[Lucifer66]

Hi,
First of all I would like to say hello to all of you and say I hope this will turn out to be alot of fun for all of us. I have watched Star Trek since the very first episode aired in 1966. Yes I am that old...lol. No I wouldn't call myself a "Trekkie" but I do enjoy all the shows. Since I also have played video games since pong in the 70's, once this game came out I had to give it a try.

I just joined yesterday and I must say you have an impressive looking site and forums (although I got a little lost finding the application form ). I got teamspeak up and running, installed windows live (even though I hate it...lol), and now I'm wondering what exactly to do next.

On TS I see other newcomers sitting in here probably wondering what's going on as well. See I posted on the STO forums that I was looking for a fleet to help me improve my space combat and got a reply from Alan Shepard inviting me here. So here I am waiting to hear from someone about this "Training" that was mentioned. I realize the game is still only in beta, but I figure why wait?

Please forgive me if I'm being too strait forward for your tastes, that's just how I am. I came here to learn and so rather than waste your time I would like to get down to bussiness.

1. Is there some kind of small groups arranged to go out and practice at certain times?
2. Do I have to contact someone or sign up for something?
3. Who is in charge of combat training?
4. Is there an area with reccomened ship loadouts?

These are some of the questions I have so If there's in anyone that could please talk to me on teamspeak and let me know what's going on I would appreciate it. I'm sure the other new people would like some direction as well.

Thanks.

[Sharpkiller]

Welcome to the {UFP}!

1. We currently are breaking ourselves down into class-based fleets. Respectively, Tactical, Science, and Engineering. I do not believe there are any plans at the moment to break it further down into official squads. It is not out of the question, however, as we have utilized a squad structure in Bridge Commander. We will never require members to involuntarily be on at a specific time, or to do a specific action.

2. You will have been automatically admitted to the Starfleet Operations division. You'll still need to sign up for a fleet. Take a look in the SFO forums for more information.

3. The Academy will be offering training once members have enough experience in the game to begin teaching other members. Keep an eye on the Starfleet Academy forums for details.

4. Not at this time. Members have begun creating informational topics about the game. I wouldn't be surprised if this is eventually created.

[Lucifer66]

Hmm. I'm sorry, but there seems to be some kind of missunderstanding here. I specifically asked on the STO Fleet Registration forums for a combat orentated fleet to join to learn PVE and PVP from. A fleet with "uber skills" they had allready aquired by playing the closed beta. I made this abundantly clear in my post. But I get here and you say I have to wait untill you guys acually learn how to play the game?

No offense, But it doesn't sound like you guys are much into the combat part of the game. Am I in the wrong place?

[Sharpkiller]

We plan on supporting a wide range of gaming styles. For the most part, we are all still getting our first taste of STO, and are adapting plans based on the dynamics on the game. I've asked Kiflin Visk't (Academy CO) to reply to this thread with details about the Academy's STO training.

[Lucifer66]

Ok..well I am on Teamspeak if you don't want to clutter up your forums with this. Again I mean no dissrespect to anyone here, I don't know any of you and If I got it wrong I apologize.

[Christopher Halsey]

There are quite a few members with years of experience playing a range of MMOs. We are definately catering for the more hardcore players and have a group set up specifically for them.

At the moment since the game itself hasn't been finalised it does limit what development we can do with members at this time.

A lot has been learned from the closed and open Beta but MMOs change very quickly especially at launch so nothing is set in stone at this stage.

[Lucifer66]

Ok..well that's a little more re-assuring. I was looking for 1 or more of your more experienced players to take me out and maybe help me get some idea as to where to get the best mods for ship, ie what to kill to get the best ship mods for my particular level, tactics to make killing them a little eaiser, that sort of thing. So far I have been kinda just wandering around aimlessly not able to properly fit my ship.

So is there anyone available for something like this? And can you please come on teamspeak?

[Christopher Halsey]

Sadly I can't come on TS right now. Gone midnight here and I would be waking people up.

As for people to help you to be honnest at this stage I wouldn't be too focused on what the best mods for ships are and where are the best areas to play in order to improve your character.

Cryptic have used the beta to learn this sort of thing for themselves since on paper things work very different than in practice when it comes to designing an MMO which is why they often have such large scale beta programmes as STO did. Beta really is more a test for them then a test for us. It is there so they can understand how we will be playing so they can deliver a suitable experience.

For the first week or so Cryptic are going to be making a lot of changes to ensure everything is suitably balanced so some items will be made better some will be made worse, how often they appear, their values etc will all be fluctuating considerably.

If you want to look at ways to improve yourself as an MMO gamer then I would suggest starting a thread in our STO Help and Tips area so other experienced MMO players can give you a run down on what typical MMO traits STO demonstrates so far and how you may want to play based on that.

[John Hathaway]

If your focus is set on being involved heavily in PvP and on being the best player in that field, I would suggest focusing your attention on the setting up of our "Elite Strike Force" division within Starfleet Operations.
This can be located here: http://www.ufplanets.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=212

The premise is that the most highly skilled players in combat are able to collectively train and compete for prized places within this elite subset of the Starfleet Operations division (placements will be limited). More information can be found in the link above, or by contacting Lt Commander Lycos, who is looking to get the ball rolling with this endeavour.

Welcome to the fleet.

[Alogain]

Ok..well that's a little more re-assuring. I was looking for 1 or more of your more experienced players to take me out and maybe help me get some idea as to where to get the best mods for ship, ie what to kill to get the best ship mods for my particular level, tactics to make killing them a little eaiser, that sort of thing. So far I have been kinda just wandering around aimlessly not able to properly fit my ship.

So is there anyone available for something like this? And can you please come on teamspeak?

Well a common reason that I personally have not put up ship loadouts etc. is that the game is still in an evolving state. I wrote a tips and tricks post and have had to change it twice in the last week, due to game changes during beta. Some of us have thoroughly tested BO skills and worked on different captain professions, mixed with different ships. Most of that may be useless by release next week. See the point?

As far as combat pro's, we have several high lvl people in the guild so far who are probably versed in the combat mechanics, myself among those. I am always happy to answer questions and am on Teamspeak every night (Alogain). Feel free to hop in and ask questions anytime you see me on.