Hey all,

I am just about to hit Lt. Cmnd so I was starting to look up info about what weapons to use on my Escort when I get it. I cant find much so I thought I would ask here.

When I played in Beta I played an Engineer and used a Cruiser. I really liked having mines, would that be something I should have? Or should I focus on torps and cannons?

I have maxed out the Energy Weapon and Projectile Weapon skills on my Captain.

Any suggestions would be awsome.

Its really up to you. There is many decent loadout option.

Mine is..

Front
1xDual Phaser array (because i have beam overload I); im still looking for normal phaser array MK IV with crit, need couple of more badges
1xPhoton tube with crit preferably (because i have HYIT I)
1xDual Cannos/Dual heavy cannons (because i have rapid fire I)
Aft
1x Phaser turret

But thats my setup :-) some people skip the beams and go for cannons only..i like the extra punch of beam overload

Thanks, very helpful...I will look into those options.

Well, it depends on your playstyle.

In the beta my first escort had the following weapons:

1. Forward mounted phaser.
2. Forward mounted cannons
3. Forward mounted torpedo launcher.
4. Rear mounted phaser.

This was because I found this really god cannons with a very wide angle of attack so I could unload both phasers and the cannons on my enemys while circeling them.

If you like to do "strafing runs" more, then you may want to replace the rear phasers with a turret, it wont do as much damage but it will be able to fire forward, so it balances out.

Also, one player I did a few missions with swore by ALL forward facing cannons and a mine launcher in the rear. You would be able to do very high "burst" damage but against enemy battleships it would take forever to kill them without torpedos.

Edit: Looks like Dalnar beat me to it! But I forgot to mention this was on the Federation side, my Klingon Bird of Prey was a whole different animal.

TBH, using a single duel beam array is a good idea, especially with a beam overload.

I' had a goos run with this set up back in OB

Front:
X1 Dual beams
X1 Dual Cannons (not heavy)
X1 Quantum Torp

Rear:
Turrret


This lets you either use beam over load or high yield torpedo for one BOFF power, depending on your situation, and defiantly use rapid fire (it also effects your turret!).

I personally like to capitalize on the escorts ability to always face the enemy due to fast turn rate.

I use:

fore:
1x heavy dual cannon
1x dual cannon
1x quantum torpedo launcher

aft:
1x turret

this setup allows 3 forward attacking high DPS energy weapons + a torp launcher. If you are willing to do the work to keep facing your target it makes you a dmg power house. Nothing survives your first pass if done right.

Wow! All great suggestions. Thanks for the responses.

Just dont be afraid of changing weapons and testing what may work for you best. I personaly like forward beam because it allows me to do one overcharge beam while i fly past that target...but thats me, because i rarely just park my escort and nuke..i fly alot, thus i like all options available me. And also, you should consider if you will mostly pvp and pve...both will require a bit different aproach, both in loadout, and BOs.

anyone know where to find quantum torpedo launchers? I have never seen any aside from the exchange

You can get a very nice Mk III as a quest reward for doing the space Fleet Action in Pi Canis. The quest is from Sulu.