Ship Equipment

Most MMOs use a tier system for the endgame gear and I shall do the same for ease of use.

Tier 1: This is what you should get to begin doing Elite STFs. It is the basic gear that all VAs should have.

Tier 2: Mid-Grade gear but still really good. With this stuff you are at 99% of potential performance.

Tier 3: For those who want that extra % of damage.

Energy Weapons
Tier 1: Either green+ Mk X+ weapons purchased from the exchange or alternatively weapons from episode replays. Dominion Cannons, or Plasma-Disruptor Cannons are both very effective although the Plasma-Disruptors are superior.

Tier 2: Mk XII Polarized Disruptors found on the exchange from Temporal Lock Boxes or the Romulan Reputation Mk XII weapons.

Tier 3: Fleet Weapons with either the [Acc] or [CritH] mod.

Shields
Tier 1: Either green+ Mk X+ Shield Basic or Covariant with a [Pla] mod from the exchange or Jem'Hadar Resilient Shields work well.

Tier 2: Mk X Maco Shield from Omega Reputation is amazingly effective.

Tier 3: Mk XII Maco, Omega, or Honor Guard are all good although I feel Maco is the best.

Engines / Deflector
Tier 1: A green+ Mk X+ Positron Deflector Array.

Tier 2: Mk X Assimilated Deflector and Engines from Omega Reputation are very good, or Mk XII of the set with a bonus desirable for your build.

Tier 3: Mk XII Assimilated or Mk XII of the set with a bonus desirable for your build.

Weapon Energy Type: Not all energy types are equal and when given the choice on which proc to aim for this is how I rank them from overall DPS potential.

1) Disruptors will lower the target's resistance increase all damage against it from everyone.
2) AntiProton will increase critical hit chance by 2% and is always good.
3) Polaron drains target energy reduce their defense, damage, shield resist and regeneration.
4) Plasma adds a small damage over time to target hull.
5) Phaser can disable target shields or any subsystem.
6) Tetryon can drain a minor amount of shields.

While many might feel tetryon is stronger I must disagree. Anything cube or smaller will loose their shield facing on the first salvo and when your hitting for thousands of damage every second draining a hundred shield is not going to matter much.