Ah, Another "Vesta" Question...

rocbowlhey · April 2013

Ah, okay...I've been doing a lot of research on the Vesta. Now, you'll have to forgive me, for I have only recently become serious about how I fly my ships in STO. I used to just log in and go "pew pew" indiscriminately without changing my settings (left it on "balanced" for a VERY long time), but I have seen the light and I am now looking to maximize my effectiveness when playing.

In this thread, I will post two different builds that I have been playing around with, then I will ask your opinion.

Please keep in mind that I am looking to mainly do PvE only....I haven't felt confident enough yet to try my skills out in PvP. Maybe when I'm a bit more experienced and wiser, like some of you all.

My Current Vesta-Class Reconnaissance Explorer Build: http://skillplanner.stoacademy.com/?build=raysvesta_0

This is the current build that I've switched over to recently after examining the forums and checking out what everyone seems to like.

My PREVIOUS Vesta-Class Reconnaissance Explorer Build: http://skillplanner.stoacademy.com/?build=raysaltebuild_0

THIS was the build that I had used when I recently started examining my DPS and changing my layout for max DPS.

NOW, my question: are the Aux DHC's really the only weapon worth flying on the Vesta? When I was running the Antiproton build, I was able to rip ships apart in PvE and probably averaged about 6-6.5k DPS each round. I was usually able to get in a good number of kills and my Sci skills didn't really suffer too much with the weapon power being at 125, because my Aux power was third highest at 45 or so (shields were my second highest at 57 or something like that...).

However, now that I've switched to the Aux DHC build, I've noticed it takes me a lot longer to take out my enemies. While I'm still able to inflict some pretty good damage, I noticed that in the time it took me to take out 5 enemies in my 1st build, I can only take out about 3-4 now (especially if they're behind me, still not turning as quick as I wish it could) and average about 5.8-6k DPS each game. However, I am VERY pleased with the nice boost my Sci BOFF has gotten from having the Aux power maxed out.

I guess I say all of that to say: would you suggest flying a Vesta without the Aux DHC's? Or do you think, if I wanted to do more damage as a Sci captain, I should just switch to an Escort(I have a Mirror Patrol Escort gathering dust that I've been itching to try out with the DHC's)?

Thanks for all your help! And please, feel free to make suggestions that you think could help (I know I need Isometric Charge p_p). I'm always eager to learn and how I can make my build better.

hasukurobi · April 2013

I would set it up more like this: http://skillplanner.stoacademy.com/?build=ushantor_0

Though I would highly suggest using a Tactical Captain rather than a Science Captain for this ship.

Want to see that build explained and in action? Click here.

jadensecura · April 2013

Well, the two builds linked look to be the same (and not very good, they have excess cannon abilities, excess team abilities, a shortage of EPtS, and Tachyon Beam 1 (which is pathetic enough that using it on its own is definitely a weakness all to itself), plus you really don't want to bother with the RCS if you're not doing PvP, running all of the Vesta consoles is questionable, the Shield Emitter Amplifier is a very weak console compared to the Emitter Array or Field Generator, and you could really use some consoles boosting your sci offense (or at least an embassy console for the plasma proc)) so I can't really comment on how they compare.

But to your questions, you've pretty much answered them yourself. Yes, you can get more DPS by running weapons other than the Aux Phasers, and yes using the Aux Phasers does allow you to boost science abilities significantly, and yes you could be doing more DPS by switching to the Mirror Patrol Escort. You can be a solid team member by taking any of those options, it just comes down to what you want to prioritize. Personally I'm stubbornly sticking with true sci ships as long as I play the game, so I use the Aux DHCs and the LtC as a sci, but that is very likely not the most powerful option given the current state of the game.

rocbowlhey · April 2013

jadensecura wrote: »

Well, the two builds linked look to be the same (and not very good, they have excess cannon abilities, excess team abilities, a shortage of EPtS, and Tachyon Beam 1 (which is pathetic enough that using it on its own is definitely a weakness all to itself), plus you really don't want to bother with the RCS if you're not doing PvP, running all of the Vesta consoles is questionable, the Shield Emitter Amplifier is a very weak console compared to the Emitter Array or Field Generator, and you could really use some consoles boosting your sci offense (or at least an embassy console for the plasma proc)) so I can't really comment on how they compare.

I see what you're saying. I'm trying a more team friendly build because I was informed that that Vesta was also great for helping keep the team healed up while providing decent crowd control. And Lord knows how many times I've been a part of a team that no one was really great at healing. However, I'll look at changing my build again and perhaps scrubbing some of those abilities.
As for the excess cannon abilities, I afraid I don't really understand. Do you mind expanding a bit more? I mean, its really only 2 Rapid Fires and 1 Scatter Volley, with the 2 Rapid Fires to avoid the cooldown. Plus, the Vesta (or at least what I've noticed) can't handle a lot of aggro, so I didn't want my only options to be Rapid Fire and Scatter to be my only cannon abilites. I'll look at dropping maybe Scatter Volley.
But, I really don't care for torps, so I was hoping to keep it an all cannon build...but, I'll keep testing stuff out.

Oh, my mistake. Tachyon Beam actually was never supposed to be in there. p_p That BOFF was supposed to have Tractor Beam, not Tachyon.

As for the shortage of EPtS ability...well, I mean, I have one. And I've yet to be in a situation where my shields have just failed me (hence why I dropped Sci Team). Between that EPtS, TSS, and Reverse Shield Polarity, plus the Vesta healing console (and the Borg Regenerative abilities), my shields can usually recover pretty well or at least last me till I kill my enemy (I mean, its just PvE, they're not too smart XD). Throw in the Polarize Hull, HazEmit, and TT, and I really never have any problems staying alive...

I may drop the RCS console like you suggested...I still just don't like the fact that the Vesta still turns very slowly. I mean, not as bad as a cruiser, but still. However, I supposed you have a point. I'll probably end up dropping it and moving a Vesta console in its spot.

Hmm, you really don't like all of the Vesta consoles? I mean, I know the cooldowns are crazy, but they've actually come in use. Plus the "Oh TRIBBLE, Let Me Push My Immunity Panic" button is really nice too...I dunno if I could drop one. I'll test it out perhaps...but I think I may keep it.

Are you sure about the Shield Emitter Amplifer? Hmmm, perhaps I've just been looking at the wrong builds...I've seen a good number of people running it and they speak pretty highly of it.

Thanks!

rocbowlhey · April 2013

hasukurobi wrote: »

I would set it up more like this: http://skillplanner.stoacademy.com/?build=ushantor_0

Though I would highly suggest using a Tactical Captain rather than a Science Captain for this ship.

Want to see that build explained and in action? Click here.

Ah, well, I have the 3 pack, so would you suggest I run the Sci version of it with my Sci cap.? I was running this version because of all the Tactical slots, which helped me squeeze out a bit more DPS than the other version.
I have a Caitian Tact. captain, but I was really hoping to put her in an Escort, since I have never had the pleasure of flying one. Maybe I'll reconsider that.

However, very interesting build. A bit different than what I've been seeing. But it seems like it works great!

jadensecura · April 2013

rocbowlhey wrote: »

I see what you're saying. I'm trying a more team friendly build because I was informed that that Vesta was also great for helping keep the team healed up while providing decent crowd control. And Lord knows how many times I've been a part of a team that no one was really great at healing. However, I'll look at changing my build again and perhaps scrubbing some of those abilities.
As for the excess cannon abilities, I afraid I don't really understand. Do you mind expanding a bit more? I mean, its really only 2 Rapid Fires and 1 Scatter Volley, with the 2 Rapid Fires to avoid the cooldown. Plus, the Vesta (or at least what I've noticed) can't handle a lot of aggro, so I didn't want my only options to be Rapid Fire and Scatter to be my only cannon abilites. I'll look at dropping maybe Scatter Volley.
But, I really don't care for torps, so I was hoping to keep it an all cannon build...but, I'll keep testing stuff out.

Oh, my mistake. Tachyon Beam actually was never supposed to be in there. p_p That BOFF was supposed to have Tractor Beam, not Tachyon.

I may drop the RCS console like you suggested...I still just don't like the fact that the Vesta still turns very slowly. I mean, not as bad as a cruiser, but still. However, I supposed you have a point. I'll probably end up dropping it and moving a Vesta console in its spot.

Hmm, you really don't like all of the Vesta consoles? I mean, I know the cooldowns are crazy, but they've actually come in use. Plus the "Oh TRIBBLE, Let Me Push My Immunity Panic" button is really nice too...I dunno if I could drop one. I'll test it out perhaps...but I think I may keep it.

Are you sure about the Shield Emitter Amplifer? Hmmm, perhaps I've just been looking at the wrong builds...I've seen a good number of people running it and they speak pretty highly of it.

Thanks!

When I said team abilities I mean the fact that you have 2 Tac Teams and a Sci Team, global cooldowns mean you can't use them all effectively (and with 2 Tac Teams you'll be chaining them any time you're in combat, so the Sci Team just goes to waste).

On cannon abilities, it's again a global cooldown thing, you can only use 2 at once, so you should put those in the Lt slots and make room for an Attack Pattern (probably Beta). As a practical matter GW will cause far more agro problems than CSV, and CRF will generate more agro against a single target, so I go CSV.

On the Vesta consoles, the thing is that they're very situational, and take up enormously valuable slots. I have the full set and only use the QFFC, because the others are just too rarely valuable to take up slots.

The Shield Emitter Amplifier only boosts the quite small automatic regeneration, and not by that much. An Emitter Array will boost both the automatic regeneration and all of your shield heals, and a Field Generator will boost your total shield capacity, both of which are significantly more valuable. I actually run neither one and don't die much, though (http://www.stoacademy.com/tools/skillplanner/index.php?build=Secura04_2511).

trhrangerxml · April 2013

hasukurobi wrote: »

Want to see that build explained and in action? Click here.

That is one of the best explanations/review of the Vesta, its pretty darn close to my prefered Vesta set up which I fly with a Science Captain.

rocbowlhey · April 2013

jadensecura wrote: »

When I said team abilities I mean the fact that you have 2 Tac Teams and a Sci Team, global cooldowns mean you can't use them all effectively (and with 2 Tac Teams you'll be chaining them any time you're in combat, so the Sci Team just goes to waste).

On cannon abilities, it's again a global cooldown thing, you can only use 2 at once, so you should put those in the Lt slots and make room for an Attack Pattern (probably Beta). As a practical matter GW will cause far more agro problems than CSV, and CRF will generate more agro against a single target, so I go CSV.

On the Vesta consoles, the thing is that they're very situational, and take up enormously valuable slots. I have the full set and only use the QFFC, because the others are just too rarely valuable to take up slots.

The Shield Emitter Amplifier only boosts the quite small automatic regeneration, and not by that much. An Emitter Array will boost both the automatic regeneration and all of your shield heals, and a Field Generator will boost your total shield capacity, both of which are significantly more valuable. I actually run neither one and don't die much, though (http://www.stoacademy.com/tools/skillplanner/index.php?build=Secura04_2511).

Ah, I see what you are saying. Excellent point. I went ahead and made the decision to drop one of my cannon abilities...I guess running 3 is a bit too much. Switching it out for one of the Cmdr. Attack Pattern Beta and moving my two cannon abilities to Lt. Cmdr.

Um, I think in my recent build, I had dropped Sci Team already. I quickly realized what you said earlier, it was just taking up space since it was always on cooldown due to the Tact Teams (again, just a panic button). But, I traded it out and added a Polarize Hull in its place.

I see what you mean about the Vesta consoles...I have thought the same thing. Maybe I'll play around with it when I get my Tact. Captain up to Lv. 50 and use her to test out a different version of a Vesta. I dunno yet, they're just so dang useful.

Hmm, testing out the the Field Generator...might go with that. Very good suggestion. Thanks!

ferdzso0 · April 2013

if you wanna do dmg you should drop aux dhcs, they are not good for that (if they were disruptors there could be some argument, but them being phasers...). I am planning on making a tac captain vesta build with aux cannons, as I level my new toon to see how much their potential dps could be (but it is kind of a forced test, as I dont wanna spend much on a new char until romulans, and having three free viable front weapons is not a bad thing).

I suggest you run aux power the second highest, it should keep you alive forever in pve.
also for pve the vesta is better than a patrol escort as you have more CC and such

for further check the links below

Ah, Another "Vesta" Question...

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