False, you are required to pay if you want to experience the new starship progression system that DR is introducing.
Its just as much game content as anything else.
Really? Are you seriously making such a strawman argument as this?
It's a mechanic... It's not content...
Episodes are content...
STF's are content...
Battle Zones & Adventure Zones are content...
The new Ship Mastery system is a mechanic... I don't think you're going to miss much by not having this...
Besides, you are also entirely wrong in this statement... Many FREE ships from events such as the Winter & Summer events, as well all Lobi and LockBox ships - easily obtained off the exchange - are receiving FREE T5U upgrades...
You don't need to purchase a new ship with real money at all in order to experience Ship Mastery...
CStore ships are not ESSENTIAL to play this game - NEVER HAVE BEEN!
CStore items in general are NOT ESSENTIAL...
Once again, you are mistaking your wants - content on the CStore- with needs - the entirely FREE playable content...
As far has 'paying multiple times' for your ship... You purchased those ships in a given state... You made the decision with no additional criteria they would be upgraded to the next tier for free...
Would you expect Cryptic to allow free upgrades of the NX Replica all the way to T6? No? Why not? I've bought it, I should be able to use it for my entire experience!
This is the argument you are making, so I ask you, should Cryptic make the NX Replica a free upgrade all the way to T6? What about the Connie? People want that as an end-game ship too...
We all purchased T5.5 CStore ships in the state they were in at the time, Cryptic are under no obligation to add to that purchase agreement by providing a free upgrade...
Would it be nice for them to do so? Yes it would... Are they obligated? No, I don't recall any purchase agreement saying they must...
Seriously? Don't people actually read anymore?
Frankly, you and people like you is why we can't have anything nice anymore without paying every step of the way.
As by defending these cash grabs and shady buisness practices you encourage it.
But maybe your of the newer generation of gamers who simply don't know any better, while some of us actually remember a not too distant past where $10-15 a month pretty much entitled you to everything in an entire game, every piece of content, every game mechanic, every cosmetic trinket.
A time when game developers actually gave a damn about players and tried to deliver the best possible experience, and not consumed with squeezing them for every penny they could.
Luckily some game developers still do, but Cryptic certainly isn't one of them.
Yes you did, level 50 is NOT a new tier and does not count.
Tier 6 on the other hand is a brand new full TIER of ship, and there definitely should be a selection of free Tier 6 to choose from, just like it was for Tier's 1 through 5.
so it is but that does not change the fact that there will be no T6 given away for free no matter if your free to play monthly or lifetime subscribed, what you do get at level 50 same as everyone is the ability to upgrade T5 ships to T5u.
I predict it will at least Christmas 2015 before we see any free T6 ships, the only way you will get a T6 ship before then is to buy one from the c-store maybe get a fleet one or win one in a lockbox.
I believe cryptic will want the maximum number of sales possible before they even consider giving them away for free.
When I think about everything we've been through together,
maybe it's not the destination that matters, maybe it's the journey,
and if that journey takes a little longer,
so we can do something we all believe in,
I can't think of any place I'd rather be or any people I'd rather be with.
Frankly, you and people like you is why we can't have anything nice anymore without paying every step of the way.
As by defending these cash grabs and shady buisness practices you encourage it.
But maybe your of the newer generation of gamers who simply don't know any better, while some of us actually remember a not too distant past where $10-15 a month pretty much entitled you to everything in an entire game, every piece of content, every game mechanic, every cosmetic trinket.
A time when game developers actually gave a damn about players and tried to deliver the best possible experience, and not consumed with squeezing them for every penny they could.
Luckily some game developers still do, but Cryptic certainly isn't one of them.
Defending cash grabs? No... I'm pragmatic enough to accept that businesses need to turn a profit...
I'm also pragmatic enough to consider that Cryptic are providing an ENTIRE EXPANSION FOR FREE...
They are not charging us the $50-$60 PLUS our subscription like World of War.craft - AAA MMO I'll add...
This is where your argument fails... AAA MMO's like WoW charge their subscribers for Xpacks... You buy the new Xpack... Subscription does NOT provide you unfettered access to the content, purchasing the Xpack gives you access, but you are then forced into paying a subscription to continue that unfettered access to the content...
So which model is more generous? STO's F2P model where you can play ALL base game content for FREE and then CHOOSE to purchase items off the CStore...
Or a AAA MMO model that FORCE YOU TO BUY the base game, and then FORCE YOU TO BUY the Xpacks, all the while FORCING YOU TO PAY your subscription...
I've been gaming for decades - cut my teeth on the old Atari consoles - so I've seen some of the best and worst of gaming...
STO is far from the worst, and I would not even consider them close to bad for 'cash grabs'...
Please direct me to a fairer more generous F2P model (outside of the PWE network) if you're actually trying to imply there's a fairer, more generous way to operate a F2P business model...
False, you are required to pay if you want to experience the new starship progression system that DR is introducing.
Its just as much game content as anything else.
Not precisely true, at least in ship terms.
Ships gained from the seasonal events get a free upgrade to T5u.
Thus, a player who has never spent money and, admittedly, has been around a few months has had an opportunity to get a new endgame ship.
Nor would I rule out the possibility of future event ships being either T6 or having the ability to slot specialized doffs.
Playing for free does require more commitment in terms of time to get to the baubles, but I can't in all honesty agree that the route does not exist.
And they mentioned there is more than one way to get ship traits
Note that although only T6 ships will come with a Ship Trait (not T5-U), ships are not the only way to acquire Ship Traits. Ship Traits are not restricted to the ship. Its something you unlock for you captain and you can use on any ship. There will be other ways to unlock Ship Traits. More details on this soon.
Your pain runs deep.
Let us explore it... together. Each man hides a secret pain. It must be exposed and reckoned with. It must be dragged from the darkness and forced into the light. Share your pain. Share your pain with me... and gain strength from the sharing.
Quite frankly subscribers period should get a free T6 ship of choice, as its now a brand new Tier.
And for every single preceeding tier without exception players have gotten free ships.
Exactly, all gold subscribers should get a token just like the VA token.
join Date: Sep 2009 - I want my changeling lava lamp!
The Reputation system not all laughable as you say. Sure some of the sets aren't what they all could be. I find most of the sets lacking features I need. It's a mix bag of gear from Deflector, Impulse, Warp Core, Shields and Consoles. That's how I am using most of the sets. Some sets just see weaker compare to the missions sets.
I am sure your borg weapons seem fine for now. This game is changing so much it's going be a lot of (grind) work to keep up with the changes.
Crafting (aka Retrofit) once they throw this in no turning it around to what you had prior. Still the way the clock is counting down seems like they could have given us 4 min grace period for free. Other online games do that for instant finish. But only at 4 min mark.
All the ships seems to be in the same type of class base on what type of ship they are. The only differences is the skin and some minor programming changes. If you want to get a ship that others don't have they should equipment this was Mark 13/14 Very Rare Purple. In the last live-stream I didn't see that.
On the Risan Luxury Cruiser (aka space battleship destroyer) the weapons for 4/4 fore/aft can manage 6/6 slots. I didn't notice that where the other Fed ships max out at 5/5 slots. Other online games use a lot of weapons slots here they don't seem to do that just limits on the weapons slots.. We all have more weapons we can use on our ships. I could use the 2 extra slots in weapons. So now if I need a stronger torpedo or heavy turret have to drop them in manually along with my current weapons payloads.
I just say, make it simple, but make it fun to play!
on coolheadal AKA "what are you babbling about" HUH? you make no sense.
CStore ships are not ESSENTIAL to play this game - NEVER HAVE BEEN!
CStore items in general are NOT ESSENTIAL...
Then why am I hearing "Warning: The new Elite mode is far and away the hardest content we have put into Star Trek Online. We expect you to not just be outfitted in great gear..."?
Then why am I hearing "Warning: The new Elite mode is far and away the hardest content we have put into Star Trek Online. We expect you to not just be outfitted in great gear..."?
Indications from Tribble are that Elite is entirely doable with standard T5 ships, if the Captain is a capable one with good gear...
Besides, Elite STF's are the same content as Normal and Advanced, just with additional mandatory objectives (objectives which are optional in easier modes) and more difficult opponents... Though, yes, better rewards to reflect the added difficulty...
It's still the very same content, so you're not really missing anything if you never do them...
If you want a comparison, run a few episodes on Normal and then rerun them on Elite game difficulty... It will be a similar experience...
Then why am I hearing "Warning: The new Elite mode is far and away the hardest content we have put into Star Trek Online. We expect you to not just be outfitted in great gear..."?
notice the word elite. then notice you can play the same content on normal or advanced. you're not forced to use elite. elite's for people craving a real challenge. it remains to be seen what level of equipment you'll need to defeat that level. there was a time in sto when elite stfs meant something too. now people blow through them like they're butterflies against shotguns.
i've tried to avoid most of the grumble. i get people want free stuff. it's our nature to want as much as we can get for free. but i don't think we're gonna get a free ship.
as far as the delta pack and delta rising debate, i think that's just a pve versus pvp player issue. pvp players are p2w while pve players are pay for enjoyment. if you only pvp then you probably feel like you need those ships. if you only pve then you buy what you want because you enjoy flying it. the missions are easy enough to do in any ship.
I do not care if they give us a free T6 ship or not. A T5U will be perfectly sufficient for your daily grind. If you want top performance you will have to buy the new OP ship they release a while after the new expansion anyway. (I hope it will be a KDF one this time.)
Subscriptions in the games i have seen so far give some free starter items that make leveling more convenient but hardly any endgame stuff. So if we can upgrade the Chimera for free that will be perfectly fine.
notice the word elite. then notice you can play the same content on normal or advanced. you're not forced to use elite. elite's for people craving a real challenge. it remains to be seen what level of equipment you'll need to defeat that level. there was a time in sto when elite stfs meant something too. now people blow through them like they're butterflies against shotguns.
Same content, yes, but everyone else around me are gonna be tied up doing elite.
Same content, yes, but everyone else around me are gonna be tied up doing elite.
i think you over estimate how many people will be buying these new ships. just as there's thousands of players currently not in fleets or not using fleet ships there's thousands who won't be crafting gold gear and buying intel phantoms.
I am still wondering which mmos are offering better F2p perks then STO. My guess is either they are myths or belong to ancient mmos on their death beds. I love a mmo that came out in 01 and they are still nickel and diming their fan base. I know of no mmo that's as generous as STO. Even with the stupid lock boxes and time gates. They still work their assess off to get us voice actors and tell a decent story, or have a fun holiday for free. Sorry Senator, but I think you're incorrect. I could name several F2ps several Scifi genre several mmos that fit your definition of milking the customer, STO is not one.
The only one I can think of that had a better F2P offer was City of Heroes, but that's gone now.
RIP
I was thinking the same
Your pain runs deep.
Let us explore it... together. Each man hides a secret pain. It must be exposed and reckoned with. It must be dragged from the darkness and forced into the light. Share your pain. Share your pain with me... and gain strength from the sharing.
Said token entitles the bearer to one of the C-store "Iconic Retrofits" only - Intrepid, Galaxy, or Defiant. It also doesn't "count" for the fleet upgrade "discount"... KDF gets B'Rel BoP, Varanus, Marauder flight-deck cruiser, or Kar'Fi carrier...
On that note, there is precedent for a "stock" T6 ship to be given out at L50 - using the Sci progression as I'm somewhat familiar with it - T1 Miranda, T2 Nova, T3 Olympus, T4 Intrepid, T5 Luna / DSSV...
So, a "freebie" T6 given at 50 isn't out of the question - or the standard progression. However, said "freebie" ship wouldn't be "on a par" with anything advertised so far, we're talking 10 console (4/3/3, 4 being the "class" console), Cmdr & Lt Cmdr of "class" (Sci ships get Sci officers), and a Lt of each class, with the "ship class" Lt maybe being given the intel powers access. Hull "identical" to the T5 "freebies", but with the growth inherent to T6. Mastery slot 5's "starship trait" would be a gimped version of what's on the C-store, 50% to 75% effective...
Being that most of the 100% "free" grind-event ships are of "fleet" T5.5 quality - converting to T5U11 spec, both Breen ships, both Risian ships, but the DSD is only a T5+1 quality - winding up as a T5U10... They'll probably be "stronger" than these "gimped" T6s, meaning most people might fly their freebie long enough for the ship trait then go back to T5U11 or C-store stuff. Of course, such a suggestion now, what with the time limit to pop a new wing of ships (we'd theoretically want one for each class / race combo, so 9 new ships total) out of the art department, the odds of this happening are astronomically slim...
Detecting big-time "anti-old-school" bias here. NX? Lobi. TOS/TMP Connie? Super-promotion-box. (aka the two hardest ways to get ships) Excelsior & all 3 TNG "big hero" ships? C-Store. Please Equalize...
To rob a line: [quote: Mariemaia Kushrenada] Forum Posting is much like an endless waltz. The three beats of war, peace and revolution continue on forever. However, opinions will change upon the reading of my post.[/quote]
There is a "VA Token" for anyone who qualifies for the 600 day "subscriber" / Veteran's reward...
Said token entitles the bearer to one of the C-store "Iconic Retrofits" only - Intrepid, Galaxy, or Defiant. It also doesn't "count" for the fleet upgrade "discount"... KDF gets B'Rel BoP, Varanus, Marauder flight-deck cruiser, or Kar'Fi carrier...
You're arguing semantics and took what I posted out of context... However, I'll bite...
The 'VA token' referred to here is a special 600 Day reward, and thus was not a general VA ship token provided to all players automatically upon reaching level 50, it was awarded for 600 days of active subscription only...
The 1000 day Veteran destroyer was a VA ship also yes, but there was no general VA token provided to all players upon reaching level 50 for this ship, just like the 600 day reward, it was a special reward...
On that note, there is precedent for a "stock" T6 ship to be given out at L50 - using the Sci progression as I'm somewhat familiar with it - T1 Miranda, T2 Nova, T3 Olympus, T4 Intrepid, T5 Luna / DSSV...
So, a "freebie" T6 given at 50 isn't out of the question - or the standard progression. However, said "freebie" ship wouldn't be "on a par" with anything advertised so far, we're talking 10 console (4/3/3, 4 being the "class" console), Cmdr & Lt Cmdr of "class" (Sci ships get Sci officers), and a Lt of each class, with the "ship class" Lt maybe being given the intel powers access. Hull "identical" to the T5 "freebies", but with the growth inherent to T6. Mastery slot 5's "starship trait" would be a gimped version of what's on the C-store, 50% to 75% effective...
Being that most of the 100% "free" grind-event ships are of "fleet" T5.5 quality - converting to T5U11 spec, both Breen ships, both Risian ships, but the DSD is only a T5+1 quality - winding up as a T5U10... They'll probably be "stronger" than these "gimped" T6s, meaning most people might fly their freebie long enough for the ship trait then go back to T5U11 or C-store stuff. Of course, such a suggestion now, what with the time limit to pop a new wing of ships (we'd theoretically want one for each class / race combo, so 9 new ships total) out of the art department, the odds of this happening are astronomically slim...
I have never said we will never receive a T6 ship, only that Cryptic have no obligation to provide us with one... I have said it was exceedingly unlikely they would, and that if one was to be made available, it would be from some form of Special Episode or Event (like the one that awarded the Dyson Science Destroyer) or a new ship available through the upcoming Winter Event...
However, I also said I consider this extremely unlikely and that any new free ships would be either an instant T5U, or a T5 that is eligible for a free T5U upgrade...
Furthermore, just because there may be a 'precedent' set, does not mean that the same approach must be taken as a precedents are usually just used as a guideline for future decisions or actions... New 'precedents' can always be established also...
You're arguing semantics and took what I posted out of context... However, I'll bite...
The 'VA token' referred to here is a special 600 Day reward, and thus was not a general VA ship token provided to all players automatically upon reaching level 50, it was awarded for 600 days of active subscription only...
The 1000 day Veteran destroyer was a VA ship also yes, but there was no general VA token provided to all players upon reaching level 50 for this ship, just like the 600 day reward, it was a special reward...
Actually the VA ship token WAS a general VA ship token provided to ALL players automatically upon reaching level 50.
But as with so many other things, subscribers got screwed over with the F2P conversion. :rolleyes:
In fact, it was never planned to even be a Veteran reward at all with F2P, but the decision to remove the VA token caused such massive backlash that they had no other choice.
Actually the VA ship token WAS a general VA ship token provided to ALL players automatically upon reaching level 50.
But as with so many other things, subscribers got screwed over with the F2P conversion. :rolleyes:
In fact, it was never planned to even be a Veteran reward at all with F2P, but the decision to remove the VA token caused such massive backlash that they had no other choice.
This I was not aware of as I've only been playing since shortly after the transition to F2P...
Still doesn't change the current situation we're in, and something that was in practice some 2 years ago, under an entirely different payment structure, gives no foundation to demands for a free T6 ship now...
i think you over estimate how many people will be buying these new ships. just as there's thousands of players currently not in fleets or not using fleet ships there's thousands who won't be crafting gold gear and buying intel phantoms.
There will be people needing these ships, for PvE and especially PvP.
I am still wondering which mmos are offering better F2p perks then STO. My guess is either they are myths or belong to ancient mmos on their death beds. I love a mmo that came out in 01 and they are still nickel and diming their fan base. I know of no mmo that's as generous as STO. Even with the stupid lock boxes and time gates. They still work their assess off to get us voice actors and tell a decent story, or have a fun holiday for free. Sorry Senator, but I think you're incorrect. I could name several F2ps several Scifi genre several mmos that fit your definition of milking the customer, STO is not one.
Agreed. The only games I know of with a comparable F2P model are facebook games...
Agreed. The only games I know of with a comparable F2P model are facebook games...
OH BOY! FB java games applet or server version I use to play those and left them. You can't compare them to STO and the perks are worst. Of course those games you can add more than one shield 1, 2, 3, 4 max is 6. I think STO should offer you the same on Tier 6 or Tier 7 or better ship. Hard-code it into the programming. Or give the player more choices. If the ship is Tier 5-U they should get a new skin option or animated one like when you use Borg Consoles.
There will be people needing these ships, for PvE and especially PvP.
according to cryptic the game's dedicated pvp community is small, like kdf size small. we're not talking 50% here. the pve players are a mix of lts, a few subs, but mostly free players. a huge percentage of the players won't be buying these ships. you're not going to be the only guy without a t6 ship in the game. if the whale theory is right you're looking a most of the pve players not having a t6 ship or gold gear.
nobody is entitled to a free T6 ship let me make that clear, T5 to T5u upgrade is slightly different, now I know T5 ships were bought as is from the c-store with no promise of future upgrades likewise T5 ships given in events were also given as T5 without promise of future upgrades also, now it doesn't bother me that T6 ships are not being given away free at all.
what is upsetting is they clearly state in the Tier 5 Starship Upgrades announcement By LaughingTrendy Wed 27 Aug 2014 12:00:00 PM PDT
'When we first discussed increasing the level cap, one of the questions we first asked ourselves was “What happens to Tier 5 ships?”
Players have been invested in this tier of ships for 4 years and we wanted to avoid devaluing the time and money spent in obtaining them.
We wanted a fair solution instead of requiring players to absolutely need to obtain or purchase a whole new suite of starships for a new tier of content as we have in the past.'
now though they are not devaluing the free event ships by requiring players to complete some extra grind to upgrade them to T5u but they are devaluing many other T5 ships by putting a 500-1000zen price tag on the upgrade, this is completely going against what the state in the announcement above.
T5 to T5u upgrade should be free for all if they honor their own words.
When I think about everything we've been through together,
maybe it's not the destination that matters, maybe it's the journey,
and if that journey takes a little longer,
so we can do something we all believe in,
I can't think of any place I'd rather be or any people I'd rather be with.
t5 isn't devalued because they reconfigured the difficulty modes in the game to make certain that all upcoming content was playable in a t5 ship on the normal difficulty level. so you can keep on using your t5 ship on normal, and from what i've seen in the videos even advanced difficulty.
nobody is entitled to a free T6 ship let me make that clear, T5 to T5u upgrade is slightly different, now I know T5 ships were bought as is from the c-store with no promise of future upgrades likewise T5 ships given in events were also given as T5 without promise of future upgrades also, now it doesn't bother me that T6 ships are not being given away free at all.
what is upsetting is they clearly state in the Tier 5 Starship Upgrades announcement By LaughingTrendy Wed 27 Aug 2014 12:00:00 PM PDT
'When we first discussed increasing the level cap, one of the questions we first asked ourselves was What happens to Tier 5 ships?
Players have been invested in this tier of ships for 4 years and we wanted to avoid devaluing the time and money spent in obtaining them.
We wanted a fair solution instead of requiring players to absolutely need to obtain or purchase a whole new suite of starships for a new tier of content as we have in the past.'
now though they are not devaluing the free event ships by requiring players to complete some extra grind to upgrade them to T5u but they are devaluing many other T5 ships by putting a 500-1000zen price tag on the upgrade, this is completely going against what the state in the announcement above.
That's where I disagree...
If a T5.5 ship is 2500 zen, and a T6 is (for example) 3000 zen, I would consider it quite reasonable for there then to be a 500 zen cost on the upgrade token to T5U as this will then raise the effectiveness of that T5.5 to virtually T6 level...
People also have to remember, it's been said time and again, that the T5U tokens will be tradeable, in much the same way as Ship Modules are, meaning you won't even necessarily require zen to purchase them and, instead, just buy them off the exchange from those people who have decided to drop the zen...
The situation as is, I consider more than fair and reasonable... Cryptic are allowing us to use our T5.5 ships in a new tier of content, and all they're asking for is the balance of what it would cost to purchase a T6... They could have easily just said 'no, you bought it as T5.5, it stays T5.5'...
Comments
Really? Are you seriously making such a strawman argument as this?
It's a mechanic... It's not content...
Episodes are content...
STF's are content...
Battle Zones & Adventure Zones are content...
The new Ship Mastery system is a mechanic... I don't think you're going to miss much by not having this...
Besides, you are also entirely wrong in this statement... Many FREE ships from events such as the Winter & Summer events, as well all Lobi and LockBox ships - easily obtained off the exchange - are receiving FREE T5U upgrades...
You don't need to purchase a new ship with real money at all in order to experience Ship Mastery...
Seriously? Don't people actually read anymore?
Frankly, you and people like you is why we can't have anything nice anymore without paying every step of the way.
As by defending these cash grabs and shady buisness practices you encourage it.
But maybe your of the newer generation of gamers who simply don't know any better, while some of us actually remember a not too distant past where $10-15 a month pretty much entitled you to everything in an entire game, every piece of content, every game mechanic, every cosmetic trinket.
A time when game developers actually gave a damn about players and tried to deliver the best possible experience, and not consumed with squeezing them for every penny they could.
Luckily some game developers still do, but Cryptic certainly isn't one of them.
so it is but that does not change the fact that there will be no T6 given away for free no matter if your free to play monthly or lifetime subscribed, what you do get at level 50 same as everyone is the ability to upgrade T5 ships to T5u.
I predict it will at least Christmas 2015 before we see any free T6 ships, the only way you will get a T6 ship before then is to buy one from the c-store maybe get a fleet one or win one in a lockbox.
I believe cryptic will want the maximum number of sales possible before they even consider giving them away for free.
When I think about everything we've been through together,
maybe it's not the destination that matters, maybe it's the journey,
and if that journey takes a little longer,
so we can do something we all believe in,
I can't think of any place I'd rather be or any people I'd rather be with.
Defending cash grabs? No... I'm pragmatic enough to accept that businesses need to turn a profit...
I'm also pragmatic enough to consider that Cryptic are providing an ENTIRE EXPANSION FOR FREE...
They are not charging us the $50-$60 PLUS our subscription like World of War.craft - AAA MMO I'll add...
This is where your argument fails... AAA MMO's like WoW charge their subscribers for Xpacks... You buy the new Xpack... Subscription does NOT provide you unfettered access to the content, purchasing the Xpack gives you access, but you are then forced into paying a subscription to continue that unfettered access to the content...
So which model is more generous? STO's F2P model where you can play ALL base game content for FREE and then CHOOSE to purchase items off the CStore...
Or a AAA MMO model that FORCE YOU TO BUY the base game, and then FORCE YOU TO BUY the Xpacks, all the while FORCING YOU TO PAY your subscription...
I've been gaming for decades - cut my teeth on the old Atari consoles - so I've seen some of the best and worst of gaming...
STO is far from the worst, and I would not even consider them close to bad for 'cash grabs'...
Please direct me to a fairer more generous F2P model (outside of the PWE network) if you're actually trying to imply there's a fairer, more generous way to operate a F2P business model...
EDIT :
War.craft is censored? WTF?
Not precisely true, at least in ship terms.
Ships gained from the seasonal events get a free upgrade to T5u.
Thus, a player who has never spent money and, admittedly, has been around a few months has had an opportunity to get a new endgame ship.
Nor would I rule out the possibility of future event ships being either T6 or having the ability to slot specialized doffs.
Playing for free does require more commitment in terms of time to get to the baubles, but I can't in all honesty agree that the route does not exist.
Note that although only T6 ships will come with a Ship Trait (not T5-U), ships are not the only way to acquire Ship Traits. Ship Traits are not restricted to the ship. Its something you unlock for you captain and you can use on any ship. There will be other ways to unlock Ship Traits. More details on this soon.
Let us explore it... together. Each man hides a secret pain. It must be exposed and reckoned with. It must be dragged from the darkness and forced into the light. Share your pain. Share your pain with me... and gain strength from the sharing.
Exactly, all gold subscribers should get a token just like the VA token.
There was no VA token... There was no free level 50 ship outside of Veteran Rewards - the Veteran Destroyer is receiving a free T5U upgrade...
on coolheadal AKA "what are you babbling about" HUH? you make no sense.
Then why am I hearing "Warning: The new Elite mode is far and away the hardest content we have put into Star Trek Online. We expect you to not just be outfitted in great gear..."?
Indications from Tribble are that Elite is entirely doable with standard T5 ships, if the Captain is a capable one with good gear...
Besides, Elite STF's are the same content as Normal and Advanced, just with additional mandatory objectives (objectives which are optional in easier modes) and more difficult opponents... Though, yes, better rewards to reflect the added difficulty...
It's still the very same content, so you're not really missing anything if you never do them...
If you want a comparison, run a few episodes on Normal and then rerun them on Elite game difficulty... It will be a similar experience...
as far as the delta pack and delta rising debate, i think that's just a pve versus pvp player issue. pvp players are p2w while pve players are pay for enjoyment. if you only pvp then you probably feel like you need those ships. if you only pve then you buy what you want because you enjoy flying it. the missions are easy enough to do in any ship.
no one ever wins pvp versus pve arguments.
I do not care if they give us a free T6 ship or not. A T5U will be perfectly sufficient for your daily grind. If you want top performance you will have to buy the new OP ship they release a while after the new expansion anyway. (I hope it will be a KDF one this time.)
Subscriptions in the games i have seen so far give some free starter items that make leveling more convenient but hardly any endgame stuff. So if we can upgrade the Chimera for free that will be perfectly fine.
Same content, yes, but everyone else around me are gonna be tied up doing elite.
RIP
I was thinking the same
Let us explore it... together. Each man hides a secret pain. It must be exposed and reckoned with. It must be dragged from the darkness and forced into the light. Share your pain. Share your pain with me... and gain strength from the sharing.
There is a "VA Token" for anyone who qualifies for the 600 day "subscriber" / Veteran's reward...
Said token entitles the bearer to one of the C-store "Iconic Retrofits" only - Intrepid, Galaxy, or Defiant. It also doesn't "count" for the fleet upgrade "discount"... KDF gets B'Rel BoP, Varanus, Marauder flight-deck cruiser, or Kar'Fi carrier...
On that note, there is precedent for a "stock" T6 ship to be given out at L50 - using the Sci progression as I'm somewhat familiar with it - T1 Miranda, T2 Nova, T3 Olympus, T4 Intrepid, T5 Luna / DSSV...
So, a "freebie" T6 given at 50 isn't out of the question - or the standard progression. However, said "freebie" ship wouldn't be "on a par" with anything advertised so far, we're talking 10 console (4/3/3, 4 being the "class" console), Cmdr & Lt Cmdr of "class" (Sci ships get Sci officers), and a Lt of each class, with the "ship class" Lt maybe being given the intel powers access. Hull "identical" to the T5 "freebies", but with the growth inherent to T6. Mastery slot 5's "starship trait" would be a gimped version of what's on the C-store, 50% to 75% effective...
Being that most of the 100% "free" grind-event ships are of "fleet" T5.5 quality - converting to T5U11 spec, both Breen ships, both Risian ships, but the DSD is only a T5+1 quality - winding up as a T5U10... They'll probably be "stronger" than these "gimped" T6s, meaning most people might fly their freebie long enough for the ship trait then go back to T5U11 or C-store stuff. Of course, such a suggestion now, what with the time limit to pop a new wing of ships (we'd theoretically want one for each class / race combo, so 9 new ships total) out of the art department, the odds of this happening are astronomically slim...
To rob a line: [quote: Mariemaia Kushrenada] Forum Posting is much like an endless waltz. The three beats of war, peace and revolution continue on forever. However, opinions will change upon the reading of my post.[/quote]
You're arguing semantics and took what I posted out of context... However, I'll bite...
The 'VA token' referred to here is a special 600 Day reward, and thus was not a general VA ship token provided to all players automatically upon reaching level 50, it was awarded for 600 days of active subscription only...
The 1000 day Veteran destroyer was a VA ship also yes, but there was no general VA token provided to all players upon reaching level 50 for this ship, just like the 600 day reward, it was a special reward...
I have never said we will never receive a T6 ship, only that Cryptic have no obligation to provide us with one... I have said it was exceedingly unlikely they would, and that if one was to be made available, it would be from some form of Special Episode or Event (like the one that awarded the Dyson Science Destroyer) or a new ship available through the upcoming Winter Event...
However, I also said I consider this extremely unlikely and that any new free ships would be either an instant T5U, or a T5 that is eligible for a free T5U upgrade...
Furthermore, just because there may be a 'precedent' set, does not mean that the same approach must be taken as a precedents are usually just used as a guideline for future decisions or actions... New 'precedents' can always be established also...
Actually the VA ship token WAS a general VA ship token provided to ALL players automatically upon reaching level 50.
But as with so many other things, subscribers got screwed over with the F2P conversion. :rolleyes:
In fact, it was never planned to even be a Veteran reward at all with F2P, but the decision to remove the VA token caused such massive backlash that they had no other choice.
This I was not aware of as I've only been playing since shortly after the transition to F2P...
Still doesn't change the current situation we're in, and something that was in practice some 2 years ago, under an entirely different payment structure, gives no foundation to demands for a free T6 ship now...
There will be people needing these ships, for PvE and especially PvP.
My character Tsin'xing
OH BOY! FB java games applet or server version I use to play those and left them. You can't compare them to STO and the perks are worst. Of course those games you can add more than one shield 1, 2, 3, 4 max is 6. I think STO should offer you the same on Tier 6 or Tier 7 or better ship. Hard-code it into the programming. Or give the player more choices. If the ship is Tier 5-U they should get a new skin option or animated one like when you use Borg Consoles.
Time will only tell!
what is upsetting is they clearly state in the Tier 5 Starship Upgrades announcement By LaughingTrendy Wed 27 Aug 2014 12:00:00 PM PDT
'When we first discussed increasing the level cap, one of the questions we first asked ourselves was “What happens to Tier 5 ships?”
Players have been invested in this tier of ships for 4 years and we wanted to avoid devaluing the time and money spent in obtaining them.
We wanted a fair solution instead of requiring players to absolutely need to obtain or purchase a whole new suite of starships for a new tier of content as we have in the past.'
now though they are not devaluing the free event ships by requiring players to complete some extra grind to upgrade them to T5u but they are devaluing many other T5 ships by putting a 500-1000zen price tag on the upgrade, this is completely going against what the state in the announcement above.
T5 to T5u upgrade should be free for all if they honor their own words.
When I think about everything we've been through together,
maybe it's not the destination that matters, maybe it's the journey,
and if that journey takes a little longer,
so we can do something we all believe in,
I can't think of any place I'd rather be or any people I'd rather be with.
If people are gonna need T5U and T6 for all but Elite mode STF PVE content, the problem is not the ship they are using...
That's where I disagree...
If a T5.5 ship is 2500 zen, and a T6 is (for example) 3000 zen, I would consider it quite reasonable for there then to be a 500 zen cost on the upgrade token to T5U as this will then raise the effectiveness of that T5.5 to virtually T6 level...
People also have to remember, it's been said time and again, that the T5U tokens will be tradeable, in much the same way as Ship Modules are, meaning you won't even necessarily require zen to purchase them and, instead, just buy them off the exchange from those people who have decided to drop the zen...
The situation as is, I consider more than fair and reasonable... Cryptic are allowing us to use our T5.5 ships in a new tier of content, and all they're asking for is the balance of what it would cost to purchase a T6... They could have easily just said 'no, you bought it as T5.5, it stays T5.5'...