Commanders, Update 82 introduces a new branch in the Forbidden Tech family: Prototype Tech, built to supercharge your ships whether you chase PvP, hostile farming, or mining.

What is Prototype Tech?

Prototype Tech is a new ship equipment that lives in the Forbidden Tech slot (you’ll still utilize Fusion Rods). It upgrades entirely through the Aggregation loop—no Q’s Trials required—and there will be five during the next launch: three combat-focused for PvP and two utility pieces for progression. The three PvP Prototypes share a vicious baseline of Apex Barrier and Apex Shred (and carry shield-bypass power comparable to Quantum Slipstream Drive), while the utilities shore up your day-to-day gains across warp, XP, reputation, loot, and mining.

PvP (3)

Romulan Mines (Interceptor)

A border-guard’s worst surprise: tricobalt spheroids that cling and punish. In combat, Interceptor Apex Barrier scales from 500 up to 40,000, Apex Shred grows from 3% at Tier 3 up to 50%, and starting at Tier 6 you apply a −1% Shield Mitigation penalty each round (maxing at −25%). From Tier 8, your Interceptor Critical Damage vs players surges (+40% up to +500%).

Counterplay Device (Explorer)

A Cardassian failsafe turned ironclad deterrent. It raises Explorer Apex Barrier (from 500 to 40,000), adds Apex Shred (3% at Tier 3 → 50%), applies the same per-round −1% Shield Mitigation from Tier 6 (to −25%), and, from Tier 8, massively boosts Explorer Isolytic Defense (+40% → +500%) vs players.

Self-Replicating Mines (Battleship)

The Alpha Quadrant’s invisible net. You’ll gain Battleship Apex Barrier (500 → 40,000), Apex Shred (3% at Tier 3 → 50%), and the per-round −1% Shield Mitigation from Tier 6 (to −25%). At Tier 8, Battleship Isolytic Damage vs players climbs (+20% → +250%).

Note: certain effects don’t apply when Tal is on the bridge, and the per-round mitigation doesn’t apply during station combat.

Utility (2)

Harvester (Survey)

Once a bio-threat, now a mining marvel. It’s our strongest Survey mining booster to date: Max Cargo starts at +30% (to +350%), Protected Cargo hits +100% at Tier 3 (to +1250%), Mining Speed jumps +150% at Tier 6 (to +1500%), and from Tier 8 you gain bonus Crystal/Gas/Ore (+2% → +25%).

Orion Syndicate Bomb (Rare, multi-role)

Underworld precision that pays daily dividends. OSB extends Warp Range (+5 → +50), boosts Ship XP from combat (+10% at Tier 3 → +175%), increases positive Fed/Kli/Rom reputation from hostiles (+20% at Tier 6 → +300%), and raises base loot from non-Armada hostiles (+5% at Tier 8 → +50%). Because it’s Rare, it’s easier to source—and it unlocks for free at Recon Locus 51.

How you’ll earn and upgrade (starting Tuesday)

The Recon Locus building launches on Tuesday, September 9, and the Aggregation Refinery becomes your source for Prototype Tech materials (and a strong source of Forbidden Tech mats overall). Some refinery bundles have building level requirements, so progressing against Aggregation hostiles is part of the journey. Hitting Recon Locus 51 is a key milestone: Orion Syndicate Bomb becomes yours for free, and its warp/XP/rep/loot gains will start compounding everything else you do.

Commanders, Prototype Tech arrives with Update 82 on Tuesday—get ready to make them yours.

Live Long and Prosper,
-The Star Trek Fleet Command Team