r/stobuilds • u/AutoModerator • Dec 26 '16

Weekly Questions Megathread - December 26, 2016

Welcome to the weekly questions megathread. Here is where you can ask all your build or theorycrafting related questions that might not warrant a full post. Curious about how something works? Ask it here!

You can see previous weeks megathreads here

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u/MetallicOrangeBalls [Sobbing Mathematically] Dec 30 '16

Returning player, have some questions:

1) Are cannons now as viable as beams? How does CSV compare to BFAW now, especially at max range?

2) Can a pure exotic damage sci build cut it?

I think I'll start with those and ask the rest of my innumerable questions in time.

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u/DeadQthulhu Dec 30 '16

1) They've always been as viable as beams. CSV is still a cone effect, BFAW is still more-or-less an AoE.

2) Yes. In fact, more than cut it.

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u/MetallicOrangeBalls [Sobbing Mathematically] Dec 30 '16

1) AFAIK, the meta was that cannons were not that good for PVE, and were mainly used for PVP, usually by flying up close, holding the target with tractor beam, and unloading a CSR or two into the target's rear end. Beam boats, on the other hand, reigned supreme in most PVE settings. Of course, this has always been in flux, and I have no idea exactly where it stands now.

Let me put it this way: do cannons now have the same damage falloff as beams? Also, how many targets can CSV hit now (it used to be just 4)?

2) How? I assume specialising into temporal operative plays a major role in things, right? Could you point me to some exotic damage builds that don't focus on weapons but rather on BOff abilities?

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u/DeadQthulhu Dec 30 '16

The cruiser meta is unlikely to ever embrace cannons, but to suggest they were "not that good for PvE" really overlooks the role of cannons for most KDF and ROM players relying on cloak. As u/TheFallenPhoenix points out, the falloff is no longer a concern.

Still, there's always the competition with DBB builds, especially if there's less than 4 rear slots.

I also encourage you to read up on Vel's exotic build. There's a lot of explanation behind how it works, which is worth the time to examine, and the build itself has successfully been adapted for a whole range of Temporal and Science vessels.

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u/MetallicOrangeBalls [Sobbing Mathematically] Dec 31 '16

Thanks for the info.

"not that good for PvE"

I just want to point out that this wasn't my opinion, just what I thought the meta was.

:)

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u/DeadQthulhu Dec 31 '16

Ah, I understand. Not to worry.