So..Boffs...

[Hera]

Ive been trying to get organized and figure things out in the game and boffs remain a bit puzzling to me.

With only a couple of exceptions their traits only apply to ground combat so that's what I need most to worry about their quality on right?  A green Science officer being as good as an epic in space?

When I get one and Im full it gives me an option to train.  is there any time that's a good idea to do?  The skills they have seem to be avalible to be learned elsewhere.

Any other advice?

[Jureth]

While technically a green bridge officer isn't that much different than a purple one, the better quality officers often come with unique traits and possibly versions of a power that may not be available otherwise.

You will want to customize their powers based on how you want to play.

For example, if you are a science officer, and you want to heal (which I think you mentioned) you will want to make sure your science bridge officers have healing skills such as science team, hazard emitters, etc... for space.

As far as training...you can use them for that...but you will get extra boff slots as you rank up, and you can buy them from the c-store...as I said some higher quality boffs have versions of a power that might not be available otherwise. If you don't want to use them to train your other ones you can keep them for later or you can sell them on the exchange as well.

I hope I've helped!!

[Hera]

Yes, very much.

I did accidentally buy the borg Boff and Im told it is a good buy so Im not to unhappy about that.  

Do the special abilities have any sort of special text to show their unique?  

The training that a Boff gives is basically just like a Player/the trainer in the starbase?  

[Jureth]

Hmmm...I'm not sure whether the unique traits are labeled as such or not...that is a very good question. From what on can tell on my unique boffs such as the Reman science officer, the borg boff, and the veteran award android boff a couple of their traits each carry the superior monniker whereas on the two common boffs I still have (ones I've had since I started playing) they just have basic traits.

Yes, the boff training is the same as you would do yourself or you would get from the power store.

[corcoran]

its always handy to have the unique boffs around as most of them are great for certain tasks, i.e the jemhadar is fantastic as a ground boff if you give him the jemhadar ground set. the breen is good for use with cannons as i have found, the reman has great attributes for ground healing and the borg and android are good alrounders. remember its always best to as jureth said to spec them to your ply style. also its handy having a  set or two like one set specced for beams and one for cannons(maybe not for a science officer) the all you need to do is swap them out when you change ships.

[Kheren]

The Boffs quality refers indeed to their traits; these traits in turn influence the level of efficiency they provide with the skills you train them with, just as for your character. but it also determines the level of skill they have in the skills they display.

A white (common) character has basic traits and usually level I or II ground and space skills.

A green (uncommon) has also basic traits but may display more level II skills and sometimes even one level III skill either ground or space.

A blue (rare) character shows one superior trait and display more level II skills and sometimes up to 2 level III skills, usually in this case one ground and one space (note however that some advanced skills are only level II but are the top skill level available for that skill).

A Purple (very rare) character as two superior traits, something also a unique trait and display up to three level III skills on either setting.

I haven't seen any ultra rare characters yet but, with ultra rae gear now coming out, I expect some to make their way into the game eventually.

Remember, you can improve your Boffs individually by training them. When you get a boff with a good skill and/or you want for one of your crew(like level III) you can use the train option to transfer that skill to the desired character. This eliminates the trainer character but help improves further the ones you have and want to keep and use.

I have done so systematically and, as of now, all my Boffs are purple quality and sports at least 3, often 4 skills at level III maxed out. As an example, on the ground, my team is so good that, in most situation, I could let them take care of the entire fight and they would come out on top! of course, i do get my hands dirty and the fights finish all the more faster.

So, like a true captain, select the best and train them to be even better. It does benefit you.

[corcoran]

kheren are thse III skills all in one area or are you counting across both ground and space?

[Kheren]

Varies with each character. Some have only one or the other but when one has two it,s almost always one for each, space and ground, although i did see one or two with two lv III in the same category, usually space.

[Sorripto]

The one thing to think about with boffs as well is not to be afraid.  You aquire boff training points like they are nothing so if you have to respect because you want to change your play style for something unless you are changing every skill on every one of your boffs you should be fine.  Experiment learn the skills and then mold their skills to your play style that is my advice.

[Jureth]

The one thing to think about with boffs as well is not to be afraid.  You aquire boff training points like they are nothing so if you have to respect because you want to change your play style for something unless you are changing every skill on every one of your boffs you should be fine.  Experiment learn the skills and then mold their skills to your play style that is my advice.

yup, I agree...I have so many bridge officer points I could retrain my entire crew and probably not run out!