Starship Flow Capacitors - question for PVP and STF advisors!

[Framesplicer]

Hey gang,

So I wanted to get as many advisors/knowledgeable folk to get eyes on this in the hopes there is a consensus or an answer, and I didn't want to make 2 posts in the respective Workshops.

Here goes: I'm seeing chatter on the STO boards that Flow Capacitors effects Tetryon and Polaron weaponry but it's a tooltip bug that doesn't list it. Now, looking at the Jem'H set, the Deflector does significantly boost SFCs. Has anyone here done any testing to that end and if so, is it work sprinkling some points in that skill for Non-Sci toons if that Tet and/or Pol are weapons of choice?

I have pinged Branflakes to see if there's a clear answer, much like he did for the EPS question, but until that day happens- I trust in our vast 12th knowledge base!

Thanks!

[Hohndo]

I would be interested in testing this..I used to run all Tetryon on my escort, I still have all those cannons. If I see you online, maybe we can check this out.

[Jalif]

I've already tested on my science character with my Jem'Hadar set on the long range science retrofit. He is using a full compliment of polaron beams because of the 15% damage bonus to it. Beside the skills + modules (x3 flow capacitors) I'm able to get my proc -50 to all subsystems. Without the modules it is -40.

In combination that with the tachyon beam, (the special ability of the jem'hadar 3set) and elements such as tycken rift III and that vampire module you get a very heafty energy drain boat and great shield stripping abilities.

I had it a go at a warzone and fought a gurcken but the energy drain wasn't really working as he used speed to kill me. Also that drain should make that shield, engines + weapons a lot weaker but next to no effect.

Not to mention that this in PVE is kinda useless. The only target I was able to disable ones in a while was the Tactical Cube by killing its shield. I think Gravity Well in its whole is more usefull then all those modules togheter.

Also I found this on tactical forum:

Tetryon Proc Effect

Status: Completed
Theory: -X to all shield facing
Method: Ask me in TS3 if you are really interested.
Conclusion: Does not affect all shield facing. Lowers shield regeneration on all shield facing.

Tested by: linkdown, SavingJ, Sysil

and

Polaron Proc Effect

Status: Completed
Theory: -25 power to all systems only last 10 seconds
Method: In a private arena, have one person constantly fire polaron weapons until the weapon procs and record the value.
Conclusion: The -25 power varies depending on the target's EPS Power Transfer rate. The higher the transfer rate, the shorter the duration and effect. Only lasts for a second if target has a high transfer rate.

Tested by: SavingJ, linkdown

[Framesplicer]

Thanks for that info Jalif, but I'm not seeing anything that is clear that putting points in Flow Caps skill is affecting the shield and/or energy drain abilities of Tet and Pol weapons.

Flow Capacitors tool tip:

This skill improves your Starship's Shield and Energy Drain abilities. The higher your skill, the more energy your abilities will drain from your target. This skill also improves the magnitude of subsystem power drain from abilities which apply the debuff, such as Target Shields Subsystems (but not the disable duration).

Note no mention of effecting those abilities in Tet and Pol dmg. In fact, it clearly says abilities where as weapon dmg type is not an ability. Yet, I've come across a few STO posts that suggest the contrary.

Sure, adding consoles can benefit various things and I think you are saying they are working.
But I get bit confused here:

In combination that with the tachyon beam, (the special ability of the jem'hadar 3set) and elements such as tycken rift III and that vampire module you get a very heafty energy drain boat and great shield stripping abilities.

Wait, have you tested the Jem 3set (on tribble?) or are you theory-crafting? Additionally, what is the "vampire" module?

I had it a go at a warzone and fought a gurcken but the energy drain wasn't really working as he used speed to kill me. Also that drain should make that shield, engines + weapons a lot weaker but next to no effect.

Not to mention that this in PVE is kinda useless. The only target I was able to disable ones in a while was the Tactical Cube by killing its shield. I think Gravity Well in its whole is more usefull then all those modules togheter

. Right, so you are saying the proc's & consoles tend to be meh at best- but did you have points in Flow Caps testing these situations of PvP and PvE?

The Tact forum things you quote I think are in regards to general proc occurrence and effect of said weapons, and don't show that they are pushing points into various skills to see if results vary.



I'm trying to hunt down if putting FLow Cap points into a build effects Tet and Pol effectiveness- and if it DOES, to what effect? Does it increase Proc chances? Does it increase the effect of the drain but not the proc chance? Does it increase both chance and effects?

My main is a tactical captain and the concept of shield stripping is very tasty to me, especially if some tier 1 skill points can be used to enhance that route or not. Clearly a Sci captain has more weapons at his/her disposal, and everyone does in a sci ship. But I'm putting forth the question to see how it might effect someone flying in an escort, or at least a non-sci focused ship.

[Jalif]

This is what happens with my science build if I fit it for drainage.

I got lvl6 in power insulators. The second part of the image is when I also use target shields.

This in combination with Tachyon Beams, Tykens Rift and Energy Siphon "Vampire" and possibly the last set of the Jem'hadar will make it a shield and energy stripping ship.



Only problem that I heard is when somebody has one EPS (most people), the effect will last shorter, specially with 2x EPS. If you want to PVP.

[Jalif]

Correction, I checked the Antiproton Sweep and not Flow Capacitors increase its effect but Particle Generators.

[Framesplicer]

Based on this patch note that went to Tribble yesterday:

OMEGA 2pc Space Set: Tetryon Glider
Reduced base magnitude of shield drain to approx. 75% of current.
Magnitude now scales off of Flow Capacitors more obviously.
Magnitude can be reduced in PvP with skill in Power Insulators.

Bummer about the nerf to the Omega set, but it DOES give legs to the idea of Flow Capacitor Skill effecting Tetryon shield stripping magnitude. Granted, it COULD be referring strictly to the Consoles, so it's not a definitive answer.

[Tainted]

Not to mention that this in PVE is kinda useless.

No.Power drain in pve is not useless.Sci power drain setup renders tac cubes useless allowing uninterrupted dps and turns the cube to a joke.The applications might be limited but it certainly is not useless.It's far better than bringing a gravity well science ship that pulls everything and their mother on the map and i ll take that setup over gravity well in our speedruns anytime.

: I'm seeing chatter on the STO boards that Flow Capacitors effects Tetryon and Polaron weaponry but it's a tooltip bug that doesn't list it.

The procs are all abilities.Hence it is only natural they get buffed up by the respectable skills.

Only problem that I heard is when somebody has one EPS (most people), the effect will last shorter, specially with 2x EPS. If you want to PVP.

EPS does not help with power drain

[Jalif]

But a proc that only works for aprox 10seconds ones in a very while isn't something I would rely on tbh. It is not going to make a cube instandpop you less. I rolled a couple stf's with a energy drain setup and I'm not impressed at all. I prefere to build my science ship for the 12 minutes that you don't fight the cube then over the 2/3 min you do fight the cube, but that is all personal preference.

I'm going to run a couple more times the Energy Drain setup, maybe I can discover some improvements.

Regarding EPS, I wrote that in the wrong way. Doesn't help you but it works against you in PVP. Sorry for that

[Tainted]

But a proc that only works for aprox 10seconds ones in a very while isn't something I would rely on tbh. It is not going to make a cube instandpop you less. I rolled a couple stf's with a energy drain setup and I'm not impressed at all. I prefere to build my science ship for the 12 minutes that you don't fight the cube then over the 2/3 min you do fight the cube, but that is all personal preference.

Define what you consider an energy drain build.The weapons setup is not considered an energy drain build.The boff layout is and that works in STF's beyond great and doesn't really incapacitate you for the rest of the fights.

Regarding EPS, I wrote that in the wrong way. Doesn't help you but it works against you in PVP. Sorry for that

How does it help in pvp with power drain please explain if possible cause you got me confused here.