# Can some please explain to me how Star Trek Online works?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-please-explain-to-me-how-star-trek-online-works/783934>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [April 6, 2017, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-please-explain-to-me-how-star-trek-online-works/783934 "2017-04-06T22:28:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2017, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-please-explain-to-me-how-star-trek-online-works/783934/1 "2017-04-06T22:28:52Z")

</div>

I understand I have to build my own crew.

What I’m not clear on, is when I go into battle, am I fighting the computer? Or am I fighting other players online?  
And is it better to play on PS4? Or Computer?

And any other tid bits of information you can give to me would be greatly appreciated. I have NO idea how any of this online gaming stuff works.

Thanks.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2017, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-please-explain-to-me-how-star-trek-online-works/783934/2 "2017-04-06T23:03:21Z")

</div>

It’s been years since I’ve played, but STO is mostly player vs environment (PvE). That means your combat will be against server-controlled opponents.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Orr\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ee59a6/32.png) [@Orr\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orr_G)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2017, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-please-explain-to-me-how-star-trek-online-works/783934/3 "2017-04-06T23:42:16Z")

</div>

It’s been a while for me, as well. You can find PvP fights with human opponents (in ships, at least, I don’t remember if there were fights on foot against other people), but IIRC you have to have a few levels under your belt and choose to go to certain places.

I would imagine PC is better to play on than PS4, but if you generally prefer the console you might not agree.

Since online gaming is new to you, I would recommend just noodling around and doing whatever looks interesting, and don’t worry much about what you’re “supposed” to do. There’s always a learning curve, and I think it’s most fun if you just take it at your own pace and explore however you like.

I’d also recommend joining a guild. There are often ones that are very welcoming and helpful to new players.

I had a blast playing STO, back in the day. The game was a little old and dusty even back then, but it was still fun to roam around the Star Trek universe. And the spaceship battles were pretty well done, very engaging.