My Thoughts on Season 9

It's not even been a full day, so we can qualify these at least as first impressions. I've taken care to minimize any legitimate spoilers.

Agree? Disagree? Discuss!

1) 'Surface Tension' - I think most all of us are gonna agree that the new FE is an unmitigated success. First and foremost, plotlines are finally bloody advancing. I'll admit to concerns that the last several seasons were starting to bog down. Spending time with modestly developed races and adversaries that had been cribbed from single appearances in the source material gave me concern that the storyline was going to wind up in the crufty weeds. It's been taking some epic wellsprings of faith in the Devs that the story wasn't going to wind up as third-rate fanfic. Well the S9 FE finally saw some quality payoff for that faith. So kudos to them.

2) Kit revamps - I haven't had the opportunity to test 'em out across all my toons, but so far, I'm going to say secret buff.

3) Trait revamps - I've fully ascribed to the Devs' argument that adding new rep traits has been gradually overpowering players, limiting how much more extensively they could draw the rep system. So, yes, it's a nerf. Let's call a spade a spade. But it's one that I endorse.

4) Remastered Borg and Undine arcs - I recognize that the streamlining process has improved the story immensely. However, it does mean less net content, particularly in a storyline that's increasingly central to the game at this point. That having been said, the new maps are exquisitely rendered. I'm going to miss at least some of those missions, though. I'm not clear why 'State of Q' had to go, since it was essentially a tangential one-off anyways.

5) New Queued Events - Mixed bag thus far. I like the design intentions - but am a little underimpressed by the execution, particularly for content that's essentially designed to be repetitive grinding.

Haven't gotten to play with it much myself as it came out the day before I start my vacation, but what I have seen I'm liking. We can finally stop pretending like there is a war going on between the Feds and Klingons. That hasn't made sense for the longest time to me. Like Ereiid said I like that they are starting to tie things together into a plot line that can advance.

As for the "nerf", I mean, yes it is a nerf. However, I look at it this way. Before we had the rep system we didn't have any rep powers at all and we still played the game fine. If the devs didn't nerf the powers a bit all the new content that comes out would have to include enemies that were so overpowered just to keep up with us. The difference between an old player and a new player would have been too steep.

The graphics being redone was a bit of a pain. I had everything like I liked it and I'm the type of person that doesn't like my settings touched. Still I suppose if they wanted to update the graphics they had to reset everyones settings.

Haven't gotten to play with any of the new kits or the events. Hopefully when I do get a chance any bugs or issues will be worked. Hope to fly with the fleet when I get back from vacation.

Fly casual people.

I loved the FE. Best mission ever.

To fix your graphics you just need to go to options then set your resolution to full. That worked for me anyway.

i love the new ESD and the additions that were added to the risa resort.....

HOWEVER.... all of my traits are gone, except my personal traits..... I AM NOT HAPPY...

oh well, i guess ill try a respec after the patch.....

So the FE....Awesome!

Haven't messed with the graphics yet will do tomorrow, or tonight.

Haven't played any new STF's or tried the new Borg/Undine refit missions.

I will be playing the new content over time just not all at once :) but so far I like what I am seeing.

I thought the FE was masterful and that OMG! It's great that we're seeing a true progression of the storyline and that we've got so much to look forward to know. I haven't messed much with the kit powers as I was only on to play the FE last night on my KDF main but yeah, those Undine have become a wee bit more challenging since I saw them last.

The only reason I can think of for removing State of Q is that perhaps it will be redone with a voice actor? ;) If they get De Lancie on STO I will literally lose it :laugh:

The new ESD is utterly gorgeous and flows so much better than the old version.

Looking forward to playing more after work tonight, but I was able to at least play through "Surface Tension" last night. Between the story now and the new ESD, so far I am completely floored.

My graphics were reset to default settings, but turning them back up again seemed to work OK (so far.) Haven't had any issues, otherwise. I can say that once any such loose ends are fixed/tweaked, the game is looking magnificent this season.

I'm digging the trait changes, allows more room for creativity in your character's build.

So far, so amazing. STO has come a long way, and I really like the direction it is going in.

Enjoy!
Steve

Season 9.

I would recommend that everyone replay the Borg Episode Arc (with new rewards also!) before jumping into the Featured Episode. It really helps the story.

Trait Respeccing is fantastic! Being able to switch between a full space toon to a full ground toon is awesomeness! So much customization!

Earth Spacedock. I want to live there.

I am really impressed with the work that they have done over the past year getting everything to come together. With the addition of Tuvok and Worf as voice actors, it makes the game that much better. Here's looking forward to Ensign (Captain?) Kim in August.

I finished all missions from the mission log and was left with this unpleasant thought "what now??" - now I know, I have the new mission :D So they came just in time!
However, I was completely unaware of the new season. Just three days ago I finally earned enough fleet credits to buy myself the Spire Science Kit Mk XII. So I am really upset they introduced something new. I put some effort in analyzing what best suits me and now there are the new ones I even don't know how to obtain, modules too :/

What I do really love is the ESD!! It is amazing! Very functional and quite small, I don't need to run all around the place to find stuff. And it's pretty

A few things that I have not enjoyed about the latest season.

PVE Undine Missions - The ground mission is somewhat enjoyable and has a purpose behind it. Search. Interrogate. Detain/Release. Find the Boss. However, the two space missions seem to lack purpose and overall clarity behind them. And while I understand that the visuals in those respective space zone are meant to represent Fluidic Space - it's just a ghastly sight. And it seems many other players are having graphic card issues to that end.

Overall, it's one of those you either hate them or you love them. In this case, and with limited options of gaining Undine marks for the moment, it would seem it'll be an acquired taste of sorts.

With that said, I absolutely enjoyed the Featured Episode mission in tandem with the revamped Borg/Undine Storyline. The revamped aspect really creates a synergy with standing and future elements of the game and created a more cohesive impact. I'm not going into details for the sake of not revealing any information for the benefit of those whom have yet to explore Season 9.

I initially met the trait selection with apprehension and reproach. I had originally argued that a lot of work and effort went into acquiring the reputation traits. However, upon further contemplation - I can see the need for balance across the board. I have to say - something worked in that formula. I'm seeing a huge difference in survival in my experience. I suspect this is tied into the customized kits.

Kits. I, like many, recently acquired a premium fleet-level kit and I was somewhat alarmed that I may have prematurely invested into something costly but upon closer inspection - the trade-off is well worth it. At least, in my eyes, the numbers are superior along with the benefits.

And lastly, I am very pleased with the visual updates of Earth Space Dock. It now rivals the likes of New Romulus. if not even surpassing it. I do enjoy some of the in-game nods to the update.

In closing, I did enjoy a lot of the newly released content and I still find myself wanting to play STO with marked interest. With each season update, comes a period of transition and transitioning is never easy but sometimes necessary to push the game forward. The game must evolve or it'll simply cease in holding the interests of the playerbase and without players, you don't have much of an MMORPG.

Enjoy.

I just want to say that I am not happy at all that they downgraded DJ Zuza to a bartender!

I feel that this was an unfair maneuver on their part and she should sue them.

4/22/2014 - the day the music died....

Quote by JPiggee

I just want to say that I am not happy at all that they downgraded DJ Zuza to a bartender!

I feel that this was an unfair maneuver on their part and she should sue them.

4/22/2014 - the day the music died....

Don't worry, Club 47 is still being put together by the Environment team. She'll be spinning mad jamz again before we know it, and i'm sure that Stonewall will be there for opening night. Amirite? ;)

No ETA on when we'll see it open, but per Tacofangs, Environment Lead Dev: "The club is still planned. ... ..the intent is to have the Club entrance be the door part way up the ramp in the room with the palm trees."

Quote by Finka

I finished all missions from the mission log and was left with this unpleasant thought "what now??" - now I know, I have the new mission :D So they came just in time!
However, I was completely unaware of the new season. Just three days ago I finally earned enough fleet credits to buy myself the Spire Science Kit Mk XII. So I am really upset they introduced something new. I put some effort in analyzing what best suits me and now there are the new ones I even don't know how to obtain, modules too :/

You can exchange your old Fleet Kit in for one of the new Kits at the Spire.

:whistle:
I would like to say that I've discovered running the Undine space Battlezone is the BEST way to earn marks for rep! I ran it once, killed all three planet killers ( with fleetmates ) and then the voth :)
I ended up all said and done with about 130 marks, this is what I've been averaging running BZ.

My thoughts on the undine STF's, I don't like. May just be a personal preference, but I find the graphic card drain to be hellish and I have a TOTL GC and PC...plus, I didn't find them to be too profitable...

KITS: sofar I really like being able to take out one part of the kit I had that I didn't really like to add one that I really do like. Plus, don't be afraid to trade your hard earned fleet kit in, it's painless and you don't lose anything!

REP REWARDS: Some of the guns are cool, but I'm saddened that they all look the same. IE the sniper gun is the same as a wide area beam rifle. Perhaps they ran out of time and had to stick to one design.

LOBI ARMOR: Ya, I got this for my kitty KDF. I LOVE IT. It's so sssiiiiick! Never looked more badass. I paired it with the arm lance and booya, watch out Bajor impostors I'm coming for you!!!

Oh, and I really like the bajor mission. The end is quite fun with the chase and finding the secret cave. I think that it would be cooler if at the end you got a report detailing who was incorrectly accused or who was given a pass that was really A FAAAAAKkkkkkkkkeee. Olso would be cool to see who was responsible for the .... lets say, oversight??? :blink: :blink: :blink: on the team. NOT for the reason to point fingers, but just to see who needs to pay closer attention ( even if it's yourself!!! )

ESD: looks smashing inside and out. They did a lot of editing on the exterior as well, you'll notice the terran system to be a LOT darker which makes ESD glow a lot TRUER to how it looked in the movies and show...
I really like that everything is close by and easy to get to, really really slick job. I like it as much as I like new rom command!! ( I can haz new klingon homeworld map??? :dry: I wish).

WATCH OUT FOR THOSE SPACE GLOBS!!!

Faced with what is right, to leave it [strike]undone[/strike] undine shows a lack of courage.