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vocmcp
Member Posts: 1,134 Arc User
Hey guys,
I have just finished the Fed storyline and got myself enough Zen (2400 right now) to purchase a new ship now (or pretty soon).
Before deciding I'd love a little advise however
After all I don't want the ship to go to waste.
I'm playing with a tactical officer but I'm currently flying the Reconnaissance Science vessel I got myself at level 40. Maybe not the smartest choice for a tac officer but I liked the sturdy shields that got me through the missions. The escort I once had just died on me all the time..... I had no idea how to spec and fly an escort back then.
My strategy (also in skilling) so far was to reinforce my own shields and drain the enemies (as a result of my dying all the time...) . Once they're down (few seconds with Siphon, viral matr. etc.) I'd turn and fire 3 torpedos (2 slots in the back + high yield). In the missions this killed almost anything within one or two circles in a total of 10 seconds. I might not have been the greatest contribution ever but this strategy also kept me alive in Elite STF's.
I am now considering changing that a bit and I have a few ships that have caught my interest:
- Tactical Escort Retrofit (Defiant)
- Vesta Reconnaissance Explorer (the extra tactical slot one)
- Andorian Khyzon escort (more sci based)
- Andorian Kumari escort (more tac based)
So basically what I'm looking for is something that dishes out more damage.... I'm now wondering what experiences you guys made with those ships. I'm a bit concerned about the survivability of the escorts (despite having read the escort spec threads with the tac team etc.). This was a major source of frustration earlier in the game when I didn't know how to spec. So my playing style might still more suit the Vesta, but can it do noteworthy damage?
Opinions appreciated
edit: I might also take the ship into PvP.
I have just finished the Fed storyline and got myself enough Zen (2400 right now) to purchase a new ship now (or pretty soon).
Before deciding I'd love a little advise however
After all I don't want the ship to go to waste.I'm playing with a tactical officer but I'm currently flying the Reconnaissance Science vessel I got myself at level 40. Maybe not the smartest choice for a tac officer but I liked the sturdy shields that got me through the missions. The escort I once had just died on me all the time..... I had no idea how to spec and fly an escort back then.
My strategy (also in skilling) so far was to reinforce my own shields and drain the enemies (as a result of my dying all the time...) . Once they're down (few seconds with Siphon, viral matr. etc.) I'd turn and fire 3 torpedos (2 slots in the back + high yield). In the missions this killed almost anything within one or two circles in a total of 10 seconds. I might not have been the greatest contribution ever but this strategy also kept me alive in Elite STF's.
I am now considering changing that a bit and I have a few ships that have caught my interest:
- Tactical Escort Retrofit (Defiant)
- Vesta Reconnaissance Explorer (the extra tactical slot one)
- Andorian Khyzon escort (more sci based)
- Andorian Kumari escort (more tac based)
So basically what I'm looking for is something that dishes out more damage.... I'm now wondering what experiences you guys made with those ships. I'm a bit concerned about the survivability of the escorts (despite having read the escort spec threads with the tac team etc.). This was a major source of frustration earlier in the game when I didn't know how to spec. So my playing style might still more suit the Vesta, but can it do noteworthy damage?
Opinions appreciated
edit: I might also take the ship into PvP.
Post edited by vocmcp on
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Comments
Don't let them promote you. Don't let them transfer you. Don't let them do anything that takes you off the bridge of that ship, because while you're there... you can make a difference.
-Captain James T. Kirk
What you want for survivability is chaining tac team, yes, but you also absolutely must chain EPtS and keep your engine power high to reap the huge defense bonus it gives you.
Also, chaining attack patterns like omega delta omega would also increase an escort's survivability.
If you want to stick with the science vessel route and still want damage, then the Vesta would probably be your choice, just remember that min-maxed it wont be putting out the punishment a fully built defiant can.
Alternatively in the science division, if you want to stay in something similar to your recon sci vessel just vastly improved, go with the Wells Temporal Sci ship, highest shield mod in the game and the fastest turning sci vessel to boot, its fantastic.
The Defiant path is nice because you get a cloak (c-store) for more burst dmg. Plus that purchase can lead you to a discount on fleet modules for the Fleet version which is one of the best Escorts in the game.
The Kumari (Tac) version in really glass cannon which it sounds like you didn't enjoy.
The other Kumari ships have better viability it the survival department but still are glass cannons.
If you want to take the time to learn to play and spec the Escorts to DPS and survive the best that they can, then they are worth the effort as nothing can touch their DPS.
Help rebuild the Romulan Star Empire to glory. Click the banner to join today.
Congratulations. You are exactly the type of player STO/PWE cater to. The one who's only issue is what ship to buy next. Break out your CC, Season 8 has even more to keep you occupied. But to answer your question, buy whatever ship you like, the differences are marginal and you'll likely be moving on to another within a couple weeks. The problem comes when you finally own all of them & realize they are all about the same. [at least out of your list] So... don't sweat the decision as there is no best answer anyhow.
If your post is anything like, "I have a sandwich so you can't be starving" it's time to rethink posting. ~thlaylierah
Wow, did you even read the original post? He's flying a level 40 ship, hit 50, and is wondering what level 50 ship he should pick up. It's a perfectly valid concern/question, and not as though he's looking at buying his fifth C-Store ship on the same character. Also, we don't know what Season 8 will bring, since we've heard literally nothing about it... we know a lot about what Legacy of Romulus will have, but we also know that it's not Season 8.
To the OP - I have characters flying all of those ships, and they're all good at slightly different things. For best all-around performance and most options of playing style, I'd suggest the Vesta variant. In contrast to what was posted further up-thread, it's not more fragile than the Defiant that you're looking at, it just has a bit less hull and a LOT more shields (which are, overall, more important to your survival).
Joined January 2010.
In regard to hating Star Trek 2009:
#1 It is a valid question from his perspective. And I am informing him that he should get the one he thinks he will enjoy, as by your own admission "they are all good at SLIGHTLY different things". For a new lvl 50, it's hardly even relevant.
#2 We do know some of what S8 will bring. You can right now see at least 10 ships that will be coming out as well as battle cloak and singularities among other things.
If your post is anything like, "I have a sandwich so you can't be starving" it's time to rethink posting. ~thlaylierah
Again, the upcoming expansion that's currently available for testing that introduces the Romulan faction, singularity cores and abilities, warp cores, and Romulan ships is called Legacy of Romulus. It is explicitly not Season 8. Season 8 will be later this year.
My initial post was mostly questioning your attitude toward the OP being "the type of player STO/PWE cater to" - there's no need to start accusing him of P2W and telling him to break out his credit card. For all you know, he's saved up the Zen for the ship he wants at 50 by trading Dilithium on the Dil Exchange - there's no need to be abrasive toward someone who's asking a perfectly valid question.
Joined January 2010.
In regard to hating Star Trek 2009:
This is a bit out of date if you're willing to consider A2B cruisers, which are actually a bit easier to tease damage out of in PVE once the doffs are in place. Science ships are left behind though, as they neither get the full DHC layout of escorts or the ability to A2B beams all over the place of cruisers with the usual sci ship boff seating.
Since it seems to be of interest to some people: I've been playing the game for something like 2-3 month now so I actually grinded all of that Zen. That's also exactly the reason why I was looking for a bit of advice. I've been flying that lvl 40 ship for something like 2 month now and just would like to get something proper without regretting it too much. A replacement would take me another 3 month of grinding........
I guess in the end I'll make the decision between the Defiant and the Vesta then. Too bad I can't test fly them. Maybe I should give tribble a try.....
If I may I'd like to add some small questions
- If I would join a fleet and just saved the "money" for a fleet ship, how long would it take me to grind up the fleet credits for it? (av. 1h of playing per day). I'd love a fleet ship but I don't want to have to grind for another 3 month to get it.
- If I bought it now and joined a fleet later would one ship be of more benefit to the fleet than the other? (e.g. sci shortage or whatever)
- Is one of the two ships clearly better for PvP than the other? A quick search didn't really find that much current threads.
(Been reading some mixed things. Clearly the wells and the jem bug seem to rock in that department but I guess the wait and grind until I'd get them would be a little too long right now...)
I have two pieces of advice:
1- Since you already got your Rear Admiral ship, you can try out one of the Escorts you didn't choose by purchasing a Mirror Universe Escort off of the exchange. They're usually very affordable. And you can then keep your RSV and fly an escort. That way you get the experience and save your zen.
2- If you find that mirror ship comfortable, settle in, and grind EC. LOTS of EC. Hundreds and hundreds of millions of EC. And ... get a Jem'Hadar Attack Ship off of the exchange. It's the best ship. For everything.
Great advice! Thanks a bunch!
I was thinking the same thing. It doesn't hit as nearly as hard as the defiant though. Also since he isn't in a fleet currently he can't get the fleet advanced escort and would be flying around with only 9 consoles.
To the Op, I've flown every ship on your list except the Vesta. Don't rule out the Andorians, with the Khyzon especially, you have some options with that universal lt boff that you don't have with many other escorts.
The Defiant with that cloak, is your best bet for pvp.
I die far less in my Khyzon than I did in my defiant. I also hit harder in my Khyzon than I did with my Defiant, and I hit the hardest with the Kumari, and it really isn't even close.
The Kumari has some defensive issues but you can sacrifice a little damage and add some defense. You can still run 2 shield heals and a hull heal, and you won't take as much damage b/c stuff dies faster.
The fleet stuff varies, most fleets want to make sure your not a hopper b4 they open up there store. Once you get access though you can earn enough fleet credits in a day or 2 to buy anything.
You can hit me up in game Vyper@vyperwoo, if you want to know more about the fleet I'm in, SRS.
I guess it wasn't as much of a knock on Op, but rather PWE's taking note of the "demand" for new ships (in his case pre-existing ones) and totally ignoring glitches and broken mechanics. But props to you sir for sticking up for the newer player.
If your post is anything like, "I have a sandwich so you can't be starving" it's time to rethink posting. ~thlaylierah