[Phoenix]

as alot of you are awear i've been trying to drum up more interest in our events and I'm trying to draw more people in instead of it all ways being the same people (as can see to people who aren't around often that if its the same people it looks more like a private group and you may not want to disturb them.) That being said, every event i run, is open to everyone, no matter if they have teamspeak or not (it dose help though as the banta really does add to the fun) Now as you will have known i have had questions in the past asking what kind of events people would like to do and it grabbed a fair bit of interest, but when i set the event up still the same people showed and not the people who replied to my post. This in its self got me thinking more, Maybe its Timezones and Days. so i'm sticking up a new poll today which i would love you guys to answer and help me with, I will give you guys the chance for multiple choice as i want you guys to be able to select more than one option, so if wed and thur are best for you put both! also there will be zones IE EU, USA and other for example, please select these too and if you would like to post times that you are free from i maybe able to cater so the majorities needs and actually get us an evening that could be alot of fun for every one

[Saelanna]

I have to admit I am slightly intimidated by all things DPS and build related and, after being laughed at for my woefully bad DPS at a previous fleet event, I have tended to shy away from STO groups.

I would consider myself to be a veteran player in terms of years; I pre-ordered the lifetime subscription and my main character (the Vulcan/Trill hybrid you see in my signature) was created during early access. I have been semi-RPing my way through the game ever since. My Captain and her BOffs all have backstories in what I call my headcanon.

What I am not is a DPS chaser, that's not why I play MMOs. In STO, the ships/BOffs/equipment I have are good enough to get me through the story content and normal TFOs, but I doubt I could last very long in Advanced or Elite TFOs (well I might survive without blowing up, but my survivability comes at the expense of my DPS). I simply don't have the RL time, motivation or energy credits to invest in the "perfect" build.

I think what I'm trying to say is if I thought a casual RPer like me would be welcome, and not be subjected to DPS shaming, then I might consider attending more STO events

[Phoenix]

i can 100% promise you ANY event i run you will never be "DPS SHAMED" even in my DPS Chasing events my team and i will offer suggestions but they are just that, if you are wanting too do the suggestions is upto you, this game isn't about the dps its about the fun and the family, If i ever have anyone laugh at another for any skill level of another person then they will be delt with accordingly for bullying. The only time its acceptable to laugh is when i single volly a borg cube it goes up in 1 shot and kills me in the blast. lol

please feel free to come to ANY events i do or any other members from our team, i can promise you fun and maybe you may learn something, but i can promise you that you wouldn't be bullied at all

[Draco]

I think what I'm trying to say is if I thought a casual RPer like me would be welcome, and not be subjected to DPS shaming, then I might consider attending more STO events

Hey Saelanna,

Im sorry about your experience. No idea when that was, but I've casually joined quite a few events in the past year and a half or so, and I'm generally the bottom of the pack, dps wise. But literally the only one who ever joked about it, was myself Everyone has always been very friendly and encouraging. People usually look at dps after a run, and congratulate each other on any improvements - whether it is from 20k to 21k, or 500k to 550k. But its never felt like that was the main goal of the events. At least that has been my experience, which I realize is subjective. The best I can describe it is that the atmosphere to me, felt much like the couple of LotrO events I attended so far. And I REALLY enjoyed the themed events - perfect for some casual RP and 'dressing up' to fit the theme.

I've taken a bit of a break from STO - hit a patch of grind burnout, I guess - so I can't personally comment on the most recent events, but I strongly encourage you to try one. I really can't imagine anyone dps shaming, but if someone did, the others would shut that down pronto, I'm sure.

[Phoenix]

I have to admit I am slightly intimidated by all things DPS and build related and, after being laughed at for my woefully bad DPS at a previous fleet event, I have tended to shy away from STO groups.

I would consider myself to be a veteran player in terms of years; I pre-ordered the lifetime subscription and my main character (the Vulcan/Trill hybrid you see in my signature) was created during early access. I have been semi-RPing my way through the game ever since. My Captain and her BOffs all have backstories in what I call my headcanon.

What I am not is a DPS chaser, that's not why I play MMOs. In STO, the ships/BOffs/equipment I have are good enough to get me through the story content and normal TFOs, but I doubt I could last very long in Advanced or Elite TFOs (well I might survive without blowing up, but my survivability comes at the expense of my DPS). I simply don't have the RL time, motivation or energy credits to invest in the "perfect" build.

I think what I'm trying to say is if I thought a casual RPer like me would be welcome, and not be subjected to DPS shaming, then I might consider attending more STO events

On a seperate note, thank you for putting this and bringing it to my attention, this helps me layout plans and helps to see why some people may be avoiding runs

[Jestersmith]

The current events team are very inclusive and people of all gaming abilities are welcome to the events. DPS runs do happen but that is not what the events are about they are about getting people involved and playing content they may not ordinarily play. If anyone does make comments about another member the team will deal with it, i try to attend as many events as i can myself and have done since taking on my role in STO even if i am not participating in the run i am on and about during the runs and have not come across anything like this for some time.

The builds section also is not about having the perfect build its more about aiming to have people have builds that will help them achieve themselves without costing to much. Some builds are high end but they are posted for those who want to aim for similar if they choose to but many builds are mid to low end to give a guide on what you can do and achieve if you wish to do so but not what you have to to participate in fleet events

[darthnovawave]

I don't get to run in fleet events often, but my experiences have always been pretty positive ones. As much as some people embrace the DPS chase, getting so immersed in that one singular, small aspect of the game is unfortunate. The power to melt fleets in seconds takes most of the challenge out of things. I admit I have a few builds like that, but I tend to have more lasting fun at the end of the day running alt captains or underpowered alternate builds than my meta-chasing ones. DPS meta rarely aligns to the true endgame of STO for chasing Space Barbie either.

As for timing, I'm not sure there is one time I could really point to that I could guarantee would work for me. I work from home, my wife has an irregular work schedule, and we have kids, so it is pretty much random when and for how long I'm online lately.

[Saelanna]

And I REALLY enjoyed the themed events - perfect for some casual RP and 'dressing up' to fit the theme.

Another aspect of the way I play STO, and a thing that perhaps others see as a disadvantage, is that the RPer in me has to have "canon" weapons on my ships - so my Fed main has phasers and photons (the elite ones from Dranuur Colony) on her Intrepid (again the fleet version - I do make some effort ), my TOS Temporal Recruit has the blue phasers from K-13 and only flies temporal ships, I'm working towards Fleet disruptors/photons for my [much neglected] KDF main etc. etc. (you get the idea). On the ground, my Bajoran Delta Recruit only uses the Bajoran weapons that I got in some pack or other (I forget which).

Maybe I'll give one of these themed events a try someday... I wouldn't have to make many changes to fit right in!

[Phoenix]

Another aspect of the way I play STO, and a thing that perhaps others see as a disadvantage, is that the RPer in me has to have "canon" weapons on my ships - so my Fed main has phasers and photons (the elite ones from Dranuur Colony) on her Intrepid (again the fleet version - I do make some effort ), my TOS Temporal Recruit has the blue phasers from K-13 and only flies temporal ships, I'm working towards Fleet disruptors/photons for my [much neglected] KDF main etc. etc. (you get the idea). On the ground, my Bajoran Delta Recruit only uses the Bajoran weapons that I got in some pack or other (I forget which).

Maybe I'll give one of these themed events a try someday... I wouldn't have to make many changes to fit right in!

I'll lay this out for you, i am one of the DPS chasers, and jester will stand by me on this

my toons that case

Fed - Phasers
Rom - Plasma
KDF - Disruptor,

i like to keep my ships cannon too so you're not alone there.

[ForTheGamer]

My problem with being at events is that I never have time to be on when things are happening. Or I am ready to go for an event, but something comes up. It is quite frustrating.

[Sul-Matuul]

I think there’s an inherent problem with the game in that once you get to the top end of play there’s really not a lot to do with your character; or not much to do in group content.
Yes there are TFO’s you can run but there’s no special lot to be had from them, no chance of a unique engagement and no way to play the mission so the end result is any different. Compare that to many other MMO our team games where there’s hundreds of ways to do a raid in a certain place, each way with differences in how the mission plays out.
STO is always the same, you fly in shoot everything dead usually with less than 15 mins and the motion ends giving you a paltry reward. There’s no dynamic missions, no open world to explore, no alternative routes to get to the boss mobs.

So for me personally I find very little in the endgame to incentivise me into doing much. I don’t really see chasing DPS numbers as all that exciting; getting a big number in a very specific mission is no replacement for decent content.

I think the events that have been the most fun for me personally were the oddball things like the hide and seek where it’s something totally different from the norm. Or even going to fight in a battle zone where there’s at least multiple routes to go to the objectives.
Or alternatively I think some events that are a bit more unusual like low end ships only, or similar so that people need to use a strategy different to the usually melt everything instantly.

[Phoenix]

I think there’s an inherent problem with the game in that once you get to the top end of play there’s really not a lot to do with your character; or not much to do in group content.
Yes there are TFO’s you can run but there’s no special lot to be had from them, no chance of a unique engagement and no way to play the mission so the end result is any different. Compare that to many other MMO our team games where there’s hundreds of ways to do a raid in a certain place, each way with differences in how the mission plays out.
STO is always the same, you fly in shoot everything dead usually with less than 15 mins and the motion ends giving you a paltry reward. There’s no dynamic missions, no open world to explore, no alternative routes to get to the boss mobs.

So for me personally I find very little in the endgame to incentivise me into doing much. I don’t really see chasing DPS numbers as all that exciting; getting a big number in a very specific mission is no replacement for decent content.

I think the events that have been the most fun for me personally were the oddball things like the hide and seek where it’s something totally different from the norm. Or even going to fight in a battle zone where there’s at least multiple routes to go to the objectives.
Or alternatively I think some events that are a bit more unusual like low end ships only, or similar so that people need to use a strategy different to the usually melt everything instantly.

Thats understandable mate, but when we do run them the numbers still aren't there, so i'm trying to find out more of days and locations of people i'd happy do more events like that if people showed up.

[Sul-Matuul]

Thats understandable mate, but when we do run them the numbers still aren't there, so i'm trying to find out more of days and locations of people i'd happy do more events like that if people showed up.

I reckon going for some more midweek events might be helpful. I can't guarantee when I'll be around on many days but if there were events spread out more over the whole week I could drop in more often.

Used to be a TFO Tuesday I think until a year ago or so.

[darthnovawave]

There is also the possibility more people will be around to play during the Risa event. The Gamma Recruit event didn't add much for those with previous recruits, so between that and loosening public restrictions in some parts of the world there are probably a lot of people taking a break right now in general to get out from behind the keyboard.

[Silek]

I have to admit I am slightly intimidated by all things DPS and build related and, after being laughed at for my woefully bad DPS at a previous fleet event, I have tended to shy away from STO groups.

I love the Saturday event and grouping up with everyone. I have not been able to do so as of late, but it is always a fun time.

In the past year and a half or so I've been around, I've never felt disparaged for my low DPS, and I do indeed consistently bring up the rear on DPS. I'm working on a USS Cheesewagon torp build, so I'll catch up, but yes I am historically low in the parser.

I want to say that I do not believe that there is any culture of tolerance for this 'anti-recruitment' behavior in our current or recent groups. Reading your post Saelanna made me feel sick to my stomach.

I know that it has been an issue in the past, but in all my experiences, be it with Solace, Pedigo, Phoenix, or any number of the members of leadership that have led the events I've played, nothing like this would be tolerated by them, and I feel safe in saying, by any members I've played with.

As someone newer, but not new, I can say that I can't imagine what it would have been like if I had been laughed at by the team for my for having crappy DPS. Maybe I showed up to show off a new ship and I want to hear people say 'Wow Silek, she's looking great!' Maybe I showed up because I want to yell 'Dabo!' and have everyone on TS yell it back. Maybe my score matters less than hanging out with people that are glad I'm there.

I say this, because at one time or another I have been all of these things and have showed up for these and a list of other reasons, and never once worried about, or felt like someone thought I was a drag on the group.

If you're reading this and debating on joining one of the events, please know this:

If you don't care about DPS, then give it all you got and enjoy the ride. Everyone will be glad you showed up.

If you're all about the damage and getting every last point, you will find members eager to share what they know and where to find the answers to bump it up even further.

There's room for everybody. As soon as my summer settles a bit I'll be back on with ya'll.

Phoenix, your effort is greatly appreciated.