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Forums > Home› Feedback› Federation Discussion

Tactical Escort Retrofit Advice

frasier13frasier13 Member Posts: 74 Arc User
edited April 2014 in Federation Discussion
Hope some people can help with some questions I have on the VA (L50) Defiant. Little background, I am a Tac VA and only PvE (missions, ESTFs, etc...) and currently fly a Tac Odyssey. Ok, questions:
1. Is the Defiant dificult to fly (a lot of zooming and swooping)? Is it hard to keep the forward cannons on target?
2. Is it worth it to get the refit version for the quad cannons?
3. Any recommended set ups (note: I am just now working on Omega Rep so the only deflector/impulse/shield set I have right now is Aegis).
Lastly, thanks in advance for any advice/info
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • mewmaster101mewmaster101 Member Posts: 1,239 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    1. not really, you turn fast, and there is also backpedaling as well.

    2. no, the quad cannons are junk

    3. Do you want to use cannons or beams?
  • UnknownUnknown
    edited March 2014
    This content has been removed.
  • risingstar2009risingstar2009 Member Posts: 329 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    As probably one of the few people in STO that actually uses the Quad Cannons, I would say they are worth it.

    It is the ONLY Federation weapon that has the [Dmg]x4 modifer, so your base damage is fairly high.

    I just wish you could equip more than 1.

    And the graphics are fairly cool to watch when combined with C:RF.
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  • UnknownUnknown
    edited March 2014
    This content has been removed.
  • risingstar2009risingstar2009 Member Posts: 329 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    It was a recommendation, nothing more, edalgo. No where in my post do I claim that they are better than DHC's as any leveling console/weapon tops out at VR Mk XI equivalent.

    And with everything that is available to players now, the -8 to Engines is neglible per firing cycle.

    And to answer your other comment, yes, I am an RP'er as I don't need to min/max and complete everything in seconds to get my enjoyment out of the game. I avoid the harassment grounds known as PVP.

    Either way, to the OP, the Sao Paulo opens up some more customization options and the Quad Cannons. It is my opinion that they are worthy in PVE, even though most NPC's ignore the system disable proc of Phasers.
    Star Trek Battles: For those who want to Play Star Trek Online as it WAS MEANT TO BE!!!

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  • UnknownUnknown
    edited March 2014
    This content has been removed.
  • rtb321rtb321 Member Posts: 68 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    I Run the quad cannons, the number crunchers will dis them, but they are a damn fine weapon.

    And you have access to them. What few ever tell you about fleet anythings. the Fleet store has to be provisioned, and you have to have permission to buy provisioned items from a fleet store.

    some fleets are tightly controlled, with few ever getting access to the "goodies". some fleets are loosely controlled, but provisions can be lacking to say the least.

    I run them, I do well, I also run one photon forward and aft, a set up also dissed by number crunchers but if you get chased by a giant borg v'ger attack, and your evasive is either on cool down, or is certain death due to Borg plasma lances aft torpedo spread will defiantly save you, compared to a turrets "Maybe".

    I always say feel thing out and experiment yourself.
  • mewmaster101mewmaster101 Member Posts: 1,239 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    When you can get a MUCH better weapon for free from even just exchange gear, yeah, it is not worth the money in anyway. It is not just that it is a weaker weapon, it is a MUCH weaker weapon that also costs 1500 zen.

    also, a turret will do that same thing as that aft torp in terms of firing down those things. actually, torps are more likely to miss them.
  • theraven2378theraven2378 Member Posts: 6,016 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    It's a potent little ship in the alpha strike role, dual beams work just as well
    NMXb2ph.png
      "The meaning of victory is not to merely defeat your enemy but to destroy him, to completely eradicate him from living memory, to leave no remnant of his endeavours, to crush utterly his achievement and remove from all record his every trace of existence. From that defeat no enemy can ever recover. That is the meaning of victory."
      -Lord Commander Solar Macharius
    • frasier13frasier13 Member Posts: 74 Arc User
      edited March 2014
      Thanks all for the inputs/responses. Went ahead and got the Defiant Retrofit. Like it so far (very fragil though). Hopefully when I get my reps up I can get better gear on it and maybe survive a bit longer (and make things go boom faster). Currently running Mk XII DHC (pahser) x 3 and a Mk XII Photon up front and Mk XII Turrets x 3 in the rear.
    • landshark666landshark666 Member Posts: 0 Arc User
      edited March 2014
      Back when I ran my Defiant retrofit, it was very effective with a Borg set + Maco shield, quite tank-ish.
    • jagdhippiesjagdhippies Member Posts: 676 Arc User
      edited March 2014
      I second the borg deflector and engine and fleet shield advice. It works very well for me. Don't put too much stock in the 'this energy type is worthless' talk, you can burn through PVE content fast enough to get the optionals using harsh language.

      The biggest drawback with phasers is that there is no set that boosts phaser damage. Most things die fast enough that the proc doesn't really matter anyway. Now if you are minmaxing to get first place in the missions then you should look at a different energy type. Now my phaser packing sci toon takes first place in CE over half of the time....
      My carrier is more powerful than your gal-dread
    • mustrumridcully0mustrumridcully0 Member Posts: 12,963 Arc User
      edited March 2014
      landshark666 wrote: »
      Back when I ran my Defiant retrofit, it was very effective with a Borg set + Maco shield, quite tank-ish.

      Yup. You realy want to get that borg hull healing proc. It's that good.

      I flew a while without it, and for example in the Dyson Sphere Space Battlezone thingy, got blown up a few times when taking over capture points.
      Then I reinstalled it, and suddenly, that stopped happening. I used the same powers, the same tactics, but suddenly my hull would not drop consistently, it would recover regularly.
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    • UnknownUnknown
      edited March 2014
      This content has been removed.
    • entrailsgaloreentrailsgalore Member Posts: 19 Arc User
      edited March 2014
      I will agree, in PVE content, Plasma and Anti Proton seem to be the most effective energy type you can use. HOWEVER, we are talking about around 5-10% difference in DPS. People are talking up increasing your DPS JUST by switching to another energy type other than phasers, which does not happen. You still need high end consoles, gear and the right spec to do that.

      The difference in the loss of damage when using Quad Cannons is really minimal compared to using anything else. I switched from Phasers, to Disruptors, then to Anti-Protons, and now I am back at Phasers. There is literally no noticeable difference in how fast i blow up Spheres and cubes.

      It is like debating on the difference between a GTX 780, and a GTX 780 Ti.....yes the 780 Ti is faster, but the performance increase is barely noticeable.

      So I will tell you this, if you are a Min-Maxer/Elitist/Number Cruncher/Must have best gear or else I need to delete my account..... Then yes, you may want to use Anti Protons, or maybe Plasma or even Disruptors.

      But if you just want to enjoy the game, but still be effective, then by all means use the Quad Cannons. Really how effective you are in a group is not determined by what energy type you brought to the table, it is the quality of gear you are using. If you have at least a Mark X set, with whatever consoles you use, then that is what will determine your value in a group, as well as how you play. But this game is not serious....there is nothing hard about this game, so there is no reason why you can't use what you want to use.

      Honestly I could show up with Green quality weapons and still do well in an Elite STF lol. So play with what you want, I bought the Sao Paulo refit and it has been the ship I have been using since it came out. As far as the reduction in engine power when firing other weapons, using a Plasmonic Leech makes the engine power penalty non existent, assuming you can afford to buy one.
    • age03age03 Member Posts: 1,664 Arc User
      edited March 2014
      I really liked mine and good to hear op now you got the cloak to put on your fleet version.

      Defiant best ship next to the Constituttions
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    • corbinwolf#9797 corbinwolf
      corbinwolf#9797
             Member Posts: 565 Arc User
      edited March 2014
      landshark666 wrote: »
      Back when I ran my Defiant retrofit, it was very effective with a Borg set + Maco shield, quite tank-ish.

      Be warned OP that Maco shields will conflict with Plasmonic Leech unfortunately. Stick to Elite Shields or if you PVE only, the three piece borg set (shields) is also a nice touch.

      Personally as much as I love the offensive capabilities of the Defiant I am just a cruiser guy at heart at the end of the day. That being said, its a great ship but as you rightfully pointed out, fragile as are most ships that are not dedicated cruisers (i.e. fleet excelsior, fleet assault cruiser, fleet galaxy X, etc...).
      "The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward." - Rocky Balboa (2006)
    • age03age03 Member Posts: 1,664 Arc User
      edited March 2014
      You could use omega being faster to regen.
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    • frasier13frasier13 Member Posts: 74 Arc User
      edited March 2014
      I really do enjoy the Defiant...fun to just melt things down. Right now I have the Advanced DHC Phasers X 3, Photon Torp Mk XII, Advanced Turret Phasers x 2, KCB, Elite Warp Core, and Elite Shield. 3/4 of the way on Omega rep to get the deflector and Impulse engines.

      Unrelated question, for the tac Vesta...does anyone know if the Dyson (Step Between Stars mission rewards) Set is very good for this?
    • mewmaster101mewmaster101 Member Posts: 1,239 Arc User
      edited March 2014
      frasier13 wrote: »

      Unrelated question, for the tac Vesta...does anyone know if the Dyson (Step Between Stars mission rewards) Set is very good for this?

      The Solone set is the best episode replay/budget set (at least the 2-piece engine/deflector) for all but specific builds that could use the breen or jem'hadar set.
    • vetteguy904vetteguy904 Member Posts: 3,945 Arc User
      edited March 2014
      I like the JH set for a couple reasons:
      1. The weapon bonus
      2. It has a decent chance of shield heal if you use BFI
      The obelisk gives you a boost to ap damage and the 360 beam

      Anyone know if the ap array will fire using BO?
      sig.jpg
    • UnknownUnknown
      edited March 2014
      This content has been removed.
    • annemarie30annemarie30 Member Posts: 2,700 Arc User
      edited March 2014
      edalgo wrote: »
      The Omni array will use BO. You're better off using BO with a dual beam bank up front.

      but if you have a DBB in the front you either have to forgo a torpedo, or only have 2 DHCs

      I think Vetteguy is thinking outside the box, and hoping a beam overload from the Omni will be strong enough to hammer down the shields
      We Want Vic Fontaine
    • UnknownUnknown
      edited March 2014
      This content has been removed.
    • frasier13frasier13 Member Posts: 74 Arc User
      edited April 2014
      Well, I ended up going with a cannon/turret build. 2 X Adv DHC Phasers, Quad Phaser, and Phoron Torp up front and 3 X Adv Turret Phasers in the rear. Puts out quit a lot of damage. My survivabilty isn't too bad either...just have to run like heck once the Tac Cubes notice me and start zeroing in.
    • UnknownUnknown
      edited April 2014
      This content has been removed.
    • age03age03 Member Posts: 1,664 Arc User
      edited April 2014
      When it comes to weapons use cannons on this ship. The Promtheuse can take beams as well as cannons.
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