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Forums > Home› Star Trek Online General Discussion

Is there a way around this paywall?

scottybro1970#1342 scottybro1970
scottybro1970#1342
 Member Posts: 79 Arc User
in Star Trek Online General Discussion
I'm currently upgrading my ship's anriproton beams and found out now that the only way to obtain catalysts is to buy r and d boxes or keys to open lockboxes for the chance to get a r and d box. I dont have the money to blow for that. So now l am out of luck, yes?

Comments

  • duncanidaho11duncanidaho11 Member Posts: 7,980 Arc User
    edited April 2017
    You can find those items on the exchange. How much EC those cost is down to market forces. Note: catalysts help with upgrading but they aren't necessary. You can upgrade items at a very respectable clip with Very Rare tech upgrades alone (which you can make yourself at crafting level 15 in relevant school, or again see the exchange.)
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  • saurializardsaurializard Member Posts: 4,404 Arc User
    There is still the exchange.
    #TASforSTO
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  • ffttfftt Member Posts: 715 Arc User
    scottybro1970#1342 wrote: »
    I'm currently upgrading my ship's anriproton beams and found out now that the only way to obtain catalysts is to buy r and d boxes or keys to open lockboxes for the chance to get a r and d box. I dont have the money to blow for that. So now l am out of luck, yes?

    Catalysts are by no means a necessity when upgrading gear. Sure they can speed things up, but I've managed just fine without 'em.
  • binkleyboy#3920 binkleyboy
    binkleyboy#3920
         Member Posts: 31 Arc User
    The great thing about this game is there is no "pay wall". Even if these items weren't on the exchange, you could still grind dilithium to trade for zen to buy them from the zen store. This game never forces you to actually open your RL wallet, because even the items in the zen store can be gotten through an in game grind.
  • scottybro1970#1342 scottybro1970
    scottybro1970#1342
         Member Posts: 79 Arc User
    Oh OK l assumed that the catalysts were required but if they are not, awesome. Thanks guys for the feedback. I can get back to work now:)
  • ffttfftt Member Posts: 715 Arc User
    All catalysts do is increase the tech or quality improvement points when applied. Like I wrote, they can speed things up but unless you've got $$$ to spare and are in an extreme hurry they're not really worth it. And I'd really, really hate it if I were to buy a quality booster for a lower level Mk item only to have the progress vanish at the Mk advancement.

    You're just fine applying the upgrades without catalysts.
  • lapprenticellapprenticel Member Posts: 254 Arc User
    Note too that you get free upgrades via the Romulan admiralty missions. You can also get Omega Tech Upgrades by crafting the omega shards\slivers\particles. Oh and there's also Phoenix tech upgrades. All free\event\time based.
  • UnknownUnknown
    edited April 2017
    This content has been removed.
  • jaguarskxjaguarskx Member Posts: 5,945 Arc User
    The best thing about this game is anything in the C-Store can be obtained for free as long as you devote the time and effort to obtain and refine dilithium, then exchange it for Zen. It takes time, but many players have done it.
  • dracounguisdracounguis Member Posts: 5,358 Arc User
    OP probably didn't pay to remove the EC ceiling either, so using the Exchange can leave you not being able to afford alot of stuff.
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