So approximately eight weeks ago, shortly after Easter when it wasn’t as sunny or as warm (usually) as it is today, Lancaster announced that through the joint venture we’ve had going with Pegasus Fleet and with the agreement of the Khitomer Project, we’ve combined our Star Trek Online fleets to form TaskForceKhitomer – or Task Force Khitomer if you’re not in the game.
Two months is a heck of a long time in the gaming world, so we thought we’d drop an update of our progress to date, along with answering a few questions that people have asked about Star Trek Online in general.
Since the beginning of this joint venture, we’ve made some incredible strides:
Fleet Growth: Our active character count has skyrocketed from 9 to 35. That’s right; we’ve nearly quadrupled the size of our fleet! There’s a lively bunch of Captains out there, exploring the final frontier together and forging new friendships along the way.
Starbase Upgrades: Our Fleet Starbase has reached Level 2, which means we now have access to some pretty cool quality-of-life improvements. We’ve got our own shipyards, so you can work on your dream vessel, and a bartender to keep you company during those long voyages. It’s the little things that make all the difference, right?
From Level 4 to Level 16: Our fleet has grown and evolved, unlocking various perks along the way. We’ve also got warp cores, weapons, and consoles available for sale from our other holdings. So, whether you’re looking to upgrade your ship or just want to try out some new gear, we’ve got you covered.
Community Heroes
We want to give a big shout-out to everyone who has contributed to this collective effort. STO is all about teamwork, and it’s incredible to see how everyone’s actions, no matter how small, can make a big difference. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran with years of experience or a fresh-faced ensign just starting out, your contributions are invaluable to the success of our fleet.
Questions and Answers
Now, let’s dive into some of the most common questions we’ve received about STO:
Do I need to pay for it?
The short answer is no. STO is completely free to play, which means you can enjoy all the core content without spending a penny. Of course, there are optional purchases available, such as premium ships and gear, but these are entirely optional and not necessary to enjoy the game.
Is it Pay to Win?
This is a common concern among players, and it’s a valid one. While it’s true that you can purchase versatile ships which come with some powerful gear with real money, it’s important to note that these purchases aren’t necessary to enjoy the core STO experience. You can earn most of these items through in-game events or by trading in-game currency (Dilithium) for the premium currency (Zen) via the Dilithium Exchange.
Unless you’re min-maxing to go into Elite Content, you don’t need to worry about gear so much. A decent build from quests/fleet/crafting and reputation can get you far. In fact, some of the best gear in the game comes from upgrading your crafted, reputation and fleet gear to Mk XV.
Additionally, many players enjoy customising their ships and characters, which is often referred to as “Space Barbie.” While some cosmetics are purchasable, the game’s performance isn’t directly tied to them.
Is it like Eve Online, where I need to pay attention at all times?
Absolutely not! STO is a very different game from Eve Online. In STO, Player-vs-Player (PvP) combat is entirely optional and doesn’t carry a significant death penalty like in Eve. While you do need to be online to play, a lot of the questing system is heavily instanced, meaning you’ll be playing solo or with a small group of friends.
Most space and ground missions are designed for you and your bridge officers, so you don’t have to worry about other players interfering. You can even go AFK (away from keyboard) in space and come back to your ship without any issues. The game’s quests are scripted by event triggers, so you can wander off for up to an hour and do something else without losing progress.
I don’t think my PC could handle it. Could it?
STO is a 14-year-old game, and while the graphics engine has received some moderate improvements over the years, the system requirements are still quite low. The minimum spec is for a Core 2 Duo, which was released way back in 2007.
To put that into perspective, if you’ve bought an iPhone newer than the X, you’ve got a 2x more powerful computer in your hand than what STO needs.
In short, if you’ve bought or built a PC since 2015, you should have no trouble running STO smoothly.
Do I need to be good at games? I don’t have the reactions I used to have.
Not at all! STO is not a twitch-based shooter that requires lightning-fast reflexes. As long as you can press keys (sometimes even in the right order), you’ll be able to enjoy the game and make stuff go boom. The game is designed to be accessible to players of all skill levels, so don’t worry if your reaction times aren’t what they used to be.
Do I need to put loads of time in?
Absolutely not! One of the great things about STO is that it’s designed to be played at your own pace. Most of the episodes (content) can be completed in an hour or so of playtime, and you don’t need to do them all at once. You can even break up a mission into smaller parts and come back to it later. The game keeps track of your progress, so you can pick up right where you left off.
Of course, if you want to dive deeper into the game and explore all the different systems and activities, you can certainly put in more time. But the beauty of STO is that it can be enjoyed in short bursts or marathon sessions, depending on your preferences and availability.
Final Thoughts
Well, there you have it, folks! A quick update on our progress in STO and some answers to the most common questions we’ve received. We hope this has been informative and maybe even inspired some of you to join us on this epic voyage through this alternative Star Trek universe.
Join Task Force Khitomer (DM dulac, aio, AlexM for details) and we’ll explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, and boldly go where no one has gone before!
Live long and prosper, friends.