Just in time for the holiday season, Cryptic Studios is preparing a new chapter in Star Trek Online, Season 3: Genesis that's surely aimed to please. It's time to start planning your missions now, because when season 3 hits in December, STO Players will be able to create their own missions using a brand new tool called The Foundry. Also on tap for Season 3 is the Holodeck. This new feature allows players to replay their favorite STO missions with new episode specific rewards. Integration of Borg technology will also be available to higher ranked players. The new tech will enhance weapons, engines, etc and give players the option to display the Borg tech on their ships.

On top of all the upcoming Season 3 additions, there are three brand new ships available in the cryptic C-Store. Check out the Season 3 and C-Store updates below.

Season 3: Genesis

Introducing: The Foundry Beta

Have you ever wanted to design your own mission in Star Trek Online? Here's your chance! The Foundry for Star Trek Online will enter public beta when Season Three debuts. Using The Foundry, you can construct Episodes and share them with your friends. If you're not interested in designing missions, you'll still benefit from The Foundry: Player-created missions will be available to you to play and enjoy, right alongside the Episodes you know and love today.

The Foundry Beta for Star Trek Online is a living, breathing feature within the game, and we still need your feedback to make it as dynamic and engaging as possible. So be ready to let us know what you think!

Episode Replay

Hop into the Holodeck! In Season Three, you'll be able to replay Episodes you've enjoyed previously. Some will even feature new, Episode-specific rewards! Nearly every mission in Star Trek Online is available for Replay.

New Special Task Force Loot

Admirals and Generals have been confronting the greatest threats to the Alpha Quadrant for some time. In Season Three, you'll be able to integrate Borg technology into your ships. This new loot from Special Task Force missions will greatly augment your ship's usefulness as well as its appearance. At your discretion, the new Borg-based items will appear on your ship. Whether it's a new weapon assembly or upgrade to your ship's engines, you'll be able to show off your crew's battlefield prowess. Already like the look of your ship? Not to worry; displaying the effects is entirely optional. You'll still receive the bonuses these new items afford without compromising the look of your ship.

New Special Task Force Loot

Admirals and Generals have been confronting the greatest threats to the Alpha Quadrant for some time. In Season Three, you'll be able to integrate Borg technology into your ships. This new loot from Special Task Force missions will greatly augment your ship's usefulness as well as its appearance. At your discretion, the new Borg-based items will appear on your ship. Whether it's a new weapon assembly or upgrade to your ship's engines, you'll be able to show off your crew's battlefield prowess.

Already like the look of your ship? Not to worry; displaying the effects is entirely optional. You'll still receive the bonuses these new items afford without compromising the look of your ship.

New Ships in the C-Store

Klingon Empire - B'rel Bird-of-Prey Retrofit
(1200 Cryptic Points)

Birds-of-Prey are the workhorses of the Empire, filling roles as scout ships, raiders or combat vessels. This retrofit of the famed B'rel Bird-of-Prey combines the small size and maneuverability of the B'rel with the most advanced weaponry available to the Empire. The B'rel Bird-of-Prey Retrofit has six weapon slots (4 fore, 2 aft), seats for four Bridge Officers (2 Lieutenant Universal, 1 Lieutenant Commander Universal and 1 Commander Universal) and space for eight console modifications (3 Tactical, 3 Engineering, 2 Science). It carries 30 crew and has an Enhanced Battle Cloak that will allow the ship to fire mines and torpedo weapons and use most Bridge Officer and Captain abilities while cloaked. Note: This ship may only be purchased by Klingon Empire captains that have attained the rank of Lieutenant General. Players may choose to receive this ship as a Free Reward for achieving the Lieutenant General Rank. Additional Lieutenant General ships may be obtained in game per character by spending Mission Reward Emblems. Purchasing this ship from the C-store unlocks it for all Lieutenant General characters on an account

Klingon Empire - Varanus Fleet Support Vessel
(1200 Cryptic Points)

This Gorn Hegemony design has been adapted for use by the Klingon Defense Force. These vessels do not have the firepower of Klingon starships, but their advanced technology makes them ideal for use by captains who want to support their allies in battle. The Varanus Fleet Support Vessel has six weapon slots (3 fore, 3 aft), seats for five Bridge Officers (Lieutenant Tactical, Ensign Engineering, Lieutenant Engineering, Lieutenant Commander Science and Commander Science) and space for eight console modifications (2 Tactical, 2 Engineering, 4 Science). It carries a crew of 750, has integral subsystem targeting and can launch a Repair Platform that will deploy drones to assist it or allied ships. Note: This ship may only be purchased by Klingon Empire captains that have attained the rank of Lieutenant General. Players may choose to receive this ship as a Free Reward for achieving the Lieutenant General Rank. Additional Lieutenant General ships may be obtained in game per character by spending Mission Reward Emblems. Purchasing this ship from the C-store unlocks it for all Lieutenant General characters on an account.

Klingon Empire - Marauder Patrol Cruiser
(1200 Cryptic Points)

The Orion Syndicate has made the design of their famed Marauder Patrol Cruiser available to the Klingon Defense Force. Marauders are made for quick raids, but have the strength to last through a pitched battle. The Marauder Patrol Cruiser has eight weapon slots (4 fore, 4 aft), seats for five Bridge Officers (Lieutenant Tactical, Lieutenant Commander Engineering, Commander Engineering, Ensign Science and Lieutenant Science) and space for eight console modifications (2 Tactical, 4 Engineering, 2 Science). It carries 1,200 crew members. The Syndicate takes great care to protect Marauders, so captains of these vessels have the right to summon a wing of Orion Interceptor Fighters for assistance. These fighters will drop mines and then move to disable subsystems and capture crew from enemy ships. Note: This ship may only be purchased by Klingon Empire captains that have attained the rank of Lieutenant General. Players may choose to receive this ship as a Free Reward for achieving the Lieutenant General Rank. Additional Lieutenant General ships may be obtained in game per character by spending Mission Reward Emblems. Purchasing this ship from the C-store unlocks it for all Lieutenant General characters on an account.

Klingon Empire - Kar'Fi Battle Carrier
(1200 Cryptic Points)

The KDF is repurposing captured Fek'lhri ships for their own, and the Kar'Fi Battle Carrier has the firepower needed to punish enemies of the Empire. The Kar'Fi is smaller than a Carrier, but it is more maneuverable and heavily armed. The Kar'Fi has space for seven weapons slots (4 fore, 3 aft), seats for five Bridge Officers (1 Lieutenant Commander Tactical, 1 Lieutenant Tactical, 1 Lieutenant Engineering, 1 Commander Science, 1 Ensign Science) and space for nine console modifications (3 Tactical, 2 Engineering. 4 Science). It carries a crew of 3,000 and has a Hangar Bay that allows it to launch Fek'lhri S'Kul fighters or a Fek'lhri Fer'Jai Frigate. Note: This ship may only be purchased by Klingon Empire captains that have attained the rank of Lieutenant General. Players may choose to receive this ship as a Free Reward for achieving the Lieutenant General Rank. Additional Lieutenant General ships may be obtained in game per character by spending Mission Reward Emblems. Purchasing this ship from the C-store unlocks it for all Lieutenant General characters on an account.

(Source StarTrekOnline.com)