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A Cardassian Republic (to be renamed)
flash525
Member Posts: 5,441 Arc User
The Cardassians are quite possibly going to be the next faction/mini faction released for this game. Be that within the next 6-12 months, or within the next three or so years is all speculation at the moment (though in truth, it is speculation that the Cardassians are next; though it's a fair, reasonable and practical bet).
It's obvious to me now that (regardless of how I might feel about it) we're never going to get any more true independent factions, and that any future faction released will follow suit via the way that the Romulans were introduced.
This brings me to the Cardassians, and what could/should be included;
Races:
* Cardassian
* Jem Hadar
* * Two versions; one Bridge Officer, the other Character Unlock; would work the same as a Caitian/Ferasan Purchase
* Bajoran-Cardassian Hybrid (C-Store Unlock that gives a 5% discount on the DS9 Bundle when purchased)
* * I say the discount, cause (due to some extra nose ridges and traits, these hybrids wont be that much different from an actual Cardassian, add to the fact it would potentially get more people to buy the DS9 Bundle)
* * * If the DS9 Bundle has already been purchased, then you get a 10% discount off this
Bundle Pack:
* Son'a (hear me out) ~ we know they were aiding with the Dominion during the war (though I don't believe it was ever made official that they had allied with them; only that they were producing ketracel white), but I got the impression from Insurrection that they (the Son'a) are few in number compared to other powers. They could potentially merge with a newly formed Cardassian Republic, especially considering how they were left in Insurrection as less aggressive? Failing a merge, they could merely share interests.
Just to summarize here, the Son'a Bundle would cost the same as any other Bundle, would include the Son'a (as playable) alongside the Ellora and Tarlac (as Bridge & Duty Officers) and the Collector Ship as a retrofitted Science/Carrier (much alike the Atrox).
The Command Cruiser (what would become an escort?) and the Battleship (which would become a cruiser?) should already be available.
Theme:
Our story should start on Cardassia, and tell of the rebuilding following the Dominion War. You'd have your big city (equivalent to Earth Space Dock/First City), you'd also have your Academy (which I think should be set on one of Cardassia's Moons, under domes or in caves etc) and then finally, a Monak-style Shipyard. There should also be (somewhere on Cardassia) a memorial location (much alike the one in Sirrus for Wolf 359) just this one is on the ground and is for those fallen Cardassians of the Dominion War (specifically those that lost their lives at the hands of the Dominion when they went about destroying Cardassian cities).
Your first set of missions would be reaching out to other Cardassian colonies; trying to further restructure the former empire. You'd tangle with a couple of Breen, Jem Hadar, Klingon and True Way forces. As you venture on out, you'd have a bit more depth to a Dividian story (that all started with the Cardassians, would be nice to explore some more).
You'd have further storylines that focus on the Klingons (the Cardassians and Klingons have never truly gotten along) and we'd get some Cardassian involvement with the Tholian; as far as we currently have, there is no specific Tholian missions (aside from them showing up occasionally here and there). Seeing as Cryptic went to all that work with the Elatchi, we could always have a couple of episodes with them too.
I've got some more notes written down on this somewhere, but I seem to have misplaced them. Thus I'll leave the idea here for now and see what you guys think thus far.
It's obvious to me now that (regardless of how I might feel about it) we're never going to get any more true independent factions, and that any future faction released will follow suit via the way that the Romulans were introduced.
This brings me to the Cardassians, and what could/should be included;
Races:
* Cardassian
* Jem Hadar
* * Two versions; one Bridge Officer, the other Character Unlock; would work the same as a Caitian/Ferasan Purchase
* Bajoran-Cardassian Hybrid (C-Store Unlock that gives a 5% discount on the DS9 Bundle when purchased)
* * I say the discount, cause (due to some extra nose ridges and traits, these hybrids wont be that much different from an actual Cardassian, add to the fact it would potentially get more people to buy the DS9 Bundle)
* * * If the DS9 Bundle has already been purchased, then you get a 10% discount off this
Bundle Pack:
* Son'a (hear me out) ~ we know they were aiding with the Dominion during the war (though I don't believe it was ever made official that they had allied with them; only that they were producing ketracel white), but I got the impression from Insurrection that they (the Son'a) are few in number compared to other powers. They could potentially merge with a newly formed Cardassian Republic, especially considering how they were left in Insurrection as less aggressive? Failing a merge, they could merely share interests.
Just to summarize here, the Son'a Bundle would cost the same as any other Bundle, would include the Son'a (as playable) alongside the Ellora and Tarlac (as Bridge & Duty Officers) and the Collector Ship as a retrofitted Science/Carrier (much alike the Atrox).
The Command Cruiser (what would become an escort?) and the Battleship (which would become a cruiser?) should already be available.
Theme:
Our story should start on Cardassia, and tell of the rebuilding following the Dominion War. You'd have your big city (equivalent to Earth Space Dock/First City), you'd also have your Academy (which I think should be set on one of Cardassia's Moons, under domes or in caves etc) and then finally, a Monak-style Shipyard. There should also be (somewhere on Cardassia) a memorial location (much alike the one in Sirrus for Wolf 359) just this one is on the ground and is for those fallen Cardassians of the Dominion War (specifically those that lost their lives at the hands of the Dominion when they went about destroying Cardassian cities).
Your first set of missions would be reaching out to other Cardassian colonies; trying to further restructure the former empire. You'd tangle with a couple of Breen, Jem Hadar, Klingon and True Way forces. As you venture on out, you'd have a bit more depth to a Dividian story (that all started with the Cardassians, would be nice to explore some more).
You'd have further storylines that focus on the Klingons (the Cardassians and Klingons have never truly gotten along) and we'd get some Cardassian involvement with the Tholian; as far as we currently have, there is no specific Tholian missions (aside from them showing up occasionally here and there). Seeing as Cryptic went to all that work with the Elatchi, we could always have a couple of episodes with them too.
I've got some more notes written down on this somewhere, but I seem to have misplaced them. Thus I'll leave the idea here for now and see what you guys think thus far.
Post edited by flash525 on
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Comments
I like the thought you have going here. However, I think because the game still calls them the Cardassian Union (primarily because they have been rebuilding with the help of the federation), the name should and probably will remain Cardassian Union.
As for the playable races, I agree with having Cardassians (default) and Cardassian-Bajoran hybrids, as there are examples of them in the history. The only discrepancy that I have here is the inclusion of the Jem'Hadar. The Jem'Hadar only appear with the Cardassians as part of the True Way terrorist group. I personally think that they shouldn't be included with the good Cardassians. We all know though that there will be a Cardassian liberated borg introduced.
I like the thought on the missions, but I'd like to include that the Devidian story would probably be a late start for the Cardassians in order to match them up with the rest of the factions. They'd also have access to all the Featured episodes that the other factions have now, especially with there being a Cardassian in the Temporal Ambassador episode. And like what Cryptic did for the Romulan episodes, the 2800 series could be totally adapted to show the Cardassians paying it forward after being helped to recover themselves.
Ships: Assuming that the Devs stick to the 2 faction system for PvP purposes, we'll have another alliance system coming, so it'll be the same offerings as the Romulans have for allies. I'll come back to edit this in the morning.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
It'd give a taste of the bad side which some people would like. I don't know how mission replay would work for this though.
It it really plausible to make a Cardassain faction?
That is... could we really explain away thousands of toons suddenly appearing in the quadrant with enough firepower to collectively take on the federation again?
True, though hopefully we'd get a bit more variety with customization.
The Dominion War ended in 2375, we're currently playing in 2409. This is a good 30-35 years following the war.
After WW1/WW2 Germany weren't allowed a military. They've got one now.
like what and what ever you come up with if romulans dont have it ya that going to go over well with romulan players
system Lord Baal is dead
True, but no the war machine they cranked up leading to the invasion of Poland....
I suppose because they are Cardassians they could build an almighty overwhelming force for no real reason other than combatting the true way(they did it with the Maquis).
but to then suddenly turn their guns on the federation or Klingon empire? That whole path seems.... Un-Cardassain... Licking boots is WAY more Mirror Cardassain than Prime Cardassian "pride."
What about Feds with cloaking and the Treaty of Algeron
http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Algeron
Just because there was treaty then does not mean it exists now. It just takes someone to come up with a story to give it a basic level of credability.
Whilst everything you've said stands to reason, Cryptic have already gone this route with the Republic. D'Tan and his followers (and your characters) have broken away from the former Empire and have (even though they're made out to be peaceful) turned their guns on the Federation and/or Klingons.
There is no logic there, and for the sake of gameplay, we'd only be applying the same logic here.
As far as the storyline is concerned, I think we'd need more information on how the KDF-Fed conflict is going to be changed or resolved.
They were allowed a military after WW1, albeit with strict limits imposed and the allies were pretty quick to rearm both German states after WW2, up to the point where they both became backbones of their respective military alliances in Europe, their original cadres (esp. officers) even including lots of Wehrmacht personnel.
With probably the biggest threat to the Federation yet, meaning getting attacked by Borg, Klingons, the Tal'Shiar, remaining Dominion forces, Elachi, Undine, Tholians, Devidians, Iconians, Breen etc... all at once, it would make sense that they'd eventually rearm the Cardassians.
Assuming Cryptic wishes to keep the Cardassians in this position. . .how can one explain a dual-faction setup like what's been done with the Romulans? The legitimate Cardassian government might as well be a part of the Federation, from the perspective of the Klingon Empire. I don't see it having anything to do with the KDF.
The way I see if, it would be interesting to have the True Way form the 'KDF-allied' Cardassians, with the legitimate Cardassian government forming the Federation-allied Cardassians. After all, the True Way have little particular reason to dislike the KDF, beyond the general dislike the True Way has of former enemies of the Cardassian Union (people they blame for the downfall of the Union). The majority of the True Way's enmity is focused on the Federation, and the Federation is closest to Cardassian space AND is also the one essentially in control of Cardassian territory.
I can see a 'enemy of my enemy is my friend' relationship developing between the KDF and the True Way, an alliance of necessity.
I agree, the only thing I don't like out of your proposal is the Jem'hadar playable race.
I for one am looking forward to a Cardassian faction one day!
I figure sometime before the release of the faction they would probably make a Cardassian rep...offer Spiral Wave Disruptors, (Two proc and two stats, leaving the Galor Disruptors superior) some kind of console, and maybe a special kind of photon torpedo?
I am throwing money at the screen but nothing is happening!
Please, if we have another faction, choose this AND NOT the borg!
I hope STO get's better ...
Actually that's not entirely true.... The Romulan Republic is more or less the Romulans arming themselves against the Tal Shiar and the Elachi... Siding with the Klingons or the Federation isn't about joining either side. It's about gaining an ally in BOTH sides to fight an oncoming storm in the Iconians and any other grand scheme of the Tal Shiar.
I don't see the Cardassains being "opressed" by the Obsidian Order though grand military and state control of Cardassia.... or by some lingering changeling pulling purse strings in Cardassia so much as to have Cardasssains mass dissapearing their own people.
Maquis, Bajoran dissidents, True Way, the Dominion and other Gamma Quadrant bogeys, Mirror Universe incursions, and even spillover from Deferi space.
It could make sense to start the player out as part of a Cardassian peacekeeper force and gradually build up to the point where they're flying Galors and such.
Because of the events leading up to Cardassia being a protectorate of the Federation, a Cardassian sub-faction could include not only Cardassians, but also Bajorans and Humans -- all of which have occupied that region as independents. Heck, you could even throw in Deferi (though I'm not sure why you'd want to...)
A Cardassian campaign would probably involve a lot more political intrigue than even the Romulan storyline does.
One big question in my mind is how they'd set up alliances with the KDF. If it smells too much like the same kind of thing that the Romulan Republic has going, people are not going to like it.
Link: How to PM - Twitter @STOMod_Bluegeek
Personally, I think too many people are assuming Cardassians are gonna be the next faction, and are kind of resigning themselves to that.
Which, to me anyways, is kind of lazy and incredibly predictable.
The link in my signature has me tossing around ideas about other possible faction ideas. Anyone is free to post their thoughts on them.
Conjoined, Re-emergence, and . . .
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Well, the thing about any faction that's created is that the species/civilization has to have enough of a fanbase behind it to make it viable. At the same time, the species/civilization has to be practical for the STO universe (hence, no Borg).
The Cardassians would be the next logical choice, in my opinion. I can't see Cryptic putting in the resources to create an Undine, Breen, or other wild-card faction.
What we don't know is how Cryptic would design the Cardassian faction, if they even choose to introduce them at all. Will they go with the Romulan approach, making the faction available to both sides after a certain level is reached? Will they make it exclusive to the Federation, and pick another species (Talarians or something) for the KDF? Will they make it a standalone mini-faction restricted to end-game only?
9 Episodes = 30+ episodes...?
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
It's pronounced "S.T.O." "Stow" sounds idiotic! lol
Considering the heavier scripted story of the Romulans and a few similar retcons, I can see it.
I keep suggesting the idea that you introduce a new species who the Cardassians occupied for their resources. However, this species didn't have the sense of fight that the Bajorans did. They became totally reliant on the Cardassians, to a point where every last one of them would die without Cardassian occupation.
We learn that at the end of the Dominion War, special arrangements were made for Cardassians to continue occupying while working with Federation and Romulan social scientists and civic engineers to begin a 40 year withdrawal. One Cardassian fleet was allowed to remain intact in this system.
Progress has been made... Our tutorial builds to the planned handoff of the planet and decommissioning of the last offensive Cardassian fleet. Tensions and emotions are running high.
And then something goes terribly, terribly wrong, preventing this last offensive fleet from being retired.
You begin as a Cardassian assigned to the last occupation.
Indeed, with so many galactic threats suddenly showing up, it wouldn't be too smart of the Federation not to allow the Cardassians to have some sort of Military, even if it's initially for home defense. The Federation only have so many ships (if you look at it from a cannon point of view). They can't be defending everywhere.
I could see this working if they hadn't thrown the True Way story into the KDF campaign.
If that were true, then (whilst playing a Romulan/Reman) you wouldn't be fighting against Starfleet/the KDF, ever. Yet you do.
Either way, the Cardassians could ally themselves with the Federation/Klingon against the True Way (or) Breen. Same sort of scenario.
There are a number of ways to look at this.
Yeah, the Jem Hadar (for the most part) are loyal to the Founders; and subsequently via the Vorta. There are some Jem Hadar though who aren't. Besides, having this option in (as a zen purchase no less) is firstly going to give Cryptic they money they crave, and it'll keep the playerbase happy, cause a lot of people want to play as a Jem Hadar/Dominion Soldier.
You've got to remember too, the Jem Hadar are proud, they've a sense of honour (slightly different to that of a Klingon) and the Cardassians (primarily) are a proud people, so the idea isn't that farfetched.
While time in STO is both fouid and static at a later point in 2409 (after the "True Way" and the Mirror Universe dudes have become too much of a threat) the Cardassians sought an alliance with them?
The Dominion (under Odo's influence) might be interested in helping the Cardassians (under Garak's influence, they do respect each other) against the renegade "True Way".
The Son'a...well I'm repeating myself here but they were allies of the Dominion on DS9, well after the 9th movie. One of the bits that was not in the movie but in the novelization of "Insurrection" was that one of the Son'a experiments to become immortal backfired and made all of them sterile.
Presumably the metaphasic mcguffin would have cured that. Since Picard prevented that the Son'a are dying out. And I presume the alliance with the Dominion, who have advanced cloning tech, was another avenue they pursued should the Bak'u project fail. While an Alliance with the "True Way" would work just as well storywise, perhaps an alliance with the "good" Cardassians and the Gamma Dominion (who might have advanced their cloning tech by now) might work a tiny bit better.
I get what you're aiming at, but I don't believe this will be possible to happen for several reasons:
- The Cardassians would never again ally with the Dominion IMHO. They got burned once and they got burned pretty bad. The Dominion treated them as nothing more than attack dogs and massacrated the population in their major cities when the "dogs" ceased to obey. They were allies with the Dominion during the whole ordeal and yet the Breen that showed up at the end of the war were obviously favored by the Dominion. Furthermore, only the Cardassians payed the ultimate price of the war and the glorified and mighty Dominion was left intact in their Gamma Quadrant. The Breen didn't lose their reign as well, but the Cardassians that once were a major player and an influental power got turned into a Federation protectorate. Yes, 30 years have passed, but however you turn it I don't think that the Cardassians are ready to ally with the Dominion again, Odo or no Odo. The burns are pretty bad and they are still paying the cost of their last friendship with the Dominion.
- Cryptic will never make another faction by the model of the Federation and the KDF again. All following factions (which should stop at number 4 with the Cardassians IMHO) will be brougt by the Romulan Republic model, they said it themselves. So going by that, I can't really see this third "stand alone" faction being implemented in STO.
- The Dominion is by itself a major superpower, with undisputed reign over the Gamma Quadrant for thoulsands of years. Bringing them under the wings of the Federation or KDF alliance just to satisfy the current model Cryptic prefers would be a bad joke. This model, however, works prefectly for just Cardassians as a faction, without the Dominion.
- While the Cardassians have lost only the Galor to lockboxes (which devs. regret, as said by mr.Stahl) it is still a situation of only one ship that could be in some way retconed, fixed or explained. On the other hand, the Dominion have lost 3 of their ships to lockboxes, two of which were made quite possible to get: one - the JHAS that has had several re-runs since it was introduced more than a year and a half ago, the other - the Jem'Hadar Dreadnought Carrier which is very possible to get with lobi crystals and not based purely on luck to get one.
That's a bummer if true. I had hoped to see at least one other independent faction at some point.
I really can't point out at the moment, but I'm pretty sure it was one of the 'Ask Cryptic' following the end of the timer announcing the Romulan faction, when all the fuss about them being under the wings of the Fed & KDF began.
I believe mr.Stahl said as an answer to a player's question that they made their decision because they don't want to further split their playerbase and that they consider it being split between KDF & Fed. as enough. So going by that, if they didn't want to split the playerbase for the Romulans, which are more popular than the Dominion IMO - I can't see it happening for anyone else.
I also remember reading another 'Ask Cryptic' answer by mr.Stahl that they're satisfied with how the Romulan Republic model of a faction turned out and that if any other factions are brought up to STO, this will be the model they'll be going by.
Also, Geko in one of the latest interviews (IDK which one, I don't really pay attention to that - think it was one of the podcasts) said that they don't want to change the blue vs. red model that STO currently has, cause that would bring more troubles and issues to the game than benefits the way they see it.
They wouldn't want to just add these ships to the Z-store and how can you have a Cardassian faction without the Galor?
≡/\≡
It was in one of the myriads of interviews, though I really can't recall which one either. Though I would love to see the Romulans, and all other factions to be added later, be on the same footing as the Federation and KDF, I can understand the reasoning behind the decision.
9 Episodes = 30+ episodes...?
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
It's pronounced "S.T.O." "Stow" sounds idiotic! lol
Well they will be designing their own Cardassian ships plus the Galor and Keldon are pretty similar so maybe we will just see the Keldon?