Reference - PSA - Item Guide Review - Military Targeting Comp. to Plasma Cannon - NOM

Military Targeting Comp.[b]
Scavenged from a Martian Interceptor, this predictive targeting unit adapts to all known weapons decreasing misfire chances and augmenting other weapons considerably though with a corresponding energy drain.

Mk.I Mk.II Mk.III Mk.IV Mk.V
Weapons +15% 18% 22% 25% 27% 30%
Shields 0% 0% 2% 4% 4% 6%
Engines +10% 11% 12% 13% 13% 13%
Malfunction Chance -7% -7% -7% -8% -8% -9%
Enemy Malfunction Chance 0% 0% 0% 1% 1% 1%
Damage Modifier +1 1 1 1 2 2
Surprise Damage +6 10 15 20 35 40
Surprise Chance +35% 35% 35% 35% 35% 35%
Critical Damage 0 1 1 2 2 2
Critical Chance 0% 1% 1% 2% 2% 2%
Resist Critical 0% 1% 2% 3% 3% 4%
Resist Amount 0 2 4 6 8 10
Energy -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1
Rarity Very Rare
Sell Value 250 points

[b]Notes

The MTC is the most versatile item in the game. The key stat is the heavy negative malfunction, but the nice collection of bonuses give a wide variety of uses. Many builds feature at least one MTC, especially since the advent of items that increase enemy malfunctions.

The MTC is also used in heavy negative malfunction builds - with the increasing popularity of the Enemy Malfunction, builds of with -50% (or more) malfunction are also increasingly popular.

Availability

The MTC is always available at the VR rarity.

Price

The MTC is regularly available on the item market.

Cost/Benefit

The price of the MTC (as with most other VRs) has been steadily dropping as the supply increases. The value, however, of the MTC has not - it's actually increasing as more pirates move to builds with heavy Enemy Malfunction (emalf). All pirates serious about warfare should have several MTCs on hand to give flexibility to their builds.

Applicability

Rogue: Superb
Turtle: Superb
Juggernaut: Superb
Fighter: Superb
Other: Superb in all combat builds

Military Targeting Comp. - NOM
Nanometer-scale Optimization Modules bundle raw materials with single-use nanomachines which uniquely integrate components into a ship. Efficiency and effectiveness are progressively increased, but this irreversible process of meshing items with ships makes upgraded items useless for sale or spare parts. As a result, they are bound to a single captain and AI system and cannot be traded.

Rarity Rare+
Sell Value 10 points

Notes

The MTC has a strong NOM path. With multiple new features added, the MTC becomes one of the strongest items in the game. I cannot imagine somebody NOMing an MTC and regretting the decision - there's no downside, if you can afford the NOMs.

Availability

The MTC-NOMs can be found on paid debris searches at the Rare+ rarity.

Price

The MTC-NOM is floats on the market.

Cost/Benefit

It's not cheap, but a high-mark MTC helps pretty every combat build.

Applicability

Rogue: Superb
Turtle: Superb
Juggernaut: Superb
Fighter: Superb
Other: Superb in combat builds

Mjolnir
A Unique Item: Star Pirate legend says this was fashioned by the AI Council to defeat some great unknown threat. It is a highly effective weapon with exceptional range. It was provided to the Captain of the first Ship to Reach the mystical Level 60.

Weapons +100%
Engines +15%
Rarity Not Findable
Sell Value $15,000

Notes

Mjolnir, like the Excalibur, Smiter and Abhorrence Drive is a named item, the same as a normal weapon, but with a special name.

The Mjolnir was most recently awarded to Doc Lettuce for being the first to Ascend (13 hours to reach level 40, with good stats, and a lot of debris searching - I sense carpel tunnel syndrome).

Three named weapons have been NOMed to Mark V (using Pulsar Beam NOMs) - the AI-Enhanced Paradox of Galaxiana, the Overwhelming Roguish Charm of Kane and the Surgical Singularity. The personalized weapons have slightly better stats than a Mark V Pulsar Beam.

Availability

Named items are given out by the Admins for special events and accomplishments.

Price

I have no idea what this item would go for on the open market.

Cost/Benefit

If you buy this item, you are doing it for an intangible benefit - perhaps to be able to name your own weapon.

Applicability

Rogue: Superb
Turtle: Poor
Juggernaut: Excellent
Fighter: Superb

Muffled Protocol
Protocol
[i[Whether it be gravitational pressure, passive radiation or broadcasts, spaceships make "noise". The Muffled Protocol aims to reduce these emissions. Cutting internal lighting and maintaining a minimum profile to your target can delay recognition and provide stealth.[/i]

Damage Modifier +1
Surprise Chance +10%
Rarity Not Findable
Sell Value $0

Notes

I'm not really sure what the point of this protocol is - it's a bad protocol.

Availability

The Muffled Protocol is awarded at the completion of one of the sub-missions in the Ascension mission.

Price

Protocols can't be sold - except back to the game. As the Muffled Protocol has a sell-back price of zero, you can legitimately say that this item is worthless.

Cost/Benefit

I have never used this protocol - I believe it's the worst protocol.

Applicability

Rogue: Poor
Turtle: Poor
Juggernaut: Poor
Fighter: Poor
Other: Poor

Neutron Emitter Array
Multiple streams of concentrated beams of neutrons. Generally a reliable weapon yet prone to sporadic system safety shutdowns to stop the unit from exploding!

Weapons +30%
Malfunction Chance +5%
Damage Modifier +1
Rarity Uncommon
Sell Value 1 point

Notes

A solid weapon for beginning pirates. The malfunction is hard to take, though. The boost to the minimum damage makes this a good weapon for a beginner turtle.

Availability

The NEA is always findable at the uncommon rarity.

Price

The NEA can be found on the item market for a couple of hundred cargo above the current price of a point.

Cost/Benefit

Very cheap weapon, so solid.

Applicability

Rogue: Poor
Turtle: Weak
Juggernaut: Weak
Fighter: Weak
Other: Weak

Notorious for 1 Week (7 Days)[b]
CONSUMABLE
Adds 7 Notorious Days to your account when used. Can be given to other players.

Duration 7 server days (each day ends 20:00 server time)
Rarity Not Findable
Sell Value $0

[b]Notes

Using this 'item' gives you seven more notorious days. To maximize value, use it at 20:01 server time (Eastern Standard Time), your notorious days will drop by one day at 20:00 each day.

Availability

This item cannot be found, but can only be purchased with real money (or purchased on the item market)

Price

In order for this item to be in the game, somebody has to buy it with USD. As such, the true value for this item is 225 points. However, some people, such as Galaxiana have, in the past, sold this item for less as a public service.

Cost/Benefit

Hard to peg - but being Notorious makes the game notably more enjoyable and faster paced.

Applicability

Rogue: N/A
Turtle: N/A
Juggernaut: N/A
Fighter: N/A
Other: N/A

OverAMP Engines Protocol
Protocol
Running engines hotter for longer is not just a project for the Engineering department; the rest of the systems must be aggressively monitored for overload. The OverAMP Engines Protocol allows for that, but at the trade off of reduced focus on other procedures.

Engines +30%
Malfunction Chance +3%
Rarity Uncommon+
Sell Value 1 point

Notes

The OverAMP Engines Protocol has the biggest engine boost of any protocol. Despite the drawback, this fact will ensure that it will see occasional use. Sometimes you need to get the first shot.

Availability

The OEP is found at the Uncommon+ rarity during debris searches while ascending.

Price

Protocols can't be sold - except back to the game.

Cost/Benefit

Keep it around - you never know when you might need the extra boost of speed.

Applicability

Rogue: Decent
Turtle: Poor
Juggernaut: Poor
Fighter: Decent
Other: Decent in engine heavy builds.

OverAMP Gunnery Protocol
Protocol
Weapons can be fired with more power and throughput under this protocol but systems throughout the ship need be aggressively tweaked for constant resulting power fluctuations. Cue maniacal laughter.

Weapons +20%
Malfunction Chance +3%
Rarity Uncommon+
Sell Value 1 point

Notes

A solid protocol for little ascending pirates. The boost to weapons is significant, and the cost is fairly low.

Availability

The OGP is found at the Uncommon+ rarity on debris searches when ascending.

Price

Protocols can't be sold - except back to the game.

Cost/Benefit

Use it until you find the Precision Firing Protocol.

Applicability

Rogue: Decent
Turtle: Poor
Juggernaut: Decent
Fighter: Decent
Other: Decent in weapon-heavy builds

Overamped Laser Battery
The Overamped Laser Battery is a grouping of Laser Beams that have been pushed past their normal fault tolerance. This is immensely powerful but can fail at any time. It also interferes with the Shields and causes feedback on the Engines.

Mk.I Mk.II Mk.III Mk.IV Mk.V
Weapons +70% 71% 74% 76% 78% 80%
Shields -5% 0% 0% 5% 8% 10%
Engines -10% -10% -9% -9% -9% -9%
Malfunction Chance +24% 24% 23% 20% 19% 18%
Damage Modifier +4 4 4 5 5 6
Critical Damage 0 0 0 0 0 3
Critical Chance 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1%
Rarity Rare
Sell Value 50 points

Notes

The OALB is one of the more interesting items in the game. The OALB has long been viewed as one of the weakest weapons, due to the very high malfunction chance. It is, however, a very powerful weapon, which has a nice role as the single weapon in a turtle build, or as a key part to a malfunction build.

A year after the OALB NOM path was released, the Admins updated it. The update reduced the Malfunction chance to 24% on the basic build, and improved the NOM path. This makes it a better weapon, but it will still be used for the two basic purposes.

Availability

The OALB is always findable at the Rare rarity.

Price

The OALB, like all other rare non-consumables, are usually available for about 55 points.

Cost/Benefit

If you need a Malfunction coat (a build with more than 100% malfunction), the OALB is a cheap, effective way to do it.

Applicability

Rogue: No
Turtle: Decent
Juggernaut: Poor
Fighter: Poor
Other: Used in Malf coats

Overamped Laser Battery - NOM
Nanometer-scale Optimization Modules bundle raw materials with single-use nanomachines which uniquely integrate components into a ship. Efficiency and effectiveness are progressively increased, but this irreversible process of meshing items with ships makes upgraded items useless for sale or spare parts. As a result, they are bound to a single captain and AI system and cannot be traded.

Rarity Uncommon+
Sell Value $4,000

Notes

The OALB NOM path used to be the weakest NOM path in the game. The admins boosted it a while ago ago, so it is merely now just bad. I wouldn't recommend using your duct tape on this item.

As I was updating this section, I noticed a timely comment in the shoutbox:

[M1N] SKELETOR 2011-04-16 23:04
~! My 2x OALB Mk V turn out to be ultimate folly: they are neither useful as weapons, nor as malf suit items anymore... :sighw:

Availability

OALB-NOMs are available on paid debris searches at the Uncommon+ rarity.

Price

OALB-NOMs are not popular, and can usually be purchased for less than $4,100.

Cost/Benefit

Don't bother.

Applicability

Rogue: Terrible
Turtle: Decent (in very limited numbers)
Juggernaut: Poor
Fighter: Poor
Other: Poor in most builds

Overwhelming Roguish Charm of Kane
An upgraded Smiter, this weapon was created when its owner upgraded it to Mk V using Pulsar Beam NOMs. Due to the unique nature of the Smiter (and its owner's likewise unique ego, as well), the NOMs caused the weapon to deviate in appearance from that of a standard PB. It is claimed by some that this resulted in the bonding of its owner's roguish charm to the Smiter. In any case, the resulting item is truly unique. Like any upgrade, it will never leave its owner's ship.

Weapons +120%
Engines +35%
Malfunction Chance -2%
Damage Modifier +2
Rarity Not Findable
Sell Value $0

Mjolnir, like the Excalibur, Smiter and Abhorrence Drive is a named item, the same as a normal weapon, but with a special name.

The Mjolnir was most recently awarded to Doc Lettuce for being the first to Ascend (13 hours to reach level 40, with good stats, and a lot of debris searching - I sense carpel tunnel syndrome).

Three named weapons have been NOMed to Mark V (using Pulsar Beam NOMs) - the AI-Enhanced Paradox of Galaxiana, the Overwhelming Roguish Charm of Kane and the Surgical Singularity. The personalized weapons have slightly better stats than a Mark V Pulsar Beam.

Notes

Pirates have the option of NOMing a named item (Smiter or Mjolnir are the usual targets) up to Mark V. NOMing these has the same requirements as NOMing PBs, but when you hit Mark V, you can name the item. You will notice, however, that the stats are slightly different than a Mark V PB.

This item was created and named by Kane (surprisingly enough).

This item is treated in a similar way to a NOMed item. It cannot be transferred, marketed or directly sold to the game.

Other unique items are the Overwhelming Roguish Charm of Kane and the Surgical Singularity.

Availability

Not Applicable - NOMed items can be transferred.

Price

Hard to peg, but probably in the range of a billion cargo to build it.

Cost/Benefit

Very low - NOMing a Pulsar Beam to Mark V is a much cheaper way of getting the same effect. It is impossible to value how much a pirate will put upon being able to name their own weapon.

Applicability

Rogue: Superb
Turtle: Poor
Juggernaut: Very Good
Fighter: Superb
Other: Superb for weapon-heavy builds

Phalanx Protocol
Protocol
The ACAIs have determined a very effective protocol for improving the defensive system, but that comes at a cost of weapons and Engines. A ship's Captain has to hope the trade-off is worth it.

Weapons -5%
Shields +20%
Engines -5%
Hull Points +50
Rarity Uncommon+
Sell Value 1 point

Notes

The basic turtle protocol. Quite solid for little ascendants. The weapons and engine negatives don't bother turtles.

Availability

Protocols are found on debris searches when ascending.

Price

Protocols cannot be sold - except back to the game.

Cost/Benefit

A beginning protocol. As it's superseded by the Advanced Phalanx Protocol, this is not a protocol that will see much long-term use.

Applicability

Rogue: Poor
Turtle: Decent
Juggernaut: Poor
Fighter: Poor
Other: Decent in shield heavy builds

Phaser Emitter
[i[Creating waves of high probability of quark appearance and disappearance the phaser wreaks havoc on electrical and electronic systems, passing through armour with ease although the particle streams are not reliable to materialize within the vulnerable portions of the enemy vessel.[/i]

Mk.I Mk.II Mk.III Mk.IV Mk.V
Weapons +53% 57% 60% 62% 66% 70%
Engines +15% 16% 20% 30% 33% 40%
Rarity Rare+
Sell Value 100 points

Notes

The first good rogue weapon, a PE is a clean, solid weapon. The PE was once a rare item, but was moved to Rare + as it is much better than the other rare items.

Availability

The PE is always available at the Rare+ rarity.

Price

The PE are the CVIIIES are the most expensive Rare+ items. There are usually plenty on the market.

Cost/Benefit

Very solid weapon - well worth it for any mid-range rogue.

Applicability

Rogue: Good+
Turtle: Poor
Juggernaut: Good
Fighter: Good
Other: Good in most war builds

Phaser Emitter - NOM
Nanometer-scale Optimization Modules bundle raw materials with single-use nanomachines which uniquely integrate components into a ship. Efficiency and effectiveness are progressively increased, but this irreversible process of meshing items with ships makes upgraded items useless for sale or spare parts. As a result, they are bound to a single captain and AI system and cannot be traded.

Rarity Rare
Sell Value 5 points

Notes

The PE has the simplest NOM path in the game, with only two stats. However, it's simplicity is a strength - it's a very solid weapon. That being said, if you are tempted to NOM one, I'd recommend considering just spending your money on a PEA.

Availability

PE-NOMs are available on point searches at the Rare rarity.

Price

PE-NOMs can sometimes be found at are generally available for the cargo equivalent of six to seven points.

Cost/Benefit

It's a solid can cheap NOM path - but it's in the unfortunate situation that both the FBA and the PEA have better NOM paths.

Applicability

Rogue: Good+
Turtle: Poor
Juggernaut: Good
Fighter: Good+
Other: Good in weapon heavy builds

Phaser Emitter Array
Known affectionately as a PEA SHOOTER, this is an array of synchronized Phaser Emitters. Creating waves of high probability of quark appearance and disappearance the phaser wreaks havoc on electrical and electronic systems, passing through armour with ease although the particle streams are not reliable to materialize within the vulnerable portions of the enemy vessel.

Mk.I Mk.II Mk.III Mk.IV Mk.V
Weapons +70% 74% 78% 82% 86% 90%
Engines +25% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25%
Malfunction Chance -2% -2% -3% -3% -4% -5%
Rarity Very Rare
Sell Value 250 points

Notes

The PEA is a very good rogue weapon. While it doesn't give a big engine boost, the negative malfunction chance is a rogue's best friend.

The PEA was originally introduced as a 5 for 1 trade-in for PEs. I wish I had done some trade-ins...

Availability

The PEA is always available at the VR rarity.

Price

The price of the PEA can usually be determined by the Item Market.

Cost/Benefit

The PEA is, in many regards, a cheaper version of a Pulsar Beam. Both do the same thing, only the PB has a combined Weapons/Engine boost of +115%, a significant improvement to the PEA's boost of +95%.

A build with 5 PBs and 1 CXDU will give you +500% weapons and +175% engines, while a build with 6 PEAs will give you +420% weapons and +150% engines.

However, the -2% malfunction is very popular - don't underestimate it.

Applicability

Rogue: Superb
Turtle: Poor
Juggernaut: Good
Fighter: Superb
Other: Good in weapon-heavy builds

Phaser Emitter Array - NOM
Nanometer-scale Optimization Modules bundle raw materials with single-use nanomachines which uniquely integrate components into a ship. Efficiency and effectiveness are progressively increased, but this irreversible process of meshing items with ships makes upgraded items useless for sale or spare parts. As a result, they are bound to a single captain and AI system and cannot be traded.

Rarity Rare+
Sell Value 10 points

Notes

The PEA's NOM path is decent - a nice boost to weapons, and a drop to malfunctions. It's not the best NOM path, though - I would like to have seen a boost to engines, or an extra added (like enemy malfunction).

Availability

The PEA-NOMs are available on point searches at the Rare+ rarity.

Price

The PEA-NOMs float on the market.

Cost/Benefit

Solid - The PEA isn't the most desirable NOM path, so the there's no premium on the price of the NOMs.

Applicability

Rogue: Superb
Turtle: Poor
Juggernaut: Good+
Fighter: Superb
Other: Good+ in weapons heavy builds.

Plasma Cannon
Creating an energy vacuum makes for a hot time when a high energy source follows right behind - like your target's engine. Assuming of course that the vacuum is used - and doesn't cause a sympathetic effect around YOUR engine.

Mk.I Mk.II Mk.III Mk.IV Mk.V
Weapons +110% 114% 119% 126% 131% 138%
Engines -10% -8% -6% -4% -2% 0%
Malfunction Chance +8% 8% 7% 5% 4% 3%
Surprise Damage +15 15 15 30 30 30
Surprise Chance +3% 4% 5% 5% 5% 5%
Rarity Very Rare
Sell Value 250 points

Notes

Prior to the introduction of the Mauler Array, the PC was the biggest gun in the SP universe. It's a similar weapon to the Mauler Array, as it has some serious drawbacks, but the lure of +110% damage is hard to ignore. Generally not very popular (as VRs go), as even top end pirates generally don't equip more than a 3 of them.

Availability

The Plasma Cannon is always available at the Very Rare rarity.

Price

The price of the Plasma Cannon floats on the market.

Cost/Benefit

With the serious malfunction rate, the Plasma Cannon is only used in small numbers, significantly decreasing the demand, and therefore the price. An increasingly cheap way to seriously boost your firepower.

Applicability

Rogue: Good
Turtle: Really?
Juggernaut: Superb
Fighter: Good
Other: Superb in the Hammer

Plasma Cannon - NOM
Nanometer-scale Optimization Modules bundle raw materials with single-use nanomachines which uniquely integrate components into a ship. Efficiency and effectiveness are progressively increased, but this irreversible process of meshing items with ships makes upgraded items useless for sale or spare parts. As a result, they are bound to a single captain and AI system and cannot be traded.

Rarity Rare+
Sell Value 10 points

Notes

The PC has a very solid NOM path. The key improvement is the drop in malfunction, down to a very manageable 3%. The boost to 138% weapons is the rather nice as well.

Availability

The PC-NOM is available on paid point searches at the Rare+ rarity.

Price

The PC-NOMs are fairly pricey, but are usually found on the market. The Pulsar Beam is much favored over the PC, but I can't say that it's *that* much better at Mark V.

Cost/Benefit

If you are willing to push the PC up to at least Mark III, the number of PCs you can normally eqiup dramatically improves. Very solid.

Applicability

Rogue: Good+
Turtle: Poor
Juggernaut: Superb
Fighter: Superb
Other: Superb in the Hammer

Calling out here the many many times I've referred to this PSA.
My build is fairly flexible, as I'm primarily aiming for the mining jobs...right now targeting 5K in base stats.
My build is weapons and shields mostly, with some PEs to boost my engines for raids. Raids aren't predictable,so need to have a consistently decent engine running.
Primarily I'm a Juggy build, with 3 c8es, the armor, 3-ish PEs and a GBA.
Based on this, I recently acquired an LNC (an upgrade from the Xeo and DUP that I tried for a week each before)
A few weeks ago, I entered a splat for PC program with Excalibur Richthofen. One PC for 1000 splats, which works out to about 30Million for the PC.
I've decided to invest in a MTC (30 Million), to counter the GBA and PC malf.

Please note, Im a free player, so this is what i can afford right now. A few weeks of good raiding is what gave me a nice boost in cargo! A few winning entries in SB contests also helped...
Any suggestions on what to equip next?