Has anyone gotten far enough in the game as to find out if beams are simply better than cannons for escorts, or if they just play different? Is the DPS drastic? Do you play differently?
Also, there are like a zillion weapon types in the game, but I don't know the difference.
I know that Quantum go faster than Photons, hit a little harder, and have a longer cooldown, but that's about it. Can someone point me toward some info?
I could use this info as well, I haven't gotten far enough to know much about weapon types and which I prefer yet, so any info the weapons would be appreciated.
Take a read of the manual that is linked from the launcher. There is some information in there about the various weapon classes and how they affect damage to the shields and hull.
The second place to go look is the exchange. In there you will basically get a listing of every weapon there is and looking through the stats and firing arch of all the different types should give you a good idea of the trade offs involved in the different weapons.
Im not sure about beams vs cannons but I know a little bit about photon and quantum torpedo's. Photon torpedo's do higher DPS via shorter cooldown, quantum do less DPS but more damage per torpedo.
there is really only 4 basic weapon types for guns. Beam Array, Bank, Cannon, and Turret.
Beams and Banks work using the beam skills (Overload ect) while Cannon and Turrets use cannon skills (rapid fire ect). Beams are low DPS but huge firing arc. Banks are half way between beams and cannons better DPS smaller arc. Cannons have the highest DPS by the smallest arc (45 for dual cannons). Turrets have 360 arc but the lowest DPS.
MK III Cannons and higher are only usable on escorts.
Dual cannons are very effective on escorts because they can use their maneuverability to keep their targets in the narrow firing arc to lay on the damage. Only escorts can use Mk 3+ cannon type weapons anyway.
There are also 6 energy weapon types:
Phaser - chance to temporarily shut down one of the target's subsystems for a short period
Disruptor - chance to reduce enemy damage resistance
Plasma - chance to inflict DoT on hull
Tetryon - chance to do extra damage to shields
Polaron - chance to reduce subsystem power by 25 (not sure for how long, and not sure if it's all or just one)
Antiproton - I've heard these have extra crit damage... seems like kind of a waste though.
The ones lower on the list only show up in higher tiers of weaponry so you won't see them early on.
There are also 6 types of torpedos and mines:
Photon - Basic torpedo, damages crew
Quantum - Similar to photon, higher burst damage at the cost of dps, plus flies faster, damages crew
Plasma - Lower dps but can inflict DoT on hull - High Yield version shoots a slow, heavy, targettable torpedo instead of a salvo
Chroniton - Chance to slow enemy down
Transphasic - Low dps, but they have a much higher bleedthrough against shields
Tricobalt - Very high damage and long recharge, and they can't be boosted by Torpedo BO powers.
Geez, I just picked up the rare Plasma cannons from the time travel mission, they do absurd damage that completely outclasses my phaser cannons, literally double the DPS! Is this the way **** is? Are phasers completely useless endgame?
Dual cannons are very effective on escorts because they can use their maneuverability to keep their targets in the narrow firing arc to lay on the damage. Only escorts can use Mk 3+ cannon type weapons anyway.
There are also 6 energy weapon types:
Phaser - chance to reduce enemy weapon power
Disruptor - chance to reduce enemy damage resistance
Plasma - chance to inflict DoT on hull
Tetryon - chance to do extra damage to shields
Polaron - reduces enemy crew complement
Antiproton - Don't know what is special about these.
The ones lower on the list only show up in higher tiers of weaponry so you won't see them early on.
There are also 6 types of torpedos and mines:
Photon - Basic torpedo
Quantum - Similar to photon, higher damage against hull but less against shields, plus flies slower
Plasma - Lower dps but inflicts DoT on hull
Chroniton - I think these slow down the enemy
Transphasic - Low dps, but I think they have a really high bleedthrough against shields
Tricobalt - Very high damage and long recharge, and they can't be boosted by Torpedo BO powers.
Heavy torpedo launchers operate the same way, but can be shot down as they move so slowly and are such a large target
Phaser - chance to reduce enemy weapon power
Disruptor - chance to reduce enemy damage resistance
Plasma - chance to inflict DoT on hull
Tetryon - chance to do extra damage to shields
Polaron - Not sure how this works but can reduce enemy power settings
Antiproton - Don't know what is special about these.
The ones lower on the list only show up in higher tiers of weaponry so you won't see them early on.
There are also 6 types of torpedos and mines:
Photon - Basic torpedo
Quantum - Similar to photon, higher burst damage at the cost of dps, plus flies faster
Plasma - Lower dps but inflicts DoT on hull
Chroniton - I think these slow down the enemy
Transphasic - Low dps, but I think they have a really high bleedthrough against shields
Tricobalt - Very high damage and long recharge, and they can't be boosted by Torpedo BO powers.
This is what I want to know more about. Because frankly, it seems to me like the last 4 weapon types completely outclass everything below them
Has anyone gotten far enough in the game as to find out if beams are simply better than cannons for escorts, or if they just play different? Is the DPS drastic? Do you play differently?
Also, there are like a zillion weapon types in the game, but I don't know the difference.
I know that Quantum go faster than Photons, hit a little harder, and have a longer cooldown, but that's about it. Can someone point me toward some info?
Phaser - chance to reduce enemy weapon power
Disruptor - chance to reduce enemy damage resistance
Plasma - chance to inflict DoT on hull
Tetryon - chance to do extra damage to shields
Polaron - Not sure how this works but can reduce enemy power settings
Antiproton - Don't know what is special about these.
QUOTE]
Actually, phasers have a chance to temporariy (think <5 seconds) take your targets shield, weapons, engines, and/or auxiliry (mispelled) systems offline. Similar to using the target shields/weapons/ect.. ability for science ships or bridge officers, but with a much lower chance of success.
Geez, I just picked up the rare Plasma cannons from the time travel mission, they do absurd damage that completely outclasses my phaser cannons, literally double the DPS! Is this the way **** is? Are phasers completely useless endgame?
In my experience, plasma weapons have the same dps as the same level phaser weapons. Is it an uncommon or rare item that has a boost to damage?
Actually, phasers have a chance to temporariy (think <5 seconds) take your targets shield, weapons, engines, and/or auxiliry (mispelled) systems offline. Similar to using the target shields/weapons/ect.. ability for science ships or bridge officers, but with a much lower chance of success.
Fixed it. The version I had in there was based on how it used to be in beta.
Heavy torpedo launchers operate the same way, but can be shot down as they move so slowly and are such a large target
Ammended.
I've never seen a heavy torpedo launcher and I don't think they exist.
You're probably thinking of the heavy plasma torpedo which is what you get instead of a multi-torp salvo when you use a high yield BO power with a plasma torpedo launcher.
Comments
The second place to go look is the exchange. In there you will basically get a listing of every weapon there is and looking through the stats and firing arch of all the different types should give you a good idea of the trade offs involved in the different weapons.
Beams and Banks work using the beam skills (Overload ect) while Cannon and Turrets use cannon skills (rapid fire ect). Beams are low DPS but huge firing arc. Banks are half way between beams and cannons better DPS smaller arc. Cannons have the highest DPS by the smallest arc (45 for dual cannons). Turrets have 360 arc but the lowest DPS.
MK III Cannons and higher are only usable on escorts.
Turret (360 degree)
Beam Array (250 degree)
Cannon (180 degree)
Dual Beam (90 degree)
Dual Cannons/Dual Heavy Cannons (45 degree)
Dual cannons are very effective on escorts because they can use their maneuverability to keep their targets in the narrow firing arc to lay on the damage. Only escorts can use Mk 3+ cannon type weapons anyway.
There are also 6 energy weapon types:
Phaser - chance to temporarily shut down one of the target's subsystems for a short period
Disruptor - chance to reduce enemy damage resistance
Plasma - chance to inflict DoT on hull
Tetryon - chance to do extra damage to shields
Polaron - chance to reduce subsystem power by 25 (not sure for how long, and not sure if it's all or just one)
Antiproton - I've heard these have extra crit damage... seems like kind of a waste though.
The ones lower on the list only show up in higher tiers of weaponry so you won't see them early on.
There are also 6 types of torpedos and mines:
Photon - Basic torpedo, damages crew
Quantum - Similar to photon, higher burst damage at the cost of dps, plus flies faster, damages crew
Plasma - Lower dps but can inflict DoT on hull - High Yield version shoots a slow, heavy, targettable torpedo instead of a salvo
Chroniton - Chance to slow enemy down
Transphasic - Low dps, but they have a much higher bleedthrough against shields
Tricobalt - Very high damage and long recharge, and they can't be boosted by Torpedo BO powers.
Ammended.
/10char
This is what I want to know more about. Because frankly, it seems to me like the last 4 weapon types completely outclass everything below them
http://sto-intel.org/wiki/Category:Starship_Weapons#Beams
Makes life a whole lot easier
Finally, someone who knows what they are talking about. Thanks man, you saved me a ton of grief.
In my experience, plasma weapons have the same dps as the same level phaser weapons. Is it an uncommon or rare item that has a boost to damage?
Fixed it. The version I had in there was based on how it used to be in beta.
I've never seen a heavy torpedo launcher and I don't think they exist.
You're probably thinking of the heavy plasma torpedo which is what you get instead of a multi-torp salvo when you use a high yield BO power with a plasma torpedo launcher.