This poll lacks the options to express my nuanced opinion
My main character is Federation because ... the poll doesn't cover it. I was here on launch day. And back then you needed to start with the federation. There was no Romulan Republic. And KDF was PVP only, with not enough content to really play as anything other than an alt. So my first character was a Fed. Got him to level cap. Felt I did it wrong (engineer in a science ship). Switched to another Fed, (engineer in a cruiser) and found my preferred playstyle. I did have a Klingon shortly thereafter. Did that one wrong. Switched to a different Klingon. But never really levelled that one properly until after they finally gave the KDF some PVE missions and story content. Then they messed that jawn all up again when they narrowed the levelling for KDF.
Needless to say, I did make a Romulan right at the start of that expansion. And he's now my "primary alt" if that's a thing? I pretty much play 3 characters now. My main. The romulan. And I'm goofing around with a science guy, but am nowhere close to doing well with it.
This poll lacks the options to express my nuanced opinion
1 of 3 Mains is Federation because they have very good content. Feds seem specialized in engineering ships, which I do fly, but I'm in it mostly for their science ships and many other things canon, plus they always receive the most dev attention to detail.
I often think of Jean-Luke Picard as a model for what it means to be serving in some space federation, exploring unknown worlds, sorting moral issues, tackling tough choices, questioning authority, and even rewriting the governing laws and throwing higher-ups out of office.
Unfortunately in STO the Federation faction seems more like some totalitarian military bureaucracy where one follows orders unquestioningly and has no real influencing power of their own, not even as a Fleet Admiral. You are given the Doff assignments, the Admiralty assignments, the mission orders, you don't choose them yourself and decide on the course of action.
2 of 3 Mains is Romulan for both Role play and game play reasons, which is on equal terms as the Fed, fed-aligned 'because they made me' but Independent in spirit and willing to officially terminate faction alliances should a proper Star Empire faction ever be finished off. I entirely reject the republican half-faction despite the story being very good if not the best of what STO has to offer. Romulans I don't believe are a stereotypical species, but instead more like what the Trill and even what Humans are portrayed like in ST. As such, they have the ability to grow beyond their old ways. They embrace freedom and protect their way of life from outside control and interference, and are daring explorers who don't hesitate to venture out into dangerous territory if there's any chance it could benefit their people.
I also enjoy the Rom faction in STO because it was originally set up to be the most advanced faction due to power level management, universal battle cloaks, and singularity ability strategies. This is also the reason why I'd like to see a T6 Romulan science ship that also comes with a flight deck and good console ability since that would be the most demanding ship to pilot. In the meanwhile, the Harpia serves a fine role, and its flexibility plus burst damage output potential in the hands of a Romulan Tactical captain is unreal and like no other ship out there. It is a challenge to build and to fly and naturally a very rewarding experience when you're able to finally apply strategy and skill, and the only thing missing is a flight deck and some Aux-powered DHC like the Vesta.
I don't enjoy the lack of Romulan identity in STO. Most I suspect are only in it for the superior technology, or because they can feel like a federation again with their republicans. This is why I'd like an independent Romulan Star Empire so those who truly play it for the Faction Identity have the option of severing fleet alliances or porting over their existing fleets to real Romulan fleet facilities given only Imperials are on the roster. Feds, KDF, and republicans would be marked as red so it's weapons hot, and story missions would have alternate text and voice-overs as much as possible.
3 of 3 Mains is KDF. I like cloaks, Birds of Prey, Battlecruisers, and something different than the usual Federation, because diversity keeps things interesting. It is freedom in a type of anarchy where the law is in your own hands and there's no authority above you telling you how to sort your own business - except of course how STO makes a melting pot of everything and you end up a Fed regardless of dumping tons of resources into other factions only to still feel like a Fed.
I dislike a lot of Klingon styling, and would rather have more neutral-colored ghettos mixed in with natural scenery and occasional temples, barracks, and also well-kept areas so it isn't just about Klingons but all other outcasts too.
Edit to add: I was going to say more about Feds but it is not my intention to start a flame war, and for the most part I imagine we're all still Trek or Sci Fi fans who are trying to have fun and keep the game or whatever left of it alive.
Romulan, 'cause I've always loved the Romulans in Trek. And I like the way Cryptic took the unification / self-destructive Tal Shiar arcs from the series and ended up with the Republic. I understand it's not for everyone, but I feel the Republic better represents the 'average' Romulan better than the super-paranoid crazies we saw in TNG-era stuff.
Either way, I appreciate the creative licence they took with the Republic, and find it interesting. Hopefully we'll get to explore that a little more as time goes on.
Star Trek has pretty much always been about the Federation and Starfleet. So when I decided to try this Star Trek game whoelse was I going to play as? the Federation. I have Republic and KDF alts but they're alts, main is and always will be Federation because Star Trek.
This poll lacks the options to express my nuanced opinion
I also have a main for each faction but my first KDF toon has got most stuffz and I enjoy(ed) playing with him most of the content, most of the time, so I consider him as my main main, so to speak :P
I should have chosen "This poll lacks the options to express my nuanced opinion" since I'm a theme player not roleplayer. Can't change it now. Ah well...
I would sacrifice stats to fit the theme. In my character's case flying a defiant class closely following the approximate canon build. Even down to using the Tachyon Deflector Array and Hyper Injection Warp Core because their icons match the ship's deflector and warp core (when using the Belfast bridge/interior).
My signature below tells the rest.
Post edited by stolts on
The first Belfast was commanded by Captain Ve'Kal Shon until its destruction in 2409. A new ship was commissioned bearing the same name and registry as special dispensation to then newly promoted Captain Edward XIII for his pivotal role during the renewed Dominion War.
This poll lacks the options to express my nuanced opinion
Like the others it's because back then you need to unlock the KDF hence I was fed. But the greatest reason I'm still Fed now is because my 1st account got screwed during the transfer. I decided to just use another one which I forgot the password before and raced to max it out.
Although technically I also have both Rom and KDF and I really love both for their offensive capability.
Comments
Needless to say, I did make a Romulan right at the start of that expansion. And he's now my "primary alt" if that's a thing? I pretty much play 3 characters now. My main. The romulan. And I'm goofing around with a science guy, but am nowhere close to doing well with it.
I often think of Jean-Luke Picard as a model for what it means to be serving in some space federation, exploring unknown worlds, sorting moral issues, tackling tough choices, questioning authority, and even rewriting the governing laws and throwing higher-ups out of office.
Unfortunately in STO the Federation faction seems more like some totalitarian military bureaucracy where one follows orders unquestioningly and has no real influencing power of their own, not even as a Fleet Admiral. You are given the Doff assignments, the Admiralty assignments, the mission orders, you don't choose them yourself and decide on the course of action.
2 of 3 Mains is Romulan for both Role play and game play reasons, which is on equal terms as the Fed, fed-aligned 'because they made me' but Independent in spirit and willing to officially terminate faction alliances should a proper Star Empire faction ever be finished off. I entirely reject the republican half-faction despite the story being very good if not the best of what STO has to offer. Romulans I don't believe are a stereotypical species, but instead more like what the Trill and even what Humans are portrayed like in ST. As such, they have the ability to grow beyond their old ways. They embrace freedom and protect their way of life from outside control and interference, and are daring explorers who don't hesitate to venture out into dangerous territory if there's any chance it could benefit their people.
I also enjoy the Rom faction in STO because it was originally set up to be the most advanced faction due to power level management, universal battle cloaks, and singularity ability strategies. This is also the reason why I'd like to see a T6 Romulan science ship that also comes with a flight deck and good console ability since that would be the most demanding ship to pilot. In the meanwhile, the Harpia serves a fine role, and its flexibility plus burst damage output potential in the hands of a Romulan Tactical captain is unreal and like no other ship out there. It is a challenge to build and to fly and naturally a very rewarding experience when you're able to finally apply strategy and skill, and the only thing missing is a flight deck and some Aux-powered DHC like the Vesta.
I don't enjoy the lack of Romulan identity in STO. Most I suspect are only in it for the superior technology, or because they can feel like a federation again with their republicans. This is why I'd like an independent Romulan Star Empire so those who truly play it for the Faction Identity have the option of severing fleet alliances or porting over their existing fleets to real Romulan fleet facilities given only Imperials are on the roster. Feds, KDF, and republicans would be marked as red so it's weapons hot, and story missions would have alternate text and voice-overs as much as possible.
3 of 3 Mains is KDF. I like cloaks, Birds of Prey, Battlecruisers, and something different than the usual Federation, because diversity keeps things interesting. It is freedom in a type of anarchy where the law is in your own hands and there's no authority above you telling you how to sort your own business - except of course how STO makes a melting pot of everything and you end up a Fed regardless of dumping tons of resources into other factions only to still feel like a Fed.
I dislike a lot of Klingon styling, and would rather have more neutral-colored ghettos mixed in with natural scenery and occasional temples, barracks, and also well-kept areas so it isn't just about Klingons but all other outcasts too.
Edit to add: I was going to say more about Feds but it is not my intention to start a flame war, and for the most part I imagine we're all still Trek or Sci Fi fans who are trying to have fun and keep the game or whatever left of it alive.
My character Tsin'xing
Either way, I appreciate the creative licence they took with the Republic, and find it interesting. Hopefully we'll get to explore that a little more as time goes on.
KDF: Dahar Master Kan (Borg Klingon Tactical)::Dahar Master Torc (Alien Science)::Dahar Master Sisteric (Gorn Engineer)
RR-Fed: Citizen Sirroc (Romulan Science)::Fleet Admiral Grell (Alien Engineer)
RR-KDF: Fleet Admiral Zemo (Reman Tactical)::Fleet Admiral Xinatek (Reman Science)::Fleet Admiral Bel (Alien Engineer)
TOS-Fed: Fleet Admiral Katem (Andorian Tactical)::Lieutenant Commander Straad (Vulcan Engineer)
Dom-Fed: Dan'Tar (Jem'Hadar Science)
Dom-KDF: Kamtana'Solan (Jem'Hadar Science)
CoHost of Tribbles in Ecstasy (Zombee)
I would sacrifice stats to fit the theme. In my character's case flying a defiant class closely following the approximate canon build. Even down to using the Tachyon Deflector Array and Hyper Injection Warp Core because their icons match the ship's deflector and warp core (when using the Belfast bridge/interior).
My signature below tells the rest.
The first Belfast was commanded by Captain Ve'Kal Shon until its destruction in 2409. A new ship was commissioned bearing the same name and registry as special dispensation to then newly promoted Captain Edward XIII for his pivotal role during the renewed Dominion War.
Although technically I also have both Rom and KDF and I really love both for their offensive capability.
Of course, the game has since become so easy the Romulan advantage isn't important anymore...but I'm not going to switch back anymore.