Notorious for their actions during the Temporal Cold War, the Sphere Builders are an extra-dimensional race best known for their creation of the Delphic Expanse. While the network of spheres which generated the Delphic Expanse was destroyed in the mid-22nd Century by Captain Jonathan Archer, the impact of the Sphere Builders can be seen in other eras, such as during the Battle of Procyon V.

Sphere Builder technology is highly unstable in our dimension, making it very difficult to recover and study. The temporal and dimensional anomalies present during the Battle of Procyon V gave the Federation of that era the perfect opportunity to preserve, stabilize, and repurpose their recovered devices. Some of these devices, including a handful of fully functional Sphere Builder ships, have made their way into the hands of the Lobi Crystal Consortium of the 25th Century. The Lobi Crystal Consortium is perfectly willing to sell this exotic technology to esteemed Captains within the Federation, Klingon Empire and Romulan Republic…for the right price.

The Agents of Yesterday expansion offered us the perfect opportunity to introduce the enigmatic Sphere Builders as antagonists in Star Trek Online. Featured in Enterprise, the Sphere Builders were one of the primary antagonists of the series, pulling the strings behind the scenes in an attempt to alter history. Captains have the chance to fight against the Sphere Builders in the Battle of Procyon V, and now you’ll have the opportunity to use their extra-dimensional technology against them with the Sphere Builder Lock Box.

The biggest prizes from the Sphere Builder Lock Box are their ships. This box’s grand prize is the Sphere Builder Denous Dreadnought Carrier [T6], a formidable carrier capable of using the Modular Reconstruction technology found on Temporal Starships. Used by the Sphere Builders to direct the flow of battle across space-time, the Sphere Builder Denous Dreadnought Carrier [T6] includes a Commander Tactical/Temporal Operative and a Lieutenant Engineering/Command Bridge Officer station.

This vessel comes equipped with a Console – Universal – Chroniton Fragmentation Warhead Launcher. When fired, the starship launches a projectile which detonates into Chroniton Warhead fragments shortly before reaching its designated target. Enemy ships caught in this large explosion suffer kinetic damage and have their turn rate and flight speeds reduced as the fragments embed into ships. After a few seconds, these fragments then detonate, causing additional kinetic damage which bypasses shields. This console gives a passive increase to Critical Hit Chance and Turn Rate. This console may be equipped in any console slot, but can only be equipped on Sphere Builder starships.

Completing the Starship Mastery Path on the Sphere Builder Denous Dreadnought Carrier [T6] unlocks access to the following Starship Trait:

Delphic Shockwave

The Photonic Shockwave power, when used, leaves a hazard in its wake which deals radiation damage and reduces the damage resistance of foes.

Additionally, Photonic Shockwave does not repel foes while this trait is slotted.



Captains may purchase the Sphere Builder Edoulg Science Vessel [T6] from the Lobi Store. Like the Denous Dreadnought Carrier, this vessel is capable of using Molecular Reconstruction technology. Reflecting its race’s focus into scientific advancement, the Sphere Builder Edoulg Science Vessel [T6] includes a Commander Science/Temporal Operative and a Lieutenant Engineering/Intel bridge officer station.

This vessel comes equipped with a Console – Universal – Quantum Deceleration Field Generator. When activated, this console generates a large field around your starship which gradually slows the flow of time. Nearby enemies suffer a flight speed reduction and damage over time effect, both of which increase in potency the longer enemy ships remain in the field. Enemy ships caught within the field for 5 seconds become Held, and take additional physical damage. This console gives a passive bonus to the Particle Generators and Science Readiness skills. This console may be equipped in any console slot, but can only be equipped on Sphere Builder starships.

Completing the Starship Mastery Path on the Sphere Builder Edoulg Science Vessel [T6] unlocks access to the following Starship Trait:

Delphic Phasing

Critically Hitting your foes gives a stacking short-duration Energy Resistance buff.

At 10 stacks, Gain Immunity to Energy Damage for a short duration. Can only gain 1 stack every 4 seconds. Triggering Immunity prevents gaining stacks for an extended period of time.





Additionally, Captains may win the Sphere Builder Arehbes Destroyer from the Sphere Builder Box. This Tier 5 starship is the Sphere Builder’s primary attack vessel, and can equip Sphere Builder consoles. This destroyer is intended to adjust to any threat, with an average turn rate and a balanced hull and shield strength. Captains who own the Sphere Builder Arehbes Destroyer can also purchase a small craft version of the ship to use with the Sphere Builder Denous Dreadnought Carrier [T6].

There are many other prizes contained within the Sphere Builder Lock Box. Captains may also obtain a new set of Genetic Re-sequencers to unlock access to a suite of two new Ground Traits and two new Space Traits for each career.

Ground:

Distributed Shield Rerouting (Engineering) Reroute Power to Shields applies a lesser shield heal to nearby allies.

Assault Drone Fabrication (Engineering) Support Drones gain an additional wide beam attack.

Tricorder Analysis (Science) Tricorder Scan gives you a Crit Severity buff.

Nanoprobe Contagion (Science) Reduce the recharge time of Nanoprobe Infestation if the primary target dies while it is active.

Security Detail (Tactical) Security Escorts may throw grenades.

Combined Assault (Tactical) Reduce the recharge time of Fire on my Mark (ground) if the target dies while it is active.





Space:

Eps Overload (Engineering) EPS Power Transfer gives an additional effect based on which power level was highest at the time of activation. Weapons: +Crit Chance Engines: +Armor Pen Shields: +Shield Pen Auxiliary: +Crit Severity

Nadion Bypass (Engineering) Nadion Inversion increases Energy Weapon Damage.

Subnucleonic Transferal (Science) Subnucleonic Beam drains power from the target to increase your power levels.

Photonic Reinforcement (Science) Photonic Fleet summons a 4 th ship.

A Good Day to Die (Tactical) Go Down Fighting can be used at any hull level.

Coordinated Targeting Solution (Tactical) Reduce the recharge time of Fire on my Mark (space) if the target dies while it is active.





Alliance researchers have also been able to study and deconstruct Sphere Builder technology, culminating in the development of new Profession-Specific Kit Modules:

Engineering: Explosive Drone

Deploys an Explosive Drone, a miniaturized version of the Xindi Superweapon.

Is equipped with an Antiproton Beam and approaches targets.

Drone explodes when within close proximity to targets.



Science: Interphase Decay

Applies a Damage Resistance debuff and physical damage over time effect to a target.

Damage over Time increases over duration.

After 6 seconds, causes physical damage in an area around the target.



Tactical: Repulsor Burst

Kinetic damage to a target with severe Knock Back.



Ranks I, II, and III of the above abilities can also be found as Bridge Officer Training Manuals. These start at Lieutenant for Rank I, with Lieutenant Commander for Rank II, and Commander for Rank III.

Additionally, the Sphere Builder Lock Box contains new Space and Ground Weapons within the Delphic Antiproton Weapon Pack. This pack contains a suite of new Cannons, Beams, and Ground Weapons which incorporate the Sphere Builder’s extradimensional technology. Delphic Antiproton weapons have a chance to give the user a substantial Critical Hit and Critical Severity increase for a short time.

The Lobi Store also contains a Sphere Builder Antiproton Repulsor which has been properly shielded to prevent decay upon exposure to our dimension. This weapon has a single-target primary fire, a rapid-sweep Exploit secondary fire, and can trigger the Delphic Antiproton weapon proc. The Sphere Builder Antiproton Repulsor’s primary fire has the added benefit of being able to Expose targets, and does additional damage to targets which are Exposed.

Captains who appreciate the Sphere Builder’s aesthetic can purchase the Sphere Builder Outfit Box from the Lobi Store. This outfit unlocks both Upper and Lower Body options for Male and Female characters.

The Sphere Builder Lock Box, and the new Lobi Crystal Store offerings, will become available to PC Captains beginning on October 25th, 2016.

Jonathan “CrypticRock” Steady

Staff Systems Designer

Star Trek Online