They use subsystem targeting on weapons constantly.i was debuff hawking trying to figure out how to negate it, and it's a beam target subsystem.

remind me to avoid tholians

If you want to farm Romulan Marks via space missions, they're unavoidable. They aren't difficult (even my Eng Excelsior chews through them), just nuisances. All the subsystem targeting garbage just postpones their demise and maybe throws off your alpha strike. Plus in Azure Nebula Rescue, waiting on that reboot costs you time and thus marks, meaning you have the run it yet again. Its like they know they can't beat you, so they're going to annoy you into submission. Not an entertaining fight.

So, speaking of the Tholian Red Alert, does anyone have loadout and skill tree suggestions for an Eng captain?

My Lethean's using an all Plasma (Torps and Arrays along with EWP III) Bortasqu build. It's actually pretty effective though I'll mention I'm using two copies of Torp Spread and one Tac Team I for Tactical options.

Also something that works really, really well against the Tholians is Reverse Shield Polarity. I had two copies on this character's build for some reason and have found it to be an extremely effective way of preserving/boosting my shield strength against their Tetryon beams.

i that is suppose to happen like that I like it actualy makes it interesting

as for grind they want you coming back