Power Transfer Rate does have some impact on Weapon Power drain. I initially thought as you did. But a lot of player's insistence that PTR does matter made me actually test that assumption.

I did a lot of testing on that issue. If a systems' power is above/below it's current maximum the power level will rise/fall at the PTR. The power transfer happens independent of Weapon Power drain mechanics.

PTR's effect on Weapon Power during combat is greatly attenuated due WP drain being restored instantly. But PTR will seek to restore power during the energy weapons firing cycle. The results of my PTR testing showing a small but noticeable effect. My results around around +5 Weapon Power for a decent amount of PTR rough +50-60%. Anything more even, even past +600%) didn't really significantly affect the net result.

Tesing 6-8 weapon may be more difficult to the UI lag and the display. It's not as fast or precise as I would for really good testing. I would suggest trying it with 3 weapons on auto-fire. My testing method as to have 3 beams fore and aft. And to keep my front or rear pointed at the target.

With only 3 beams firing, the Power Display is a lot less busy. It's must easier to spot when WP bottoms out. Using only 2 beams would be best. But I found some players dismissed the results. With 6 beams firing, Spotting the bottom out point required many volleys for me to spot it, and then to verify that was truly the bottom out point. The bottom out point for 6 beams doesn't last long.

Thanks again for the answer.

I've just tested again a few seconds ago with latest patch (live server), and skipping EPS Power Transfer skill this time so PTR does have minimum impact.

Tested also with only 2 and 3 beams firing, so the UI can update faster.

With same setup as my last post (Sovereign with 121 Weap. Power), first test was 2 beams, draining power to 111 as expected, 3 beams to 101.

Using EPtW1 resulted in constant 125 power even when firing 2 beams (small spikes of 124-123, returning to 125 almost instantly), and drained only down to to 114 when firing 3 beams (116 is what I expected, but again, it's a close match, and much higher than the previous test without EPtW1).

For me and my setup, I can confirm EPtW1 does indeed have huge impact on my power levels even when having near-cap weapon power (121 on this test, 123 on my usual STF setup).

Using MACO Shield and stacking buff to +10 Power Levels, plus Plasma manifold/Borg set consoles (Weapon Power displayed 125, theoretical 139), resulted in no drain at all firing 2 beams (power still displayed at 125, with small drop-downs to 124), and drained down to 118 minimum firing 3 beams, (no skills activated).

So, again, for my setup at least, seems 125 is only the absolute cap for calculating Max Weapon damage, but multiple-beam drain can indeed be mitigated by pushing power higher than this threshold.

L

Just tested again on another computer with higher technical specs (with my same account though).

Results are a bit different this time.
On this machine I can indeed perceive a higher drop in weapon power even when having >125 available. It usually drops in the first beam pulse to the expected minimum level considering 125 an absolute cap, but then climbs almost instantly to the levels I wrote on my previous post.

For example:
121 Weapon Power. Pop EPtW1 (136-137 maximum WP, 125 displayed). Fired 3 beams. Power dropped to 105 on first beam pulse, then climbed almost instantly to 115 (even before the second beam pulse). The stayed at about 115 till the three beams completed the cycle.

Weird...

L

Very useful guide. I am an Engineering captain, and believe me, we KNOW what power is like lol. The passive boost that cruisers give is very nice, in addition to all our engineering abilities. However I will say thank you, since you cleared up a few questions I had. I would also like to point out that the ability EPtA seems to also somewhat increase your damage output (by about 20% or so), and combined with EPtW and putting all power to weapons, you can go from 500 a shot to almost 900 with a mk XI beam array.

Really informative, thanks!

Having trouble with my Starcruiser (rear admiral, lower). It's so big and doesn't turn very well. I'm a little peeved that my dual polaron cannons wouldn't equip.

It's weird in enemy encounters, I can really kick some butt but in a mission, I can barely hold my own.

Any recommendations as to upgrades I can get in terms or consoles, weapons or engines?

Will a future version have the Adapted MACO space set (The Fed version of the space Klingon Honor Guard set) as I fly with it on the Vesta Class and the engines add +3.8 weapons, shields, and aux power.

Thanks and nice Excel file!

A very detailed , helpful READ..thank you for posting.
cheers

I am having a similiar prob..with the slow Turning of vessel. If you have any tips on improving, I would greatly appreciate it. CHEERS

I am having a similiar prob..with the slow Turning of vessel. If you have any tips on improving, I would greatly appreciate it. CHEERS[/quote]