Starfleet != US Navy, but Starfleet = based off US Navy. It's what Gene knew, it's what the show writers as American's knew and as they say writers write what they know. By the TNG era the US Navy had phased out the Commodore rank, and the writers accordingly phased it out of Trek because the bulk of the audience was American and since this was a new generation of audience they wanted them to have a familiar basis for the rank structure. After all why make a show the audience cannot relate to. If you're going to do that you might as well just make up the rank names. That's the real world answer for the rank structure.
In "universe" explanation you still have to remember the Federation Starfleet is based off Earth Starfleet which still seems to have been formed off the primary remnants of the American military even if other former governments from Earth were involved, much like the UN today. Granted the Vulcans brought about change to political borders but even in TNG era they still refer to individual states from the US and other countries like France even if there aren't "political" borders. So yes, Starfleet != US Navy but the traditional foundation for Starfleet does come from it.
Rationalization. I could as easily argue that Starfleet is representative of all the nations on Earth (and elsewhere), and so takes its structure from all the nations - hence Commodore.
When the Original Series was on, there were no Commodores in the US Navy. The rank had already been phased out. Thus, your original argument is in error. However, it could be argued that the ranks were based on how the US Navy USED TO BE, when Roddenberry was in the military. In that case, though, there's no reason to assume it would be changed.
Rationalization. I could as easily argue that Starfleet is representative of all the nations on Earth (and elsewhere), and so takes its structure from all the nations - hence Commodore.
When the Original Series was on, there were no Commodores in the US Navy. The rank had already been phased out. Thus, your original argument is in error. However, it could be argued that the ranks were based on how the US Navy USED TO BE, when Roddenberry was in the military. In that case, though, there's no reason to assume it would be changed.
Ok one thing, Canon, there is no Commodore rank in Star Trek, therefore no Commodore rank in STO, by your rationalization your just sore becaucse Star Trek is based on an American military power... get over yourself.
There is a Commodore rank in Star Trek. I reference "The Star Trek Encyclopedia A Reference Guide to the Future Updated and Expanded Edition". Page number 210 insignia and rank markings, Starfleet. Under the Flag officers rank pins they have a commodore rank pin. There are actually several reference to the Commodore rank.
The commodore rank was phased out by 2370 or so before TNG peolpe, its that simple.A commodore in naval terms runs more then 1 ship but not a whole fleet.
We dont need another rank in the game. we need functional attributes in the game to make the current ranks last longer. In star trek cockrin is from earth USA so everything about starfleet is based off his own ideals. we need back story in STO. How does the federation and other races go on without the fundamentals of power, logistics and minerals. if these attributes made it into the game then we would have more content to concern ourselves with.
Go back and watch the Original Series. There are SEVERAL Commodores. They're CANON.
There is NO REFERENCE to the rank being removed from use. No episode or movie EVER says there are no more Commodores. The only "evidence" is that we haven't seen one lately. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
Oh, and there's precious little anyone can tell me about Star Trek lore.
I'm obviously chiming in a bit late on this comment, but that's not quite true. Fleet Admiral Shanthi existed in TNG Episode: Redemption (pt 1). Picard discussed mobilizing a fleet to use a tachyon detection grid to find Romulans assisting Klingons in the Klingon civil war (regarding the Gowron vs Duras ascension to power).
It does, however, seem a bit unwieldy that someone could obtain a title of an individual intended to be the head of Starfleet. You can't have 500 heads of Starfleet running around. I'd suggest this particular rank remain indefinitely unavailable to players.
But, as others suggested, Commodore, Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, and Admiral are all fine. I'd suggest they fit within the 10 grades segment that we already have per rank anyway.
I don't think there is a problem with the rank names, maybe just the way they are leveled up. Think about it, how long did TNG run, and how long was Riker the Commander? Maybe there should just be gear and tech advancements on the grades, and then add more grades to each rank? Then you stay Commander or Captain for much longer, but the grades of each rank show seniority and tier advancement. I think that would be a great way of doing it, all though it would require a complete overhaul, so probably not gonna happen : )
Commendable, but wrong. There is no point in any episode or series when anyone is referred to as a Rear Admiral Lower Half. Even Kirk, wearing Rear Admiral braid, was only referred to as "Admiral."
Of course, I assume you know your description of TOS and movie insignia is wrong...
Certainly, the insignia seem to be correct, but the actual titles are speculation.
In Enterprise, one pip on each shoulder was Commodore, and was referred to as such.
In TOS, one wide braid was Commodore, and was referred to as such.
In TMP, Kirk was an Admiral wearing one wide braid, and one narrow. This is consistent with Rear Admiral. We know Commodore was still in use in TMP, so it is reasonable to assume one wide braid is still Commodore.
After this point, there is no further reference to a Commodore in Star Trek.
In TNG and later, we see a wide variety of Admiral's insignia, and only a few are referred to as anything other than Admiral.
We know three boxed pips on each collar is Vice Admiral. We know that there are Rear Admirals and Fleet Admirals, but their insignia tend to vary in the series. However, considering Vice Admiral is a third flag rank, and that it has three pips, it is reasonable to assume the other flag ranks follow the pattern:
1 pip Flag 1 (Would be Commodore, but could be Rear Admiral Lower Half.)
2 pips Rear Admiral
3 pips Vice Admiral
4 pips Fleet Admiral
We don't know that Flag Rank 1 would be Rear Admiral LH, since it was previously Commodore. However, we also don't know it's still Commodore, since we haven't heard anyone referred to by that title.
It is illogical to assume a change for which we have no evidence. I have no evidence that Australia changed it's name to "Rosieland," so I would be foolish to assume it has done so.
I don't think there is a problem with the rank names, maybe just the way they are leveled up. Think about it, how long did TNG run, and how long was Riker the Commander?
Well, the first part I kind of agree with... but not the last. Riker was offered a starship no less than 3 times by 3rd season (Admiral Hansen tells Picard that Riker is "hurting his career by staying put"). Riker probably had the shortest stint as Commander ever before being offered his own command. Remember, Picard makes the comment to Riker in "Best of Both Worlds" (part 1): "Sounds like a young lieutenant commander I once recruited" (referring to Riker) when Riker was commenting on what a pain in the neck Shelby was.
I'm all for making the entirety of the process of "Rear Admiral" just be 10 ranks. That makes sense. After all, they ignored Lt JG to Lt (instead making it just Lt) and just went to Lt to Lt Cmdr. However, they're trying to go by what is established information in places like Memory Alpha.
I can't blame them for wanting to stick to something that is generally well known - even if it wasn't made all that clear in the subsequent series. They have to find one reference point and stick to it or be subject to arbitrary whims and rules that make sense to no one.
Promotions come fast tracked in times of crisis or emergency and the Naval service is no exception.
Tradition and formal paperwork have the field commanders promoting ahead of the administrative or political chain. Hence the American Naval Service that is Gene Roddenberry's traditional reference point
Had "Frocked" officers The British Midshipmen and Cadets during war responsible Jr officers on ships short of live bodies. The Army in America has Brevet Ranks I did a training assignment with them once and they were lead by a Full Colonel Brevetto Major General.. 2 Stars are still 2 stars. It sure looks funny at the pay master though.? Colonel that do bite. .arrg.
One Day young GA Custer was a academy grad the next a Brevet Brigadier then due to gallantry and timely action advanced to MAjor General.. Then after the war he was down sized to a Lt Col with one of his senior officers a former Brigadier .. Peacetime makes for alot of old Fleet Captains.. War many Young Admirals.
The Fleet Admiral is Different for Admiral of the Fleet of CIC of Naval Operations Dependant on the size of the fleet Fleet main and auxiliary and inclusion of any coastal patrol and training commands ie Academies.
WWII Adm Bull Halsey was Like Chester Nimitz the War Rank of 5 Star. or in Charge of multiple files
D McArthur 5 Star General in Charge of Pacific Army Groups Like A Filed Marshal in Russian of German armies.
A 4 star Commands a Fleet or Army
a 3 Star A Corps consisting of many Divisions and acting as Deputy Army Commander. in rotation.
2 star a Division on the ground consist of may Brigades commanded by Brigadiers[1star] acting as assistant division commanders 3 0r 4line 1 support command..
with Regiments commanded by Full cornels Battalions commanded by LT Col.
Then their huge Flag Staffs each staff and allied forces commander sends a liaison officer or team to coordinate activities and give specialty advice.. bureaucracy its i n the life.
question......
these new ranks when they come online in holodeck server, will the points we have been getting since reaching RA 5 be retroactive, or will we all have to start fresh at the moment of release season 2.????
one point I don't think its fair that we have been playing on the holodeck server then when season 2 is released all those points are gone., and the people who have been playing on tribble server get there new ranks as they shift them over to holodeck server.
question......
these new ranks when they come online in holodeck server, will the points we have been getting since reaching RA 5 be retroactive, or will we all have to start fresh at the moment of release season 2.????
one point I don't think its fair that we have been playing on the holodeck server then when season 2 is released all those points are gone., and the people who have been playing on tribble server get there new ranks as they shift them over to holodeck server.
If I understand things correctly, any Skill Points we got after we reached RA5 were translated into Bridge Officer Skill Points--about the only way they'd retroactively work is if we were somehow able to convert them back into Regular Skill Points.
That said, we'll only need to grind through six levels in order to reach VA1 once Season 2 hits Holodeck, so I don't think it's much of a problem.
Once Season 2 hits the Holodeck Server, I intend to just PvP Grind--PvP Match after PvP match, PvP Quest after PvP Quest--until I reach VA1 and can get my T5 Tactical Escort. :cool:
question......
these new ranks when they come online in holodeck server, will the points we have been getting since reaching RA 5 be retroactive, or will we all have to start fresh at the moment of release season 2.????
one point I don't think its fair that we have been playing on the holodeck server then when season 2 is released all those points are gone., and the people who have been playing on tribble server get there new ranks as they shift them over to holodeck server.
yes you have to go through the 5 level and they wont be retroactive and those people who have reached vice admiral on tribble are stil only ra5 on holodeck and once the final season 2 build get to holodeck they will still have to get through 5 levels to get to VA1. nothing get shifted to holodeck everything you have earned on tribble STAYS on tribble
Have to agree -we dont need to retroactively change anything (even if it could be done) it is no too hard to reach the next grade.
i would suggest that the current RA grade be changed to Commadore and the RA be pushed forward to the next level as it will allow for even higher levels later without having this naming problem occur again for a while.
yes you have to go through the 5 level and they wont be retroactive and those people who have reached vice admiral on tribble are stil only ra5 on holodeck and once the final season 2 build get to holodeck they will still have to get through 5 levels to get to VA1. nothing get shifted to holodeck everything you have earned on tribble STAYS on tribble
yup. nothing you do in tribble extends to holodeck [fortunately] it could get a bit confusing with the new features in tribble being passed on to the older server holodeck.
yup. nothing you do in tribble extends to holodeck [fortunately] it could get a bit confusing with the new features in tribble being passed on to the older server holodeck.
Tribble is the Test Server. Holodeck is THE Server.
The OP's list forgot to mention the Ensign grades 1 to 10. I know that it is not an official in-game goal as after Ensign 1-2, you should go to the Admiral and become Lieutenant 1, but I am working on seeing how far I can get past Ensign rank grade 3 in-game before the game auto-switches me to Lieutenant. Actually does the game do this?
Has anyone ever tried to go to Ensign 10?
And before anyone asks, it is just something silly I am trying to do out of curiosity and devotion to role play. I know some folks wanted to have an additional rank added at the Ensign level before going straight to Lieutenant, but I wanted to see if this option was already in the game.
thatd be cool, but idk if its possible... i mean, before i even realized what was going on I made it to Lieutenant. [no, im not a star trek dummy... im a fanatic about the shows!]
but, even if u could, why would u? i mean, cmon. ensign is all training. lieutenant u get ur OWN ship! [even if it is a garbage scowl, lol!]
It's my opinion that the ranks should reflect all the canon ranks as well as a realistic portrayal of skill.
At first, you're a crewman, a high-ranking enlisted man/woman.
With your successful completion of the introductory mission, Fleet Admiral Quinn gives you a field commission of Ensign, and command of your initial ship.
You work through the standard ten grades, as an Ensign, then, you get promoted, to Lieutenant Junior Grade.
After that, Lieutenant, then Lieutenant Commander, then Commander, then Captain (at the end of Commander, you've hit level 50, then get one grade of Captain to hit the current cap).
After that, Cryptic can add 10 grades of Commodore, then ten grades of Rear Admiral, Then ten grades of Vice Admiral, then ten grades of Admiral to make a total of 100 levels!
Admiral, grades 1-10 (levels 91-100)
Reserve the Fleet Admiral Rank for NPC's that way there's always a logical reason why the NPC's can give us orders.
Since they are calling it VA1.. does that mean VA2, VA3, etc. are coming later on? I mean, how many more ranks can they really add? I think RA1-RA5 should be named Commodore. What kind of *worthwhile* content will be added for VA1+ characters in the future and how will that work?
Since they are calling it VA1.. does that mean VA2, VA3, etc. are coming later on? I mean, how many more ranks can they really add? I think RA1-RA5 should be named Commodore. What kind of *worthwhile* content will be added for VA1+ characters in the future and how will that work?
I agree with you, if for no other reason than its really obnoxious for NPC's to say "Greetings, Rear Admiral Lower Half" or "Rear Admiral Upper Half! Help me with (insert quest)." This upper and lower half thing is a bit of nonsense! Renaming Lower half to Commodore and Upper Half to Rear Admiral would be aesthetically more pleasant.
However, they can infinitely add grades to this game (it was originally designed to be capless) so long as they STOP ADDING NEW MARKS OF GEAR. That's going to TRIBBLE the hell out of gameplay.
Since they are calling it VA1.. does that mean VA2, VA3, etc. are coming later on? I mean, how many more ranks can they really add? I think RA1-RA5 should be named Commodore. What kind of *worthwhile* content will be added for VA1+ characters in the future and how will that work?
C-Store content, most likely.
I don't think they can add many ranks. If they put all the rest at 10 each, that means that they can really only go up to level 80 (which would be Fleet Admiral, already ridiculous) and then they would have to make up ranks. I, personally would hate to see like a couple hundred "Fleet Admirals".
It's my opinion that the ranks should reflect all the canon ranks as well as a realistic portrayal of skill.
At first, you're a crewman, a high-ranking enlisted man/woman.
With your successful completion of the introductory mission, Fleet Admiral Quinn gives you a field commission of Ensign, and command of your initial ship.
You work through the standard ten grades, as an Ensign, then, you get promoted, to Lieutenant Junior Grade.
After that, Lieutenant, then Lieutenant Commander, then Commander, then Captain (at the end of Commander, you've hit level 50, then get one grade of Captain to hit the current cap).
After that, Cryptic can add 10 grades of Commodore, then ten grades of Rear Admiral, Then ten grades of Vice Admiral, then ten grades of Admiral to make a total of 100 levels!
Admiral, grades 1-10 (levels 91-100)
Reserve the Fleet Admiral Rank for NPC's that way there's always a logical reason why the NPC's can give us orders.
that is because they proceeded with the game in the wrong aspect, they where mistaken to think the game would take months to crack. if u dont do the ranks right at first then u cant change it later on. its simple there isnt enough functional aspects in the game. they miss the whole point of star trek and thats why u have a bunch of admirals rolling around in the game. crypyic is and has always been about the money from the start. it was not to be a functional star trek game built in the star trek lore. vice admiral are already around in the game as well as our klingon counterparts. 7 months in and the game still is not functional as Bridge Commander.
For my part, I just wish they would make it possible to stop or slow down the xp gains. I've even gone to the extreme of only playing exploration cluster missions. The result is I miss out on so much stuff.
For my part, I just wish they would make it possible to stop or slow down the xp gains. I've even gone to the extreme of only playing exploration cluster missions. The result is I miss out on so much stuff.
I'm not exactly sure what you're saying by "missing out" when I've gotten to RA almost entirely from episodes. In addition, even if you overlevel from doing explorations, you can still do episodes you "missed" on the way up.
However, I maintain that ranks wouldn't be so much of an issue if they would separate it from XP skill level. Make it part of a system that you have to maintain a certain rep or merit/honor level to maintain a certain rank, and you can reduce the absurd amount of Admirals and Generals as well as eliminate the need to "create" new ranks when you add in more content for people to level through.
Comments
Rationalization. I could as easily argue that Starfleet is representative of all the nations on Earth (and elsewhere), and so takes its structure from all the nations - hence Commodore.
When the Original Series was on, there were no Commodores in the US Navy. The rank had already been phased out. Thus, your original argument is in error. However, it could be argued that the ranks were based on how the US Navy USED TO BE, when Roddenberry was in the military. In that case, though, there's no reason to assume it would be changed.
Ok one thing, Canon, there is no Commodore rank in Star Trek, therefore no Commodore rank in STO, by your rationalization your just sore becaucse Star Trek is based on an American military power... get over yourself.
We dont need another rank in the game. we need functional attributes in the game to make the current ranks last longer. In star trek cockrin is from earth USA so everything about starfleet is based off his own ideals. we need back story in STO. How does the federation and other races go on without the fundamentals of power, logistics and minerals. if these attributes made it into the game then we would have more content to concern ourselves with.
There is NO REFERENCE to the rank being removed from use. No episode or movie EVER says there are no more Commodores. The only "evidence" is that we haven't seen one lately. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
Oh, and there's precious little anyone can tell me about Star Trek lore.
I'm obviously chiming in a bit late on this comment, but that's not quite true. Fleet Admiral Shanthi existed in TNG Episode: Redemption (pt 1). Picard discussed mobilizing a fleet to use a tachyon detection grid to find Romulans assisting Klingons in the Klingon civil war (regarding the Gowron vs Duras ascension to power).
I was pleased to see it also in Memory Alpha: http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/Shanthi
It does, however, seem a bit unwieldy that someone could obtain a title of an individual intended to be the head of Starfleet. You can't have 500 heads of Starfleet running around. I'd suggest this particular rank remain indefinitely unavailable to players.
But, as others suggested, Commodore, Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, and Admiral are all fine. I'd suggest they fit within the 10 grades segment that we already have per rank anyway.
I think the issue is that the developers are going according to current naming conventions...:
http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/Commodore
Edit to add: Also this rank seems to have been broken up on Memory Alpha (for Rear Admirals): http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/Rear_admiral
Enterprise Era: 2140-2161
commodore 1 pip
rear admiral 2 pips
vice admiral 3 pips
admiral 4 pips
fleet admiral 5 pips
Tos Era: 2265-2270
commodore 1 pip
rear admiral 2 pips
vice admiral 3 pips
admiral 4 pips
fleet admiral 5 pips
TOS Movie Era: 2273-2350
commodore 1 pip
rear admiral 2 pips
vice admiral 3 pips
admiral 4 pips
fleet admiral 5 pips
Tng Era: 24th century
rear admiral lower half 1 pip
rear admiral upper half 2 pips
vice admiral 3 pips
admiral 4 pips
fleet admiral 5 pips
Ds9 Era: 24th century
rear admiral lower half1 pip
rear admiral upper half 2 pips
vice admiral 3 pips
admiral 4 pips
fleet admiral 5 pips
Voyager Era: 24th century
rear admiral lower half 1 pip
rear admiral upper half 2 pips
vice admiral 3 pips
admiral 4 pips
fleet admiral 5 pips
Commendable, but wrong. There is no point in any episode or series when anyone is referred to as a Rear Admiral Lower Half. Even Kirk, wearing Rear Admiral braid, was only referred to as "Admiral."
Of course, I assume you know your description of TOS and movie insignia is wrong...
Certainly, the insignia seem to be correct, but the actual titles are speculation.
In TOS, one wide braid was Commodore, and was referred to as such.
In TMP, Kirk was an Admiral wearing one wide braid, and one narrow. This is consistent with Rear Admiral. We know Commodore was still in use in TMP, so it is reasonable to assume one wide braid is still Commodore.
After this point, there is no further reference to a Commodore in Star Trek.
In TNG and later, we see a wide variety of Admiral's insignia, and only a few are referred to as anything other than Admiral.
We know three boxed pips on each collar is Vice Admiral. We know that there are Rear Admirals and Fleet Admirals, but their insignia tend to vary in the series. However, considering Vice Admiral is a third flag rank, and that it has three pips, it is reasonable to assume the other flag ranks follow the pattern:
1 pip Flag 1 (Would be Commodore, but could be Rear Admiral Lower Half.)
2 pips Rear Admiral
3 pips Vice Admiral
4 pips Fleet Admiral
We don't know that Flag Rank 1 would be Rear Admiral LH, since it was previously Commodore. However, we also don't know it's still Commodore, since we haven't heard anyone referred to by that title.
It is illogical to assume a change for which we have no evidence. I have no evidence that Australia changed it's name to "Rosieland," so I would be foolish to assume it has done so.
Well, the first part I kind of agree with... but not the last. Riker was offered a starship no less than 3 times by 3rd season (Admiral Hansen tells Picard that Riker is "hurting his career by staying put"). Riker probably had the shortest stint as Commander ever before being offered his own command. Remember, Picard makes the comment to Riker in "Best of Both Worlds" (part 1): "Sounds like a young lieutenant commander I once recruited" (referring to Riker) when Riker was commenting on what a pain in the neck Shelby was.
I'm all for making the entirety of the process of "Rear Admiral" just be 10 ranks. That makes sense. After all, they ignored Lt JG to Lt (instead making it just Lt) and just went to Lt to Lt Cmdr. However, they're trying to go by what is established information in places like Memory Alpha.
I can't blame them for wanting to stick to something that is generally well known - even if it wasn't made all that clear in the subsequent series. They have to find one reference point and stick to it or be subject to arbitrary whims and rules that make sense to no one.
Tradition and formal paperwork have the field commanders promoting ahead of the administrative or political chain. Hence the American Naval Service that is Gene Roddenberry's traditional reference point
Had "Frocked" officers The British Midshipmen and Cadets during war responsible Jr officers on ships short of live bodies. The Army in America has Brevet Ranks I did a training assignment with them once and they were lead by a Full Colonel Brevetto Major General.. 2 Stars are still 2 stars. It sure looks funny at the pay master though.? Colonel that do bite. .arrg.
One Day young GA Custer was a academy grad the next a Brevet Brigadier then due to gallantry and timely action advanced to MAjor General.. Then after the war he was down sized to a Lt Col with one of his senior officers a former Brigadier .. Peacetime makes for alot of old Fleet Captains.. War many Young Admirals.
The Fleet Admiral is Different for Admiral of the Fleet of CIC of Naval Operations Dependant on the size of the fleet Fleet main and auxiliary and inclusion of any coastal patrol and training commands ie Academies.
WWII Adm Bull Halsey was Like Chester Nimitz the War Rank of 5 Star. or in Charge of multiple files
D McArthur 5 Star General in Charge of Pacific Army Groups Like A Filed Marshal in Russian of German armies.
A 4 star Commands a Fleet or Army
a 3 Star A Corps consisting of many Divisions and acting as Deputy Army Commander. in rotation.
2 star a Division on the ground consist of may Brigades commanded by Brigadiers[1star] acting as assistant division commanders 3 0r 4line 1 support command..
with Regiments commanded by Full cornels Battalions commanded by LT Col.
Then their huge Flag Staffs each staff and allied forces commander sends a liaison officer or team to coordinate activities and give specialty advice.. bureaucracy its i n the life.
these new ranks when they come online in holodeck server, will the points we have been getting since reaching RA 5 be retroactive, or will we all have to start fresh at the moment of release season 2.????
one point I don't think its fair that we have been playing on the holodeck server then when season 2 is released all those points are gone., and the people who have been playing on tribble server get there new ranks as they shift them over to holodeck server.
If I understand things correctly, any Skill Points we got after we reached RA5 were translated into Bridge Officer Skill Points--about the only way they'd retroactively work is if we were somehow able to convert them back into Regular Skill Points.
That said, we'll only need to grind through six levels in order to reach VA1 once Season 2 hits Holodeck, so I don't think it's much of a problem.
Once Season 2 hits the Holodeck Server, I intend to just PvP Grind--PvP Match after PvP match, PvP Quest after PvP Quest--until I reach VA1 and can get my T5 Tactical Escort.
yes you have to go through the 5 level and they wont be retroactive and those people who have reached vice admiral on tribble are stil only ra5 on holodeck and once the final season 2 build get to holodeck they will still have to get through 5 levels to get to VA1. nothing get shifted to holodeck everything you have earned on tribble STAYS on tribble
i would suggest that the current RA grade be changed to Commadore and the RA be pushed forward to the next level as it will allow for even higher levels later without having this naming problem occur again for a while.
yup. nothing you do in tribble extends to holodeck [fortunately] it could get a bit confusing with the new features in tribble being passed on to the older server holodeck.
Tribble is the Test Server. Holodeck is THE Server.
Has anyone ever tried to go to Ensign 10?
And before anyone asks, it is just something silly I am trying to do out of curiosity and devotion to role play. I know some folks wanted to have an additional rank added at the Ensign level before going straight to Lieutenant, but I wanted to see if this option was already in the game.
but, even if u could, why would u? i mean, cmon. ensign is all training. lieutenant u get ur OWN ship!
Ensign is Level 1 and has only 1 Grade which you cover during the tutorial which means you can not find any further grades within this rank.
At first, you're a crewman, a high-ranking enlisted man/woman.
With your successful completion of the introductory mission, Fleet Admiral Quinn gives you a field commission of Ensign, and command of your initial ship.
You work through the standard ten grades, as an Ensign, then, you get promoted, to Lieutenant Junior Grade.
After that, Lieutenant, then Lieutenant Commander, then Commander, then Captain (at the end of Commander, you've hit level 50, then get one grade of Captain to hit the current cap).
After that, Cryptic can add 10 grades of Commodore, then ten grades of Rear Admiral, Then ten grades of Vice Admiral, then ten grades of Admiral to make a total of 100 levels!
So..
Ensign, grades 1-10 (levels 1-10)
Lieutenant Junior Grade, grades 1-10 (levels 11-20)
Lieutenant, grades 1-10 (levels 21-30)
Lieutenant Commander, grades 1-10 (levels 31-40)
Commander, grades 1-10 (levels 41-50)
Captain, grades 1-10 (levels 51-60)
Commodore, grades 1-10 (levels 61-70)
Rear Admiral, grades 1-10 (levels 71-80)
Vice Admiral, grades 1-10 (levels 81-90)
Admiral, grades 1-10 (levels 91-100)
Reserve the Fleet Admiral Rank for NPC's that way there's always a logical reason why the NPC's can give us orders.
I agree with you, if for no other reason than its really obnoxious for NPC's to say "Greetings, Rear Admiral Lower Half" or "Rear Admiral Upper Half! Help me with (insert quest)." This upper and lower half thing is a bit of nonsense! Renaming Lower half to Commodore and Upper Half to Rear Admiral would be aesthetically more pleasant.
However, they can infinitely add grades to this game (it was originally designed to be capless) so long as they STOP ADDING NEW MARKS OF GEAR. That's going to TRIBBLE the hell out of gameplay.
C-Store content, most likely.
I don't think they can add many ranks. If they put all the rest at 10 each, that means that they can really only go up to level 80 (which would be Fleet Admiral, already ridiculous) and then they would have to make up ranks. I, personally would hate to see like a couple hundred "Fleet Admirals".
I really like that idea, it fits really well.
However, I maintain that ranks wouldn't be so much of an issue if they would separate it from XP skill level. Make it part of a system that you have to maintain a certain rep or merit/honor level to maintain a certain rank, and you can reduce the absurd amount of Admirals and Generals as well as eliminate the need to "create" new ranks when you add in more content for people to level through.