I picked up the Theta Radiation Vent for my escort yesterday (because I was out-maneuvered by a Jem'Hadar bug that was flying circles around me earlier this week).

To make room for it, I took out my EPS Flow Regulator console. When I went to go try the setup out on an elite STF mission, I noticed that my weapon power levels was not recharging to full power between each volley.

With the EPS Flow Regulator console (+70%), my weapon subsystem would be at full power, except for once every 3 or 4 volleys. My power transfer rate at with the console is 277%.

Without the EPS Flow Regulator console, my weapon subsystem was struggling to get at full power, and was only able to achieve full power after every 3 or 4 volleys. It usually would reach 118 - 120 most of the time. My power transfer rate without the console is 207%.

I tested this numerous times, and I could definitely see there is a difference with and without the console.

I was thinking of eventually swapping out the Theta Radiation Vent for AMS at some point, but I figured I would ask the vets' opinions on this.

Could there be any possible other explanation for why this is happening? I'm cycling through the same abilities like I normally would.

Should I be striving for full power with each volley? Or are the P2W consoles more useful?

If you're running a beamboat of any fashion, an EPS is necessary imho.

If you're running a cruiser of any fashion, an EPS is necessary imho.

I swap power so much in PvP even without the weapon power issues that I'd rather have that extra ability to do so. Swap power to engines to escape/chase a target, swap power to shields when being focused, weapons for general purposes, and even sometimes Aux for healing depending on the party makeup.

Others will have differing opinions on this, though I see an EPS the same way I see 2x EPtS - a necessary evil.

Should have mentioned I fly an all-cannon escort.

I thought EPS was no longer supposed to affect weapon power recovery anymore? If it still does, you should consider filing a bug report.

EPS affects Weapon recovery, but that doesnt mean you necessarily get more DPS out of it.

The Canons fire in cycle, meaning that starting from 125 they always drop to a lowest point. Were the first weapon cycle starts again, your weapons should be about back to 125 anyway and the cycle restarts.

I dont think that EPS has any practically noticable effect to boost it.

Granted for cannons, but beams are a whole hell of a lot worse on the drain. An 8-beam boat averages going down as low as 70 from 125.

I haven't done extensive testing (I dislike beam boats), but I can't imagine running dual FAWs with 8 beams that every cycle your weapon power will recycle to 125 again.

But isn't weapon power directly associated with DPS?

If my weapon power starts at 125, I'm doing more DPS then if it were to start at 120.

It's not a lot, but over time it can add up.

With 277% power transfer, as I said before, it's pretty much back at 125 each cycle.

With 207% power transfer, it rarely makes it back to 125 each cycle. It's definitely noticeable if you're watching your energy levels.

What I'm trying to figure out, is if you thought the potential amount was worth slotting a AMS or Theta Radiation Vent.

When you say tested, are you saying that you saw a visual difference in what was displayed or did you test for an actual DPS difference?

Visual difference.

Which is why I also had asked, in the first post with the wall of text, if someone had a better explanation as to what's happening.

All I know is, I've tested it several times in multiple STFs, and I'm still visually seeing a difference.

I don't know if parsing is going to be of much help....

Well it certainly couldn't hurt.

Here's a thread that got buried right around the time of the new forum launch.

http://sto-forum.perfectworld.com/sh...ght=beam+power