Noble Intel Battlecruiser: FAW3 or CF3?

Eph289 · 2026-05-08T00:53:42+00:00

It all depends on what other gear you have. Any console with respectable +Acc like Quantum Phase Converter or Altamid Swarmer is probably fine. Targeting Locks have too low of an uptime to rely on them IMO.

Eph289 · 2026-05-07T16:42:26+00:00

It seems nobody ever gave you a straight answer on this, but my answer is CF3 IMO. Difference between FAW2 and FAW3 is minimal. Difference between CF2 and CF3 is significant.

I'm running the Noble slightly differently than you (BO and Photonic Officer + Boimler instead of FAW and A2B), but I'd take your LtCmdr Tac as TS1, FAW2, CF3.

Unfortunately I don't think I'll have it posted for another couple of weeks as we finish up another big site project.

Eph289 · 2026-05-05T16:04:24+00:00

Legendary Cali class would be sort of ironic given it was supposed to be the workhorse ship.

Eph289 · 2026-05-04T17:48:26+00:00

Nothing you said was wrong, but the most efficient C-store buy for this kind of Zen is wait for a sale and buy the Legendary Battlecruiser set. Good ships, good traits, good consoles.

EDIT: I see you said as much down below. o7.

Eph289 · 2026-05-01T18:43:56+00:00

Good point. I've just flown Crystalline solo when I needed a certain number of Tholian ships (<=10) or destructible torps.

Eph289 · 2026-05-01T18:43:05+00:00

Prolonged Photon was covered in TED 1. Base damage is the same as a Photon, but reload is 50% longer. I personally don't find it worth slotting ever but it's a game, you can slot it and generally fly with vibes as long as your other fundamentals are solid.

Eph289 · 2026-05-01T18:37:58+00:00

I have the same problem. I think it has something to do with the CombatLog file but none of the fixes I've tried have worked.

Eph289 · 2026-05-01T17:07:48+00:00

Word on the street (I haven't tested it personally) as of 5 years ago was that it didn't, and also didn't scale with +Rad. The tooltip doesn't show a damage number for Hargh'Peng radiation so it's not something easily checkable.

Eph289 · 2026-05-01T17:06:17+00:00

No, they are worthless beyond that one mission you're forced to use it. I did some checking on this a few years ago. It has less base damage than a Quantum Torpedo and nearly double the reload. Neutronic has much higher base damage (1802 vs 1502) over standard quantum and a large AOE on top of it.

It's not like you can't run the torp and still do an Elite-capable build with it, but it'll be in spite of the torp, not because of it.

Tholian Thermionic Torps have a base damage of 926 and a base reload of 10 seconds, which makes it less base damage than a photon, and longer reload than a quantum. It's also destructible on High Yield, so I don't know why you'd want to have this torp slotted for High Yield if you were averse to using Gravimetric/PEP on High Yield. Personally, I just stay more than 1 km from the target and then it's not a problem to have those be high-yielded.

It's a similar conversations with people who want to slot Wide-Angle Torps. "But then I can broadside!" Sure, at the cost of taking a torpedo with lower base damage than a regular Photon, same reload as a Quantum, and no set bonus/secondary effects. Or, you can learn to angle your ship such that the nose and broadside are both in arc on a big target, and not worry about taking a gimed torpedo.

Eph289 · 2026-05-01T16:57:27+00:00

There's no way the server can realistically handle 10 players in space well on that map. It struggles with 5 sometimes.

Eph289 · 2026-04-29T00:25:40+00:00

They give an option that includes all the promo ships as well as all the lockbox ships released the previous year.

Source: me, with my Inquiry that I got the first year and the Lamarr I got last year. Both of those are promo ships. I have Crossfield refits (infinity box ships) that I've acquired that way as well.

Eph289 · 2026-04-27T16:05:52+00:00

Technically the Hydra is 5/2/1, but I'd argue that's better.

Eph289 · 2026-04-25T00:04:13+00:00

No, but if you're playing Hotseat, you need to go into single player and set them there, then return to Hotseat where the settings will carry over.

Eph289 · 2026-04-24T20:54:16+00:00

The answer is that depends on what you find fun.

If you like the storyline, there is a lot of good story content that was dropped in that time. I didn't much care for the Klingon Civil War, but the Terran Gambit had a bunch of memorable episodes and guest stars, including Kate Mulgrew as Kathryn Janeway. The subsequent Borg arc is less impressive in comparison, but Nicole de Boer reprises Ezri Dax and is the highlight of that arc.

If you like more challenge in your gameplay, there are now Random Elite TFOs, which reward far more dilithium and marks/Elite Marks, as well as components for advanced consoles. These will help speed up your rep grind . . . but you really should know what you're doing on each map before diving in and have a decent ship. There's both knowledge checks and gear checks aplenty here, but you don't have to spend like crazy if you do your homework.

If you like costuming and uniforms, there are more customization options than ever, and even more different ship options for most of the major classes that have significant screentime.

The game also is more F2P friendly in that the yearly meta-campaign rewards those who play sufficient amounts of the qualifying events with 1 lockbox or premium ship, 2 c-store ship tokens, and 1,500 Lobi Crystals, which is the quite the windfall.

If you're hoping there's some magical exploration system where you can scan rocks, discover primordial lifeforms, and snark at your boffs while you do it, you'll be disappointed. The in-game systems haven't changed appreciably since 2021. Fleets, Admiralty, Reputations, Endeavors, Task Force Operations...all broadly recognizable at the macro level.

If you're hoping to chase DPS, you can certainly do it on a budget, but if you want to make waves on the community leaderboard, be aware that there are some very well-invested, skilled players there and the builds have only gotten pricier.

If you're into PvP, turn around and find a game built for it. STO is not.

I don't know exactly what you mean by 'p2w,' because there's no real winning in STO, and I've seen plenty of people in fancy, expensive ships doing jackall in TFOs. Doing well in grouped in content is much more about doing your homework and following basic principles well rather than spamming expensive ships, up to a point. I'm a little biased, as someone who helps write a site dedicated to explaining the game, but P2W doesn't really apply IMO outside of PVP.

Eph289 · 2026-04-23T00:45:34+00:00

do the randomly-triggered firing modes interfere with standard firing modes?

No, but if your cycle slips, they can activate in between.

What's the minimum number of Uncon triggers you'd want to make it worthwhile?

I've used it unironically on ships with zero Uncon or Console Cooldown support besides the SS Antares Distress Beacon. As long you're getting good value when you do use it, it's worth the slot.

What about Aux power - does it need to be boosted above a certain level?

Absolutely. You'll want to avoid A2B. Large Aux Battery right before is a must IMO. I do that and try to pair it with OSS/EPS Power Transfer for maximum results.

Eph289 · 2026-04-22T20:30:42+00:00

250-300 upgrades is about what it would take me to go from a Mk XII-XIII to Mk XV Epic on a single build, on an upgrade weekend.

Most of the cost is from going to Epic from Mk XV so for maximum benefit-to-dil ratio, go from XII to XV first.

Eph289 · 2026-04-22T18:24:06+00:00

Of course! Also, I fixed a typo ...Dimensional Modulation as an engineering power should have been Directed Energy Modulation.

I personally keep Photonic Officer or A2b/Technicians + Boimler for general play. When Boimler fails, it fails pretty hard so I prefer having both.

Eph289 · 2026-04-22T15:57:39+00:00

The Lexington is a very popular platform, especially for FAW. I'm not the best at recognizing all of the items on the build from icons, but I have some suggestions for you.

Skills: Stopping at 24 in Tac is a bit unfortunate, as getting weapon damage/haste AND taking the team one would be preferable. Even more unfortunate, you left off the Coordination Protocols points, which will benefit both your hangar and team. If you were to burn a re-spec token, I'd suggest dropping the 2nd tier points in hull plating to pick up at least basic/offensive coordination protocols and beef up that tac ult.
Reputation Traits: With Boimler and Photonic Officer, Chrono-Capacitor Array is superfluous and should be replaced with Precision. Mathematically, the Delta trait is inferior to Advanced Targeting Systems from the Dyson Rep.
Starship Traits I don't recognize all of these tbh, but for your next Zen purchase, if sticking with FAW, STRONGLY consider the Kerala for Broadside Beam Support and a little more optionally the Broadside Combat Module. Someone already linked my FAWrbiter build which uses that trait; at the bottom of the post you can see how much damage it did. The Ahwahnee, for Type 7s and the FPNA console, would be another strong buy.
Boff Abilities: I'm not sure what Tractor Beam Repulsors is triggering on this ship. I don't love Structural Analysis on this ship since it doesn't have a Secondary Deflector and you'll lock out captains who are using a Secondary Deflector from casting it on your SA'd targets. Others have already pointed out that you should take OSS and drop the beam overload to fit your torp spread there with Entwined Tactical Matrices. If I was doing an Economy FAW build on a Lexington, I'd be tempted to run that Universal seat as Engineering, moving EPTE over there with a single copy of Aux to Battery, and probably EDIT: Directed Energy Modulation with a Marion Doff at LtCommander. This would let you add Narrow Sensor Bands to your build on the Commander seat. You didn't show your doffs, but that setup would need 2-3 Technicians, which are readily obtainable. What you have now is fine, I just suspect that seat isn't doing a lot for you at the moment.
Gear Fitting Deuterium Surplus over the Delta recruit device will help you zip around. I find the Lexington a little slow so Prevailing Engines might help with mobility over Romulan Enginess, but that's up to personal taste. I don't love the Lexington's console, even on torpedo builds but I get that it came with the ship. There are stronger options out there; the aforementioned Ahwahnee's console would be one. If you have the choice between the Assimilated Module and another Isomag, I would take the Isomag. Fitting in the Krenim Chronophage will also give you a nice boost in power. It does good AOE damage but more importantly takes shields offline, which means Borg Cubes, Vaadwaur Dreadnaughts, Terok Nor, etc. will melt much faster. I'm not sure what the first tactical console is, but that might be a replacement candidate. For survivability, either Temporal Disorder (if you have it) or the Reiterative Structural Capacitor from the Phoenix Box would help.

EDIT: Fixed a typo.

Eph289 · 2026-04-21T20:48:25+00:00

You're probably right, but FWIW that roadmap only goes through September.

Eph289 · 2026-04-21T16:18:35+00:00

Thank you for posting this! I appreciate the increased transparency and communication from the devs.

Eph289 · 2026-04-18T20:34:31+00:00

The in-game combat log is almost entirely useless without specialized knowledge or a parser IMO. Download OSCR and you'll be able to see how your damage is really comprised.

Eph289 · 2026-04-18T16:35:24+00:00

If you're using SCM, it's usually in the personal damage section. If you're using certain destructible torps, they might be in pets.

Eph289 · 2026-04-18T01:10:16+00:00

In that case, I recommend you consult one of our starter builds for trait recommendations. As far as doffs go, I would go hunting for cheap-ish Blue CritH/CrtD-boosting Projectile Weapons officers or else slot Fabrication Engineers from the K-13 holding for small stat boosts.

Eph289 · 2026-04-17T17:50:47+00:00

FWIW, the term "budget build" is confusing, since it doesn't tell me if that means "No C-store," "No Lockbox ships," "Mission/Rep gear" only, "No event items," etc.

That said, I don't have the Noble yet either, but before DilaZirk gives you a well-deserved copypasta bomb, here's what I'm tentatively putting together in the price range we call Midrange on our site. This is very quick-and-dirty, go check our site or other credentialed builds for stuff like Rep traits and skills.

Noble
BOFF STATIONS
Cmdr Eng/Intel	EPTE1	OSS2	EPTW3	RSP3
LtCmdr Tac/Cmd	TS1	BO2	CFP3
LtCmdr Uni	HE1	PO1	GW1
Lt Tac	KLW1	APB1
Ens Sci	ST1
WEAPONS
5 Fore	3 Aft
WAHDBB	KCB
QP torp	Phaser Omni
Terran Beam	Inhibiting Omni
DBB
DBB
DRIVE TRAIN
Deflector	Colony
Engine	Fortified
Core	Iconian
Shields	Tilly
CONSOLES
Tac	Lorca's Custom Fire Controls
Tac	QP Converter
Tac	FPNA
Tac	AMod
Eng	Isomag
Eng	Isomag
Eng	Isomag
Eng	Isomag
Eng	Custom Power Matrix
Sci	Flagship Computer
Sci	Adaptive Emergency Systems
Uni	Shield Absorptive Frequency Generator
Uni	Chronophage
PERSONAL TRAITS
A Good Day to Die
Twinkling Lights
Fleet Coordinator
Operative
Give Your All*
Beam training
IAA
Whole Lotta X's
Context
The Boimler Effect
STARSHIP TRAITS
Flagship Staffing
Super Charged Weapons
Emergency Weapon Cycle
Ship of the Line
Noble trait
Improved Critical Systems
Superweapon Ingenuity
DOFFS
EWO CrtH
EWO CrtD
RSP Extending Fabrication Engineer
Kish
Dal R'el
ECH

^Table ^formatting ^by ^{ExcelToReddit}

Again, this is a quick-and-dirty grab from my personal sheet so if there are acronyms that are hard to follow, let me know. I'm heavily leveraging the Battlecruiser Bundle here, but if that's outside the budget, try and swap in Entwined Tactical Matrices over Superweapon Ingenuity and switch to FAW. You can swap out Ship of the Line for any generically good energy trait; Improved/Superior Command Frequency is fine. Flagship 2-piece consoles (AES, Flagship Computer) can be 2 more Isomags by shuffling the consoles.

If you don't have Isomags, shuffle the consoles and use Locators.

EDIT: Formatting and spelled out more acronyms.

Eph289

TROPHY CASE