[Briggsy]

I've been playing for a long while but have always been a little lost when it comes to builds and min-maxxing my ships.

I've got two builds that I have been running as of recently (I changed up to try something new and it has been alright, with a slight improvement).
I am definitely lacking in a few departments but that's primarily because I'm lacking Energy Credits to really afford certain systems for builds.
I'm running with an non-upgraded T6 Advanced Escort, I haven't done too much about my Bridge officers but I feel like I need to address my ship systems first.

On the left, we have an Anti-proton build with dual heavy cannons/beam banks on the fore and Torpedoes on the Aft.
On the right, we have a Polaron build with Dual Heavy cannons, Dominion Polaron phaser array and a standard polaron array on the aft.
(I'll get into common details below)
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(Anything underlined, means it's a system incase you wanna skip the reading)

So in common between the two minus the Tactical modulators, both have Rapid reload transphasic torpedoes, a Tricobalt device always on the aft and a Mk XV Quantum phase array and of course the Experimental Hyperexcited Ion stream projector.
Now the weapons are done, going from the bottom, I have the High Energy Plasma Expulsers (I'd love to get the second half to it for the Multi-Vector Assault Module) and a Mk XII Warhead Yield module for Tactical, then two Mk XII Shield Refrequencers for increased shield regeneration and a Mk XI Science Emitter Array.
Moving up, I have a Mk XII Bellum EPS Flow Regulator and a Mk X Ablative Hull Armour (This is something I already want to improve), along with the Universal Assimilated Module.

For the main modules though, it's pretty evident what I have, first off the Borg Assimilated impulse module, Borg Regenerative Shield Array along with a standard Mk XI Field stabilized Warp Core but something that probably hasn't been seen in awhile (At least I haven't seen anyone else use it), a Mk X M.A.C.O. Graviton Deflector Array.

My main questions are, what could I do to improve this build and make my ship actually viable properly for task force missions, what have I got right or something that I've gotten right and needs improvement such as upgrading, and something along the lines of what should I be more focused on?
As I stated before, I'm not too concerned about Bridge Crew because I'll get to them later but for the sake of curiosity, this is what I'm working with:

[Novalance]

oh wow, you have a real mix of things on that ship even the older Borg set that didn't display its Mark (but I think they are all now Mk 12 by default)
I'm working on a build plan for us casual people to build upon but its nowhere near ready to help you just yet, however I'm sure our experts will take a look at this and be dishing out the help in no time Briggsy, good luck!

[Bridger]

We will have a lot work ahead of us. What level are your Reputations?

[Briggsy]

We will have a lot work ahead of us. What level are your Reputations?

Okay, so first with Reputations... You're gonna love this. (Me not so much heh)


I know it's pretty bad, but don't worry.. I've yet to really get into it.

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oh wow, you have a real mix of things on that ship even the older Borg set that didn't display its Mark (but I think they are all now Mk 12 by default)
I'm working on a build plan for us casual people to build upon but its nowhere near ready to help you just yet, however I'm sure our experts will take a look at this and be dishing out the help in no time Briggsy, good luck!

They're MK XI for me (I think the Assim mod is XII), but yeah I've definitely been lacking a lot and I've really liked the old Borg equipment because it's just so handy, so I've never really changed over to anything... As such the only thing that I have considered changing the shields out for is possibly the Reman Covariant shields, but I've sort've banked a lot more on Regenerative shield systems at the moment.
But I'm definitely not working with a great amount of Energy Credits either.

[Bridger]

I would say your highest priority should be than working on the Reps, if you can try to participate on Red Alert Friday's, Special Ops Saturday and Special Ops & Build Discussion on Sunday and you will have your Reps build in no time.

[Briggsy]

I would say your highest priority should be than working on the Reps, if you can try to participate on Red Alert Friday's, Special Ops Saturday and Special Ops & Build Discussion on Sunday and you will have your Reps build in no time.

I'll look at seeing what events I have time for then, and work my way up the Reputation trees, I've been building up some TFO marks though, getting the daily random bonus and trying to get better items here and there. It should be a breeze in no time.

[darthnovawave]

I agree with Bridger here. For all the attention that gamble box ships and other pricey exchange or zen store buys get, a lot of the core meta gear can be found via the rep system, fleet holdings, and even the R&D system. While you can get a few fleet or rep marks from running patrols and currently from running the Red Alert queues, your best bet is to run TFOs. UFP events are great for this if timing works for you.

Another option is to queue up with the Random TFO button, as you get a choice box of marks on top of whatever mark options the TFO itself awards. With the looks of your current build, I'd suggest starting with normal difficulty to get comfortable, then challenge yourself with advanced queues to make grinding the "elite marks" that most of the reps use easier. The downside is that you never know how good or bad your teammates will be in randoms, which can get frustrating at times if you get a bad luck of the draw.