[gagepap]

Hello all

As I stated when I signed up to the fleet, I just started with STO and I'm really enjoying it. As I'm leveling (currently mid-30's) I'm wondering how best to invest my money into this game. I've already purchased 2000 ZEN (which I used toward two extra bridge slots, a borg bridge officer, and a 10 pack master key for the boxes). I've also signed up for a subscription.

My question is, what is the best way to spend future money toward this game. Currently I'm a TAC officer....but not sure if I'm enjoying the Escort Class ships vs a cruiser. Not sure what I want to do end game as of yet.

Thanks

[Shakken]

The first thing you need to sort out is what you want to play. And go from there. I have a large selection of zen ships and I can break em down for you. But it would be helpful if you narrowed it down.

One ship to strongly consider is the heavy escort carrier. I am not a big fan of escorts myself but that ship is really tough for an escort and still packs a huge punch. And a wing of fighters is a wonderful tool

[gagepap]

Well, I seem to lean toward Cruisers over Escorts so far. I honestly don't even know how to use a carrier as I've never really looked into how to play one. In general, I think the larger ships are more interesting to me.....part of me thinks I should have made my CAPT an Eng.

[Shakken]

Go look up the stats of the heavy escort carrier. Its a hybrid ship somewhere between the two classes of ships. Its a joy to fly.

And you can use a tact in a cruiser. My KDF Tact uses the Mogh class to great effect.

[Silynn]

At your next rank-up, try an escort out. The whole journey will leveling, you should be experimenting and trying new things as you know the next rank-up will get a new ship.

As for Zen... you can either spend them on vanity (uniforms, etc), functionality (more cargo or duty officer slots, etc), or for ability (Z-store ships).

The Z-store ships have the added benefit, if you own one, of making the "FLEET" version incredibly more affordable (like 90% ec discount and 75% less modules, I believe).

Yet, as Kains mentioned, it really depends on what your play style and interests are. Endgame, like STFs? Immersion, like finding your most favorite ship and making the most of it, etc.

[gagepap]

As far as an Escort goes, I'm using one now in my 30's and while I like the Torp Spread and DPS in general, I just feel that its too fragile for daily use.

What does this mean:

The Z-store ships have the added benefit, if you own one, of making the "FLEET" version incredibly more affordable (like 90% ec discount and 75% less modules, I believe).

[Clulyan]

I will start out by saying...OMG Shakken...you were called The Kains...what an honor.

I am a tac and have flown pretty much all cruisers for the past year. If you are prefer cruisers, you definitely are not gimping yourself by flying them. You will just be substituing using cannons for beams and with the right setup will still be doing lots of damage.

My personal favorite is the Fleet Assault Cruiser Refit (FACR, Sovereign), but the Fleet Avenger and Fleet Excelsior are also popular and viable choices.

[gagepap]

On the same C-Story vein....are duty officers in general worth the investment at all? Honestly, I'm just sending them out on random assignments but as I have no idea how to craft in STO, I'm not seeing much use out of them.

[Clulyan]

If you own the C-Store ship version, then the corresponding Fleet ship can be bought at a reduced price. You only need 1 fleet ship module instead of 4 and off the top of my head I'm not sure about the fleet credit price.

[Clulyan]

Doffing is very important, and your active space/ground doffs will make a huge difference. However, they are very expensive for the really good ones and will require time/effort, or money. There are chains in the doffing assignments that will net you good purple doffs, but it requires a lot of work.

http://sto.gamepedia.com/Assignment:...zation_Efforts

[Shakken]

I know right Clulyan? Maybe that's my new gig.. Kains impersonator! Anyway. yes doffs are super important. But that's a topic for a whole new thread. And all the ships Clulyan listed are fantastic for a tact and would serve you very well.

I have two level 50 tacts... One flies a heavy escort carrier and the other a Mogh (the KDF Avenger). You really wont hurt yourself by going with one of those. But I urge you to look into the heavy escort carrier before you do. Its not like any other escort. Its a unique beast of a ship.

[Supergrover]

I also will throw in for the HEC, I ran one for quite sometime, I will be honest save your money on Cstore ships till 50, Also mirror ships are dirt cheap and will allow you to play with a few different ships for no real money.
DOFFing isnt the same as crafting, STO has crafting but it is worthless, DOFFing is very worthwhile.
You say you subbed so no need for the EC Cap increase, if not thats the first thing I recommend out of the cstore, as any EC earned past the 10 mil are gone forever.

[gagepap]

Is there a good guide out there for how to use Duty Officers?

[Mush]

Is there a good guide out there for how to use Duty Officers?

This thread looks promising. It should point you in the right direction.

[gagepap]

Thanks for the link. I've been giving my duty officers to fleet projects since I'm not sure how to use them.