Does it make any sense game strategy wise to go for cruisers with a tactical officer? Specifically an assault cruiser long term?

I am not sure I completely understand how the BO skills work.

Questions:
1. Would I be able to use the rank III skills I am training to my tactical BOs with a cruiser? For example would a cruiser be able to use Torpedo High Yield III?

2. Can a tactical officer train engeneering rank III abilities to his BOs if he takes 9 ranks in the requiered skill?

3. Do I need a commander BO seat to have a BO use a rank III skill?

After the above questions have been answered... is it consequently an option to play a tactical officer primary piloting cruisers?

Thanks for answering

1. no

2. maybe

3. Yes


And I personally think a tac in a cruiser is a waste. Engineers get some good shield powers that go well with other eng bo powers.

You really only get 2 class-specific skills per rank -- 1 space and 1 ground. For example, the rank 1 Tactical space skill is Attack Pattern Alpha.

Other than that, at least as far as space is concerned, Tacticals, Engineers and Scientists are identical. (For GROUND combat there are big differences but for space, a Tactical and an Engineer will only differ by 1 skill per rank.)


So, tactical officer in a cruiser? Sure, why not.


The argument could be made that you should maximize your abilities, though. Attack Pattern Alpha gives you a damage buff, so the more damage you have TO buff, the more helpful it will be. With that in mind, you'd want to be in the highest DPS ship there is: an Escort.

Similarly, Engineers get Rotate Shield Frequencies, so you'd think it would make sense for them to be in the ship that gets the biggest shield bonus, which is Cruisers.


But if you tend to like hybrids, then a Tactical in a Cruiser would be giving up some DPS for some survivability. He'll still DPS better than an engineer in a Cruiser, but he won't tank quite as well.