I hit Level 20 and I also received my free Vulcan Anniversary ship today. I picked the Heavy Cruiser (Dakota) with my Rank pick.
Congrats on making Commander. You'll probably have some more skill points available to you. If it's of any help, here is a framework of basic skill point allocation common to most builds looking forward. Good luck out there.
I hit Level 20 and I also received my free Vulcan Anniversary ship today. I picked the Heavy Cruiser (Dakota) with my Rank pick.
You chose...poorly. Always pick the science ship. You will need it later.
I disagree. The OP picked a cruiser that gives good power levels, cruiser commands, is easy to pilot, and should be relatively sturdy... an excellent choice for doing missions.
If they want the science ship for doing admiralty later after ranking up 32 more levels they can always grab the science ship for 17K dilithium.
Hello from a frustrated noob! I've been trying to play this game (Free-to-Play) for months now, and I still don't have a clue on what I'm supposed to be doing.
When I began, I couldn't finish any missions because my ship kept getting blown up. My character (long since deleted) could only get to 7th Level. I go to Risa where I'm told that I can't beam down until I'm Level 10. I played a few more weeks but couldn't even get to 8th Level, so I quit.
I came back a couple of months ago to try again. I got my new character to Level 10.
I am currently playing a 25th Level Human Female Tactical Officer (Federation).
My problems:
Space Combat is impossible! Even in the tutorial, my ship got blown up at least 20-30 times!
At level 16, I got the 'Secret Orders' mission (the one in the Briar Patch). I tried it, and it was a disaster! I lost track of how times my ship got blown up. So I went back to ESD and basically did Duty Officer missions for a month to get to Level 20 with a new ship. I was now 4 levels above the mission rank, my new ship was equipped with the highest ranked equipment I could use, and I just barely got through it.
And during Space Combat, I have to run my character and my Bridge Officers at the same time! How the heck am I supposed to do that when my ship is getting attacked by multiple ships simultaneously?
Surely an enjoyable leveling experience is the focus here versus a future junior admiralty card ?
1. 2 Pts in Hull Capacity
2. 1 Pt in Hull Restoration
3. 1 Pt in Shield Capacity
4. 1 Pt in Shield Restoration
5. 1 Pt in Energy Weapon
What do you think of my choices? Are there better choices? Let me know.
I just had another thought about other skill tree choices for your human tac. Many that I've posted here have ranged from "pretty science based" to "full balanced" (15/15/16) which is the same skill tree a dedicated science based toon would most likely run in a science ship.
This may be fine if you like this type of play style, but would like to give you more options for going to a straight tac build that mesh with your current skill point choices. Credit to @tom61sto for originally and correctly pointing out my weightings and then posting his own 26 point tac build for a S'Torr turret build in another thread that then formed the basis of this 'woops there's more options post' here. I really think 25 or 26 point tac builds are worth your consideration and offer a sample here.
Surely an enjoyable leveling experience is the focus here versus a future junior admiralty card ?
It isn't like you can't have an enjoyable leveling experience with a Science Vessel. At lower levels, the difference between Cruiser and Science Vessels are marginal, and at higher levels, you finally get access to cool Science powers, and there still aren't any cool Engineering powers.
Star Trek Online Advancement: You start with lowbie gear, you end with Lobi gear.
Surely an enjoyable leveling experience is the focus here versus a future junior admiralty card ?
It isn't like you can't have an enjoyable leveling experience with a Science Vessel. At lower levels, the difference between Cruiser and Science Vessels are marginal, and at higher levels, you finally get access to cool Science powers, and there still aren't any cool Engineering powers.
Well, all my fav Captains are ENGs. This doesn't mean anyone is wrong about his/her preferences, it just means everyone has to choose what works best for them.
Surely an enjoyable leveling experience is the focus here versus a future junior admiralty card ?
It isn't like you can't have an enjoyable leveling experience with a Science Vessel. At lower levels, the difference between Cruiser and Science Vessels are marginal, and at higher levels, you finally get access to cool Science powers, and there still aren't any cool Engineering powers.
I agree completely, you can have an enjoyable leveling experience in any kind of ship you like.
In context though, the OP is a new L20 player needing some help and the person whom which I was responding to was making ship recommendations decisions based on future admiralty cards. He is technically correct with respect to admiralty, however it was the OP who chose a cruiser.
If anyone is interested in the Tactical Template, you can find it here. As always, it comes with the disclaimer that I don't claim this is 'best' or 'right' just what I personally like. If it helps someone get ideas to build off of then that's great.
Yes, its all about ideas to build off. It doesn't have to be "mathematically perfect" but thought it would be an good starting point for a newer player's skill tree who want to pursue the tactical ultimate and shows how early choices in skill points can leave doors open (or not) which is why I posted my first steps spec earlier. Oh... and it does work just fine
I could have posted several additional balanced trees and am sure you could post just as many tactical ultimate based ones as well that are individualized for various types of ships, game play, or build. Hopefully together they highlight some common skill tree choices for most players just starting out.
Balanced builds are fine if you've closed some doors via earlier skill tree choices, prefer a science build, would like to try various play styles before committing or prefer being an effective generalist (which is fine). Your tactical template works great and highlights yet another choice for players to work towards.
Surely an enjoyable leveling experience is the focus here versus a future junior admiralty card ?
It isn't like you can't have an enjoyable leveling experience with a Science Vessel. At lower levels, the difference between Cruiser and Science Vessels are marginal, and at higher levels, you finally get access to cool Science powers, and there still aren't any cool Engineering powers.
It's not that the high-level Eng powers aren't good or useful, but that they aren't flashy
FYI - At some point, soon, you will fight Borg. When you do... https://sto.gamepedia.com/Frequency_Remodulator
... you will need a Frequency Remodulator. Use your replicator to make them for $$$FREE$$$.
Surely an enjoyable leveling experience is the focus here versus a future junior admiralty card ?
It isn't like you can't have an enjoyable leveling experience with a Science Vessel. At lower levels, the difference between Cruiser and Science Vessels are marginal, and at higher levels, you finally get access to cool Science powers, and there still aren't any cool Engineering powers.
It's not that the high-level Eng powers aren't good or useful, but that they aren't flashy
The good ones are heals, and with enough consoles or traits for non-bridge officer heals you really don't need that many, and the "flashy" powers from other classes deal more damage meaning you kill enemies faster, meaning you need less heals.
Though I guess I omit Aux2Bat in my consideration, which has been a staple in cooldown management since forever and is often critical for many builds. It's the one method I use the least. (I only recently actually made a character using Aux2Bat builds.)
Star Trek Online Advancement: You start with lowbie gear, you end with Lobi gear.
I just hit Level 30. Which ship should I choose? I already have the Vulcan T6 Science ship from the Q Daily Anniversary thing.
What is the consensus of the board?
Since we are nerds and Trekies, you will not find consensus here.
That said, going back to what we discussed once before, if your looking to experiment with different types of ships, a Tactical Escort is very manuverable... https://sto.gamepedia.com/Tactical_Escort/
I just hit Level 30. Which ship should I choose? I already have the Vulcan T6 Science ship from the Q Daily Anniversary thing.
What is the consensus of the board?
All of them are good ships, what matters is your playstyle. Escorts are good if you like to charge headlong into battle, strafe the enemy, then run away for a minute while your weapons cool. Load an escort with dual heavy cannon forward, add a torpedo for the spike damage, and choose between turrets or beam weapons aft (turrets fire in all directions, but are weaker; beams are stronger, but fire only in a given arc. They do damage only while you're facing away from your foe).
Science ships can do interesting things to their opponents; they can stand up to incoming fire better than escorts, although they aren't as tough as cruisers - sort of a middle ground with a secondary deflector. Be sure to keep rotating among your science powers, in order to damage the enemy as much as possible at all times, and strongly consider getting a console that improves your "exotic" damage (that's pretty much anything that isn't energy or kinetic).
Cruisers are built to take damage, which is good, because of the three classes they're the least maneuverable. If you've been relying on Beam Fire at Will (BFAW), a cruiser is probably best because it gives you the same number of weapon slots fore and aft. With a cruiser, beam arrays are your best friend. Remember, if you sit side-on to the enemy (broadsiding), all your beam arrays can shoot them at once! (Another trick with a cruiser - grab a good mine launcher and stuff that into an aft weapon slot, if you'll pardon the expression. They get launched, sit for a second, then automatically move toward the nearest enemy and explode once they get in range. It's the ultimate in fire-and-forget!)
I have put out many invites to Noob players to help them with the game. As of now the door is closed and all I can say is figure it out for yourself. Good luck and have fun with the grind.
Fleet Admiral of the U.S.S. ATTILA KHAN-CDA (NX-921911).
I have put out many invites to Noob players to help them with the game. As of now the door is closed and all I can say is figure it out for yourself. Good luck and have fun with the grind.
I know (or at least hope) that you didn't mean to sound rude with this post, so I thank you for your help and wish you well.
~~~~~
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
Escorts - dual cannons + torp front, turrets rear. Faster paced game play, more squishy. An active game play style is required. Highest spike damage and highest damage potential makes up for being more squishy. 'Faster paced fun'
Science ships - beam arrays + torpedo(s). Somewhat tough. Works best with a balanced spec. Knowledge of science abilities is required. More options at higher levels (i.e. a Commander science boff seat). 'A different kind of fun'
It's great to have so many options. That why (imho) it's sometimes nice to level with a reasonably balanced spec and try them all.
So, as a level 30 human tactical officer have you decided on a ship? You have people literally sitting on the edge of their seats in anticipation
I took the Enterprise-D (I think it's the Cruiser . . . my brain is mush right now. It's bedtime.) Now everyone can sit back in their chairs comfortably and play STO.
~~~~~
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
Is there a vendor on ESD that sells Water Purification Systems? I've walked all over the Starbase but I can't find him/her.
And if there isn't a vendor on ESD, where is a vendor?
The commodities vendor apparently doesn't sell them.
Right now, the only place you can get them is using your replicator, but in 1 hour that's going to be removed.. so honestly.. not sure where you can get them now.
Reading the patch notes again.. the Replicator might just be removed from the Reputation UI.
I won't know until the server comes back up, but assuming that it isn't changed, if you need Water Purification Systems, open your inventory and click on the Replicator button at the bottom. You can purchase them right from there.
If I am reading the patch notes wrong and that button no longer exists post patch, then you will need to find a Vendor that sells them. Currently, I don't know of one on ESD.
There are numerous vendors in the game, every social zone has one. So ESD, K7, DS9, Bajor... the list is *very* long.
It may be worthwhile to make (or find -I'm sure someone has posted one online somewhere) a list of which vendors sell what and stock up when you're in that area. For example, I will buy extra medical supplies when I'm on Vulcan as the vendor has a good price. Using the replicator is generally more expensive than buying from a vendor, so use the vendors when you can. Watch out for the "shady" vendors, however. They tend to price gouge. Also, be sure to put commodities in your bank so your inventory slots don't get clogged up with them. You can still use them for doff missions anywhere in the game even though they're in the bank.
Here's a master list of vendors including those that offer discounts on specific items. Your personal replicator remains in-game after today's patch. STO wiki Link Commodities
Comments
Also you're kinda supposed to run away from the Mogai instead of fighting it.
My character Tsin'xing
Yeah. That's how I do it.
If they want the science ship for doing admiralty later after ranking up 32 more levels they can always grab the science ship for 17K dilithium.
Perhaps a build suggestion would be of more help? generic5's T3 heavy cruiser
From their first post: Surely an enjoyable leveling experience is the focus here versus a future junior admiralty card ?
This may be fine if you like this type of play style, but would like to give you more options for going to a straight tac build that mesh with your current skill point choices. Credit to @tom61sto for originally and correctly pointing out my weightings and then posting his own 26 point tac build for a S'Torr turret build in another thread that then formed the basis of this 'woops there's more options post' here. I really think 25 or 26 point tac builds are worth your consideration and offer a sample here.
Well, all my fav Captains are ENGs. This doesn't mean anyone is wrong about his/her preferences, it just means everyone has to choose what works best for them.
In context though, the OP is a new L20 player needing some help and the person whom which I was responding to was making ship recommendations decisions based on future admiralty cards. He is technically correct with respect to admiralty, however it was the OP who chose a cruiser.
I could have posted several additional balanced trees and am sure you could post just as many tactical ultimate based ones as well that are individualized for various types of ships, game play, or build. Hopefully together they highlight some common skill tree choices for most players just starting out.
Balanced builds are fine if you've closed some doors via earlier skill tree choices, prefer a science build, would like to try various play styles before committing or prefer being an effective generalist (which is fine). Your tactical template works great and highlights yet another choice for players to work towards.
My character Tsin'xing
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Frequency_Remodulator
... you will need a Frequency Remodulator. Use your replicator to make them for $$$FREE$$$.
Please, DO NOT buy them off of the Exchange.
The good ones are heals, and with enough consoles or traits for non-bridge officer heals you really don't need that many, and the "flashy" powers from other classes deal more damage meaning you kill enemies faster, meaning you need less heals.
Though I guess I omit Aux2Bat in my consideration, which has been a staple in cooldown management since forever and is often critical for many builds. It's the one method I use the least. (I only recently actually made a character using Aux2Bat builds.)
My character Tsin'xing
What is the consensus of the board?
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
~~~~~
Since we are nerds and Trekies, you will not find consensus here.
That said, going back to what we discussed once before, if your looking to experiment with different types of ships, a Tactical Escort is very manuverable...
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Tactical_Escort/
If you want to stick with lots of Hull, as with your last ship, go with the Exp. Cruiser
https://sto.gamepedia.com/Exploration_Cruiser
Science ships can do interesting things to their opponents; they can stand up to incoming fire better than escorts, although they aren't as tough as cruisers - sort of a middle ground with a secondary deflector. Be sure to keep rotating among your science powers, in order to damage the enemy as much as possible at all times, and strongly consider getting a console that improves your "exotic" damage (that's pretty much anything that isn't energy or kinetic).
Cruisers are built to take damage, which is good, because of the three classes they're the least maneuverable. If you've been relying on Beam Fire at Will (BFAW), a cruiser is probably best because it gives you the same number of weapon slots fore and aft. With a cruiser, beam arrays are your best friend. Remember, if you sit side-on to the enemy (broadsiding), all your beam arrays can shoot them at once! (Another trick with a cruiser - grab a good mine launcher and stuff that into an aft weapon slot, if you'll pardon the expression. They get launched, sit for a second, then automatically move toward the nearest enemy and explode once they get in range. It's the ultimate in fire-and-forget!)
I know (or at least hope) that you didn't mean to sound rude with this post, so I thank you for your help and wish you well.
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
~~~~~
Like many others have posted:
- Cruisers - beam arrays + torpedo. Tougher. Slower paced game play. 'Graceful fun'
- Escorts - dual cannons + torp front, turrets rear. Faster paced game play, more squishy. An active game play style is required. Highest spike damage and highest damage potential makes up for being more squishy. 'Faster paced fun'
- Science ships - beam arrays + torpedo(s). Somewhat tough. Works best with a balanced spec. Knowledge of science abilities is required. More options at higher levels (i.e. a Commander science boff seat). 'A different kind of fun'
It's great to have so many options. That why (imho) it's sometimes nice to level with a reasonably balanced spec and try them all.I took the Enterprise-D (I think it's the Cruiser . . . my brain is mush right now. It's bedtime.) Now everyone can sit back in their chairs comfortably and play STO.
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
~~~~~
And if there isn't a vendor on ESD, where is a vendor?
"We do not do this thing because it is permitted. We do it because we have to. We do it because we are compelled." - Rorschach
~~~~~
The commodities vendor apparently doesn't sell them.
Right now, the only place you can get them is using your replicator, but in 1 hour that's going to be removed.. so honestly.. not sure where you can get them now.
And just as a general FYI for beginning players - https://startrek.44thfleet.com/beginners-guide-faqs/
Very first time ship setup - https://startrek.44thfleet.com/links/first-time-sto-ship-setup/
You're welcome
The Mighty 44th. Boldly bashing Borgs to bits since 2010.
I won't know until the server comes back up, but assuming that it isn't changed, if you need Water Purification Systems, open your inventory and click on the Replicator button at the bottom. You can purchase them right from there.
If I am reading the patch notes wrong and that button no longer exists post patch, then you will need to find a Vendor that sells them. Currently, I don't know of one on ESD.
It may be worthwhile to make (or find -I'm sure someone has posted one online somewhere) a list of which vendors sell what and stock up when you're in that area. For example, I will buy extra medical supplies when I'm on Vulcan as the vendor has a good price. Using the replicator is generally more expensive than buying from a vendor, so use the vendors when you can. Watch out for the "shady" vendors, however. They tend to price gouge. Also, be sure to put commodities in your bank so your inventory slots don't get clogged up with them. You can still use them for doff missions anywhere in the game even though they're in the bank.