Fellow captains,
A few weeks ago I posted and got some promising replies on my current setup and suggestions for a new setup; however, it's not working out so well anymore.
My current build and loadout is here:
http://skillplanner.stoacademy.com/?build=workingvesta1_0
The blank slots are where I simply don't know what should go into the slot.
I've been going over this for quite some time now and I'm becoming a bit overwhelmed by all the possibilities. Just when I think I've optimized something two more things fall out of alignment.
My end goal is a build that can devastate a ship, PVE based as I don't much care for PVP, quickly without really worrying much about shields. I feel I've drastically deviated from this though and I'm not quite sure how to fix the problem.
Could someone give me some guidance on how to fix this thing and make it more SCI oriented and less TAC oriented. Although Cryptic has it on for the Escorts I don't share their infatuation and prefer the SCI skills and abilities to bypass shields.
Thanks for any help!
Comments
http://skillplanner.stoacademy.com/?build=dahmtevisedtactvesta_0
3 damage control doffs and 2 of your choice, I'd recommend gravity well
I highly recommend a tact version of the vesta, sci focused looks too iffy
Borg set will keep you alive, extra healing abilities for the team and yourself...
My PvE/PvP hybrid skill tree
I'm confused about tetryon or polaron as to which works better for a shield drain and smash build. I'm thinking of a build that can drain shields quickly for me to be able to blast them with torps with no pesky shields in the way.
Thoughts? Viability of the overall build?
I saw it from a very established captain on the forums...just can't remember the dang name.
U.S.S. Neela
I run it with a Borg Console + KCB now (gave up 1 of the aft beams for that); but it's essentially still the same, wicked drain build.
Of course, you'll need to be specced in Flow Caps and Grav Gens a bit (see my skill tree); but you're science, so I assume you're good on that.
And very, very important, you need the Sha-Voran purple aux2dampeners doff for this, for the awesome 'super-neutronium' effect (yielding a 46% and up All Dmg resists), which is what makes this build so it can run without any resist mods, and still be the last one standing.
It was actually your build I saw, I just couldn't remember the captain's name.
I've heard debate that Tetryon isn't as good as Polaron for drain builds but I'm not an expert at all. I liked your build so I wanted to try a drain build.
Anything you can impart on me would be appreciated greatly in this new endeavor!
Why, I'm flattered. But I'm by no means an expert on anything.
Well, one thing you gotta keep in mind: the powerdrain on this build is insane as it is: you're looking at 100% power levels across the board, most of the time (except when you're not firing at something, really).
So, yeah, there's the power drain proc on Polaron; but the Nukara Particle Converter + Web mines yields the 2-part set bonus, which is Tetryon Amplification (7.6% exra Tet dmg). I felt it a shame to ignore that.
Also, I run another purple doff with it that drains shields when using tractor beams.
Long live power-drain!
And, last, but not least, got an [Amp] Elite warp core today. Those give a 3.3% extra dmg when a subsystem has 75 power or more. So, in effect, with all 4 at 100%, you can count on a solid 13.2% extra dmg as well that way.
P.S. I replaced the Theta for a Borg Console, and added a KCB. This will effectively be your 'torp' as it were (for kinetic dmg).
P.P.S. Keep in mind that this is a science vessel. With no beam special attacks slotted on boff abilities, I simple cycle the ship's innate 'target shield' and 'target weapons' abilities in my tray (starting with the former; yes, I could do that manually, but I like life on easy street, *g*).
Polarons seem like they synergise really well with an energy drain build.
There's always the option to use the Jem'Hadar space set with Polarons. You'll lose the 7.6% extra Tet dmg, but you'll get the 13.2% (iirc) extra Polaron dmg from the space set. I went with the Nukara space set, though, as it's very good for shields, and I figured the Vesta could use some extra sturdiness.
http://www.stoacademy.com/tools/skillplanner/?build=phasedenergysyphon_0
This build is faily effective as with full aux and a tractor beam duty officer (adds shield drain) your going to be sucking almost 1000 points of shield away per facing per tick when you combine your tractor and tachyon beams.
You will also be greatly reducing their passive shield regeneration as energy syphon 3 should be sucking almost 50pts out of each of their subsystems and energy syphon 1 should be sucking almost 30pts and your own power levels are going to be spiking up to max thanks to the syphon's.
Finaly the tractor beams will also be reducing their defence value to 0ish.
Of course all of this is before factoring in any resistances or counters your target might have but so long as your keen on using SCIENCE rather then setting up like an escort this is prity damn good. Also that tractor beem duty officer adds drain to your runabout and mine launchers tractor beams as well as yours..
You will also need 2 very rare con officers for tactical team or 3 rare ones. But that still leaves you with either 1 or 2 duty officer slots for other things.
I see your point with regards the Jem Hadar space set..the shields are a little on the low side considering the Vesta's hull strength..at least with Nukara marks easier to get than the others it should be quicker to get the Nukara items
now this ship really shines in pvp ..but for pve i think there is nothing more simple
1.get the sci vesta variant..stick 5 shield gen consoles on 1 .
2.2 borg parts and elite fleet shield with resilient and the RESA / B ( the one that gets the plasma resistance ) .
3.as for weapons u can go pretty classic ...the 3 aux cannons in front with 2x tricos/ nukara mines what ever mine and 1 turret or beam / kinetic beam
http://skillplanner.stoacademy.com/?build=classic1_0
something like this ..
if u can i would get a gravimetric doff .for the added effect..but this is about it .
of course running on full aux lvls with a plasmonic console btw ..no pwr lvls on the wep ..
and walla..that should do it ..for pve that is ..
A very clean build, with the dual tachs, dual tractors, dual siphons. Mesa like it. :cool: I would probably have given up PH1, and put another copy of TB1 there, so as to free up the Ensign Universal station for another copy of EPtS1, for enhanced survivability. But that's a matter of taste, I reckon.
I'm not entirely sure how well it can fare in an eSTF, though, as you have no resist mods of any kind (nor any A2D to compensate; but you do have PH1, of course). But I like it nonetheless.
Oh, one thing, though: it absolutely needs a Plasmonic Leech! Seriously, you're robbing yourself of an incredible amount of extra stolen power, not fitting the Leech.
I haven't had any problems at all in elite content or pvp with it.
Its a single target build so you shouldn't be drawing too much agro. The energy syphon's will help debuff your targets ability to do damage to you and both aux to structural integrity field and polarize hull give decent resistance bonuses.
Ideally your shields arnt going to drop as you should be able to down targets quickly. and your shield power levels are going to be maxed from the energy syphon. The tractors and tachyon beams will drain all the shield facings of an elite cube faster then you might imagine and spheres cant play keep away like they could if you were using a gravity well.
Now I have been running with an elite fleet resilient [reg] shields and an elite fleet deflector with [flow] rather then the adapted maco set. And I have all the reputation powers unlocked so others without those advantages may have a different experience. But I am fairly confident that the tank should be adequate with adapted maco or regular maco.
This not bad advice at all. I left it off because the syphons will do a good job of maxing your power levels a lot of the time and the difference between two turrets at half weapons power and two at max is not so incredibly huge.
The vesta's universal consoles are fun and do help to pad out the tank when you need it (You don't often need it).
But if your prepared to give those up then the Plasmonic leech a neutronium and an RCS would certainly be my choice to replace them with.