The general feeling towards the new Pathfinder Long Range Science Vessel has been mixed. A resounding “meh” comes from the community, with opinions generally being that it’s not quite what anyone was expecting in both power and abilities.
“ I WAS KINDA HOPING FOR SOMETHING... DIFFERENT? SEEMS LIKE MORE OF THE SAME TO ME... ”
“ I WAS EXPECTING IT TO COME IN A FULL PACK LIKE THE DEFIANT BRIDGE, WITH WEAPONS AND COSTUMES... A LITTLE SADDENED BY THAT. ”
“ WOW, JUST SAW THE T6 INTREPID AND THAT WAS A HUGE LETDOWN.
I WAS EXPECTING A LOT MORE THAN THAT ”
- KAINS
“ I WAS EXPECTING IT TO COME IN A FULL PACK LIKE THE DEFIANT BRIDGE, WITH WEAPONS AND COSTUMES... A LITTLE SADDENED BY THAT. ”
- TORINTH
“ WOW, JUST SAW THE T6 INTREPID AND THAT WAS A HUGE LETDOWN.
I WAS EXPECTING A LOT MORE THAN THAT ”
- FORTHEGAMER
DISCLAIMER - KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS AN EDITORIAL AND THAT OPINIONS MAY VARY THROUGHOUT THE EDITORIAL AND THE COMMENTS BELOW.
SECTION BY CEHUS
When the Intrepid Bundle was announced, I was expecting to be as unequivocally unenthused as I was for the Galaxy bundle. I was expecting an adjustment in the ensign science seat on the current fleet variant and a sale on the T5 and T4 variants bundled together. The inclusion of a Tier 6 version was wholly unexpected, the maps were nice, and the Pathfinder-Class Starship was the icing on the cake, which sold me on the bundle.
When compared to other modern Science Vessels, including the 'Tactical-Science' Dauntless Class and the 'Intelligence-Science' Scryer Class, the Pathfinder Class is most reminiscent of the classical science Vessels of old, which were were bloated in Science Stations. Pathfinder however, does not suffer from such restrictions. Coming in with a Commander and Lieutenant Commander Science Stations, Pathfinder is capable of effectively running either a Gravity Well or Drain Build. Combined with the Lieutenant Universal, Tactical, and Intel/Engineering seating, your options for damage or resistance abilities are indeed versatile.
This vessel’s console layout is where this ship suffers. Coming in with 2 Tactical, 3 Engineering and 5 Science consoles, relying on energy or projectile weapons to deal damage will not be the smartest way to build this starship. Captains looking to set up a Pathfinder should consider using Disruptors or Poloron weapons, which will make its opponent less effective in combat, and rely on exotic abilities to finish the job.
Unfortunately, she is outclassed by a much older vessel. The Pathfinder doesn't stack well against the older fan-favorite Vesta class for two reasons: limited Tactical consoles and a lack of hangar. Yes, the Tier 6 variant comes standard with the Aeroshuttle console which is loaded with a neat bag of tricks (see below), however it lacks the damage potential and systems that a wing of Elite Scorpions or Peregrines could otherwise bring to the table.
At the end of the day, this ship in its current state will not outperform the Vesta class, nor the Scryer. She will however look magnificent while continuing to be a perfectly average starship. For those who don’t care about min/maxing, and would prefer a cannon vessel or an updated take on an otherwise classic starship, this is the one to buy.
SECTION BY ESF OFFICERS
| CROWD CONTROL BUILD BY BRIDGER This build for the new T6 Pathfinder is designed for a supportive role. In the new advanced queues DPS is the most important role, but what about when DPS isn't available? That's when this crowd control build will come into its own. While the other members of your team are focusing on the target with their DPS, you can hold any and all ships back, such as the spheres in Infected, and the assimilated Klingon ships in the Cure. This build is also designed to withstand some of the strongest enemy fire, and to allow the player ease in dealing with the next problem to arise. BRIDGE OFFICER SEATING Transfer Shield Strength I, Hazard Emitters II, Tractor Beam Repulsors II, Gravity Well III Hazard Emitters I, Science Team II, Transfer Shield Strength III Intelligence Team I, Engineering Team II Tactical Team I, Torpedo Spread II Emergency Power to Shields I, Auxiliary to Dampeners I EQUIPMENT Beam Array x2 (Type of your choice), Gravimetric Photon Torpedo Dyson Solanae Dyson Dyson Dyson Beam Arrayx3 (Type of your choice) Neutronium Alloy [+ Turn] x3 Exotic Particle Field Generator [+GravGen], Graviton Generator [+ShHP] [Pla] [-Th] x4 Plasmonic Leech, Nukara Particle Converter DUTY OFFICERS Warp Core Engineer Chance on removing all debuffs on use of any Emergency Power ability. Matter-Antimatter Specialist Increase Energy Resistance and Buff Duration when using Auxiliary Power to Inertial Dampeners. Deflector Officer Chance to reduce the recharge time for Deflector abilities. x2 Tractor Beam Officer Tractor Beam Repulsors now Pulls nearby enemy ships. Gravimetric Scientist Chance to create an aftershock Gravity Well. |
EXOTIC DAMAGE/POWER DRAIN BUILD BY KERRYMALONE I have built my T6 Intrepid to be a quasi-Exotic Damage/Power Drain ship for PvE. The power drain ability itself doesn't overly affect NPC's, but it does provide you with a significant power bonus that keeps your energy levels high. The ship is basically tailored around the main attack, being Gravity Well III, which provides a killer attack move and grouping ability whilst I fire torpedoes and beams at them. My survivability is considerably high, and DPS is in the lower average bracket. Its certainly not going to win any awards for high DPS, but as a support craft, it's very capable. BRIDGE OFFICER SEATING Science Team I, Polarize Hull II, Hazard Emitters III, Gravity Well III Transfer Shield Strength I, Feedback Pulse I, Tractor Beam III Engineering Team I, Auxiliary to Dampeners I Tactical Team I, Beam Fire at Will II Torpedo Spread I, Torpedo High Yield II EQUIPMENT Experimental Romulan Plasma Beam Array, Romulan Hyper Plasma Torpedo, Romulan Plasma Beam Array Solanae Solanae Solanae Solanae Solanae Romulan Plasma Beam Array x2, Kinetic Cutting Beam Enhanced Neutronium Alloy [+Turn], Spatial Charge Launchers, Zero Point Energy Conduit Flow Capacitor [Pla][-Th], Exotic Particle Field Exciter [+ShReg], Tachyokinetic Convert, Plasmonic Leech, Aero Shuttle Bay Vulnerability Locator [+Pla] x2 DUTY OFFICERS Conn Officer Reduces cooldown on Tactical Team. Matter-Antimatter Specialist Increase Energy Resistance and Buff Duration when using Auxiliary Power to Inertial Dampeners. Maintenance Engineer Reduces cooldown on Engineering Team. Astrometrics Scientist Improved Hazard Emitters. Gravimetric Scientist Chance to create an aftershock Gravity Well. |
SECTION BY FLICKY
In the 2410 version, the interiors are nearly screen-accurate, with wonderfully recreated features like Cargo Bay 2’s unique row of Borg alcoves and Neelix’s kitchen. There is, however, one relatively minor detail that ruins much of the experience for me. In 2410, Voyager is Admiral Tuvok’s ship, and as such, he decorates it as he sees fit. In the Ready Room to the side of the bridge, one can find his IDIC statue. This kind of ruins the illusion that you’re on your own ship retrofitted similarly to Voyager; instead, it makes it seem like you’re just borrowing the keys from Tuvok.
One major problem with the interiors are just how many crewmembers are packed into the ship. In the hallways, there is an astoundingly large number of NPC’s aimlessly wandering, pushing each other and you around. The incessant sound of footsteps and doors opening and closing is annoying at best, and the number of NPC’s reveals just how much reusing of assets there is within ships. I once saw five crewmembers of the exact same model in a room at once, almost walking in a line. If Cryptic were to lower the number of crewmembers packed into the hallways, the Intrepid would feel less like a can of sardines, and generally be much more peaceful and as it was in the show.
SECTION BY CEHUS
Cryptic's rendition of canonical Starships in Star Trek: Online has been skewed for a long time, where some canon ships appear to be stronger than others in the game which wouldn't necessarily be the same case in the show. Examples of this can be found in the numerous Battles featured in Deep Space Nine. Pathfinder is no exception to this statement. In some episodes, Voyager was the most advanced Starship in the quadrant - in others, it was getting kicked around the schoolyard.
Video Games must make certain sacrifices in order to remain fun and challenging. The Voyager which destroyed Borg Cubes with single torpedo shots at the end of Endgame naturally wouldn't make a fun ship to play for any length of time. When comparing the Pathfinder-Class of Star Trek: Online to the ship that appeared in Star Trek: Voyager; naturally, the 'hero ship' will come out on top.
If the Pathfinder-Class featured in Star Trek: Online were dropped in the Delta Quadrant instead of Voyager, I doubt Pathfinder would have made it past the first season.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE NEW PATHFINDER CLASS? WHAT ARE YOUR OPINIONS ON THE NEW BRIDGES?
LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS!
WRITTEN BY CEHUS & FLICKY
EDITED BY TORINTH - STEPHEN.HALL@UFPLANETS.COM
PATHFINDER BUILDS PROVIDED BY MEMBERS OF THE ELITE STRIKE FORCE
HEADER BACKGROUND IMAGE COURTESY OF ALI RIES ©
75 years stuck on a ship full of mainly men? Screw that. I would have happily taken my court martial and be back out on the field within 5 years (10 for misbehavior.... ), still rocking 65 extra years at home.
... as an honest side note, this was an awesome article! Perhaps a bit harsh, even if I do agree, I do like the presentation. The commentary, the quotes, the builds, the review... all of it! Truly great stuff!