Played through the new three patrols a couple of times each now. I enjoy them, but so far in my experience these new three aren't spitting out as much loot as the initial group of patrols. My sample size was small for data though so maybe it was just my Cryptic luck.
I have only done one of the new patrols so far (though I did it several times to compare build changes and whatnot). The rewards might have been a bit less than the mushroom patrols but if so it was not particularly noticeable. Of course, at that point the immediate rewards were not the main concern anyway so they may have been lower than I thought.
Seeing as I've been running the newest patrols for a bit now, I figured I'd offer some feedback.
Overall, I've quite enjoyed running these patrols again, with one notable bugbear - The Voth and Vaadwaur absolutely annihilate fighter pets. I actually dislike the Zahl patrol the most due to the atmospheric artillery barrages that constantly pop all fighter pets with no counterplay. I don't mind losing fighters to attrition here and there, but constantly having your entire hangar bay wiped with no opportunity to prevent it just doesn't feel good, gameplay wise. I'm not really sure what a good solution is, but it's an 'unfun' enough experience that I feel it's worth noting for future consideration.
That single bugbear aside, Nice work. I think the cooperative patrol vs the voth is probably the toughest of the lot. (You're forced to be right in the middle of their spawn-ins and I regularly see them disable the escorting cube(s) by the time I can reposition to counter the directional immunity of the bigger ships.)
In terms of longevity, the heirarchy/tradeship escort is probably my favorite of the batch. The number of escort groups and type of opponents you face has enough variety to keep it interesting. I think I've seen every variation by now, but the anticipation/surprise of how things will play out each run is still keeping me amused.
Seeing as I've been running the newest patrols for a bit now, I figured I'd offer some feedback.
Overall, I've quite enjoyed running these patrols again, with one notable bugbear - The Voth and Vaadwaur absolutely annihilate fighter pets. I actually dislike the Zahl patrol the most due to the atmospheric artillery barrages that constantly pop all fighter pets with no counterplay. I don't mind losing fighters to attrition here and there, but constantly having your entire hangar bay wiped with no opportunity to prevent it just doesn't feel good, gameplay wise. I'm not really sure what a good solution is, but it's an 'unfun' enough experience that I feel it's worth noting for future consideration.
That single bugbear aside, Nice work. I think the cooperative patrol vs the voth is probably the toughest of the lot. (You're forced to be right in the middle of their spawn-ins and I regularly see them disable the escorting cube(s) by the time I can reposition to counter the directional immunity of the bigger ships.)
In terms of longevity, the heirarchy/tradeship escort is probably my favorite of the batch. The number of escort groups and type of opponents you face has enough variety to keep it interesting. I think I've seen every variation by now, but the anticipation/surprise of how things will play out each run is still keeping me amused.
Overall, OK and quick missions, but I have a couple of problems with them:
-one is the timing of release. For older players who have survived the original patrols in their correct/game-canon order, it's mostly understandable (outside from the fact there is another significant Krenim colony that survived while Time in a Bottle pretty much says the Kyana one is the only one that barely survived with enough resources not to be classified as refugees, but that's not the first time in a medium where we later discover "there is another...").
But there is the matter of the Voth's behavior. In one mission, they want your head on a silver platter, in another they're neutral and leave once you deal with the Vaadwaur (even if you've blown up some of their ships anyway), and in another, they're allies. A new player is bound to wonder why they either go from allies to enemies or vice-versa without explanation.
-the acting of the Krenim governor. Now, as a French person, I'm not fully familiar with English-related accents, intonations and other linguistics-focused matters, but... do some people really talk like that?
For me, it sounded like she was reading her lines while having zero idea what the words meant and what the context was, or trying a bad imitation of William Shatner. It felt so weird. I always thought Michael Dorn felt a bit bored and not exactly inspired when recording Worf's lines compared to his work in the series and movies, but it was still OK, but this is the first time I heard a NPC speaking and felt like "what...?".
A new player is bound to wonder why they either go from allies to enemies or vice-versa without explanation.
They explain in each mission why the Voth are acting like they do in that mission
-In the one with the Krenim Colony its mentioned the Voth are after the Vaadwaur for attacking them, and you are only getting caught in the crossfire.
-In the one with the Borg Cooperative its mentioned the Voth hate the Borg, so they are attacking you for helping the Borg Cooperative
-In the one with the trade ships, its mentioned they are being friendly because you are both assisting the Turei, who the Voth are allied with.
Each patrol gives clear explanation as to why the Voth are acting they way they are at that moment.
Oh that's alright then, if they say so!
"-Hey, you, I know your ship! You're the one who managed to kill thousands of our brethren by blowing up their dozens of ships on the Jenolan Dyson Sphere and in our space as well as allying with the Borg who we despise and we're currently at war with, even if those ones claim without proof they're not evil! And I'm pretty sure this Voth on your bridge is Nelen Exil who is currently sought for high treason! Also, you look all like mammals and mammals are inferior and can't be trusted as your actions clearly showed.
But that's OK, if you help us with this little escort mission where we're protecting defenseless ships, we absolutely have no reason to expect you won't backstab us in the back, let's be pals for once!"
But well, I have to concede this is a good point since it has worked before even if it didn't make much sense there either.
"Hey, remember the Jedi who have kept the galaxy at peace for millenia? Well, they suddenly became traitors just when the war was almost finished and many of them died during it, and we've decided to hunt them down and exterminate them without any trial or proof they were all part of the conspiracy. Also, I'm reforming the Republic into an Empire, but a good Empire, honest! Also, don't mind my sudden sinister appearance and hammy performance contrasting my former calm behavior, it's tots the Jedi's fault! And up yours, senators Amidala and Organa!
*wild applause and approval*"
Did I say it was a good point? Just kidding, actually no.
The point is, just because someone says something doesn't mean it makes sense.
The point is, just because someone says something doesn't mean it makes sense.
*Fathoming the reasoning of the saurian brain.
Star Trek Online Volunteer Community Moderator and Resident She-Wolf
Community Moderators are Unpaid Volunteers and NOT Employees of Gearbox/Cryptic
Views and Opinions May Not Reflect the Views and Opinions of Gearbox/Cryptic
But well, I have to concede this is a good point since it has worked before even if it didn't make much sense there either.
"Hey, remember the Jedi who have kept the galaxy at peace for millenia? Well, they suddenly became traitors just when the war was almost finished and many of them died during it, and we've decided to hunt them down and exterminate them without any trial or proof they were all part of the conspiracy. Also, I'm reforming the Republic into an Empire, but a good Empire, honest! Also, don't mind my sudden sinister appearance and hammy performance contrasting my former calm behavior, it's tots the Jedi's fault! And up yours, senators Amidala and Organa!
*wild applause and approval*"
Did I say it was a good point? Just kidding, actually no.
The point is, just because someone says something doesn't mean it makes sense.
Well to be fair to Star Wars it was already well established that the Republic was corrupt and Palpatine already had so much power and influence over all the senators. They were literally in his pocket by this point and eating out of his palm. So it isn't far fetched to believe that he could trick almost everyone into believing that the Jedi are EVIL! while also scaring them into thinking that the EVIL Jedi would retaliate and because of the war schemes he blamed on the Jedi and the evidence of their crimes he presented of the Jedi attempted coup it allowed him to reorganise the Republic into the Galactic Empire to ensure a safe and secure galaxy.
Defiantly beats space dinosaurs suddenly having amnesia.
Post edited by terranempire#7881 on
"Great men are not peacemakers, Great men are conquerors!" - Captain Archer" "When diplomacy fails, there's only one alternative - violence. Force must be applied without apology. It's the Starfleet way." - Captain Janeway #Support Mirror Universe I.S.S. Prefixes
You seem to forget that the Turei are part of the Delta Alliance, which the Feds/Roms/KDF are as well. Which makes the whole situation politically tricky for the Voth.
I didn't know the Cooperative wasn't part of the Alliance.
And yes, I'm aware that in this specific patrol, they aren't yet.
But as I mentioned in the first place, I'm talking about new players since those patrols are available for everyone, whether they started, completed the Delta Quadrant arc or not (I managed to get there with one of my Jem'Hadar who hadn't completed any mission outside of the tutorial of the Jenolan Sphere until recently).
For older players who have played through the arc, we know the Cooperative and the Turei join the Alliance at one point and the Voth have enough respect for the latter not to shoot you on the spot when they're attacked by the Vaadwaur in the main storyline.
For new players, especially Gamma Recruits, since it's the current advertised recruitment event, it goes from "oh hey, so I take the dinos are evil since they're shooting those Borg who don't seem to be evil" to "Hey, why are we sorta pals now and what is this Delta Alliance thingie?" or vice-versa depending on which patrol they start with.
Comments
Overall, I've quite enjoyed running these patrols again, with one notable bugbear - The Voth and Vaadwaur absolutely annihilate fighter pets. I actually dislike the Zahl patrol the most due to the atmospheric artillery barrages that constantly pop all fighter pets with no counterplay. I don't mind losing fighters to attrition here and there, but constantly having your entire hangar bay wiped with no opportunity to prevent it just doesn't feel good, gameplay wise. I'm not really sure what a good solution is, but it's an 'unfun' enough experience that I feel it's worth noting for future consideration.
That single bugbear aside, Nice work. I think the cooperative patrol vs the voth is probably the toughest of the lot. (You're forced to be right in the middle of their spawn-ins and I regularly see them disable the escorting cube(s) by the time I can reposition to counter the directional immunity of the bigger ships.)
In terms of longevity, the heirarchy/tradeship escort is probably my favorite of the batch. The number of escort groups and type of opponents you face has enough variety to keep it interesting. I think I've seen every variation by now, but the anticipation/surprise of how things will play out each run is still keeping me amused.
I luv that space/satellite station.
-one is the timing of release. For older players who have survived the original patrols in their correct/game-canon order, it's mostly understandable (outside from the fact there is another significant Krenim colony that survived while Time in a Bottle pretty much says the Kyana one is the only one that barely survived with enough resources not to be classified as refugees, but that's not the first time in a medium where we later discover "there is another...").
But there is the matter of the Voth's behavior. In one mission, they want your head on a silver platter, in another they're neutral and leave once you deal with the Vaadwaur (even if you've blown up some of their ships anyway), and in another, they're allies. A new player is bound to wonder why they either go from allies to enemies or vice-versa without explanation.
-the acting of the Krenim governor. Now, as a French person, I'm not fully familiar with English-related accents, intonations and other linguistics-focused matters, but... do some people really talk like that?
For me, it sounded like she was reading her lines while having zero idea what the words meant and what the context was, or trying a bad imitation of William Shatner. It felt so weird. I always thought Michael Dorn felt a bit bored and not exactly inspired when recording Worf's lines compared to his work in the series and movies, but it was still OK, but this is the first time I heard a NPC speaking and felt like "what...?".
"-Hey, you, I know your ship! You're the one who managed to kill thousands of our brethren by blowing up their dozens of ships on the Jenolan Dyson Sphere and in our space as well as allying with the Borg who we despise and we're currently at war with, even if those ones claim without proof they're not evil! And I'm pretty sure this Voth on your bridge is Nelen Exil who is currently sought for high treason! Also, you look all like mammals and mammals are inferior and can't be trusted as your actions clearly showed.
But that's OK, if you help us with this little escort mission where we're protecting defenseless ships, we absolutely have no reason to expect you won't backstab us in the back, let's be pals for once!"
But well, I have to concede this is a good point since it has worked before even if it didn't make much sense there either.
"Hey, remember the Jedi who have kept the galaxy at peace for millenia? Well, they suddenly became traitors just when the war was almost finished and many of them died during it, and we've decided to hunt them down and exterminate them without any trial or proof they were all part of the conspiracy. Also, I'm reforming the Republic into an Empire, but a good Empire, honest! Also, don't mind my sudden sinister appearance and hammy performance contrasting my former calm behavior, it's tots the Jedi's fault! And up yours, senators Amidala and Organa!
*wild applause and approval*"
Did I say it was a good point? Just kidding, actually no.
The point is, just because someone says something doesn't mean it makes sense.
*Fathoming the reasoning of the saurian brain.
Views and Opinions May Not Reflect the Views and Opinions of Gearbox/Cryptic
Moderation Problems/Issues? Please contact the Community Manager
Terms of Service / Community Rules and Policies / FCT
Facebook / Twitter / Twitch
Well to be fair to Star Wars it was already well established that the Republic was corrupt and Palpatine already had so much power and influence over all the senators. They were literally in his pocket by this point and eating out of his palm. So it isn't far fetched to believe that he could trick almost everyone into believing that the Jedi are EVIL! while also scaring them into thinking that the EVIL Jedi would retaliate and because of the war schemes he blamed on the Jedi and the evidence of their crimes he presented of the Jedi attempted coup it allowed him to reorganise the Republic into the Galactic Empire to ensure a safe and secure galaxy.
Defiantly beats space dinosaurs suddenly having amnesia.
"When diplomacy fails, there's only one alternative - violence. Force must be applied without apology. It's the Starfleet way." - Captain Janeway
#Support Mirror Universe I.S.S. Prefixes
And yes, I'm aware that in this specific patrol, they aren't yet.
But as I mentioned in the first place, I'm talking about new players since those patrols are available for everyone, whether they started, completed the Delta Quadrant arc or not (I managed to get there with one of my Jem'Hadar who hadn't completed any mission outside of the tutorial of the Jenolan Sphere until recently).
For older players who have played through the arc, we know the Cooperative and the Turei join the Alliance at one point and the Voth have enough respect for the latter not to shoot you on the spot when they're attacked by the Vaadwaur in the main storyline.
For new players, especially Gamma Recruits, since it's the current advertised recruitment event, it goes from "oh hey, so I take the dinos are evil since they're shooting those Borg who don't seem to be evil" to "Hey, why are we sorta pals now and what is this Delta Alliance thingie?" or vice-versa depending on which patrol they start with.