U.S.S. Lancelot

I have temporal listed here as I did queue into and set the DPS record with this. However, I really should have had strategist rather than temporal secondary.

Notes

Jayiie's Skill tree has been optimized to be used on as many build types as possible. As such there are some questions that naturally arise when talking about it. I will try to capture these discussions as succinctly as possible here.

Tactical ultimate and Exotic Builds

The tactical ultimate does basically nothing for the majority of the damage on this build. However this is a skill tree that is still designed to run things like the Inquiry and Verity, so I do still have this. A more optimized tree would look something s. The core skill selections are still there. There is an overlap on looking at torp skills when getting to the 25 Tac ult unlocks.

Hull Restoration vs Hull Capacity

This is very simple, while also not. Given the choice between a Improved Hull Capacity (+25.5%) and Hull restoration (+25%) against Advanced Hull capacity (+30%), I personally prefer to take the former, splitting the point difference. Since my character is an engineer, this 25% Hull restoration actually has some very useful applications through Miraculous repairs.

As well by taking some extra points into engineering, this has allowed me to take the 10th Engineering Unlock skill which adds +10 Hull Capacity, which is comparable to the +15 taken from the last point of Hull restoration. Due to how the skill works this is a +3.3% Max Hull vs 4.95% Max Hull buff respectively.

EPG vs Control Amplification, DrainX and CtrlX

This time around I've opted to put more points into CtrlX and EPG while taking Control Amplification, and instead dropping points from DrainX. If this wasn't on an engineering captain I wouldn't consider this a loss. However both Nadion Inversion and Intrusive Energy Redirection both scale with DrainX and are innate captain abilities, thus wanting for the skill.

Aux Power

Optimizing to hit 130 Aux power has been challenging. To do this I required Defensive Subsystem turning for the +4.8 Power to Aux. Combining this with the passive on most science ships as well as the Neutronic Eddies has allowed 130 to be hit passively. This has then allowed me to drop EPS Manifold Efficiency freeing up a 10th starship trait. On other builds this has the effect of allowing more aux power for more damage / better scaling on various powers.

Shield Regeneration

This is still a tank first skill tree. Shield regeneration is statically anomaly and adds a huge amount to shield regen in just the first point (more Information on shields can be found here). As such, I have taken the single point. with the most recent tree revision I've opted to spec out of DrainX and Drain Infection for that last point in EPG. Should you want to not take shield regeneration I would suggest the next DrainX point.

Starship Weapons

Notes

The quad cannons are great but easily replaceable with spiral waves. Since this build uses Calm before the Storm, it is an easy thing to get, I just didn't feel like upgrading another set when I have the quads already upgraded.

Hanger pets here can be whatever you want.

This marks my first use case of the Discovery 3pc set, forsaking my usually normative choice of the Competitive engines for the Mycelial Wave engines, which grants me access to the 3pc. This set bonus allows me to deal eletrical damage to the first shot I fire at a target, which in turn triggers the Five Magicks Starship trait.

Meta-Focused Tweaks:

With the advent of the Isomagnetic Plasma Distribution Manifold there exists a choice between these new consoles and our old Spire Vulnerability Exploiters. However, I've chosen to take several tactical specific consoles and use these as spots for universals, which has a small gain on the opposite using traditional spire consoles. You can read more here.

Budget Tweaks:

This is a particularly interesting build as nearly everything here is 'free'. The three consoles with potential replacements is the Dynamic Power Redistributor Module, Tachyon Net Drones, and the event ship Dragonsblood Flame Reactor. Take a look at replacements in the energy basics guide. Something worth noting is that there is another free mission reward console called the Harmonic Resonance Relay, which could be very interesting to build with the set (the weapons are also very pretty and unique being white circles and beams).

Notes

Pretty standard Surgical Build layout. Focused Assault here is easily replaceable with a temporal power. Examples could be slotting Rapid Decay for more single target debuffs or upgrading torpedo spread to rank 2 and picking up Causal Reversion as a heal.

Meta-Focused Tweaks:

There isn't much to change here in terms of utility. If playing on a tactical captain always try to slot A Good Day to Die (not confusing at all there's a starship trait, mission, and personal trait with the same name).

Budget Tweaks:

For budget players who want to save some EC, there's a few standard traits that could be used:

• EPS Manifold Efficiency - Engineering Captain innate trait - this provides +10 all subsystem power for 30s when using EPtX or batteries. A useful filler.

• Point Blank Shot - Episode Reward from House Pegh - scaling damage based on distance to target from 2km to 6km.

• Operative - Innate Trait - +1% CrtH +2% CrtD, this isn't spectacular but if you lack any offensive traits you can use it.

• Bulkhead Technician - Innate trait - this provides +10% Maximum Hull capacity and can be used as a stand in for durability consoles

• Living Hull - Episode Reward from "Surface Tension" - +15% hull regen in combat

• Redacted Armor Plating - Episode Reward from “The Renegade's Regret” - +30 all DRR when hit from behind or sides

• Regenerative Control Synergy - Episode Reward from “Of Signs and Portents” - Grants +45% hull regen when using a control power for 10 seconds

Meta-Focused Tweaks:

Since I'm on a federation captain I cannot use the Legacy of Qo'noS starship trait. This is the KDF equivalent to heart of Sol.

Budget Tweaks:

Offensive Traits:

• Improved Critical Systems - Temporal Agent Recruit Reward, grants CrtX on use of EptX abilities.

• Unconventional Tactics - Strategist Specialization, grants damage on using 

• Predictive Algorithms - Intelligence Specialization Rewards, very minor Accuracy boost when using weapon enhancement abilities.

• Dimensional Modulation - Inherent to the ship, I would recommend against using this since it has such a strict trigger requirement.

• Getting into C-store accessible traits:

  • Promise of Ferocity - Alliance Pilot escorts, +4% bonus weapon damage when using a tactical or pilot bridge officer power (max 5 stacks, one stack every 4s)

  • Strike from Shadows - Pilot Escorts, Adds a passive -60% threat generation, +5% CrtH, and +5% Cat2, with a very very minor placate

Meta-Focused Tweaks:

In an ideal world I would get myself a 25 of 47 like I do on my science or one of the other expensive ones, but I don't feel the need too.

Budget Tweaks:

• Most of these are really easy to get. Sub in whatever you want.

• Agent Nerul unfortunately has no equivalents. As such and durability driven duty officer would be best to put here. Dal R'el is a close equivalent, but this is a chance at an effect rather than guaranteed like Nerul.

Surgical Strikes 3 builds require Cmdr intel seating. This means it already limits this to a certain type of ship. 

• Hydra Intel Destroyer - See my build here for a more meta take on this here.

• Legendary Kelvin Constitution Intel Battlecruiser - See my build here for a take on this without the Isomag consoles. This offers a very similar seating potential but without the temporal seating (I haven't flown or parsed this for a while but you can find my first SS build here)

• The Scryer would be excellent for this type of build as it includes several exotic scaling powers. My build here could easily be adapted using the equipment here.

• Legendary Galaxy Dreadnought Cruiser: 5 Engineering consoles, Lt.C Command for concentrate firepower to help boost torpedo damage and plenty of universal seaing, as well as an inbuilt phaser lance.

• Cardassian Ghemor Intel Flight Deck Carrier: One of the ships needed to acquire one of the traits for this build, this is also an excellent surgical strikes platform.

• Bozeman Intel Heavy Frigate: another ship I acquired to pick up equipment, this ship features almost all universal seating which makes it very tailorable to an individuals requirements.

• Legendary D7 Intel Battlecruiser: possibly the best surgical strikes ship, featuring a commander Engineering Intelligence seat with a LtC Miracle worker seat.