CAPTAIN'S BLOG
Blog History
- + 2016
- + June
- + May
- + April
- + March
- + February
- + January
- + 2015
- + December
- + November
- + October
- + September
- + August
- + July
- + June
- + May
- + April
- + March
- + February
- + January
- + 2014
- + December
- + November
- + October
- + September
- + August
- + July
- + June
- + May
- + April
- + March
- + February
- + January
- + 2013
- + December
- + November
- + October
- + September
- + August
- + July
- + June
- + May
- + April
- + March
- + February
- + January
- + 2012
- + December
- + November
- + October
- + September
- + August
- + July
- + June
- + May
- + April
- + March
- + February
- + January
- + 2011
- + December
- + November
- + October
- + September
- + August
- + July
- + June
- + May
- + April
- + March
- + February
- + January
- + 2010
Legacy of the Crystalline Entity
Captain's Blog Stardate 90873.12
Hey everyone. The first topic I want to briefly talk about is the Crystalline Catastrophe mission. For those who haven't played it before, the mission involves a team of players fighting a Crystalline Entity similar to the one we saw in TNG. It's always been a difficult mission and many players haven't bothered with it because of the difficulty and due to the amount of players who try to impose random strategies that are wrong.
Well Cryptic has completely revamped this mission and made it better and a bit easy. First of all the Crystalline Entity itself looks much better and more like the one from TNG which I'm happy about. I played it this passed Thursday on the Red Shirt test server and literally just sat there with my escort while firing at it. Within 10 to 15 minutes we were done. Keep in mind that most players in this event have worked on their builds and are very strong. I do believe that an average team will be able to complete it within a maximum of 20 minutes.
Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know that this mission is revamped and much better than it used to be. Once it is released I suggest everyone give it a try again. Grab your fleet and your friends for this 10 man mission!
Now on to the Romulans. I'll probably be talking about them every week for a while. This week we got some more information in two dev blogs. The story behind this faction starts with the Romulans being divided into 3 groups: The Tal'Shiar, the Romulan Republic, and those who want to be left alone. As a new character you start off in a colony that wants to be left alone. Based on the story you eventually join up with the Romulan Republic and by level 10 you need to choose to ally yourself with the Federation or KDF.
What does allying yourself mean? You are essentially accepting aid from that faction, not becoming a part of it. You'll have access to all the ships and technology from that faction. So if you choose to ally yourself with the Federation, you can use ANY Federaiton ship. Unfortunately Federation and KDF players won't be able to use Romulan ships. If you'd like to be a Reman you can either buy it or complete the Romulan reputation system with any character of any faction. So if one of your toons has already completed the Romulan reputation then you can already play as a Reman in the Romulan faction.
There are some players who don't like what we know about the Romulan faction so far. Personally, I think it fits perfectly with the story of STO. I'd like to hear what you think. Do you wish it was different? Do you think it fits with the story? What would you change? Leave any thoughts you have in the comments below!
Written by Attilio on April 08, 2013 at 10:39 am
Comments
April 08, 2013 at 05:47 pm
The only thing that concerns me, and this is a minor, concern-troll type of quibble, is I'm curious as to how the faction choice will be implemented. It is quite possible for people to level faster than the content... I think hit 50 with every character I have before I ever finished any of the storyline missions. I'm wondering if it is hard-coded that you will be making the faction choice when you hit Level 10, regardless of where your character is in the story arc, or if it is even possible you could get your Romulan to 50 before having to make the choice. In thinking about it, are you blocked from faction-specific experience-rich missions like the Mirror Universe Invasion and Foundry missions? I suppose that could constrain your ability to level up without choosing a faction.
Now I just have to finish Romulan Rep on one of my Klingons before May 22...
April 08, 2013 at 05:49 pm
Let me rephrase one thing... I generally 50 before finishing all the storyline missions. I do actually do storyline missions and complete them before hitting 50, however. ;)
Reply to ChogokinApril 08, 2013 at 06:06 pm
@Chogokin good question. It probably isn't based on the story missions, but rather your level. I assume that once you reach level 10 something pops up telling you to choose an ally. I'm just guessing but that would make the most sense.
Reply to AttilioApril 08, 2013 at 09:04 pm
As a new player, I kept away from the crystalline entity because I figured I'd get slaughtered. But if it's becoming a bit easier, I'll have to give it a try!
As for the Romulans and starbases, I think it makes a lot of sense given the story and how long it takes to grind a starbase. There's a drawback, though: with the 'subterfuge' trait that gives players a bonus to cloak, I can see a lot more Romulans siding with the KDF than the Federation. I wonder how they'd balance that?
I, for one, am happy to bring my Romulan into the Legion--already working out a backstory for it. :)
April 09, 2013 at 12:44 am
I don't usually worry too much about the RP aspects of the game, but oddly enough, I've been thinking a little about who my future Romulan will be. I think about all those poor miners in the Mine Enemy mission as possible characters.
Reply to ChogokinApril 09, 2013 at 11:59 am
Mmm, so no flying Romulan ships even being a Romulan???? gee then I already have romulan lookin Fed and Kdf toons
Reply to Krigon TalApril 09, 2013 at 03:18 pm
You'll still get Romulan ships--I'm excited for a TOS bird of prey--but you'll also have access to the ships of whoever you ally yourselves with. It's a smart move by Cryptic, i think; it gives the player tons of options without their having to come up with twenty new ships.
Reply to tobiasosirApril 09, 2013 at 05:03 pm
@Krigon Tal, Romulans can fly Romulan ships. Fed and KDF toons cannot.
Reply to AttilioApril 09, 2013 at 09:08 pm
Now I'm just itching to see what Rom ships will be available.
Reply to WonvertuApril 10, 2013 at 08:16 am
@Wonvertu, Cryptic has already put up a blog about it. http://sto.perfectworld.com/news/?p=858671
Reply to AttilioApril 10, 2013 at 05:11 pm
Of course! Gotta love my timing lol. Found it this morning. Just the free ships listed so far, but that's a decent start.
Reply to WonvertuApril 10, 2013 at 05:51 pm
Just an FYI. In late October, 2012, "The 7th Fleet" defeated the CE with 17 ships in 2 minutes. Roll the tape:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuZB4GJCtp8&feature=youtu.be
When I participated a few weeks ago on Red Shirt with a Saturday Nite PUG, it just seemed almost "lame."