Welcome to the 13th installment of Ask Cryptic, where we put the questions you ask to our development team. In this issue we discuss ground combat. Read more to learn about Star Trek Online!

Numerous: Can players beam anywhere on the planet, or only to specific places?

When you beam to a planet, you only beam to a specific location. This is to help retain the flow of our Episodes, which link missions between ground and space.

However, we’re looking into site-to-site transporter powers, which would allow you to “beam” across short distances for tactical purposes and allow you to get to places you couldn’t normally reach. But that’s still in the works.

Numerous: Will different places have different environmental conditions that some races are more capable of withstanding than others?

Currently, no, but that’s a great suggestion we’d like to look into. For instance, some cold environments where Andorians would get a bonus and other races would receive a penalty. We’re spending more time looking at racial bonuses right now, so it’s a good time for us to talk about it internally.

ExAstris: Will all ground missions be 5 individuals, or will some of the more epic things you encounter at "end game" require 10+ away team members?

The team size is always five. There are maps that require multiple teams to make your way through. Think of a front-line situation where numerous players bring down their away teams to work together with other players to fight against multiple teams of other players or NPCs. But your away team is always five members.

Shatterhand: Will these "kits" be supplied to your character automatically upon creation, or will there be a mission or procedure through which they'll be unlocked and ready for use/enhancement?

Kits are basically items that make special skills available, and you’ll be granted two Kits at character creation. So if you’re a Science officer, you’ll receive a Science Kit and a Medical Kit. If you’re an Engineer, you’ll receive a Shield Generator Kit and a Weapons Malfunction Kit. (The different Kits make different skills available, so you’ll be able to choose how you want to play your character from the very beginning.) We may increase the starting Kits to three, but it’s currently two. However, you’ll be able to acquire more Kits through missions and rewards.

Welsh_Knight: Will there be a disengage option? For example, if I'm in a fight I cannot win what are my options? Can I run away to a different part of the planet? Will whatever's trying to kill me persue me? Can I beam out? If I can beam out do I need to get clear of the combat before I can? Do we need to stand still to beam out? Can I call for beam out while shooting?

There’s no direct “I quit” button; that’s not fun, and it’s super lame for PvP. But there are ways to escape. On the ground, if you’re losing, you can run for cover around the corner, and your shields will replenish quickly. That will give you a breather before jumping back into the fray.

If you really want to get out of Dodge, you can run from your enemies. If you get out of combat long enough, you’ll have the option to beam back up to your ship and regroup there. But there’s no way to leave during combat.

Link to forum post