I was wondering (this was probably answered in a different thread, or I will get the standard "go with what you want" response), but would tetryon and transphasice do a bit more dmg at end game (rarlely pvp, and primarily solo), or should I stay with phasers / quantums? tet / trans would burn through shields, but phasers could drop shields completely.

Phasers have a 2.5% chance to shut down 1 of the 4 systems: weapons, shields, etc. Tetryon have a 2.5% chance of shutting down shields. If you're specifically wanting shield shutdown go with Tetryons. The odds are 4x better.

Transphasic Torpedoes don't burn through shields any faster. In fact they lower base damage then Photons. What they have is 2x Bleed through damage. You can actually take down ships with hardened shields with their shields still strong in PvE. I've tried Directed Energy Modulation and Transphasics Torps Builds. They were quite effective. Especially since Season 1.2 update with DEM not reducing base damage of weapons.

I sort of straddle approaches. My nebula uses tetryon with photon torpedos. the photon's fire faster helping in dog fights. The Tetyon's (a single cannon, a turret, a front beam array or or front dual and aft beam array. Directed energy modulation plays well with the cannon/turret, espcially with scatter fire or rapid fire up.

Tetryons do not shut down shields like phasers. The Tetryon proc simply drops the shields by a set amount on all facings. This amount used to be a paltry 80 points. It been raised to 160 points currently. Meaning you can reduce all four facings for a combined total of 640 points.

A nifty bit of bonus damage. but hardly crippling when even escorts can have MK X shields with over 10000 points to a facing.

Actually the max shield capacity of MK X has been reduced to around 8'500 for the best covariant very rare shield array with three times capacity modifiers. However, of course, they can use engineering consoles to expand the capacity even more.

On my cruiser, was thinking of trying tetryon and transphasic. One problem on the poiints is using a torp up front, and the breen cluster mines in back. Has anyone tried this combo yet (assume points in mines and torps). Or would the standard quantam torps with the extra poinst else where still be better?

options:
1-tetryon/transphasic torps (no mines)
2-tetryon/quantums
3.phasers/quantums
4-phasers/transphasic torps

Extra info, primarily solo pve, main is tac / defiant-refit (VA), will pvp just for the daily emblems, and I know that tetryon might reduce shields, yet phasers could drop them completely. Just wanted some thoughts on this.

Pair transphasic with plasma rather than tetryon. Transphasic does hull damage, as mentioned earlier, even while shields are up. The plasma fire of plasma beams will compliment this better than tetryon. Transphasic are great in PVP for going through Reverse Shield Polarity. I still fly with plasma beams and transphasics, but I'm considering a respec with the RSP nerf.

Plasma beams arn't so common in PVP because most people use hazard emitters, thus no real benefit to the proc. But if you play mostly PVE then you will get a lot of extra hull damage from the plasma fire / transphasic combination. This is really nice for when a sliver of shield regenerates to prevent full torpedo damage on the hull. As a side note, if you have the automated defense turret then it also benefits from plasma consoles.

If you really want to focus on bringing shields down then go with tetryon (and rapid fire if you use cannons)paired with photons or quantums. Photons are best if you autofire, and Quantums are best if you are a "select your moment" guy. Also, Quantums will make more of a torpedo high yield 3.

If points are tight then use phasers rather than tetryon. Most people do these days. Not only are they cheaper but the occasional system shutdowns, while random, create real opportunities for success. Furthermore, high phasers (or disruptors if klingon) will enhance the skill of your support ships as well. At Admiral, everyone gets NPC reinforcement and these ships use the racial weapon of choice.

Science Admirals tend to use phasers (or disruptors if klingon) because their photonic fleet benefits from this skill as well. Given how tight points can be in science, this makes phasers a must.



So from your description, I would say that phasers or tetryon are good (for shields). Use lots of rapid fire, and go quantums with the torps. But use plasma with transphasic for PVE hull damage.

Personally, I'm not big on putting mines on anything, but least of all on an escort. But I have seen a few people doubling transphasic torps with the breen mines as a rear firing weapon for pass by attacks. It depends on how much power you need to save, and how many skill points you have for mines.