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Probe systems-- a classic part of Star Trek

eternum2017eternum2017 Member Posts: 7 Arc User
I've been looking and looking and I can't believe that not one ability or anything makes use of the probe launchers on a starship! (okay I know a few science abilities say a probe launcher is involved but it isn't really a 'probe launcher' ability, it's a special probe that does something else)

The probe launcher is one of those iconic star trek "dirty tricks": Enemy commanders never seem to expect an overloaded probe when they drop shields to transport onto your ship and take it over, for example.

I think a suite of commander abilities should be added to show just how this versatile, classic system would be used, and abused, by commanders of varying backgrounds.

Tactical officers would use overloaded probes or probes loaded with photon torpedo warheads. Science officers would use probes like those mentioned in scramble sensors as a vehicle for an exotic energy emitter (or might even use them *gasp* as intended to gather information about their surroundings, granting a accuracy, critical hit or critical severity boost for them and their team). Engineering captains would use probes as remote controlled devices, to interact with the engineering systems of allies, to transfer power or bolster their energy-using systems (maybe a probe that feeds energy modulation information back to allies to improve their shield penetration?)


I think the "dirty trick" flavor of using a normally innocuous system to ruin an enemy's day fits into the concept of Intelligence abilities and officers strongly as well, and it might be worth adding in some intel Boff abilities that make use of the probe launchers.

Comments

  • makburemakbure Member Posts: 422 Arc User
    edited March 2015
    I think viral matrix is Cryptic's nod to the probe in the series, but that's really it. There isn't any kind of game mechanic that supports an expanded purpose probe.

    I'd like to see one though, multi purpose probes that scan, extend targeting range for out of combat stuff, basically a snap shot of the map with large range.
    -Makbure
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