Returning after five years...

[TheSamuwriter]

I've been away for five years, signed back on when Star Trek Picard started. Decided to main my old Fed character and spent the last few weeks figuring things out, unlocking traits, and upgrading the gear on my T6 Vesta-class to Mk. XV. Put together a build I saw on YouTube that's part "space-wizard" and part Aux Cannons. My goal is to return to Elite STF play, but I have some serious teeth-cutting to do first. I still have a lot of questions, though.

Just one for today: Which reputations should I bee focusing on for generally useful gearing?

I've made a commitment to get Iconian Resistance to level 5 based on that, albeit aged, YouTube build video featuring their space set. I've also started into the Lukari rep after seeing some nice TRON-style vanity shields around (Aegis was my favorite back in the day.) For some reason I'm only five days away from Undine Couter-Command level 5 so I might as well hit that.

If there a specific reputation with gear that's used in a variety of builds or specifically essential to science-heavy ones that I should concentrate on sooner rather than later? I don't really have time in the day to hit events as many times as there are reps.

[Belgevain]

Hey there, first of all... Welcome back! Sounds like you're already making good strides to organising your build, whilst I'm certainly not an expert on STO builds I can offer some advice. 

You mention that your build is part 'Space Wizard' I assume this means you are using lots of abilities that perform Exotic Damage? It might be worth using the Skill Planner so that we can make suggestions on how to improve.

Look forward to seeing you ingame!

[TheSamuwriter]

Put this off for a bit as I thought it'd take a lot longer than it did. The skill planner is actually pretty slick.

https://skillplanner.stoacademy.com/33f0...440fe070ae

I've done a bit of research into the meta and some builds. Ship is an Aux Cannon / Space Wizard Vesta, leaning a bit harder on the science. On the ground I prefer sniper rifles, but kind of just meta that out as hard as a I can.

Basically, what I'm wondering is what reputations I should attack first. I'm currently rank 5 with Omega (working on rank six for MACO Plasma Rifle) Counter Command, and Romulans. Iconian rank 5 will be hit in about two weeks. Are there other science essential items in other reps that I should jump on sooner rather than later?

[Belgevain]

The ones I tend to use, with a similar build is the Iconian Deflector, and the Temporal Impulse Engines, Warp Core and Shields. I'll try to get my build loaded up for you to compare.

[TheSamuwriter]

Interesting. The Temporal set does look like a good fit. Guess I'll have to get that rep started.

Why the Iconian deflector, though? Just trying to fill a defensive gap? The Temporal deflector has EPG on it, and that four-piece looks like another anomaly to pile on with Subspace Vortex and Gravity Well.

The ones I tend to use, with a similar build is the Iconian Deflector, and the Temporal Impulse Engines, Warp Core and Shields. I'll try to get my build loaded up for you to compare.

[Belgevain]

Mainly trying to make the build less squishy. It is something I'm thinking of revisiting though.

[Tomaszwolowiec]

Welcome back!