With the switch to a one second global cooldown for torpedoes I've been thinking about trying out a spread of three or even four fore launchers with turrets aft. When I look at the various torpedo types I find it a little confusing that everyone I know seems to believe that quantums are far better than photons. If I'm comparing two torpedoes, both very rare XI, one photon and one quantum the photon does almost as much damage, fires faster, has a higher dps and more desirable bonuses.

What about the tiny amount of extra damage makes quantums so special?

And also with the new Torpedo Spread how have Plasma torpedoes fared in terms of dps? I know plasma torpedoes aren't exactly popular but I have a certain fondness for "older" weapons.

Photons have a higher DPS because of the lower cycle time.

Quantums are the most desirable due to their high burst damage; no other torpedo hits harder (save for HY Plasma and Trico).

I've always been a plasma person myself, specifically for High Yield (creates Heavy Plasma Torpedoes) - it's been more reliable than my Photon, and Quantum is just too slow for me.

With TS3 or HY3 Plasma is not the joke it use to be
.

I prefer using Eject Warp Plasma over plasma weapons, it seems to have a much higher chance to proc the target. for torpedoes I use Quantums and tricobalts.

Quantum torps fly faster then photons too, of course!

EWP has a 100% proc rate :p

As long as your target is in the plasma, they get hit by it's effects.

Not as fast as photon. Its goes like this in terms of speed photon => quantum. Personally i use both with phase and then switch between the two.

Apples, Oranges or Pears ?

Personally I've got a mix of Photon and Quantum on my Galaxy. I stick two Quantum launchers in the fore slots for HY and AoE scatter. Then I stick a Photon launcher on one aft slot to shoot off as I turn cycling through my shield sections spreading the damage. Works quite well . Plus, now with the GCD for torps reduced to 1 second I can now get the 4 torp effect like we saw in First Contact which looks ace (HYII followed by 2nd launcher).

Never been a fan of plasma because they can be shot down so easily especially if your opponent have BFAW, same goes for mines.

Hope this helps.