I currently fly a Tactical Escort Retrofit with the automated defense turret because I simply haven't found a 2nd really great tactical console since I started playing again.

Simple question, how much better is the Thunderchild class Point defense system than the turret?


After reading the wiki I was thinking the Point Defense System would be heads and tails above the turret till I saw the Point Defense system has a 3 min cooldown. I'm assuming that means it can attack one set/group of targets every 3 mins. Does anyone know exactly how often the turret attacks it's not listed on the console.

Second, the Armitage comes with the Torp. Point Defense System, is this actually the same as the Thunderchild just with torps instead of phase cannons?


Last question, if I bought the Heavy escort could I use the Phaser Quad Cannons from the retrofit?

i use the quads from the sao paolo, the pds from the thunderchild and the torp pds from the armitage all on the armitage. the two pds have independent cooldowns so you can fire both at once if you want or stagger them. they both work pretty well against probes in stf etc.

the consoles have a short range (<5km) but basically fire at all targets within that range, in any direction (as far as i can see)

The phaser point defence console is lovely. It makes quick work of all trash around you. And even in STF is great for quickly killing frigates.

It even seemed to me that DEM affects it.

Really love all the AOE C-store consoles for the No Win Scenario Mission. Cannon Scatter Volley+Tightly Packed group of enemies+Armitage Torp Console= Massive Explosions, and the Phaser Point Defense is great for dealing with those nasty bio-neural warheads.

The automated defense turret is only really useful vs romulan/reman ships. The rest of the time you're far better off with an extra +damage console.

Unfortunately this is true...I wish they would make the turret a universal console...I mean what would be the harm really? It doesn't do a whole lot of damage and doesn't have the range.

Generally speaking, your second really great tactical console is going to be identical to the first really great console. Most VA escorts running around have four identical tact consoles to maximize dmg. You can mix it up by adding a torpedo console or the ADT, but you're just reducing your overall DPS, although there are specific circumstances where the ADT can mean surviving long enough to win the battle (ie, facing HY plasma torps).

^ ditto. I do use the phaser point defense console but I have learned to fill my Tactical Console slots with multiple copies of one specific energy boosting type, and if you are a torpedo lover like I am then one torpedo-boosting console geared to one torpedo type.

For instance, I have been running my Armitage in PvE with three Phaser Relays and one Photon Detonation Assembly filling the four tac slots, and I then stick my point defense console(s) in science or engineering slots along with the borg console. I'm not sure if the point defense system really shines in PvP, but I love it in STF's and the new season 6 space missions...nothing like letting loose a hail of phaser fire in all directions followed by a cloud of photon torpedoes from your photon torpedo point defense console!!! In fact, I think I'm gonna go fly my Armitage now...

Oh, and yes you CAN put phaser quad cannons on the Armitage (or the Prometheus MVAE, or even the NX-class "light escort"). Quad cannons cannot [EDIT: Apparently, they now can] be installed on the Peregrine Fighter (the flyable one) IIRC, but CAN be installed on the Ferengi Marauder. I'd wager they could also be mounted on the bug ship and Dreadnought.

P.S.: Because you can put the Thunderchild's Point Defense System console in any console slot on any ship or shuttle, in my opinion the Thunderchild is a "must buy." Phaser relays boost the PDS's damage, as do bridge officer abilities such as tactical team and attack patterns and such. It is also REALLY great for doing the Vault Shuttle Event...stick that bad boy on a Delta Flyer and watch it do a third of your total damage or so, if you time things right. It will DESTROY the Birds of Prey.

You're not right here.
The Phaser PDS has a range of 5 km, but the Torpedo-PDS has a range of 10 km.

I mainly use the Torpedo-PDS combined with TorpSpread and CSV on groups within a range of abaut 8-9km.
Then evasive-maneuver through the group with the Phaser-PDS running, giving them the final shot.

I thought phaser pds was 7....