I recently came back to the game after a few months away. I already had a Fed Eng VA, and have now managed to level my Fed Sci captain to the same rank. My Klingon Tac was mid-Commander at the start of the month and has just now been promoted to General, mostly on the basis of Duty Officer xp (a mixed blessing, as it helps me through the infamous KDF content drought but doesn't give me combat experience to match my rank). I'm also planning to start a Fed Tac soon. Before I do, though, I think I need a better idea of how to play a Tac; my recent experiences in space battles suggest I just don't get it.

At low levels, in the PvE dailies and exploration missions, Tac was all about the muggings: sneak up on the unaware target, decloak, unload the alpha strike and watch him explode. Now, however, I'm facing multiple opponents in pitched battles. I find that after my initial attack, I'm getting bogged down in the fight, pounded from all sides, and (at least half the time) destroyed - not good. As a Sci and especially an Eng, I could stay there and just lay about me in all directions with beams or debuffs, but Tac seems to be all about getting foes in your front arc and then (somehow) evading the retaliation of his friends.

Once I'm in the fight, how do I get back out for another run? Do I stay at full speed and make overrun passes, or cut throttle for more maneuverability? What am I doing wrong?

I take it your flying escort. Evasive Maneuvers is your best friend. load up a doff that cuts down the cool down time for that skill. as an escort, your about hit and run tactics. fly in for a pass, throw everything you have into that pass, then get out. if you want something similar to a cloak, use mask signiture. not as good up close, but you'll be hidden from view till it counts. also think about using attack pattern omega. it gives you extra turning rate, a boost of speed, and immune to tractor abilities. nifty little skill to use.

Correct.

Thanks for the advice. Just last night, as I was thinking about the issues that led to this post, I noticed Omega and suspected that was probably what it's for. Good to have confirmation, though.

whats your load out? and which ship are you flying?

Also consider placing some sort of torpedo in one of your aft weapons hardpoints. Dropping a parting gift in your enemy's face as you say your goodbyes could give you a second or two worth of distraction -- and help you get clear. Plus, if you enemy turns as you pass (so he can bring his forward weapons to bear on you), you might even hit his front shield facing (that you were probably already working on).

wow. . . thats a great idea. i hadnt thought of that.