“Independent, you are quite a surprise. We never expected the likes of you to show up and cause chaos in our system, yet we enjoy seeing your raw power, a hunger for domination.”

The discovery of Transogen plunges the quadrant into chaos, with galactic powers blinded by conflict as the mysterious Aggregation rises from the shadows. Pulled into a web of lies and forced to infiltrate enemy ranks, the Commander must balance deception, diplomacy, and strength to survive. 

What is the Aggregation? How is it connected to Transogen? And why, of all places, does the Aggregation employ the help of familiar adversaries from other times?

Your mission, Commander, is to uncover the Aggregation’s secrets before its chaos consumes you.

What’s in Update 82: Villains, Pt 1

• New Arena Schedule
• New Missions
• New Building: Recon Locus
• New Epic Officer: Winn Adami
• New Aggregation Research Tree
• New Prototype Tech
• New Battle Pass

New Arena Schedule

This update introduces a new Arena schedule as follows:

• First Arena: Friday, September 12
• Next Arena: Friday, September 19

New Missions

Core Missions (12) Ops 35+

While every galactic power fights for dominance over the Transogen mines, the Aggregation, an enigmatic and many-faced organization, rises. To learn its true intentions, the Commander has no option but to join it and rise through the ranks, hoping to find answers and not bend to the Aggregation’s will.

Recon Locus Missions (1) – Ops 45+ 

As new challenges and enemies appear around the galaxy, Luther Sloan seeks the Commander’s help to establish Section 31’s first stationary base of operations—the Recon Locus.

A Focused Experience for G3 & G4

During Update 82 we’re introducing mid‑level event tracks for Ops 20–44 that lean into core progression and ship‑focused objectives. In Villains Pt 1, use the U.S.S. Franklin at Ops 20–25 and the U.S.S. Reliant at Ops 26+ and look forward to Ops segmentation across the event calendar for improved difficulty and rewards. 

Expect Ops segmentation across the event calendar for tuned difficulty and improved rewards. Note: these are a shift in objectives only; sourcing for Franklin/Reliant remains unchanged.

Aggregation Hostiles & Hyperthermic Decay

Open to players Ops 45+, the Aggregation is a new combat-focused enemy group. Their primary ability is Hyperthermic Decay, which melts a percentage of the player ship’s Hull Health at the start of each round. If a hostile has 50% Hyperthermic Decay, they will melt half of a player ship’s hull in round one before firing a single shot. Aggregation hostiles are also equipped with secondary combat buffs, with more buffs added at higher grades to further increase their challenge.

The only counter to Hyperthermic Decay is Hyperthermic Stabilizer, a buff from the Recon Locus building, which directly reduces the enemy’s Hyperthermic Decay (for example, 25% Decay – 10% Stabilizer = 15% net Decay).

This makes upgrading the Recon Locus very important, as it reduces the health-melt effect and helps ships last significantly longer in battles against these hostiles. Essentially, the more you upgrade the building, the easier progress becomes. At the same time, higher building levels unlock additional Research, and those nodes provide further benefits to the loop.

Commanders should be prepared for fierce ship battles, as Aggregation Hostiles are powerful and relentless opponents.

New Building: Recon Locus

The Recon Locus building vigilantly monitors novel intel, clandestine technologies, and secret projects to keep the Station up to the highest standards.  

As the centerpiece of Update 82, the Recon Locus unlocks powerful new Aggregation Research, and at Level 51 grants access to the new Prototype Tech: the Orion Syndicate Bomb.

An important aspect of the Recon Locus is that it sources Hyperthermic Stabilizer which counters Hyperthermic Decay on Aggregation Hostiles. Other buffs improve Building, Research and Ship Construction Speed. 

Core Buffs

• Hyperthermic Stabilizer – Counters Hyperthermic Decay on Aggregation Hostiles
• Increases base speed of constructing Station Modules
• Increases the base speed of Research
• Increases base speed of constructing Ships

Progression Milestones

Recon Locus Level 1 (requires Ops 45)

• Forbidden Tech Materials
• Existing Rare Forbidden Tech unlocks (choice)
• C-12 Stasis Globe bundle
• Aggregation Smuggled Studies gift for upgrading Aggregation Research
• Unlocks Combat Bonuses against Aggregation Hostiles in the Aggregation Research Tree
• Unlocks Improved Transogen mining speed in the Aggregation Research Tree
• Unlocks Improved Isolytic Damage against Augment Exile hostiles in the Aggregation Research Tree
  

Recon Locus Level 51

• Unc/Rare Prototype Tech Upgrade and Tier-Up materials
• The new Orion Syndicate Bomb Prototype Tech
• Existing Epic Forbidden Tech unlocks (choice)

Recon Locus Level 61

• Additional Existing Epic Forbidden Tech (choice)
• Epic Prototype Tech Materials 
• 3 PvP Prototype Tech unlocks: Romulan Mines, Counterinsurgency Device, Self-Replicating Mines
• 1 Mining Prototype Tech unlock: Harvester

Recon Locus Level 67

• Epic Prototype Tech Tier-Up Catalysts

New Aggregation Research Tree and Refinery

Constructing the Recon Locus grants immediate access to vital combat bonuses vs Aggregation hostiles, faster Transogen mining, and Isolytic Damage vs Augment Exile hostiles (per the Aggregation Research Tree). Upgrading the Locus to 45+ unlocks Forbidden Tech cost efficiencies, extra PvE/PvP boosts, and U.S.S. Vengeance ship‑part cost efficiencies.

Aggregation Research Nodes include:

Aggregation Refinery

The Aggregation Refinery is the only source of Prototype Tech materials, making it essential to unlock and upgrade the new devices. In addition to sourcing Forbidden Tech materials, it’s the exclusive source of:

• Recon Locus Schematics (building upgrade materials)
• Aggregation Smuggled Studies (Aggregation Research materials)

Both Recon Locus Schematics and Aggregation Smuggled Studies are critical for improving ship survivability and effectiveness against Aggregation hostiles.

Prototype Tech 

The most powerful Tech released to date—fully upgradeable through the Aggregation loop and does not require Q’s Trials. Prototype Tech occupies the same slot as Forbidden Tech and uses the same Fusion Rods to swap.

Access comes via special refinery bundles (some are locked behind specific hostiles/grades) so progression through Aggregation content is essential.

Romulan Mines (Interceptor • PvP)

• Increases Interceptor Apex Barrier vs players (not active when Tal is on the bridge)
• Increases Interceptor Apex Shred vs players
• While on an Interceptor, reduces enemy Shield Mitigation each round (cumulative; does not apply during station combat)
• Increases Interceptor Critical Damage vs players

Counterplay Device (Explorer • PvP)

• Increases Explorer Apex Barrier vs players (not active with Tal on bridge)
• Increases Explorer Apex Shred vs players
• While on an Explorer, reduces enemy Shield Mitigation each round (cumulative; does not apply during station combat)
• Increases Explorer Isolytic Defense vs players

Self‑Replicating Mines (Battleship • PvP)

• Increases Battleship Apex Barrier vs players (not active with Tal on bridge)
• Increases Battleship Apex Shred vs players
• While on a Battleship, reduces enemy Shield Mitigation each round (cumulative; does not apply during station combat)
• Increases Battleship Isolytic Damage vs players

Harvester (Survey • Mining)

• Increases base Max Cargo for Surveys
• Increases base Protected Cargo for Surveys
• Increases base Mining Speed for Surveys
• Increases bonus Crystal, Gas, and Ore mined with a Survey

Orion Syndicate Bomb (PvE Utility)

• Increases base Warp Range
• Increases base Ship XP earned from combat
• Increases positive FKR Reputation earned when defeating hostiles
• Increases base loot earned from non‑Armada hostiles

New Epic Officer: Winn Adami

In this alternate reality, Winn Adami’s ambition and disillusionment with the Prophets lead her to betray her faith and ally with Gul Dukat in pursuit of becoming an Emissary of the Pah-wraiths. Unlike her Prime counterpart, she chooses selfishness over sacrifice, unleashing the Pah-wraiths and dooming millions she once vowed to protect.

Additional Content & Battle Pass

Projectile Refit:  Isokinetic Cannon

• Increases base damage against players by 200%

Battle Pass

This month the new Villains Battle Pass which offers Winn Adami Shards, Aggregation Research Dust, Officer Depot Tokens, Ship Parts, and more! 

Players will also have the opportunity to earn several new cosmetics consisting of avatars and frames throughout the month. Keep an eye on the event schedule to find out how to source this month’s content.  

Community Corner

On the STFC Official Discord, Community Managers Obsidian Hamster and Simpauly are celebrating Star Trek Day with a 10‑question personality quiz to reveal your closest Star Trek match—from Kirk and Picard to Janeway and Sisko. Participants will be entered into a drawing for a $99 pack* prize.

New packs / Limited‑Time packs / Weekly Offer packs not included as prizes. Three total winners will be selected.

Join the STFC Official Discord to take the quiz and share your result!

Bug Fixes & Improvements

General Improvements

• Implemented various behind-the-scenes optimizations to reduce lag and improve overall performance.
• Improved messaging when upgrading Operations:
• Ops 9 → 10 now includes a new interstitial with clearer information.

• Ops 14 → 15 now shows an improved interstitial message.

• Ops 19 → 20 now includes a new interstitial for better clarity.

• On PC, promo codes can now be redeemed directly in-game, without redirecting to the website.

• Improved camera behavior with a rubberband effect when trying to move across the Fog of War boundary.

Sliders – QoL Improvement

For a better quality of life, sliders have been implemented in the following areas to improve usability and reduce repetitive actions:

• Mission Key Recruit Box
• Battle Pass Choice Rewards
• Ultra Recruit (Levels 1-29)
• Peace Shields

Missions

• Khan’s Champions Mission: We’ve addressed an issue where Khan’s Champions missions were not reappearing in the Augment store after players completed them. This was caused by backend data not updating quickly enough, resulting in the mission becoming unavailable. To resolve this, we’ve implemented a 1-minute cooldown after mission completion. This ensures that backend systems have sufficient time to update properly, allowing the mission to reappear as intended without disrupting the player experience when attempting to restart it.

Ships & Combat

• USS Discovery: Summoning animations are no longer visible to opponents in the system.
• NSEA Protector: Fixed an issue where Magnetic Minefield Resistance always appeared as 0% in battle logs.
• Battle Reports: Resistance values now update correctly after unlocking new research.
• Fixed an issue where the Action Queue (Kir’Shara’s Artifact) in combat did not properly clear when changing screens.

Armadas & Wave Defense

• Armadas: The rejoin pop-up icon now matches the Armada icon for improved clarity.
• Armada Attacks: The target node now displays the correct message if it’s about to defend against an Armada attack.
• ESWD (Elite Solo Wave Defense): The top HUD now properly displays the current wave number instead of being stuck on the timer.

Exocomps & Forbidden Tech

• Exocomps: The description for “Krenim Invading Entities Loot” now correctly says “Galaxy” instead of “Station.”
• Forbidden Tech: The Interphase Cloaking Device buff description now specifies that its damage increase applies against players.

Officers

• Officer UI: The “Officer Deployed” label now appears correctly when viewing the Traits section of a deployed officer.
• Away Teams:
  • Fixed overlapping text between Categories and the Filter button.
  • Officer names now properly disappear when replaced by another officer.
  • The “Assign an Officer to be Team Leader” message now remains when the assigned Captain is removed.

UI & Miscellaneous

• System Map: The planet previously labeled as “Object” is now correctly named “Cita Laga.”
• Scrapyard: The scrapping queue now correctly displays “0/1” instead of “0/2.”
• Tokens: Updated the description for the Borg Data Node Tier token.
• Syndicate: At Tier 55, Commanders can now correctly claim SNW T’Pring shards in the Free Claim track (previously shown at Tier 56).
  

Live Long and Prosper,

-The Star Trek Fleet Command Team