I'll start by saying that of late I've gotten into two discussions on this forums regarding the idea of ships with Universal Bridge officer slots and ships that would have them and I'm always surprised by this underlying idea that they'd be hard to balance. Of course, I'm also not good at this game and so I want insight from people who are good at the game! So the challenge comes in two steps.

First, imagine any ship in game with a full compliment of Universal Bridge Officer slots. Now design the most outrageously overbalanced, game destroying, utter ruination ship you can. My submission is below, feel free to use it as an example. Secondly, and this is the most interesting part, I want you to look at the post prior to yours and provide an objective analysis of the ships weaknesses and what strategies could be used against it.

So in super brief mode. Step 1. Design a game breaking ship with universal bridge officers!

Step 2. Critique the weaknesses of the respondent before you.


Galaxy-X Dreadnaught.

Weapons Forward: Phaser DHCx3, Quantum Torpedo Launcher
Weapons Aft: Phaser Turretx3, Tricobalt Torpedo Launcher

Com Tac: TT1,THY2,CRF2,AP:O3
TC Tac: THY1,CRF1,AP:O1
LT Eng: EPtS1,Aux2Damp
LT Sci: ST1,TST1
En Eng: EPtS1

With two different versions of Attack Pattern Omega, with Auxilary to Dampeners and evasive manuevers this ship should be far more manueverable for far longer than most enemies would expect. Past that it's got everything, power and weapon wise, that would make an escort great including its phaser lance to stand in for BO3.

For PvE it doesnt matter ...but damn, i wouldnt want to fly such build in pvp. How exactly you want to survive is beyond my comprehention. Focus fire on ship like this and you can suck vacuum. Slow, slow turning ship, with crap defence -> early grave. No broadside capability, no tractor to help facing with the cannons...meh

The obvious difference in universal slots, its that its possible to make a really powerful combo. The fact that there exist dozen other useless ones doesnt matter.

Like having access to lt.cmd science or tactical with high engineering powers and such. Mimicing other ship layouts on other ships is least of the worries.

Cruiser

Tac Captain

8 Arrays

Borg Set + Aegis Deflector

Tac T1 - BOL2 - FAW3 - APB3

EPW1 - EPS2 - DEM2
EPW1 - EPS2
ETeam1

ST1 - HE2

----------

* Only change on this from my Excelsior is the swap of Cmdr Eng and LtC Tac (Excelsior build in parantesis)

Tac Captain

4 Cannons - 4 Turrets

Borg Set + Aegis Deflector

TacT1 - CSV1 - APB2 - CRF3 (TacT1 - APB1 - CRF2)

EPW1 - EPS2 - DEM2 (EPW1 - EPS2 - DEM2 - DEM3)
EPW1 - EPS2 (same)
ETeam1 (same)

PH1 - HE2 (same)

Well if i was going to customize tac-dreadnought, i would end with something like this.

2xDHC, 1 BA, 1 Torp
2xturret, 2x BA

Cmd. tactical
TT1, HYT2, APO1, CRF3

Lt.Cmd engineering
EPtE1, Aux to Damp 1, EPtS3
Lt. engineering
EPtW1, Aux to SIF 1
En. engineering
ET1
Lt.science
ST1, PH2 / TR1


For full borg / regenerative set.

Considered swapping the Borg Deflector for Aegis?

Lose only the tractor but gain 5 shieldpower (enough to hit 125 shieldpower with 1 power console and EPS 2)

(assuming 1 Efficient BO + Efficient Captain)

Three responses out of two people neither of which met both requirements of the challenge. I shall go back and edit my original post so it becomes more clear in the future. And in the event that you find the prior poster is not providing a build, or "doing a Dalnar" you should feel free to critique the build in the post previous to his. Also if you find the poster is giving a build but not providing a critique, also "doing a Dalnar" you should feel free to critique it as normal and, if you're so inclined, critique the one he forgot to critique.

(These are know as the Dalnar and not the MelineAaele because Dalnar is easier to spell.)

You kinda need the tractor beam if you want to use dual cannons

Also Jermbot, you are confusing.....on verge of offensive :p Keep in mind, not everyones native language is english....i know its shocking....but the truth.

In PvE, the enemies will just blow up rapidly and everythnig works wel.
In PvP, you are very weak defensively, and your turn rate - even if boosted with AP:O or A2D is not sufficient.

The same as Escort is far better, but you wouldn't need Aux2Dampeners then. I'd probably go with something like:

Tactical Escort Retrofit
Weapon Forward: 3 x DHC, QTL or DBB
Weapons Aft: 3 Turrets
Commander Tac: TT1, TH2, CRF2 APO3 (with QTL) or TT1, CRF1, BO3, APO3 (with DBB)
Lt.Cmdr Science: Polarize Hull I , Hazard Emitters 2, Photonic Shcokwave 1
Lt.Engineer: EPtW/A1, EPtS2
Lt.Engineer: EPtW/A1, EPtS2
Ensign Science: ST 1

This is almost a BoP layout, except you have an extra power available to you, with better hull and shields. Only drawback is the lower turn rate. Compared to the Galaxy-X variant you put up, you lack the Lance, of course, but you make up by being far more maneuverable and actually able to reliable get into firing position when it's required.

You've got plenty of resistance at all times, you have a solid hull heal and can also deal with tractor beams. You even have a Science Team to deal with Subnucleonic Beams and similar science debuffs, and if you find you don't need it, you could shuffle around HE for the ST and the HE2 for a TSS2 for more shield healing. And the most important thing is that you can stun your enemies so you can break his abilty to react to your spike.

In PvE... You probably have too many defensive abilities. :p

Star Cruiser
Commander Engineer: EPtA1, EPtS2, ET3, ES3 or Aux2SIF3
Lt.Cmdr Science: ST1, HE2, TSS3
Lt.Engineer: EPtS1, Aux2SIF1
Lt.Engineer: EPTA1, ET2
Ensign Science: TSS1

or

Commander Engineer: EPtA1, EPtS2, ET3, (ES3 or Aux2SIF3)
Lt.Cmdr Engineer: EPTS, (Aux2SIf1 or ES1), ET3
Lt. Science: HE1, TSS2
Lt. Science: HE1, TSS2
Ensign Science: Science Team 1

Don't put this monster in PvE, because it would be incredibly boring slugfest. For PvP, the drawback is that you can't run high levels of EPtS well if you want to heal. but you can double on all science heals, which should give you enough resources to help you through, especially as an Engineer or Science Captain with defensive Captain powers.