Season 6 Dev Blog #16
By PWE_BranFlakes @ July 24, 2012 at 12:26pm
Fleet Ships
Season 6 introduced players to the new Fleet System and Starbases. Players can now build Shipyards that grant Fleet members access to new starships. Let us take a closer look at some of these ships, how you earn them, and review all types of ships.
First, we need to define some terms so everyone is on the same page. Many of you may have seen ships with the term “Refit” or “Retrofit”, and Fleet Shipyards introduce more of these. Let’s take a moment to review these and other terms related to ships:
- Standard Ships – Standard ships are available in-game and have base stats. They can be purchased for Dilithium or acquired at no cost with a Rank-Up Ship Token.
- C-Store Ships – Any ship you must purchase directly for ZEN. These ships have very good stats, and typically unlock a special costume option and come with a special ability. The special ability is usually on a console or a weapon that can be removed. Most lower Tier C-Store ship consoles can be moved to any ship. However, most Tier 5 C-Store ship consoles can only be used on the ship it came on OR on its Fleet counterpart. For instance, The Tier 5 Heavy Escort Carrier comes with a Torpedo Point Defense system console and the Armitage class costume. If you then acquire the Fleet Heavy Escort Carrier from the Fleet Shipyard, you can transfer the Torpedo Point Defense system console and the Armitage class costume to the Fleet version.
- Refit Ships – A Refit is a ship that is better in some way than the original, but is in the same Tier as the original. For example, the Tier 2 Federation Science Vessel (Nova Class) has a better Refit variant, the Tier 2 Federation Science Vessel Refit (Rhode Island Class). Refit ships may be available via the C-Store or Fleet Shipyard. Many refit ships come with a new class costume.
- Retrofit Ships – A Retrofit is a ship that is better than original AND is a higher Tier than the original. Retrofit ships are typically Tier 5 and give a player the opportunity to play a favorite older-model ships at endgame. For Example: the Tier 5 Science Vessel Retrofit is simply a Tier 5 version of the Tier 2 Science Vessel. Retrofit ships may be available in the C-Store or Fleet Shipyard. Many new Retrofit ships were recently made available in Fleet Shipyards.
- Fleet Ships – Fleet ships are new and typically have some of the best stats in the game. Currently, all Fleet ships are Tier 5 and typically have +10% Hull HP and +10% Shields; they also typically come with a 10th console slot. Fleet ships do not usually come with any special abilities or items. They also don’t have the special ship class costume if there is a C-Store equivalent, but they all do come with an exclusive Fleet Material. You may have noticed that we used to offer some ship class costumes in the C-Store — we have pulled them from direct purchase in the C-Store and you can now only obtain them by acquiring the appropriate Fleet Ship. If you already purchased one of these ship class costumes, you can still access it. If a Fleet ship has a C-Store Counterpart, it can use any special item or costume the C-Store version came with. There are also Fleet Retrofit ships. These are what you might expect — A Tier 5 Version of a lower Tier ship, with the bonus HP, Shields and Console slot.
Fleet Shipyards unlock access to many types of ships, including Refit ships, Fleet Refit ships, Retrofit ships, Fleet Retrofit ships, and all new ships. So just because a ship is unlocked via a Fleet Shipyard, doesn’t necessarily qualify it as a Fleet ship. A ship must say “Fleet” in its title to be a true Fleet ship and qualify for the bonus stat and Fleet Material.
Now let’s review how you can purchase the different type of ships. Most ships can be purchased in-game directly though any ship vendor (including C-Store ships and ships unlocked from your Fleet's Shipyard). We recommend you go to an in-game ship vendor to buy your ships since it contains the most comprehensive data you will need to make an informed decision on your purchase. The Ship Vendor UI will inform you of the cost and requirements. Possible cost for ships include:
- Dilithium – Many ships simply cost Dilithium. These ships are typically the standard ship for a given Rank.
- ZEN – Ships available for ZEN can be purchased at the Ship Vendor or directly from the C-Store.
- Fleet Credit – All ships unlocked by a Fleet Shipyard cost Fleet Credits. Fleet Credits can be earned by contributing to Fleet Projects.
- Fleet Ship Modules – Fleet Ship Modules can be purchased in the C-Store for ZEN and are needed to purchase all Fleet ships. Fleet ships typically cost 4 Fleet Ship Modules. However, if you already own the Tier 5 C-Store Version of a Fleet Ship, you will get a 75% Fleet Ship Module discount to purchase the Fleet version. For instance, the Fleet Heavy Escort Carrier costs Fleet Credits and 4 Fleet Ship Modules, but if you already own the C-Store Heavy Escort Carrier, the Fleet Heavy Escort Carrier will only cost Fleet Credits and ONE (1) Fleet Ship Module.
- Fleet Ship Provisions – When you are in a Fleet and unlock a Shipyard, your Fleet must first fill the Shipyard with Provisions. There are a number of Fleet Projects that generate Provisions. Provisions are simply the limit on how many ships your Fleet Shipyard can provide to your Fleet Members. If a Fleet Project generates 10 ship Provisions, 10 members can each buy one Ship from the shipyard, or one Fleet member can buy 10 ships. Once the number of Provisions your Shipyard has reaches zero, your Fleet will need to complete another Fleet Provisioning assignment to generate more Provisions. Ships that require a Ship Provision always have an additional cost such as Fleet Credits and/or Fleet Ship Modules.
- Rank-Up Ship Token – At ranks Lieutenant Commander, Commander, Captain and Rear Admiral Lower Half/Brigadier General, you earn a ship token redeemable for one free standard ship. If you are a 600 day subscriber veteran, you also earn one at Vice Admiral. Note that only certain ships are redeemable with this token.
- Lock Boxes – Finally, some rare ships can be obtained exclusively from Lock Boxes.
Requirements for a particular ship can include:
- Rank – All ships in STO have a character Rank requirement.
- Fleet Shipyard Tier – A Fleet Shipyard has 5 Tiers. Each Tier unlocks access to new ships to the Fleet Members. Your Fleet can complete Military Projects and Shipyard Construction Projects to increase the Tier of your Fleet's Shipyard. See the tables below.
- Faction (Federation/Klingon) – This one is simple. Access to most ships is restricted by faction.
OK, now that we are all on the same page, take a look at all the new ships available from Fleet Starbase Shipyards. There are more than 35 new ships available exclusively from Fleet Shipyards – 21 for Federation and 16 for Klingons. Note that some ships come with a new ship class costume. Additional class costumes may be unlocked if you own a sister ship.
Full specs and details can be found in-game in the Ship Vendor.
* Indicates class costume unlock
* Indicates class costume unlock
We hope you are enjoying Season 6: Under Siege and we’ll see you in-game!
Al Rivera
Lead Designer
Star Trek Online
quietwinds @ Sep 13th, 2012 5:25AM
many of us bought the NX and Constitution Ships How about a fleet upgrade for those right now they are worthless bits of data taking up space in my ship roster can't use them because a shuttle could blow them out of the sky we paid money for those we really need Upgradeability for those
ambassadorstavok @ Aug 29th, 2012 7:03PM
Guys... There needs to be an Assault Cruiser Upgrade. Don't see one.
variatas @ Jul 27th, 2012 9:14PM
Kinda sad there's no Fleet Excelsior or Fleet Atrox. I hope they eventually provide "fleet" versions of the remaining "Tier 5" ships in the future, because otherwise people basing their decisions on silly things like personal preference or looks are stuck being sub-par.
britewolf
Howabout just an ordinary (no-console) excelsior too, so I don't have to 'pay' for a ship that is one of the most important influences on the series (as a whole) as it is possible to have; second only to the Enterprise herself ("The Enterprise, NCC-1701. No 'A', no 'B', no 'C' and no ruddy 'D'. Just 'The Enterprise').
onedon9 @ Jul 27th, 2012 7:58AM
Good sense prevailed and Fleet MVAE now costs 1 fsm. I still have both eyes on you guys, but good save at least.
jumpingjs @ Jul 27th, 2012 5:50AM
I would love an odyssey with a new hull look (coustume) but able to have the consoles, or the table is saying I cannot. Little confused with this entry
onedon9 @ Jul 26th, 2012 6:50PM
STOP trying to steal money! the reason the Fleet 'Advanced Escort' stats were hidden till now is because its a rip-off! you guys are gonna sink this ship you are running i'm sure of it! Call it Fleet MVAE and let it cost 1FSM or if you insist on 4FSM give it the correct Advanced Escort Boff slots, or if you lack ideas/morals you can help us forgive you by making it have Universal LT comm an LT boff slots!
drkfrontiers @ Jul 26th, 2012 9:40AM
You insult the KDF with these ships. Shame on you.
afree100
I disagree the Fleet Hoh'Sus is EPIC! Wish it had its skin swapped with the other bop though :(
afree100
I meant the Ning'tao I wish their was a fleet version of that with the same stats as the Fleet Hoh'Sus :)
dunmovyn @ Jul 26th, 2012 8:50AM
I like the game, like the new ships, like the new missions. And I love free to play, cause it allowed a poor guy to play the game. So if you feel cheated, thanks for helping me get in the game as a free player. I'll try not to let you down, if we happen to play together. :)
shimmerless @ Jul 26th, 2012 8:08AM
Can someone explain why the Fleet "Advanced Escort" (lol) doesn't have the MVAM listed as a bonus?
this0is0madness
its simply an Advanced escort, not a Multi-Vector Advanced Escort
afree100
You can equip the MVAM on the Fleet Advanced Escort if you own the c-store version of the ship.
fourthofeleven @ Jul 26th, 2012 2:18AM
It's nice to have something big to work towards, but I hope eventually every ship class will have a 'fleet' version - I'd hate to have to retire my Excelsior-class!
afree100
Forget Excelsior I want Fleet Kar'Fi, I want Fleet Kar'Fi, I want Fleet Kar'Fi!
warwolf108 @ Jul 26th, 2012 12:33AM
How come the Nove and the Saber is in the list but not the Constitution II ? I mean, there are the scientist and tactical ships of tier II but not the engenieer class.
flynn444 @ Jul 25th, 2012 12:45PM
These new ships are spiffy and all, but I suppose I'm confused why anyone, except for the extreme minority that PvPs, would want them. Current vessels are more than adequate for virtually all the content. What am I missing? There must be something. Otherwise, why would so many complain about being "forced" to upgrade, or whine about the new "grind"?
britewolf
There are only two problems. One, the fact that this is just another money-making spin for Perfect World and, secondly, that people actually think they care we know it! I like the ships, but I honestly can't see myself getting a fleet ship because my fleet is small and the rate at which we can acquire fleet provisions is going to be far smaller than the demand a couple of the fleet's members are going to put on it.
intruderxxx @ Jul 25th, 2012 12:10PM
The more i read comments here and look at the options we are given the more this seems like a sophisticated plan to deplete resources players have amassed for the crafting system we eagerly waiting for , seems that the crafting system upgrades will never come ....
mordaen
I really hope the crafting revamp is in the pipeline for Season 7.
tinead51
Once dil was added to crafting,they shot the goose that layed the golden egg.I havent bothered with the crafting system since,no biggie.As certain people like to say,just buy what you want off the exchange for EC.
afree100
http://www.stowiki.org/Upcoming_content Unfortunatly (at least occording to this) Crafting Revamp is not till Season 8 (although stowiki.org can be incorrect as I have painfully figured out multiple times).
palpha2clearance @ Jul 25th, 2012 11:06AM
Al you neglected to explain how mang modules it will cosg if you have the ship unlocked with a vice admiral token......and feature/ content updates are supposed to be Free........someone is breaking their own words to the community Someone needs to get on the consistent page down there.
ebonbeard @ Jul 25th, 2012 10:39AM
They're just using this as another way to try and take more money from our pockets until they successfully invent the money magnet. Nothing to see here.
firelamp @ Jul 25th, 2012 10:08AM
I'm not paying 20 bucks for a new ship I'll just save up 200,000 fleet creadits and buy a ship
cousteau1701e
Not without Fleet Ship Modules!
tinead51
Not "ALL" the ships require FSM's
neoakiraii
you dont need money to get the 200,000 cred ships, also as i've been telling you...you can buy the mod's on the exchange...I got a Fleet D7 for my KDF toon...guess how much it cost me?? $0 bucks, and only cost my toon 27 mill in fake money that i have plenty more to waste.
mikespader @ Jul 25th, 2012 9:16AM
I'm loving what I'm seeing so far! My only concern is this: cost. $20 for a new ship that doesn't transfer between characters? Maybe I'm naive, but couldn't this cost be discounted for Gold Members or at least Lifetimers like myself? I feel that would give SO much more incentive for other people to buy the lifetime sub.
cousteau1701e
What about the fact that grind to earn the resources to then invest in a fleet to then earn the Fleet Credits to then go out and buy with cash a Module so you can finally buy the ship? I am fine grinding for an item. I am also fine with purchasing one outright. I don't think both put together is right...
neoakiraii
If you love to grind, then grind EC which is easy, and buy it off the exchange....i got my fleet D7 by buying Mod's off the exchange which are 6 mill each...and as long as there are people willing to buy off the exchange there will be people buying Mod's to put on the exchange.
crazyestrobbie @ Jul 25th, 2012 7:06AM
OK I am really sick of hearing people complain about all the added fee's on this MMO. The fact is that its now Free to Play, so in order for this game to run they have to make money where they can. Just accept it, if you don't like paying then don't play. If you don't want to pay for zen earn Dilithium and convert it. But stop bitching for the love of Q
mstickney1
I Agree
malevolence666
I'm with crazy....
terongray
You might have plenty of disposable income, but 20 bucks per ship, per character, is absurd. Some don't have the free time to grind or the free cash to pay; I doubt people want their couple hours of gaming they get a day after work to be a second job to afford a new ship that there is nothing to use it in. Personally, I'd rather STO go back to a subscription system if they are so hard up for money.
wixiban
I also have to agree with this, everytime something new comes out - it's a cse of OMG I have to pay for it. Get over it, either grind the dilithium or if you can't afford the time or money then do without it.
dwadsdwad
The beauty of STO's business model is that while $20 may be a bit of a steep charge for a ship, you can not only earn it by simply playing the game (for FREE!) but also you don't necessarily need it to be better. Sure they give a few bonus stats but they aren't game changing. Yes a few stats can make a difference here and there but then what would be the point in making more of the same, it wouldn't sell... I guess the problem however is the modern culture of everyone is owed everything by the world and they should get what they want, when they want it. The problem is not with the game or its business model but with the players who feel they are somehow being robbed of a game that charges nothing to play.
sanitybox
That might be the case for you, but some of us purchased lifetime memberships before free to play, and it was with the idea we could earn all the ships, etc. If an entire games economy changed on you mid-life, you'd be a little ticked too. They've give us a small token in the form of a stipend, but it's so small it takes half a year to buy a ship. If you're not paying to play, fine, but there should be some benefit to having purchased and paid for your membership beyond a pittance of a stipend. 100 day rewards are nearly all cosmetic, and useless in game.
intruderxxx
Nicely put , but , how long have u been playing , players that are complaining are the ones that care about this game , have been here from the beginning , and most likely will be here till the end , lets see how you feel after paying 20$ per ship and few days after you payed another ship comes out same ship different paint-job and one more console , now that console fits your ship , u want it pay another 20$ to get it , or pay 200k dilithium (almost 800zen ) and grind yourself till death and top that with fleet marks , no thats not all add some fleet modules like 4 which is another 2000 zen , now do the math where is this free to play or even remotely worth it for gold players or lifetimers
cthulhuslawyer
Amen !!! I like the game and Im willing to drop some 20-30 buck when I want something . Its an optional thing so id doent hurt anyone ...
neoakiraii
I'm a lifetime member, and i have been here since beta...and i am ok with how they handle fleet ships. when you became a lifetime member you took many risks. ! you took a chance that the game could fail and your lifetime membership would be worthless cuz the game would be gone. two the game would change over time to stay afloat , so that way you still have your lifetime membership matter. if you were here from the start of STO then you should remember how close this game came to shutting down. lots of people left, no content, Atari did not put any money back in the game...so that lifetime membership you, and I have would be worthless right now. I have 20 toons, do i need alll of them to have fleet ships no way, but i already got a fleet ship for one of my toons, and it cost me $0, and 27mill EC, which is so easy to get, from the exchange.
tinead51
@neoakiraii I'm a lifetime member, and i have been here since beta... Not everyone has,not everyone has millions of EC which have been collected over a long period of time.Practice what you preach.
eristhevorta @ Jul 25th, 2012 5:38AM
Meow, there is one thing missing: Fleet Assault Cruiser (Suvvie). :(
cthulhuslawyer
The Guramba is missing too....
jkogden1982 @ Jul 25th, 2012 5:12AM
The Sovereign class doesn't get an upgrade?
bludagger @ Jul 25th, 2012 4:14AM
So, even though I pay a monthly subscription fee, I will have to pay more for ships that I already have, including the new skins, just for a 10th slot. 2000 zen. riiiiight. Now just think the poor new person coming in, paid 2000 zen for a ship, now is going to get the fleet tier ship, after assisting with ALL that grinding, who want to get the new looks and the 10th slot, 2000 more Zen. Yeah.. riiight. and you all wonder why we get so upset at you all and treat some of you like morons.... well that is easy we learned it all from you and how you treat your customer base. Definitely time to take the money someplace else. Hey thanks for laugh at the absurdity! :)
daharmasterklag @ Jul 25th, 2012 4:05AM
So I bought the Koro't'inga, bought the Vor'cha, etc etc but as thanks for my support I will get no discount and no account unlock, plus I gotta spend another $20 per ship ( or an insane amount of my time working in game to grind resources) per character to buy four stupid ship modules on top of grinding the resources to unlock them?!?!?! Whose crazed idea was this?! They should be fired. Thanks for nothing, I already work full time in the real world I don't need to make what is supposed to be a fun game into a full time job or a constant drain on my wallet.
qwertyuioptius
Idiot, repeating the same post three times. If you don't like the system, leave it to people who actually want to buy them, you nitwit. Nobody's making you.
wixiban
If you already bought the C-Store ship, it will only cost you 1 Fleet module not 4
daharmasterklag @ Jul 25th, 2012 4:05AM
So I bought the Koro't'inga, bought the Vor'cha, etc etc but as thanks for my support I will get no discount and no account unlock, plus I gotta spend another $20 per ship ( or an insane amount of my time working in game to grind resources) per character to buy four stupid ship modules on top of grinding the resources to unlock them?!?!?! Whose crazed idea was this?! They should be fired. Thanks for nothing, I already work full time in the real world I don't need to make what is supposed to be a fun game into a full time job or a constant drain on my wallet.
daharmasterklag @ Jul 25th, 2012 4:05AM
So I bought the Koro't'inga, bought the Vor'cha, etc etc but as thanks for my support I will get no discount and no account unlock, plus I gotta spend another $20 per ship ( or an insane amount of my time working in game to grind resources) per character to buy four stupid ship modules on top of grinding the resources to unlock them?!?!?! Whose crazed idea was this?! They should be fired. Thanks for nothing, I already work full time in the real world I don't need to make what is supposed to be a fun game into a full time job or a constant drain on my wallet.
broken1981 @ Jul 25th, 2012 3:03AM
i really hope i can use the thunderchild and sao paulo skins on the fleet ships. if not i hope u fix that since they are awesome skins.
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