Surgical Strikes Review: Better than Beam Overload?

[@CasualSAB]

I forgot to set the filter on the ship list to include 6 weapon ships, had been looking at specific things before recording. The link in description and here has the full list. docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VdPptC1JP5R5H_pVr_5GY5R7Zax0Xf4yyi2e3B7jwTE/edit?usp=sharing

[@AtlassGaming]

The Terran Adamant should also be able to take advantage of SS3 + Husnock trait

[@freizeit.gaming.modellbahn6764]

yes, it has beside the cmd intel also lt options for temporal. atm i have there my ss3 build

[@wizgillar]

Definitely going to try this on my Adament. It also makes my Vengeance more viable. Great video!

[@MrNBridger]

The Preferential Targeting Trait is also something that is a big game changer for BO and CRF.

[@Vulf_Faolan]

Thanks!

[@CasualSAB]

No problem! And thanks!

[@thestokes91]

Great video, very happy with the SS changes, and that Borticus buffed this trait before release. Another commenter mentioned it but the Kelvin T'laru is going to be very interesting with these buffs (it can equip the romulan drone ships too)

[@Orodreth888]

Back to the roots. I started DPSing with FED Intel Ships. This brings me straight back to my favorite the Phantom.

[@aka-47k]

yeah i remember the releaso of delta i set up my phantom with ss and movement was so fun to be dodge tank with super dps XD

[@SirPaleRider]

Going to switch over immediately! Thx for vid Spencer. Appreciated the ship table. Was hoping to go back to Fleet Arbiter but...Lt Command Intel only...so Terran Raider it is

[@jasonkirkland7587]

Makes me glad I got the fleet phantom Intel escort. Loved the looks and now it looks even better

[@Lexelot.]

Old video but very useful! Did the Husnock trait Directed Energy Flux ever get verified as working with SS? I know in game the trait tooltip still only mentions CRF and BO. Thanks!

[@stue2298]

Thanks for cruching the numbers. From my personal experience, in competitive runs my DPS have gone up about 12 to 13% with Surgical Strikes. If you have a Full intel ship and the extender for Surgical Strikes is a really good set up for some DEW builds.

[@generalspinobi1442]

Great video! I was curious on what a few of those consoles you were using? Especially on the disruptor beam build you were showing

[@CasualSAB]

Eng Consoles: Assimilated Module (Omega Rep), Reinforced Weapon Assembly (Lobi), Tachkokinetic Converter (Lobi) | Sci Consoles: Console from the Jarok Alliance Carrier, Forged Turncoat (S31 Command Heavy BC), Bioneural Infusion Circuits (Lobi) Tac consoles are all Fleet Spire Exploiters for Disruptors. Uni console is the Lorca one from Disco rep.

[@petrswtor]

People seem to forget that (non dual) cannons exist, but sounds to me like a mixture of cannons and beam arrays might be interesting on a ship like the L. Ambassador for example. Good intel in this video. Thanks!

[@deadbird3144]

omnis have more base damage than turrets, so ss builds should likely use them over turrets, regarding mixing.

[@aka-47k]

the best part now 4/4 ships are significantly better 3 omnis+turret sure still not best or optimal but at least all weps have a firing mode XD

[@Sm1ret]

I need to get this. Thank you.😊

[@Vulf_Faolan]

6:33 I'm sorry, I realize you probably get asked this a lot, but I'm having a hard time finding a consistent answer... Fed with Beam Arrays and Beam Overload, should I be running weapons with [CrtD]x4 or [Dmg]x4? Like, if you had a "For Dummies" answer, I'd really appreciate it.

[@CasualSAB]

If you don't have a spam bar and your build isn't using sets/consoles that boost your weapons, then CrtD]x4. If you have a spam bar to keep up a constant rotation of abilities, and have multiple things on your build to boost your weapons, then Dmg]x4.

[@Vulf_Faolan]

@@CasualSAB I see... The way I'm reading that is if I'm a powerful high-end player who really knows what he's doing, I should go Dmg. If I'm a mostly F2P casual following some basic guides to create a passable budget build, CrtD would probably be best.

[@CasualSAB]

Yeah, CrtD is the better choice for most players. Dmg for those pushing their builds as far as possible. But either way, any mix of CrtD and Dmg on your weapons is fine. Difference between either is going to be a fraction of a percent most of the time.

[@Vulf_Faolan]

I see. That helps a lot, thank you.

[@shantideva30]

interesting. realy like the SS builds, good support to kill big targets fast

[@Jay-ql4gp]

I'm using it on my Legendary D7 and it's pretty nice. Never thought of using the latest Scimitar though. But I have been wondering about the Vengeance.

[@ryanhau1073]

in theory, basic Anti-Proton would be great for Surgical Strikes

[@CrushMixes]

We need the Test Map on Holodeck! Where we all Play and have out best gear and access to everything! Take Note Cryptic! Take Note!

[@dgc2540]

I realize this is an older video by the time I am commenting onit, but maybe someone can answer a question I have. Now if you have a commander tac seat and can take Attack Pattern Omega, does Beam Overload still lose to Surgical Strike? I ask because the main ship I am using the Hydra and can do either build but the seating does mean that I have to whose between BO with AP Omega or SS.

[@ODST_Parker]

Anyone else find it awful that all of the single-target firing modes require extension traits from ridiculously expensive ships to get the most out of them? Not like you need them in the first place, and not like you need to use a single-target ability in the first place, but for different builds and themes, it's very unfortunate you can't make the best builds without those.

[@gerogyzurkov2259]

That's how they're making their money tho. I mean pretty much 99% of all of us don't need these at all. Literally I can make a SS3 build that can do all content bar top meta which isn't necessary anyway at least now and the near future in 1-2 yrs. For those other 1% who want the top meta it sucks, but that's I guess the kind of people who loved the game so much they're willing to do it to invest in it for that more enjoyment.

[@ODST_Parker]

@@gerogyzurkov2259 No one has to spend a penny on STO, and I haven't for quite a few years since Delta Rising. Unfortunately, there will always be whales willing to spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on power creep, even if there's absolutely no reason to do so.

[@gerogyzurkov2259]

@@ODST_Parker Thousands mean the game run so. MC STU already displayed the statistics so I am guess the just under 5k daily count is fine with them

[@ODST_Parker]

@@gerogyzurkov2259 Game doesn't run much anymore though. Bugs from a decade ago, problems they refuse to solve because it'd take too much effort or money, additions they'll never make because they're not profitable enough, and barely any actual content releases nowadays. They're making as much money as possible while keeping the game going as long as possible, that's no a good state for it to be in.

[@gerogyzurkov2259]

@@ODST_Parker I hope gearbox make second version.

[@pcubed664]

You compare Surgical Strikes III to Beam Overload III, but what about Overload III with Mixed Armaments Synergy? Are Miracle Worker ships still the King of beam damage?

[@CasualSAB]

It's hard for me to give an exact % for that comparison. I'm leaning towards SS3 still taking a slight lead. MW ships are likely to still be the top option for DEW builds in normal/advanced level content. That shifts over to Command in Elite due to effectiveness of Call Emergency Artillery and CF3 (if you have a torp on).

[@CaptainJasonC]

With PTT i have found BO outdoes SS3 on my builds

[@lvl99link]

Don't forget about the Kelvin T'laru. Full non-exotic Intel sci carrier with Lt Temp seating. Can get pretty crafty with not only the ship, but the Highly Specialized trait it comes with as well. A 5% recharge time on Specialist Boff abilities (in addition to other things) that stacks up to 5 times each time you use a Specialist Boff ability for 20 seconds, yes please! Now all we need is: SAD type trait for Surgical Strikes for hanger pets!! An ETM for HY/CRF An ETM for Surgical Strikes

[@Elthenar]

I have the Gal X and have been using SS3 when leveling, but man it's hard not to use BO when you have Best Hope of the Empire.

[@radeadcool]

What no Terran Adamant/Defiant?

[@CasualSAB]

It's because I had set the filter to only show 7/8 weapon ships earlier and forgot to let the 6 weapon ships back in when I recorded this :(

[@Goldenrye21]

Does SS still beat BO if one has neither superweapon ingenuity nor the new Jem'hadar ship?

[@CasualSAB]

If you have neither extension trait, then yes, it should still win out.

[@Goldenrye21]

@@CasualSAB great, thanks!

[@bilro3787]

I never thought that SS3 will do best, i am using a fleet gagarin miracle worker with BO3 and NSB3 and MAS3 with beam arrays and 1 torp. Can you do some testing against SS3? I am using almost the same build with the M6 computer console and EWC Trait, with a -10% weapon power cost warpcore from fleet plus -25% weapon power cost from the ship command for damage agony phaser, spiral is to expensive. Best Regards and keep the good work sory my bad English

[@KakavashaForever]

How have isomags changed this, if at all? And where would the Hydra fit into an updated list?

[@CasualSAB]

Isomags increase the number of viable platforms. Hydra does very well, one of the best C-Store options.

[@alanpattee4383]

😫 argh.lol. Great job for the video!

[@davesmith9844]

How does this change with the new Mag consoles?

[@needparalegal]

I may buy the bundle. Go for the Kill is another hard to get trait.

[@deavonw]

Ship is fun. I recommend it. Definitely tankier than you might expect.

[@needparalegal]

@@deavonw I have more ships than I can fly, so I would only be buying for the trauts,

[@zigzag8949]

I have Holo Leeta, I've used Elite training token to learn all manuals but like EVERY bridge officer manual or skill... It never works. Not once in 3 years has a single training manual ever worked on any officer. Maybe it's a PS4 thing.

[@CasualSAB]

Did you promote your bridge officer?

[@zigzag8949]

@@CasualSAB yes I did 😁 it appears to be a specific ship issue. You need the right crew member on the right ship, the right specialisation and the right command level per station. Cryptic have put up WAY too many readblocks and no form of instruction for the average user. That no training manuals still don't work on consol is crazy. Thanks for the reply 😁

[@RFA_The-DuDe]

So if i get this correctly, i do not have to slot other firing modes then SS3. ? I use the kelvin timeline intel dreadnought cruiser. it has 5 isomag slots (+the 2 universal) and 4 locator slots... what would you slot ?...

[@CasualSAB]

If you're going with Surgical Strikes then it will be the only energy weapon firing mode on your build. Aye. And I would go with Isomags.

[@RFA_The-DuDe]

@@CasualSAB Done.. thanks Spencer.

[@Tstahl962]

I mean, while the test is nice and all and gives a rough showing... You're favouring SS3 quite alot here simply due to how the test environment was. Since you're not stacked up on crit chance and severity aka as cat-2 saturated as you would be in an actual DPS run, which favours SS3s crit Chance and sev boost quite a bit. Not saying the test is invalid, just a bit biased towards SS3. Plus you technically would have to compare Beam Overload with Locators vs SS3 with exploiters

[@regancollins1465]

I don't know about pc version of ss. But on xbox ss only last 10 seconds. With vanguard trait adds another 5 seconds. SS has 30 second minimum cool down. So we're do you come up with nearly 100% uptime?

[@CasualSAB]

SS has a 15s Global Cooldown (GCD) aka Minimum Cooldown. Just like Beam Overload, Rapid Fire, and Scatter Volley. Here's a spreadsheet containing info on all cooldowns. Go to the Powers tab at bottom left. GCD will be shown under the "Duplicate CD". docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11-MvAbU6Mvo-AEn3llOdOG9QG2s8FpWoiG6zoikCfkI/edit?usp=sharing

[@madskillzz1]

Any thoughts on use in PVP? I feel like vape builds could get OP with some of this stuff if setup right....not that I PVP anymore really lol.

[@CasualSAB]

Issue for PvP is you can't use a secondary energy firing mode to trigger those colony tac consoles for their heals. I don't think vape builds have as much presence nowadays. Beam Overload dogfighters can hit people so hard as is.

[@ILTrombazzucche]

@@CasualSAB hi! So in pvp, being able to choose between all the right traits, and wanting to use the colony consoles for, you would use

[@ILTrombazzucche]

For survivability, you would use beam overload or surgical strike!? Thx

[@madskillzz1]

@@ILTrombazzucche For PVP you would have to use a special firing mode like BO it trigger the colony consoles. I guess if you are not running those you could run SS. My guess is you will find it difficult to survive not using them tho because they regen a ton of hull.

[@ILTrombazzucche]

@@madskillzz1 🖖

[@cwiggy34]

So I'm I to assume that all this is built around a current $40 and soon a $90 trait? If soo...lol...............

[@CasualSAB]

Yes, built entirely around that trait.

[@thecyberchefutube]

Any benefit or negative to running both BO3 or CRF2 along with SS3? Do the cancel each other out?

[@CasualSAB]

You cannot run SS3 alongside BO or CRF. SS3 will lock BO/CRF out, and BO/CRF will lock SS3 out.

[@thecyberchefutube]

@@CasualSAB Thanks 🙏

[@kailimyee7253]

Exploiters or isomags?

[@CasualSAB]

Depends on how many of either you can slot. But I tend to focus on Isomags nowadays

[@Rob_253]

I love how I'm one of your most trusted confidants and yet I'm at the bottom of your list...

[@CasualSAB]

Alphabetical order not helping you there