Excelsior 2: A Modernized Starship Review | Don't Miss Out!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Ship Origin and Availability
3. Customization Options
4. Ship Stats and Bridge Officer Setup
5. Starship Trait Analysis
6. Console Overview and Performance
7. Summary and Recommendations

The Excelsior 2: An In-Depth Review 💫

Introduction The Excelsior 2, the latest addition to the Star Trek Online (STO) universe, has gained a lot of attention since its release. Known for its modernized take on the classic Excelsior design, this intel Heavy Cruiser brings a fusion of Excelsior and Sovereign class elements. In this article, we will dive deep into every aspect of the Excelsior 2, including its origin, availability, customization options, ship stats, starship trait, console, and overall performance. Whether you're a die-hard Excelsior fan or just curious about this new ship, we've got you covered!

Ship Origin and Availability The Excelsior 2 made its debut in Season 2 of Star Trek Picard. It is an upgraded version of the original Excelsior and is now available to players in STO. However, acquiring this ship isn't as straightforward as a visit to the shipyard. The Excelsior 2 is a lockbox ship, meaning it can only be obtained through the Infinity Lock Box. Released on December 6th, 2022, for PC players, it is set to be added to the console version later in December or early January 2023. The ship's popularity has caused its value to skyrocket, with current prices ranging between 1.3 to 1.4 billion Energy Credits (EC) on the player exchange. Alternatively, a free-to-play option is available through the event campaign starting in 2023.

Customization Options One of the downsides of the Excelsior 2 is its limited customization options. Unlike the previous Excelsior versions, the Excelsior 2 is not compatible with any prior Excelsior skins. The ship's larger hull size makes it incompatible with the classic Excelsior aesthetics. However, there are still a few material choices available, including the original sagging material, as well as options from other iconic starships like the Defiant, Galaxy, Intrepid, and NX.

Pros:

• The Excelsior 2 showcases a modernized take on the classic Excelsior design.
• It incorporates design elements from the Sovereign class, making it a visually impressive ship.
• The ship's larger size increases its overall presence and impact.
• The event campaign offers a free alternative to acquiring the Excelsior 2.

Cons:

• The Excelsior 2 is a lockbox ship, making it harder to obtain and increasing its price on the player exchange.
• Limited customization options reduce the ship's versatility and personalization.

Ship Stats and Bridge Officer Setup The Excelsior 2 is a remarkable 4-4 Cruiser that leans towards a beam playstyle due to its inability to equip Dual Cannons. This ship's unique setup includes three engineering consoles, four tactical consoles, and three science consoles. Upgrading to Tier 6X unlocks an additional Universal console. With four device slots and a well-balanced Bridge Officer setup, the Excelsior 2 can handle a variety of combat situations with ease. However, it's important to note that the ship only supports four Bridge Officers, which means you'll miss out on having another Superior Romulan Operative in your crew. Nevertheless, the ship's overall setup is more than sufficient for any content you'll encounter in the game.

Starship Trait Analysis The Excelsior 2's starship trait, "Calculated Broadside," has generated mixed reviews from players. Upon activating Fire at Will or Intelligence Bridge Officer abilities, the trait boosts beam weapon damage by 35% for 15 seconds. While the damage increase is significant, the 10-second lockout after each activation limits its overall effectiveness. With a 60% uptime and a Cat 1 damage boost, the trait falls short compared to other available options, such as the Supercharged Weapons trait. Players may find better results by opting for alternative traits that offer higher uptime and more substantial damage bonuses.

Pros:

• The Excelsior 2 features a well-rounded setup with a balanced number of consoles and Bridge Officers.
• The ship's Tier 6X upgrade unlocks an additional Universal console.
• The Bridge Officer layout allows for multiple effective build options, including surgical strike setups.
• The starship trait, "Calculated Broadside," offers a notable damage boost during its uptime.

Cons:

• The ship's limited number of Bridge Officers may restrict build variety for some players.
• The starship trait, "Calculated Broadside," suffers from a 10-Second lockout period, reducing its overall damage potential.

Console Overview and Performance The highlight of the Excelsior 2 is undoubtedly its experimental power redirection console. This console provides passive boosts to energy damage and Starship weapon amplification, enhancing your ship's overall damage potential. Additionally, it grants a substantial damage boost to energy weapons based on your engine, shield, and auxiliary power levels. The console's clicky ability randomly swaps between beam overload 3 and Fire at Will 3, providing temporary firing modes for your beams. Moreover, it unleashes a series of phaser beam arrays with the Overload At Will 3 ability. These auxiliary phaser beams scale in intensity as you achieve more kills while the console is active. Although the console works best with AOE-based builds, it can still be beneficial for beam overload or surgical strike setups. Its phaser beams offer visually striking effects, making combat with the Excelsior 2 a visually pleasing experience.

Pros:

• The experimental power redirection console provides passive boosts to energy damage and weapon amplification.
• The console's clicky ability grants a significant damage boost to energy weapons based on power levels.
• Auxiliary phaser beams unleashed by the console Scale in intensity as kills are achieved.
• The console offers immersive visuals and enhances the performance of phaser-based Beam arrays.

Cons:

• The console's damage potential may not be as high as some top-tier options, especially in elite content.
• The console's clicky ability may not synergize optimally with certain build setups.

Summary and Recommendations The Excelsior 2 is a top-tier Cruiser in the STO universe, capturing the essence of the classic Excelsior design while enhancing it with modern elements. Although limited in customization options, the ship's overall performance and versatility make it an attractive choice for players. While the starship trait, "Calculated Broadside," falls short of expectations, the experimental power redirection console compensates with its ability to enhance energy weapon damage and provide visually impressive effects. Whether you're a fan of the Excelsior lineage or simply seeking a formidable Cruiser for combat, the Excelsior 2 is a ship that shouldn't be overlooked.

🌟Highlights🌟

• The Excelsior 2 combines the best elements of the classic Excelsior and Sovereign class designs.
• The ship offers a well-balanced setup with three engineering consoles, four tactical consoles, and three science consoles.
• With the Tier 6X upgrade, players gain an additional Universal console and four device slots.
• The experimental power redirection console enhances energy damage and weapon amplification, providing significant damage boosts to energy weapons.
• The console's innovative clicky ability swaps between beam overload and Fire at Will, while unleashing powerful auxiliary phaser beams.

🔎FAQs🔍

Q: Can I use the classic Excelsior skins on the Excelsior 2? A: Unfortunately, the Excelsior 2 is not compatible with any prior Excelsior skins. The ship's larger hull size restricts customization options to the revamped Excelsior aesthetics.

Q: How can I obtain the Excelsior 2? A: The Excelsior 2 is a lockbox ship and can be acquired through the Infinity Lock Box. Alternatively, it will be available as a free option in the event campaign starting in 2023.

Q: Is the starship trait, "Calculated Broadside," worth using? A: The "Calculated Broadside" trait has a limited uptime and a relatively low damage boost. It is not recommended compared to other available traits, such as "Supercharged Weapons."

Q: Should I prioritize the Excelsior 2's experimental power redirection console? A: The experimental power redirection console provides significant damage boosts to energy weapons and enhances phaser-based setups. It is a worthwhile addition, especially for players utilizing phaser beam arrays.

Resource: Star Trek Online website - www.arcgames.com/startrekonline