DR update after the October 30th patch: I am not completely sure if the one responsible for the selection of the Episode rewards knows what he is doing. From the previous, if repetitive selection of Phaser Beam Array [Acc]x3 as a no-brainer in the late game content, we got a variety of rare items with rather limited use. In DR, You usually get the choice between a Deflector or an Impulse Engine (who needs a new one at that point of the game), a starship weapon (slightly more useful but I'd have appreciated a more diverse selection complimenting different factions and builds), a ground weapon and a ground armor (perhaps for one of the BOffs...).
Dear Cryptic/PWE, the list of Episode rewards can perhaps be useful to get a rough idea on when and where players can choose their items for builds. Rest assured that they do and will repeat Episodes if they think the rewards are worth it - especially when they see that they compliment their first ideas of a build, perhaps after having gotten more or less useful advice.
So far, the Episode rewards lack Tactical Consoles above [Uncommon] almost completely, the selection of other consoles is rather limited and there are weapon, mine and torpedo choices that seem to be completely forgotten while others find themselves offered repeatingly with only slight variations - and rare Singularities and Warp Cores are sparse as well.
I'd like to see a more rounded reward selection - perhaps tied to the theme of the according episodes - so players will be able to select specific episodes and replay them for their rewards. They still might want the T5-U and T6 ships, ship-consoles and will do the Reputation systems and grind for Fleet gear in the end - but You are not exactly making things easier for new players. Few even know about the episode rewards being adapted to Your character rank - but with the current reward choices, new players tend to select the highest rarity regardless of any other - possibly more viable - choice while they level up their character. This leads to the infamous 'rainbow' ships with a selection of Polaron Dual Cannons, Antiproton Beam Arrays and Phaser Turrets (if there where any).
Apologies for the necro, but I need to thank the OP for this.
This list has made gearing my ship not only easier, but ten time more enjoyable since I can focus on the missions that NEED doing and on the ones that I enjoy rather than just bumbling around. I dare say, this guide has been my greatest asset as someone relatively new to the game, so thank you.
I'd like to thank you for this very helpful thread and of course for the hard work to collect all the information here.
"...'With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured...the first thought forbidden...the first freedom denied--chains us all irrevocably.' ... The first time any man's freedom is trodden on, we're all damaged. I fear that today--"
- (TNG) Picard, quoting Judge Aaron Satie
Thank You (again), I still try to keep it updated. Especially the Season 9 Delta Quadrant Patrol episodes seem to be borked in the stowiki (still linking to the Phaser Beam Arrays [Acc]x3 which have been removed) - but then again, going by my own, new Delta char, the (unknown*) rewards seem to be 'only' rare Deflectors, Engines, some Weapons and Ground Gear, anyways. One would have wished for something actually usable for new players/characters - like f.e. Tactical Consoles.
While they did finally find a way for the very rare Reputation components, I would wish they also had something comparable for the R&D-system and the required DOffs for item crafting.
Please note: I am currently unable to edit the original post due to its' length in characters (10.791 characters too long...) - so I hope it is a Vanilla Migration issue and that I will be able to edit this thread again in the near future to Keep it updated.
Comments
Taskforce 47 Falkenwacht (Federation) / Greifenreiter (KDF)
(at) deianirrah
Free Gear and where to get it
Dear Cryptic/PWE, the list of Episode rewards can perhaps be useful to get a rough idea on when and where players can choose their items for builds. Rest assured that they do and will repeat Episodes if they think the rewards are worth it - especially when they see that they compliment their first ideas of a build, perhaps after having gotten more or less useful advice.
So far, the Episode rewards lack Tactical Consoles above [Uncommon] almost completely, the selection of other consoles is rather limited and there are weapon, mine and torpedo choices that seem to be completely forgotten while others find themselves offered repeatingly with only slight variations - and rare Singularities and Warp Cores are sparse as well.
I'd like to see a more rounded reward selection - perhaps tied to the theme of the according episodes - so players will be able to select specific episodes and replay them for their rewards. They still might want the T5-U and T6 ships, ship-consoles and will do the Reputation systems and grind for Fleet gear in the end - but You are not exactly making things easier for new players. Few even know about the episode rewards being adapted to Your character rank - but with the current reward choices, new players tend to select the highest rarity regardless of any other - possibly more viable - choice while they level up their character. This leads to the infamous 'rainbow' ships with a selection of Polaron Dual Cannons, Antiproton Beam Arrays and Phaser Turrets (if there where any).
Taskforce 47 Falkenwacht (Federation) / Greifenreiter (KDF)
(at) deianirrah
Free Gear and where to get it
Admittedly, DR made it a bit more difficult with the constantly updated episode rewards.
Taskforce 47 Falkenwacht (Federation) / Greifenreiter (KDF)
(at) deianirrah
Free Gear and where to get it
This list has made gearing my ship not only easier, but ten time more enjoyable since I can focus on the missions that NEED doing and on the ones that I enjoy rather than just bumbling around. I dare say, this guide has been my greatest asset as someone relatively new to the game, so thank you.
Taskforce 47 Falkenwacht (Federation) / Greifenreiter (KDF)
(at) deianirrah
Free Gear and where to get it
Taskforce 47 Falkenwacht (Federation) / Greifenreiter (KDF)
(at) deianirrah
Free Gear and where to get it
While they did finally find a way for the very rare Reputation components, I would wish they also had something comparable for the R&D-system and the required DOffs for item crafting.
But well, one can dream...
Taskforce 47 Falkenwacht (Federation) / Greifenreiter (KDF)
(at) deianirrah
Free Gear and where to get it
Taskforce 47 Falkenwacht (Federation) / Greifenreiter (KDF)
(at) deianirrah
Free Gear and where to get it