Damage type (space)

There are four major damage types in Star Trek Online:

• Energy Damage is the common name of the 6 types of damage dealt by direct fire ranged energy weapons both in space and on the ground.

• Kinetic Damage is dealt by deployed, thrown or self-propellant explosive devices, and also by certain abilities, both in space and on the ground.

• Physical Damage is dealt exclusively in ground combat by armed and unarmed melee attacks.

• Exotic Damage is the collective name of any damage other than the above three kinds, and is dealt either as secondary effect of explosives, or as main damage of abilities.

Energy Damage

Types

There are six different Energy Damage types, each having a bonus effect, known as a Proc. Most weapons come with one of these bonuses, while some rarer weapons may contain multiple.

Direct energy Ship Weapons, such as Beams and Cannons, use Energy Damage. Deployable Ship Devices such as Satellite Turrets also deal Energy Damage based on the type of weapon it carries.

Most Ground Weapons deal Energy Damage, and include Pistols, Rifles, and Assault Weapons. Some deployable Turrets through the use of Kits can also deal Energy Damage, depending on the turret used.

There are tactical advantages to using a single energy damage type primarily due to consoles giving a greater bonus by energy type (e.g. phasers) than by weapon type (e.g. beam arrays). However, some players prefer to use a wide variety of damage types in the hopes of scoring multiple proc hits.

Phaser

Phaser Energy Damage

Phaser damage is displayed as orange in color, or sometimes pale yellow. The Andorian version is a blue color. The term "phaser" is an acronym for Phased Energy Rectification. Player-acquired starships for the Federation by default come with Phaser energy weapons.

Energy bonus: 2.5% Chance: Disable 1 Subsystem for 5 seconds (Space) / 5% Chance: +2 Hold (Ground)

Shields and armor with the [Pha] suffix modifier take 20% less Phaser damage than usual.

Users	Cardassian	Terran	True Way	Federation
Armor to use	Ablative Hull Armor
Plating to use	Diburnium Hull Plating

Disruptor

Disruptor Energy Damage

Disruptors are a type of directed energy used in weapons, and are green or dark green in color. Disruptors cause damage to the target by breaking the bonds of atoms. Player-acquired starships for the Klingon Defense Force by default come with Disruptor energy weapons.

Energy bonus: 2.5% (Space) / 5% (Ground): -10% Damage Resistance Debuff

Shields and armor with the [Dis] suffix modifier take 20% less Disruptor damage than usual.

Users	Gorn	Klingon	Nausicaan	Orion	Reman	Romulan
Armor to use	Ablative Hull Armor
Plating to use	Diburnium Hull Plating

Plasma

Plasma Energy Damage

Plasma energy beams are green/cyan in color. Player-acquired starships for the Romulan Republic by default come with Plasma energy weapons.

Energy bonus: 2.5% (Space) / 5% (Ground) Chance: Applies a non-stacking DoT

Shields and armor with the [Pla] suffix modifier take 20% less Plasma damage than usual.

Users	Borg	Fek'Ihri	Gorn	Romulan Republic	Vulcan
Armor to use	Ablative Hull Armor Tetraburnium Hull Armor
Plating to use	Electroceramic Hull Plating

Tetryon

Tetryon Energy Damage

Tetryon energy beams are blue in color. Tetryons are subatomic particles that exist outside of normal space. When brought into normal space from subspace (artificially or naturally) they become highly unstable.

Energy bonus: 2.5% (Space) / 5% (Ground) Chance damage to Shields

Shields and armor with the [Tet] suffix modifier take 20% less Tetryon damage than usual.

Users	Hirogen	Tholian	Caitian
Armor to use	Ablative Hull Armor Tetraburnium Hull Armor
Plating to use	Electroceramic Hull Plating

Polaron

Polaron Energy Damage

Polaron are pink/purple in color. These weapons were heavily utilized by the Jem'Hadar and Breen during the Dominion War. Some Jem'Hadar Polaron ground weaponry can have bonus effects based on the Nanoenergy cell used.

Energy bonus: 2.5% Chance: -25 power to all Subsystems (Space) / 5% Chance: Weapons Malfunction for 5 sec (Ground)

Shields and armor with the [Pol] suffix modifier take 20% less Polaron damage than usual.

Users	Breen	Dominion	True Way
Armor to use	Tetraburnium Hull Armor
Plating to use	Parametallic Hull Plating

Antiproton

Antiproton Energy Damage

Antiprotons, when confined into a beam, are normally crimson with a black void border. Up close, the energy looks a lot more unstable, similar to Plasma and Tetryon energy. Undine antiproton weapons are pale yellow in color.

Energy bonus: +20% Critical Severity (Space and Ground)

Shields with the [Ap] suffix modifier take 20% less Antiproton damage than usual.

Users	Borg	Crystalline Entity	Fek'Ihri	Iconian	Undine	Voth
Armor to use	Tetraburnium Hull Armor
Plating to use	Parametallic Hull Plating

Antiproton/Phaser differences

Armor Types by Faction & Energy Used

The various Factions deal damage types specific to them both in space and ground combat. Since defensive equipment may provide resistance against only a subset of all damage types, knowing in advance what damage to expect from a given foe and using the right equipment to counter it can increase the chances of survival.

Space Combat Table

	Phaser	Disruptor	Plasma	Tetryon	Polaron	Antiproton
Used By	Cardassian Terran True Way Federation	Gorn Klingon Nausicaan Orion Reman Romulan Elachi	Borg Fek'Ihri Gorn Reman Romulan Republic Undine	Hirogen Tholian	Breen Dominion	Borg Crystalline Entity Fek'Ihri Iconian Undine Voth
Armor to use	Ablative	Ablative	Ablative Tetraburnium	Ablative Tetraburnium	Tetraburnium	Tetraburnium
Plating to use	Diburnium	Diburnium	Electroceramic	Electroceramic	Parametallic	Parametallic

Ground Combat Table

	Phaser	Disruptor	Plasma	Tetryon	Polaron	Antiproton	Acid	Cold	Psionic
Used by	Cardassian Terran Federation	Gorn Klingon Nausicaan Orion Reman Romulan	Borg Romulan Republic	Hirogen Tholian	Breen Dominion	Undine Iconian Voth	Fek'Ihri	Breen	Devidian Nausicaan Reman Undine

Protection Against Energy Damage

Space Combat

In space, Ship Shields, Engineering Consoles and the Starship Hull Plating Commander rank skill provide resistance against Energy Damage.

Ship Shields may come with one or more damage resistance modifiers, each giving 20% resistance against the damage type indicated by the suffix(es) in the item name: [Pha], [Dis], [Pla], [Pol], [Tet], [Ap].

3 types of Armor Consoles provide resistance against all, or a specific subset of Energy Damage:

• Alloys provide low resistance against all 6 types (plus Kinetic Damage resistance)
• Armors provide moderate resistance against 4 damage types (but no Kinetic)
• Platings provide good resistance against 2 damage types (but no Kinetic)

The "Armor / Plating to use" columns in the Types by Faction / Space Combat table show the console type which provides resistance against the given damage type, and thus is best used when facing the indicated foes.

Ground Combat

On the ground, Personal Shields, Body Armors and the Threat Control Commander rank skill provide resistance against Energy Damage.

Personal Shields may come with one or more damage resistance modifiers, each giving 20% resistance against the damage type indicated by the suffix(es) in the item name: [Pha], [Dis], [Pla], [Pol], [Tet], [Ap].

All Body Armor types provide varying levels of resistance against all 6 energy damage types (plus Kinetic Damage resistance) indicated as "All Energy Damage resistance" in the description.

Kinetic Damage

Kinetic damage is dealt by explosive devices of various kinds. In addition to the Kinetic Damage, these weapons often have secondary effects, in some cases dealing additional Energy Damage or Exotic Damage to the target in a single hit or as a DoT or AoE.

In space, Kinetic Damage is dealt by torpedoes launched from Torpedo Launchers and deployable Torpedo Platforms, Mines deployed from Mine Launchers, and by using certain abilities.

On the ground, Kinetic Damage is dealt by Mines, Bombs and Mortar type turrets deployable by the use of Kits, and Grenades thrown by using Kits or abilities.

Kinetic Damage is more effective against armor than shields, and there is a dedicated resistance against Kinetic Damage.

Note: Melee attacks such as martial arts or with the Bat'leth do NOT count as Kinetic damage.

Space Combat

Torpedo

Photon Torpedo

Torpedoes are self-propelled, target tracking explosive devices (basically, homing missiles) delivering Kinetic Damage to the target, and depending on type applying other harmful effects.

There are several types of Torpedoes, which may vary in damage potential, flight speed, launch time, applicable modifiers and additional effects over the base Kinetic Damage, but regardless of type, all of them deal Kinetic Damage.

Torpedo Types by Faction

	Photon	Quantum	Plasma	Transphasic	Chroniton	Tricobalt	Thermionic
Used by	Cardassian Union Gorn Hegemony Klingon Empire Nausicaan Orion Syndicate Terran Empire True Way United Federation of Planets	Dominion Terran Empire United Federation of Planets	Borg Collective Reman Romulan Star Empire Romulan Republic Undine	Breen Confederacy Hirogen Iconian	Fek'Ihri Horde Voth	Fek'Ihri Horde United Federation of Planets	Tholian Assembly

Mine

Mines are stationary, proximity activated target tracking explosive devices delivering Kinetic Damage to the target, and depending on type applying other harmful effects. The main difference between Mines and Torpedoes is that while Torpedoes actively pursue the designated target from the moment of launch, Mines sit still until a hostile ship comes within 4km proximity, then they pursue the target and detonate on impact.

Mines come in the same types as Torpedoes, with the same effects in addition to the Kinetic Damage they all deal.

Ground Explosives

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Protection Against Kinetic & Energy Damage

Space Combat

Table - Armor Needed by Damage Type & Faction Weapon Type

	Phaser	Disruptor	Plasma	Tetryon	Polaron	Antiproton
Used By	Cardassian Terran True Way Federation	Gorn Klingon Nausicaan Orion Reman Romulan	Borg Fek'Ihri Gorn Reman Romulan Undine	Hirogen Tholian	Breen Dominion	Borg Fek'Ihri Iconian Undine Voth
Armor to use	Ablative	Ablative	Ablative Tetraburnium	Ablative Tetraburnium	Tetraburnium	Tetraburnium
Plating to use	Diburnium	Diburnium	Electroceramic	Electroceramic	Parametallic	Parametallic

Kinetic Energy

In space, Engineering Consoles and the Starship Armor Reinforcements Admiral rank skill provide resistance against Kinetic Damage.

2 types of Armor Consoles provide resistance against Kinetic Damage:

• Monotanium Alloy provides good resistance against Kinetic Damage but no resistance against any Energy Damage
• Neutronium Alloy provides medium resistance against Kinetic Damage and medium resistance against all Energy Damage. This is very useful when you don't know what energy damage types you will be facing.
• The other Alloy types provide low resistance against Kinetic Damage, but also provide low resistance against all 6 Energy Damage types

Ground Combat

All Body Armor types provide varying levels of resistance against Kinetic Damage.

Physical Damage

This kind of damage usually occurs only in ground combat, and is dealt by unarmed martial arts attacks, melee weapons, or using a ranged weapon's "bash" melee attack to shove away enemies in close proximity.

Except the Energy Dampening type, all other Body Armor types provide varying levels of resistance against Physical Damage.

The Crystalline Entity spawns fragments which do Physical Damage, making it an exception to the "only in ground combat" norm for this type of damage.

Note: Damage dealt by any kind of explosion is Kinetic Damage and thus reduced by Kinetic Reistance, and NOT by Physical Resistance.

Exotic Damage

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This is not really an actual damage type, but often used to describe harmful secondary effects of weapons mainly dealing Kinetic Damage, or the harmful effects of abilities used on a single target or over an area, both in space or on the ground.

These damage types may be inflicted by explosives or abilities during ground combat, or certain player of Bridge Officer abilities during space combat.

Acid

Acid Damage can be sustained during ground combat. The Fek'Ihri and Hortas have been known to deal this type of damage.

Cold

Cold Damage can be sustained during ground combat. The Breen have been known to deal this type of damage. This is also the type of damage dealt by player-used CRM 200 rifles and Cryo Grenades. Most Cold damage attacks can inflict Slow and DoT debuffs, as well as Holds. This makes them incredibly useful for halting approaching enemies. Most Cold damage attacks are either light blue or white, with a fog effect.

Electrical

Electrical Damage can be sustained during ground combat.

Electrical Damage is also dealt by the Space Ability: Isometric Charge. This ability is used by Negh'Var Warships and can be used by players that have the corresponding console equiped.

Fire

Fire Damage can be sustained during ground combat.

Proton

Proton Damage can be sustained during ground or space combat. This was first seen on the Devidian Front. This damage is also seen rarely in Ground PvP, being dealt by the Secondary Fire mode of the [Synchronic Proton Distortion Prototype Assault Rifle]. This damage type does not seem to have any special properties, but players standing within the range of a [Triolic Pattern Enhancer] or using an [Ophidian Cane] (or both) will take increased Proton Damage. In Season 7, with the introduction of the Tholian Assembly, proton damage is now also sustained in Space from the dangerous Tholian Webs and Barriers. As the Tholian Web is also wielded by players piloting the Tholian Orb Weaver, this damage can also be sustained in PvP. This damage is significantly enhanced if the target is using the [Subspace Field Modulator], as its buff causes -400 Proton damage resistance.

Psionic

Psionic Damage can be sustained during ground combat. Undine, Devidian, and Remans have been known to deal this type of damage. Psionic damage attacks are known to ignore personal shielding and deal direct damage to a player's health. The [Phase-Shifted Personal Shield], a reward from the mission “Skirmish”, provides protection from psionic damage, scaling by level.

Radiation

Radiation Damage can be sustained during ground combat.

Toxic

Toxic Damage can be sustained during ground combat.

List of All Ship & Ground Weapon Types

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Starship Energy weapons
Energy Type	Beam		Cannon
	Array & Omni	Dual Bank	Turret	Single	Dual & Quad	Dual Heavy
Standard Energy weapons
Phaser
Disruptor
Plasma
Tetryon
Polaron
Antiproton
Proton
Other

Cosmetics Energy Weapons (different visuals)
These weapons are functionally identical to the Standard Energy Weapons above, but are visually different when firing. This includes most 23rd-century weaponry, with the exception of the 23rd century Plasma Torpedo Launcher in the section below and most Discovery-era weapons.
Phaser
Disruptor
Plasma

Hybrid Energy Weapons (two standard procs)
Disruptor -based
Plasma -based
Tetryon -based
Polaron -based

Elite Fleet Energy Weapons (standard + extra proc)
Phaser
Disruptor
Plasma
Tetryon
Polaron
Antiproton

Special Energy Weapons (standard + extra proc)
Phaser -based
Disruptor -based
Plasma -based
Tetryon -based
Antoproton -based

Special Energy Weapons (non-standard proc[s])
Phaser -based
Phaser -based
Disruptor -based
Disruptor -based
Plasma -based
Plasma -based
Plasma -based &
Tetryon -based
Tetryon -based
Polaron -based
Polaron -based
Antiproton -based
Antiproton -based
See also	Fleet Space Weapons • 23rd Century Space Weapons • Sets

Starship Projectile Weapons
Projectile Type →		Torpedo	Mine	Cluster Torpedo & Missile
↓ Damage Type	Sub-type
Kinetic	Chroniton
	Photon
	Plasma
	Quantum
	Transphasic
	Tricobalt
	None Pure Kinetic
Kinetic + Radiation Kinetic subtype varies, see above
Energy Energy damage type varies
Other Physical, etc.

Starship Experimental Weapons
Build Type → ↓ Damage Type	Standalone	With matching console
Proton
Electrical
Kinetic
Physical
Radiation
Fire

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Ground Weapons
Damage Type	Pistol		Rifle		Assault	Melee & Other
	Expose	Exploit	Expose	Exploit	Expose
Standard Weapons and Special Weapons
Antiproton
Disruptor
Phaser
Plasma
Polaron
Tetryon
Non-Standard
Q's Winter Wonderland ?

Elite Fleet Ground Weapons (standard + extra proc)
Damage Type	Pistol		Rifle		Assault	Melee Physical damage
	Expose	Exploit	Expose	Exploit	Expose
Phaser
Disruptor
Plasma
Tetryon
Polaron
Antiproton

Reputation and Lock Box (dual-proc and new proc)
Damage Type	Pistol		Rifle		Assault	Set Items & Other
	Expose	Exploit	Expose	Exploit	Expose
Antiproton -based
Disruptor -based
Phaser -based
Plasma -based
Polaron -based
Tetryon -based
Non-Standard