What is this ability? I have each of the three types of classes (Tactical Science and an Engineer.) None of them have this ability and between all of their bridge officers...none of them have this power either. But boy every NPC cruiser I run into hits me with that, plus sub nucleonic beam, ties me up with a tractor and Heavy Plasmas me. And they have it on a 30 second cooldown...which means I'm shut down about about 15 seconds every 30...or 50% of the time. And don't even get me started if I'm facing multiple ships.

I'd love to have an ability like that.
So where is this ability...and is there any kind of defense? I'm assuming this game has a rock-scissors-paper mechanic too...so I figured that it would be on one of the 3 classes...but so far no luck. And since when you're shutdown, no abilities can be used...I'm stumped.
Comments
And yes, certain baddies spam them like crazy. The only defense to which is Science team.
Subnucleonic Beam is a Science Captain skill that is picked up later in the levels (Tier 3 also I think). But it has been so long I can't remember when I got it.
Edit to add about the Defence. VM can be removed with Science Team by a team mate. Or if you see the VM ball headed your way, cast Science Team on yourself and it will prevent VM from sticking.
I believe Sub Nucleonic Beam is a Science Captain power - the only way to have it is to be a Science captain above a given level.
The main defense against Viral Matrix is the Science Team power (a Science officer ability.) This cancels holds, and provides a significant boost to shields. Tactical officers also have Attack Pattern Omega, which I believe also removes Holds. *Edit* I believe that both powers were either changed to allow you to use them while held, or will be in an upcoming patch.
APOmega could always be used when under a hold effect (VM or Tractor Beam). Science Team was changed a few patches back to allow it to work in the same situation (It didn't before).
Negative Ghostrider, I have Science Team I and III and I can state that as of the last patch those abilities are not accessible during VM shutdown. I did not have any other debuffs (that have an icon) on me.
Maybe it got bugged with the last patch dunno.
As far as Omega...that's a Captain rank skill and I'm not high enough for that yet. Something to look forward to then.
For soloing it's a no-win...I don't like the idea of blowing the Sci Team shield recovery right off the bat, but if it is the only way to keep fighting then I'll do so.
Thanks for the info folks!
Then you're experiencing a bug and it needs to be reported, because per the patch notes on Feb. 18, 2010
Now, as a Tactical Officer, I prefer to use APOmega. But, I have had to use Science Team (had ST II on my Science Officer, a Lieutenant Skill) and it worked just fine as well. (Haven't experienced VM in a while , though, as I don't see it much in Cardassian space.)
I guess a good way to check is when you go under VM or other hold, all your abilities should gray out, except for Science Team and/or Attack Pattern Omega. If either or both of those are graying out, then that needs to be reported, as those skill shoud be usable.
Does too work. I've been using it. If it does work for you, bug it, because it should.
Yeah I did bug it. ALL powers were grayed out. I retested it by running the same mission several times. I have both Eng Team and Sci Team. None of them are usuable. Don't know why. I ended up dropping the missions in the area and moving on.
I have the option gray out, as well, but I'm still able to click the button. Though, it only grays out for ~a second when it happens. Try hitting it anyway and see if that doesn't help.
+ to Sensors
+ to Sensor Probes