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Havelock's Fleet Excelsior A2B Build
lordhavelock
Member Posts: 2,249 Arc User
Havelock Vetinari is my first STO character created Feb 26, 2010. He's human, and despite being a tactical officer, I've always flown him in cruisers. What can I say? I'm a fan of ships with a saucer, engineering hull, and a pair of ample nacelles mounted on V-shaped pylons. The minute they release a T5 Fleet Exeter (nee Constitution), Havelock's jumping in that captain's chair (yeah, yeah, I know... I'm just sayin' :P)!
Until then, Havelock is the captain of the U.S.S. Audax (Mark II), a Fleet Advanced Heavy Cruiser Retrofit (Excelsior). I'm using a pretty typical A2B Build (thank you RedRicky), that was parsed two days ago generating 16.2k DPS in a recent ISE test. I do not PvP, so I don't know how this would perform in that arena. This build is for lolstomping pixels in Elite STFs.
Ship:
Fleet Advanced Heavy Cruiser Retrofit (Excelsior)
Weapons:
1x Experimental Romulan Plasma Beam Array
3x Romulan Plasma Beam Array Mk XII [Acc] [CrtH]
1x Kinetic Cutting Beam Mk XII [Dmg]x3
3x Romulan Plasma Beam Array Mk XII [Acc] [CrtH]
Equipment:
1x Omega Force Tachyon Deflector Array Mk XII
1x Omega Force Hyper-Impulse Engines Mk XII
1x Elite Fleet Hyper-Charged Warp Core Mk XII [Eff] [W->A] [ECap] [AMP] [Trans]
1x MACO Resilient Shield Array Mk XII
Devices:
1x Red Matter Capacitor
1x Subspace Field Modulator
20x Battery - Weapon
20x Battery - Auxiliary
BOff Layout:
TT1, FAW2, APB2
EPtW1, A2B1, RSP2, DEM3
EPtS1, ATB1
ET1
TSS1, HE2
BOff Notes:
The Tac BOff is a Superior Romulan Operative (+2% Crt), and the other four BOffs are Efficient.
DOffs:
1x Dlyrene: Space Warfare Specialist (+10% All Dmg vs. Borg)
1x Marion Frances Dulmur: Systems Engineer (Pwr Drain Resist when using DEM)
3x Ten of Ten: Technician (BO Ability CD Reduction when using A2B)
Consoles:
1x Assimilated Module
1x Zero-Point Energy Conduit
1x Nukara Particle Converter
1x Enhanced Neutronium Alloy Mk XII [+Turn]
2x Emitter Array Mk XII [-Th] [Pla]
4x Plasma Infuser Mk XI
Power Settings:
123/100
85/50
63/25
72/25
Captain's Space Traits:
Species: Human (Leadership)
Accurate
Crippling Fire
Elusive
Inspirational Leader
Techie
Warp Theorist
Skills and Rep Passives listed via STO Academy:
http://skillplanner.stoacademy.com/?build=havelock_176
(*Note that I run with Engineering, Military, and Science Fleet Advanced Training Boosts (+8 to skills) in effect "at all times")
The Excel is a great ship to fly and I've been doing it with various builds since its release in Aug 2010. Upgrading to the Fleet version (hence the "Mark II") only improves on the design. As listed above, I've got 56,812 Hull and 9,849 Shields per facing. Flight speed is 28.7 with a 17.1 Turn and 71.2% Defense. Bonus Accuracy is 28.9%, with a 10.2% Crit and 64.2% Severity. Out of combat this ship is loaded with Transwarps and a Slipstream Cooldown reduction that makes getting around nigh-instantaneous.
I'm quite satisfied with the playability of this build. Recently getting the Enhanced Neutronium with the added Turn has been lovely, as has getting the AMP'd Warp Core. There's not much else, equipment-wise, that I can upgrade on this ship. I don't plan on spending the excess EC on better Plasma Infusers for a few more % points in base damage. I'll wait until Fleet versions are offered (which I'm presuming are coming in S8).
It did take some time to get used to playing the A2B build, but help from RedRicky's thread), DDIS, and others, I was able to figure out a rhythm that plays smoothly. Mostly it just takes power cooldown awareness, and timing when to activate them to best effect.
:cool:
Until then, Havelock is the captain of the U.S.S. Audax (Mark II), a Fleet Advanced Heavy Cruiser Retrofit (Excelsior). I'm using a pretty typical A2B Build (thank you RedRicky), that was parsed two days ago generating 16.2k DPS in a recent ISE test. I do not PvP, so I don't know how this would perform in that arena. This build is for lolstomping pixels in Elite STFs.
Ship:
Fleet Advanced Heavy Cruiser Retrofit (Excelsior)
Weapons:
1x Experimental Romulan Plasma Beam Array
3x Romulan Plasma Beam Array Mk XII [Acc] [CrtH]
1x Kinetic Cutting Beam Mk XII [Dmg]x3
3x Romulan Plasma Beam Array Mk XII [Acc] [CrtH]
Equipment:
1x Omega Force Tachyon Deflector Array Mk XII
1x Omega Force Hyper-Impulse Engines Mk XII
1x Elite Fleet Hyper-Charged Warp Core Mk XII [Eff] [W->A] [ECap] [AMP] [Trans]
1x MACO Resilient Shield Array Mk XII
Devices:
1x Red Matter Capacitor
1x Subspace Field Modulator
20x Battery - Weapon
20x Battery - Auxiliary
BOff Layout:
TT1, FAW2, APB2
EPtW1, A2B1, RSP2, DEM3
EPtS1, ATB1
ET1
TSS1, HE2
BOff Notes:
The Tac BOff is a Superior Romulan Operative (+2% Crt), and the other four BOffs are Efficient.
DOffs:
1x Dlyrene: Space Warfare Specialist (+10% All Dmg vs. Borg)
1x Marion Frances Dulmur: Systems Engineer (Pwr Drain Resist when using DEM)
3x Ten of Ten: Technician (BO Ability CD Reduction when using A2B)
Consoles:
1x Assimilated Module
1x Zero-Point Energy Conduit
1x Nukara Particle Converter
1x Enhanced Neutronium Alloy Mk XII [+Turn]
2x Emitter Array Mk XII [-Th] [Pla]
4x Plasma Infuser Mk XI
Power Settings:
123/100
85/50
63/25
72/25
Captain's Space Traits:
Species: Human (Leadership)
Accurate
Crippling Fire
Elusive
Inspirational Leader
Techie
Warp Theorist
Skills and Rep Passives listed via STO Academy:
http://skillplanner.stoacademy.com/?build=havelock_176
(*Note that I run with Engineering, Military, and Science Fleet Advanced Training Boosts (+8 to skills) in effect "at all times")
The Excel is a great ship to fly and I've been doing it with various builds since its release in Aug 2010. Upgrading to the Fleet version (hence the "Mark II") only improves on the design. As listed above, I've got 56,812 Hull and 9,849 Shields per facing. Flight speed is 28.7 with a 17.1 Turn and 71.2% Defense. Bonus Accuracy is 28.9%, with a 10.2% Crit and 64.2% Severity. Out of combat this ship is loaded with Transwarps and a Slipstream Cooldown reduction that makes getting around nigh-instantaneous.
I'm quite satisfied with the playability of this build. Recently getting the Enhanced Neutronium with the added Turn has been lovely, as has getting the AMP'd Warp Core. There's not much else, equipment-wise, that I can upgrade on this ship. I don't plan on spending the excess EC on better Plasma Infusers for a few more % points in base damage. I'll wait until Fleet versions are offered (which I'm presuming are coming in S8).
It did take some time to get used to playing the A2B build, but help from RedRicky's thread), DDIS, and others, I was able to figure out a rhythm that plays smoothly. Mostly it just takes power cooldown awareness, and timing when to activate them to best effect.
:cool:
Post edited by Unknown User on
0
Comments
Perhaps you might know better than I, but would you be better served by having your Aux at 125, so that it will force MORE power to the other systems when one of the A2B kick-in (and your Aux is charged up again?)
I am assuming the order was this:
Power Settings:
Wea 123/100
Shi 85/50
Eng 63/25
Aux 72/25
I generally run with this on my A2B builds:
Power Settings:
Wea 85/50
Shi 63/25
Eng 72/25
Aux 123/100
SCE ADVISORY NOTICE: Improper Impulse Engine maintenance can result in REAR THRUSTER LEAKAGE. ALWAYS have your work inspected by another qualified officer.
However I'm not saying it's bad... It's an awesome build that more Excelsior pilots should use
EDIT: To be able to use this effectively in pvp, just change out APB2 for APO1, and change your shield to an elite fleet resilient, and you'll be perfectly fine!
I can't imagine how any of the Warp Theorist abilities would be required by an A2B build.
For more info on A2B check out RedRicky's thread on the subject.
You can find/contact me in game as @PatricianVetinari. Playing STO since Feb 2010.
No offense taken. I even point that out in the OP ("I'm using a pretty typical A2B Build...") and gave credit to those that inspired/helped with the design. :P
So why bother to post it? The other day I was in a DPS-Channel qualifying run, I was trying out for the DPS 11k channel. I scored 16.2k, and another Excel in the group "only" scored 8.7k. He PM'd me after and we got to talking... He wanted to know why I scored so much more with the same ship. I didn't know his build, but told him I'd post mine and send him the link.
Thanks for the advice. I don't PvP, but maybe I'll add that to the OP for those that do.
You can find/contact me in game as @PatricianVetinari. Playing STO since Feb 2010.
Maybe you guys are thinking Warp Core Engineer? In which case the Subsystem Power variant could be useful, but not necessary, and I think Dlyrene and Marion and much preferred.
You can find/contact me in game as @PatricianVetinari. Playing STO since Feb 2010.
I am sorry, said wrong DoFF, I meant Warp Core Engineer :
http://sto.gamepedia.com/Specialization:_Warp_Core_Engineer
I say it becuase of the bonus's it give with ETPX stuff, which is also used in many A2B setups
It has a chance to increase all power levels on any activation of EptX, so I think it would be a good alternative doff instead of your warfare specialist in pvp
However you should ALWAYS stick with Marion... He's awesome!
Side note: You may blow up too many bugs with DEM3 and your tankyness, so some of them may say "X power you use is OP" So just ignore them crying and laugh at it :cool:
The MACO shield is nice but I like leech console for the +16 power, that means I have to use an Elite fleet shield.
Again nice build tho.
≡/\≡
I'm yoinking this to post on my wall as a dream build.
the +power of the proc is certainly nice, but not mandatory for the build in any way. I use it anyway, since i'm not doing many stfs lately, just fleetmarks grinding.
the build is sweet, the gear even sweeter and i think 16k dps is only the beginning.
I've considered getting the Plasmonic Leech. I think all my Klingon toons use it (I bought the C-Store ship it comes on), but my Fed toons would have to buy it off the Exchange, and I haven't wanted to "invest" in the purchase for this Fed. My three non-aux subsystems are already maxed (or close enough to it) once the A2B, EPtX, and the MACO shield get rolling, so I figure it's not necessary.
You can find/contact me in game as @PatricianVetinari. Playing STO since Feb 2010.
would you go with a different layout with an Engineer Joined trill?
keep in mind that an engi adds survivability...so taking for instance the TSS, which is practically replaced by the engis own shieldheal you can slot a PH1 to avoid tractors (even at 1 aux power it will break holds and adds 20 armor, never less)
or put HE1 in and get a TBR1 which deals dmg unaffected by auxpower (auxpower increases only the push distance)
TBR is great in stfs
other than that it is pretty much the same setup. inbetween DEM (with marion) cooldowns nadion inversion is gold and the rest of the engi captain abilities work just as on any other ship.
you will never reach the dmg output of a tac in the same ship, but above 12k dps is easy achivable.
Agreed, though as I mention in a response above about Plasmonic Leech... I'm already at (near-)max in my non-Aux subsystems as it is (once A2B, EPtX, and the MACO shield get rolling). Not sure that proc would help. I'd probably rather put in an BFI DOff or Transporter Offc to allow TSS to remove Boarding Parties... Or if I could afford it, the Warp Core Engineer that allows EPtS to cleanse...
I'm pretty sure I've even got the kitchen sink in there, lol :P What else might you recommend to get beyond that 16.2k "beginning", because honestly, I don't know where I could eke out too much more DPS (the minor bump from slightly better tac consoles, notwithstanding)?
You're welcome. It's a pretty standard A2B build that I think works with anything. Not being tac means you'll lose APA, which is a great damage boost. But Tac's Tactical Initiative is near useless in an A2B build, and GDF is too situational after it's recent "nerf".
Being an Engineer, your EPS Power Transfer and Nadion Inversion will significantly help you manage your power... You're really gonna have too much of it (such that you wouldn't "need" the power buff from the MACO shield, you can get any shield you want). And your Shield Rotation and Miracle Worker will add an awesome extra layer of tankiness that this build is a little short on.
You can find/contact me in game as @PatricianVetinari. Playing STO since Feb 2010.
in a combat parser the encounter time is key to increase your dps, so the faster the run, the higher the average dps. that is where a combat parser is different from a dps meter.
and i have the feeling that getting a feel for the rotation and positioning is also something that is either luck or very precise timing.
that is essentially what i think is how to improve. not the ship but how a person handles it. even a faceroll build like A2B can be complex in certain situations.
What do you do about all those annoying over-used tractor beams? Seems every NPC is rocking them these days.
P.S. I'm right there with you, re: T5 Exeter
heyyyyyyy! LORDHAVELOCK!! nice to see you here.
sorry to interrupt in your thread but while i am at it, congrat for you powerlevel calculator.
also i didn't take a look at the last version but i don't known if you have update the jem hadar set in it lately.
indeed the mk12 jem engine now give +5 to weapon.
that it, i leave you now, sorry, keep up the good work:)
http://sto-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=528931&page=271
Suffer?
HA!
No actually I don't get bothered by TBs much. Between my Inertial Dampeners skills, high engine power/speed, evasive maneuvers, etc... At worse I normally just get slowed down or slip-studder along, rarely am I brought to a dead-stop for any real length of time. And if I do, then I either A) Just tank it: The ship's got a ton of HP, decent resistances, and hardened resilient shields, she can take quite a beating. If things go really bad, I pop my Subspace Field Modulator. If I take too much it's actually a bad thing for my foes, cuz then GDF kicks in and I go right to option
I don't know whether to hug you with tears of combined grief/happiness, offer a "Right-on!" high-five, or a reserved-but-meaningful slow nod from one Trekkie to another.
You can find/contact me in game as @PatricianVetinari. Playing STO since Feb 2010.
If you please, make such posts in my Ship's Power Calculator Thread, from which you can also download the latest version and verify if the JH Engines in the Calc are working properly compared to what you see in the game. If not, post there your findings and I'll get it fixed.
Thanks!
You can find/contact me in game as @PatricianVetinari. Playing STO since Feb 2010.