U.S.S. Rtas 'Vadum

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

The Tactical Ultimate is still taken. Because of the skill investment for energy weapons in the skill tree, this only takes a small amount of investment. Even with the intent of going full min-max, if everyone takes the coordination protocols this is comparable to getting a Mk12 damage console which effects everything, as well as a hull plating node. These are worthwhile investments, and given how flexible Jayiies skill tree is designed to be very good at covering multiple roles such as support, tanks, and energy kinetic and exotic dps builds.

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 anomalous 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

Weapon Notes

Introduced with the Angel's Wake Lockbox, Ba'ul Weapons offer in place of antiproton weapons inherent 20% Critical Severity a reflection mechanic that deals 5% of the dealt damage. When combined with the Linked Sentry Set 2 piece, these weapons gain an additional reflection as well as increasing the reflection damage from 5% to 10% (no longer used on this build).

Additionally, Ba'ul reflections are unlike other reflection procs, such as the Refracting Tetryon weapon effect. Ba'ul carries with it other on hit procs and status afflictions. This includes:

• Kemocite Laced Weapons (when triggers on source triggers on reflections)

• Suppression Barrage

• Entropic Rider, and by extension Atrophied Defenses, from temporal specialization (if you run it)

• Radiant Detonation Matrix reputation trait

• Energy Refrequencer reputation trait

Equipment Notes

The Kelvin Timeline drones have been a real shocker. EPH heard elsewhere and suggested to me to try and they have not disappointed. Two bays were the top DPS contribution providing 231k between the pair. For comparison, 2 fore DHCs only provided 199k!

Bridge Officer Notes

I have downgraded emergency power to weapons to only rank 1 to pick up CF3. This just helps make the pets do that much better, as well as improves the EBM torp. I would much rather run EPtW3 and CF2 but I don't want to be that guy in TFOs and override some torpers CF3. The Lt slot was taken as Needs of the Many to take advantage of the inherent trait Cooperation is the Dominant Strategy

Personal Traits Notes

There isn't much to change here in terms of utility. Obviously if playing on a tactical or science captain EPS manifold Efficiency isn't available. As such these would be best swapped to A Good Day to Die (not confusing at all there's a starship trait, mission, and personal trait with the same name) for tactical captains and potential something like Bio-tech Patch or Conservation of Energy for science captains.

Budget Tweaks:

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

• 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 is equivalent to 3 stacks of repair crews

• 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

• Give Your All - Engineering RnD level 15 - grants a dodge (flat 20% reduction)

That all said, not much in the way of budget is available to buff pets. That's just part of the cost of running a carrier.

Starship Traits Notes

Scramble Fighters is the go-to carrier trait after SAD or CA when people talk about carriers. Direct replacement I've used in the past has been Relaunch and Repair, which you get from this build includes with the High-Energy Communications Network. It doesn't do the same but it definitely helps pets stay alive.

The big ‘new’ thing here is dropping Emergency Weapon Cycle for Event Horizon Safeguard. This trait can in theory be used to replace Scramble Fighters, however SF also adds a damage component so in a pet focused build both do tend to carry value. Combining this with the Kelvin pets means we take good use of the Armstrong for both Trait, Console, and Pets.

Miscellaneous

Something that we try to teach is how to read a ship, understand what are the important parts, and then apply it to other ships so you don't need a build for your specific ship. You can either copy or adapt from another ship as needed instead if there’s one that can run the same build or is close enough. However, the Friendship is unique as the only ship with at least Cmdr Command, Lt. Intel, 2 hangars. Consulting Fleffle's Sortable List with those parameters entered, it’s the only one with this specification so I consider it a standalone.