Cryptic offers free characters in Star Trek Online, Neverwinter, and Champions Online for Quick Start promo
Developer Cryptic Studios has kicked off a new "Quick Start" promotion across its MMORPGs Star Trek: Online , Neverwinter, and Champions Online, allowing players that try the game to claim a free, fully equipped "endgame-ready" character for their permanent use. The campaign runs until May 21, 2026 on PC.
The quick start campaign applies to both new, returning, and current players of Star Trek Online, Neverwinter, and Champions Online. Though the games are free-to-play, the promotion unlocks a free "endgame-ready" player character that starts at maximum level with a selection of high-level gear and a pre-built skillset, allowing new players to enjoy a smoother tutorial experience and returning players to jump back into the game without having to re-familiarize themselves with their old characters.
Given that each game is different, though, the Quick Start character takes different forms depending on the game.
Star Trek Online
For Star Trek Online players, the Quick Start character is a free Jem'Hadar Vanguard Tactical Captain. Associated with the in-game Dominion faction (but able to align later with the Federation or Klingon Empire to access their ships and social zones), the Jem'Hadar Vanguard begins at Level 60 (5 levels below the level cap of 65) and comes with a powerful ship, high-level equipment, and several of the in-game Reputation trees almost fully leveled, allowing players to quickly claim high-end set gear and cosmetic items. For existing players, claiming the Quick Start character will add the character to their roster, but allow them to keep the character slot permanently if they choose to delete the Quick Start character later.
Star Trek Online is also concurrently running a "Gamma Recruitment" event, wherein new Jem'hadar and Dominion-faction characters created during the event period can unlock additional bonuses that apply to every other character on the same account.
Neverwinter
The Quick Start promotion for Neverwinter will allow players to claim one from a set of three pre-built characters: A Fighter, Cleric or Wizard, each set to Level 20 and optimized for the Tank, Healer, or DPS roles, respectively. The characters have their Paragon Paths set for DPS as primary loadout to help with single-player progress, with the secondary loadout set for the character's respective Tank, Healer, and DPS roles, to aid in group content. Though the characters have their race and gender set initially, players will be able to customize them free of charge after claiming.
The Neverwinter Quick Start characters will play through a special tutorial campaign set in Menzoberranzan to allow them to familiarize themselves with the game and its activities, as well as earn some more rewards, before being set loose on Faerun. R
Champions Online
Champions Online players who avail themselves of the Quick Start promotion will be able to claim a level 30 hero from one of three available Archetypes: The Icicle, The Behemoth, or The Inventor. Archetypes are like pre-set arrangements of powers and stats tailored to a specific comic book hero inspiration (for example, the Behemoth fights similarly to Marvel's Hulk or Thing characters).
Quick Start characters will be automatically equipped with a high-quality gear set that improves further if players reach level 40. An optional purchase on the in-game store of a "Head Start Key Pack" unlocks extra bonuses, including a freeform Archetype slot allows players to create a new hero and choose their powers independently.
Neverwinter and Star Trek Online are available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, while Champions Online is available on PC. The Quick Start Program runs until May 21, 2026.