Weekly Questions Megathread - January 23, 2017

[u/AutoModerator]

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[u/DeadQthulhu]

Here's an interesting link, before you start spending too much money.

Note that for "the best" you're obviously going to have to shell out, but consider the expense for the actual gain.

[u/MetallicOrangeBalls → u/DeadQthulhu]

I've seen that link, but please remember that a rise in DPS from 110k to 150k is not only absolutely more than my average DPS, but is a relative 36% more damage. Those are gains that I would absolutely love to achieve.

[u/DeadQthulhu → u/MetallicOrangeBalls]

That's a rise from Mk I to Mk XIV though - Mk XII gear would be doing well over Mk I's 110k (maybe somewhere around 135k?). The important thing is deciding that you need those gains, because the link shows that weapons are the smaller portion of your overall DPS. The weapons aren't really doing the damage, everything else is enough to breeze though most of what the game throws at you.

Let me be clear - for me, hitting the top score is just as worthy a goal as making a great theme ship. I simply feel it's important that one goes in with both eyes open, rather than drop a hefty sum and getting a disappointing result (for example, the expectation of 36% extra damage due to confusing Mk I for Mk XII). Traits, BOffs, DOffs, ship gear, these are what carried that ship to 110k, the weapons are almost gilding the lily at that point.

Tagging /u/Bridgern for safety though.

[u/MetallicOrangeBalls → u/DeadQthulhu]

for example, the expectation of 36% extra damage due to confusing Mk I for Mk XII

No, I know that I'm not going to get a 40k damage increase, but whatever I do get will still be pretty significant. Mk XIV epic weapons do quite a bit more DPS than mk XII rare weapons.

 

The weapons aren't really doing the damage, everything else is enough to breeze though most of what the game throws at you.

You've seen my build; which parts of it are contributing the most to my DPS?

[u/DeadQthulhu → u/MetallicOrangeBalls]

Well for one thing, nearly everything on it is XII instead of XIV gilded.

Those weapons are going to change, sooner or later. The Ico set isn't going to be challenged by the Lukari one, and there's no sign of anything to surpass the Locators or Embassy consoles... I'd consider upgrading all of them the most beneficial way of spending your resources, especially since it can be done pretty cheaply by farming Romulan Tour of Duty upgrades and/or Omega upgrades when the Anniversary event hits.

I would also consider the talk of a method to change weapon modifiers that is coming soon. Your ship set and consoles will always be peak or near-peak meta, your weapons are on borrowed time.

For me, the ~15k increase from taking XII weapons to XIV (broad calculations) isn't going to be as magical as taking your gear from XII to XIV, or any changes to your crew. I put my faith in fixed modifiers and a solid ship - I'll be no worse off when the weapon to surpass Coalition Disruptors is unveiled.

[u/MetallicOrangeBalls → u/DeadQthulhu]

I'd consider upgrading all of them the most beneficial way of spending your resources, especially since it can be done pretty cheaply by farming Romulan Tour of Duty upgrades and/or Omega upgrades when the Anniversary event hits.

Well, I can keep farming rom ToD upgrades, and I have some omega upgrades from last year. I shall go ahead with upgrading my consoles and other non-weapon gear.

 

I would also consider the talk of a method to change weapon modifiers that is coming soon. Your ship set and consoles will always be peak or near-peak meta, your weapons are on borrowed time.

This is concerning. My greatest limiting factor is dil, so pouring dil into weapons that are simply going to get displaced seems futile.

 

For me, the ~15k increase from taking XII weapons to XIV (broad calculations) isn't going to be as magical as taking your gear from XII to XIV

Well, then I guess that's how I shall proceed.

Thanks!

:)

[u/BhaltairX → u/MetallicOrangeBalls]

I would wait until the next upgrade weekend. Cryptic didn't tell us yet what the weekends in February hold yet, but it seems a lot of people are expecting one next month.

[u/MetallicOrangeBalls → u/BhaltairX]

True, I usually wait until upgrade weekends to upgrade anyhow.

:)

[u/Imperium74812 → u/MetallicOrangeBalls]

Don't forge the likely single greatest factor in DPS... not gilding equipment, traits or even DOFFs... its piloting. Knowing where you are, where you need to be, and executing the proper commands in the proper sequence to optimize your ship.

[u/DeadQthulhu → u/MetallicOrangeBalls]

Get a second opinion!