[Bridger]

Something to consider adding in build guides, while we know the choice options, we do not always know choice selections. We can assume it's more Offensive, but at times Defensive helps more; yet depends on many things like SET bonus #/# listed. Something also you rarely see in builds, perhaps an opportunity, but those you can identify based on the gear...

That would explode the boundaries of this guides.

[Strathkin]

Ok.



Perhaps I'm simple minded ─ was suggesting skill choice using or every 5 + 3 (max):
ENG: 10 [−], [−]
SCI: 10 [+], [+]
TAC: 26 [−], [+], [+], [+], ▪

- - - UPDATE - - -
While adding the SET bonus. If you noticed identified them in her non-guide build, and set an impressive high-bar with 4 SETs of 3, which likely gives considerable advantages.

That was all.

[Bridger]

Ok.



Perhaps I'm simple minded:

ENG: 10 [−], [−]
SCI: 10 [+], [+]
TAC: 26 [−], [+], [+], [+], +

You mean the Skill Tree, it's all there.

[casualsto]

I would slot the 2 a2b as a2b1 and use the engineering commander slot for dem3 (10 shield pen, 10 armor pen). Also eptw3 fits the same engineering boff.

It is a subpar ship, just like the Galaxy, but for fans, it can be made to work.

[Solace]

I would slot the 2 a2b as a2b1 and use the engineering commander slot for dem3 (10 shield pen, 10 armor pen). Also eptw3 fits the same engineering boff.

It is a subpar ship, just like the Galaxy, but for fans, it can be made to work.

The Excelsior is hardly subpar based on the numbers I’ve seen pumped out by Bridger considering the ship is heavily focused on Engineering.

[Rellimie]

The Excelsior is hardly subpar based on the numbers I’ve seen pumped out by Bridger considering the ship is heavily focused on Engineering.

I agree with Solace. I think one thing STO has done a good job of is making sure nothing in the game is truly subpar.

[Mack]

It is a subpar ship, just like the Galaxy, but for fans, it can be made to work.

Neither the Galaxy or Excelsior are subpar and pump out good DPS.

[casualsto]

Now, now, don't get all sensitive. Under the same conditions, the Tactical Star Cruiser (endeavor class) smokes them in dps terms. And based on some builds, in tanking terms too.

From immersion perspective, Galaxy and Excelsior may please the player visually, or even from roleplaying perspective, but they can't hold a candle to the Vengeance class or the Tac Star Cruiser.

In the latest meta with the DEM buff, the engineering focused ships like Galaxy and Excelsior gain a chance to shine in performance.

What would really make those two shine would be the ability to a2b and run EPTW3, DEM3 and a RSP. Which makes them top notch starfleet gear. - it makes them solid choices due to a2b+rsp+dem3+eptw3. They have no dual cannon support and low tactical boff priority seating, so they're not really dps savvy. But they could squeeze the most out of a faw-beam build in a aux2batt setting. And survive where most dps builds would crumble under the threat.

[Strathkin]

I updated to clarify, as it was late.

I agree with Solace. I think one thing STO has done a good job of is making sure nothing in the game is truly subpar.

Good Point. That was the in fact the only point I tried to make early in the new Dread announcement, after Haseo identified he wanted it, since he was a fan of Quad-Nacelle's. Then when Bridger reconsidered it, and posted the DPS, I think many were now exploring the possibilities. So I commend him for that! Thank You.

It is a subpar ship, just like the Galaxy, but for fans, it can be made to work.

I don't have any issues with those claim(s), everybody has different favorite's; and will vary on ships, just like recipes, &/or spices.

Some likely have a Galaxy, Excelsior, Tactical Star Cruiser, &/or Vengeance. It really just depends how you approach it.

In fact: History Will Remember, Honored Dead, mentioned before in addition to Target Rich Environment all have signifant stacks that remain while on a map. Though Super Charged Weapons is different, can be very respectable for the 3 stacks it gives.

As I noted had 4 SETs of 3 fully utilized, and I also ♥ SETs, so can only ask if you've tried it on either?

What I tried to imply related to my post on page 5, was that SETs can greatly compliment, both Skill Choice selections in addition to several others. That was all!

[casualsto]

All of those ships can hit 100k dps without an issue, but if we talk strictly to the dps potential, they're not optimal. But they can take a hit really well. It really boils up to what you wanna build the ship for.

Using the same tac captain with the same boff layout - 2 tacs sro(or 1 for excelsior), 2x engineers of your choice (or hey if you wanna drop the dilithium, go for krenims for engineer cd reduction, even 3 for excelsior) and the hierarchy science boff (which is a jewel under a potato shape) will yielf lower dps results for excelsior, slightly higher by galaxy class, but somewhat gimped in raw dps terms by :
- tac console setup
- boff layout that hits around 3-4 tac boff skill slots (ltcom+ensign)
- beam lock-in ( dual cannons/dual heavy cannons are out of the question)
- starship mastery (nothing to boost dps, crth, crtd, weapon damage, accuracy even)

Sets can be made of use, but when we talk of dps terms, excepting the Flagship 2 or 3 piece set, they're gimping more than boosting dps (without calculating lobi options).

[Strathkin]

Sets can be made of use, but when we talk of dps terms, excepting the Flagship 2 or 3 piece set, they're gimping more than boosting dps (without calculating lobi options).

If I didn't know any better, have you talked to a Ferengi busi·ness per·son?

Still a good point on the Flaship Technologies SET, it can be very appealing for sure, only limitation is the Ship Class as your aware. Still I believe the 4 SETs of 3 that fully utilized, may just provide more than you think--all things similar of course, except perhaps SET items.

Sure I accept there 'may' lie [take something lying down--without protest] opportunities to improve, but as an Engineer the goal isn't always singular focus on DPS alone, yet still the combination may be surprising.

But we're all free to 'explore' or 'discover' together, we're all only attempting to learn and improve, and despite the odd conflict, or difference of opinion, we all share the same goals. The process of disagreements, is often the starting place for new learning, or in latin discidium - separation, division, disagreement, tearing apart - as long as it's done respectfully. So I'm reminded of a good quote by an English Actor.

"We all operate in two contrasting modes, which might be called open and closed. The open mode is more relaxed, more receptive, more exploratory, more democratic, more playful and more humorous. The closed mode is the tighter, more rigid, more hierarchical, more tunnel-visioned. Most people, unfortunately spend most of their time in the closed mode. Not that the closed mode cannot be helpful. If you are leaping a ravine, the moment of takeoff is a bad time for considering alternative strategies. When you charge the enemy machine-gun post, don't waste energy trying to see the funny side of it. Do it in the "closed" mode. But the moment the action is over, try to return to the "open" mode—to open your mind again to all the feedback from our action that enables us to tell whether the action has been successful, or whether further action is need to improve on what we have done. In other words, we must return to the open mode, because in that mode we are the most aware, most receptive, most creative, and therefore at our most intelligent."
— John Cleese

So we sometimes need respectful differences of opinion or idea's, or it may limit & stifle our ability to grow as a community.

Yet to do that sometimes we also need to trust ourselves, and one another [each other be restricted to reference two, and one another a reference to three or more] that we've got each others back. Sometimes that requires a leap of faith, in a manner of speaking however.

[Bridger]

build updates:

Replaced Priors World Elite Defense Satellite with Temporal Trajectory Shifter
Added a New Record

[Strathkin]

build updates:

Replaced Priors World Elite Defense Satellite with Temporal Trajectory Shifter
Added a New Record

Nice, a very fine console indeed -- off to go see what happened.

- - - UPDATE - - -

[Novalance]

I thought this was an excelsior guide not a "X ship is better than Y Ship" thread. Personally I love the T5u Fleet Saber Class!

[Bridger]

I made the post on Reddit about the Excelsior and that she is by far not the ship people see in her.