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Forums > Home› Star Trek Online General Discussion

Plasma Beams vs Phasers

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
edited September 2023 in Star Trek Online General Discussion
Looking for some input from those who know

For PvE would which is "overall" better for an Escort class?

Phaser beam weapons or Plasma?

I realize no one weapon is perfect for all occassions but if you were going to choose 1, which would it be, and why?

***note****

Please don't reply with why other types of weaons are better, I'm just looking to compare these 2, thanks in advance!!
Post edited by baddmoonrizin on

Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    It's going to have more to do with where you put your skills in later tiers, but I've got an all plasma loadout right now, and I really like it.

    Phasers will do more damage in the short term, but plasma has a DOT. If you are having a hard time staying alive or struggling with your shields, then phasers or disruptors may be the way to go.

    I think I'm going to be sticking with plasma myself.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    UncleRomulus wrote: »
    It's going to have more to do with where you put your skills in later tiers, but I've got an all plasma loadout right now, and I really like it.

    Phasers will do more damage in the short term, but plasma has a DOT. If you are having a hard time staying alive or struggling with your shields, then phasers or disruptors may be the way to go.

    I think I'm going to be sticking with plasma myself.

    I have to agree with Uncle Romulus here, like him I also have a solid plasma loadout at the moment and I like it alot. I tossed and turned for a while over what I wanted to do with my weapon types, and yeah the dot got me interested.

    Also what he says about being able to stay alive is also true, I would go phasers before disruptors myself though.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Thanks, was planning the same with Plasma but I don't trust my own expertise so I thought I would defer to people more technically inclined than myself :-)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    DagnyTaggart wrote:
    Thanks, was planning the same with Plasma but I don't trust my own expertise so I thought I would defer to people more technically inclined than myself :-)

    Hehe.. well that doesn't describe me. I'm really just winging it, but I am enjoying using the plasma weapons.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I have a Plasma Cruiser. 4 Beams (2 fore and 2 aft) as well as 2 Torps ( 1 fore and 1 aft). It can lay down some serious heat.

    Damage wise per strike they are pretty similar with Phaser having a slight edge. Add to that its chance to take a system off line for a few seconds and its pretty solid.

    Plasma weapons can lay a DOT on any strike that goes straight to hull. With Torps you can drop a Heavy to either do a LOT of damage or to soak up fire. The Mobs aren't smart so there are times they all sire on a torp. I've also seen them launch their own to intercept one of mine.

    Overall you won't do as much damage up front but there is the potential to out damage a Phaser Boat in the long term.

    I also run an Escort and I have a Plasma Cannon and a Torp on it. If you are an 'in your face' Escort Captain the High Yield .5 klick off of the enemy is brutal. They really have no time to target and destroy it. I'm looking for more Plasma weapons as well so I can have a full load out on this too.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I go with 3 heavy cannons, 1 torpedo, and 2 turret cannons. Dont approach from the front..
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