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Jean
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By David Schultz (Ikvavenger) on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 05:42 pm: Edit

I've played the Borak CA recently with the plus and Y175 war refits. This is a CA of 136 BPV (base cost of 128 and each refit is +4).

This CA is armed with:

2XPh-C (phaser cannon that fires as either a single ph-1 or three ph-2's in the FA)

6XPh-1's

2XPh-3's

2XPh-M (Mega phasers on turret)

As you can see, this is the personification of a phaser boat. The CA is light on labs (only 3) but long on shuttles (6 shuttle boxes, two of which are HK-D fighters). The CA is a 3/4 mover and would seem a little light on total power at 24 warp and 6 impulse. No APR or AWR. But considering the power demands of the ship, it is perhaps in line overall.

As far as tactics, you REALLY need to keep an eye on the Megaphaser firing arc as it isn't like other weapons (think like a mauler). There is an option to this arc when using the Directed Turn Mode RB100.1A5 and RB100.1A51. This allows for a bit more flexibility but you need to make yourself very familiar with the rule and it's uses and limitation.

One of the tactics I used throughout the game was having the turret off my line of attack/travel to keep the Ph-M's safe from any incoming volley. You need to time it carefully so that you can turn the turret just in time to get the shot you want and then on the next impulse turn the ship, which turns the turret back out of arc on any incoming fire. Using my C turn mode in conjunction with careful tracking of the turrets current facing and next rotation opportunity allowed me to bring it in and out of arc very quickly to protect/preserve the weapon.

Additionally, unlike other heavy weapons, this one can be rotated to fire as you are running. Having what essentially amounts to two Ph-4's (or TRH's) is a pretty decent way to deter someone from chasing you too closely.

Played well, this is a hard ship on seeking weapons. Particularly if they're coming in on the FA where the Ph-C's can get to them. The Ph-C's are generally going to be at least as effective as Ph-G's and usually better including reaching out a bit farther in range. Just keep an eye on all your arcs as the Ph-C's and two of the Ph-1's are FA only.