Use this discussion for questions about:

1. Choosing a faction or captain career

2. Selecting a starship

3. Weapons, consoles, and equipment

4. Bridge officer abilities

5. Missions, patrols, and TFOs

6. Fleet facilities and resources

7. Changes you missed while away

When asking for ship help, include your captain career, ship name, preferred weapon type, and the area giving you trouble.

There are no bad beginner questions. SSC members will help you find a practical next step.

What are you currently working on in Star Trek Online?

Use this discussion to organize weekly TFOs, missions, patrols, event progress, and fleet activities.

When signing up, include:

1. Captain name

2. Available date and time

3. Time zone

4. Preferred activity

5. Difficulty level

6. Voice chat preference

New and experienced captains are welcome. Events will support different experience levels and playstyles.

Reply below with your availability and activity suggestions for the next SSC fleet session.

New captains should start with the SSC Academy for additional guidance on captain progression, ship roles, and team operations.

  Step 1: Know Your Captain, Know Your Role

Before you touch a console or choose a weapon type, take stock of your captain’s career:

• Tactical Captains excel at raw damage.

• Engineering Captains thrive on durability and power management.

• Science Captains specialize in control and exotic damage.

Your career choice subtly influences how your ship will perform — it shapes your survivability, damage potential, and support abilities. Build around what your captain does best.

  Step 2: Choose the Right Ship for the Job

Every ship in STO is a different beast. Some are sleek and fast, others are lumbering fortresses. Start by deciding your preferred role:

• Want to be on the front lines, dishing out phaser blasts and torpedo salvos? Choose an Escort or Battlecruiser.

• Prefer to support allies or control the battlefield with debuffs? Look at Science Vessels.

• Need to anchor a fleet and soak up damage? Opt for a Cruiser or Dreadnought.

Each ship comes with its own bridge officer seating, console layout, and specialization slots — these define what you can do. The better you align your ship's features with your captain's strengths, the more effective you’ll be.

  Step 3: Weapon Systems and Energy Types

Next, decide what type of damage you'll focus on:

• Energy Weapons (Beams, Cannons) are consistent and power-based.

• Projectile Weapons (Torpedoes, Mines) deal burst damage and often bypass shields.

Stick to one energy type (Phaser, Disruptor, Antiproton, etc.) to benefit from damage bonuses and set synergies. Mixing types may seem flexible, but it dilutes your potential.

  Step 4: Defensive Systems and Survival

A dead ship deals no damage. Invest in:

• Shields with fast regen or high capacity.

• Engines that help you maintain mobility.

• Deflectors and warp cores that complement your captain and bridge officer abilities.

Defense is not just about numbers — it’s about timing. Learn when to trigger healing abilities, resistance buffs, or shield redistribution. Proper defense setup gives you the confidence to stay in the fight longer — and win.

  Step 5: Bridge Officers – Your Elite Crew

Bridge officers are your active combat systems. Assign roles based on:

• The abilities your ship can slot

• The specializations they bring (like Intel, Miracle Worker, etc.)

• Your preferred combat rhythm — quick and aggressive or methodical and supportive

Invest in training manuals early, and plan a loadout that lets you cycle your best abilities reliably. Think of your crew not as filler, but as tactical assets. Bridge officer abilities work best when chosen as part of a complete build. Review weapons, consoles, power levels, traits, and officer abilities together instead of treating each system separately.

  Step 6: Power Management – The Hidden Weapon

Power levels are the beating heart of your ship:

• Weapons Power affects energy weapon damage.

• Shields Power affects shield regeneration.

• Auxiliary Power fuels science and support abilities.

• Engines Power improves speed and turn rate.

Customize your power presets and use bridge officer abilities like Emergency Power to Weapons or Auxiliary to Battery to maintain high output. A well-powered ship is an efficient, deadly ship.

Final Thought

Your first ship build will change as you gain equipment, traits, experience, and access to fleet resources. Start with one clear combat role, use one primary energy type, and test each change during missions or TFOs.

Need help with a ship, faction, weapon type, or bridge officer setup? Reply below with your ship name, captain career, preferred energy type, and current goal. SSC members will help you review the build.

Learn more about Starfleet Strategic Command and our fleet resources.

1. Character Creation and Factions:

• Factions: There are several factions to choose from, including Starfleet, Klingon Defense Force, and the Romulan Republic.
• Species: Each faction has its unique species, each with its own unique traits.
• Career Path: Choose a path – Tactical, Engineering, or Science. Your choice determines your abilities in space and on the ground.

New captains should also visit the SSC Academy for guidance on captain progression, ship roles, and fleet operations.

2. Basics of Movement:

• Space: Use the W, A, S, D keys to control your ship's movement. Increase and decrease your speed with the mouse wheel.
• Ground: Navigate using the W, A, S, D keys. To sprint, hold Shift.

3. Combat:

• Space Combat: Target enemies with the TAB key or click on them. Use number keys to activate abilities and weapons. Keep an eye on your shield quadrants and adjust as needed.
• Ground Combat: Use cover, dodge, and roll to avoid damage. Equip your character and away team with weapons and gear for increased efficiency.

4. Missions and Story Arcs:

• Engage in episodic story arcs that tie into Star Trek's lore.
• Visit your mission journal ("J" key) to see your current objectives.

5. Skills and Abilities:

• As you level up, you'll earn skill points. Use these in your skills menu to improve your character's capabilities.
• Train bridge officers in new skills to improve their combat effectiveness.

6. Equipment and Upgrades:

• Replicator: Use this to create items and sell unwanted gear.
• Upgrades: Improve your weapons and gear. Collect R&D materials from missions or by scanning anomalies in space.

7. Starship Customization:

• Access the Shipyard to buy, customize, and manage your ships.
• Different ships serve different roles, like cruisers, escorts, or science vessels. Choose the one that fits your playstyle.

8. Joining a Fleet:

• Fleets provide access to experienced players, fleet facilities, equipment, team activities, and community support. Learn more about Starfleet Strategic Command and how SSC supports new and returning captains.

9. Social Interactions:

• Use the chatbox to communicate with other players.
• Engage in team missions, or join groups for challenging content.

10. Exploring the Universe:

• Venture to familiar Star Trek locations, such as Earth Spacedock, Qo'noS, and New Romulus.
• Engage in random encounters or explore uncharted star systems.

11. Dilithium and Zen:

• Dilithium is an in-game currency used for various purchases.
• Zen is a premium currency, which can be bought with real money or traded for in-game with Dilithium.

Tips for Newcomers:

• Learn by Doing: The game has a series of tutorial missions. Complete them to get familiar with the basics.
• Join a Fleet: This gives you access to experienced players and advanced resources.
• Experiment: Try different ships, bridge officers, and tactics to find what works best for you.

What advice would you give a new Star Trek Online player? Register and share your advice below.