Freebooters are special hostiles in Star Trek Fleet Command tied to the Ex-Borg faction. They become available after unlocking Ex-Borg progression and are used for daily goals, reputation gains, Ex-Borg Credits, research upgrades, and faction store rewards.
For many players, Freebooters become part of the daily routine after Operations Level 38. They are more difficult than normal hostiles, but they are also one of the most important hostile grinds for long-term account efficiency.
This guide covers how to unlock Freebooters, where to find them, which rewards they provide, what crews to use, and how to farm them efficiently.
Quick Answer: What Are Freebooters in STFC?
Freebooters are hostile targets connected to the Ex-Borg faction. After unlocking the Ex-Borg faction at Ops 38, players can defeat Freebooters to complete Ex-Borg daily goals and earn Ex-Borg Reputation and Credits.
Freebooters are found in specific systems starting with Benijat (38) and scaling up to Axo’Tae (60). They are tougher than standard hostiles, so crew choice, ship strength, research, and warp range all matter.
How to Unlock Freebooters
Freebooters unlock through the Ex-Borg faction.
To access the Freebooter loop, players must reach Operations Level 38 and complete the mission “We Are People Too.” This mission unlocks the Ex-Borg faction and awards the first Ex-Borg Reputation points. Scopely describes the Ex-Borg faction as positive-only, meaning players do not lose Ex-Borg reputation through normal actions.
After unlocking Ex-Borg, Freebooter daily goals may not appear immediately. Scopely notes that it can take until the next event reset for Freebooter dailies to appear.
Freebooter Daily Goals
Freebooters are important because they are tied to Ex-Borg daily goals.
| Daily Goal | Requirement | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Freebooter Hunt | Defeat 2 Freebooters | Ex-Borg Reputation and Ex-Borg Credits |
| Freebooter Dominance | Defeat 6 Freebooters | Ex-Borg Credits |
These daily goals make Freebooters the main hostile loop for early Ex-Borg progression.
Freebooter Locations and Warp Requirements
Freebooters appear in specific systems. The early systems are reachable by many Ops 38–40 players, while the higher systems require much stronger warp range.
| System | System Level | Warp Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Benijat | 38 | 24 |
| Ch’urux Qorva | 40 | 49 |
| Jeghar | 45 | 49 |
| Zhessir | 50 | 49 |
| Chakavil | 53 | 160 |
| Xabul Bal | 55 | 160 |
| Toxotubelle | 58 | 160 |
| Axo’Tae | 60 | 160 |
These Freebooter locations and warp requirements are listed in STFC community wiki references.
Best Freebooter Farming Path
Most players should not rush straight to the highest Freebooter system they can reach. The best farming target is the highest Freebooter you can defeat consistently without excessive repairs or downtime.
Recommended Progression
| Player Stage | Recommended Focus |
|---|---|
| Newly unlocked Ex-Borg | Start with Benijat Freebooters |
| Strong Ops 38–40 account | Test Ch’urux Qorva and Jeghar |
| Higher warp range accounts | Progress into Zhessir and beyond |
| Advanced accounts | Use higher-level systems once warp 160 is available |
The goal is daily consistency. If a lower-level Freebooter lets you finish your daily goals quickly and cheaply, it is usually better than struggling against a higher-level target.
Freebooter Rewards and Cargo
Freebooters are valuable because they support Ex-Borg progression and can also carry useful ship-related cargo.
Freebooter cargo may include:
| Cargo Type | Use |
|---|---|
| Tritanium | General resource |
| 4★ Broken Battleship Parts | Ship progression |
| 4★ Broken Explorer Parts | Ship progression |
| 4★ Broken Interceptor Parts | Ship progression |
| 5★ Broken Battleship Parts | Higher-grade ship progression |
| 5★ Broken Explorer Parts | Higher-grade ship progression |
| 5★ Broken Interceptor Parts | Higher-grade ship progression |
Community STFC references list Tritanium and 4★/5★ broken ship parts as Freebooter cargo.
The most important rewards come from the Ex-Borg daily goals. Ex-Borg Credits can be used in the Ex-Borg Research Tree and faction store. Scopely lists Ex-Borg research benefits such as material cost reduction, faster mining, stronger combat stats, mitigation, shield and hull improvements, and reduced PvP damage.
Best Crews for Freebooter Hostiles
Freebooters are stronger than standard hostiles, so crew selection matters. The best crew depends on your ship, officer tiers, research, below-deck stats, and the Freebooter level you are targeting.
Community discussions often recommend Strange New Worlds hostile crews, especially when matching the captain or officer to your ship type. Players commonly mention setups such as SNW Ortegas / Georgiou / Tal for battleships and SNW Pike-style hostile crews with Khan or Gorkon depending on officer strength.
Common Freebooter Crew Options
| Crew Setup | Best Use |
|---|---|
| SNW Ortegas / Georgiou / Tal | Battleship Freebooter farming |
| SNW Pike / matching SNW officer / Khan | General hostile farming |
| SNW officer / Gorkon / Khan | Critical and hull breach-focused setup |
| Enterprise survivability crew | Longer hostile grinding runs |
| Strongest hostile crew with health below deck | Early testing and progression |
Crew Building Tips
Use these rules when choosing a Freebooter crew:
- Match your crew to your ship type when possible.
- Use the battle triangle to your advantage.
- Stack health below deck if your crew benefits from health.
- Prioritize survivability if you can kill the target but take too much damage.
- Prioritize damage if the fight lasts too long.
- Test multiple crews against the same Freebooter level before deciding.
Freebooter Combat Strategy
Freebooter farming is about efficiency, not just power. The best target is the one that gives daily progress with the least repair cost and downtime.
Use the Battle Triangle
| Freebooter Type | Best Counter |
|---|---|
| Interceptor | Battleship |
| Explorer | Interceptor |
| Battleship | Explorer |
Using the correct ship type can make a major difference, especially when pushing into higher-level Freebooters.
Farm the Right Level
Do not automatically farm the highest Freebooter you can reach. A good Freebooter farming target should:
- Count toward your daily goals
- Be reachable with your current warp range
- Be killable repeatedly
- Keep repair costs manageable
- Allow you to finish dailies quickly
Watch Warp Range Breakpoints
Freebooter warp requirements create major progression gates. The first system, Benijat, requires warp 24. Several mid-level systems require warp 49. Later systems require warp 160.
This means some players will unlock Ex-Borg before they can efficiently farm every Freebooter system.
Ex-Borg Research Priorities
The Ex-Borg Research Tree provides some of the most useful long-term upgrades in the game. Scopely describes the tree as including efficiency upgrades, mining improvements, combat stats, mitigation, shield health, hull health, and reduced PvP damage.
Useful Research Categories
| Research Type | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Piercing | Helps overcome hostile defenses |
| Mitigation | Reduces incoming damage |
| Shield Health | Improves survivability |
| Hull Health | Helps ships survive longer fights |
| Material Cost Reduction | Improves long-term upgrade efficiency |
| Mining Speed | Improves daily resource gathering |
| PvP Damage Reduction | Adds defensive value outside hostile farming |
Players struggling to defeat Freebooters should prioritize combat and survivability. Players already farming comfortably may get more value from efficiency research.
Ex-Borg Store and Favors
The Ex-Borg faction store gives players another reason to farm Freebooters consistently. Ex-Borg Credits can be spent on research and faction store rewards, including favors and other progression items.
Scopely notes that the Ex-Borg store includes favors that provide buffs such as repair technology, shield improvements, and hull improvements.
These upgrades make the Freebooter loop more valuable over time. The more consistently players complete Freebooter dailies, the faster they can build toward stronger Ex-Borg bonuses.
Common Freebooter Mistakes
Farming Too High Too Early
A higher-level Freebooter is not always the best target. If a target causes heavy repairs or long downtime, it may be less efficient than farming a lower system.
Ignoring Daily Requirements
Freebooters are most valuable when they help complete daily goals. Make sure the targets you farm count toward the progress you need.
Using Standard Hostile Crews Without Testing
Freebooters are not normal hostiles. A standard hostile crew may work at lower levels but fail as targets scale higher.
Forgetting Warp Range
Unlocking Ex-Borg does not mean every Freebooter system is immediately accessible. Warp 49 and warp 160 are major gates.
Not Investing Ex-Borg Credits
Freebooter farming becomes easier when Ex-Borg Credits are reinvested into useful research and store upgrades.
FAQ
Where are Freebooters located in STFC?
Freebooters are located in Benijat, Ch’urux Qorva, Jeghar, Zhessir, Chakavil, Xabul Bal, Toxotubelle, and Axo’Tae. These systems range from level 38 to level 60.
What level do Freebooters unlock?
Freebooters unlock through the Ex-Borg faction at Operations Level 38 after completing the mission “We Are People Too.”
What is the best crew for Freebooters?
The best crew depends on your ship and officers. Common community recommendations include SNW hostile crews, SNW Ortegas with Georgiou and Tal for battleships, and SNW Pike-style crews with Khan or Gorkon.
Do Freebooters give Ex-Borg reputation?
Yes. The Freebooter Hunt daily goal rewards Ex-Borg Reputation and Ex-Borg Credits after defeating 2 Freebooters.
What do Freebooters drop?
Freebooter cargo can include Tritanium and broken 4★ or 5★ ship parts. Their main value comes from Ex-Borg daily goal rewards and Ex-Borg Credits.
Are Freebooters worth farming every day?
Yes, once your ship can defeat them efficiently. Freebooters are one of the main daily progression loops for the Ex-Borg faction.
Conclusion
Freebooters are a major progression system for players who have unlocked the Ex-Borg faction in Star Trek Fleet Command. They provide daily Ex-Borg progress, credits, reputation, useful cargo, and access to research and faction store upgrades that improve long-term account strength.
The most efficient approach is to farm the highest Freebooter level you can defeat consistently, not the highest one you can barely kill. Start with accessible systems, use crews built for hostile combat, take advantage of the battle triangle, and reinvest Ex-Borg Credits into research that improves your daily loop.
Once Freebooters become efficient, they turn into one of the most valuable daily hostile grinds in STFC.
Freebooter Video
Ex-Borg Faction Quick & Dirty | Understanding Research & Faction store | Crews vs Freebooter Hostile
