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colonelmarik
Member Posts: 2,211 Arc User
This is something I've been considering for a while now, but never bothered to post about because it's not something that would (or could) be implemented. Nevertheless, I thought I'd post my thoughts on the subject just for the sake of discussion.
I think the tiers are messed up. I think they've got ships in the wrong tiers, and the "refits" and "retrofits" are a large part of that.
Here's how I might have done things.
We have five CANON Starships ENTERPRISE. Each is larger and stronger than the one before. We have five Tiers. Each represents larger and stronger ships. Logically, we could therefore use each ENTERPRISE as a reference point for each tier, and assign other ships to the tiers, based on how they compare to the various ENTERPRISEs.
So,
T1 - Constitution. We know the Miranda and Oberth were roughly comparable to the Constitution, so this is where these ships belong.
T2 - Excelsior. At this tier, we would also have the Constellation, which we know to be more or less contemporary to the Excelsior. I would assume the New Orleans would fit in here, as it was implied to be smaller than the Ambassador. Likewise, being smaller than the Intrepid, which we will have at tier 3, the Nova class would go here.
T3 - Ambassador. I would also put the Defiant class here, as we saw Defiant take on a souped up Excelsior once, and it was a relatively even match. The Intrepid class would likely be appropriate here, as it's described as being smaller and less powerful than the Galaxy.
T4 - Galaxy. We know the Nebula is contemporary with the Galaxy, so it seems this would be the place for that ship. I might include the Akira class as the Escort at this tier, as it seems to be of a similar design to the Galaxy/Nebula.
T5 - Sovreign. I hesitate to include it, but the Prometheus should probably go here, since we saw one take on several ships that were more or less a match for the Galaxy. That means it's more powerful than the Galaxy/Nebula, making it T5.
Of course, there are more ships in the game than this, but this covers most of the canon ships I can think of.
Now, I would have done away with the T5 retro/re-fits, and instead gone with a general refit program that would allow any ship at any tier to be upgraded to be effectively the next tier. It makes no sense for small ships to be able to be as powerful as larger ones. It's enough that you can mount higher mark weapons and equipment. A refit would really only affect the hull/shield stats and BO layout. I think that would be enough to make a ship usable at higher level, but still remain somewhat realistic.
Anyhow, just some random thoughts.
I think the tiers are messed up. I think they've got ships in the wrong tiers, and the "refits" and "retrofits" are a large part of that.
Here's how I might have done things.
We have five CANON Starships ENTERPRISE. Each is larger and stronger than the one before. We have five Tiers. Each represents larger and stronger ships. Logically, we could therefore use each ENTERPRISE as a reference point for each tier, and assign other ships to the tiers, based on how they compare to the various ENTERPRISEs.
So,
T1 - Constitution. We know the Miranda and Oberth were roughly comparable to the Constitution, so this is where these ships belong.
T2 - Excelsior. At this tier, we would also have the Constellation, which we know to be more or less contemporary to the Excelsior. I would assume the New Orleans would fit in here, as it was implied to be smaller than the Ambassador. Likewise, being smaller than the Intrepid, which we will have at tier 3, the Nova class would go here.
T3 - Ambassador. I would also put the Defiant class here, as we saw Defiant take on a souped up Excelsior once, and it was a relatively even match. The Intrepid class would likely be appropriate here, as it's described as being smaller and less powerful than the Galaxy.
T4 - Galaxy. We know the Nebula is contemporary with the Galaxy, so it seems this would be the place for that ship. I might include the Akira class as the Escort at this tier, as it seems to be of a similar design to the Galaxy/Nebula.
T5 - Sovreign. I hesitate to include it, but the Prometheus should probably go here, since we saw one take on several ships that were more or less a match for the Galaxy. That means it's more powerful than the Galaxy/Nebula, making it T5.
Of course, there are more ships in the game than this, but this covers most of the canon ships I can think of.
Now, I would have done away with the T5 retro/re-fits, and instead gone with a general refit program that would allow any ship at any tier to be upgraded to be effectively the next tier. It makes no sense for small ships to be able to be as powerful as larger ones. It's enough that you can mount higher mark weapons and equipment. A refit would really only affect the hull/shield stats and BO layout. I think that would be enough to make a ship usable at higher level, but still remain somewhat realistic.
Anyhow, just some random thoughts.
Once, I was simply called Mojo. Now, I'm forced into a new name, but don't be fooled, I'm the original STO Mojo!
This game needs detailed crafting, exploration and interaction systems.
This game needs detailed crafting, exploration and interaction systems.
Post edited by colonelmarik on
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The NX is Tier 1 and the Odyssey is T5. The Connie refit (Not TOS variant) is T2, while the TOS Connie is T1.
Star Trek Battles member. Want to roll with a good group of people regardless of fleets and not have to worry about DPS while doing STFs? Come join the channel and join in the fun!
http://forum.arcgames.com/startrekonline/discussion/1145998/star-trek-battles-channel-got-canon/p1
The pods on it could be weapons pods, or sensor pods. I don't think it was ever specified. I could also see them as interchangeable mission pods, like the Nebula has.
Nebulas with the triangular pod should have two torpedo launching locations, ones on the pod itself and on the hull.
Early nebula class ships didn't have the weapons pod like the USS Phoenix but still carried and used Photon torpedos so it makes sense since the torpedos must of been fired from somewhere.
Also physical size of a ship is not an indication of ability, a ship like the Defiant and the Prometheus while physically small punch way above their weight. The Defiant could cripple the much larger Keldon class with a single torpedo volley. The earlier Galaxy class ships carried far less firepower than it could of for a ship of its size. (Especially the early ones like the Ent D)
T1 - constitution/miranda/oberth
T2 - excelsior/centaur/constellation
T3 - ambassador/cheyenne (maybe)/cryptic design
T4 - galaxy/freedom/nebula/new orleans
T5 - sovereign/defiant/intrepid/saber/prometheus/akira/etc
This has the benefit of more end game canon ships and allowing ships for each play style at every tier.
Yeah, no thanks.
And also of course there's the fact that since STO takes place in a new "era", after the TNG era, the tiers really shouldn't include anything from before the 25th century except as vanity ships in the C-store or something.
Galaxy (TNG) Captain
Defiant (DS9) Captain
Intrepid (VOY) Captain
Everything else was fit in around doing that.
I consider the centaur as an 'excelsior era ship' as it has an excelsior like saucer, nacelles similar to an excelsior, and came about in the same generic time that the excelsior class was the bees knees. Like the nebula to the galaxy or the miranda to the connie.
Becoming "acting captain" in STO of a Miranda class ship with 200 people, most of whom probably have years more experience than you is kinda bs too. Start us out in a small ship with small power like this one would have more sense. If STO devs completely rebalanced ships, and included the ability to "refit" owned ships, it would be awesome.
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[/SIGPIC]
Let the ship grow with the Captain.
As the Captain levels up the ship do it also.
More Weapon slots, more console slots, stronger Hull and more Bridge Stations from Char Level to Char Level.
Weapons: Choose between front and rear Weapon slots. Make it possible to vary them till 4f-4r or 5f 3r out of 8 Slots are reached at Char Level 40. Or pretend the slots by the ship type. Escorts 5f 3r, Cruisers 4f 4r...aso
Console Slots: Choose between 8 or 10 Slots the same way. Let the player decide with kind of console and how many slots for this console (Tac, Eng, Sci). So different Captains could choose between different console slot types for their career needs.
Bridge Stations: A mix of both. Let the player decide which bridge station he needs. If he wants to play with 3 Tacs - let him do this or pretend more station according to the Char career. So Tac Players get two Tac Stations, Sci Player more Sci Stations aso.
Once all Stations are reached, lvel them up (Lt, LtCMD....aso)
Keep the ship types. Escorts, Cruisers aso. (get rid of pure Sci ships :P)
Keep the Ship modifiers (e.g. +10 Weapon power for the Avenger) to differentiate between ships and classes.
Level up Hull Strength
Perhaps Level up Modificators like Shield Modificator from 0.6 to 1.1
Keep the rest. No Captain needs to fire MK XII Weapons at Level 20.
In other words: Do a ship reputation.
As i said....my dream. That way i would fly my beloved NX01 at Level 50 and would be competitive.