Overview: Unconventional use of the deflector coupled with showy phenomena characterise those who focus on exotic damage in combat – if that sounds like fun, read on to learn about the varying ways you can twist space-time…

Exotic Particles: All damaging science and engineering bridge officer powers fall into this category, as do many console, set and trait powers – and probably most important of all, radiation damage from the secondary deflector of a science ship. Simply put, this magnifies the amount of exotic damage you deal, and thus is the core of most dedicated science builds. This stat is even more important because of the Particle Manipulator trait (unlocked at science R&D to rank 15) that adds critical chance and severity to exotic damage based on your exotic particle generators skill. Common powers include Gravity Well, Tyken’s Rift, Tractor Beam. Consider using Gravity Well followed by Subspace Vortex (Exchange) to make a high damage hazard that pulls in foes – or put a gravimetric scientist in your active space duty officers for aftershock gravity wells!

Control Expertise: Anything that disables, pushes or pulls an enemy will be amplified by this skill. It can be an incredible asset when well timed, and is usually employed alongside Gravity Well III to drag all enemies in a colossal range together for area-of-effect damage. Control Amplification (skill tree) can leave controlled targets even more vulnerable to further effects and exotic damage. Common powers include Gravity Well, Photonic Shockwave, Jam Sensors. Consider using Tractor Beam Repulsors with Graga Mal or Falla Okev (Exchange) to drag multiple enemies closer before unleashing Photonic Shock Wave.

Drain Expertise: Anything that drains powers or shields. Usually more subtle effects than those using Control, this can leach all systems on a target, reducing outgoing damage, slowing movement, or (in extreme cases) completely emptying a system, leaving a target dead in the water. The other variant strips shields from a target, leaving their hull vulnerable. Drain Infection (skill tree) will also apply electrical damage over time to those you strike with a drain. Common powers include Tyken’s Rift, Charged Particle Burst, Tachyon Beam. Consider Plasmonic Leech (Exchange/Vandal Destroyer) or Bajoran Defence (Scylla and Charybdis/Phoenix Box) for some additional, passive drains.

Consoles: Boosting your exotic skills usually falls to science consoles – if you go to your Fleet Research Lab you can buy some fantastic cheap consoles (Restorative or Exotic Particle Focusers) that do double duty, having a pair of exotic stats and a triggered exotic damage bonus on them. A strange alternative is the Shield Refrequencer from the Solonae Dyson Sphere reputation store – while it has far less in the way of stats, it does provide chances for bonus shield heals and an exotic proton damage effect. You can also keep an eye out for unique consoles, such as an Ultra-Rare Exotic Particle Field Exciter (Exchange/R&D) or the Quantum Phase Converter from the Sunrise mission.

Opinion: I find exotic focused builds to be a lot of fun – and despite what it may look like, you don’t need to hyper-specialise when running them! Many powers have great synergy with one another – Gravity Well can pull enemies into a tight knot, allowing you to tag them all with Charged Particle Burst for shield drain and applying the hefty radiation effect from a Deteriorating Secondary Deflector for massive area damage, exacerbated by the resulting core breeches of trapped ships. Just remember, keep your auxiliary power high and combine your powers for maximum effect! Note: Dragging an entire enemy fleet together and trapping them in a crushing vortex can draw some serious return fire – make sure you have a few defensive abilities as well as the fancy exotics…