So, I haven't done any STFs yet. I would like to know if there is required gear before starting the normal version ones. I've read forum guides so that I won't be completely clueless going in.

My problem is that I don't know very much about gear yet (or where you can get it). I saved up enough dilithium to buy a purple mark XI DHC, but other than that I'm just running in quest/random drops.

Is this enough to start STFs? Can I buy something better, and if so what vendors sell them?

IMHO the best gear is crafted, but for the high end gear you will need a fairly large quantity of dilithium. It's been a while for me, but you may be able to get a decent set of blue RA gear from drops. Get the old borg set as quickly as you can. Don't waste your EDC on mark X gear. If you get a drop for a piece of STF Mark X gear by all means use it. But otherwise, save your EDC for the MK XI gear.

How does one get the old borg set? Are they bought with EDC as well? I will work on getting my crafting up in the meantime.

3 pieces of the Borg set are purchased with EDCs, 5 each. The 4th piece, the console, is acquired from a mission in Gamma Orionis.

Technically, the only real requirement is a remodulator (which you can replicate for free) for the ground missions.

However, it would be nice if you at least had all your bridge officers slotted with maxed-out appropriate skills and at least MK ix white gear in every slot (including fully equipping consoles).

If you can get it, I suggest buying or crafting the aegis set. I also suggest that you complete the mission that gives you the borg console as well as play through all the borg missions and do some red alerts so you get an idea of what fighting the borg is like (remember, STFs are supposed to be end-game content, so complete the Borg story missions first).

If you can, try to get at least some x or xi green gear off the exchange (it is usually fairly cheap) as well as a blue xi shield (also fairly cheap, look for one with [pla]).

Before you attempt elite STFs, it would be nice if you had upgraded all your equipment to pruple XI. You can get gear with the [borg] modifier which is great for STFs simply by redeeming the rare borg salvage.

A full XI omega or maco set is suggested, but not required for elite missions (it could take you up to 120 regular STFs to get one)

All great advice. I have my Boff skills maxed out already. I'm not even considering elite mode until I'm well versed and well equipped.

I will definitely play through the rest of the episodes, I wanted to do this anyway for the content.