Except it isn't, because in this case the Car Dealer is offering free upgrades to the ones that were won in a competition (lockbox), while making the people who paid for their vehicles have to pay for the upgrade.
I'm guessing sure Cryptic have done data mining to determine the average "cost" of a lockbox ship in terms of Key purchases and I bet this costs is substantially higher then the 2500Z a standard C-Store ships costs, hence Lockbox upgrades being free.
I have updated the OP to not refer to the lock box example.
TBH Im getting a free expansion, some MMOs charge 50 bucks or more for 5 levels of content. So I have ZERO issues paying a small fee for my ships I love to be upgraded.
When you look at it this way,i have to agree. Even if i don't want too. But i do think because of all the money spent on these t5 ships that the upgrade cost is low. It shouldn't cost anywhere close to what you pay for a new ship.
come on... you want us to pay real money, to upgrade our ships, that we bought with IRL money, and you won't even upgrade it to T6?
either make it a free upgrade to T5U, or make it proper T6 for the price
Actually Ferdzo, I have been bringing up that idea as a suggestion. But at this point there are conflicting issues about it. Now if in the DR expansion they allowed us to limit the choice of at least two or three ships that could be the limit to choice of C Store or Fleet to be upgraded I could see that as the compromise that way Perfectworld is still making their money. Two or three that be allowed by choice to grandfather. But even with the Promotional Ships being grandfathered I'm still happy with the Breen Heavy Raider being part of that free upgrade. Just means I have to get familiar with it. :eek:
Q updated the OP of this thread to reflect some posts from the devs...did you read the second paragraph of gorngonzolla's first reply?
Have you? There is nothing there in regard to stats, nothing there that is concrete in any way. All that is there is a dev trying to convince us LOCKBOX ships, not C-Store or Fleet ships, are still not second class.
so, first people whine that ship upgrades aren't free and they have to pay for them, then people whine because they don't have to pay for upgrading their ships.
it's no wonder cryptic doesn't actually listen to anyone, when the arguments are as irrational as the one i quoted above.
Sorry, but you're a fool if you take one quote from an entire passage and think taking it out of context will give you free reign over it's intended meaning.
The whole point of that passage when originally written was that those FREE ships acquired through minimal grind got free upgrades and ships requiring a cash transaction did not.
Have you? There is nothing there in regard to stats, nothing there that is concrete in any way. All that is there is a dev trying to convince us LOCKBOX ships, not C-Store or Fleet ships, are still not second class.
"a dev trying to convince"
Yes, I lol'd. I didn't want to - cause it's kind of rude - but I lol'd.
When you're going to bed, do you have daddy come in and check under the bed - in the closet - to make sure the mean ol' devs aren't hiding there waiting to get you?
I mean, c'mon - debate the facts, the common knowledge, don't just make stuff up because of a mix of disdain and dislike for the company.
edit: Heh, there's plenty of stuff to complain about from a disdain/dislike of the company without having to make anything up.
I agree with you OP. Most games you have to pay for a new expansion. Take WoW, you pay for sub, then each expansion regardless. Or on consul games you have to pay or those expansions as well. The game has to make money somehow. Those actors/actress and the ones who makes this great game for us to enjoy. It all costs money. So they need some kind of cash flow to keep it going and to make great enjoyment for us all.
I'm glad they are giving us a chance to upgrade those ships. So they won't be obsolete and useless for us to keep enjoying. I'm also glad for allowing us to still be able to enjoy the game using T5/Fleet T5 to play without upgrading. So others like myself can upgrade as we get time/funding to do so.
They was looking out for us. Many games has left our old gear go to waste and useless as you level.
USS Casinghead NCC 92047 launched 2350
Fleet Admiral Stowe - Dominion War Vet.
Yes, I lol'd. I didn't want to - cause it's kind of rude - but I lol'd.
When you're going to bed, do you have daddy come in and check under the bed - in the closet - to make sure the mean ol' devs aren't hiding there waiting to get you?
I mean, c'mon - debate the facts, the common knowledge, don't just make stuff up because of a mix of disdain and dislike for the company.
That was my point. You and others KEEP making things up for your arguments, then turn to insults when people call you on them based on facts. You claimed there were facts in that statement, but all it ever has been is an attempt to silence the angry masses while not giving any information.
I've been following STO since before Perpetual went under, began playing the Beta in 2009. I have seen enough of those statements specifically from Cryptic, let alone the industry, to know that unless they post stats to show proof all they are is bed time stories to silence children.
You love to say you're debating based on facts, but you can't point to a dev post which states those facts. That was the point of my argument which you keep choosing to ignore.
You love to say you're debating based on facts, but you can't point to a dev post which states those facts. That was the point of my argument which you keep choosing to ignore.
A dev states X. You say X is a lie.
Somebody saying that a dev has said X is arguing the facts.
You saying that X is a lie - well, until such a point that X might actually be a lie...
Somebody saying that a dev has said X is arguing the facts.
You saying that X is a lie - well, until such a point that X might actually be a lie...
Somebody's arguing facts...
...somebody's not.
The not would be you.
A dev said X, you said Y+Z+X=X
You have several times been caught saying this statement plus this other statement plus a third means everything is like the third? Right.... I'm the one making things up.....
You have several times been caught saying this statement plus this other statement plus a third means everything is like the third? Right.... I'm the one making things up.....
Funny, that reminds me of some The Value of X argument I made in another post. Oh yeah I did, course that was for all kicks and giggles.
You have several times been caught saying this statement plus this other statement plus a third means everything is like the third? Right.... I'm the one making things up.....
I think it's time you just ignore virusdancer. They don't want to listen and just keep getting nasty each reply.
You have several times been caught saying this statement plus this other statement plus a third means everything is like the third? Right.... I'm the one making things up.....
Oh noes, I've been caught saying what the devs have said...surely I must be lynched for not agreeing with the folks that call the devs liars and idiots with their every post. /facepalm
Oh noes, I've been caught saying what the devs have said...surely I must be lynched for not agreeing with the folks that call the devs liars and idiots with their every post. /facepalm
Maybe that's what you call it, most call it putting words in someone else's mouth when you make an assumption by matching any selection of statements you like and interpret them to say something that has not been said.
Is it still to early to ask Geko, what exactly he meant by " T6 and (T5-FU?) are putting an end to powercreep"? all i see is more power creep, and if the past is anything to go by, a whole lot of it, or am i missing the obvious?
Okay. Having followed this discussion from the beginning, and tried to be objective, I've decided to just lay the hard facts down.
Simply put, the Devs didn't have to provide an option to upgrade your T5 ships -at all-, nor make that a permanent unlock for other purchases of the same ship (yes, even for Fleet ships within their own mechanics).
When the player went from T4 to T5, was there an option to upgrade their T4 ships? No. It was all about buying a new ship at whatever price was required for the player to pay (though some got a token to get the basic T5, any past that required full price).
When the first Refit ships came along, did they offer to upgrade the normal T5 ships that the players were using to the new level of play these ship represented for a fraction of the cost? No, they required anyone who wanted to keep playing their ships at the new top-end these represented to spend real money (a full 2000-2500 zen at current prices) to do so.
When the Fleet ships came out, did they offer to upgrade the normal T5 ships that the players were using to the new level of play these ships represented? No. First, the player had to spend the full price for the Refit/Retrofit versions in the Z-Store and then a small amount of Zen to upgrade to the Fleet version, or else pay an equivalent amount of Zen to buying a Retrofit/Refit from the Z-store to outright purchase the Fleet version.
And that was all within what we call 'T5'.
Now, all I see are a lot of players screaming that it's unfair that they are being given the option to -permanently- upgrade many of the Z-store T5 ships and special earning ships they have been running for a discount or even for free to a level which equals or (in some aspects) exceeds what we have been told T6 ships are.
Then, there are the players screaming about not getting the special abilities of T6 ships with their T5U+ ships. Yet, even in T5 ships, not all ships got the same special abilities, or any at all. There is, for example, no way for a Fleet Assault Cruiser to gain the Phaser Lance or Advanced Transwarp Drive abilities, as those are restricted to specific classes of T5+ ship, and no others. Yet, apparently, some players feel their T5U+ ships are somehow being shafted for not gaining the special abilities that are restricted to the T6 classes of ship, even though the T5U+ has been noted as being superior in shielding and hull strength, and is given an additional Console slot that the player can use to -give- their Upgraded ship an additional special ability beyond what a T6 ship can mount (i.e. an additional console slot is a slot the T5U+ can use for a Photonic Displacement Console that the T6 ship cannot also mount without giving up something).
And all of this is happening before we even have a T6 ship to make any comparisons to.
So, realize the Devs are doing you a favor offering to let players at end-game level to upgrade for a reduced price instead of just letting the T5+ ships remain as-is (which seems to be quite enough to do the new content, and approach the T6 level with Fleet versions anyway). Are they interested in money? Certainly, as is their responsibility. Is that what all of this is about? No, or they would simply do things as they have in the past and force players who want the new versions of their favorite ships to pay full price to get the next level of that ship.
So let's drop all the whining about how useless T5U+ ships are when it is clear they will be anything but, and how heartless the Devs are to offer us the chance to bring our top-end ships to a level on-par with the new ships. I also invite anyone who thinks the Devs are only interested in the money to visit Starfleet Academy's park grounds and look for the flame before they say that again.
I'm done with this thread now. Proceed as Officers, or as video gamers. It's your choice how you act, and no one else's.
But in a way they are 'free'............convert endless supply of Dilithium to Zen then problem solved, plus some upgrades are free regardless since the offer is based on certain ships. Anyway kind of like how I got the scimitar bundle for free by endless hours of hard work.
Yes, but some of us prefer to fly actual faction-appropriate starships.
The lobi ships got it for free because the argument going on right now about one-time account-wide unlocks is peanuts compared to the s**tstorm that would be raised if one-of-a-kind, unrecoverable ships the high rollers pay hundreds of dollars for didn't get the upgrade. Basically, canonicity doesn't pay the bills.
"Great War! / And I cannot take more! / Great tour! / I keep on marching on / I play the great score / There will be no encore / Great War! / The War to End All Wars"
— Sabaton, "Great War"
Maybe that's what you call it, most call it putting words in someone else's mouth when you make an assumption by matching any selection of statements you like and interpret them to say something that has not been said.
You have just bought a new car and some time goes by and the Car Manufacturer brings out a new updated model.
Now would you go into the dealership demanding a replacement to the new model for free or to upgrade your existing car to match the new model for free, no you would not.
So why should Cryptic do the same? This is an entertainment business and they need to make money by bring out new model cars (T6, T-5U etc).
So stop moaning and being deluded and enjoy the fact Cryptic is realising a tonnage of new content :-)
be careful, I made a similar analogy earlier today and got a warning for flamebaiting and trolling.
Okay, now I know that this has been going on for the discussion regarding upgrade prices. But I wanted to throw a curve ball about this too.
It seems lately that they are bringing back a lot of the Voyager crew for DR release. So I did some thinking regarding this Tier V Upgrade to make well the Upgrade a little cinematic.
First off when we see our starships "upgraded" lets see some animation that actually changes the phyisical appearance to the ship somewhat. I am talking like a before of the ship, like say lets look at the Constitution Class Enterprise from TOS. And later a phyisical appearance update to the new T5-U Starship very similar to Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Now while I know I am only suggesting this because since these starships are in a way fixed to our captains. Well, lets get some actual Star Trek "centered" feel onto the toon and ship to make the moment more epic.
Now after that idea lets take it one step further. Lets also have our captains given a tour by Worker Bee or by Shuttle of the exterior flyby of that new updated Starship. Or even the Tier 6 perhaps. As far as writing, dialog, or even music I leave that up to the developers and writers to think about. Would be nice to have the flyby to the soundtrack they did for the Enterprise Refit. But hey I leave that to interpretation. The main thing is, lets actually have a moment that the captain "actually" feels like they are in an episode or movie of Star Trek.
I'm with this guy. The current return after paying again is far too small, give us the full benefits and make the difference between new and old be the new hybrid Boff alone. That by itself will entice plenty to pay for the new ships, despite the hideous screenshots of the few the devs have chosen to share.
Upgrading to Fleet: 500 Zen
+1 console
+10% hull
+10% shield mod
Upgrading to T5-U: 500-1000 Zen (to be determined)
+1 console
+Scaling HP 50-60
+Starship Mastery (4 levels of passives)
+Account Unlock
How is a larger gain than the Fleet upgrade that's an account unlock too small a return?
I don't think the I-Phone or Car buying analogy holds water. With that said, I'd gladly help pay for expansion 2. I'm willing to pay to upgrade my T5 ship to full T6. What I'm not ok with is paying to upgrade my T5 ship to anything less than T6. There could be so many ways to fund X2 I honestly don't get why they chose to go this route they way they did.
If I owned 51% or more of PWE shareholder stock (i.e. I could tell Deangelo, the devs, the producers & the other shareholders to "Jump" and their immediate response would be "How high?") this is what I would do.
Implement a new Ship Upgrade Module (similar to the Fleet Ship Modules) called a SUM cost 500 Zen each.
ALL Event and Lockbox Ships (including Mirror Ships) would upgrade for Free, but without any Player chosen Upgrades (available ONLY with the purchase/use of Ship Upgrade Modules).
ALL Tier 1 through Tier 5 ships could all utilize/apply at least 1 SUM:
Shuttlecraft/Fighters would be limited to using only 1 to 3 SUM's though, based on type of cost (Free or dilithium = T1; C-store = T2 & Lobi store = T3)
Each SUM would have the following automatic upgrades; PLUS 1 (ONE) player chosen enhancement/upgrade.
Automatically applied Upgrades
Carriers and Engineering Ships: +2% Hull HP Regen rate to Baseline stat (max +10% for T5)
Science Ships: +2% Shield HP Regen rate to Baseline stat (max +10% for T5)
Tactical Ships: -2% to (Mounted/Slotted) Weapons cooldown rate to Baseline stat (max -10% for T5) --- a 10 second weapon cooldown would become 9 seconds with 5 SUM's used.
Ship Mastery Levels (similar to a Tier 6) limited by vessel's Tier: 1 through 5; then 1 to 5 mastery levels as applicable will be Unlocked for that ship to "earn". ALL Event and Lockbox Ships (including Mirror Ships) get Ship Mastery Levels 1 through 5 unlocked automatically for FREE.
Starship Trait - ONLY fully upgraded Tier 5 Ships (upon use of a 5th SUM that T5 ship would have the capability of utilizing a (one) Starship Trait). ALL Event and Lockbox Ships (including Mirror Ships) get a Starship Trait for FREE.
Carriers: +1 additional Carrier Pet slot (Maximum of 3)
Engineering Ships: get a new Slot; Secondary Warp Core (ONLY fully upgraded Tier 5 Ships)
(similar to the Secondary Deflector for Dyson Ships --- This does NOT apply to the "Engineering" version/variant of the Dyson Ships, as they already get a Secondary Deflector slot).
Science Ships: get a new Slot; Secondary Deflector (ONLY fully upgraded Tier 5 Ships)
(This does NOT apply to the Dyson Ships, as they already get a Secondary Deflector slot).
Tactical Ships: get 1 additional (mounted) Weapon Slot; either 1 Fwd (Max 5) or 1 Aft (Max 4). (ONLY fully upgraded Tier 5 Ships)
Player chosen Upgrades (only 1 per Ship Upgrade Module)
+10% Hull Hitpoints (applied to baseline stat) Can ONLY be chosen ONCE
+10% Shield Hitpoints (applied to baseline stat) Can ONLY be chosen ONCE
+10% Ship turn rate (applied to baseline stat) Can ONLY be chosen ONCE
-5 to Ship's Inertia value (applied to baseline stat) Can ONLY be chosen ONCE
Carriers and Engineering Ships: +1 Console slot (can have Max 5 Engineering slots, Max 4 Science slots or Max 4 Tactical slots) Can ONLY be chosen ONCE
Science Ships: +1 Console slot (can have Max 5 Science slots, Max 4 Engineering slots or Max 4 Tactical slots) Can ONLY be chosen ONCE
Tactical Ships: +1 Console slot (can have Max 5 Tactical slots, Max 4 Engineering slots or Max 4 Science slots) Can ONLY be chosen ONCE
+1 Ship Device slot (Max 4) Can ONLY be chosen ONCE
Carriers and Engineering Ships: +1 Engineer Boff seat promotion/upgrade up to Commander. Can ONLY be chosen ONCE (an Ensign seat will become a Lieutenant seat for example)
Carriers and Engineering Ships: +1 Boff seat promotion/upgrade up to LtCommander for either a Science boff seat, a Tactical boff seat or a Universal Boff seat.
Can ONLY be chosen ONCE (an Ensign seat will become a Lieutenant seat for example)
Science Ships: +1 Science Boff seat promotion/upgrade up to Commander.
Can ONLY be chosen ONCE (an Ensign seat will become a Lieutenant seat for example)
Science Ships: +1 Boff seat promotion/upgrade up to LtCommander for either an Engineer boff seat, a Tactical boff seat or a Universal Boff seat.
Can ONLY be chosen ONCE (an Ensign seat will become a Lieutenant seat for example)
Tactical Ships: +1 Tactical Boff seat promotion/upgrade up to Commander.
Can ONLY be chosen ONCE (an Ensign seat will become a Lieutenant seat for example)
Tactical Ships: +1 Boff seat promotion/upgrade up to LtCommander for either an Engineer boff seat, a Science boff seat or a Universal Boff seat.
Can ONLY be chosen ONCE (an Ensign seat will become a Lieutenant seat for example)
Since it was not actually noted, only implied; Lobi Ships will NOT upgrade for FREE; They can only be upgraded via Ship Upgrade Module(s). Up to 5 SUM's maybe used for any Lobi Store Starship and up to 3 SUM's for any Lobi Store Shuttle/Fighter.
In conclusion, this is what I would do if I were in charge.
Comments
I'm guessing sure Cryptic have done data mining to determine the average "cost" of a lockbox ship in terms of Key purchases and I bet this costs is substantially higher then the 2500Z a standard C-Store ships costs, hence Lockbox upgrades being free.
I have updated the OP to not refer to the lock box example.
But I still believe the principal is the same.
When you look at it this way,i have to agree. Even if i don't want too. But i do think because of all the money spent on these t5 ships that the upgrade cost is low. It shouldn't cost anywhere close to what you pay for a new ship.
Actually Ferdzo, I have been bringing up that idea as a suggestion. But at this point there are conflicting issues about it. Now if in the DR expansion they allowed us to limit the choice of at least two or three ships that could be the limit to choice of C Store or Fleet to be upgraded I could see that as the compromise that way Perfectworld is still making their money. Two or three that be allowed by choice to grandfather. But even with the Promotional Ships being grandfathered I'm still happy with the Breen Heavy Raider being part of that free upgrade. Just means I have to get familiar with it. :eek:
Have you? There is nothing there in regard to stats, nothing there that is concrete in any way. All that is there is a dev trying to convince us LOCKBOX ships, not C-Store or Fleet ships, are still not second class.
Sorry, but you're a fool if you take one quote from an entire passage and think taking it out of context will give you free reign over it's intended meaning.
The whole point of that passage when originally written was that those FREE ships acquired through minimal grind got free upgrades and ships requiring a cash transaction did not.
"a dev trying to convince"
Yes, I lol'd. I didn't want to - cause it's kind of rude - but I lol'd.
When you're going to bed, do you have daddy come in and check under the bed - in the closet - to make sure the mean ol' devs aren't hiding there waiting to get you?
I mean, c'mon - debate the facts, the common knowledge, don't just make stuff up because of a mix of disdain and dislike for the company.
edit: Heh, there's plenty of stuff to complain about from a disdain/dislike of the company without having to make anything up.
I'm glad they are giving us a chance to upgrade those ships. So they won't be obsolete and useless for us to keep enjoying. I'm also glad for allowing us to still be able to enjoy the game using T5/Fleet T5 to play without upgrading. So others like myself can upgrade as we get time/funding to do so.
They was looking out for us. Many games has left our old gear go to waste and useless as you level.
USS Casinghead NCC 92047 launched 2350
Fleet Admiral Stowe - Dominion War Vet.
That was my point. You and others KEEP making things up for your arguments, then turn to insults when people call you on them based on facts. You claimed there were facts in that statement, but all it ever has been is an attempt to silence the angry masses while not giving any information.
I've been following STO since before Perpetual went under, began playing the Beta in 2009. I have seen enough of those statements specifically from Cryptic, let alone the industry, to know that unless they post stats to show proof all they are is bed time stories to silence children.
You love to say you're debating based on facts, but you can't point to a dev post which states those facts. That was the point of my argument which you keep choosing to ignore.
A dev states X. You say X is a lie.
Somebody saying that a dev has said X is arguing the facts.
You saying that X is a lie - well, until such a point that X might actually be a lie...
Somebody's arguing facts...
...somebody's not.
The not would be you.
My PvE/PvP hybrid skill tree
A dev said X, you said Y+Z+X=X
You have several times been caught saying this statement plus this other statement plus a third means everything is like the third? Right.... I'm the one making things up.....
Funny, that reminds me of some The Value of X argument I made in another post. Oh yeah I did, course that was for all kicks and giggles.
I think it's time you just ignore virusdancer. They don't want to listen and just keep getting nasty each reply.
Oh noes, I've been caught saying what the devs have said...surely I must be lynched for not agreeing with the folks that call the devs liars and idiots with their every post. /facepalm
Nice first post.
I have summer, winter, and freebie DSD. I got t5 - U alot of t5 - u
if I stop posting it doesn't make you right it. just means I don't have enough rum to continue interacting with you.
Maybe that's what you call it, most call it putting words in someone else's mouth when you make an assumption by matching any selection of statements you like and interpret them to say something that has not been said.
a history of sto pvp: 2010 - 2011
a history of sto pvp: 2012 - 2013
Simply put, the Devs didn't have to provide an option to upgrade your T5 ships -at all-, nor make that a permanent unlock for other purchases of the same ship (yes, even for Fleet ships within their own mechanics).
When the player went from T4 to T5, was there an option to upgrade their T4 ships? No. It was all about buying a new ship at whatever price was required for the player to pay (though some got a token to get the basic T5, any past that required full price).
When the first Refit ships came along, did they offer to upgrade the normal T5 ships that the players were using to the new level of play these ship represented for a fraction of the cost? No, they required anyone who wanted to keep playing their ships at the new top-end these represented to spend real money (a full 2000-2500 zen at current prices) to do so.
When the Fleet ships came out, did they offer to upgrade the normal T5 ships that the players were using to the new level of play these ships represented? No. First, the player had to spend the full price for the Refit/Retrofit versions in the Z-Store and then a small amount of Zen to upgrade to the Fleet version, or else pay an equivalent amount of Zen to buying a Retrofit/Refit from the Z-store to outright purchase the Fleet version.
And that was all within what we call 'T5'.
Now, all I see are a lot of players screaming that it's unfair that they are being given the option to -permanently- upgrade many of the Z-store T5 ships and special earning ships they have been running for a discount or even for free to a level which equals or (in some aspects) exceeds what we have been told T6 ships are.
Then, there are the players screaming about not getting the special abilities of T6 ships with their T5U+ ships. Yet, even in T5 ships, not all ships got the same special abilities, or any at all. There is, for example, no way for a Fleet Assault Cruiser to gain the Phaser Lance or Advanced Transwarp Drive abilities, as those are restricted to specific classes of T5+ ship, and no others. Yet, apparently, some players feel their T5U+ ships are somehow being shafted for not gaining the special abilities that are restricted to the T6 classes of ship, even though the T5U+ has been noted as being superior in shielding and hull strength, and is given an additional Console slot that the player can use to -give- their Upgraded ship an additional special ability beyond what a T6 ship can mount (i.e. an additional console slot is a slot the T5U+ can use for a Photonic Displacement Console that the T6 ship cannot also mount without giving up something).
And all of this is happening before we even have a T6 ship to make any comparisons to.
So, realize the Devs are doing you a favor offering to let players at end-game level to upgrade for a reduced price instead of just letting the T5+ ships remain as-is (which seems to be quite enough to do the new content, and approach the T6 level with Fleet versions anyway). Are they interested in money? Certainly, as is their responsibility. Is that what all of this is about? No, or they would simply do things as they have in the past and force players who want the new versions of their favorite ships to pay full price to get the next level of that ship.
So let's drop all the whining about how useless T5U+ ships are when it is clear they will be anything but, and how heartless the Devs are to offer us the chance to bring our top-end ships to a level on-par with the new ships. I also invite anyone who thinks the Devs are only interested in the money to visit Starfleet Academy's park grounds and look for the flame before they say that again.
I'm done with this thread now. Proceed as Officers, or as video gamers. It's your choice how you act, and no one else's.
And yet someone still paid for that zen....
Yes, but some of us prefer to fly actual faction-appropriate starships.
The lobi ships got it for free because the argument going on right now about one-time account-wide unlocks is peanuts compared to the s**tstorm that would be raised if one-of-a-kind, unrecoverable ships the high rollers pay hundreds of dollars for didn't get the upgrade. Basically, canonicity doesn't pay the bills.
— Sabaton, "Great War"
Check out https://unitedfederationofpla.net/s/
So you believe...
Lobi ships will have 12 or 13 BOFF abilities?
be careful, I made a similar analogy earlier today and got a warning for flamebaiting and trolling.
It seems lately that they are bringing back a lot of the Voyager crew for DR release. So I did some thinking regarding this Tier V Upgrade to make well the Upgrade a little cinematic.
First off when we see our starships "upgraded" lets see some animation that actually changes the phyisical appearance to the ship somewhat. I am talking like a before of the ship, like say lets look at the Constitution Class Enterprise from TOS. And later a phyisical appearance update to the new T5-U Starship very similar to Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Now while I know I am only suggesting this because since these starships are in a way fixed to our captains. Well, lets get some actual Star Trek "centered" feel onto the toon and ship to make the moment more epic.
Now after that idea lets take it one step further. Lets also have our captains given a tour by Worker Bee or by Shuttle of the exterior flyby of that new updated Starship. Or even the Tier 6 perhaps. As far as writing, dialog, or even music I leave that up to the developers and writers to think about. Would be nice to have the flyby to the soundtrack they did for the Enterprise Refit. But hey I leave that to interpretation. The main thing is, lets actually have a moment that the captain "actually" feels like they are in an episode or movie of Star Trek.
Upgrading to Fleet: 500 Zen
+1 console
+10% hull
+10% shield mod
Upgrading to T5-U: 500-1000 Zen (to be determined)
+1 console
+Scaling HP 50-60
+Starship Mastery (4 levels of passives)
+Account Unlock
How is a larger gain than the Fleet upgrade that's an account unlock too small a return?
Implement a new Ship Upgrade Module (similar to the Fleet Ship Modules) called a SUM cost 500 Zen each.
ALL Event and Lockbox Ships (including Mirror Ships) would upgrade for Free, but without any Player chosen Upgrades (available ONLY with the purchase/use of Ship Upgrade Modules).
ALL Tier 1 through Tier 5 ships could all utilize/apply at least 1 SUM:
T1 - 1 SUM, T2 -2 SUM's, T3 - 3 SUM's, T4 - 4 SUM's, T5 - 5 SUM's
Shuttlecraft/Fighters would be limited to using only 1 to 3 SUM's though, based on type of cost (Free or dilithium = T1; C-store = T2 & Lobi store = T3)
Each SUM would have the following automatic upgrades; PLUS 1 (ONE) player chosen enhancement/upgrade.
Automatically applied Upgrades
Carriers and Engineering Ships: +2% Hull HP Regen rate to Baseline stat (max +10% for T5)
Science Ships: +2% Shield HP Regen rate to Baseline stat (max +10% for T5)
Tactical Ships: -2% to (Mounted/Slotted) Weapons cooldown rate to Baseline stat (max -10% for T5) --- a 10 second weapon cooldown would become 9 seconds with 5 SUM's used.
Ship Mastery Levels (similar to a Tier 6) limited by vessel's Tier: 1 through 5; then 1 to 5 mastery levels as applicable will be Unlocked for that ship to "earn". ALL Event and Lockbox Ships (including Mirror Ships) get Ship Mastery Levels 1 through 5 unlocked automatically for FREE.
Starship Trait - ONLY fully upgraded Tier 5 Ships (upon use of a 5th SUM that T5 ship would have the capability of utilizing a (one) Starship Trait). ALL Event and Lockbox Ships (including Mirror Ships) get a Starship Trait for FREE.
Carriers: +1 additional Carrier Pet slot (Maximum of 3)
Engineering Ships: get a new Slot; Secondary Warp Core (ONLY fully upgraded Tier 5 Ships)
(similar to the Secondary Deflector for Dyson Ships --- This does NOT apply to the "Engineering" version/variant of the Dyson Ships, as they already get a Secondary Deflector slot).
Science Ships: get a new Slot; Secondary Deflector (ONLY fully upgraded Tier 5 Ships)
(This does NOT apply to the Dyson Ships, as they already get a Secondary Deflector slot).
Tactical Ships: get 1 additional (mounted) Weapon Slot; either 1 Fwd (Max 5) or 1 Aft (Max 4). (ONLY fully upgraded Tier 5 Ships)
Player chosen Upgrades (only 1 per Ship Upgrade Module)
+10% Hull Hitpoints (applied to baseline stat) Can ONLY be chosen ONCE
+10% Shield Hitpoints (applied to baseline stat) Can ONLY be chosen ONCE
+10% Ship turn rate (applied to baseline stat) Can ONLY be chosen ONCE
-5 to Ship's Inertia value (applied to baseline stat) Can ONLY be chosen ONCE
Carriers and Engineering Ships: +1 Console slot (can have Max 5 Engineering slots, Max 4 Science slots or Max 4 Tactical slots) Can ONLY be chosen ONCE
Science Ships: +1 Console slot (can have Max 5 Science slots, Max 4 Engineering slots or Max 4 Tactical slots) Can ONLY be chosen ONCE
Tactical Ships: +1 Console slot (can have Max 5 Tactical slots, Max 4 Engineering slots or Max 4 Science slots) Can ONLY be chosen ONCE
+1 Ship Device slot (Max 4) Can ONLY be chosen ONCE
Carriers and Engineering Ships: +1 Engineer Boff seat promotion/upgrade up to Commander. Can ONLY be chosen ONCE (an Ensign seat will become a Lieutenant seat for example)
Carriers and Engineering Ships: +1 Boff seat promotion/upgrade up to LtCommander for either a Science boff seat, a Tactical boff seat or a Universal Boff seat.
Can ONLY be chosen ONCE (an Ensign seat will become a Lieutenant seat for example)
Science Ships: +1 Science Boff seat promotion/upgrade up to Commander.
Can ONLY be chosen ONCE (an Ensign seat will become a Lieutenant seat for example)
Science Ships: +1 Boff seat promotion/upgrade up to LtCommander for either an Engineer boff seat, a Tactical boff seat or a Universal Boff seat.
Can ONLY be chosen ONCE (an Ensign seat will become a Lieutenant seat for example)
Tactical Ships: +1 Tactical Boff seat promotion/upgrade up to Commander.
Can ONLY be chosen ONCE (an Ensign seat will become a Lieutenant seat for example)
Tactical Ships: +1 Boff seat promotion/upgrade up to LtCommander for either an Engineer boff seat, a Science boff seat or a Universal Boff seat.
Can ONLY be chosen ONCE (an Ensign seat will become a Lieutenant seat for example)
Since it was not actually noted, only implied; Lobi Ships will NOT upgrade for FREE; They can only be upgraded via Ship Upgrade Module(s). Up to 5 SUM's maybe used for any Lobi Store Starship and up to 3 SUM's for any Lobi Store Shuttle/Fighter.
In conclusion, this is what I would do if I were in charge.
When manufacturers can copy/paste physical objects you might have a leg to stand on.