Commanders, Arena is about to get even more exciting. We’re testing some major new additions, including public squads and adjusted ops-level ranges for more balanced matchups. Below is a high-level overview of what’s coming, along with answers to potential questions from Liam, Lead Product Manager.Our team will finalize these changes only after an EU-only run confirms performance and stability.
What’s New in Arena?
- Public Squads: Soon, you’ll be able to form squads with Commanders from any alliance on your server, opening up new ways to play and meet others.
- Ops Level Range Tweak: We’re narrowing the permissible ops-level window to ±4—aiming for tighter, more balanced matches across the board.
- Not Live Immediately: This rollout begins with a limited test for EU servers on Feb 19 (13:00–18:00 CET). If all goes well, we’ll expand to everyone by Monday, Feb 24.
Q&A with Liam, Lead Product Manager
Q: Why test in EU only first?
A: We want to confirm performance and stability on a smaller scale before going worldwide. This ensures the feature runs smoothly across different servers and player populations.
Q: Are public squads cross-server?
A: No, squads form on the same server, so members and opponents must be on that server as well.
Q: Does the new ops-level range apply to alliance squads too?
A: Yes, both alliance squads and public squads share the ±4 ops-level requirement.
Q: What if I’m in an alliance and face my own alliance mates on the opposing team?
A: In the Arena, everyone is fair game—you can battle alliance friends if the matchmaking places you on opposite squads.
Q: Is the speed cap still in effect?
A: Yes. Public squads won’t fix that underlying issue. But these updates help us gather data for potential future improvements.
Q: Will the day of the week for Arena changes?
A: We have no immediate plans to move from the current schedule, but we’ll review feedback once things have settled.
Q: How are team colors/names handled in public squads?
A: The team name is based on the squad leader’s alliance. Allies appear purple, opponents appear blue—be they from your alliance or not.
Q: Any chat feature updates?
A: Not yet, but we’re considering ways to improve communication in the future.
When to Expect More Details
- We’ll monitor the Feb 19 EU test.
- If everything checks out, public squads and ops-level changes roll out more broadly on Feb 24.
- Stay tuned to official channels for final confirmation, including the official Discord and in-game news.
Live Long and Prosper,
The Star Trek Fleet Command Team
We Want Your Feedback!
Your input shapes the future of Star Trek Fleet Command. Head over to our official Discord or community forums to share your thoughts and experiences with these new Arena features. We’ll adjust and refine as needed to ensure an engaging, balanced competition for everyone.
(Disclaimer: All dates and times are subject to final testing outcomes. Should any issues arise during the EU test, the global rollout could be delayed.)
