I am playing with a pretty casual group of people, and for the ground missions make my character a melee dmg dealer, or at least have the option... I am more into space combat personally, but thought it might be fun to try.

Any general advice for STO melee? and of course what weapon should I get?

you only have 2 options, martial arts or batleth, there both ok but you won't be doing anything like the damage of ranged weapons.

Can you equip a bat'leth if you also have 2 ranged weapons equipped or does it take one of those slots?

I dont suppose it would be useful either way, but it could be fun to play with.

it takes a weapon slot (as does martial arts) their fun but not THAT effective.

Yeah I am just doing it for fun ground missions are quite a bit on the easy side anyways.

Will get a batleth, is there any particular skills that help with that weapon?

Anyone know which is better, martial arts or using a batleth?

Does the skill "close combat training" improve use with the batleth?

Some places/pvp matches should force a special 'hands only' fight.

Which would, quite frankly, ROCK!
The hand-to-hand combat anims are quite spiffy, and well-deserving of a little use now and again.

Yes: don't do it. We have guns now; you don't need to slap someone around, shoot them in the face instead. (well back of the head preferable, but you get the idea)

Not tried much melee, but this looks like it might help:

http://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?t=97085

Thank you, that is tons of great info.