limit of weapon and aux power at the same time.
And if you want to run a torpedo/mine boat, a Dauntless is great for that. You have 5 tactical BOFFs. Obligatory tac team, a torp spread, a mine pattern, then you can do FAW with one omni beam to spread AP Beta around, or maybe use AP delta and HYT instead, or two tac teams, or kemocite weaponry. The rest of your focus can be on sci powers.
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Vorgon Ytijara Dreadnought Cruiser
"bortaS bIr jablu'DI' reH QaQqu' nay'"
Revenge is a Dish, Best Served Cold ~ Khan Noonien Singh
far as ships I like, I tend to like the Galaxy class, Odyssey, Keldon, Defiant, Sovereign, and Aquarius to name a few. There's also the Nebula since I didn't name a sci ship. Far as looks wise for the cruisers for my Galaxy class I used the Venture neck with Andromeda nacelles, standard galaxy deflector and saucer. So bit of a kitbash. I tend to prefer the bigger beefier ships that will tear your world asunder if you make them mad. Case and point that Galor that shoved out of the way just by the force of the phasers from the 2 Galaxy class ships in Sacrifice of Angels in DS9.
Star Trek Online volunteer Community Moderator
I agree with the above point but thats why its your opinion according to the title
In my opinion the best ship class is the KDF bird of Prey and the best ship of its class is the Kor (not that there is much to choose from)
The Kor is a rare bird to see in sto I find and I think thats as everyone doesn't see its charms - Its the veritable jack of all trades ship. People are unsurprisingly hung up on the concept of the bop being a pure 'physical' damage dealer that is designed for torpedoes due to its cloak
Indeed, its an amazing torpedo spitter but that is only part of its repertoire if you look under its skin
Its an amazing science ship.
Sure it doesn't have the secondary deflector but what does it have? Seats with no predefined roles
For instance if I want to play recklessly with my ship (which I do considering theres no real punishment for exploding) I can run -deep breath- Kemocite1, subspace vortex1, subspace boom1, endothermic inhibitor beam 1 or 3, sic 1 or 3 (I alternate depending on enemy), structural analysis1, overload cascade 2, photonic shockwave 1 and gravity well 3
and I still have a hazard emitter (and the rac consumable), doffed aux2dampners and spread2!
Want a pure tac ship? the Kor can do that but look under the hood and its so much more - only thing it cannot do well and that is a physical tank but if you want to play medic? the Kor is an incredible ship for that; hiding under ebc and appearing long enough to deploy a string of heals (which when I kerrated long, long ago drove some feds insane as I'd prevent their vape run from finishing the target
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Thought that was obvious and covered in the initial post.. which is why I was careful to illustrate that it's just personal opinion and no one can be wrong. If you feel the need to point it out again for some reason.. then ok.
I will say, it's a good sign for the game the way the replies are so varied. Only one or two ships have even been repeated which shows that there is a good variety of highly viable ships for all build styles.
Some were a surprise to read, but some good reasons for them. Again, these are just your opinions so no one can be 'wrong.'
The Sovereign class is a beauty and this version performs really well.
However I got a choice there. The Legendary Miracle Worker Light Cruiser and Miracle Worker Flight Deck Carrier are alternatives on the same level.
On my TAC I mostly now use the Legendary Pilot Warship.
Defiant class has always been visually appealing and this version is just an all around beast.
Before that I mostly used the Fleet Heavy Strike Wing Escort. Works for me very well and the Akira class is also a very appealing design.
For my SCI I currently favour the Legendary Miracle Worker Multi-Mission Science Vessel.
Very potent and versatile ship. At the start of Voyager I actually didn‘t like the look of the ship but it kinda grew on me in time. Though it will never win any beauty contest for me.
Anyway I have alternatives there as well: The Crossfield Science Spearhead works for me very well though I despise the looks of it.
Before that I really adored the Palatine Multi-Mission Reconnaissance Explorer.
I used a Aventine Multi-Mission Reconnaissance Explorer for a very long time before the T6 came about.
At the moment I prefer large semi-tanky cruisers on my main (I'm currently using 10th anniversity disco connie but that's because I'm leveling the mastery for it though that's sort of the style of ships I'm using with her anyway), With my AoY Toon I'm using the Enternal as she's a science based temporal officer for her theme and that fits her theme perfectly. Though I guess you could say I like big ships and cannot lie
I also like bigger ships. Not sure why though. Maybe it's the influence of TNG maybe? From polls and market data it's been shown to be the most profitable and popular series in the franchise so far. So given that fact and the fact that it is the only series that featured large hero ships as far as my limited insight into star trek product goes, no other series had large imposing ships.
So I think it's strange that when I think star trek I think large powerful capital class cruisers. Not escorts, or science ships, or light cruisers.
Being able to pack loads of science powers is one thing, but the Kor only has 3 science consoles. Add that it does not have the previously mentioned secondary deflector and the damage output from science will be mediocre at best.
Not to say it cannot be a fun ride, but i have to disagree with the combination "Amazing" and "Science Ship" when referring to the Kor.
As for my "best", i play many different ships with each different play styles so to choose one above the others feels heretical.
Best looking is still the Excelsior, but obviously it suffers from a primitive Boff layout. The legendary ships do get a mention for some incredible detailing though.
I'd say most surprisingly good is my D'Khellra. I threw that build together really fast, just following a few key ideas, and it happens to be the toughest ship I have, while also being nicely versatile. I took it through Gravity Kills advanced the other day, spammed FAW to hold aggro from everything, never died, and also managed to do some good control work, sending plenty of those silly turtles to their crushing doom with well timed use of the projected singularity console. It is just an all around performer.
Lots of ships can do more damage, have better control, and are easier to fly, but that build just does all of that to a degree that just comes together very well.
I fly the Akira on my main, who's an Eng and I've managed to make it into a fairly effective combat ship that can both take and deal heavy punishment. Plus it also happens to be the best looking Starfleet ship (imo 😁)
I gave my Tac my Amarie and nothing can beat popping several buffs and opening up with the Supplemental Weaponary Controller console and watching groups of ships get shredded. Plus it has an awesome interior with all the amenities.
Fleet kor has 4 but thats not just it - if you select the right consoles with passives you can turn it into a (if you ignore boosting torpedo damage much) a seven or eight (or more...actually I think only two of my consoles don't affect my science) science consolled ship - add on the cheap kdf only (due to them being tied to fed ships) consoles like aux core ejection with its exotic damage boost and it works as a sci ship
The beauty is the ebc - if you know what is safe to use or not under it (for example don't use drb as you remain uncloaked during its duration), you can omit a lot of the powers you need to survive in pve (that and the kors a rare ship where the ship hp regen skill actually worth investing in to 3pts) and run it as a science alpha bomber
As long as you remember not to stay firing at a target you can survive a lot...as long as you don't get decloaked
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When it comes to ship scale you kind of have to compare ships to others of the same era, for example the NX-class was big for a starfleet ship of the that era but now is at lower end of "medium" if not on the higher end of "small". The Constitution was the pretty much the largest Starfleet vessel in general service until the Excelsior came along in the 2290s (IIRC), while it can be argued that the Crossfield is a bit larger it did never enter general service only having 2-3 prototypes fielded with 2 of those lost.
Really the only series that didn't have large hero ship (for their era) would be Deep Space 9, Voyager and Picard. With the Defiant being one of the smaller ships of her era, the Intrepid being medium sized and La Sirena being a civilian transport of unknown class and even smaller then the Defiant.
"bortaS bIr jablu'DI' reH QaQqu' nay'"
Revenge is a Dish, Best Served Cold ~ Khan Noonien Singh
As a Tactical Captain I can use Torpedo Spread 3 and yet make use of the nasty science skills. It has a great turn rate and is fairly tough to take down. The sleek look reminds me of the F4-AU Corsair the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps used in WWII. It's a fantastic sci/torp boat and quite customizable for other styles of play. It can be a damage dealer while using exotic skills to control enemy movement. The Temporal consoles put the POW! In power. Being able to heal right back up while your opponent is in Temporal stasis is a game changer.
(I got lucky the first day the Wells came out. I flew it for five years before upgrading. So the Verne is a welcome upgrade.)
And I really don't find it as ugly as some other ships around here.
'Best,' however, != 'What do I like to play the most.' For instance, I am currently playing my Dranuur T6 Scout ship again. It's fun, it's cute, and certainly good for Science. Edoulg is maybe a little 'better', but its significantly slower turn rate makes it less popular with me. Likewise, I really love my Iktomi: it's adorable, small, doesn't have an annoying saucer, or bird-shape, and comes with a pretty interior. And I also like to fly my Miradorn, even thought it may objectively also not be the 'best' ship out there. And my Klein Temporal Destroyer is just an awesome wee ship too, sleekly shaped, and good for Temporal stuffz. Etc.
So the ships in this game that hit that sweet spot for me have been the NX Escort Refit, the Dauntless Experimental Science Vessel, the Kelvin Heavy Destroyer, the Amarie Smuggler's Heavy Escort and the Malem Light Warbird.
It cheeses me off severely that the good variants of the D7 are only available from the gamble boxes. You can buy excellent Enterprise variants in the Zen store, but the only D7 variants available therein are...mediocre, at best.
I am curious how the Dauntless has been among the most enjoyable for you. I really like its appearance, but having so many tactical seats on a science vessel plus a completely worthless console, no DHC, and only Lt level specialist seating I can't find good reason to actually use much. Hybrid tac-sci ships is not something that really works either as you're forced to split abilities between the two, especially without transformer mode. Even stacking 4 torp fleet consoles with Gravimetric, Particle Emissions etc., I see drawing too much away from exotic abilities.
Hybrids work just fine. You don't need to max out exotic damage or weapon damage, nor do you even need to seriously care about exotic damage in a science ship. Drain and control are options, and even a mere 250 EPG is useful and complimentary to whatever else you're doing.
At the most basic level, It isn't hard to run EPTW on a science ship with max power to aux and the rest to weapons, or vice versa with EPTA, and end up hitting the limit of weapon and aux power at the same time.
And if you want to run a torpedo/mine boat, a Dauntless is great for that. You have 5 tactical BOFFs. Obligatory tac team, a torp spread, a mine pattern, then you can do FAW with one omni beam to spread AP Beta around, or maybe use AP delta and HYT instead, or two tac teams, or kemocite weaponry. The rest of your focus can be on sci powers.