“The fact is, Commander, that we might be stuck here a while, and these cadets still need teaching.”
After a narrow escape from the Venari Ral, the damaged U.S.S. Athena emerges in unfamiliar space and is rescued by the Commander. Stranded far from home and in need of repairs, its crew must bide their time.
With no immediate way back to the 32nd century, the mission continues in a different form. As a guest lecturer at Starfleet Academy, the Commander trains cadets and prepares them for the challenges ahead, all while the threat of the Venari Ral still lingers.
Watch the full video here.
What’s in Update 90: Starfleet Academy
- A new Stat: Critical Mitigation
- A New Wave Defense Mode: Duo Wave Defense
- A new Hostile Loop
- A new Building: Starfleet Academy: Remote Campus
- New Officers
- New missions
- A New 7 day event series
- New Updates to the Battle Pass and Mid-Ops Battle Pass
- And more!
Ops 61+ Update
Before diving into this month’s new content, we want to let Commanders know that the new Starfleet Academy content will be available for Ops 61+. This allows a better focus of the experience around G6 and G7 progression. G5 Commanders will now be part of the mid-ops event schedule which will be focusing on the U.S.S. Dauntless.
Star Fleet Academy– Missions (Ops 61+)
Week 1:
Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos Parts1-3
After narrowly escaping Nus Braka and the Venari Ral, the crew of the U.S.S. Athena find themselves in unfamiliar space with a damaged ship and a missing Chancellor. The Commander agrees to host Starfleet’s best and brightest while they search for a way home.
Week 2:
Combat Strategy 101 Parts 1-3
The cadets need combat training – and who better to teach them than the foremost Independent in the sector? The Commander puts the cadets through a series of training scenarios before taking them out in the field.
Week 3:
Comparative Xenobiology Parts 1-3
The Doctor sends the cadets on an away mission to study lifeforms on a nearby planet. The Commander leaves to deal with a nearby bandit threat. When they return, the cadets are nowhere to be found.
Week 4:
Comparative Xenobiology Parts 1-3
Starfleet agrees to host the 32nd century cadets for a cultural exchange at the Academy. The cadets find an academy that is very different from the one they know, and other students that seem to resent their presence. A familiar face threatens the Academy, and one of the cadets bites off more than he can chew.
Critical Mitigation
With Update 90, we’re introducing a brand-new stat: Critical Mitigation.
Critical Mitigation reduces incoming critical damage after all other bonuses are applied, making it a powerful new tool for surviving high-damage encounters, especially against enemies that rely heavily on critical hits.
Where to Get Critical Mitigation
Critical Mitigation is primarily sourced through the new Starfleet Academy: Remote Campus, but can also be found in additional systems:
- Starfleet Academy: Remote Campus
- Primary source of Critical Mitigation against Academy Drone Hostiles
- Especially effective against Academy Drone hostiles
- Key for Duo Wave Defense encounters
- Programmable Matter Beam Projectile
- Provides unrestricted Critical Mitigation in PvP
- Simulacrum Refits
- Grants ship-specific Critical Mitigation
- Available for select ships:
- Epic G6 FKR ships
- Uncommon G7 FKR ships
- U.S.S. Vengeance
- Applies in both PvP and against Academy Training Drones
Academy Drone hostiles feature high critical damage output, making Critical Mitigation essential for survival and efficiency. Whether you’re tackling Duo Wave Defense or engaging in PvP, this new stat adds another layer of strategy to your builds and combat decisions.
Starfleet Academy: Remote Campus
The Starfleet Academy: Remote Campus is a new building and the primary source of Critical Mitigation against Academy Drones found in Starfleet Academy Space and Duo Wave Defense.
As the building levels up, it provides a wide range of economic and combat benefits, helping Commanders strengthen both survivability and efficiency.
Key Benefits
Upgrading the Remote Campus unlocks:
- Critical Mitigation against Academy Drones
- G7 Building Cost Efficiency
- Access to Sigma Resource exchanges in the Refinery
- Apex Barrier against hostiles
- Apex Barrier against players
Upgrade Rewards
Starting at level 20, the Remote Campus also grants exclusive one-time rewards:
- Academy Field Passes to access Starfleet Academy Space
- Simulation Codes to start Duo Wave Defense
- Sigma Speedups
How to Upgrade
Upgrades require Class Honors, which can be obtained from:
- The Academy Refinery
- The Store
Class Honors are earned by exchanging Engineering Credits, which are primarily acquired by defeating Academy Training Drones.
The Remote Campus is a key part of the new Academy progression loop, providing both immediate power and long-term growth opportunities.
Note: The unlock for the Starfleet Academy: Remote Campus will be sent out tomorrow at 9AM PDT / 1600 UTC with Update 90 Event rollout.
Starfleet Academy Loop
Located deep in G6 and G7 space, the new Starfleet Academy loop is split into two core activities: Starfleet Academy Space and Duo Wave Defense. This system is built around the interaction between Critical Damage and Critical Mitigation, creating a new layer of strategy and progression.
To access Academy Space:
- Claim Academy Field Passes from the Refinery (free daily claim)
- Travel to Academy Space and defeat Academy Training Drones
- Earn Training Merits and exchange them for Engineering Credits
Using Your Rewards
Engineering Credits are a key currency and can be used to acquire:
- Simulation Codes to start Duo Wave Defense
- Class Honors to upgrade the Remote Campus
- Sigma Resources
- Rare Section 31 Transmitters to upgrade the Facade
Duo Wave Defense Rewards
By completing waves in Duo Wave Defense, players can earn:
- Engineering Credits
- Science Credits → Exchange for G6–G7 Materials
- Command Credits → Exchange for Academy Officers and Officer Laurels
Starfleet Academy Training and Combat Drones
All Academy Training Drones are immune to GS31’s Gravitational Blast and have the Critical Training ability. On combat start, this grants greatly increased Critical Hit Chance, Critical Hit Damage, and Critical Damage Floor.
On top of that, Interceptor Training Drones have increased Apex Shred on combat start. Battleship Drones have increased Apex Barrier on combat start. And Explorer Drones have an Isolytic Simulator, making them immune to all non-Isolytic damage.
Survey Drones have Critical Defense, increasing their Critical Mitigation on combat start, and also drop additional Training Merits.
Duo Wave Defense
Update 90: Starfleet Academy introduces Duo Wave Defense, a new cooperative mode where two Commanders team up to take on waves of Academy hostiles. Encounters take place in Training and Combat Simulation Systems and are accessed using Simulation Codes, with each player able to bring up to two ships. The objective is simple: defend the Central Entity while managing incoming threats.
Commanders will face a range of enemies, each with unique challenges. All hostiles feature Critical Training, greatly increasing their critical damage output, while stronger enemies introduce additional mechanics that require coordination and strategy.
Key Enemy Types
- Training Drones – Deal steady damage
- Combat Drones – Apply Hyperthermic Decay at combat start
- Venari Ral – Reduce player damage, drain shields, and pose the highest threat
- Repair Drones – Can either grant buffs when destroyed or heal the Central Entity if ignored
Core Strategy
- Prioritize targets based on threat level
- Coordinate with your partner
- Manage damage to protect the Central Entity
With layered combat mechanics and faction reputation rewards, Duo Wave Defense focuses on teamwork, efficiency, and smart decision-making.
For more information about Duo Wave Defense check out the Feature Highlight Preview blog we posted last week.
Starfleet Academy Refinery
The Starfleet Academy Refinery is the central hub for rewards within the Academy loop, offering a wide range of valuable resources and progression items.
Through the Refinery, Commanders can acquire Sigma Resources, G6–G7 materials, Class Honors, Academy Field Passes, and Simulation Codes. Additional rewards include Rare Section 31 Transmitters for upgrading the Facade, as well as Academy Officers and Officer Laurels, a new universal officer promotion currency.
How It Works
- Academy Field Passes
- Claimed daily, with a bonus on the first 8 claims
- Grant access to Academy Space systems
- Used to farm Training Drones for Training Merits
- Training Merits → Engineering Credits
- Earned by defeating Academy Training Drones
- Refined into Engineering Credits in the Refinery
Key Currency Uses
- Engineering Credits
- Simulation Codes for Duo Wave Defense
- Sigma Resources
- Rare Section 31 Transmitters
- Science Credits(earned in Duo Wave Defense)
- Exchange for G6–G7 Ore, Crystal, and Gas
- Command Credits(earned in Duo Wave Defense)
- Academy Officers (including Epic Academy Doctor, Rare Caleb Mir, Rare Genesis Lythe)
- Officer XP and Officer Laurels
The Facade Update
Upgrading the Remote Campus building will further increase Sigma Resource output from the Refinery, making it a key part of maximizing rewards.
The Facade is expanding beyond its original limits with the introduction of Duo Wave Defense. Previously capped at level 60 and focused on Group Wave Defense, it now extends into higher levels with enhanced benefits.As it upgrades, the Facade continues to scale its existing bonuses, including Wave Defense Damage, HHP Bonus, and Officer Stats, now at significantly higher values for greater impact.
New Additions
- PvP Critical FKR Damage unlocked at level 61
- SHP Bonus unlocked at level 71
These new bonuses increase the Facade’s value across both Wave Defense and PvP.
How to Upgrade
Upgrading beyond level 60 requires Enhanced Section 31 Transmitters, which can be obtained through:
- Academy Refinery (via Engineering Credits)
- Store
Engineering Credits are earned indirectly by defeating Academy Training Drones and completing Duo Wave Defense.
Officer Updates
Officer Laurels
Officer Laurels are a new universal Officer Promotion Currency that will be used to promote all new Officers moving forward. They can be earned through the Academy Refinery using Academy Command Credits.
*Officers released before Update 90 remain unchanged and will keep their existing promotion currencies.
Officer Recruit
In Update 90, Epic Recruit weekends are being updated to better support your overall crew and roster progression.
During the first weekend, you’ll find a new Paragon Recruit in the Event Store. This Recruit will change based on your Ops level, and Paragon Recruit Tokens can be earned through events. The Paragon Recruit is designed to be your go-to source for the newest Officer.
During the second weekend, a specialized Cadre Recruit will be available, focused on a specific part of your Star Trek Fleet Command journey. This will focus on strengthening your Hostile crew, improving your PvP crew, or helping you build out a team of specialists!
Each of these (Paragon and Cadres) guarantee 20 Banner or Featured Officer shards every 90 pulls, with a chance to earn an extra pull on every pull. (view in game for full odds info)
Paragon Recruit Tokens and Cadre Tokens will also be available in the Offers tab.
Officer Depot Tokens
After Update 90, the Officer Depot Token Store will be retired. Following the launch of Update 90, the store will remain open for 30 days. After that, any remaining tokens will need to be used in a new Officer Depot Recruit that will replace it.
During Update 90, both the Officer Depot Token Store and the new Officer Depot Recruit will be available, giving you time to decide how to use your tokens. The Officer Depot Token Store will not return, so be sure to spend any remaining tokens before it closes.
New Officers
The Academy Doctor
The Academy Doctor, originally developed as the Mark I medical program, evolved into a champion of hologram rights and now serves as Chief Medical Officer of the U.S.S. Athena, helping train the next generation of Starfleet cadets.
Officer Ability: Physician’s Instinct
- Increases Isolytic Cascade Damage against hostile Explorers in Wave Defense
- 100% / 130% / 165% / 200% / 250%
Below Deck Ability: Critical Diagnosis
- Increases Interceptor Critical Chance against players for a limited duration.
- 20% / 25% / 30% / 40% / 50%
Caleb Mir
Caleb Mir, a troubled but determined cadet, is overcoming his past at Starfleet Academy while pursuing the truth about his mother and the pirate responsible for her disappearance.
Officer Ability: Programmable Matter Prodigy
- Restores Shield Health each round against Outposts and non-Armada hostiles
- 7% / 9% / 14% / 20% / 30%
Below Deck Ability: Top Marks
- Increases Weapon Damage against Outposts and Retaliation hostiles
- 1000% / 1370% / 1800% / 2200% / 2750%
Genesis Lythe
Genesis Lythe, a driven and capable cadet, has earned her place at Starfleet Academy and is already proving herself as a natural leader determined to forge her own legacy.
Officer Ability: Group Work
- Restores Shield Health at the start of each round in Wave Defense
- 7% / 9% / 14% / 20% / 30%
Below Deck Ability: Admiral’s Daughter
- Increases the amount of Retaliation Medals and Retaliation Plunder earned from Solo Outposts and Elite Solo Outpost Retaliation attacks
- 70% / 115% / 170% / 240% / 325%
Jirali
A brilliant but conflicted engineer shaped by loss and divided loyalties, is driven by her obsession with Borg technology and the hope of one day saving her father.
Captain’s Maneuver: Beam Augmenter
- Increases the Borg Cube Cutting Beam’s charge by one
Officer Ability: Tech Expert
- Increases Technological Distinctiveness Loot gained from the Borg Cutting Beam against hostiles
- 300% / 350% / 400% / 450% / 500%
Below Deck Ability: Black Market Mechanic
- Increases your ship’s Repair Speed Cascade
- Repair Speed Cascade is applied after other Ship Repair Speed bonuses and multiplies their total effect.
- 50% / 125% / 150% / 175% / 200%
Additional Content
New Projectile
The Programmable Matter Beam is a new projectile that provides a boost to Critical Mitigation in PvP. Its effect applies across all ships, offering a consistent advantage to any player who owns it.
New Refits
Multiple new, Simulacrum hologram-themed refits are being launched in Update 90 for G7 and epic G6 FKR ships. Focusing on ship-specific Critical Mitigation for PVP encounters and Academy Training Drone-focused PVE challenges. These refits are a worthy possession for anyone trying to maximize their performance in combat.
At the same time, a new U.S.S. Dauntless Refit is also being released, focusing heavily on optimizing FKR Faction Reputation.
G5 Scrapping
Update 90 introduces G5 Scrapping, bringing a more balanced and progression-focused approach to the Scrapyard.
Scrapping rewards have grown faster than other areas of the evolving game economy, making them more impactful than originally intended as a supporting progression system. G5 scrapping introduces a more balanced, dynamic approach where rewards scale based on ship cost and player efficiencies, with longer timers to support long-term progression.
New quality-of-life features like Demolish, filtering, and a scrapping Exocomp improve usability and flexibility. Overall, these changes ensure scrapping supports active gameplay rather than replacing it.
For more information, check out the G5 Scrapping Blog we posted yesterday.
Battle Passes
Updates
Update 90 refreshes the Arc Battle Pass and the mid ops Battle Pass with longer duration, improved rewards, and more flexible purchase options, including a new Mythic Track. Overflow events have been removed, with rewards shifting to the Free Track, and all purchases now include a rentable 28-day Build Queue.
Another update to the Battle Passes removes Choice Reward Tokens from milestone rewards. In their place, players will now receive Resources and Materials at consistent milestone intervals.
For more information check out the Feature Highlight Preview blog we posted last week.
Starfleet Academy Battle Pass (Ops 61+)
The Starfleet Academy Battle Pass offers tailored rewards based on player ops level. G6 players can earn Class Honors, V’ger Eye-lia Shards, TMP Sulu Shards, and Outpost Control Center Upgrade Materials. G7 players will receive Class Honors, FCM Transformed Data Shards, Mara Dalen Shards, and Exotic Spirits Shipments.
Mid-Ops Events (Ops 20-60)
Resonance
The MidOps Battle Pass will now also feature the new Mythic Track, the theme is Resonance and it will be available to Commanders from Ops 20 to 60.
The ship’s focus will be
Ops 20–34: U.S.S. USS Franklin
Ops 35–39: U.S.S. Franklin-A
Ops 40–50: Enterprise NX-01
Ops 51 – 60: U.S.S. Dauntless
Improvements & Bug Fixes
Improvements
Ship Demolition
- With Update 90, we are introducing a new Scrapyard option that allows Commanders to permanently and instantly remove unwanted ships to free up hangar space. The feature can be used independently of other ongoing scrapping actions.
Faction Store
- Increased maximum purchase quantity with Faction Credits in the Faction Store from 50 to 200.
Bug Fixes
Chests
- Fixed an issue where claiming a War Chest in the War Room could cause the reward screen to get stuck and crash.
- Addressed an issue where Rewards screen showed twice with all chests when user is claiming all rewards at once.
Missions
- Fixed an issue where an error message, “mission_active_error_title_200,” would appear when attempting to accept more than 56 General missions.
Wave Defense
- Fixed an issue where the Defend button could remain active after a ship was destroyed during Wave Defense if the player switched to Galaxy view, allowing a new Wave Defense to be started without any ships available in the system.
Alliance
- Fixed an issue where Alliance help requests from members who left or were removed could persist indefinitely, causing the Alliance Help button to remain stuck on screen.
