Blazing a mission path

As I progress through Star Trek Timelines, I thought I would share a few tips for some of you who might have been giving the game a try. So, I will breakdown how I do Away Team missions.

Here is a start screen for a mission. On the left, I have three slots for crew to attempt this. The top middle shows the mission path, from start to finish and all of the alternate routes to completion.

So, the people I will pick for the mission path will need a Command Star, Diplomacy Wreath, Science Beaker, Security Phaser and/or Engineering Tool.

I pick Cretak, a Romulan I acquired through a free spin of the Dabo Wheel (I will explain that later). Out of the eight requirements for the mission, she unlocks four.

Next, I pull her out and select Spock, from Star Trek The Voyage Home. Once again, half of all the mission paths are open.

Satisfied with my first two choices, I put them back in and complete the crew with Tom Paris, from Star Trek Voyager. Seven out of eight mission requirements unlocked, but only one option to final the mission. Also, none of my choices can make use of the Suggested Traits, little bonuses that stack on the skill numbers to push them over the minimum requirements. Confused? Let me show you....

First, I choose Tom Paris, since his Command Skill at 54 is far above the minimum 29 needed.

Then, the game will apply a random bonus, depending on Suggested Trait or in this case, I think it's because I have brown eyes....

....and collect a Critical Success! The rewards range from something that can be equipped immediately or used to be combined with other items to create something that other crew members can use. Now don't worry if selected crew members come up a little short on the minimum requirement, the random bonus might be just enough to carry the attempt into the Target Zone or even beyond it.

Word of advice, keep an eye on used characters. After using one, they will suffer from a cool-down penalty, with red, reduced skill numbers. Another handy tip is not using a character that doesn't have the right skill for the mission requirement. Tom Paris doesn't have a Diplomacy Wreath, so selecting him for a mission that needs one for completion will have consequences.

So, in brief, use characters that have equal to or higher skill numbers than the mission requirements. Find characters that also offer Suggested Traits bonuses, if available. Don't be afraid to challenge a mission multiple times to find the right Away Team members that bring the highest chances of success.

But, most important of all, be mindful of the rewards you collect, you might just level up a character needed for an even more challenging mission.