New Character - advice needed!

[Azok533]

Hello all,

I am looking to begin playing Star Trek Online again but a lot has changed since the last time I played, so I am looking for some advice and help from the more experienced players out there.

Before the servers went down for maintenance this afternoon, I managed to complete the Starfleet and Klingon tutorials.  I have yet to complete the Romulan tutorial and I do not plan to complete the TOS tutorial as I have no interest in playing a TOS character.

The questions I have and the advice I am looking for have been summarized below:

• Faction - Starfleet or Klingon?  I am leaning more towards Starfleet but am open to suggestions.  Are the Romulans worth it?
  
• Career - I am a massive fan of the Science career path but again I am open to suggestions.  Is Engineering or Tactical easier to play in terms of level progression and end-game?
  
• Race - Does my racial preference effect my character?  Are there certain races that are better at one of the career paths than another?  I don't plan to playing an Alien.
  
• Bridge Officer Skills - What are the non-negotiable/must-have Bridge Officer skills, regardless of what career path I choose to take?
  
• Skill Points - How should these be distributed?  I appreciate it will - for the most part - depend on the career path I choose but are there non-negotiable/must-have skills?
  
• Traits - Top 3 Space and Ground traits (so I can pick them from the start)?
  

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

[Trudard]

Hello all,

I am looking to begin playing Star Trek Online again but a lot has changed since the last time I played, so I am looking for some advice and help from the more experienced players out there.

Before the servers went down for maintenance this afternoon, I managed to complete the Starfleet and Klingon tutorials.  I have yet to complete the Romulan tutorial and I do not plan to complete the TOS tutorial as I have no interest in playing a TOS character.

The questions I have and the advice I am looking for have been summarized below:

• Faction - Starfleet or Klingon?  I am leaning more towards Starfleet but am open to suggestions.  Are the Romulans worth it?
  
• Career - I am a massive fan of the Science career path but again I am open to suggestions.  Is Engineering or Tactical easier to play in terms of level progression and end-game?
  
• Race - Does my racial preference effect my character?  Are there certain races that are better at one of the career paths than another?  I don't plan to playing an Alien.
  
• Bridge Officer Skills - What are the non-negotiable/must-have Bridge Officer skills, regardless of what career path I choose to take?
  
• Skill Points - How should these be distributed?  I appreciate it will - for the most part - depend on the career path I choose but are there non-negotiable/must-have skills?
  
• Traits - Top 3 Space and Ground traits (so I can pick them from the start)?
  

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

Firstly welcome!

I think for most of your questions it is a matter of preference taste and flying style. Personally I prefer Fed Tac / Eng human species (Tbh i have not looked at the differences in abilities of different species).
And Yes I really hate science builds (sorry to you sci fans!)

Romulans are nice ( and have farming advantages) but in terms of playing they are limited by the number of ships available. There are more people on fed side but again we have good fleets for both factions.

Your other questions are more of a concern once you get to lvl 60 and have decided on your game goals with a good ship set-up / a plan in mind.

BOFFS will depend on your career and what you want to get out of the game.
Skill points is again career specific - though i gather a number of players tend to go down the tac line but gives the advantage of being able to be more fluid. You will get at least 1 free character retrain token on F2P.

I am sorry if that is not very helpful. But once you have a feel for what you like and prefer then we will be able to make more suitable and specific suggestions.