Special note regarding Andorian Phaser weapons

borticuscryptic · January 2018

As part of our monitoring of live feedback regarding the recent release of the Re-Engineering system, we've been investigating the re-surfaced reports that the Andorian Phaser weapons that were introduced with the Kumari bundle some years back cannot be upgraded, and by extension also cannot interact with Re-Engineering. Digging into this has revealed a few inconsistencies that we're going to be ironing out for the sake of integrating these items into both of those systems, and for ease of future maintenance.

First, we found that the "Advanced Fleet" versions of these weapons, currently available at your Fleet Starbase once you achieve Tier 2 in the Industrial Fabricator track, are actually not functionally different from the 'standard' versions obtained via the Dilithium Store. The only current differences are:

* They are obtained at Ultra-Rare (instead of Very Rare)
* They may be Upgraded, and Re-Engineered

We've decided that this distinction does not serve as large a purpose now as it did before the introduction of the Upgrade system. Additionally, this separate availability of "better" weapons of this type sets a precedent that we don't think is healthy for the future of the game, as it implies that other special weapons should have received the same treatment, but did not (e.g., Spiral Wave Disruptors, Wide-Angle Quantums, Voth Transphasics, Phaser Quad Cannons, etc. etc.)

Because of these decisions, we are going to remove Advanced Fleet Andorian Phasers from the Fleet Starbase, and moving forward, fleet versions of special weapons like this will not exist. At the same time, we are also going to enable the Upgrade and Re-Engineering of the Andorian Phasers which may be obtained from the Dilithium Store.

What this means for you...

1) If you currently own the Very Rare Andorian Phasers, purchased from the Dilithium Store, they will (at some point in the not-too-distant future) become eligible to be Upgraded, and Re-Engineered.

2) All "Advanced Fleet Andorian Phaser" weapons that already exist or are obtained by players prior to this change will remain unchanged, and will continue to be upgradeable, and may be re-engineered.

3) If you would like to obtain one or more "Advanced Fleet Andorian Phaser" weapons, act quickly as they will soon be retired, and removed from the Fleet Stores.

casualsto · January 2018

Thanks for the headsup. Will stash up on a set and if they can be reengineered, it's a good call to dish out some fleet credits, dil and zen to have the "Andorian beams and cannons" stashed up. I'd recommend all of the feddies doing an effort. At least some on a toon.

staq16 · January 2018

Hmm. Between this and the anniversary ship, Andorian T6 escorts coming soon.

gaevsman · January 2018

staq16 wrote: »

Hmm. Between this and the anniversary ship, Andorian T6 escorts coming soon.

I really wish that..

legendarylycan · January 2018

staq16 wrote: »

Hmm. Between this and the anniversary ship, Andorian T6 escorts coming soon.

yep, that'll be the next megabundle

avoozuul · January 2018

Looks like my guess weeks ago might end up being correct in regards to T6 Kumari's.

sunfrancks · January 2018

borticuscryptic wrote: »

As part of our monitoring of live feedback regarding the recent release of the Re-Engineering system, we've been investigating the re-surfaced reports that the Andorian Phaser weapons that were introduced with the Kumari bundle some years back cannot be upgraded, and by extension also cannot interact with Re-Engineering. Digging into this has revealed a few inconsistencies that we're going to be ironing out for the sake of integrating these items into both of those systems, and for ease of future maintenance.

First, we found that the "Advanced Fleet" versions of these weapons, currently available at your Fleet Starbase once you achieve Tier 2 in the Industrial Fabricator track, are actually not functionally different from the 'standard' versions obtained via the Dilithium Store. The only current differences are:

* They are obtained at Ultra-Rare (instead of Very Rare)
* They may be Upgraded, and Re-Engineered

We've decided that this distinction does not serve as large a purpose now as it did before the introduction of the Upgrade system. Additionally, this separate availability of "better" weapons of this type sets a precedent that we don't think is healthy for the future of the game, as it implies that other special weapons should have received the same treatment, but did not (e.g., Spiral Wave Disruptors, Wide-Angle Quantums, Voth Transphasics, Phaser Quad Cannons, etc. etc.)

Because of these decisions, we are going to remove Advanced Fleet Andorian Phasers from the Fleet Starbase, and moving forward, fleet versions of special weapons like this will not exist. At the same time, we are also going to enable the Upgrade and Re-Engineering of the Andorian Phasers which may be obtained from the Dilithium Store.

What this means for you...

1) If you currently own the Very Rare Andorian Phasers, purchased from the Dilithium Store, they will (at some point in the not-too-distant future) become eligible to be Upgraded, and Re-Engineered.

2) All "Advanced Fleet Andorian Phaser" weapons that already exist or are obtained by players prior to this change will remain unchanged, and will continue to be upgradeable, and may be re-engineered.

3) If you would like to obtain one or more "Advanced Fleet Andorian Phaser" weapons, act quickly as they will soon be retired, and removed from the Fleet Stores.

Is there any chance that the Advanced Andorian Phasers in the Dilithium store could be pre-upgraded to UR, like they are in the Fleet store?

primar13 · January 2018

So @borticuscryptic

I'm not a Huge fan of removing items... I'd much rather buy at UR, than to have to buy at VR and pay to upgrade, but I get the thought process on your end.

If we need to have it be something special to be in the Fleet Store, how about Andorian Variants of some of the Specialty Weapons we've been clamoring for for years.

Maybe a Omni-Directional Andorian Phaser Beam Array, and a Wide Arc Andorian Dual Heavy Cannons option

These "special" weapons could replace the Fleet ones currently in the store. Having the same requirements as before, that you own the Andorian Ships. This would just allow us Blue variants of the weapons we've been wanting, while still having them be special enough to warrant the Fleet Title.

Just a thought

dragonhef01 · January 2018

Could you re-engineer the Elite phasers and disruptors as well(and add all energy types)?

angrytarg · January 2018

Please note that the dilithium store prices are more expensive than the UR fleet versions. I'd hate to see this change simply mean increase cost for these items, especially since they need to be upgraded afterwards (Dil store versions also come at Mk X if I'm not mistaken). Also I support @primar13 suggestion, Andorian phasers need a omni version - or other versions need an option to gain a colour [mod] for the sake of consistent visuals

primar13 · January 2018

angrytarg wrote: »

Please note that the dilithium store prices are more expensive than the UR fleet versions. I'd hate to see this change simply mean increase cost for these items, especially since they need to be upgraded afterwards (Dil store versions also come at Mk X if I'm not mistaken). Also I support @primar13 suggestion, Andorian phasers need a omni version - or other versions need an option to gain a colour [mod] for the sake of consistent visuals

Not Just Upgrade, but then you have to go and Re-engineer to get whatever set of Mods you want.

If you ignore the Argument about Which Mod Groups are better and just look at it from the stance of I want 8 beams with the SAME set of Mods It will be considerably more expensive for the player to buy at VR from the Dilithium Store. You are going to have to buy Eight Beams at Mk 10 VR, and then Upgrade to 14, and then Re-Engineer to get matching Mods. This would be frustrating to begin with, and then you add in the Random Aspect of Re-Engineering.

It be like going to Get a New Car, Being Told you Couldn't Buy All Four Wheels as a Set, But instead had to buy Each Wheel Individually, where there was a chance the Rim Size, and Tire Size would be Different From Each Other. Then After buying them you would have to swap them out individually for a random wheel in hopes you could get a Matching Set, and you have to pay for each swap. Just doing this repeatedly to get a matching set would be frustrating, and then having to do it over and over cause you can't get the Matching Set of the kind you want.... Gagh!

Currently You can go to the Fleet Store, where you have a few options to buy them with a Fix Pool of Mods. It would be Safe to say that no matter which set you took, you would likely be guaranteed 2/5 Mods to be what you want before upgrading. You can then upgrade to 14, and then Most likely only have to Re-Engineer Up to the remaining 3 Mods on any Give Beam to get what you want, and have them be uniform. This is considerably more cost effective on the player and is less likely to anger the player due to the systems reliance on RNG.

Bort, Sparty. You are good guys who for years have been the champions of bringing the players perspective into the Developers office.

Please rethink this choice!

salazarraze · January 2018

So this means that spiral waves will be available for re-engineering "at some point in the not-too-distant future?"

Awesome.

artan42 · January 2018

I assume @borticuscryptic will bob back and check this thread if so, related to upgrading (though I don't really have an opinion about the Andorian weapons), the Hirogen Tetryon Blast Rifle from Alpha and the Romulan Disruptors from Frozen cannot be upgraded.

fleetcaptain5 · January 2018

Glad to see this being addressed. I never even knew that the Andorian weapons in the Andorian fleet stores could be upgraded. I only noticed that the dilithium store ones couldn't be upgraded.

This change should make things a lot more clear and transparent.

warpangel · January 2018

None of the "Advanced Fleet" weapons are functionally any different from the standard versions, besides being sold at UR. If that distinction doesn't serve a purpose anymore, why aren't you removing all of them?

cmdrscarlet · January 2018

Spiral Waves will be able to be re-engineered eventually.

I just wish they, like the Andorian Phasers, were not locked, so to speak, behind ship ownership first.

captainwestbrook · January 2018

It would definitely be great if it could be considered to make the Andorian Phasers on Dilithium store made available as UR upon their removal from Fleet Stores.

amayakitsune · January 2018

borticuscryptic wrote: »

As part of our monitoring of live feedback regarding the recent release of the Re-Engineering system, we've been investigating the re-surfaced reports that the Andorian Phaser weapons that were introduced with the Kumari bundle some years back cannot be upgraded, and by extension also cannot interact with Re-Engineering. Digging into this has revealed a few inconsistencies that we're going to be ironing out for the sake of integrating these items into both of those systems, and for ease of future maintenance.

First, we found that the "Advanced Fleet" versions of these weapons, currently available at your Fleet Starbase once you achieve Tier 2 in the Industrial Fabricator track, are actually not functionally different from the 'standard' versions obtained via the Dilithium Store. The only current differences are:

* They are obtained at Ultra-Rare (instead of Very Rare)
* They may be Upgraded, and Re-Engineered

We've decided that this distinction does not serve as large a purpose now as it did before the introduction of the Upgrade system. Additionally, this separate availability of "better" weapons of this type sets a precedent that we don't think is healthy for the future of the game, as it implies that other special weapons should have received the same treatment, but did not (e.g., Spiral Wave Disruptors, Wide-Angle Quantums, Voth Transphasics, Phaser Quad Cannons, etc. etc.)

Because of these decisions, we are going to remove Advanced Fleet Andorian Phasers from the Fleet Starbase, and moving forward, fleet versions of special weapons like this will not exist. At the same time, we are also going to enable the Upgrade and Re-Engineering of the Andorian Phasers which may be obtained from the Dilithium Store.

What this means for you...

1) If you currently own the Very Rare Andorian Phasers, purchased from the Dilithium Store, they will (at some point in the not-too-distant future) become eligible to be Upgraded, and Re-Engineered.

2) All "Advanced Fleet Andorian Phaser" weapons that already exist or are obtained by players prior to this change will remain unchanged, and will continue to be upgradeable, and may be re-engineered.

3) If you would like to obtain one or more "Advanced Fleet Andorian Phaser" weapons, act quickly as they will soon be retired, and removed from the Fleet Stores.

While I know this isnt the place for this exactly, can we get the price of the Spiral Wave Disruptors in the Dilithium store reduced to 0 if we own the Galor or Keldon? I think they are the only weapons that cost dilithium to acquire more copies of. I know the Tholian torpedoes dont cost any.

ee3452p · February 2018

@borticuscryptic

I just bought the T6 Andorian Escorts. The white Mk 10 Andorian weapons that come with the ship currently cannot be upgraded. Any other weapon that is pre-installed on a newly purchased ship, to my knowledge, can be upgraded, so I ask that the same is applied to Andorian (and Lethean and Dewan) weapons too that are purchased with the new Pilot ship bundle.

bergins · February 2018

In general, the energy weapons that come with a ship aren't upgradeable. The exception to this rule seems to be the special, "Can Only Equip One" weapons, like the Quad Cannons from the Defiant variant. Most of the time, you're dealing with white/common Mk X phasers/disruptors/etc, so nobody pays attention as they discard them, but Andorian Phasers and Both Antiproton catch people's attention.

tousseau · February 2018

Could we please get an Andorian Omni added to the store?

ltminns · February 2018

And while you're at it, we shouldn't be getting Mk XI Andorian Phasers from the Dilitium Store. Mk XII should be what's for sale there.

warpangel · February 2018

ee3452p wrote: »

I just bought the T6 Andorian Escorts. The white Mk 10 Andorian weapons that come with the ship currently cannot be upgraded. Any other weapon that is pre-installed on a newly purchased ship, to my knowledge, can be upgraded, so I ask that the same is applied to Andorian (and Lethean and Dewan) weapons too that are purchased with the new Pilot ship bundle.

All of the white gear that comes with ships is non-upgradeable.

davefenestrator · February 2018

tousseau wrote: »

Could we please get an Andorian Omni added to the store?

Yes, the big selling point of these weapons is the look, so having to use a mismatched omni is not ideal.

@borticuscryptic since Cryptic is making changes like this can we please get an Omni for each of the new beam types? It really is unpleasant to have one mismatched beam sticking out like a sore thumb and it's apparently not possible to add a weapon visual slot.

jtoney3448 · February 2018

Id also like to the a torpedo based on the ones the wing platforms use. But an Omni is really needed for every type of weapon since they are universally needed for pretty much every build.

avoozuul · February 2018

Was one of the T5 models of the ship supposed to be free in the ship customizer? Because unlike the T6 Oddyssy's you don't seem to unlock one of the T5 designs for the T6 Andorian escorts.

meimeitoo · February 2018

ltminns wrote: »

And while you're at it, we shouldn't be getting Mk XI Andorian Phasers from the Dilitium Store. Mk XII should be what's for sale there.

I haven't checked (I got mine already from the Fleet store, a great while back), but don't tell me they're Mk XI, and 'very rare' only (or blue even). They should come at Mk XII, ultra rare.

meimeitoo · February 2018

davefenestrator wrote: »

tousseau wrote: »

Could we please get an Andorian Omni added to the store?

Yes, the big selling point of these weapons is the look, so having to use a mismatched omni is not ideal.

@borticuscryptic since Cryptic is making changes like this can we please get an Omni for each of the new beam types? It really is unpleasant to have one mismatched beam sticking out like a sore thumb and it's apparently not possible to add a weapon visual slot.

+1

I have full 'blue' boat, with the Lukari shield visual, Andorian Phasers, and a blue aft beam (from the Quantum set). So, yes, a blue Omni would be welcome.

tousseau · February 2018

davefenestrator wrote: »

tousseau wrote: »

Could we please get an Andorian Omni added to the store?

Yes, the big selling point of these weapons is the look, so having to use a mismatched omni is not ideal.

@borticuscryptic since Cryptic is making changes like this can we please get an Omni for each of the new beam types? It really is unpleasant to have one mismatched beam sticking out like a sore thumb and it's apparently not possible to add a weapon visual slot.

As it sits atm, the closest omni that we have is from the Discovery box... with it's blue pulse effect (which is doable I guess).

EDIT: Now about the fix for the Andorian Wing Cannons from the original escorts...

ltminns · February 2018

XI VR.

Special note regarding Andorian Phaser weapons

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