[Dark]

Actually, with that layout you're going to be very hard pressed to do better than A2B, because you only have a Lt Cdr Tac seat.

Generally you want 2xTT 2xFAW 2xAttack Pattern, which requires a minimum of 5 seats. Having A2B effectively doubles your seats, allowing you to have the equivalent of that.

In order to move away from A2B while maintaining functionality, you'd need Reciprocity and the ability to hold aggro.

[MachoCyclone]

I do have Reciprocity now and can hold aggro.

[Dark]

Then you don't actually need A2B already. Your offensive capability will hinge on being able to hold aggro and not being hit, obviously. You'd want to have at least 2 Purple DCEs or 3 Blue DCEs for Drake, though.

[MachoCyclone]

I think I am going to keep my Aux2Bat build for now. I am already used to it and got my DOFFs setup so there is very little cool down on my BO abilites. I think with a little tweaking and upgrades on the current equipment I can hit 20k DPS. I do plan to replace the Blue DOFFs with the Purple versions.

With these DOFFs I am able to keep most BO abilities up for the majority of the battle just by cycling the Aux2Bat and keep power levels up at all times. This build has really turned into a very good tank and I am loving it.

Tactical DOFFS:

Ethyl Flor Buer: Energy Weapons Officer: Chance to reduce time to recharge when using beam special attack

Nessys Ynnediph: Energy Weapons Officer: Chance to reduce time to recharge when using beam special attacks

Engineering DOFFS:

Arnold Noe Loudon: Technician: Recharge Time on BO abilities reduced

Tuziar: Technician: Recharge Time on BO abilities reduced

Sizen K'sev: Technician: Recharge Time on BO abilities reduced

Marion: System Engineer: Reduce Weapon Subsystem Engery Drain while using DEM

Just an updated build page for the U.S.S. Esmeralda.

[Dark]

That's odd, you need the EWOs? Is A2B not able to keep FAW available every 20s?

[MachoCyclone]

With the EWOs I can fire FAW every 18 seconds. Without it is every 21 seconds. I am also just using DOFFs that I have already and those were the best choice as most of the others (in Blue or better) were torpedo officers.

[Dark]

It's a difference of 1s then, the Duplicate Ability Cooldown of FAW is 20s, you can't go under that.

[MachoCyclone]

I guess just by the time I look at the timer 2 seconds have passed. All the timers go down so quickly and generally to the point of their respective cool down timers.

The Tactical DOFFs are place holders anyway til I find someone better for those spots. Too bad I can't put another Marion in there. I'm not really sure what type of duty officer to put into those two slots. I don't think there are any that affect weapon damage. Conn Officer or Warp Core Engineer wouldn't be of much help. I did have a DOFF that healed my hull .2% every time I fired a beam (energy?) weapon, but decided that with the current ship and captain traits; he wasn't really helping. So, I will have to do some thinking for those last two spots. A Grav Well DOFF would be useful if I was running my T6 Fleet Guardian, but that would mean giving up a Tac Console Slot. I could run the same BO layout on it though with no problem. Hmmm, might be worth considering. Wonder if Grav Well would make up for the slight loss in weapon damage/crit chance? But, I do love my Excelsior. She is a classic that can still take a beating and dish it out. And she has style. Don't you hate when you give yourself something to think about? LOL. That's what I get for spending two days trying different things while the truck was in the shop.

On a side note, I got accused of cheating last time I ran ISA. Kept telling me that there was no way I could be running BO abilities has often I was. Luckily, there were two other players there from the DPS channel that help me convince him that it is possible and that we were just using the game mechanics to our advantage.

Thanks for all your help Dark. You have really helped me to take my whole STO experience to another level. All I pretty much have left to finalize my DOFF selection and start upgrading ship equipment.

Edit: I think I just found the replacements for the EWOs. Fab Eng with the chance to increase RSP duration. That could make my RSP last through the cool down and be able to chain that like I had two copies more effectively.

[MachoCyclone]

I found out that I can't put more than one of the increase RSP duration DOFF on active duty. But that is cool though; glad I didn't get two. So, I replaced one of the EWO's for a Purple Fab Engineer with the increase RSP duration.

Then I ran with the Lobi Store Battle Cruiser for the Supremacy trait.

I then made an ISA run with others from the 10k DPS channel. It was about the smoothest ISA I have ever ran. Esmeralda managed to bring the pain with just over 18k DPS while tanking.

With the DOFFS and the constant A2B reducing BO abilities, I am always firing off FAW3. DEM3 and RSP2 are coming around every minute or faster at times. Got TT1, APB1, EPtW, EPtS, and EPS3 on spacebar. I manually fire off the RMC, AuxBat (from Warp Core), Nadion, Engineer Fleet 3, Brace for Impact 3, and Subspace Field Modulator as they come avaiable and as needed. And of course, flying as close as possible to the targets.

I don't think I will be able to get much more out of her for now while I work on console upgrades.

[Dark]

If you pair APB with FAW so you're only using APB when FAW is firing, you ought to get a performance increase.

[Britsurfer]

Ok I had a quick read of this thread.

1. Are you looking to tank and dps? If so, why don't have any points in threat control, min of 6 points required.
Future purchases for an eng captain, another ship I can recommend is the Fleet guardian




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[MachoCyclone]

If you pair APB with FAW so you're only using APB when FAW is firing, you ought to get a performance increase.

I will make that change.

Ok I had a quick read of this thread.

1. Are you looking to tank and dps? If so, why don't have any points in threat control, min of 6 points required.
Future purchases for an eng captain, another ship I can recommend is the Fleet guardian

Yes. I am tanking and putting out DPS. I don't have any points in threat control yet because I haven't made that change yet. I keep forgetting to do that as I grid for Rep points. I do have the Fleet Guardian, but I prefer my Excelsior for the looks.

If I did ever decide to change my ship, it would be for the T6 Fleet Intel Cruiser. It pretty much has the same console and BO layout as my current ship, but with 10k more hull, but way less crew.

[MachoCyclone]

Just an update.....

Finally ran ISA without being blown up (usually get blown up once). Managed to put out 18.7k DPS while tanking. That is a new record for me. Getting closer to my goal of 20k.

[MachoCyclone]

Another update:

Finally got some console upgraded to Mk XIV Epic. Now, all four of the tactical consoles are now Epics. Also, got my Borg Console upgraded from Mk XII to Mk XIV Ultra Rare

[Dark]

Remember that Weapons have the biggest impact when upgrading in Marks.

As I recall, Weapons > Consoles > Core > Shield/Deflector/Engines, though I don't have a link to the analysis handy.