‘Tis the season, puny mortals! The benevolent Q has deigned to once again grace his chosen few starship captains with the opportunity to enjoy his seasonal wonderland, and all of the joys and challenges it has to offer.

The pièce de résistance of this event is, of course, the new Event Starship being offered up as a potential prize for any Captains wishing to participate in the “Fastest Game on Ice” on a daily basis. Doing so will earn you the 2018 Winter Prize Vouchers, which may be used in a special Event Reputation Project to claim your very own Fek’Ihri S’torr Warship (T6)!

Complete details regarding this starship, its stats and capabilities, will be released in a future Dev Blog. Stay tuned!

While the activities offered within this year’s version of Q’s Winter Wonderland have not changed since last year’s addition of the Kramp’lhri and his jovial antics, the prizes that may be claimed have! After unlocking the Winter Event Store (or by visiting the vendor at Q’s gazebo), these prizes – as well as all of those made available during previous years’ events – will be ready to be claimed! Participation in nearly every activity within the Wonderland will reward you with the ornaments needed to purchase these new prizes.

Q’s minions have decided to branch out with their fashion endeavors, and have created a new line of seasonal jackets they are calling “Enviro Jackets!” Five new variants will become available, in a range of new colors. This slimming outerwear may be worn by Captains of any species and gender.

Not to be outdone by these more subdued options, the Winter Wonderland denizens are also offering brand new Winter Sweater designs, reflecting many of the galaxy’s wonders and delights!

If fashion isn’t quite your speed, then I’m sure you’ll be delighted to hear that this year’s Winter Wonderland offers multiple equipment options that may be used outside of the confines of Q’s pocket dimension. Chief among these is a brand new Nanopulse Bat’leth variant, modeled after the unique variants used by some Klingon houses in the late 2250s.

As usual, this unique weapon deals Plasma damage instead of the usual Physical Damage inflicted by other melee weapons. It also has a small chance at reflecting energy damage from ranged attackers, while in use!

Also usable outside of the Winter Wonderland are a new line of Kit Modules, inspired by the Kramp’lhri and his less-fictional counterpart threats out among the real stars – the Fek’Ihri. Leveraging the unique psionic abilities of these “demonic” entities, this technology plays upon the minds of the targeted foes, forcing them to suffer terrible psionic attacks, while enduring visions from beyond their worst nightmares. Three new Kit Modules will be made available with this year’s Event:

Torment of the Underworld

Torment the primary target with torturous visions of the darkest underworlds. The illusions and psionic impressions of this are strong enough to also affect allies of the foe unfortunate to be caught in its area of influence. All affected enemies will suffer periodic psionic damage while also having their damage output reduced.

Collective Nightmares

Enemies affected by the device will be confused, vulnerable and unable to differentiate friend from foe due to cerebral sensory interception. Adding to the sensorial confusion, some humanoid enemies will appear as Fek’Ihri by way of psionic perception inhibitors. This ability only affects living foes, and cannot interfere with electronics or other forms of artificial life.

Ravaging Barrage

Harass foes in a forward cone with periodic pulses of psionic energy. The strength of these pulses is enough to force foes off their feet, and those knocked prone may find themselves unable to stand for a short period of time.

Last, but most certainly not least, Q has decided to release a few of the Kramp’lhri’s minions for use among you mortals as temporary companions, in the form of a “Tortured Elf” vanity pet. This charming fellow will only be allowed to follow you around the galaxy while the Winter Wonderland is accessible. Attempting to summon him thereafter will simply result in a puff of coal smoke, and a forlorn red cap.

Q’s Winter Wonderland will return on both PC and Console platforms beginning on December 4th, 2018. We hope to see you there! I’ll have a snowball waiting with your name on it.

Jeremy “BorticusCryptic” Randall

Lead Systems Designer

Star Trek Online