Star Trek Online: Looking At Klingon Gameplay

Cryptic has released more information on Klingon gameplay in its upcoming MMO, Star Trek Online.

Following the revelation yesterday that the Klingon faction is almost entirely PvP-based, Cryptic is obviously keen to shed more light on exactly what the game has in store for those who prefer the Bat’leth to the phaser.

Klingon characters will be unlocked once the first section of Federation gameplay has been completed, around five hours into the game. The Klingon character will begin at approximately the same level or rank as the Federation character that unlocks the content.

Klingon characters work in the same way Federation ones do, and have access to the same skills, but must level up through PvP because there is not much PvE content, as we reported yesterday, for Klingons right now. However, Federation players can also level up through PvP too.

“That’s not to say Klingons won’t be a robust faction.” Says Cryptic.

“While they are PvP-focused, PvP in Star Trek Online is something we designed from the ground up to be a viable advancement path, meaning both Klingon and Federation players can reach a rank of Admiral solely through PvP.”

You must be wondering what sort of PvP gameplay there is to keep you occupied if you choose to play as a Klingon, so here’s the run-down:Challenges allow two teams to square off in a private instance created for them on-the-fly.Arena maps are team-vs.-team matchups in instances, played either by teams that challenge one another, or by randomly-assigned teams created via a global queue system.Scenarios feature objective-oriented gameplay like Assault and Area Control. The Assault scenario is straightforward: Move forces from your area to the opponents’, inflicting more casualties than you suffer. The Area Control scenario is more subtle: Capture key objectives and hold them longer than your opponents to win the day.War Zone maps are static maps that are always open for players to join. Both factions may enter this may enter this map, which has Open Mission-style PvE objectives to achieve, with the twist that members of opposing factions can hinder each other’s progress via PvP.
Klingon ship progression also works slightly differently, “Rather than gaining access to a standard Cruiser, Escort or Science vessel, Klingons receive special variants of ships as they progress. As players achieve new ranks, new ships become available to them”.

Here’s how it works with Klingon ships, which generally have more forward-facing weapons and greater manoeuvrability. Ships are also more customisable, as players can change the colour and use a selection of skins on them to change the look.

Warrior
B’rel Bird of Prey – capable of cloaking in combat.

Lieutenant
Bird of Prey Mk. 1 – capable of cloaking in combat.

Lieutenant Commander
Bird of Prey Mk. 2 – capable of cloaking in combat.
Raptor Mk. 1 – similar to Federation Escorts.

Commander
Bird of Prey Mk. 3 – capable of cloaking in combat.
Raptor Mk. 2.
Battle Cruiser Mk. 1 – similar to Federation Cruisers, but feature more forward-facing guns.

Captain
Bird of Prey Mk. 4 – capable of cloaking in combat.
Raptor Mk. 3.
Battle Cruiser Mk. 2.

General
Bird of Prey Mk. 5 – capable of cloaking in combat.
Raptor Mk. 4.
Battle Cruiser Mk. 3
Carrier – a massive ship with multiple hangar bays capable of launching several smaller fighters.

Cryptic has also released a number of screens showing Klingon gameplay, seen below. We’ll be playing the beta this weekend, so be sure to check back for our thoughts on the game so far.