I'm pretty new to the game, does anyone have any advice on how to fit a PVE Heavy Cruiser?
I've tried the search but most threads I've found are circa 2010, and I have no idea if they are out dated or not.

I was thinking generically:

2 Phaser Beam MK VI
1 Quantem Torp

Deflector - the Defari one
Impulse - the Defari one
Shields - the Defari one

2 Phase Beam MK VI
1 Transphasic cluster torpedo.


I'm wondering if I will need EPS conduits or not. I have only flown a Rhode Island Class previously.

Sorry I'm brand new, (despite my join date which is when I tried the free 5 day trial) I have no idea. I've been lurking older posts for how to build/spec my character.

I only have about 500,000 energy credits so I can't really afford to buy all sorts of items from the exchange only to find out that the information is outdated and a patch has changed things.

Your weapon choices should work fine. The EPS can be helpful, but so can a turn rate console. You might want to fly the ship a little bit and try it for a few missions before you decide to get one or the other. The Heavy Cruiser will not turn anything like your Rhode Island so trying it out will give you a chance to decide what you might want to do.

Always remember that a cruiser's strength lies in its beams.
I have heard the term "beam boat" many times.

Assuming you are a tactical officer you will be able to enhance the attack power of those beams slightly.
Also remember that when your torpedo tubes do line up....You want to pack a Punch that those romulans will remember.

You can use any type of beam and torpedo that you want to, but my primary suggestion is that you stick to one type of beam and one type of torpedo and specialize in it. In my own case I only use Phaser Beams and Quantum Torpedos. (remember to spend skill points in beams, phaser beams, torpedos, and quantum torpedoes)

As far as EPS conduits, I do not use them, but I am a dedicated Engineer player and we don't really need them when you run at 125 weapons, 81 shields, 70 engines, etc...
However they might be useful for a tactical officer to quickly rebalance their power settings since you do not quite have the power management abilities that an engineer does. Just remember to leave console room for an RCS Accelerator (the best that money can buy, I believe VI gets +22%) and armor plating for the hull when those shields of yours fail...and they will fail.

at the lower level it really those not matter.

But instead getting gear off the exchange you can also do the exploration mission for your level, collect the badges and use that for gear.

If you want a beam boat, the Heavy Cruiser, like all escorts, is maneuverable enough to take advantage of Dual Beam Banks. I'd put two of those and a torpedo on the front.

Edit the next morning: Did I really write that? Geez. All I can say is that I was tired yesterday, and I really do know the difference between the Heavy Cruiser and the Heavy Escort, which is one of my favorite ships.

Sorry. New people don't need the help of old people like me, at least not when we're barely awake. I'm going to leave the original post unedited so you can all laugh at me.

To Vagusbellum, that build is fine. Two beam arrays and a torp on each end will do a great as anything for PVE

Exploration? Duuuh what? I just do missions...what is this exploration you speak of...

Exploration is when you get sent into the various Exploration zones to do 3 missions. Places like Eridon Belt, Hromi Cluster, Delta Volcanus Cluster, etc. Each time you complete those 3 missions in one of those zones you get some Badges. Those Badges can be used to buy new Equipment for your ship or personnel without it costing you any EC at all.

II have a Dakota class cruiser that runs a set of VR Phaser Arrays plus a Rare Quantum Torp front, a Rare Quantum Mine, Transphasic Mines and Phaser in the back. I use a turn rate console to help it move plus a tractor beam to hold escorts in place for a butt kicking! It works pretty well. Didn't find EPS to be that helpful, esp because of the larger warp core.

Good luck,

KiroK!

Two single cannons and a torp up front with three turrets in the back could be fun, if youre only doing PvE. You'll pretty much have a 180' front arc of effectivenes and a 90' hurt locker zone.