STO: Questions from a Beginner

[Qapla!]

I just started playing this game so I’m only level 15. I have a few questions:

1. Can you successfully PuG normal TFOs and fleet operatives? I have two on my Mission list (Romulan Imperial Minefield and a Starbase fleet operation) but I’ve never done a group mission so I don’t know how difficult they are. I’m currently trying out an Escort with cannons on the Starfleet side.

2. How do you get better deck officers? From story missions and recruitment tasks? Do people buy them on the Exchange frequently? Also, should I sell or keep my common ones? I only have a handful of purple and blue ones and some greens but most are white.

3. Do I need to join a fleet right away? I play infrequently at the moment due to work so I don’t think joining one is a good idea right now.

4. How do you get better bridge officers and skill books for them? Is your bridge officer setup very important while leveling? I try to keep the ones with skills that others have said are desirable but I only have 2 purple ones.

 

[RPOW0614]

I have not played in a long time but will try to give you a few pointers.

1. Join a fleet if you want. I never did and maxed out six captains and their ships.
2. Deck Officers:
Try to upgrade them as much as you can. They are NPC but they do help increase your odds in fights, missions and crafting. I kept detailed notes for each crew.
3. see answer 1.
4. Always keep upgrading your NPC's and your away team.

 

[T J]

Hi Qapla!. RPOW0614 is essentially correct. You can solo this game and do very well, I did for a long time but it can be fun when playing with others and you can learn a lot too. You might even make a friend or two.

Then there are bridge officers (BOFFS - go with you on away missions) and duty officers (DOFFS - you send on missions and get the rewards ) You want to get as high a rarity as you can, the higher the better. They can be purchased at the exchange and fleet holdings (one advantage of belonging to a fleet), some are mission rewards like Law. Common or white doffs are good for donating to fleets to help them progress.

You can join a fleet whenever you want to. If you would like to join the Trek BBS Armada fleet just leave your name and handle in the main STO discussion threat and we will be happy to add you. Just be sure to log in at least once a month or so we know you are still around. There are several advantages to belonging to a fleet. I suggest checking out some vids on youtube, they are very helpful.

Above ALL else, have FUN!

 

[Blamo]

I just started playing this game so I’m only level 15. I have a few questions:

1. Can you successfully PuG normal TFOs and fleet operatives? I have two on my Mission list (Romulan Imperial Minefield and a Starbase fleet operation) but I’ve never done a group mission so I don’t know how difficult they are. I’m currently trying out an Escort with cannons on the Starfleet side.

Most of the TFO's are actually quite difficult to fail, if not impossible. By this point you'll probably find yourself in a queue with someone who could solo the TFO, so I shouldn't worry too much about your ability.

Just make sure you shoot something before someone finishes the TFO for you, otherwise the game will think you're AFKing and penalise you.

2. How do you get better deck officers? From story missions and recruitment tasks? Do people buy them on the Exchange frequently? Also, should I sell or keep my common ones? I only have a handful of purple and blue ones and some greens but most are white.

Exchange, getting them from the Doff store at he academy (they get unlocked as you level up the Duty Officer commendations), some are rewarded via missions, some from duty officer assignment chains.

3. Do I need to join a fleet right away? I play infrequently at the moment due to work so I don’t think joining one is a good idea right now.

No. I shouldn't worry too much about being an infrequent player, since most are. I'm in a fleet that's linked with eight others and in total there's usually only 10 people max online at any one time.

4. How do you get better bridge officers and skill books for them? Is your bridge officer setup very important while leveling? I try to keep the ones with skills that others have said are desirable but I only have 2 purple ones.

Basic skill books you buy from the bridge officer trainer at social hubs (like Earth Space Dock). Some higher level skill books have to be unlocked (there's a tab in the R&D window which lets craft them, depending on your level you may have not unlocked them yet).

You'll be rewarded with bridge officers (BOff) as you level up. and there are a few missions that will reward special bridge officers (such as a Jem'Hadar tactical BOff). Also fleets have holdings that give you access to stores where you can buy special BOffs.

 

[Qapla!]

Thanks for all of your answers. There is a lot to learn in this game but I'm getting the hang of more and more of it. I love the space combat and I like how laid-back this game is. There are still lots of TFOs and story content to go.

I haven't joined a fleet yet because I'm not sure if I want to go KDF or FED yet, though it will probably be FED. I loved some of the KDF stories though like going to Klingon Hell.