I got my first character to RA5 (engineer-cruisers) and then worked on my second (tactical-escorts) and noticed I missed something big on my first character. I didn't chose the Efficient Impulse Engines Mk IV (+5 to weapon/shield/aux power,
http://stowiki.org/wiki/Efficient_Impulse_Engines_Mk_IV ), when that came up as a quest reward. I've gotten my tactial-escort character to RA5 and notice a slight combat difference between using and not using Efficient Impulse Engines.
Now I'm wondering if I should make a new engineer-cruisers character, level it to RA5 and scrap the old one. Is there much difference in having versus not having Efficient Impulse engines at max level on an Engineer-Cruisers officer?
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My base speed went from 14 to 21 at ~50 engine power (which is my current minimum). My turn rate increased slightly, which is nice. If my engines get disabled I still retain some semblance of mobility. Finally, my full impulse speed saw a huge speed increase which makes travel times and in-system navigation take much less time.
/shrug
AT RA5 I still use mine...cant beat the +5 to all those things especially without respec. But I would NOT lvl another toon just for an item...just my opinion.
For the records, I'm stilling choosing and using the Efficient Impulse Engine on all of the characters even my RA5. But I'm am ponder switching to a higher speed engine. The Efficient trait is apparently going from +5 to +10 on the new build on Tribble. That might be enough extra power for me to switch.
The Efficient Impulse Engine has exact the same speeds at all power settings as a blue Mk IV Hyper Impulse Engine. The Blue Mk VI Hyper Impulse Engine will be faster then the Efficient Impulse, but you won't have the power setting bonuses. It's a decision you will have to make. Are the power bonuses worth keeping in trade of slower speeds as you level up?
As I previously posted my RA5 has been using the Efficient Impulse Engine at RA5. But now I'm reevaluating that decision. At times I do miss the increased speeds of a higher Mk engine.
Wait a minute. I missed what you said the first time. A Combat Hyper Impulse Engine? I mist have missed that. the first 2 times through Commander. I really need to read closer.
Yea, i got them doing one of the admiral Tnae missions into romulan space... I think it was "Taris", I'll have to check, but they're mk VI, rare and seem to be powerful, even if they dont give you energy like the efficient ones do.
EDIT: http://startrekonline.wikia.com/wiki/Combat_Hyper-Impulse_Engines_Mk_VI
Any FED that complains that he got no chance to group up again after he died in a hostile engagement, should really instantly change his engines. At T5 I fly twice as fast in full impulse than you in your efficient engines, and catch you in seconds anywhere.
And the paratrinic shields you can get from the same quest are awesome for escorts. I would definitely take them as escort captain.
The engine is bind on pickup, so yes, I wouldn't create and level a character just to be able to use the engine either.