Update #379: Strikecarrier
Welcome to so many new captains sailing the void with us during the Summer Sale! We've got an update coming out tonight to add a new enemy ship class, adjust the enemy's use of a specific boarding prow upgrade, rebalance appearance of Trait cards in Explorer, tweak crew combat le
Welcome to so many new captains sailing the void with us during the Summer Sale! We've got an update coming out tonight to add a new enemy ship class, adjust the enemy's use of a specific boarding prow upgrade, rebalance appearance of Trait cards in Explorer, tweak crew combat levels in the Black Market card results, and fixing the bug with empty cards in explorer.
If you are enjoying the game, please take a moment to leave a review and tell a friend!
Our Save Game Policy and Updates
[p align="start"]We are now including our saved game policy in all game updates so our commitment (to you!) is clear for all new and veteran players alike. Here goes -[p align="start"]No saved game will ever be invalidated by an update. All new content and features will be added immediately to all saved games (with the reasonable exception of new game options). You never have to restart your save if you don't want to. This is a studio commitment that we have made and kept for many years and games. We stand by it. So do not stress about updates to your favorite space RPG or any game made by Trese Brothers.Enemy Strikecarrier and Dagger Prow Adjustment
With Update #379, we've added a new lighter weight strikecarrier for enemy captains. This ship is sleeker and faster but still carries a hangar bay and enough infrastructure to launch craft, forcing you to defend yourself against a fast ship and craft at the same time.
In addition, we've tweaked the use of the Dagger Prow component upgrade in the enemy ship builder. It had become a real favorite, even in some cases where it didn't make sense.
Explorer Card Fixes
We continue to adjust the balance of Explorer cards through our own playtesting and from player feedback. With Update #79, we've adjusted the Trait randomness in Explorer cards, trying to ensure that the coolest Trait matches are rolled for the characters in question.
Also, we fixed the lingering empty card bug in Explorer.
Cyber Knights is getting lots of updates too!
[dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/1021210/Cyber_Knights_Flashpoint/"][/dynamiclink]Cyber Knights is on sale for the Summer Sale too with a whopping 40% discount! If you haven’t checked it out yet, now is a great time to jump into New Boston and get heisting. The update has been full of content updates, expanding storylines, the Ward War Era, new mercenary focused storylines and tons of quality of life updates suggested by the community and more.
All support for Cyber Knights ultimately results in a brighter future for Star Traders, so hope you’ll check it out and spread the word!
v3.4.59 - #379: Strikecarrier - 6/30/2026
- New AI Ship: Raptor Strikecarrier
- Reduced weight for Dagger Prow in AI ship builder
- Rebalanced Trait RNG in Explorer cards
- Reduced maximum level of Black Market crew combats during Mercenaries Rumors
- Fixed SFX issues where "Fast Cards" preference was set
- Fixed issue with empty cards in Explorer
With #378, we've improved the generation of resources and count of resources that are put into stashes when you draw an Explorer or Black Market card that reveals a far away stash. This will help make them more interesting, more valuable and more tied to the planet that they might be found on.
We've have a number of reported bugs over the years about how things could start to "break down" in the Explorer and Orbital ops mini-games if you played enough rounds stubbornly without leaving the screen. These are now all resolved - 
lder's rules that could result in "autocannon fever" in which the enemy ship captain decides it needs autocannons and ... only autocannons. That doesn't seem quite right!
Once again, we are excited to debut two new outfit styles that can be used entirely or or mixed and matched with other outfits if you unlock the outfit combos. We have a new pirate or scavenger outfit available and a military marine outfit that releases the one previously released in Update #373 since we know (and always hear about!) how everyone loves to make their crew so matchy-matchy-match-match. Glad we could deliver this matching look in a reasonable time frame!
With Update #374, we've gone back over the latest additions to the game and pushed those that are ready into the hands of the enemy ship builder. This includes allowing enemy captains access to the Raptor Strikecarrier as one of its hulls, and allowing them to improve their boarding approaches with the Dagger Prow and Cloaked Boarding Assault component. 
We are always excited to offer two new outfit styles that can be used or missed and matched with unlocked outfit combos. The military marine armor offered for some captains while a leather buff jacket with decorated shoulder pads is offered for others.
Captains, a new update is sailing out into the void tonight. Update #370 includes a whole package of new things under the Raptor theme - releasing a new ship hull, new Hull Plating ship component and new heavy pistol gear. Plus, we've fixed reported bugs as usual, so a huge thanks to everyone playing, posting and leaving reviews!
Released to Steel Song starports across the void at the same time, the Heavy Raptor Hull Plating was designed specifically for the prototypes of the Raptor SC. This Hull Plating is particularly well suited for soaking damage while closing.
The Raptor Strikecarrier has been released for players so far but will be integrated into the enemy ship builder once it has gone through some cycles with you all commanding the bridge.
Thanks to all the captains who came back to start a new run with the Doctor Profession, and to those who sent in reports little mistakes we made with some of the tagging and labeling. We fixed the reported issues and have the new game screen looking very nice.
Captains! A new kind of captain has come to the Spice Hall - come on, you'll want to meet this one, maybe you'll want to try out these spurs yourself! Update #389 delivers the new Doctor Profession, 2 new officer annex medical component options, and 2 new stealth-focused boarding assault components for your ship. We're excited to keep expanding the already insane replayability of Star Traders: Frontiers, so thanks for your support, badges and reviews.
WIth Update #369, we've once again expanded the already lengthy list of possible starting professions for your captain. Profession is such an important option as it sets your base class, grants you unique skills and in this case, changes one of your starting officers. The Doctor is a leadership and healing focused captain, who gains a Combat Medic as an officer (as you usually get a Ship's Doctor in that officer slot) and can play may roles in the void, but a pacifist, explorer or hunter of scientific intel all come to the front of mind.
Enjoy a new run, captains!
Captains! Come down to the spice hall, where we've got it all. Pass the plate, listen to the music and perhaps shop for a new set of spacer clothes. You might like this new bold space armor? Well, Update #368 has your new digs - 2 new outfits, adjustments to the maximum repair cost for high-cost components, fixes to some weapon sets that had extremely high repair times and some tweaks and fixes for the story arcs based on a wonderful "anonymous" modders assistance.
Thanks to everyone checking out the game and leaving a review!
We're excited to be embarking on another run of art for Star Traders: Frontiers. After launching 7 years ago? Impossible! you might say. Inconceivable! you might say. But you can't stop it, it is too late, the art and the outfits are coming.
Thanks for all the support, the badges, and for checking out our next game. For you - we do updates.
We completed an analysis of the ship component set and have put in some maximums and dampening curves for the repair cost and time per 1% of damage for all components. Some weapon sets - specifically high level missiles and gravcannons could take insanely long to repair. Other components like Large Fuel Tanks had way out of band costs to repair.
The adjustments help keep everything within some expected ranges, while still allowing for a wide range of high and low points. We look forward to hearing your feedback! Generally, your ships are going to be a little cheaper and faster to repair, but you'll only really feel it if you had some of the wild components installed.
Star Traders - captains of the void - here we are again, kicking off another run of updates for Star Traders: Frontiers. Update #367 includes a new Contact type, new salvage gear, new rare Relic weapon, 2 new Explorer cards and a rebalance of how Trait mutation works out of Salvage and Explorer cards.
We're excited to be welcoming new captains to the void and to Star Traders: Frontiers with a 50% off sale this week - so we hope you'll share the game with a friend or with your review to help us get the word out about this epic space captain RPG.
Update #367Some new powerful gear added, including a very high penetration off blade, the Ki-Karat Siashal. A rare, relic grade weapon that can be discovered during Salvage operations.
Update #367 also adds two new Explorer cards that deal with Trait mutation - with both a positive and negative card that can cause new pathways of mutations for your adventurous, exploratory crew.
The new Trait Mutation cards for Explorer are similar to the Trait Mutation cards present in Orbital; however, they are considerably rarer and more powerful. Be careful of the -5 Negative Trait card, it can shift the Traits of a single Crew member substantially.
As a result of the analysis that went into building these cards, we've revised the Trait Mutation flows within Orbital Ops and Explorer mechanics. The rebalancing will result in a better flow of new Traits to the crew and a better rate of being able to mutate with the cards instead of gaining the XP bonus with no mutation. This balance change also affects the rates at which the cards appear, so you'll want to use efficient play - focusing on specialists with card game Talents and picking your locations wisely - to achieve the best results with Trait mutation.
Be sure to join us for the ongoing and hilarious New Year, New Meme event. New Years might feel like distance history, but like the spice, the memes always flow. Come and share a new meme, an old meme or just laugh to someone else's hilarity in the void.
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/335620/view/512946415975007132
We're continuing the press to expand the salvage tables when running Orbital Salvage ops and hitting cards for Relic Armor, Weapon or Gear. With Update #366, we've rolled out two new pieces of Level 6 gear - the Orbital Defender and Darkscale Underplate, each boasting a powerful set of Attribute improvements. In addition, the Orbital Defender adds a +15% Penetration bonus and the Darkscale Underplate brings a double buff: +20% Evasion and +15% Deflection.
Star Traders and captains, another update has sailed into port. We've continued with the addition of new Contact types, increasing the variety of gear in Salvage and added a new high level defensive ship component. We've also been working to keep with report bugs and fix typos.
Thanks for your support and thanks to those choosing to show your appreciation by "badging up" with the Supporter's Badge as we climb up toward venerable Update #400!
To celebrate that final march to Update #400, we're going to get on a binge of new outfits here - so stay tuned for that.
Be sure you're ready when you consider working for the new Antiquities Hunter. This dangerous schemer will be sure to send you salvaging at dangerous sites across the galaxy, will sell you Rumors, offers Scavenger recruits and offers a pathway to the Black Market if their Traits align with it.
Both the XK Cyclone Ammo and Tarbark Wireset come with nice Initiative bonuses (+1 and +2) as well as other Defensive Bonuses. The XK Cyclone Ammo presents a unique advantage to both ranged Accuracy as well as Defensive dice. Happy hunting, Salvagers!
The top of the line Duranium Coating IV comes with best-in-class Armor and Shield and matches the other Duranium Coating's reduction of ship damage during orbital operations. In addition, the DC IV adds Void and Radiation Resistance and Craft Defense - so for a captain looking to combine the orbital operations capabilities with more combat oriented ship, the added cost of DC IV will be worth a look.
January has been a cold, slow one - so let's look forward to richer skies ahead!
Welcome to the New Year, captains. The year of Star Traders (again)!
Pull up a chair in the spice tent and let's sit down over another update for your favorite space captain simulator. We hope you had a good holiday break and found some fun new games during the Steam Winter sale. As for Star Traders: Frontiers, updates are resuming for 2025! With Update #364, we've added a new contact type, 5 new relic armor and weapons, adjusted the rules for cloaking and Xeno Artifacts (you can't hide from the xeno!), improved the maintenance cost of mid-level Interdictors and reduced drop rate for the Uncover Contact Network card in Explorer.
Thanks to every captain playing and leaving feedback and reviews!
This update adds a new type of Contact that can appear in your faction zones. The Retired Consul is an influential new Contact type that prefers high Government and Economy zones and offers Missions, Sells Rumors and provides high quality Recruits.
We're keeping a very close eye on the new cloaking rules and the awesome impacts they are having on the ship meta. A lot of new ship designs have spawned out of these new components. However, we have found that they are too powerful for certain types of smuggler builds and playstyles. Be ware - ship encounter rate reduction no longer have any impact on the penalty for carrying Xeno Artifacts in your ship's cargo hold. The clarion call of these cursed things cannot be disguised and the Xeno ships will not be fooled by cloaking. The effects of cloaking still apply to all regular ships, to regular chances to meet xeno in the void, but simply do not protect you if your hull is full to bursting with Artifa cts. As another note, the cloaking reduction still does apply to the increase chance in meeting Military and Bounty Hunter ships that you can gain for carrying Xeno Artifacts.
The Contact Network card you could draw in Explorer is very powerful for that operation, and we've reduced its rates of appearance to ensure it stays rare enough to play.
Then from Meldvin about their experience salvaging in STF:
And last, but not least, from our resident Steel Song fan, Zer0winds, this meme about wishful thinking:
Thanks to all of your who posted memes this month. We are going to host a CKF community challenge this month, but will be back with more STF challenges soon!
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Hello, Captains. It’s time for another STF Community Event. We are forgoing a traditional challenge and are doing something completely different this time: creating new STF memes for 2025. It's a New Year, New Meme if you will. ːsteamhappyː
STF has a long history of many excellent memes, both from us at the studio and from the community, and what could be better than making new ones to add to the vault?!? We want to fly into 2025 with a new outlook on 
Some ideas for what we’d love to see (this list is a meme all on its own):
As usual, we have created 
Happy holidays and winter sale to you, Star Traders! It is cold out there, so step into the spice hall and warm yourself by the fire of another update and the burning hot discount of 60% off on your favorite star captain RPG simulator. With Update #363, we've added a new type of combat-focused Prow, the Dagger Prow, added a new ultra-heavy Relic Armor, increased Relic drop rates in Salvage, released new high-level components to the AI ship builder, and fixed some minor text displays for maximum Cloaking bonus.
Thanks to all of our captains playing, posting and reviewing as always!
Only a few other heavy armors can rival the new Stalker Heavy Ops Relic for its sheer ability to soak up punishing damage and only the Exemplar Command can match its 196 Hardness rating. It pays a heavy price in Dodge and Initiative penalty for the extreme nature of its defensive stats, but it is a contender for a main armor for any character who wants to tank on sheer damage soak.
We've improved the relic drop rates for two types of Salvage Rumor - the Abandoned Military Base and Derelict Space Hive, giving each a more focused set of drops and better chances to drop a high-level relic.
As new components continue to filter into the game with updates, we give each of them some time to be tested out by players and the enemy ship captains in our dev builds before releasing them for public circulation. With Update #363, we are now allowing enemy ship builder to create ships using the powerful defensive components Hull Plating 6, Armored Bulkheads 6, and Reinforced Structures 6, all of which will make an enemy ship harder to take down.
Star Traders! We are back once again with yet another fantastic update for everyone's favorite space trading game that is called Star Traders. With Update #362, we've added some new art, finished up the arc of work on Cloaking components and chased down bugs and QoL issues reported by the community.
Thanks to every captain for playing and sharing the game with a review!
