Did they change things again? Wiki says "20% faster subsystem and hull repair"
Nope. In-game: +20 resistance rating to subsystem offline, +3% hull regen/min in combat, +5% out of combat. Decent enough, but the wiki's wording doesn't seem quite right.
So "Holistic" advice is not as valuable or important? Thanks. Got it. I remember now why I lurk here instead of posting.
My advice is intended to remind the new player this is a game. Not a lifestyle choice.
I never said the holistic type of advice was less valuable or important. Creating assumptions about others can be bad for you and them; especially when all you have to go by is black and white text on a page.
Sometimes I think I play STO just to have something to complain about on the forums.
I've finished the Tutorial, and upgraded my ship's, character's and crew's gear with the loot that dropped or that I received from the Tutorial. I have spent no ECs.
I got through the Tutorial without my ship blowing up (though it got really close once). It turns out that I indeed had to press the spacebar to get my weapons to start Autofiring.
I managed to transfer 1.7M EC to my new character. I couldn't Access the Account Bank because I have no slots so I sold a Medium Hypo to my old character on the Exchange. Yup, it worked.
Can I start with the Delta Arc so that I can get The Potato?
~~~~~
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
You can start the Delta arc, after a fashion. Though it will require you to skip pretty much everything along the way, just so you know. And what few episodes that can't be skipped pretty much are "go to the place and talk to the bloke" sort of deals. They do give small amounts of exp just so you know. Though you might be biting off more than you can chew if you're wanting to play the mission that nets you the "potato head dude".
Resident TOS, G.I. Joe, Transformers and hair metal fangirl.
You can start the Delta arc, after a fashion. Though it will require you to skip pretty much everything along the way, just so you know. And what few episodes that can't be skipped pretty much are "go to the place and talk to the bloke" sort of deals. They do give small amounts of exp just so you know. Though you might be biting off more than you can chew if you're wanting to play the mission that nets you the "potato head dude".
Okely-Dokely! The Klingon War it is.
~~~~~
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
Just an FYI - when you are outfitting your ship, there are certain consoles that really help, especially in early play.
If, for example, you're using mostly Phasers, you'll want a Phaser Relay in your Tactical Console slot. There's a console for each weapon type and some universal that are not as good but still help some if you end up with mixed beams types. https://sto.gamepedia.com/Tactical_Consoles
In the mean time, if you have a helpful Fleet mate, or really just any kind player at-large, who can make and send you a few easy to R & D items like the ones I mentioned here, it will help you even more from seeing plasma blooms.
I can even do if you don't already have someone to help you out. I've sent you a PM from this board, and can send you some Mark II gear. Just need your hat and shoe size.
In the mean time, if you have a helpful Fleet mate, or really just any kind player at-large, who can make and send you a few easy to R & D items like the ones I mentioned here, it will help you even more from seeing plasma blooms.
I can even do if you don't already have someone to help you out. I've sent you a PM from this board, and can send you some Mark II gear. Just need your hat and shoe size.
Phasor Relay in the Tactical Console slot, Shield Emitter Amplifier in the Science Console slot, and SIF Generator in the Engineering Console slot, I have made a note of this.
I probably won't be spending a lot of ECs on this ship, seeing as how it's my starter ship, and I'll be getting a better ship soon. I'll just upgrade my ship's gear with loot and Mission Completion bonus gear. Then again, maybe I'll check the Exchange to see what the prices currently are for these items. It never hurts to look.
At what level can I begin R + D? And what is the best way to go about it? What type of stuff can you make with R + D? On my first character, R + D was available but I wasn't sure what to do and how to go about it.
~~~~~
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
In the mean time, if you have a helpful Fleet mate, or really just any kind player at-large, who can make and send you a few easy to R & D items like the ones I mentioned here, it will help you even more from seeing plasma blooms.
I can even do if you don't already have someone to help you out. I've sent you a PM from this board, and can send you some Mark II gear. Just need your hat and shoe size.
Phasor Relay in the Tactical Console slot, Shield Emitter Amplifier in the Science Console slot, and SIF Generator in the Engineering Console slot, I have made a note of this.
I probably won't be spending a lot of ECs on this ship, seeing as how it's my starter ship, and I'll be getting a better ship soon. I'll just upgrade my ship's gear with loot and Mission Completion bonus gear. Then again, maybe I'll check the Exchange to see what the prices currently are for these items. It never hurts to look.
At what level can I begin R + D? And what is the best way to go about it? What type of stuff can you make with R + D? On my first character, R + D was available but I wasn't sure what to do and how to go about it.
The R&D system unlocks for all players once they reach level 15.
One of the great thing about Consoles, like SIF or Shld Emit Amps is if you can get a Mark II VG ( purple ) and you can level them as you level, you can always use them, especially of they end up as an Account Item and not just a Character Item.
To save you from spending EC on a less helpful item, I want to hammer home that Tac Consoles, unless you choose a Directed Energy Distribution Manifold, https://sto.gamepedia.com/Console_-_Tactical_-_Directed_Energy_Distribution_Manifold
which helps boost every type of beam weapon, just not as much as a Console for one of the six specific types of Energy Beam used in the game, you need to make or buy the right kind of Console for your beam or beams.
A Phaser Relay does even more damage per hit, but only for Phaser Weapons. It adds no bonus damage for a Plasma Beam or an Antiproton Beam. If you can make sure all of you beams are Phasers, then, by all means, stick with Phaser Arrays as you level up.
Finally, having as many Very Good, At Level ( Mark II to level 10, Mark IV to level 20, Mark VI to level 30 etc ) items on you Ship and Captain will make you game play experience easier and, IMHO, more enjoyable.
100% to weapons. 25 to shields, 50 to engines & 25 to aux for most folks, you can play with the 3 settings to your pref. But this game is all about blowing stuff up so always 100% to weapons, unless your doing torp boat then you can lower it.
I am now Level 5, and my next Episode is Researcher Rescue. I have my first Skill Point. Which Skill would be the best choice for it?
I did a little better with scanning for and finding anomalies. I couldn't match a few of the wavelengths in time, but the majority were successful.
Is there a way to transfer all of my R+D components from my old character to my new character (Dilithium included)?
Man, that Undine ship kicked my backside! I was able to target a few of the Undine torpedoes and blow them up before they got me, but my ship still blew up 4 or 5 times until I realized that I could just let the Fed NPC ships handle it while I find anomalies. Does that make me a bad person?
~~~~~
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
I am now Level 5, and my next Episode is Researcher Rescue. I have my first Skill Point. Which Skill would be the best choice for it?
Usually just a point or two into energy weapons and projectiles is where I start (providing you plan to use torpedoes). If you have a boff ability that restores hull (i.e. Hazard Emitters) a point into hull restoration helps as well as a next step. Once you get a ability that heals shields put a point into shield restoration. You won't need any more than a single point into each of the very first row aside from weapons at least for now.
Ignore that flashing thing in the upper LH of the screen urging you to spend skill points. It's not a requirement to spend them as you get them. **Get some advice on the more important parts of your skill tree if there's anything you don't understand. Have a plan and avoid a respec**
Is there a way to transfer all of my R+D components from my old character to my new character (Dilithium included)?
You could mail them or use an account bank, maybe even use that exchange trick. There is a limit to the number of mails with items attached. Tbh, you end up with quite a few R&D items pretty quick as you play. The dil you can transfer via the dil exchange. You make an offer to buy zen at 25 dil per zen then change characters and cancel the offer. Practice with a small amount first.[/quote]
Man, that Undine ship kicked my backside! I was able to target a few of the Undine torpedoes and blow them up before they got me, but my ship still blew up 4 or 5 times until I realized that I could just let the Fed NPC ships handle it while I find anomalies. Does that make me a bad person?
lol no... I manage to blow up on a regular basis. Then I stare at my ship's boff ability tray and take note of all the things I could have done to not blow up... Later in the game it's fashionable to time things so that you blow up as you're warping out of a completed queue so that you can share your glorious death with others.
Edit: When you get to about this step in your spec it's time to ask for some help as you'll have to decide between a balanced or tactical ultimate build.
I am now Level 5, and my next Episode is Researcher Rescue. I have my first Skill Point. Which Skill would be the best choice for it?
unless you're doing a specialized build... any of the tier one skills is fine.
I did a little better with scanning for and finding anomalies. I couldn't match a few of the wavelengths in time, but the majority were successful.
finding them is easy push V and look to find what the scan beam is pointing at. The mini-game... I match amplitude then wave length. It just takes a bit of practice, also use arrow keys not mouse.
Is there a way to transfer all of my R+D components from my old character to my new character (Dilithium included)?
You can mail the items, dil needs to be transferred via the dil exchange, but you probably don't NEED to do that on a lowbie.
Man, that Undine ship kicked my backside! I was able to target a few of the Undine torpedoes and blow them up before they got me, but my ship still blew up 4 or 5 times until I realized that I could just let the Fed NPC ships handle it while I find anomalies. Does that make me a bad person?
Honestly? The mission script says that your objective is to avoid dying while the NPCs deal with the Undine ship.... Actually fighting the Dread is going off-script.
I'm now Level 6, and about to start 'Secret Orders'. God, I hate that Briar Patch!
During the previous mission, you take your Away Team down to Kassae IV (on the planet). The Scan told me that there were 4 Anomalies in the area. I found 3 no problem, but couldn't find the 4th. The light from the Scan is pointing at the dead body on the ground. I scan the Remains, but another scan says that there is still 1 Anomaly to find. After 10 minutes of running around trying to find it, I gave up.
~~~~~
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
OP, saw this thread earlier and I have been following it. Lots of very-smart-about-STO people have posted great advice. So there is no need for me to repeat what has already been posted. I do have some advice though.
Don't forget to have fun while playing STO.
"Well, jeez, TF! That's okay to write and all but just how does somebody know they're having fun while playing STO?"
- You really enjoyed the STO session you just finished and you can't wait until next time to play STO again.
- You finally got enough Dil or Zen together to buy That Ship You Always Wanted and it performs exactly like you hoped it would.
- You just finished a STF, excuse me...TFO, where you did not feel like everyone else had to tote you along as a handicap.
- You met some good people while ingame and you joined the Fleet they're in so you can hang out ingame together more often.
- You tried something different with a ship build and it worked out the way you expected.
- You tried something different with a ship build and it did not work. But the results are hilariously funny to use and watch.
- Your Fleeties are...almost...bigger Trek Nerds than you are and all of you enjoy the friendly rivalry.
- You get to play STO with people you never expected to or you have very little in common with and you find you really have fun having something in common with them.
- You have a bad day and logging in to STO immediately removes the negative energy.
- Ad Infinitum
There are lots of things about STO which are not optimal. But in the end it is a game. From the thirty thousand foot view they are actually minor. STO should not ever be allowed to become a lifestyle choice. So remember to stay calm and keep having fun while playing STO. Because having fun means you are...drumroll...Winning The Game!
That's my two bars of latinum on this topic, OP. I will now return you to the people who are smarter than I am about STO.
This is pure gold.
Also plenty of resources to help you improve your performance both space and ground wise can be found at the DPS League's site. Google "STO DPS LEAGUE" on google.
Joining the dps channels ingame will help you immensely into being an (even) better captain when it comes to utility and combat.
I'm now Level 6, and about to start 'Secret Orders'. God, I hate that Briar Patch!
During the previous mission, you take your Away Team down to Kassae IV (on the planet). The Scan told me that there were 4 Anomalies in the area. I found 3 no problem, but couldn't find the 4th. The light from the Scan is pointing at the dead body on the ground. I scan the Remains, but another scan says that there is still 1 Anomaly to find. After 10 minutes of running around trying to find it, I gave up.
Yeah. That one is a pain to find. I usually skip that one, too. It's some where far out of the way behind some bushes if I'm remembering correctly. Don't worry, there are a few missions coming up with 4 or 5 chances to gather Matts in space. Always easier, but often far apart.
BTW - Has Spock spoken to you yet? Usually, by about this point he's offered a bit of narration. For classic Trekies, it's usually a thrill the first time they hear it. If you look for a PADD in you inventory, you can replay those narrations back.
Also, Warp speed is supposed to feel fast, but Warp 6.6 and 7.5 usually feel like riding a tricycle cross-country ( The US, Canada, Australia, The EU).
BTW - Has Spock spoken to you yet? Usually, by about this point he's offered a bit of narration. For classic Trekies, it's usually a thrill the first time they hear it. If you look for a PADD in you inventory, you can replay those narrations back.
Yeah, I have a couple of 'entries' on the PADD. It is so very cool to hear Leonard Nimoy's voice again (R.I.P.).
~~~~~
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
When it comes to Aft Weapons on my ship, are my choices just Phasers or Mines?
For aft weapons your best choice (from a damage dealt perspective) would be another (phaser) beam array if using beams, another turret if using cannons up front, a rear torpedo, with mines coming in last. Use whatever is fun for you though and experiment with different things... some like a torp front and rear and even though this will usually cost you damage dealt at end game a rear torp can be quite effective and satisfying for missions and normal level queues.
Which type of ships' weapons are the best (Most dmg, acc, etc.)?
Any combination of CrtD and Dmg. If using crafted weapons [Pen] as well. Do you really need to be fussy at your rank? No, not unless you plan on upgrading your Mk II VR weapons as you rank up and keeping them. Really anything will work just fine and you won't notice any difference until level 50 plus and have collected some more pieces of gear to get those weapons firing nice.
Keep in mind you can re-engineer weapons but modifiers granted via crafting such as [Pen] can't be added later. Other crafting modifiers such as snare or overload aren't worth it.
Read about firing ARCs and Broadsiding. A Miranda with 3 Beams and might be better for Broadsiding, but a torp can be used since she has a good turn rate.
A Turret does little damage but has a 360 ARC so it's always facing the enemy ship.
You can make any weapon type do enough DPS to get through any mission, but if you stick to one type of weapon and push the damage to it's limit. For a very long time, the DPS experts had decided that Antiproton was the one beam that could push the limits of beams and even insta-kill the toughest enemies with a single Broadside. I'm actually not sure if it's still Antiproton or not, but it was for ages.
I cannot do this, so you will need an expert if you wish to go down that path. I have one Captain with one ship that's all AP and in my hands it not any better than my all Phaser Ship. And for the flavor of Star Trek, it feels wrong to go without a torpedo of some sort - IMHO.
If you're current ship is a Tier 1 Light Cruiser, one beam fore and aft, 1 photon torpedo fore. You're not wrong to stick with phaser. There are lots of things that buff it and give set bonuses available through missions later on.
So I pretty much have everything transferred from my old captain to my new captain. I tried to loot the gear off of my old captain's ships, but apparently, all of that gear is equipped on another ship (WTF?).
My new captain has over 10k Refined Dilithium to start with.
~~~~~
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
<snip> I tried to loot the gear off of my old captain's ships, but apparently, all of that gear is equipped on another ship
This isn't unusual especially if you used ship load outs. The game remembers where things were last time you used the ship and show's you an image placard that should even include what ship the item is on or if it's in your bank. Time for a visit to the shipyard to check all your ships. If there are account bound items you want to transfer the only way would be via an account bank.
"Old" captains can be handy for turning in contraband, storage, etc.
Comments
I never said the holistic type of advice was less valuable or important. Creating assumptions about others can be bad for you and them; especially when all you have to go by is black and white text on a page.
I got through the Tutorial without my ship blowing up (though it got really close once). It turns out that I indeed had to press the spacebar to get my weapons to start Autofiring.
I managed to transfer 1.7M EC to my new character. I couldn't Access the Account Bank because I have no slots so I sold a Medium Hypo to my old character on the Exchange. Yup, it worked.
Can I start with the Delta Arc so that I can get The Potato?
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
~~~~~
And knowing is half the battle!
21 'til I die!
Okely-Dokely! The Klingon War it is.
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
~~~~~
If, for example, you're using mostly Phasers, you'll want a Phaser Relay in your Tactical Console slot. There's a console for each weapon type and some universal that are not as good but still help some if you end up with mixed beams types.
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Tactical_Consoles
My favorite Engineering Console is the SIF Generator. It will help keep your ship from going KER-BLAM so much.
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Engineering_Consoles
My favorite Science Console is Shield Emitter Amplifier.
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Science_Consoles
Eventually you'll be able to make your own gear that you can just give to your next beginner level Captain.
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Research_and_Development
In the mean time, if you have a helpful Fleet mate, or really just any kind player at-large, who can make and send you a few easy to R & D items like the ones I mentioned here, it will help you even more from seeing plasma blooms.
I can even do if you don't already have someone to help you out. I've sent you a PM from this board, and can send you some Mark II gear. Just need your hat and shoe size.
And knowing is half the battle!
21 'til I die!
Phasor Relay in the Tactical Console slot, Shield Emitter Amplifier in the Science Console slot, and SIF Generator in the Engineering Console slot, I have made a note of this.
I probably won't be spending a lot of ECs on this ship, seeing as how it's my starter ship, and I'll be getting a better ship soon. I'll just upgrade my ship's gear with loot and Mission Completion bonus gear. Then again, maybe I'll check the Exchange to see what the prices currently are for these items. It never hurts to look.
At what level can I begin R + D? And what is the best way to go about it? What type of stuff can you make with R + D? On my first character, R + D was available but I wasn't sure what to do and how to go about it.
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
~~~~~
The R&D system unlocks for all players once they reach level 15.
One of the great thing about Consoles, like SIF or Shld Emit Amps is if you can get a Mark II VG ( purple ) and you can level them as you level, you can always use them, especially of they end up as an Account Item and not just a Character Item.
To save you from spending EC on a less helpful item, I want to hammer home that Tac Consoles, unless you choose a Directed Energy Distribution Manifold,
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Console_-_Tactical_-_Directed_Energy_Distribution_Manifold
which helps boost every type of beam weapon, just not as much as a Console for one of the six specific types of Energy Beam used in the game, you need to make or buy the right kind of Console for your beam or beams.
A Phaser Relay does even more damage per hit, but only for Phaser Weapons. It adds no bonus damage for a Plasma Beam or an Antiproton Beam. If you can make sure all of you beams are Phasers, then, by all means, stick with Phaser Arrays as you level up.
Finally, having as many Very Good, At Level ( Mark II to level 10, Mark IV to level 20, Mark VI to level 30 etc ) items on you Ship and Captain will make you game play experience easier and, IMHO, more enjoyable.
Cheers!
Which Ground Skills should I train my crew in to make an effective Away Team?
That's a great video about R+D. I bookmarked it for future reference.
I've been looking but I can't find the PM. I even checked in-game. The only message in my Forum Inbox is from November of last year.
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
~~~~~
I see what did wrong. Seems I was talking to myself. But were good now.
I did a little better with scanning for and finding anomalies. I couldn't match a few of the wavelengths in time, but the majority were successful.
Is there a way to transfer all of my R+D components from my old character to my new character (Dilithium included)?
Man, that Undine ship kicked my backside! I was able to target a few of the Undine torpedoes and blow them up before they got me, but my ship still blew up 4 or 5 times until I realized that I could just let the Fed NPC ships handle it while I find anomalies. Does that make me a bad person?
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
~~~~~
Ignore that flashing thing in the upper LH of the screen urging you to spend skill points. It's not a requirement to spend them as you get them. **Get some advice on the more important parts of your skill tree if there's anything you don't understand. Have a plan and avoid a respec**
You could mail them or use an account bank, maybe even use that exchange trick. There is a limit to the number of mails with items attached. Tbh, you end up with quite a few R&D items pretty quick as you play. The dil you can transfer via the dil exchange. You make an offer to buy zen at 25 dil per zen then change characters and cancel the offer. Practice with a small amount first.[/quote]
lol no... I manage to blow up on a regular basis. Then I stare at my ship's boff ability tray and take note of all the things I could have done to not blow up...
Edit: When you get to about this step in your spec it's time to ask for some help as you'll have to decide between a balanced or tactical ultimate build.
My character Tsin'xing
Whoops! Sorry. My new Captain is Tactical.
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
~~~~~
During the previous mission, you take your Away Team down to Kassae IV (on the planet). The Scan told me that there were 4 Anomalies in the area. I found 3 no problem, but couldn't find the 4th. The light from the Scan is pointing at the dead body on the ground. I scan the Remains, but another scan says that there is still 1 Anomaly to find. After 10 minutes of running around trying to find it, I gave up.
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
~~~~~
This is pure gold.
Also plenty of resources to help you improve your performance both space and ground wise can be found at the DPS League's site. Google "STO DPS LEAGUE" on google.
Joining the dps channels ingame will help you immensely into being an (even) better captain when it comes to utility and combat.
Yeah. That one is a pain to find. I usually skip that one, too. It's some where far out of the way behind some bushes if I'm remembering correctly. Don't worry, there are a few missions coming up with 4 or 5 chances to gather Matts in space. Always easier, but often far apart.
BTW - Has Spock spoken to you yet? Usually, by about this point he's offered a bit of narration. For classic Trekies, it's usually a thrill the first time they hear it. If you look for a PADD in you inventory, you can replay those narrations back.
Also, Warp speed is supposed to feel fast, but Warp 6.6 and 7.5 usually feel like riding a tricycle cross-country ( The US, Canada, Australia, The EU).
And, still, Scotty's convince we're going too fast.
Yeah, I have a couple of 'entries' on the PADD. It is so very cool to hear Leonard Nimoy's voice again (R.I.P.).
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
~~~~~
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
~~~~~
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
~~~~~
Any combination of CrtD and Dmg. If using crafted weapons [Pen] as well. Do you really need to be fussy at your rank? No, not unless you plan on upgrading your Mk II VR weapons as you rank up and keeping them. Really anything will work just fine and you won't notice any difference until level 50 plus and have collected some more pieces of gear to get those weapons firing nice.
Keep in mind you can re-engineer weapons but modifiers granted via crafting such as [Pen] can't be added later. Other crafting modifiers such as snare or overload aren't worth it.
Except for some canons that must be forward firing, you can put most weapons back there.
You're still in a Miranda, so a beam are probably best, but a torp can work as long as you remember to turn your back to your enemy to fire it.
Here -
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Ship_weapon
Read about firing ARCs and Broadsiding. A Miranda with 3 Beams and might be better for Broadsiding, but a torp can be used since she has a good turn rate.
A Turret does little damage but has a 360 ARC so it's always facing the enemy ship.
The short answer is none are best.
The other short answer is: Antiproton.
Have another look at:
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Ship_weapon
You can make any weapon type do enough DPS to get through any mission, but if you stick to one type of weapon and push the damage to it's limit. For a very long time, the DPS experts had decided that Antiproton was the one beam that could push the limits of beams and even insta-kill the toughest enemies with a single Broadside. I'm actually not sure if it's still Antiproton or not, but it was for ages.
I cannot do this, so you will need an expert if you wish to go down that path. I have one Captain with one ship that's all AP and in my hands it not any better than my all Phaser Ship. And for the flavor of Star Trek, it feels wrong to go without a torpedo of some sort - IMHO.
https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/3c3e5d8a-e211-452a-a3c4-d62adf87ec1f
My new captain has over 10k Refined Dilithium to start with.
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
~~~~~
"Old" captains can be handy for turning in contraband, storage, etc.