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Wishful Thinking: A T5 Connie...

tymerstotymersto Member Posts: 433 Arc User
edited February 2013 in Federation Discussion
I know that seeing a RA/VA version of the Constitution Class Cruiser is a near impossibility. Something just came to mind as I've been viewing though the forums over the last few days and I needed to get this mental exercise done. So without further ado, my thoughts on a T5 Connie:

Cruiser Retrofit - Enterprise Class

Level: Rear Admiral (40)
Crew: 550
BOffs: Commander ENG, Lt. Commander SCI, Lt. Commander TAC, Lt. ENG
Weapons: 4 Fore, 4 Aft
Devices: 4
Consoles: 3 ENG, 3 SCI, 3 TAC
Base Turn: 8
Hull: 36,000
Shied Mod: 1.1
Impulse Mod: 0.15
+5 to All Subsystems

My overall thoughts for what a 'rational' T5 Connie could be was the following:
  • Something that would fit into the $20, Account-wide C-Store range
  • Not quite as potent or as 'big' as the Excelsior or the Galaxy
  • Something that gave a feel like this could be a good update to the basic Connie
  • Something that had 'some' versatility, but still had a bit of a Engineering Focus

A part of what I wanted to go with came from the Enterprise Subclass of the Constitution Class from the FASA-produced Trek RPG. It was a bit difficult to come up with something that wouldn't be seen as 'another Excelsior' type ship. I was looking for something that could be considered a Jack-of-All-Trades ship.

The biggest departure from pretty much all other Cruisers in the T5 range, I think, is the CMD/LCMD x 2/LT BOff layout and the even spread of Consoles. Seeing the BOff layout on the Caitian Carrier is what kind of gave me the thoughts on setting up my T5 Connie idea. But instead of shorting changing either TAC or SCI, I thought giving both of them access to the LCMD powers would actually be interesting in practice. Allowing just enough useability with out being overpowered. I think an even spread of the Consoles does that too. While you generally want to see a Console layout focused towards one particular spec, the even spec allows a bit more boost to SCI and TAC with a slight weakening at ENG needs (usually Damage Resists).

I also think Turn Rate was another spot I was unsure of. Both the regular Cruiser and the Cruiser Refit have a TR of 9. I wasn't sure I'd fell comfortable having a T5 Connie with that TR as well. But allowing a TR of 8 keeps it equal to any of the Excelsiors and still allows them to be the TAC-focused Cruisers they are.

I figure the Crew and Hull specs should allow the 'smaller' feeling I was looking for, in comparison to the Excelsior and Galaxy. While the T5 Connie also doesn't have the durability of either the Assault or Star Cruiser, it's not intended to. It is supposed to be an older workhorse that is been brought up to current tech, but can't outclass the best and biggest out there.

Please enjoy my musings.

Thank you for the time...
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Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • avarseiravarseir Member Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    Don't understand whats the obsession with constitution class. Its ugly, obsolete and weak vs the newer ships.

    Giving constitution a T5 refit will be a step backwards in the game. Sure it makes some people happy, but it breaks immersion.

    Also, this guy asking for an LtC Tac and LtC Sci proves my point that most cruiser captains want their ships to behave like escorts and be indestructible.

    This also makes all the other buff cruiser threads MOOT because it is mostly self serving vs being better for the game in general.
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  • shpoksshpoks Member Posts: 6,967 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    avarseir wrote: »

    Giving constitution a T5 refit will be a step backwards in the game. Sure it makes some people happy, but it breaks immersion.

    With all the Breen/Jem'Hadar/Cardassian/Ferengi ships comandeered by Starfleet captains hovering over ESD and in almost every STF, the Connie is the one that breaks immersion?

    The sad part is that I'd agree with you on all points if there wasn't such a ship mess in STO.
    But at the point where Vulcans use D'Kyr - far older than the Constitution and where the Excelsior and Ambassador outpreform a Galaxy Class in every way, I say for the love of Star Trek, give TOS fans their T5 Connie, at least they'll be happy and that's a good thing. ;)
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  • farmallmfarmallm Member Posts: 4,630 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    avarseir wrote: »
    Don't understand whats the obsession with constitution class. Its ugly, obsolete and weak vs the newer ships.

    Giving constitution a T5 refit will be a step backwards in the game. Sure it makes some people happy, but it breaks immersion.

    Also, this guy asking for an LtC Tac proves my point that most cruiser captains want their ships to behave like escorts and be indestructible.

    This also makes all the other buff cruiser threads MOOT because it is mostly self serving vs being better for the game in general.

    To some the ship is the most awesome ship design every done by Star Trek. So that is an opinion. To me its the most epic looking ship ever built. Specially the refit.

    I agree it would be weaker than the newer ships. But they did a future similar version on the game. And its based off it, just more "modern". So even a ship that size has its place and use. Instead of a cruiser, classify it more of an frigate, or light cruiser. Which do have use in any fleet. Where you need smaller support ships for other jobs.

    Here is the Wiki told about the other more "modern" version you can choose. Why not offer these in T5? I would fly one, specially the Excalibur.

    http://www.stowiki.org/Cruiser_Refit

    The Excalibur class is well-suited for cargo or transport missions. Its expansive cargo holds make it indispensable to Starfleet as a vessel used to resupply planets, space stations, and other starships. The power systems make it possible to run industrial replicators indefinitely, making this class the ideal choice for evacuation and mercy missions.

    Vesper is reminiscent of the Excelsior class line of ships. However the general layout reflects that of the more traditional Cruiser. The saucer unlike the Excalibur is completely round.
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  • farmallmfarmallm Member Posts: 4,630 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    shpoks wrote: »
    With all the Breen/Jem'Hadar/Cardassian/Ferengi ships comandeered by Starfleet captains hovering over ESD and in almost every STF, the Connie is the one that breaks immersion?

    The sad part is that I'd agree with you on all points if there wasn't such a ship mess in STO.
    But at the point where Vulcans use D'Kyr - far older than the Constitution and where the Excelsior and Ambassador outpreform a Galaxy Class in every way, I say for the love of Star Trek, give TOS fans their T5 Connie, at least they'll be happy and that's a good thing. ;)

    I agree, when in Star Fleet on TV. They always use their own ships. Unless under certain situations where they need to visit behind enemy lines or "borrowed" a ship.

    What about the NX class they offer it in the game for the first level. How does that not help "immersion" when it predates the Constitution. So I agree let the players have a T5 retrofit, along with the more "modern" versions.
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  • twg042370twg042370 Member Posts: 2,312 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    avarseir wrote: »
    Don't understand whats the obsession with constitution class. Its ugly, obsolete and weak vs the newer ships.

    Giving constitution a T5 refit will be a step backwards in the game. Sure it makes some people happy, but it breaks immersion.

    Also, this guy asking for an LtC Tac and LtC Sci proves my point that most cruiser captains want their ships to behave like escorts and be indestructible.

    This also makes all the other buff cruiser threads MOOT because it is mostly self serving vs being better for the game in general.

    Point by point:

    A) Hell no it isn't ugly. But the rest is correct.

    B) Immersion in a game where every other ship is Breen? Please now.

    C) I firmly believe that the trinity should be enforced if its to be there at a so I agree with you on the layout.
    <3
  • thratch1thratch1 Member Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    avarseir wrote: »
    Giving constitution a T5 refit will be a step backwards in the game. Sure it makes some people happy, but it breaks immersion.
    shpoks wrote: »
    With all the Breen/Jem'Hadar/Cardassian/Ferengi ships comandeered by Starfleet captains hovering over ESD and in almost every STF, the Connie is the one that breaks immersion?

    A thousand times, this.

    Running around in ESD and DS9 with nearly naked midget girls, cat people, Na'vi, and just regular humans wearing hot pink uniforms broke my immersion long before alien lockbox ships did, though.
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  • avarseiravarseir Member Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    Jemmy, breen, galor, dkora, etc breaks immersion, i never said They dont. Also, another issue is that the constitution has been superceded by excelsior, galaxy, sovvy, and oddy.. so its funny to be flying the great grandpa of the newer ships at the same level.

    You can argue that in ds9 we still see miranda and excelsior and thing about never change a design that works, but the real issue is budget. The studios have no budget nor time to create new ships when filming ds9, so they put in all the old ships as placeholders. Then they come up with a story about how old design works, basically marketing. Get it?

    NX class was never offered at T5, so what are you on about? We also have T1 connie don't we?

    Design is subjective, I may find it ugly..you may like it..
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  • twg042370twg042370 Member Posts: 2,312 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    thratch1 wrote: »
    A thousand times, this.

    Running around in ESD and DS9 with nearly naked midget girls, cat people, Na'vi, and just regular humans wearing hot pink uniforms broke my immersion long before alien lockbox ships did, though.

    Oddly, they feel just right at Drozana.
    <3
  • shpoksshpoks Member Posts: 6,967 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    thratch1 wrote: »
    A thousand times, this.

    Running around in ESD and DS9 with nearly naked midget girls, cat people, Na'vi, and just regular humans wearing hot pink uniforms broke my immersion long before alien lockbox ships did, though.

    Agreed. It always puzzled me that the KDF is the one that has color restrictions on their uniforms and actually has no uniform code, while Federation players can dress their Starfleet officers in pink/glowing green/bright yellow uniforms and such.
    HQroeLu.jpg
  • farmallmfarmallm Member Posts: 4,630 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    avarseir wrote: »
    Jemmy, breen, galor, dkora, etc breaks immersion, i never said They dont. Also, another issue is that the constitution has been superceded by excelsior, galaxy, sovvy, and oddy.. so its funny to be flying the great grandpa of the newer ships at the same level.

    You can argue that in ds9 we still see miranda and excelsior and thing about never change a design that works, but the real issue is budget. The studios have no budget nor time to create new ships when filming ds9, so they put in all the old ships as placeholders. Then they come up with a story about how old design works, basically marketing. Get it?

    NX class was never offered at T5, so what are you on about? We also have T1 connie don't we?

    Design is subjective, I may find it ugly..you may like it..

    I didn't say it was at T5, it was low level, when you first start. Going by the age, why use that ship at all. Seeing that running around ended "immersion" right off the start.

    Granted I can understand the "shows budget". However they do use ships for years. Look at the battleships the navy once used. First built in World War II. Then finally retired in the 90s. After decades of use. Looking at the history even the Constitution Class ran from the 2240s into the 2290s +. So that was decades of use. Get the good out of the design.

    Lastly its a game. Why get worked up if a ship from the past is beside a modern one. I don't see a big deal. They blew out being of a certain era long ago on this game. Plus there is a lot of stuff they allow as well that not just ships. So "immersion" is long taken care of.
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  • xigbargxigbarg Member Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    If you can make the tiny Defiant a powerhouse. I'm sure you, as a VA, can have people rip out it's innards of a connie and upgrade it to be just as powerful.
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  • daveynydaveyny Member Posts: 8,227 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    I'm not going to get into whether there should or shouldn't be some form of a Constitution Class at Tier-5 ...

    But I will say that I would certainly purchase one, if it did exist.
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  • twg042370twg042370 Member Posts: 2,312 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    xigbarg wrote: »
    If you can make the tiny Defiant powerhouse. I'm sure you, as a VA, can have people rip out it's innards of a connie and upgrade it to be just as powerful.

    This has always been my view on it
    <3
  • tymerstotymersto Member Posts: 433 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    @avarseir

    There is a segment of the playerbase that find the Connie the kind of ship they want to fly. Period. This isn't rally about immersion, it's about playing in the Trek universe with the 'First Enterprise' they came to know and enjoy.

    Personally, I'm quite happy running what ships are available in the T5 range, but even I wouldn't mind having the ability to properly do some of the end-game content in a Connie.

    Is what I thought of Overpowered or Escort like? Not really. Yes, there is a LCMD TAC BOff chair and three TAC Console slots like the Excelsior Retrofit and it has 1 added SCI power available to it (and LCMD, but I wanted to see that) and an extra SCI Console. That is offset by a loss of a second Ens ENG ability, a loss of a ENG Console and 3K hull in comparison to the Assault and Star Cruisers and the Excelsior Retrofit (a 4K loss to the Galaxy Retrofit and the Gal-X)

    If anything maybe having a 1.1 shield mod might be too much. I was also looking at the Fleet Excelsior for the most upper level of the offensive end Cruisers. Otherwise, I'd drop it down back to a 1.0 Shield Mod, just like the Assault or Star Cruisers or the Excelsior and Galaxy Retrofits and the Gal-X.

    Also note I didn't even think of including any kind of special console here. Hell, I was trying to think of something that could of been used and really didn't come up with anything that felt 'right'.

    Is it possible I've been seeing what a potential of a BOff line up like what I listed plausible? Maybe. I've been finding the use of the Ambassador Retrofit and the potential of the Kamarag Retrofit (The only reason I've rolled a Klingon side Character) fits my personal playstyle. Now granted, both have LCMD SCI and Lt/Ens TAC, but the 'feeling' of using a 6 ENG/3 SCI/3TAC powers in the way those two ships are done feels right for me.

    All in all, I was just trying to figure out what a 'reasonable' T5 Connie could be like.

    Thank you for the time...
    STO CBT Player - 400 day+ Vet, Currently Silver
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  • disposeableh3r0disposeableh3r0 Member Posts: 1,927 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    2 words.. exeter class.

    http://www.stowiki.org/Cruiser_Refit

    That would be acceptablt at t5 and avoids all the anti conni arguments.
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  • avarseiravarseir Member Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    You see, that's precisely why Cryptic would not release a T5 Connie: Its the passion many trekkies have for connies.

    Thats because once they release it, they wont be able to sell any other ships ever again. So really I dont think T5 connie will happen.

    On the boff slots, having 2 LtC slots is not reasonable. You might be more reasonable with 1 Comm Eng, 1 LTC universal, 1 LT Eng, 1 LT Sci and 1 Ens Tac. Shield Mod is too much.

    Its definitely a game, but dev time could really be spent on better and newer ships vs bringing old relics back.

    Its not like we don't have a connie already in game. I still use mine for dailies.
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  • farmallmfarmallm Member Posts: 4,630 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    I don't think that will stop them from buying ships. Just due to that. I got a few ships still on my list to buy. So just that ship won't stop me from buying. Plus I already have a few T5 ships I rotate on use. So that just adds to my choice pool. There is still other ships not in the game, I'm waiting for release. And willing to buy as well. Like the New Orleans class is one of them.

    True you will see a ton of them out in use, but after a while they will fade out. And they will go to other ships. Just like the Ambassador. There is already a big decline on them being used. Unlike the first couple of weeks of the Anniversary. Where I saw them everywhere.
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  • xigbargxigbarg Member Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    Give it galaxy class stats and maybe say that again.
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  • snoggymack22snoggymack22 Member Posts: 7,084 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    2 words.. exeter class.

    http://www.stowiki.org/Cruiser_Refit

    That would be acceptablt at t5 and avoids all the anti conni arguments.

    Exactly. Why not just make a Fleet Exeter and viola, us Connie "fans" can have our ship to pretend with. And the Connie itself is still not T5. Everyone wins.
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  • snoggymack22snoggymack22 Member Posts: 7,084 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    avarseir wrote: »
    Thats because once they release it, they wont be able to sell any other ships ever again. So really I dont think T5 connie will happen..

    That's not true at all. Some people like the Excelsior. Some people min-max for other cruisers. Some people don't even fly cruisers. People will still buy other ships. Especially things like Lockbox ships.
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  • sander233sander233 Member Posts: 3,992 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    shpoks wrote: »
    With all the Breen/Jem'Hadar/Cardassian/Ferengi ships comandeered by Starfleet captains hovering over ESD and in almost every STF, the Connie is the one that breaks immersion?

    When I was playing that Temporal Ambassador mission and they start talking about how the Dominion and Breen and Cardassians and Tholians wiped out what was left of the Klingon Empire and the Federation, my first thought was "And that's different from my real timeline... how?"
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  • cidstormcidstorm Member Posts: 1,220 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    Exactly. Why not just make a Fleet Exeter and viola, us Connie "fans" can have our ship to pretend with. And the Connie itself is still not T5. Everyone wins.

    Except for all the people who want to fly a connie.

    I say this every time, the tier 5 connie would be a huge money maker, the devs are saving it for a cold day. Paramount and Cryptic are businesses, they don't pass up options like that.

    The Dev's themselves have stated that ship skins are nothing more than shells for the real meat and potatoes. So any arguments about how it's possible are completely moot.

    The tier 5 connie won't be the last ship I buy, as long as the future Excelsior, Akira, Steamrunner, Sovereign, Springfield, New Orleans, K'tinga, Vorcha, Negh'var, and Miranda class upgrades have a good looking part, I will buy them too.

    In my opinion though, the Devs should release it in time with the new Star Trek movie, we need to bring in the new fans with open arms and show them the joy of true trek, not that the new one isn't nice by itself.
  • disposeableh3r0disposeableh3r0 Member Posts: 1,927 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    cidstorm wrote: »
    Except for all the people who want to fly a connie.

    I say this every time, the tier 5 connie would be a huge money maker, the devs are saving it for a cold day. Paramount and Cryptic are businesses, they don't pass up options like that.

    The Dev's themselves have stated that ship skins are nothing more than shells for the real meat and potatoes. So any arguments about how it's possible are completely moot.

    The tier 5 connie won't be the last ship I buy, as long as the future Excelsior, Akira, Steamrunner, Sovereign, Springfield, New Orleans, K'tinga, Vorcha, Negh'var, and Miranda class upgrades have a good looking part, I will buy them too.

    but the exiter is somthing that you can have with less argument. it also looks like a connie would if it were built in 2409, and if you get the exeter who says the connie skin wouldn't be available later.
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  • cidstormcidstorm Member Posts: 1,220 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    but the exiter is somthing that you can have with less argument. it also looks like a connie would if it were built in 2409, and if you get the exeter who says the connie skin wouldn't be available later.

    The argument died a long time ago, it's indefensible. Only trolls and jealous haters leap for it now.
  • disposeableh3r0disposeableh3r0 Member Posts: 1,927 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    cidstorm wrote: »
    The argument died a long time ago, it's indefensible. Only trolls and jealous haters leap for it now.

    hmmm yes we do seem to be troll infested these days.

    But still resposnes are limited, you must ask the right questions.
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  • skyranger1414skyranger1414 Member Posts: 1,785 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    I used to be against a T5 connie... not anymore.

    I'd rather see ESD surrounded by endless Connies as far as the eye can see than by Jem'Hadar, Ferengy, Cardasian, Tholian, Breen, etc ships.

    The only lobi/lockbox ships I fee are fine are the MU and Temporal ships, since those are Starfleet.... just from the meaner side or from the future.

    For me its become a really simple issue, why are players denied the pleasure of having their beloved ship while allowing enemy faction ships to be inducted into Starfleet, ships that are often superior to anything the players have access to from their faction shipyards?

    Its crazy.

    So yeah, I am now 100% Pro-T5 Connie. Not a low tier version, I want it to have a full fleet version as well!

    P.S. I personally dislike the look of the Connie, the Galaxy and the Excelsior, but players should be able to fly what they want. Especially if we're throwing canon and faction flavor out the window.
  • twg042370twg042370 Member Posts: 2,312 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    P.S. I personally dislike the look of the Connie, the Galaxy and the Excelsior...

    That's like 90% of Star Trek.
    <3
  • dashuk2381dashuk2381 Member Posts: 230 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    If you use the Exeter from the Z-store, you can actually make a Connie you can use for the simple PVE stuff even at end game. The Exeter has an extra console/BO slot if I'm not mistaken. I have a build I've been using just to goof around with in the New Romulan patrol missions and it's actually pretty effective, you just have to stay on top of your shields/hull. Now you can't take it into STFs or PVP, but for 90% of the end game space missions you can use it and do halfway decent.
  • weylandjuarezweylandjuarez Member Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    dashuk2381 wrote: »
    If you use the Exeter from the Z-store, you can actually make a Connie you can use for the simple PVE stuff even at end game. The Exeter has an extra console/BO slot if I'm not mistaken. I have a build I've been using just to goof around with in the New Romulan patrol missions and it's actually pretty effective, you just have to stay on top of your shields/hull. Now you can't take it into STFs or PVP, but for 90% of the end game space missions you can use it and do halfway decent.

    Actually, you can take it into STFs (particularly the normal ones) and if you kit it out with the same sort of end-game gear you're running on your other ships then you'll be able to contribute and have fun - better to do this with friends/fleet mates though as you'll likely get a tirade of abuse if you PuG it (that can be fun too though ;))
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  • snoggymack22snoggymack22 Member Posts: 7,084 Arc User
    edited February 2013
    If they made a T5 FLEET Exeter, then you could take it into end-game stuff and not get abuse. Since one of the goals of starbases was to allow fleets to upgrade older ships for use at higher levels, and since the Exeter isn't the Constitution, this would seem to fall in line with two of Cryptic's stated goals. And they already let a ship from the same tier get made into a fleet version ... the Saber Escort.

    Let's make it happen. Fleet Exeter!
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