[Bar'ol]

I'm probably the only one that thinks this but I dont think players should be able to be founders. It would just be odd to me. Yeah, yeah sto doesnt follow lore to close but still I dont think they serve in starfleet, kdf just wouldnt trust them, and roms would be too trusting either. I'm sure we'll even see the strain with coming episodes (hopefully) from past events. I dont see myself as a lore buff but just from rewatching ds9 I just dont see it possible.

[Sythe]

There is a new interview out on the Priority one Podcast that goes into more depth about the upcoming expansion. The new faction is Jem Hadar only (no vorta/founders/cardassians) though there are different types of Jem Hadar. He did leave it open ended that there may be new factions available for Federation/Klingons but didn't go into any detail. He also mentioned the Gamma Quadrant will be the size of the Alpha Quadrant, and the reason for having fewer episodes is because they spent a lot more time of quality of content.

[Rellimie]

I hope it's wrong...I just don't have much interest if all I can play as is Jem Hadar...but if I can make a Cardassian and a Vorta then sign me up!

https://www.reddit.com/r/sto/comment...captain_geeko/

Sounds like the Jem'Hadar NOT The Dominion is the new faction.

[Arno12]

Intriguing, different Jem'Hadar Types, me thinks Odo decided the Jem'Hadar should have more freedom to choose what they want instead of being just soldiers.

[Sorotia]

https://www.reddit.com/r/sto/comment...captain_geeko/

Sounds like the Jem'Hadar NOT The Dominion is the new faction.

Well that is disappointing...guess I'll stick with my Romulans then.

[ForTheGamer]

Well, I think if there are different Jem'Hadar's, I think we're going to see our first female ones then, I would think.

It is leaving me intrigued. Perhaps the Jem'Hadar and the Dominion are fighting a civil war? Like perhaps the Link has split into two separate factions? The Dominion being the old with the Link who couldn't or wouldn't change with the times, but some siding with Odo and actually changing. The ones who saved us are a part of the new guard and hence why you start out as Dominion, because you originally were a captain, but after some incident, you defect to Odo's side. Hence why you'd be starting at a high level. You'd already be a well accomplished member of the Dominion, but now you are joining the Jem'Hadar.

It would also be interesting if what causes it is that the Dominion and the Hur'q join forces or something along those lines. I could see our distinguished Captain going "where is life in this victory" or some such, because all the Hur'q do is just cause absolute death.

The only question I have is, what faction does this give the Klingons then. Let's assume that each faction (sans Jem'Hadar) gets a new sub-faction, since I really doubt we're only getting Cardassians. We already know the Cardassians are going to be Federation due to the fact they pretty much already are. Sulibans have been said to be joining the Romulans for the longest time, so that makes sense.

I'm struggling to figure out what the Klingons would get that would make sense. I literally though the Jem'Hadar, but it looks like that isn't happening.

Though, if they are making the Jem'Hadar a full faction, could that mean the Romulans get upgraded to full status but still get to be able to choose a side? I'm really struggling with this one here.

[Bridger]

Summery by Thundercracker

• The Hur'Q made sense as a big bad that wasn't fully explored from the show, and they came from Gamma Quadrant. Gamma makes sense to go into because there's so much unexplored by the shows.
  
  
• Starting at 60 you'll have decent gear (not just white Mk Xs), doffs, skills, some reps done, some specializations, boffs. 'You'll be ready to go'.
  
  
• On other species available: Story is really a Jem'hadar story. Playable Vorta didn't make sense based on fiction (ie being a soldier or reporting to Jem'hadar First). Dosi or Karemma didn't make sense for the player on a Dominion ship.
  
  
• 'There will probably be other playable species available in this expansion, but they'll be playable for other factions, not this Jem'hadar faction'.
  
  
• For the Jem'hadar faction: "There will be more than one type of Jem'Hadar."
  
  
• You start at high level because you're genetically engineered ready to go, as a Jem'Hadar.
  
  
• Story is picked up around the recent events (ie story with Odo, Tzenkethi, Hur'Q, etc.) and told from Jem'Hadar side
  
  
• Story will explore a bit of Jem'hadar sense of self, and their relationship to founders/Dominion.
  
  
• Jem'Hadar will pick a faction to join. "This is who I'm going to work with." vs. Rommies becoming citizens.
  
  
• Yes there will be a recruitment event like Delta Rising had. Probably not xp month because Jem'Hadar are already at 60.
  
  
• Not 100% decided on whether you need a high level character to unlock Jem'Hadar characters, still discussing internally.
  
  
• New Jem'Hadar will not be given c-store gear, rep gear, or set items. (You'll have rep unlocked but still need to earn marks for the gear)
  
  
• Close to revamping the queue system; looking at similar to Neverwinter for bonus rewards, or random queue for bonus rewards.
  
  
• New episodes are far more involved than previous ones. New animator with great cutscenes.
  
  
• New battlezone is not like the ones before; more like a server-wide event. Quadrant-level thing rather than just an open world map.
  
  
• Number of episodes has nothing to do with the amount of money spent on voice actors. (Got more this year cause last year not many voice actors, cost split)
  
  
• Very few non-Star Trek actors this time around. Loriss is Michelle Specht from Star Trek Continues.
  
  
• Maybe fewer releases because quality is higher than years ago, but still standard on new content every ~3 months.
  
  
• DS9 changes aren't as dramatic as Earth Spacedock, but there are improvements. "Higher Fidelity, more art". Can't talk too much just yet, but focus on IP accuracy.
  
  
• Gamma Quadrant about the size of Alpha Quadrant, for Map Size. Existing IP stuff (planets) will be there, some new stuff. At least 6x5 sectors size.
  
  
• Some sectors don't have a lot but every one has something, room for more later. Sounds like they'll have a new Galactic Map for everyone.
  
  
• New ship packs: there will be something for everyone. Some things will be meant for Jem'Hadar faction, some can be used by everybody.
  
  
• At 65 you'll still be a Fleet Admiral / Dahar Master; probably won't change it, just Fleet Admiral 5 or Fleet Admiral 6, etc.

[Mack]

I like the whole idea of Jem'Hadars operating as "Free Company". Essentially the 'system' behind the game is same as Romulan though I assume, just a different role-play oriented jargon.

So, Kardassians (if included) essentially will not be lvl 60 Free Companys, instead would have to be levelled from start within Fed/KDF ?

[Bridger]

Well, I think if there are different Jem'Hadar's, I think we're going to see our first female ones then, I would think.

This might go more into the direction of Alpha vs. Gamma Jem'Hadar.

I like the whole idea of Jem'Hadars operating as "Free Company". Essentially the 'system' behind the game is same as Romulan though I assume, just a different role-play oriented jargon.

So, Kardassians (if included) essentially will not be lvl 60 Free Companys, instead would have to be levelled from start within Fed/KDF ?

We will learn when we can test it on Tribble.

[Bar'ol]

Intriguing, different Jem'Hadar Types, me thinks Odo decided the Jem'Hadar should have more freedom to choose what they want instead of being just soldiers.

If this was true you see them actually have a society rather then breed for war(s). Reason were starting at 60 - "You start at high level because you're genetically engineered ready to go, as a Jem'Hadar." Yeah to me this doesnt look like freedom. Still being breed for Dominion's will hehe.

I also kind of think Odo will be slightly different. Now being one with the great link I think he'll taken some of the philosophy of the other founders. I hope I'm wrong.

It will be interesting seeing from the perspective of Jem'Hadar.

[Sorotia]

I was really hyped for this expansion....I really was. But if I can only play a Warrior slave, then I'm just not interested in that.

[ForTheGamer]

If Cardies are included, they'll definitely be starting from level 1. I don't say this with any actual knowledge, but rather that they wouldn't include an important figure in the Temporal Ambassador episode otherwise.

I'm expecting them to announce Cardies the closer we get. They likely don't want to spoil the Jem'Hadar's introduction because they'll be getting something flavourful. Plus this expansion also has the Victory Is Life tagline, so it should more focus on them.

[Bridger]

We can only hope.

[ForTheGamer]

Still honestly think that they should've just made Cardies be Feds, Jemmies be Klingon. Cardies are already pretty solidly aligned with them (you even now see many of them with the Federation as officers) and the Jemmies whole thing about Victory Is Life goes hand in hand with the Klingons.

However, I could see perhaps them giving Cardies to everyone so that Cardie ships are just an across the account purchase. Only Klingon and Jemmie ones would need an unique storyline. Federation doesn't really need to be touched, while Romulan honestly just needs a few flavour text changes to signify that you feel the Romulans suffering since Cardassia was basically destroyed (though not the the extent of Romulus).

TOS would be the only one that is difficult as hell to do, but I'm sure you could come up with something.

[Chi]

Can someone explain to me why the increase in level from 60 to 65 is needed and what benefit will it bring or is this a pretence for higher mk gear and tier 7 ships?