Carrier Gameplay - Who Does?

sharpie65 · May 2015

I have a question for all us Feds - who among us uses carriers, and what is your reasoning behind it? I'm also curious (forgive me for my intrusion) to know how you play them, what weapons you use, and what skills you find to be most useful.

(I hope this thread can be a little more civil than the last one I made in the Shipyard section, I'll start.)

The only carrier I use is the Atrox with phased tetryon (had those for some time), mixed with phased biomatter as of this week with the Wide-Angle Quantum Torpedo from the ACR, because I can't afford the Narcine or JHDC (and I'm plainly unlucky).

I roll Tractor Beam 3 and Grav Well 3, with other skills focused on keeping moving and heals (tac skills are TT1 and TS2). The ship also has the Aegis set.

orion0029 · May 2015

My main runs a Sarr Theln, got the Elite Raiders for it, and use AP beams with the Romulan Hyper Plasma Tropedo. :eek: Yeah, it's fun, I know I should probably drop the plasma spam for the Crystaline AP torp, but I like mah spammer!

I run carriers because I like to have little minions flying around doing my bidding.

For the same reason I prefer playing an Engineer on ground missions, love those little drones and turrets...

I also run a Vo'Quv (mirror variant) on my KDF officer, and dispite no mastery levels for it I still fly that beautifully ugly monster.

... Wish there were a worthy successor to the mighty Vo'quv...:(

Also run a Sarr Theln with elite raiders on my Rom Sci officer, the Sci heavy nature of the Sarr Theln works nicely with him, He runs Corrosive Plasma on his carrier though. :P

alcyoneserene · May 2015

I don't identify with being a Fed, despite most characters being fed or fed aligned, but my fed-main does fly the fleet Atrox and Narcine occasionally.

Reasons: I don't see any reason not to! It's fun to control your fighters, see them in action, the ships and frigates/fighters look real nice, it adds more strategy to the gameplay, you can send them shield and hull heals, and adds to the variety of ship classes to keep things interesting.

I really don't know why carriers are a controversial topic sometimes, with some wanting them gone simply because it doesn't agree with their little personal vision of the game, or calling for their pets to be further nerfed to oblivion.

Flight decks are the next closest thing, and I'm glad the command cruisers got them, but saddened Iconics didn't, and saucer separation on Andromeda is certainly as hopeless as any other non-controllable fighter unit, and this isn't just from its near-vacant AI, but from removing a gameplay element and making it automatic, which is not effective and not fun. I kind of regret buying the Pathfinder, because every time I fly it, I miss the Vestas that have 'real' fighter units.

Controversy aside, even ships like the Scryer are their own little micro-carrier of drones, but sadly the trend seems to be towards, and I'll say it, dumbing down by neglecting to include a control interface for many, which includes Odyssey (saucer & frigate, which for absurd reasons can't be deployed at the same time, nevermind the Sheshar has both frigate and fighters that can, or the Narcine with 4 frigates), Sheshar (frigate can't be controlled nor piloted like the Haakona as far as I could tell), Pathfinder, etc., which to me is terribly disappointing to the point I no longer have interest in these and will stick to the older T5Us and regard them as classics like the Vestas and Scimitar flight deck ships.

sharpie65 · May 2015

alcyoneserene wrote: »

Controversy aside, even ships like the Scryer are their own little micro-carrier of drones, but sadly the trend seems to be towards, and I'll say it, dumbing down by neglecting to include a control interface for many, which includes Odyssey (saucer & frigate, which for absurd reasons can't be deployed at the same time, nevermind the Sheshar has both frigate and fighters that can, or the Narcine with 4 frigates), Sheshar (frigate can't be controlled nor piloted like the Haakona as far as I could tell), Pathfinder, etc., which to me is terribly disappointing to the point I no longer have interest in these and will stick to the older T5Us and regard them as classics like the Vestas and Scimitar flight deck ships.

If you have look in the shipyard, you'll find my concept for faction carriers.

I hope they meet your expectations as to what the carriers can/should be (I made them virtually on-par with the Breen Sarr Theln)

I should warn you, most of that thread is arguments about whether or not the Romulans (Reman) should get a cloak on their carrier.

thibash · May 2015

For my ship, I chose an Armitage mainly because it has a hangar. I like the flexibility that hangar pets give, and it also seems more realistic. However, I find it hard to actually dedicate ships to the hangars. There's very little that actually affects hanagr pets after all. And if it does, it's usually something like the Adaptive Maco 3p bonus. Nice but not very helpful.

feiqa · May 2015

My ship. T5U fleet Atrox. She is built as a grav science ship with anti-proton weapons and borg gear. Mostly used her for running borg STFs as a heavy science ship since I found science vessels including the Vesta were to squishy to survive long enough to put their sci powers to good use.

With a mix of delta flyers and scimitars I can be taking out transformers on one side of a map and locking down ships headed for the vortex. With the ancient warp core and three 360 beams I can put enough boosted fire power forward to kill off probes and spheres making the run as they get held.

Personally I think the Atrox is the best carrier. But as you can tell I am biased.

:P:cool:

lindaleff · May 2015

Simply put, my Jem'Hadar Dreadnought is the best ship I have ever used. It easily keeps up with any T6 ship. I use it with my Engineer, so I can tank all day long, but I also have the ability to single-handedly mow through anything in my path.

farmallm · May 2015

I use carriers at times as they are fun to use. Here is the ones I use the most.

Fed Eng uses the Obelisk Carrier I got from the event. With AP beams, and it does a great deal of damage and holds up as well.

KDF uses the Breen carrier. This one is fun as well, and really punishes the target.

Romulan I hadn't picked up a carrier for this one yet. She does have the Obelisk and Breen if I choose to use those.

resoundingenvoy · May 2015

I use my Atrox for no greater cause really then despite it's great age and long decline in relative power, It's one of the first C-Store ships I got and I like the stalkers.

spyralpegacyon · May 2015

Does the Vesta count as a carrier? I love mine to bits. Runabouts and aux cannons and the quantum phaser too! I just picked up the gravometric photon torps, my next decision will be to load up on vulnerability locators first or upgrade to Yellowstones.

jbmaverick · May 2015

I played in a Jem'Hadar Dreadnought for about a year before deciding I wanted to get back into a true Federation ship when Reciprocity rendered my Boff layout redundant. I did try the Sarr Theln for a while but it didn't feel quite right. For me the fighter bay was more of a nice bonus than a necessity, the JHDC had the power layout I was looking for at the time to be an effective tank for my fleet.

Now I'm flying the Presidio Command Cruiser with basically the same premise, tanking for the fleet. Again, the hangar bay is mostly just a nice addition rather than core to the playstyle. Although I could see it being a nice benefit with the Pilot tier 3 skills that add damage and defense based on nearby enemies and allies. There's also that weird aggro mechanic every once in a while where a particularly large enemy will focus fire on the fighters, taking the pressure off the rest of the team.

As to power selection, unfortunately I suppose I'm a bit standard, primarily running a Drake build with Suppression Barrage and Rally Point thrown in. I was initially using crafted [Over] Phasers with the Undine consoles to keep with the theme of running a Federation ship again, but I'm currently transitioning over to Radiant Antiproton. At least they're still close to the same color. Using Elite Swarmers because they're still considered among the best damage dealing pets, although I did try Delta Fliers for a while, wasn't really impressed with their abilities. Should really get myself a Yellowstone hangar to try out.

I do wish carriers had their own feel, rather than just being larger ships with the same power layouts and just tacking on a hangar bay. The utility hangars were so much more impactful a few years ago before several power changes and changes to the pets in general. I remember flying the Vo'Quv into Infected Elite (Advanced now) and completely locking down the Tactical Cube with a combination of Energy Siphon/Tyken's Rift and the Power Siphon drones. Now you're lucky if the thing even notices that sort of tactic.

freakium · May 2015

I pretty much have what spyralpegacyon is pining for and I can say that it is great!

Fore: Aux DHC, DHC, Grav Torp
Aft: KCB, Omni Phaser, Turret

Granted the Vesta isn't 100% carrier but having Yellowstones ejecting plasma left and right stops most kamikaze heralds in their tracks and if that doesn't, their tractor beams do. Thanks yellowstones!

angrytarg · May 2015

My Tellarite command a Breen carrier with swamers and all AP weapons right now because it's as close as I get to what I'd imagine makes a good Tellarite ship. Drone carrier, red beams (Tellarite phasers. just like Andorian ones, I'd color red), with a lot of fantasy it looks like a cloven hoof ...

rondelica · May 2015

i am happy with my Narcine Dreadnought Carrier

theraven2378 · May 2015

Love the Breen Carrier, the mirror Klingon carrier is also a damn fine ship

sqwished · June 2015

Although I have access to carriers such as the Armitage & vesta line ups, my main carrier is a Jem'Hadar dreadnought, and whilst I dont drag it out of moth balls all that often any more, it's still a capable ship and something different to fly when I get bored of running all beam arrays.

sharpie65 · June 2015

I recently got the Xindi-Insectoid Olaen (yesterday), and I can tell you it's a pretty solid ship (Lock Trajectory1, used with CRF3 is awesome). I'm in the middle of perfecting that build as a plasma cluster bomber - GW1, plus Particle Emission/Romulan Hyperplasma torpedo on spread 2 works very well.

I switch between the Advanced Castroi and Advanced Nusuti fighters since both are awesome. :cool:

ironcaniac · June 2015

I've been using a Heavy Escort Carrier on my main ever since I hit level 50 and nothing else. I've continuously upgraded its gear and weapons, of course, but the Torpedo Point Defense System coupled with shield-stripping Delta Flyer hangar pets still works great for everything I need.

ataloss · June 2015

My Recluse is my regular patrol officer. Very versatile, I'm always experimenting with that ship. I've used it as a: beam boat, torpedo boat, cannon boat, turret boat & a balanced load-out of beams, turrets and torpedoes. The BOFF layout is the main reason I can do this.

My Jem'Hadar Dreadnought Carrier is my SWAT team. When I want to indiscriminately whoop TRIBBLE, that ship gets the call. I RARELY change the weapons or the BOFF layout of my JHDC. It's ready to deploy like an Army Ranger.

I hate my Atrox. I haven't played with that ship since Abraham Lincoln was president. That ship is the ONLY Zen purchase I regret (I used real world money for that ship, I didn't convert Dill to Zen).

sharpie65 · June 2015

ataloss wrote: »

I hate my Atrox. I haven't played with that ship since Abraham Lincoln was president. That ship is the ONLY Zen purchase I regret (I used real world money for that ship, I didn't convert Dill to Zen).

So very true, it's hard to fall (back) in love with since there are just so many better carriers out there, escort or otherwise.

lessley00 · June 2015

My kdf Sci and rom Sci fly Sarr Theln's. They have similar builds just one has disruptors and the other has rom plasma

Weapons:

Rom:

All weapons are plasma

Beam bank
Omni-beam
Rom rep beam
PE plasma torp
Rom rep hype torp (back)
Beam array (back)

Hanger: 2 Elite Scorpion

Full Rom rep space set and ordinance set

Tac abilities: TS3, BO2, TT1, THY2, TT1
Eng abilities: EPTW1, ET2
Sci abilities: PH1, HE2, ST2, RB2, TB1, GW3,

Kdf:

All weapons are disruptor

Beam bank [Over]
Grav torp
Beam array [Over]
Photon torp (back)
Omni-beam
Beam array [Over] (back)

Full honor guard space set

Hanger: 2 Adv. Plesh Brek

Tac abilites: TS3, APB1, BO1, THY2, TT1
Eng abilities: EPTW1, ET2
Sci abilities: PH1, TB1, HE2, ST2, RB2, GW3

These arn't bad ships fellas

kurumimorishita · June 2015

My tac main usually flys the JHDC (yup.. the one from the loading screen

) with Elite JHAS pets, the complete Dominion Set, the complete Epic MKXIV Jem'Hadar Space Set and a mix of Epic MKXIV Polaron/Dominion Polaron beams and cannons.

Why I use this ship? Because I like Dominion ship designs in general (which is why that main also flys the other 3 Dominon ships) and because I enjoy ships with a good mix of power and survivability.

anjc · June 2015

My main tactical uses the TholianRecluseCarrier (http://sto.gamepedia.com/Tholian_Recluse_Carrier), I run the Tholian Deflector/Shields and the Dyson Reputation Impulse/Warp, currently running tetryon weapons but am probably going to switch to plasma. Use the Tholian Frigates (Elite)(the standard (rare) ones are also fine, they do a good 2k dps). It, in my opinion, is a monster, and it can survive anything (including a pvp ship assaulting you). You can use it as a science ship with a punch, a decent tactical ship (but i would use the JHDC for that role), or an amazing healer.

potasssium · June 2015

My Main is a KDF ENG who primarily uses a SheShar and Narcine, I am personally a fan of frigates whenever possible. My Ferasan Tact uses a Jem Dreadnought and Jem HEC with Vaudwaar Polarons, Jem Set, and Elite Maruaderers. I will say I love the Jem HEC so much much more than the Ar'kif/Arkala & Federation HEC, don't know exactly why, just do.

My Federation Science Captain used the Breen Carrier for the Trait, but dismissed it recently now that we can reclaim them, still has the elite pets. I perfer to use Yellowstones on her Galaxy-X, Vesta, or HEC when I take that out.

Other than that I do use pets on the KDF Command Carriers, I have an Orion Captain I am working on at the moment, who will be using the science Command Ship. My main that I mentioned above also has the Tactical Command Carrier in her shipyard, but haven't been using it lately. I frankly perfer using my Sheshar, Narcine, or T5U Tor'kaht more.

I ma a stickler for not using the same ship on more than one character, and have 7 KDF, 3 Romulans, and 2 Feds.

gulberat · June 2015

freakium wrote: »

I pretty much have what spyralpegacyon is pining for and I can say that it is great!

Fore: Aux DHC, DHC, Grav Torp
Aft: KCB, Omni Phaser, Turret

Granted the Vesta isn't 100% carrier but having Yellowstones ejecting plasma left and right stops most kamikaze heralds in their tracks and if that doesn't, their tractor beams do. Thanks yellowstones!

I still have yet to upgrade all the way to the Yellowstones, but I do love my Vesta, and I fly it on two toons--Berat, a Fed sci, and Rraeit, a Fed engineer. I refuse to change ships/buy a T6.

potasssium · June 2015

Of the Carriers I have used I would say the Narcine wins in terms of ease of use. she basically handles like a battle cruiser the lost one rear weapon mount in exchange for a hangar bay.

smokeybacon90 · June 2015

Narcine with Elite Mobulais, 'nuff said.

Carrier Gameplay - Who Does?

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