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I am tired of being killed by NPCs
mullroy234
Member Posts: 6 Arc User
My ship is just not up to the job, unless there is backup. I do not like having to need backup, to take out NPCs at my level. I would like some help, or tips on making my ship better at taking out NPCs...without dying.
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-Lord Commander Solar Macharius
normal text = me speaking as fellow formite
colored text = mod mode
-Lord Commander Solar Macharius
Hi! Welcome to STO.
Many people on this forum would be happy to help you, but without specifics such as what faction (Fed/KDF/Romulan) and level you are, what mission(s) you're playing so we know what enemies are defeating you, we can only provide some general advice.
If you're very new to the game, have a look at my New Player's Guide for more info on each of these topics.
However, in general, I suggest you do the following:
This list should help get you started - when you've given us more info we can go into specifics. Also, I'm happy to run with you in-game if you would like: just send an in-game mail to me at @ultimatenewbie1 and if I'm online I'll show you some pointers.
Good luck, and have fun!
OK Thanks.
Your first problem is that your shield is only Mk IV - this is fine for Lieutenant Commanders, but very much not fine for the Admiral that you are. Hop onto the exchange and buy a purple Covariant Shield Array of Mk XI or better (ideally with some [CAP] modifiers).
Shields in STO are very important - when they're down, you do the dying. Spend the 30-50k EC to buy a good shield and your ship's performance will improve greatly.
Similarly, for your other ship's equipment - your Warp Core sounds like its fine, but deflectors (such as Positron) help strengthen your shields and/or hull, so ensure that you have the highest level possible for those. Your weapons should also be as high a mark level as possible.
Also, look into getting better consoles - this will take time, but generic good modules for Science are Field Stabilisers (increase shield HP), ensure your tactical consoles support your weapons (ie, Antiproton Mag Regulators to +antiproton damage - and then make sure all your beam weapons are AP only for maximum efficiency), and your engineering consoles should be matched to give you either a more damage resistant hull (eg, Neutronium Alloy) or for increasing your weapon capability (through reputation-level gear, or certain mission rewards that increase critical chance or etc).
You'll find your ship suddenly does a lot better.
Let us know how you go!
Fleet leader Nova Elite
Fleet Leader House of Nova elite
@ren_larreck
You're also flying a T4 starship. I believe by now you have the choice of one of the stock T5s such as the Sovereign class. Higher tier ship means more HP, console slots, and another weapon slot.
I would also suggest selecting a single damage type instead of mixing Antiproton and Phaser. Selecting a single energy type can help improve your DPS as you can get the damage specific tac consoles. Torpedoes are ok to mix in as Kinetic is pretty good against bare hull, and some of them like Plasma and Chroniton have some pretty useful side effects, such as Damage over Time and Slow respectively.
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Yes, as @coldnapalm said, Spheres can be tough because they drain your shields - more skill points into power insulators helps change this from a major problem to an annoyance, but still its best to attack the Borg in groups*. If this isnt possible, try to split the Sphere away from the Cube by engaging the Sphere at maximum range (10km) - they'll almost always chase you, whilst the Cubes tend to be more stoic. Then you can attack one at a time, and avoid the more problematic one-two combo of shield drain and invisible-killer-torps.
Also, when engaging the Borg generally and Cubes in particular, its always good to have a bridge officer with Tactical Team - this will clear the Borg boarding parties that reset most of your bridge powers so you cant use them (your screen flashes red at the top and bottom).
*Reminds me of the old adage: DO NOT PROVOKE THE BORG!!!! etc.
The Borg remain one of the tougher enemies in the game due to their massively powerful shield strippers and invisible one-shot torpedoes (an oooold infuriating game glitch). Like all of the enemies they're easier to deal with once you survive/ counter their gimmick attack. Just make sure you're far away from them when they explode or they'll take you with them.
If you're doing a Borg mission and have an NPC with you, let them take the lead and act as your meat shield. If you are alone, do not be so proud that you won't use any of your emergency movement powers and get out of range long enough to heal and have another go at them.
Even Picard ran away from the Borg before regrouping and going back. It's okay.
Exactly, know when to pick your fights, play it smart and don't just rush into the fight without a plan of action
-Lord Commander Solar Macharius
The abbreviations I do not understand, if they were full words I might understand this better.
(If you really love the Galaxy Class, you might later consider buying the C-Store Retrofit(s), but for now, I recommend to stay on free ships you can acquire in-game.).
For the Borg specifically:
Aside from better resistances to drains, you can't really do much against Tachyon Beam directly. Have a quick shield heal like Science Team or Transfer Shield Strength ready when the Tachyon Beam is over. Borg Cubes also fire a shield neutralizer weapon - it can be countered with Hazard Emitters,and Hazard Emitters will also cleanse plasma fires (and BOrg use weapons that cause plasma fires, too), and generally be useful to deal with hull damage.
-Lord Commander Solar Macharius
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colored text = mod mode
Rattler has nailed it here in regards to the infamous Borg shield strips
OP, always good to invest in hull armour, when facing the Borg you'll find yourself 9 times out of 10 fighting without shields so be prepared to hull tank, hazard emitters, engineering team and auxiliary to structural will help in that respect.
If you find yourself in the position of being tractored by the Borg, reverse shield polarity will recharge your shields along with science team and emergency power to shields, tactical team will redistribute shields as well as removing any uninvited guests
-Lord Commander Solar Macharius
I'd recommend getting Neutronium consoles for all around damage resist. Fleet Neutronium is better if you have access to it.
normal text = me speaking as fellow formite
colored text = mod mode
-Lord Commander Solar Macharius