Since RTFOs include the possibility of getting "stuck" in a ground queue...before you all just take the AFK penalty, lets talk about how to improve the ground builds for a bit.
I don't want to get stuck in the "I can't reconfigure my Specialization" b.s. which is totally useless...because they are not changing it. Right now, anyways.
Let's focus on kit modules and their uses. To start. Though all ground build advice and tips are welcome.
TIPS FOR GROUND QUEUES are VERY WELCOME.
Though some of us are still not there yet...so, tips at all levels are fine.
Engineer. Science. Tactical. Universal.
For efficiency. For specific situations.
Tell us your useful must have. Or the ones just for fun. And how you use them.
Whether the basics, from events, or fancier ones from boxes.
Give us your take on your favorite Kit Modules (by default, equivalent BOFF powers will most likely be pulled in, too).
@baddmoonrizin would you mind leaving this in General Discussion, then move it over to The Academy after people find it?
"Spend your life doing strange things with weird people." -- UNK
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -- Benjamin Franklin
Comments
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -- Benjamin Franklin
I am not sure how active the admin folks are, right now, though.
https://www.reddit.com/r/STOGround/wiki/index
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -- Benjamin Franklin
I was thinking is it some trait or the way the skill tree is set up....then. I got thinking maybe it is because the Hur'q bugs just rush everything and run themselves into the mines. ????
I am busy with breakfast, right now...will go look up the names of this stuff later in the Wiki.
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -- Benjamin Franklin
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -- Benjamin Franklin
Go ahead.
Hopefully, we can get more people posting about their favorites....
Having several events on going, though...always gets a little pressed for time.
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A lot of this stuff is just practicing and testing with your characters on the ground.
Which, with all the options that we have in this game....it doubles the time one needs to study.
But I am not sure if Cryptic will ever relent on separating RTFOs into Ground and Space....since they stated the reason for some of this was to get players into the various "forgotten" queues.
So, lets start sharing our observations about the Ground. And ideas on how to integrate it into the whole game plan.
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -- Benjamin Franklin
my engineer is my best ground character - a kitty. Uses mines, romulan plasma, a turret from the exchange that has a big cylinder on top. shield heal, crystal spike.
i'm useless with tac both in space and on the ground. i use the graviton spike, and often that thing that bombs people.
"With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably."
Science is one where certain powers are much more deadly with doffs. Anything that applies a debuff(including but not limited to run speed debuffs) triggers the Biochemist doff which gives a damage resist debuff. This can make AoE spam a super-deadly way to wipe low-tier enemies.
It's the defensive science powers that get REALLY interesting though.
Nanite Health Monitor: an old favorite because it heals you automatically when you need it most. It can also be applied to a team mate. And it adds a damage resist buff(DR) when triggered.
Medical Tricorder: Single target but the short cooldown is the best feature, also adds some DR
Triage: this has easy of use as the best feature since you don't need to target someone, just stand near them and use it. Also adds some DR.
Vascular Regenerator: single target heal/debuff removal, also adds DR.
Dylovene: buffs physical melee damage and increase max HP
Melorazine: removes debuffs and increases energy damage resist, this isn't a side bonus though, DR is the actual main effect.
Biofilter sweep: at first glance it looks like a weaker version of Melorazine, BUT, this one is an AoE and doesn't require you to target your allies to use it on them.
Now for a few select science modules that aren't available for crafting:
Metaphasic Rejuvenation(Terran rep): it's a healing AoE, but it's centered on a target, not on you(unless you target yourself). also it can revive KOed allies.
Vaadwaur Shield Drone: it's a science kit that summons a pet that repairs shields instead of HP. Doesn't SOUND like a big deal, until you realize how few things there are that let science players do that
Reconstructive nanites(Delta box): DR with a side benefit of a HoT. secondary trigger: team Max health boost
Energy Inversion Matrix(Xindi-A box): short recharge, causes target's energy attacks to heal shields instead of dealing damage
Automated adrenal hypo(Xindi-A box): best features: makes you run faster, if you get KOed before the effect wears off, it rezzes you.
Psionic assault(Undine box): maintained effect, reduces target's damage, and can stun them
My character Tsin'xing
- Terran kit to boost kit performance
- Johnny Cochrane's shotgun (Borg doesn't adapt to shotguns)
- a few ground kits from Q's Winter Wonderland fit for tactical, engineering and science (cryo grenade, freeze armor etc)
- Solar Gateway
- Patience
- ask questions or find a fast video of said map
Personally I like the STO ground battles, I don't understand why folks brag about Halo, Destiny and CoD but when it comes to Star Trek ground battles the same tough gamers just sit there like a turtle at times or rage quit 😒
So unless people are running Pilot/Specialist, they're getting the benefit of whatever they have slotted on the ground too. Granted my main is semi nerfed because she's doing Intel/Pilot, but still... I'm getting that defense boost from Intel on the ground. Command/Commando may be a bit more optimal for ground but... do what you can with what you got.
Back on topic:
Science characters can be built to health tank just about anything with the right kit modules. A skilled Medic can be dang near invincible. Engie characters can do something similar with shield tanking, but its not as effecient.
My Romulan Engie is set up with what I call the "Drone Master" kit. Basically got every deployable drone I can get my hands on in game, and slot the ones I feel will be the most useful. There are only a few situations where a Bunker Engie will actually be useful, and said Bunker Engie also has to be smart about where to put generators, kinda like base building in a strategy game. But a Drone Master can stay mobile, and have their own personal army. Combine it with some traits... you can have multiple support drones from the native engie power that also have wide beam secondary attacks, on top of a Seeker Drone and various other Drones. Only weakness of the Drone Master would be in PvP against someone with Sabotage however. But in someplace like Sompek... MUA HAHAHAHA. More things to distract the enemies with.
My TOS Science is set up as a Cryomancer. Endothermic Inhibitor Field, Cryo Visor, Cryo Stasis, Cold Fusion Flash, and a Med Tricorder for a heal. Pretty effective IMO.
Tac... I actually kinda like the old Fire Team setup. Couple buffs, a couple grenades...
I do have a friend though who made a pretty good Sniper kit. Don't remember what he used but he could hit for 1k at least with a sniper.
o.O There's a separate reddit for STO Ground? I... never knew that. Wow. ^_^
This is a slight detour from the main topic, but I always run around with a sci boff with these three (tricorder doubled). While not strictly necessary, you'll almost never have to worry about doffs going down again and will every so often see your health bar jump up when you need it. Add one or two eng shield restorations and you're set, even if that means slightly lower DPS.
Here's the Wiki pages that I could find...
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Science_Kit_Module_-_Exothermic_Induction_Field
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Science_Kit_Module_-_Medical_Tricorder
I hope this is what you mean by "hit the boss with radiation":
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Science_Kit_Module_-_Hyperonic_Radiation
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Universal_Kit_Module_-_Crystalline_Spike
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Science_Kit_Module_-_Cold_Fusion_Flash
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Engineering_Kit_Module_-_Chroniton_Mine_Barrier
I can not figure out "a turret with a big cylinder on top". ???? One of the Mortars???
Two shield heals I found in the Wiki:
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Engineering_Kit_Module_-_Shield_Generator
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Engineering_Kit_Module_-_Shield_Recharge
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Universal_Kit_Module_-_Crystalline_Spike
I don't know why I am horrific with Tac, too. Both ground and space.
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Tactical_Kit_Module_-_Graviton_Spike
I can not figure out "that thing that bombs people". ???? I assume you are not talking about grenades?
Do you mean this one???
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Tactical_Kit_Module_-_Chroniton_Micro-Torpedo_Spread
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Here is the page in the Wiki with the Kits listed....can you scroll through that and recognize the icon?
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Kit
Anyhoo...I had a night of killing Snowmen and Kramp'Ihri hordes and running ice races (and losing)...and I am ready to go to sleep. So I will link more stuff tomorrow.
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -- Benjamin Franklin
Because some of those felons just want to get in your face....
And I love this because, well, you can give them a good shove. LOL!
Matter of fact, I like anything with "kickback" animation to it. Because I think it is hilarious.
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Science_Kit_Module_-_Sonic_Disruption
It is a good reason to dust off your lohlunat wallets.
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -- Benjamin Franklin
Do you mean this one?
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Ability:_Coordinate_Bombing_Strike
this one
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Ability:_Mass_Gravimetric_Detonation
or this one
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Universal_Kit_Module_-_Protomatter_Munition_Deployment
B.t.w the turret from the exchange with the cylinder is this one
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Engineering_Kit_Module_-_Biotech_Turret
Could be the flamethrower turret.
Only other turret I can think of that comes close is theBiotech AP...
I find I am NOT familiar with any of the kit modules from Reputation and Specializations or from Lockboxes.
Matter of fact, I am not familiar with any of the gear from Reputations at all. I just do not buy them.
The fleet ones:
I have the Kligat...https://sto.gamepedia.com/Universal_Kit_Module_-_Kligat
But I assume Leck's Throwing Knives may be a step up...though that is taking up a weapons slot.
A friend suggested I get the Staff of Landru...
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Universal_Kit_Module_-_Staff_of_Landru
But I have not had any time to practice using that one.
The Kit Modules from Specialization can anyone use those?
Oh wait, I guess, one would have to fill those Specialization Trees to "unlock" them?
Is there something similar for BOFFs on ground? I guess, the ground abilities need the Specialization Training Manual....but don't need special "slots" like on the ships.
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Bridge_officer_and_kit_abilities Scroll down to Specialization.
Boy, there is a lot to study with Specializations.
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -- Benjamin Franklin
https://www.sto-league.com/ground-builds/
So....out of this list, which build do you have the most fun with??
Do you use the builds exactly as advertised with no personal touches?
Because you have a favorite Kit Module that is not in the build?
Which ones are those?
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -- Benjamin Franklin
I will try to catch up on looking up Kit Modules, listing the link to them and asking questions over the weekend.
That is if I don't get caught up in WW...I only have a week and a half left to get my fill of Snowman hits.
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -- Benjamin Franklin
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Universal_Kit_Module_-_Overcharge_Turret
it's a little slow but works well. the romulan plasma is faster so they work nicely together
some of my tacs do use the coordinated bombing strike
some use the plasma feedback which does well against hard hitting bosses.
some use sompek lightning
polaron bombardment (I like this better than the bombing strike)
some use cryogrenade
along with the usual team boosting modules
"With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably."
I can never see what I want to see on those things.
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -- Benjamin Franklin
@sheldonlcooper
If you like the overcharge turret, you should try this one:
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Universal_Kit_Module_-_Plasma_Blastwave_Turret
Keep in mind that the Solar gateway heals Tholians so be careful where to use it.
Easy to obtain; need only three (3) weekend vouchers during Arena of Sompek.
Account unlock via Weekend Reputation
I asked my Fleet Leader about it... he says be careful using that Echo Papa Drone as an aggro magnet...because once it aggros and it disappears....all that aggro comes on to you. So, make sure everything is dead.
(Well...he meant "you" as in ME. Because he knows I probably couldn't handle it.)
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Universal_Kit_Module_-_Echo_Papa_607_Drone_System
(I think I got this from the Phoenix Box).
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Universal_Kit_Module_-_Solar_Gateway (Infinity box per Wiki, check Exchange)
***Note*** I almost exclusively play Solo. So, any comments from me is from that point of view.
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -- Benjamin Franklin
Coordinated Bombing Strke: https://sto.gamepedia.com/Ability:_Coordinate_Bombing_Strike
(Command Specialization Kit, but there is a kit for your Captain. No page specific for that kit but this is the ability, you can train BOFFs)
Plasma Feedback Cascade: https://sto.gamepedia.com/Universal_Kit_Module_-_Plasma_Feedback_Cascade
(Mission Reward: "Uneasy Allies"
Polaron Bombardment: https://sto.gamepedia.com/Tactical_Kit_Module_-_Polaron_Bombardment
(Infinity Lockbox, check Exchange)
Cryo Grenade: https://sto.gamepedia.com/Tactical_Kit_Module_-_Cryo_Grenade
(Winter Event store)
Which are your favorite Team Boosting Modules?
I usually stick Overwatch and Rally Cry on my Tac.
Reading the description in the Wiki, now....well, it LOOKs good.
I wonder if it actually is helping in Solo play, though.
(I really hate playing with my Tac. Poor thing.)
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Tactical_Kit_Module_-_Overwatch
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Tactical_Kit_Module_-_Rally_Cry
Holy moly...they have a picture of that Plasma Blastwave Turret firing on the Wiki page. They are not kidding it is a "blastwave". Is this the one you are calling Romulan plasma, @sheldonlcooper ???
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Couple of people were talking about: Sompek Lightning (I have never done Sompek, myself).
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Universal_Kit_Module_-_Sompek_Lightning
(Weekend event store)
Did I get everything???? I think I did.
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -- Benjamin Franklin
When I first started playing....my Fleet Leader taught me to "set up" a "healer" Science BOFF on my Away Team. Of course, back then, the ability had to be "trained" at the BOFF trainer and NO SWITCHING.
It is so flexible, now.
To this day, my Away Team has that one Science BOFF "healer" running on it. Although, I am not so sure it is trained for only healing abilities, these days.
EDIT: Of course, I call up the launcher and realized I forgot to mention.....make sure the BOFF you pick as healer has the Trait called "Peak Health". It really helps keep that healer alive.
I have not taken the time to test and change things around on ground very much. I am sure that is the same for most other players. Hence, this outcry about the RTFOs mixing it up.
And who wouldn't concentrate on the Space portion??? A player is putting down a sizable investment in those fancier ships. Yeah, yeah, "you don't need any of it"....my TRIBBLE.
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Anyhoo...it is getting late, and I want to get on Winter Wonderland for my round of races and snowball fights....so, I will hit Rattler2, then wraithknight, then markhawkman posts with links, later or tomorrow.
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -- Benjamin Franklin
"With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably."