Seeking opinion on GuardIan Cruiser

djf021 · December 2014

I already own the T-5U versions of the Fleet Avenger and Fleet Dreadnought Cruiser. Avenger I use for hard hitting, and Dreadnought I use more for tanking worth the separation console. I've been very happy with both.
But let's face it-I will be getting Tier 6 ships for all characters. So my question is. ..

Would you recommend the Guardian?

It looks like it might be kinda like a perfect middle ground between the two cruisers I already have. Is it worth it?

synthiasuicide · December 2014

I find it the perfect cruiser. It tanks, does great damage. Don't let the 3 tac consoles fool you. Just make sure to run OSS in the Intel slot. Otherwise stay with what you already have.

I have both you mention. Also have the Monbosh T5U, and i do about same damage and survive better in the guardian. It's special Console is also great. Both buffs your damage and hardens your shields big time.

The ship actually confuses me. I do about the same in both the Monbosh and the Guardian. yet several times the Monbosh for some reason almost falls apart. i don't die in it, but so close. yet the Guardian its like I HAVE to try to fall apart. I don't get it. Not when parses are so close. Same gear, almost the same Layout, Except I get a Grav Well 1 in the Guardian and OSS. And since I pug ALOT, a Grav Well I see as a huge asset.

Love the ship. Not sure what it would feel like without reprocity though, I'm spoiled with them traits. Battle ready+Reprocity.

I thought maybe it was the guardians trait Deperate Measures that made a difference since I unlocked it, So I went back to the monbosh to try it again. Same thing, Random Fall apart moments that I didnt get. So back to the Guardian. lol.

ghyudt · December 2014

The guardian is a great tank. Between its carrier-like hull, and its console, its actually very hard to kill. I was challenged by an Eclipse the other night, and though I was unable to find ish him off, I did take him down to about 30% hull a couple of times, and I never dropped below 80. He was using some weird cannon/beam hybrid build. I've also taken it I to battle of korfezz and never have I been destroyed. It also puts out some decent damage. I personally don't use any of the Intel powers on it, but that's because I prefer an engineering heavy setup. I would recommend either the guardian or the Eclipse if you are already used to cruisers.

sindjin7 · December 2014

I have the Guardian and while its a decent Cruiser, it was a bit underwhelming. I went back to my escort and eventually got the Phantom which is actually proving to more versatile than I thought it would be.

It really depends on what you want out of your ship. Perhaps it's time to broaden the horizons and get the phantom or the Eclipse.

I'm a Tac captain and flew Cruisers only until level 54. Then I got my first escort and really never looked back. Today I tried out my Gaurdian in a few STFS and was wishing I could sell it and get my Zen back.

hyperionx09 · December 2014

Guardian is a solid all-rounder with impressive shield-tanking (console stacks beautifully with Reverse Shield Polarity and Feedback Pulse), and even just using Intel skills OsS 1/2 or IT1 make it capable of still hitting reasonably hard. Defensively, it can only be exceeded and rivaled by the Adv. Obelisk and its console and the Voth Bulwark with it's full 3 set powers.

Gear it with the Aegis or Dyson shield, or even the MACO shield for some serious Shield Tanking. Pair with Eclipse Mastery and Phantom Mastery from some serious BS Shield Tanking.

The fact is that it can also APB + GW + Ionic Turbulence for some serious DPS bursts if so built. Add in OsS1 + a weapon battery to boost weapon power temporarily over the limit for even more damage.

Add on full cruiser commands and its Mastery trait, and it can easily remain in the game for indefinite periods of time if you plan your rotation wisely.

Still, if you want pure DPS in a cruiser, Eclipse is simply a wonderfully flexible battlecruiser that renders assault cruisers obsolete, and is the better and more maneuverable choice available to Feds (broadside for maximum damage), though it can also tank almost as well with its point-blank AoE debuff + self-buff console (though it's geared for hull buffing rather than shield buffing).

meimeitoo · December 2014

Due to Intel, you can use an identical station layout as for the phantom (i.e. use a full Commander Intel layout, with both OSS3 + SS3).

It turns slower than the Phantom, though (it should, it's a cruiser); and has only 3 Tact consoles. Don't let the latter fool you, though: the surplus other consoles (compared to Phantom) means you can get set bonusses for a 2-piece other set, and do *very* well with it. And you get the Cruiser weapons buff (or shield, whichever you prefer, naturally).

warmaker001b · December 2014

meimeitoo wrote: »

Due to Intel, you can use an identical station layout as for the phantom (i.e. use a full Commander Intel layout, with both OSS3 + SS3).

It turns slower than the Phantom, though (it should, it's a cruiser); and has only 3 Tact consoles. Don't let the latter fool you, though: the surplus other consoles (compared to Phantom) means you can get set bonusses for a 2-piece other set, and do *very* well with it. And you get the Cruiser weapons buff (or shield, whichever you prefer, naturally).

I think you're confusing the Guardian for the Eclipse :cool:

Can't do full Cmdr Intel layout since the Guardian isn't a full fledged Intel Cruiser that the Eclipse is.

meimeitoo · December 2014

warmaker001b wrote: »

I think you're confusing the Guardian for the Eclipse :cool:

Can't do full Cmdr Intel layout since the Guardian isn't a full fledged Intel Cruiser that the Eclipse is.

LOL. I think you're right. :eek:

ddesjardins · December 2014

The Guardian and the Eclipse are both excellent ships. My preference is to the Guardian for a number of reasons - too many to list.

My tac captain can squeeze 20K out of the design without sacrificing torpedoes and science skills. I love gravity wells. It can solo sides in CSA, and still be agile enough to help out in the middle. And the XIV ELite Phasers make it a nice feddy-looking design;)

My engineering captain is more tanky, built around a Romulan /Reman plasma build. The damage it can take while dishing out a fairly consistent stream of damage is awesome. It's good enough that I can drop the DPS build for something more trek-like - front and rear torpedoes

I don't think you can go wrong with the Guardian.

seaofsorrows · December 2014

I love the Guardian. It has put all my other ships on the Shelf.

I was hesitant at first due to it only having 3 tac consoles, but as others pointed out the ship still puts out really impressive DPS. You just have to build it right.

When I first got mine, I set up a typical Aux2Bat setup and was quickly disappointed in it's performance. It seemed to lack punch and was less effective then my T5-U Fleet Assault Cruiser. Turns out, the problem was my build, not the ship.

Put together a more sensible build, implemented 2 copies of Override System Safeties and now she's a beast. Can take a heck of a beating, dishes 20k+ and I love having Gravity Well. I flew my Phantom to get the Trait, and occasionally I take it out when I feel like playing that 'escort style' but for the most part, I don't fly anything but my Guardian anymore.

The ship does everything well. There are ships that do more damage, and there are ships that are tougher, but no ship does it all like the Guardian.

thunderhawk101 · December 2014

imho one of the best looking and most versatile T-6 Ships, first and so far only T-6 ship I own and so far I think of it as money quite well spent. One of the nastier combos I've found is to load with Grav Well 1 and use the Lt Lvl Eng/Intel Hybrid slot with Ionic Turbulence. Done right it's 'evul' in that combo.

martakurill · December 2014

I must admit, I was kinda skeptical about the Guardian cruiser at first, but I picked one up yesterday with some leftover Christmas cash, and wow am I blown away.

I pretty much just ported my build over from my Fleet Assault Cruiser T5-U, with the exception of adding Override Subsystem Safeties 2. I simply can't believe how much damage I'm putting out with this thing without losing really any tankiness.

So realistically, I have to say, if you are on the fence about getting this ship...just get it. You won't be disappointed.

karlbarb · December 2014

While I only played it for a bit to get it's trait, as a science captain, I was pleasantly surprised by it's versatility ... with ltcmdr tac and science, you can equip all high end boff abilities you want, even if it's rank 1 (i.e. Gravity Well). While you can still equip more sci abilities on an Odyssey, the fact that the Guardian has two Intel slots is pretty golden.

Overall, as a general cruiser any captain can use reasonably well, it's actually a good option if you have multiple characters but limited funds. All three captain types can get some mileage out of this thing.

Seeking opinion on GuardIan Cruiser

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