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On cannons and beams

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
edited February 2010 in The Academy
Is it more viable to use a full array of cannons in the forward weapon slots as opposed to beams? I'd be concerned about overlapping cool downs and the broad GCD that's triggered each time one is fired.

On the flip side, what about a spread of beams?

My current loadout is: Dual Beam Bank, Heavy Cannon, two torpedo tubes up front.
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  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Telaura wrote: »
    Is it more viable to use a full array of cannons in the forward weapon slots as opposed to beams? I'd be concerned about overlapping cool downs and the broad GCD that's triggered each time one is fired.

    On the flip side, what about a spread of beams?

    My current loadout is: Dual Beam Bank, Heavy Cannon, two torpedo tubes up front.

    Are you using an Escort?

    Cannons have a global 1 second cooldown, so you cannot fire more than one cannon weapon at the exact same time like you can with Beams (turrets don't share this cooldown). Because of this, it is usually not worthwhile to equip more than 2 or 3 cannon weapons.

    On my escort I have 2 dual cannons, torp, and dual beam bank up front. I have a turret, torp, and beam array in back (though I'm not sure I want to keep that arrangement.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Was it really necessary to post this in two different locations at the same time? You already posted this in the Escort forum (which was the correct location), so posting it a second time is bad form.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Two cannons or three hevy cannons should be your limit on the nose due to cooldowns.
    beems are limtied by the power drain, more than 3 beams firing at once and your weapons power will quickly plumit

    Maximum firepower with sustainable energy is something like:
    two dual cannons and two torps in the nose and two turrets and a beam or torp in the back,
    or three dual heavy cannons and a torp in the nose, one turret and two beams in the back
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Was it really necessary to post this in two different locations at the same time? You already posted this in the Escort forum (which was the correct location), so posting it a second time is bad form.

    It may be bad form, but it got the job done. The post in the escort forum is still unanswered (at the time of this posting).
    Evalissa wrote:
    Two cannons or three hevy cannons should be your limit on the nose due to cooldowns.
    beems are limtied by the power drain, more than 3 beams firing at once and your weapons power will quickly plumit

    Maximum firepower with sustainable energy is something like:
    two dual cannons and two torps in the nose and two turrets and a beam or torp in the back,
    or three dual heavy cannons and a torp in the nose, one turret and two beams in the back

    That's what I was afraid of. Mounting too many cannons and not being able to cycle the GCD (and the weapon's individual CD) effectively to max my DPS output.

    Now, the Cannon Rapid Fire II buff stays active on my ship, even after I fire the initial cannon shot. Does this buff remain active for ALL cannon fires during it's duration? Or does it only effect the initial cannon shot.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    all cannons and turrets for the duration of the buff (15? seconds) will shoot more shots per cycle (ie: cooldowns dont change) thus the 2 normal or 3 heavy loadout remains optimum.

    Browse this post for some very ncie info:
    http://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?t=84068
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    It affects all cannons (and turrets since they're cannons that any ship can use) not just the first one to fire.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Telaura wrote: »
    It may be bad form, but it got the job done. The post in the escort forum is still unanswered (at the time of this posting).

    Actually, I answered your question over there before I made my post over here. Additionally, another person posted over there before I posted here.
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