Star Trek Online Exploration Mission Guide

Exploration in STO is done through the star clusters: Delta Volanis, Arucanis Arm, Hromi Cluster, Khazan Cluster, Eridan Belt, Rolor Nebula, Betreka Nebula, Zenas Expance and B’tran Cluster; and by doing the exploration quests through various NPC’s, you will gain badges of exploration which you will in turn be able to trade in for gear at Earth Spacedock in the Serius Sector. This guide will list for you the NPC’s you can get the various Exploration quests from, in what sector and block you can find each exploration cluster, as well as where you can get the various equipment for your badges by vendor name and location.

BADGES OF EXPLORATION

As mentioned before, these are gained by doing the exploration quests first obtained from a To Boldly Go quest and there after from a specific NPC that only gives out Exploration quests, those NPC’s will be listed below as I detail each cluster. Badges of Exploration are a form of Vendor Currency that you will be spending to upgrade your ship’s gear and to outfit you and your ground crew.

The gear you can get with these badges isn’t all that different from what you can get by doing other content in the game, but exploration can be a very efficient way to outfit your ship, as your choice of gear isn’t limited by the NPC you got the quest from. You are only limited by the Number of Badges of Exploration that you have. So if you want to update your ships weapons first, by all means go for it; or if you think your ground crew needs better equipment first, that’s cool too, the choice is up to you.

THE QUEST

The quest itself is quite simple. To complete an exploration quest, simply fly around the cluster looking for anomalies named for the sector you are in, for instance, in the Hromi Sector, these are called Hromi Cluster Anomaly, and in the Delta Volanis Sector, they would be Delta Volanis Anomaly.

There are two types of anomalies, the first is a cache of sorts and will hold crafting supplies for Memory Alpha content (anomalous readings). The second type of anomaly will come up as (Explore Unknown System). These are the ones you want. Enter the instance, and complete the mini mission for a small reward, and you should see that your objectives have advanced by 1, reading 1/3.

Doing this two more times (for a total of three systems explored) will complete the quest. Currently, in Delta Volanis and the Arucanis arm, you have to Hail Grall to complete the quest, but once you reach Hromi, the quest will complete automatically without you having to do anything. Khazan will have you once again contacting the NPC to claim your badges.

DELTA VOLANIS CLUSTER:

• LOCATION: Sirius Sector Block in the Vulcan Sector, Once there, head WEST.
• OBTAINED FROM: Admiral Quinn at Lt. Grade 2 (To Boldly Go); Lt. Grall
• BADGE OF EXPLORATION: 1st order. 75 Badges for each quest turn in.
• Explore three (3) Unknown Systems.

ARUCANIS ARM:

• LOCATION: Regulus Sector Block in the Celes Sector. Once there head EAST.
• OBTAINED FROM: Admiral Quinn at Lt. Grade 7 (To Boldly Go); Lt. Grall
• BADGE OF EXPLORATION: 1st order. 75 Badges for each quest turn in.
• Explore three (3) Unknown Systems.

HROMI CLUSTER:

• LOCATION: Pi Canas Sector Block, any Sector. Once there head NORTH.
• OBTAINED FROM: Admiral Quinn at Lt.C Grade 2 (To Boldly Go); Lt. Grall
• BADGE OF EXPLORATION: 2nd Order. 75 Badges for each quest turn in.
• Explore Three (3) Unknown Systems.

KHAZAN CLUSTER

• LOCATION:Alpha Centari Sector Block; Vendor Sector, once there head EAST
• OBTAINED FROM: Lt. Anek at Lt.C Grade 8
• BADGE OF EXPLORATION: 2nd Order. 75 Badges per quest turn in.
• Explore Three (3) Unknown Systems.

AFEHIRR NEBULA

• LOCATION:Psi Velorum Sector Block, Mylasa Sector, Once there, Head EAST.
• OBTAINED FROM: Lt. Anek; Com. Grade 5
• BADGE OF EXPLORATION:3rd Order. 75 Badges per quest turn in.
• Explore Three (3) Unknown Systems.

ERIDAN BELT

• LOCATION:Iota Pavonis Sector Block, Z-6 and Tarod Sectors, once there, head NORTH.
• OBTAINED FROM: Lt. Anek Com. Grade 9
• BADGE OF EXPLORATION:3rd Order. 75 Badges per Quest turn in.
• Explore Three (3) Unknown Systems

ROLOR NEBULA

• LOCATION:Beta Ursa Sector Block, any sector, Once there head NORTH.
• OBTAINED FROM: Lt. Crom Hana (@ Cap. Grade 2
• BADGE OF EXPLORATION:4th Order. 75 Badges per Quest turn in. Explore Three (3) Unknown Systems

BETREKA NEBULA

• LOCATION:Alpha Trianguli Sector Block, any sector, once there head SOUTH.
• OBTAINED FROM: Lt. Crom Hana (@ Cap. Grade 5
• BADGE OF EXPLORATION:4th Order. 75 Badges per Quest turn in.
• Explore Three (3) Unknown Systems

ZENAS EXPANSE

• LOCATION:Zeta Andromedae Sector Block, Arawath and Vanden Sector, once there head WEST
• OBTAINED FROM: Lt. Crom Hana (@ Cap. Grade 9
• BADGE OF EXPLORATION:5th Order 75 Badges per Quest turn in.
• Explore Three (3) Unknown Systems

B’TRAN CLUSTER

• LOCATION: Gamma Orionis Sector Block, Mutara and Bellatrix Sectors, once there head SOUTH
• OBTAINED FROM: Lt. Karbo (@ RA Grade 5
• BADGE OF EXPLORATION:5th Order

MISSIONS

Investigate Base: Ground

In this mission you approach the asteroid base and beam to the base interior. Your goal is one of two things:

• Access computer terminals
• Kill all mobs on the map

While accessing computers, you may, or may not, be required to fight your way through, but are not required to kill all mobs on the map.

Aid The Planet: Space

Aid the planet is rather simple, fly up to the planet and find out what they need. Let’s say it’s shield generators as an example. Leave the system, go to either a starbase (Earth Spacedock for Volanis, Acronis and Hromi) or find a federation freighter nearby to purchase from. Take those supplies back to the cluster you were just in and hit the little button that pops up in the lower right of your screen which should put you right back in the system that’s requesting supplies. If this button doesn’t appear, fly around the cluster a little bit and it should pop up.

Approach Planet: Ground

Again, one of two things

• Scan Objects
• Kill all mobs

Scanning objects is the more common of the two, and just like in “Investigate Base”, you may or may not have to fight to access scan-able objects, but if it’s a scan mission, you will not be required to eliminate all mobs to proceed. Keep an eye on your mini map when doing these missions as you can see “Pathways” that connect to each other, patches of dirt that are lighter then the rest around it in the worst cases, and patchs of dirt surrounded by green grass in the best. As a general rule, scan-able objectives are always on those pathways. Keep in mind that if you are having difficulty finding one, you can always press “V” and scan the area for anomalies as this will also guide you to your objectives as well as any Anomalies in the area.

Pathways can be VERY difficult to discern, blending in occasionally to the point that you can’t see it very well on the mini map, but they are always there as is apparent when you run across the landscape. Also keep an eye out for structures such as buildings or housing, objectives are often near these as well.

Sometimes this leads into a variation of “Investigate Base” where you are beamed below the surface of the planet into a cave network. Don’t get too excited though, as from here it plays out just like “Investigate base”, hit consoles, kill mobs or sometimes both.

Investigate Anomalous Readings: Space

This one is very straight forward. Fly through space hitting the “V” (scanner) button every now and then to scan for anomalies and pick up all 5 in the area. Done, easy as pie and tasty as cake.

Secure the System: Space

Starts out the same as “Investigate the base”, where you fly up to an asteroid base. However, in this variation you remain in space. You must defeat 4 waves of ships, usually starting with a few small ships for the first wave, a medium for the 2nd and 3rd waves and the final wave is usually the “Boss” and will likely be some kind of battleship.

Another variation of this exists where you warp in to the new system and are warned by your tactical officer that an enemy ship has powered up their weapons and raised their shields. You are attacked right after closing this out, after which you must defeat five (5) squadrons of enemy ships in order to complete the mission. Mop ’em up and move on.

Yet another variant exists where you are hailed by a friendly civilization that is having a bit of political or religious trouble. Two factions on the planet have always been at peace but a third is shaking things up by supplying weapons to one of the two factions. You get to eliminate six (6) patrols of enemy ships.

Investigate Ship’s Fate : Space

Another easy quest. You must scan 6 ships for the local government of the system you entered for signs of damage belonging to the weapons of one group or another. Sometimes there are MOB’s in the area that you can fight, but if you can scan the ship without fighting them then you are not required to fight. Scan them and move on to the next system.

WHERE TO SPEND EXPLORATION BADGES

Once you have the badges needed for whatever gear you wish to buy, simply fly back to Earth Spacedock. Below I will list NPC Names and locations, what type of gear they have, and up to what MK level that gear is. I will also list the type and amount of badges needed for each gear type. Badges of Exploration will be referred to as BoE.

It should be noted that if you ever need to know how many badges of exploration you have, you can hit “U” and select your character. They are listed as the last item under “Progress” just to the left of your characters paper doll.

NPC’s

Ensign Tessmer: MK II-VI : KITS :

• MK II 113-BoE 1st Order : MK IV 118-BoE 2nd Order : MK VI 118-BoE 3rd Order
• Tessmer is located in the center of Earth Spacedock in a BLUE shirt to LEFT of the hallway that leads to the SHIPYARD and CLUB 47.

Lt. Yaris: MK VIII-X : KITS :

• MK VIII 110-BoE 4th Order : MK X 109-BoE 5th Order
• Yaris is located at the center of Earth Spacedock in a YELLOW shirt to the RIGHT of the hallway that leads to PERSONNEL and the SHIPYARD.

Ensign Paxad: MK II-VI : Ground Armor/Shields :

• MK II 38-BoE 1st Order : MK IV-40 BoE 2nd Order : MK VI 39-BoE 3rd Order
• Paxad is located in the center of Earth Spacedock in a YELLOW shirt to the LEFT of the hallway that leads to PERSONNEL and the SHIPYARD.

Lt. Cooquoa: MK VIII-X : Ground Armor/Shields :

• MK VIII 33-BoE 4th Order : MK X 30-BoE 5th Order
• Cooquoa is located at the center of Earth Spacedock in a RED shirt to the RIGHT of the hallway that leads to the EXCHANGE and the STATEROOM.

Ensign Velde: MK II-VI : Ground Weapons :

• MK II 32-BoE 1st Order : MK IV 30-BoE 2nd Order : MK VI 26-BoE 3rd Order :
• Velde is located at the center of Earth Spacedock in a RED shirt to the RIGHT of the hallway that leads to REQUISITIONS and EXCHANGE

Lt.C Arut: MK VIII – X : Ground Weapons:

• MK VIII 22-BoE 4th Order : MK X 20-BoE 5th Order.
• Arut is located at the center of Earth spacedock in a RED shirt to the LEFT of the hallway that leads to REQUISITIONS and EXCHANGE

Ensign Olesre: MK II-VI : Starship Weapons :

• MK II 77-BoE 1st Order : MK IV 70-BoE 2nd Order : MK VI 70-BoE 3rd Order
• Olesre is at Earth Spacedock. Go to the SHIPYARD and look for a ramp that goes up to a door with the sign SHIP REQUISITIONS above it. Olesre is in a RED shirt and is located straight ahead between the Tier 4 and Tier 3 Starship Database Consoles.

Commander Tafeng: MK VIII-X : Starship Weapons :

• MK VIII 62-BoE 4th Order : MK X 63-BoE 5th Order
• Tafeng is at Earth Spacedock. Go to the SHIPYARD and look for a ramp that goes up to a door with the sign SHIP REQUISITIONS above it. Tafeng is the first RED shirt on your left as you enter, in between the Tier 5 and Tier 4 starship Database Consoles.

Lt.C Ophlim: MK II-VI : Starship Consoles :

• MK I/II-77 BoE 1st Order : MK III/IV-77 BoE 2nd Order : MK VI 70-BoE 3rd Order
• Ophlim is at Earth Spacedock. Go to the SHIPYARD and look for a ramp that goes up to a door with the sign SHIP REQUISITIONS above it. As you enter look to your right. See the desk? Ophlim is to the LEFT of it in a BLUE shirt.

Lt. Yeniz: MK VIII-X : Starship Consoles :

• MK VIII 53-BoE 4th Order : MK X 43-BoE 5th Order
• Yeniz is at Earth Spacedock. Go to the SHIPYARD and look for a ramp that goes up to a door with the sign SHIP REQUISITIONS above it. Yeniz is in a YELLOW shirt off the the right-ish of the entrance, between the Tier 2 and Tier 1 Starship Database Consoles.

Lt. Jotun: MK II-VI : Starship Shields/Deflectors/Engines :

• MK II-229 BoE 1st Order: MK IV-236 BoE 2nd Order : MK VI 232-BoE 3rd Order
• Lt. Jotun is at Earth Spacedock. Go to the SHIPYARD and look for a ramp that goes up to a door with the sign SHIP REQUISITIONS above it. As you enter look to your right. See the desk? Jotun is in a YELLOW shirt to the RIGHT of the desk.

Lt.C Orjas: MK VIII-X : Starship Shields/Deflectors/Engines :

• MK VIII 232-BoE 4th Order : MK X 226-BoE 5th Order
• Orjas is at Earth Spacedock. Go to the SHIPYARD and look for a ramp that goes up to a door with the sign SHIP REQUISITIONS above it. As you enter, look DIRECTLY to your RIGHT. Orjas is in the BLUE shirt DIRECTLY to the RIGHT of the DOOR you entered from.

Source: forums.startrekonline.com