... Personally I would say that having a rainbow set-up (different energy type than pets) is not necessarily a bad thing, the % effect from specialist/general energy damage consoles is marginal and wouldn't come to decisive advantage unless two ships that were exactly the same parked up and started blasting each other without doing anything else. Though I agree, Tetryon beams are definately decent beams.
It is for 2 reasons.
First is you have limited number of tactical consoles and as Directed Energy Distribution Manifold boosts all Beam Weapons Damage its +18% (well it could go to +20% with Purple Mk XII) and that is it, Prefire Chamber only boost damage of Cannons/Turrets, since pretty much all non-tactical ships only get 2 Tactical Console slots you pretty much always carry one of then and specific energy type console that grants a higher bonus, a +26% (or +30% with Purple Mk XII) meaning 44-50% more damage.
Second is the Proc, since its a chance percentage then the more times you hit with that energy type the more chances the proc is triggered, if you are mixing types then the lower the chances one of then going to triggered since its you hit less times with the same energy and there are more energies to check for.
This is why "rainbow" is very badly viewed by the rest of the players, its cutting at least 18% damage you could be inflicting with a weapon.
And that brings me to the second issue ...
I'd also argue that Quantum torpedo is the only choice for the Atrox
Problem is the one above, 2 Tactical console slots.
There is no room to add a Warhead Yield Chamber or a Zero Point Quantum Chamber console and the Atrox have a turn rate of 5, sure it can launch torpedoes but not when you want to, just to targets of opportunity when they cross into the launcher firing arc, in a Tactical Odyssey you can put a Quantum console since you have 3 slots so you can actually think about keeping the launchers but the Atrox only have 6 weapons slots so keeping the launchers mean losing 1/3 of its firepower potential in exchange for opportunity spike damage.
Also BO skills factor into this, you lack access to higher skills due to the Tactical station being a Lt. one, everyone runs with Tactical Team so you only have one more Tactical skill ... its better used for Beam Overload that you can always use, unlike High Yield or Spread you have to wait until something gets into the arc.
Keeping the Launchers is a more difficult decision on the Atrox because unlike Science ships doing a Torpedo run is impossible, enemies can get out of the way and as in a Cruiser you can afford to lose the extra beam damage for opportunity spike damage as you have 6 beams, in the Atrox you get just 4 beams if you go down that route ... its something to consider.
Not to say, its a carrier ... your not supposed to do damage directly but rather support your fighter wings that are the primary means of attack and if you want Quantums them the Advanced Peregrine Fighters have them, the non-advanced ones have Proton Launchers.
