CAPTAIN'S BLOG

The differences between T5-U and T6 are immense in my opinion. The "pure" T6 Ships have the Level 5 Mastery, a Starship Trait, the above mention "Specialist" BOFF and so on.

My speculation is, that they introduce something similar to the Fleet Ship Module. Maybe they call it Ship Upgrade Module. Let's remember: if you have the Retrofit version of a Ship (2000 Z), then you just need one FSM to get the Fleet Ship. If you don't have, you need 4-5 FSM to get it. That way, Cryptic ensured that you paid the necessary ZEN to get the Ship.

I seriously hope, that Cryptic is sensible enough to allow for a similar mechanic for the Ship upgrade.
Let's say 1 SUM (Ship Upgrade Module) to get to T5U and hopefully only 2 SUM to get to T6. Why?
Let's be honest here, I expect T6 Ships to cost at least 3000 Z. Why? Most T5 Ships already cost 2000-2500 Z and the increments between the Tiers were usually in steps of 500 ZEN.
If upgrading T5 Ships to T5-U costs ZEN, then it suggest a cost of at least 500 ZEN to do so. How do we bridge the gap to T6 then? My guess is, by spending another 500 ZEN for a total of 3000-3500 Z, depending on the Ship.

That is a hefty price. However, like Attilio mentioned above, they need to make money. And ever since went from a subscription-based model to a Free-to-play-model, this motive is more important than ever. Cryptic is a business after all and they require us to make this in-game purchases to make a living.

I don't know about you, but I have begun saving money for a T6 Scimitar as that is a Ship that I WANT. Hopefully, I don't need 30 Bucks for it, but just 10.

272 pages and counting on the STO forums speaks for itself. Cryptic/PWE will still make money off the T6 ships among every other item/service they are providing. And since PW, who is the man of the house so-to-speak, recorded their revenue being over 1 billion dollars. So it's no sweat of their back to provide free upgrades to all ships. Whether its to T5-U or T6.

Well, I'm also expecting T6 ships to cost 3k ZEN, it makes sense, now Cryptic made clear that T5 ships won't upgrade to T6, instead their upgrade will be called T5U, so if you paid 2k-2.5k ZEN, 500 to upgrade would make sense, except that T5U is not the same as T6... mmm there lies a problem, and if you add that maybe you already upgraded yout T5 to the fleet version which can also be upgraded to T5U then it starts to really hurt, I mean 2.5k for a T5 then +500 for fleet version, now +500 for fleet T5U... and yet not the same as a T6... oh well, I expect to not take that path at all and just buy a T6 (for each faction) IF they really are worth it imo and in late December or even next year, until then my free Risian T5Us will do (accordintg to Cryptic).

Anyway I feel the new content will include a mission that let's you try out a CS-T6 or maybe be reward a vanilla low standard T6 freebie

I'm getting excited over DR. Since my love for the Excelsior knows no bounds, then I'm not really caring for the T6 ships. Yet, because the Excelsior will get to be a T5U, then I am paying attention to that process. Although I do not wish there to be a Zen cost for the upgrade, I can understand it and will pay for it to keep the ship as top-of-the-line as it can be.

The devil is in the details so I just have to be vigilant not to screw something up, that will cost me more Zen :P

According to a recent blog, not all T5 ships will require Zen to upgrade. The full list of upgradable ships can be found here: http://www.arcgames.com/en/games/star-trek-online/news/detail/7002163.
Some ships may not be available at launch, but will be made available as time allows.

I've been looking at the details of the T6 ships released today (http://www.arcgames.com/en/games/star-trek-online/game-pack/detail/718-delta-rising-operations-pack for anyone who hasn't seen it) and from the way the T6 ships are being described the T5Us may be a lot more competitive that we've been fearing. Most of the T6's are being described as 'light', 'nimble' or 'stealthy', suggesting (to me, at least), that they won't be as tough as their T5U equivalents, but will have other abilities to make up the difference. Could open up some interesting build options if I'm right.

well i agree with most of you guys. im not sure about the skins and designs of some of the fed ships

The escort doesnt look that cool to me (mind you im just looking at the pics given) the coolest ship seems to be the one in the trailer with the 4 nacelles.

but only 2 ships each for kdf and roms?

im looking forward to upgrading a few of my t5 ships to T5U and seeing how well they fare.

willl they release the daunltless as a free ship for eveyone?

well we shall see how its goes