A question about 'builds'.

[The Equalizer]

After playing for nearly 3 years I still have no idea about builds. I've got a decent fleet of Fed ships which I like to keep as canon as possible. By that I mean keep them armed with regular phasers as opposed to the other types of weapons. All of my weapons and equipment is maxed out to level 15 epic too.

So what I'd like to know is:

1) How do people manage to post their DPS in the chat box at the end of the Borg TFO? I've noticed this a few times periodically.

2) If I was to start a new build on one if not all of my Federation ships, what types of phasers would people recommend me to go for? Are there any ultra rare types I'm probably not aware off?

3) Any other tips people could share on how to get a decent build whilst trying to keep things looking and feeling normal/canon as possible please?

Thanks in advance

[Varenvel The Festive Dinosaur]

Originally posted by Von Stauffenberg:

After playing for nearly 3 years I still have no idea about builds. I've got a decent fleet of Fed ships which I like to keep as canon as possible. By that I mean keep them armed with regular phasers as opposed to the other types of weapons. All of my weapons and equipment is maxed out to level 15 epic too.

So what I'd like to know is:

1) How do people manage to post their DPS in the chat box at the end of the Borg TFO? I've noticed this a few times periodically.

2) If I was to start a new build on one if not all of my Federation ships, what types of phasers would people recommend me to go for? Are there any ultra rare types I'm probably not aware off?

3) Any other tips people could share on how to get a decent build whilst trying to keep things looking and feeling normal/canon as possible please?

Thanks in advance

-they use external program for DPS (for some people say it not works , my fleet mate tried and he never could get 1 to work) , i myself on other hand not instal 3rd party software for mmo

-i would sugest disruptors or polarons as they offer better DPS , i switched to disruptors on last update weekend(their proc is also useful) (also that terran disruptor from rep is OP but they also have phaser i think)

-That depends what ship you fly, and if federation federation ships , also what canon you fallow (as original show used diffrent color phasers too)

also you can get diffrent colors of same weapons too (good example is green polarons from lukari)

[Gorok Delvedeep]

its all about the specific kind of phasers you use.

STD first set of phasers, sesnor linkd, for example, have in built critH and CritD iirc, that stacks, making them really good. whilst having a weapon with [pen] makes that weapon individually ignore some damage res. too.

tactical consoles stack for diminishing returns after the 3rd or 4th, meaning stacking phaser consoles is more rewarding, for example, than stacking engi or sci consoles, some of which can have heinously prohibitive diminishing returns even after a single console, meaning the second is almost a total waste.

they balance has been changed about a hundred times since 3 years ago, with pretty much everything fun and 'go to' builds nerfed into the dirt.

power drain builds etc, pretty uselesss now. shield cap and res stacking is almost utterly pointless, since the new balance for enemies make them do a gorrilion shield damage anyhoo.

there are in fact totally memy builds that go ''shieldless'' and stack resists instead so that all shield power can instead be rerouted to weapons and engines and ♥♥♥♥.

eople play the 'fly in, do insane burst damge, explode, respawn and try all over again' attempting to get so much burst they kill everything.

beams are pretty screwed. they nerfed all beam abilities. whilst 45' slice cannons have been buffed out he ass. cannon scatter volley now ALSO upgrades all your cannon to a 90' cone instead. as well as what it used to do being buffed too.


so yea, its a bit outdated now, but sensor linked phasers with [pen] might suit you.

[The Equalizer]

Think you both have given me enough to get started on. Seems a lot of hard work and different things to consider. I can see why I've not really looked into it as much before in the past now lol

Thanks to you both.

[VoodooMike]

Originally posted by Varenvel The Mildly Grumpy Dino:

-i would sugest disruptors or polarons as they offer better DPS , i switched to disruptors on last update weekend(their proc is also useful) (also that terran disruptor from rep is OP but they also have phaser i think)

How do polarons offer better DPS? I've seen someone else (well, someone on another thread... maybe it was you then too) advocate polaron for DPS, but I don't see how they qualify. For base proc/ability you're still going to be getting the best DPS out of disruptors and antiproton as far as I can see. Is there some variant polaron that is topping the DPS charts these days?

Polarons will be cheaper and easier to get supporting consoles for, certainly.

Now, given that OP specifically asked about phasers, the Terran Task Force Phaser Beam Array is certainly a big one, though it requires terran task force rep at rank 6. The other one to talk about (other than sensor-linked phasers which have been mentioned) are pulse phasers, which are ridiculously expensive but act like superior disruptors, giving both a penalty to damage resist to the target and a bonus to damage resist to yourself on proc.

Both sensor-lnked phasers and pulse phasers are possibly less satisfying in terms of canon.. sensor-linked phasers are discovery-based, which means they fire bolts rather than beams even when the weapon is beam based. Pulse phasers strobe, which can get annoying, visually.

[Varenvel The Festive Dinosaur]

Originally posted by VoodooMike:

Originally posted by Varenvel The Mildly Grumpy Dino:

-i would sugest disruptors or polarons as they offer better DPS , i switched to disruptors on last update weekend(their proc is also useful) (also that terran disruptor from rep is OP but they also have phaser i think)

How do polarons offer better DPS? I've seen someone else (well, someone on another thread... maybe it was you then too) advocate polaron for DPS, but I don't see how they qualify. For base proc/ability you're still going to be getting the best DPS out of disruptors and antiproton as far as I can see. Is there some variant polaron that is topping the DPS charts these days?

Polarons will be cheaper and easier to get supporting consoles for, certainly.

Now, given that OP specifically asked about phasers, the Terran Task Force Phaser Beam Array is certainly a big one, though it requires terran task force rep at rank 6. The other one to talk about (other than sensor-linked phasers which have been mentioned) are pulse phasers, which are ridiculously expensive but act like superior disruptors, giving both a penalty to damage resist to the target and a bonus to damage resist to yourself on proc.

Both sensor-lnked phasers and pulse phasers are possibly less satisfying in terms of canon.. sensor-linked phasers are discovery-based, which means they fire bolts rather than beams even when the weapon is beam based. Pulse phasers strobe, which can get annoying, visually.

DPS is not only base stats of weapon but also consoles you can get as well special weapons you can get , its not just about "this end game weapon is best" but weapons overall

it was not me most likely

I know he asked but wanted to mention alternatives as using only 1 type of weapon is quite limiting

im not super best player but lots people i spoke with agree that polaron/disruptors andantiproton are 3 best weapons Phasers are not worst

[Evill Bob]

It's all based around what you can get your hands on or willing to get your hands on. Polaron and Tetryon are very good with stuff you get from missions. Disruptors become very appealing once you get your reputations up (more specifically: the Mirror rep up) and Plasma gets thrown a bone (and Polaron becomes more appealing). Lock-box and event stuff open up everything else except Torpedoes and Proton and Fleet stuff rounds it out (except aforementioned Torpedoes and Proton).

Honestly a well upgraded Incontrovertible Defenses or Quantum Phase Applications set will carry you through a lot of content.

[VoodooMike]

Originally posted by Varenvel The Mildly Grumpy Dino:

DPS is not only base stats of weapon but also consoles you can get as well special weapons you can get , its not just about "this end game weapon is best" but weapons overall

You can get a metric ton of damage-boosting consoles for most energy types, with disruptor, phaser, and antiproton being the ones with the most (I believe). All weapons have the same base damage, it is the effect of the procs that will differentiate them most significantly.

Originally posted by Varenvel The Mildly Grumpy Dino:

I know he asked but wanted to mention alternatives as using only 1 type of weapon is quite limiting

I don't disagree... phasers are typically a pretty mediocre energy type, but all energy types have good variants and good boosts, even phasers... and no few STO players are show/movie fanatics who care a lot about sticking to stuff they've seen, or which are confirmed to exist in one of the shows, or whatever... to each their own, I guess. I'm all about the numbers.

Originally posted by "Evill Bob":

Polaron and Tetryon are very good with stuff you get from missions.

Bleechhh... don't get me wrong, I have builds around all energy types, but in terms of maximum dps those two aren't great.. at least in PVE. I'm a bit of a sucker in terms of keeping energy types appropriate for the ships they're on... tholian ships with tetryon, fed and hurq ships with phasers, etc etc...

Ever since I saw someone (previous to this thread) advocate polaron as a "best dps" type I've been trying to figure out how that works. I'm still baffled.

[Gorok Delvedeep]

Originally posted by VoodooMike:

Originally posted by Varenvel The Mildly Grumpy Dino:

-i would sugest disruptors or polarons as they offer better DPS , i switched to disruptors on last update weekend(their proc is also useful) (also that terran disruptor from rep is OP but they also have phaser i think)

How do polarons offer better DPS? I've seen someone else (well, someone on another thread... maybe it was you then too) advocate polaron for DPS, but I don't see how they qualify. For base proc/ability you're still going to be getting the best DPS out of disruptors and antiproton as far as I can see. Is there some variant polaron that is topping the DPS charts these days?

Polarons will be cheaper and easier to get supporting consoles for, certainly.

Now, given that OP specifically asked about phasers, the Terran Task Force Phaser Beam Array is certainly a big one, though it requires terran task force rep at rank 6. The other one to talk about (other than sensor-linked phasers which have been mentioned) are pulse phasers, which are ridiculously expensive but act like superior disruptors, giving both a penalty to damage resist to the target and a bonus to damage resist to yourself on proc.

Both sensor-lnked phasers and pulse phasers are possibly less satisfying in terms of canon.. sensor-linked phasers are discovery-based, which means they fire bolts rather than beams even when the weapon is beam based. Pulse phasers strobe, which can get annoying, visually.

pulse phasers are visually ripped right from wrath of khan. and are therefore hard canon memory alpha

[VoodooMike]

Originally posted by Gorok Delvedeep:

pulse phasers are visually ripped right from wrath of khan. and are therefore hard canon memory alpha

Fair enough, though I though the phasers in Wrath of Khan actually had some travel between the firing and target ships. Just means I need to re-watch it... which is never a chore. Pulse phasers give me a headache eventually, but I still use them on my phaser beam builds because... well... mechanically they're awesome.

[III./ZG76_saipan 17]

dps isnt always about weapons and consoles..its how u fly

[VoodooMike]

Originally posted by III./ZG76_saipan 17:

dps isnt always about weapons and consoles..its how u fly

No, but when talking about builds and equipment it has little to do with your ability to fly the ship (other than suggesting people not, say, use DHC on a cruiser with a turn rate of 5).

[langer_ttv]

I cant find reliable up to date sources like other games have on builds.
Sure you can get equipment and skill setups @ dps-league or reddit/builds but if you really want to understand why and how sto works you need to read a lot of bits and pieces.

After beating 75k dmg/sec on the standard dmg Borg TFO @ advanced (Infected Space Advanced = ISA) without heavy $ investment (I only bought one ship just for the trait it gives and some zen for account upgrades (inventory / max credits etc.) Im done with this game in terms of trying to reach higher dmg numbers. (beat 75k with cannon escort and beamboat cruiser)
I will reach higher numbers cause I dont have all weapons on epic (just ultra rare) but I wont waste money on this game anymore AND no more time trying to dive even deeper into the mechanics.
Btw you can opt for ISA (and for the leaderboards, if its worth anything) BUT that doesnt guarantee good results in other TFOs. So test your build on different TFOs/areas if you want to a carry on advanced in ALL TFOs (terran opponents will test your survivability in public TFOs/Tzenkethi oppponents are real bullet sponges e.g.)

A few tipps:
-Terran Task Force beam or cannon = highest dps phaser weapon in the game
-Only use Tactical consoles which boost your dmg type (phaser/antiproton etc.) - Vulnerability
locators. Maximum 1 other like Lorcas or for another set.
-Think about Cooldown Reduction: A2B, Drake, Kraken and so forth are the keywords. (I
prefer kraken) You want to have strong abilities constantly running (Emergency power to
weapons III, Beam Fire at will/Cannon Scatter Volley / Cannon rapid fire)
-Dont follow builds blindly: Many builds use a few expensive items only obtainable with real
money (certain ship traits, certain consoles that only come with ships) which define the build.
-Use and think of all means (skills, abilties, equipment, traits etc.) to find a balance between
survivability and damage

Perfect World did not reveal ANY deeper mechanics of the game (formulas or anything) its all just data mining and extensive testing by players.
Add to that that there were many many balance changes and those mined and tested data is outdated.

I think the mechanics and interaction of consoles, weapons, equipment, captain skills, space traits, reputation traits, specialization skills/traits, Bridge Officers, Duty Officers, Captain/BridgeOfficer Abilities, AND your style of piloting reach a grade of complexity rivaling EVE..but maybe its just me and ive read too much outdated stuff which led to bad decisions in acquiring the "right" equipment.

Have fun and dont waste money, nobody knows when Perfect World will close the servers and this game is already very old.

Edit: You have to learn how keybindings work and set up your keyboard and mous to handle around 40 (!) abilities.

[alexschulzweil]

Energy type: does not matter. All with advantages/disadvantages.
Phaser: proc ist more or less useless, but you get a lot of sets/synergies
Disrupter: best overall proc IMHO -10% Damage resistance is always good
Plasma: the Dota is not worth it, but the target does not heal while "bleeding"
Tetryon: faster shield drain
Polaron: weakens your Enemies
Antiproton: no proc, but always crits harder

Antiproton is best for Tacs.
Pol/Tet is depending on your Drain Skill, so you have to build around
Phaser and Disrupter are not dependend of weapon power, so ideal for someone who does not/can not maximize 125 Weapon energy.

If you want to buy a Zen-Ship, I'd suggest stay with your factions Default (Fed= Phaer, Rom=Plasma Kling=Dis) because a LOT of inbuild/console abilitys only support the default Energy type of their race.
E.G the only avaible Quadcannon for Feds is Phaser etc.

If you don't care stick to the colour you like most.

BUT ONLY USE WEAPONS OF A SINGLE ENERGY TYPE. Do not mix.

Only use Energy-Type Tac Consoles nothing else in Tac (or in the newest ships: universal) slots.
Universal consoles go to eng/Sci Slots

You get purple Mk12 (+30%) for almost any energy Type from Story missions. Use these. Change to Fleet spire ( Vulnerability Locator) consoles if you are in a fleet and hve the fleet credits/dilithium)

Decide if you wanna go Beams or Cannons do not mix. usually Beams are more user firendly

Try to accumulate as much passives and Set bonuses for you energy type as you can get.

E.g. If you go for a Ship with Disruptor beams
- go for the Nausican set from "Echos of light" (+20% (or more) Danage from the console and 26% +more Hull penetration from the 3-piece Set Bonus)
- Use at least 2 Parts of the Bajor Defense Set from "Scylla an Charybdis" for additional 18% of damage. (For Vets: yes, there are better options, but i will only go for gear from story missions or Reputation)
- If you are T6 at at the romulan reputation system use the console and the alternate energy beam (which is in this case: Disruptor) from that for additional +10%
- Use the 360° Disruptor -Beam and the Console from the Martok-Set (Brushfire Mission) for +2,5% crit Chance and +15 Acc for all you weapons (-> just to give an impression: the weapon-modifier [acc] gives +10% accurary so this passive alone is like having this modifier on every weapon)

Save the EC for a "Plasmonic leech" as Fed or save 1000 Zen (sell dil) for the vandal destroyer as Klingon. Even after the downgrade this console is premium (up to +7,5 in every System)

Use BOffs which improve Space abilitys.
For Roms: 5 Roms with "superior romulan Operative"
For non-Roms: buy 1-3 romulan Tacs with that trait (bur only normal) in the fleet embassy (depending on how much you Tacseats your ship has of course)
Use the hierachy-Boff from the Mission "Alliances” as (one of your) Sci(s)
Fill the Rest with Nausicaans or "efficent" Letheans as Klingon.
Or get 1 Nausicaan as Fed when you reach T4 in diplomatic-Doff rating
Fill the remaining stations with krenim from Fleet research lab or Kentari-Boffs once your colony world reaches Maximum.
"Efficient" Saurians (search the exchange) are also a good choice.


so much for ships. This was the easy part ;)
Keybinds, Boff.-Abilitys and Doff-Setup is the fine tuning ;)