Season 7 Dev Blog #37
By PWE_BranFlakes @ February 18, 2013 at 12:00pm
Designing the Andorian Kumari Escorts
Kumari Class
The Andorians have been in need of a ship for quite some time. Rightfully so, they're awesome. And at last, it was time to build it. I have to be totally honest, I was very excited about it. Nobody can say "no" to a ship with two huge wing-mounted cannons, especially three of them. The brainstorming meeting about the ship was actually pretty easy, everyone agreed that the cannons were going to be an important part of the gameplay of these vessels, and the new look would be heavily inspired by the Kumari, the most familiar Andorian ship seen in Star Trek: Enterprise.
The new look that was decided upon was that of modern "super" cars and jet fighters. The entire visual design got that treatment. A dark glossy blue/black, with a mostly blue/red accent was the way to go, as these ships needed to look sleek, aggressive, and strong. The light, matte gray seen elsewhere wouldn't give us that feeling. Maybe overly flashy, sure, but the Andorian Kumari Escorts pack a punch. The very large cannons on the wings were a big point of interest, and they make up the basis of the ships' powers and abilities.
Khyzon Class
The variants of the Andorian Kumari Escorts include the Khyzon, Charal and Kumari class vessels. Though the variations are subtle, they do have a point. Here at the studio we like to call it the "Excelsior Treatment" — namely because the Excelsior and the Excelsior refit were fairly subtle changes to parts of the ship, but I think most people agree, the refit looks cooler!
Each Andorian ship has some slight modifications befitting the role they might fill on the various battlefields of the galaxy. The Khyzon is the most reminiscent of the ship we've seen in Enterprise, and has a slightly more "sciencey" feel compared to the others. Next, the Charal boasts armored-up hull sections, beefier, sturdier wings, and bulkier cannons, as it will most likely fit the role of a more engineering focused vessel. Similarly, the Kumari Class is the tactical version, and it boasts larger forward dual cannons and sleeker, longer, wing cannons than the rest, with a slightly more aggressive stance. Mixing and matching parts, with paint patterns and varied hull materials will allow players to make some pretty interested mash-ups. Also, each ship comes equipped with the new Andorian bridge and a unique console that has an awesome ability – more information about these, and each ships’ stats, in an upcoming Dev Blog.
Charal Class
They say a picture can say a thousand words, but seeing these ships in action is something that not even a million words can describe. I hope to see all of you out in space soon, hopefully sporting one of these fantastic escorts, letting those cannons spit out destruction upon anything in your firing arc.
Ian “JamJamz” Richards
Ship Artist
Star Trek Online
vangreal @ Feb 21st, 2013 4:50PM
This ship is terribly bugged right now. The cannon abilities lock you out of using your regular abilities like rapid fire and scatter volley. The shield and hull heals are not working as intended either. DO NOT BUY THIS SHIP until it is fixed. Many people on the forums are already asking for refunds. I repeat, DO NOT BUY THIS SHIP.
tomoyosakagami1 @ Feb 20th, 2013 5:35PM
They all look like B'Rel BOP's except for the last one which looks like a Raptor.
jimipaige @ Feb 20th, 2013 12:11PM
I'll buy one for my collection if you promise not to nerf the dang thing like everrything else Ro
augustusranath @ Feb 20th, 2013 7:19AM
must have all of them but if i only have enough zen to buy one it would be the kumari class
thevandall @ Feb 19th, 2013 7:39PM
And I'm certain you folks are putting just as much effort into designing the KDF response to this ship. Keep up the good work!
prachel
You can have a toaster :)
admiraltirad235 @ Feb 19th, 2013 6:20PM
the Kumari class looks epicly badass.
prachel @ Feb 19th, 2013 3:20PM
-is still drooling on his keyboard- THIS IS AWESOME!!!
frankiedoospace @ Feb 19th, 2013 2:44PM
See? Told you all it was THE ship. Only true Star Trek fans would know what really it was at first glance. A 2154 era ship kinda hard to forget for Trekkers!
byllhelotes @ Feb 19th, 2013 12:12PM
Is this the more that 4 weapons that was hinted at?
bi9t @ Feb 19th, 2013 11:45AM
Single Heavy Cannons, 1 ec is my bet
airlian @ Feb 19th, 2013 11:00AM
I really want this one, I have a fully Andorian crew with all wearing the Andorian uniform in Enterprise!
prachel @ Feb 19th, 2013 10:22AM
-is drooling on his keyboard-
leosg1 @ Feb 19th, 2013 10:12AM
Pleasee! specs Today.
vawlkus @ Feb 19th, 2013 10:01AM
Shiny
sch3ff3l @ Feb 19th, 2013 9:40AM
YES!! unique brigdes!!! thanks!! i was worried that ships would come with the standart FED brigdes
weylonter @ Feb 19th, 2013 9:19AM
where i buy it?
paraloxcros
I think is comming for 2-3 days. Price by each ship 2500 zen, whole pack 5000 zen...like always...
dracounguis @ Feb 19th, 2013 9:03AM
guessing the wing cannons will be like the Gal-X spinal lance? aka next to useless
stomperx99
Or it
stomperx99
Sorry. Or it could be some type of large cannon.
dracounguis @ Feb 19th, 2013 9:00AM
I find the 3 variant packs to be a symptom of laziness on Cryptic's part. But at least they weren't AS lazy as they were w/ the Odyssey. 3 variants w/o any visual difference.
marcoramius2 @ Feb 19th, 2013 8:34AM
I like the new ships but how about making them more class specific. Meaning more BOFF's for that class instead of having the consoles of that class. I hate having to captain a Sci Ody that has only two possible Sci slots, Lt. Comm (Uni) and a Lt. Sci. Make it a real Sci ship like the Voyager or Titan classes. This is also true for the Tac and Eng classes.
prachel @ Feb 19th, 2013 8:33AM
Hugs and kisses for all!!!!!
johnyflash23 @ Feb 19th, 2013 8:18AM
awsome cryptic LOVE it. all we need are some zindy ships :P
nikolamijat @ Feb 19th, 2013 7:38AM
Realy nice ships. My toon is Andorian science officer and i would like to get one of those ships mabe all 3. I just hope they wont be too much expensive.
captaind3 @ Feb 19th, 2013 7:20AM
She's gorgeous. It's funny I always imagined my cruiser with colors similar to that. Any chance of opening up the skin/color scheme for other ships? Regardless they're absolutely gorgeous, very very well done.
alexsanderita @ Feb 19th, 2013 6:43AM
Finally Escorts -and Andorians- got some love. Seriously, you would another Cruiser? Great job Cryptic. Only criticism: I'm just a bit unsatisfied with the material, it seems like you've recycled the kitty Carrier one. I hope the others are better. Now I wait for Ushaan melee weapons and the moving antennae...
ricoleto12 @ Feb 19th, 2013 5:25AM
really pretty looking ship but i hope that someday will give us the retrofit version of the ship like this http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Andorian_battle_cruiser
Showing 29 of 175 Comments