I only made captain 2 nights ago, and have finished for the moment with setting up my defiant class:-

Front 4 x heavy VIII Phaser cannons
Aft 2 x Turret Phaser Cannons (360 things)

3 x Phaser tactical consoles,
1 engineer shield console
1 engineer Power console
1 science Shield console

I would really be interested in what others have and why (i need to learn loads)

I assume you're in tactical?

Edit: Either way, I'd recommend adding a +turn% console, and probably replacing any console you've got with +shields. Fact is, with a mostly cannon-only escort, you're going to CRUMBLE under concentrated fire unless you build for bulk (which you can't really do with cannons). You need to zip in, pop a lot of offensive buffs, decimate your target and GTFO.

Just my 2 cents.

I don't think you need 4 cannons up front due to how the cooldowns work. If you check most escort builds people have 3 dual heavy cannons and a torpedo up front, and all turrets or turrets and torp in the back.

This.

I fly the T5 Retrofit Defiant, and my current loadout is thus:

Fore: 1 Quad Cannon, 2 DCs, 1 Quantum Torp
Aft: 2 Turrets, 1 Quantum Torp.

For STFs, and or PvP I usually run with 3 DHCs & Q-Torp fore, 3 Turrets aft.

yes im in tactical, first char should always be imo.

Ive got a high shield set up, think its 5400 odd, which is high for my level.

I was thinking about a turn+ console, but dropping down to half speed give you a nice turning circle, its foo d for thought

Yes i get in quick using Alpha/Omega Attack with rapid fire cannons, as i take damage use tactical shield and then GTFO with evasive manoeuvre.

With 3 x 15% Phaser consoles and all my weapons phaser based and forward facing can destroy a (NPC)deridex in moments.

I got a first in a starbase 24 flleet thing last night which was nice, so i know im getting stronger

See this is the stuff I dont really understand, so what your saying from an average DPS point of view, 4 makes little difference than 3 as 4 is slower, have i got that right?

While those cannons are nice, never underestimate the firepower you can get with a single quantum torpedo of high level. Couple this with "spread" and you get 2-4 torps for MULTIPLE targets all at once! If your cannons take down sheilds fast, these torps can help finish them off even faster.

The rear torpedo is wasted IMO. I find mines much better. Too many times you're help or tractored or too close to the enemy for a torp to fire, but those mines will do a lot better.

On the other hand, loading out high-level turrets helps on your frontal attack and side angles when you're trying to bring your nose to bear on a target.

Dropping your speed subsequently decreases your defense, which just makes you that much easier to kill. +Turning is both increased DPS and increased survivability. You should always run 1 in an escort, imo.

I agree with this. A rear weapon should almost ALWAYS be a turret or mines, imo. Turrets to maximize your burst, or mines if you're a clevagurl. :p

I never run plus turn rate on my Defiant. For me, I slow to make a turn to come back around for another pass, if it's needed. Keep in mind, I usually decloak and attack at point blank range. Cannons do more damage the closer you are to a target, so I get in their face, unload and move on.

This seems like a potential problem, imo. If you're slowing for a turn, you're destroying your defense. Not to mention the attempt to make a second pass would be wildly improved with a +turning console.

I always assume I'm about to get focus fired the instant I start shooting. :p