Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Captain's Log: To spec or not to spec?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/captains-log-to-spec-or-not-to-spec/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/captains-log-to-spec-or-not-to-spec/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/captains-log-to-spec-or-not-to-spec/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Screenshot - Star Trek Online
Captain's Log, Stardate 65340.3...

Hello, computer (and players)! Unlike an answer to Shakespeare's original question, the answer to the question in this week's title is probably a no-brainer for most of you: Yes! Choosing a specialization, or "speccing," in MMOs is something that stretches across most titles out there, and Star Trek Online is no different. Whether you wish to resist attacks longer, do more damage, or add strength to your powers, choosing a customized spec can be rewarding and a challenge at the same time. With so many variables and places to spend your points, the possibilities are endless.

While this week's Captain's Log is not here to tell you what you should spec into for your particular class or ship set-up, I would like to go over the space skill point overhaul that STO is about to go through. In the past, one of the biggest complaints from players was that they did not have a clear understanding of which skill tree affected which ability. The devs heard this feedback and have been working on a complete revamp to make these decisions simpler. Hopefully, this will allow you to have a better understanding of where and why to spend your points in a particular skill when you do have to re-spec at the launch of F2P on January 17th, 2012.

Ensign, warp 10! Let's get our readers' bookmark buttons ready...

Continue reading Captain's Log: To spec or not to spec?

MassivelyCaptain's Log: To spec or not to spec? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriescaptain-gekocaptains-logcrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosefficiencyenergy-weaponsengineering-systemsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playguidelivestreamoperation-systemsperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentprojectile-weaponsre-specscience-systemsshakespeareskillpointsspecspeccingspecializationspecsst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestotactical-systemstargeting-systemstrek-onlinetribbletwittertwitterverseweaponsThu, 10 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Captain's Log: What's your (energy) type?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/captains-log-whats-your-energy-type/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/captains-log-whats-your-energy-type/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/captains-log-whats-your-energy-type/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Star Trek Online screenshot
Captain's Log, Stardate 65244.9...

Hello, computer (and players)! Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday dear meeeeeee, happy birthday to me. Sorry, I couldn't resist. Yes, today is my birthday, and the best present I could receive is being able to share this week's Captain's Log with you all. As we get closer and closer to the F2P re-launch of Star Trek Online, I expect that there will be new captains tuning into this column each week, so to help support our new comrades in between the weeks that feature an influx of breaking news and developments, I am going to be taking some time to educate everyone on a few of the game's mechanics.

When I first started playing STO, I often found myself wondering about many of the choices available to my different characters. From armor to shields, deflectors to engines, and kits to weapons, there is an endless array of options that we can decide to play with and use. One of the most frequently asked questions I get from new players is, "What is the best energy type to use for my ship's weapons?" In the past, when I really did not know much, I would choose my type by the color it emitted. I now know that "pretty" does not equal "power." While each type has its own special bonuses, it's up to you to decide which to use and why. Here's to hoping I can aid in that decision.

Ensign, warp 10! Let's take a look at the spectrum of colors and their abilities...

Continue reading Captain's Log: What's your (energy) type?

MassivelyCaptain's Log: What's your (energy) type? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antiprotonarmorbirthdaycaptains-logcrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdeflectorsdisruptorenginesF2Pfeaturedfree-to-playkitslivestreamperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentphaserplasmapolaronprocpweshieldsspecst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestosubsystemstertryontrek-onlineTribbleweaponsThu, 29 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Grinding skill instead of gear]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/the-soapbox-grinding-skill-instead-of-gear/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/the-soapbox-grinding-skill-instead-of-gear/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/the-soapbox-grinding-skill-instead-of-gear/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

One of the most troubling things I see in gamers these days is their incessant pursuit of loot. If you happen to play World of Warcraft, you know that getting into a pick-up raid involves a lot of people waving around GearScore like it's an actual measurement of player ability. Ever tried to get into an Ultra-Max Security group in Global Agenda? I hope you've got top-quality token gear and are level 50 because the time you spent getting those things matters a lot more than actually having any sort of skills.

As a tournament fighting-game player, I take offense to this. You don't need to have an epic'd-out Chun Li to win in Street Fighter. In online games, gear is important, but it isn't the first thing you should be pursuing.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Grinding skill instead of gear

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Grinding skill instead of gear originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 May 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buildbuildsendgamefeaturedfotmgeargearscoreopinionplayer-skillpvepvpraidingskillskill-vs-gearsoapboxspecspecstalentthe-soapboxyou-must-defeat-sheng-long-to-stand-a-chanceTue, 31 May 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Try a Wrath of the Lich King talent spec on for size]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/31/try-a-wrath-of-the-lich-king-talent-spec-on-for-size/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/31/try-a-wrath-of-the-lich-king-talent-spec-on-for-size/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/31/try-a-wrath-of-the-lich-king-talent-spec-on-for-size/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blizzard is making it easy for you to start planning for the launch of World of Warcraft's Wrath of the Lich King expansion. The official WoW website's talent tree calculator now represents the current WotLK build's talent trees for all classes, including the new Death Knight prestige class.

You can try on all sorts of new specs taking into account the talent tree changes and new abilities coming in the expansion, which is due out later this year.

The most interesting aspect to this is the ability to really explore in detail what kinds of abilities are available to the Death Knight. The information has been public for a while but if you haven't been following every single interview, it's cool to be able to go to one place and interact with what's there.

MassivelyTry a Wrath of the Lich King talent spec on for size originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 31 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardclassesdeath-knightexpansionspectalenttalent-calculatortalent-spectalent-treeworld-of-warcraftwowwrath-of-the-lich-kingSun, 31 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New AoC feat calculator lets you submit and browse specs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/new-aoc-feat-calculator-lets-you-submit-and-browse-specs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/new-aoc-feat-calculator-lets-you-submit-and-browse-specs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/new-aoc-feat-calculator-lets-you-submit-and-browse-specs/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The Age of Conan community site has brought a new feat calculator to our attention. Hosted at IGN's Age of Conan Vault, the calculator offers features found in other popular options, but one notable addition as well. Users have the ability to submit their spec to the Vault's database, which players can use to research their own builds. You can search the saved templates by level, class and name/description. People have already started to save their submissions, and hopefully this feature will prove to be a valuable resource as more players follow suit.

MassivelyNew AoC feat calculator lets you submit and browse specs originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocbuildsfeat-calculatorfeatsfuncomspecSat, 28 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Gaming Iconoclast: The Road Less Taken]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/02/the-gaming-iconoclast-the-road-less-taken/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/02/the-gaming-iconoclast-the-road-less-taken/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/02/the-gaming-iconoclast-the-road-less-taken/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Forsooth, Thou Art Going About It In An Improper MannerTwo roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
-- Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken"

Unless you've studiously avoided the forums and fan sites for a particular game (wait, hold on a second... you're here already), you've probably heard endless variations on "the best" build or style for a class of character. "So-and-so should be race X, and spec Y, and wield Z." There are veritable ruts hewn in the terrain from people flocking to established builds and gear sets for most any class you care to name.

But what if you don't want to follow the herd? What if the "you" in the game eschews conventional wisdom, strikes out on their own, and, with apologies to both Frank Sinatra and Johnny Rotten, does it their way? Are you thus destined to spend your gaming life shunned, a scarlet letter, or never-stylish [Noob Hat], branding you as an undesirable companion? Do you, in short, have cooties?

Continue reading The Gaming Iconoclast: The Road Less Taken

MassivelyThe Gaming Iconoclast: The Road Less Taken originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardcharactercharacter-specdoing-it-wrongfeaturedlolsmiteroleplayroleplayingspectalent-selectiontalentsthe-gaming-iconoclastworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 02 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EST