SWTORchamp

SWTOR Community Q&A: May 11th, 2012

2012-05-13T12:25:00.003-07:00

05.11.2012

We’re back with a selection of answers to your community questions! Please note that in some cases we’ve combined multiple questions into one, and we that have edited some questions for clarity.
As a reminder, we previously suggested a shift in focus in your questions. As development plans are always subject to change, questions about future features will often get vague answers which can be repetitive and sometimes annoying. With that in mind, the development team is more interested in questions about current in-game features or systems, or questions about why development decisions were made. You’re still welcome to ask questions about future features and we’ll continue to answer them where appropriate – just expect the occasional ‘soon.’
In order to maintain the quality of questions and answers, we will be allowing more time for questions to accumulate, which means that the next Q&A blog will be in two weeks on May 25th. We’d like to focus the next Q&A blog on Game Update 1.3, so please be sure to ask questions on anything related to Game Update 1.3.
We have now opened an official thread for that week’s Q&A, which will stay open until 2pm CDT on May 22nd, 2012 (12pm PDT/3pm EDT/8pm BST/9pm CEST/5am AEST). We welcome your questions in that thread and hope you enjoy the answers below.
If you want to discuss any of the answers given, please use this Forum thread!

nakomaru: You have mentioned DPS, healing and tanking "targets" as objective methods of balancing the roles in the game. Are there hybrid targets (e.g. healing & dps spec) as well? It seems some hybrid specs are viable on certain classes and out of the question on others. I suppose this has to do with objectively balancing lower tier skills across the classes.
Austin Peckenpaugh (Senior Designer): Yes and no. In your example of a healer and DPS hybrid, by and large, whatever damage you sacrifice you should pick up in healing. For example, if you gave up 10% damage, we'd expect you to pick up 10% healing. Sometimes that's the case, but sometimes you lose or pick up synergies that move you above or below an even shift. Because "hybrid" in our skill trees means "virtually any combination of points," it's certainly not the case that we have targets for every combination. However, we do have expectations, and we're happy with hybrid builds so long as they don't radically stray from our expectations.

Freeborne: Alacrity as a stat seems to be encouraged in "Energy Based' classes (Troopers/Smugglers) through our talent trees. However, Alacrity seems to be a terrible secondary stat for us. The faster we use abilities, the faster we lose our energy - and the less energy we have, the less energy we regenerate. Are there any plans to review Alacrity, or at least its place in some class talent trees?
Austin: I agree. We're exploring ways of improving Alacrity that we hope to get working for a future Game Update. As much as I'd like to, I can't provide details on this plan yet. It's possible that we'll address passive Alacrity boosts in the skill trees, but those changes need to be solid and work for the long haul; it would be unacceptable to have a ‘temporary’ skill in place that we planned on removing at a later date.

Deewe: With the locked companion specs, some of us feel like being forced to use specific companions versus choosing them for their personality and look. Is there in the works any kind of feature mitigating this issue (hint: companions kits)?
Daniel Erickson (Lead Game Designer): Companions in BioWare games have always been fully developed characters with their own backgrounds and skills. While you can change between a couple different approaches with each, we do not presently have plans to make Companion Characters interchangeable.

RKLimes: I recall a developer post indicating the results of transferring a character with a Legacy from one server onto another where a Legacy also exists, the highest level legacy would simple be applied rather than added. Since higher Legacy level does not necessarily equal greatest number of Legacy unlocks, will any and all unlocks be granted from either Legacies, or only those of the highest?
Daniel: Legacies will be merged in the most advantageous possible way for the player. They’re your rewards, you earned them, we don’t want to prevent you from moving them wherever you like. So any unlocks gained by the character you’re moving will come with that character, even if the Legacy they are moving into is a lower level.

Rickety: I'm currently the Division Captain for The Old Republic within The Older Gamers community. I am responsible for multiple guilds spanning all three regions. Several of our guilds have issues with the current guild limit of five hundred Characters. Are there any plans to increase this limit or alternatively, to introduce an in game 'Guild Alliance' system?
Damion Schubert (Principal Lead Systems Designer): We've definitely talked about an ‘Alliance’ system, and even thrown around a basic design. This feature is lower in priority than some other guild needs, though, that were identified at the Guild Summit.

Gidoru: Currently in Huttball, certain classes have huge advantages, to the point where, without them, you have a considerably lesser chance of winning. The classes I speak of are namely Sages, Guardians, and their Imperial counterparts that are able to leap and pull across the map granting great mobility. Any chance of changes that prevent the ball carrier from using abilities like leap or being pulled?
Gabe Amatangelo (PvP & Endgame Designer): It is something we considered early in development of the map. However, we aimed to ensure every class had a role as opposed to effectively turning classes off when they carry the ball. Granted, some of those roles are not as obvious or have a steeper learning curve than simply getting the ball over the line (i.e. controlling the middle, cover defense, controlling hazard lines, etc.). The team composition win ratios suggest those roles are playing out for the most part. For example, teams with all Sages and Guardians do not even appear in the top 100 win ratios and the composition with the highest win ratios include a fairly even distribution of Advanced Classes. That, of course, is not an absolute conclusion, especially considering full team compositions rely on matchmaking. We’ll pay close attention to the variance in composition win ratio considering rating when full team queuing is enabled.

ZeusThunder: Why were the vendors removed from Warzones? They seemed to be harmless and the community didn't appear to mind them.
Gabe: A number of players would queue up for a quick vendor/repair and leave the match to go back to whatever else they were doing. This impacted enough matches that the cons started to outweigh the pros. We plan on getting tech to disable the sell and repair functions on a vendor, at which time we’ll be able to justify turning them back on for those players who want to purchase consumables mid-match, etc.

HoboWithAStick: What is the reasoning behind letting some classes have moddable offhand items but not others? I find this to be a little unfair to those of us who mod absolutely every piece of gear possible to obtain the best results.
David Hunt (Systems Designer): It’s due to arcane technical details. There’s no direct design reason, although there are some awkward situations and implementation details to address. We’ve been talking about options for how to fix the inequality between offhand items recently, and we’re about to start R&D on a potential fix.

Paladinnight: I am wondering why the decision was made to allow PvP crafters the ability to buy the schematics for the PvP orange gear, versus obtaining the schematics similar to PvE players which are forced to play the reverse engineering game in the hopes of obtaining a schematic. This decision has resulted in an economy that the only crafted orange boots and gloves require the buyer to PvP. Could we possibly get schematic boxes purchasable via credits (or Black Hole commendations) added to the vendors? If this is not possible, can we at least be allowed to reverse engineer the Black Hole gear instead of only Campaign gear?
David: In either PvE or PvP, you need to consume a certain amount of that content to gain the appearance associated with the highest level gear. PvE and PvP will never have identical distribution mechanisms because of their inherently different progression. The PvP boxes were necessary to ensure that PvE gear wasn’t the best PvP gear due to the augment slot gap. In Game Update 1.2, this means there’s the inequality you mentioned for obtaining orange boots and gloves. There are ~75 new orange PvE hand and feet schematics in Game Update 1.3 (each). We can’t make schematic boxes for Campaign items, because it would conflict with the reverse engineered versions of those items.
I’d like to allow any gear to reverse engineer for discoveries, but there’s a limit to how many recipes players can acquire. We’re looking at ways to improve that and apply systems more universally, but it’s not currently possible. Only Campaign can be reverse engineered because if we make both a Campaign and Black Hole a reverse engineering recipe, they will be the same result with different names but they will both count against the upper limits.

Wookieluva: In a previous Q&A it was stated that there will be a way to add augment slots to existing items! I like the idea but was wondering about how it is planned to put it in. Would it be by adding a crafted item to the armor? Or would it be put in by some long-winded quest? Or both?
David: Adding an augment to an item through the augment table will require an augment kit and credits. The kits can be traded and are created by crafters. Reverse engineering crafted items will give you the materials required to create augment kits. You can also see other previously answered questions and my answers in regards to this topic here.

SWTOR 1.2.2 patch notes 5/1/12

2012-05-01T09:52:00.000-07:00

Classes and Combat

   General
   * Corrected an issue that prevented damage shields (such as Force Armor) from re-applying properly when activated before the current damage shield expired has been addressed.

   Trooper
   Commando
   * Plasma Cell now correctly deals its damage 3 times per application.

Companion Characters

   General
   * Corrected an issue that caused companion stat bonuses from equipped items to be miscalculated when the companion was resummoned.

Crew Skills

   General
   * Corrected some performance issues related to opening the crafting window if it contained a very large number of schematics.

   Crafting Skills
   * Some gear that could be reverse engineered but erroneously displayed the "No Research Available" tooltip has been corrected.

   Gathering Skills
   * Slicing: Premium Slicing lockboxes now yield the correct amount of credits.

Flashpoints and Operations

   General
   * An issue that prevented Hard Mode Flashpoints from dropping loot based on group composition has been addressed. Drops usable by a person in the group are not 100% guaranteed, but the system now properly takes composition into account.
   * The "Exit Area" button in Flashpoints and Operations is now disabled during combat.
   * Corrected an issue that prevented Operation Group leaders from being added to the Operation Officer Chat channel.

   Operations
   Explosive Conflict
   * Pulsar Droids in the Warlord Kephess encounter now have the correct amount of health in 16-player Hard Mode.
   * Kephess now uses the Gift of the Masters ability during 16-player Hard Mode.

Items

   General
   * Mysterious, Unusual, and Wondrous Eggs can now be sold on the Galactic Trade Network.
   * An issue that could prevent hair from showing on Jedi Knights while wearing certain visors has been addressed.

Missions and NPCs

   General
   * The weekly Nightmare Pilgrim mission now rewards 4 Black Hole Commendations.
   * If a player logout causes a mission to fail, the player is now transported outside of that mission's phase when logging back in.

   World Missions
   Corellia
   Black Hole Area
   * The previous mission requirements for The End of Torvix (Imperial) and Chasing the Shadow (Republic) have been removed. Players can now accept these missions at any time within the daily restrictions.
   * Players not on the mission The End of Torvix (Imperial) or Chasing the Shadow (Republic) can now use the elevators inside the phase to assist group members with the mission.

   Taris
   No Escape: Corrected an issue that could prevent an encounter associated with this mission from resetting if the group was defeated and re-entered the phase.

   Class Missions
   Jedi Consular
   Marked: Corrected an issue that prevented the player from speaking to Lord Shendan if they exited the phase before speaking with him.

   Smuggler
   Heist of the Millennium: The map now indicates the correct elevator on the step “Return to the Shuttle.” Several map note issues have been addressed.

   Trooper
   Stay Frosty: This bonus mission no longer occasionally fails to end even after the player completes the primary mission.

PvP

   Warzones
   General
   * Corrected an issue that could cause multiple sounds to play on top of each other when receiving multiple medals at once.

   Huttball
   * A rare issue that could grant players rewards for two Huttball wins at the end of a match has been corrected.

   Voidstar
   * Corrected an issue that occasionally caused both teams in the Voidstar to receive less rewards than intended.

Space Combat
   General
   * Corrected a UI issue that could prevent players from firing their ship's weapons.
   Female characters' companions now play the proper voice-over during Space Combat Missions.

UI

   General
   * Pressing the Enter key on the prompt that displays when purchasing an expensive item now cancels the window instead of accepting the cost.
   * Corrected an issue that could cause completed missions to reappear in the mission log and tracker.
   * Pressing the R key to reply after receiving multiple tells now correctly displays the name of the player that will receive the reply.
   * Moving items in the inventory no longer affects their display in hotbars or in the mission tracker. This also corrects an issue that could prevent items in hotbars or the mission trackers from being used from those locations.

   Galactic Trade Network
   * The Search button is now correctly disabled for categories that do not have a subcategory when there are no search results.

   Groups and Targeting
   * The "Always Show Class Symbol" preference is now disabled by default.
   * Target Markers can now be bound to keys in the preferences menu.

   Guilds
   * Guild Banks now display on the map even if the player is not in a guild or the player's guild does not currently have a Guild Bank.

Miscellaneous Bug Fixes
   * Corrected a rare client crash that could occur for characters with full banks, inventories, and a full ability list.
   * Some text errors in the French and German clients have been corrected.
   * An issue that could cause display errors in fullscreen windowed mode has been corrected.
   * Corrected an issue that could cause the primary graphics to display to not be selected as the startup monitor when running the game for the first time on machines with multiple graphics devices.

SWTOR 1.2.1 Patch Notes 4/24/12

2012-04-24T10:39:00.001-07:00

Classes and Combat

   Jedi Knight
   Sentinel
   * Zen (with Ataru Form) now correctly reduces the global cooldown of Cyclone Slash.

   Smuggler
   General
   * Charged Burst's damage has been increased by approximately 5%.
   Gunslinger
   * Damage for Aimed Shot, Speed Shot, and Quickdraw has been increased by approximately 5%.
   Sharpshooter
   * Trickshot's damage has been increased by approximately 5%.

   Imperial Agent
   General
   * Snipe's damage has been increased by approximately 5%.
   Sniper
   * Damage for Ambush, Series of Shots, and Takedown has been increased by approximately 5%.
   Marksmanship
   * Followthrough's damage has been increased by approximately 5%.

   Trooper
   Commando
   Gunnery: Havoc Rounds now applies the correct healing increase to Kolto Bomb. It previously applied a smaller increase than intended.

Companion Characters

   General
   * Companion quickslots now update correctly when a new companion is summoned, correcting an issue that could cause the previous companion's abilities to continue displaying on the new companion's hotbar.
   * Earpieces and implants now properly apply their stat bonuses when equipped on companions. - REDACTED

Flashpoints and Operations

   Flashpoints
   Lost Island
   * Resolved an issue that could cause Doctor Lorrick's lab door to become stuck while closed when the fight was not active.
   * Players now appear on Project Sav'Rak's platform after the encounter. This addresses an issue that could prevent players from completing the Flashpoint if all group members exited the area before using the bridge controls.

   Operations
   Explosive Conflict
   * The range of Stormcaller's Electric Discharge and Firebrand's Missile Barrage has been increased to 35 meters.
   * A total of 4 mines must now be successfully defused in order to complete the minefield encounter.
   * Chests in Hard Mode no longer drop Black Hole gear.

Items

   General
   * The cost for PvP consumables has been reduced to 10 commendations.
   * Corrected an issue that prevented item rolling prompts from appearing for Custom (orange) items.
   * The cost for Rated War Hero PvP gear has been reduced. This does not impact the time required to obtain base War Hero gear.

Legacy
   * The Rocket Boost ability can now be used inside and isn't restricted by areas that do not permit vehicles. It cannot be used in combat or in Warzones.

PvP

   Warzones
   Alderaan Civil War: Players can no longer be knocked off of speeders while traveling to the battlefield.
   Voidstar: Players no longer earn defender credit for defending a previously destroyed objective.

Space Combat
   * Corrected an issue that could cause Space Combat audio to fade out or pan inappropriately from the left to right speaker.
   * Drexel Sweep: Corrected an issue that caused the first several enemies ships to disappear upon loading into this mission.
   * Makem Te Assault: An issue that could cause the Smuggler player ship to clip through enemies at the beginning of this mission has been corrected.

UI

   General
   * Helmets now work correctly when unifying colors on the character sheet.
   * An issue that caused stackable items to display incorrect stack numbers when replaced on the hotbar with another stackable item has been corrected.
   * The dialog for setting keybindings is now canceled properly if the player presses the "X" button to close it.
   * Corrected an issue that prevented the mail window from opening after refreshing the UI with the mail window open.
   * The World Map will now properly update as missions complete and/or progress.
   * Corrected an issue that sometimes prevented "new mail" notifications from functioning.

   Character Creation
   * During character creation, Legacy Cyborg appearance options are now labeled.
   * The display of selected options in character creation has been improved.

   Groups and Targeting
   * Group frames now appear correctly when the option "Use Operation Frames as Group Frames" is toggled off.

   Guilds
   * Corrected an issue that could cause insufficient Guild Bank funds for repairs or respecs to appear even if sufficient credits were available.
   * Players will no longer become "stuck" and unable to receive a guild invite if they were sent an invite just before entering a cinematic or while the loading screen is present.

   Social
   * Corrected an issue that prevented players from adding offline players to their friends list.
   * Players now correctly see a red phase gate (and are appropriately blocked from entering) if they are not permitted to join a group member's class phase.
   * Chat tabs now preserve the selected font size if they are detached from the main chat window.
   * The list in /who now automatically updates when the window is opened with the /who command.

Miscellaneous Bug Fixes
   * An issue that prevented players from logging out of the game if the ESC button was used to close the logout window has been addressed.
   * Corrected a sound issue that caused a loud, unintended sound on the Republic and Imperial Fleets (and potentially other areas with many characters present).
   * Corrected some issues with French and German in-game text/dialogue.
   * Corrected an issue that could cause characters in cinematics to appear grey in color.
   * Objects that can be interacted with will no longer stop glowing if players get too far away from them and then return.

SWTOR Community Q & A 4/20/2012

2012-04-23T09:52:00.003-07:00

04.20.2012

Two weeks ago, we asked for your questions and unfortunately, we had to delay posting the answers to the Q&A until today. Please note in some cases we’ve combined multiple questions into one, and we have edited some questions for clarity.
We have now opened an official thread for next week’s Q&A, which will stay open until 2pm CDT on April 24th, 2012 (12pm PDT/3pm EDT/8pm BST/9pm CEST/5am AEST). We welcome your questions in that thread and hope you enjoy the answers below.
If you want to discuss any of the answers given, please use this Forum thread!

BlackMink: Could you please explain SWTOR's threat mechanics? What exactly do the de-taunt abilities do, and how exactly is threat generated? Is threat directly related point for point to the damage you do, or does each individual ability generate a pre-set amount of threat?
Cameron Winston (Combat Designer): Threat is calculated based on damage done, plus or minus certain modifiers, with one damage translating directly into one point of threat. These modifiers are always called out in the abilities which adjust them. For example, Soresu Form increases your threat generation globally, while Crushing Blow or Hilt Strike specifically generates extra bonus threat when activated.
De-taunt abilities reduce your threat level by a flat percentage of its current value. Healing generates less threat than damage and is split evenly among all enemies you are currently fighting.

Keldain: Love the stuff for 1.2! I think you guys are doing a great job on addressing the issues of the community. Just one thing I would really like an update on: is there any movement on getting an option to toggle hoods on and off?
Damion Schubert (Principal Lead Systems Designer): This is totally in the plan, but we are unsure at this time when it will get to you.

Pierre-olivier: Will it be possible to create a guild uniform or get a distinctive sign. I mean other than the name displayed above the character?
Damion: At some point, this will be possible. No ETA yet, but we have a design fleshed out.

Irouven: What is the idea behind the selection at the equipment vendor for planetary commendations? Sometimes you get boots, sometimes chest-armor, never a potential "full" outfit.
Damion: We don't want you to get all of the pieces of an armor set from any one source of gear. We want you to do multiple activities in the game to build out a full set of gear. This is a conscious decision on our part to encourage and reward playing multiple facets of the game. So you should do other things -- heroics, check the GTN, etc -- the full set of gear is out there.

TheCritter: If I delete a character with Legacy unlocks do I lose those unlocks? For example, if I have a human female Sniper at level 50 with Act 3 completed will I lose the race unlock, Heroic Ability, and class emote for my other characters if I delete her?
Damion: You will keep all unlocks that you have managed to unlock so far.

Zawny: Any chance there will be an effort to develop account storage somewhat similar in nature to guild banks so that characters on an account can access items rather than mailing them under what the current plan appears to be?
Damion: We have a plan for this. However, since there is currently a workaround for this (mailing items to your alt), this is a lower priority than some of the other improvements we have earmarked for the legacy system.

DarthBloodloss: Why doesn't ranked War Hero armor (or the new tier of PvE armor) have augment slots?
Georg Zoeller (Principal Lead Combat Designer): It is possible to obtain ranked War Hero appearance with augment slots from crafters on the GTN. The schematics for the those items can be found on the PvP vendor and a critical success while crafting them will result, as with other armor, in an additional augment slot.
It is also worth noting that we will be adding a way to add an augment slots to existing modifiable armor in a future game update.

Aikiyc: Can we get a clarification on how interceptions in Huttball work? Currently, it seems to be mostly random, with a somewhat increased chance of intercepting if all the allied receivers are stunned. Does the number of allies VS enemies factor in? Closest to the center of or edge of the passing zone?
Gabe Amatangelo (PvP & Endgame Designer): The player closest to the center of the landing spot circle who is not stunned or mezzed will receive the ball, regardless of what team they are on.

Grandmthethird: It seems to me like some companions have a hard time when it comes to gear. I’m sure there is more but I’m thinking specifically of Torian and Skadge. It seems impossible to get aim melee weapons. Is this an oversight? Or am I simply missing something?
David White (Systems Designer): Aim melee weapons are used by a very small subset of companions. For this reason we tend to distribute those items through either vendors or class specific quest rewards. Our goal is to make these items reasonably available without constantly putting essentially “worthless” items in front of players who do not care about them. We also make the items customizable (orange) when possible to make it easier to keep them up-to-date by swapping out the Mods and Enhancements. Ultimately it’s a delicate balance to make sure they can be reasonably found and maintained by the players who care about them without them becoming a nuisance to players who might not even understand why they exist.

Thanks for all of your questions, and thanks to the team for answering them. If you’d like to put forward a question for next week’s Q&A, please visit this Forum thread!

Originally posted here.

Daily Quests and PVE Gear in SWTOR Patch 1.2

2012-04-13T11:58:00.003-07:00

Hey everyone, with the release of 1.2, there is going to be a big rush to do dailies for credits and also leveling alts to gain benefits of the legacy system. I have created this guide here to help you with all the dailies (new and old) in 1.2 and also the ways to get geared up in patch 1.2 once you have reached 50.

Lets start with a nice big inforgraphic showing you the entire gear progresssion in 1.2!

Recruit Armor
Recruit armor is a set of PvP armor you can directly purchase at the PvP vendor for around ~300k for the full set. This is a good starter set, even for fresh 50s doing PvE content. The side bonus is that you can also jump into PvP with this set.

Piece	Credits
Chest	31700
Legs	31700
Head	31700
Gloves	26200
Boots	26200
Belts	20500
Bracers	20500
Ear	17000
Implant	17000×2
Offhand	19300
Mainhand	38600
Relic	11300×2
Total	320000

You might be wondering how it stacks with custom modded orange armor obtained from doing dailies. Below I will give you a comparison of 5 pieces, using the Recruit Force Master set (sorc/sage DPS) and custom modded gear using armoring/mods/enhancements from dailies. I am going to use the Slave Girl outfit as the custom armor base since it has 5 pieces and everyone is familiar with it!
For the Custom piece, I used the slave girl set as the base and then used Advanced Resolve Armoring 22 (purchased from Daily Vendor),

Advanced Aptitude Mod 22

(Belsavis heroic daily reward), 2x Advanced Quick Savant Enhancement 22

(Ilum heroic daily reward), and 3x Advanced Battle Enhancement 22

(Ilum heroic daily reward). I realized that you could get the Q23 armoring from the daily vendor but the goal here is to use only mission rewards and save Daily Commendations for the ear, implants, and relics.
Here is the character builder with Recruit 5-piece
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/character/a93c8d7f-98da-403c-a6a7-af7edc98e446
Here is the character build with custom modded 5 –piece
http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/character/8c8206db-a7a2-47cd-8a9d-fb6f35133a75
How do they stack up?

	Recruit	Custom
Endurance	545	585
Willpower	575	665
Power	120	189
Crit	72	81
Surge	84	117
Alacrity	126	78

Anyways, as you can see, the stats are not too terribly different between the two sets. Custom modded armor using stuff from dailies do offer you more options – you can sort of choose the stats you want.
If I were a fresh 50, I would grab the Recruit set first and then over the time as I do dailies, update them with custom modded armor.
Dailies:
Before we jump into dailies, let me offer you a nice chart with all the dailies tabulated for 1.2!

There are now three planets to do dailies in: Belsavis, Ilum, and with 1.2, the Black Hole area in Corellia. Keep in mind that Black Hole is a separate zone within Corellia and you will need to take a shuttle to get there (the shuttle is right next to the spaceport).
Why do dailies you ask? Campaign relics (better than the relics from Nightmare KP), and Rakata ear/implants for fresh 50s. The new Recruit gear has made the Q23 armoring/barrels/hilts you can purchase and the Q22 enhancements/mods from heroic dailies a bit less of an upgrade but they are still there if you want to completely customize your armor for PvE.
You can also get some legacy armor kits for your alts in your legacy. Artificers can also purchase some schematics to make the color crystals for weapons. Here is a list of the new stuff included in the Daily Vendor in 1.2.
Note: The relics are actually BoP (Bind on Pickup) and not BoE as the tooltips here indicates

Name	Cost
Campaign Relic of Boundless Ages	200
Campaign Relic of Dark Radiance	200
Campaign Relic of Elemental Transcendance	200
Campaign Relic of Ephemeral Mending	200
Campaign Relic of Imperiling Serenity	200
Campaign Relic of Shield Amplification	200
Campaign Relic of the Cerulean Nova	200
Campaign Relic of the Kinetic Tempest	200
Campaign Relic of the Primeval Fatesealer	200
Campaign Relic of the Shrouded Crusader	200
Schematic: Advanced Blue Eviscerating Crystal	20
Schematic: Advanced Blue Hawkeye Crystal	20
Schematic: Advanced Blue Indestructible Crystal	20
Schematic: Advanced Red Eviscerating Crystal	20
Schematic: Advanced Red Hawkeye Crystal	20
Schematic: Advanced Red Indestructible Crystal	20
Birthright Headgear Construction Kit	250
Birthright Leggings Construction Kit	200
Inheritance Boots Construction Kit	100
Inheritance Jacket Construction Kit	200

For Belsavis and Ilum dailies, you need to finish your class quest first and then you can receive the Ilum and Belsavis bonus series which you can complete to unlock all of the dailies. It is not known if you need to complete your class quest to receive the Black hole starter quest but you should be finishing your class quest anyways. Btw, for those wondering, you don’t need to finish the Corellia planet quests to receive the Black Hole quests.
Black Hole – Corellia

The starter quest that leads you to the Black Hole area can be picked up on the Fleet. For the Imperial fleet this is Sergeant Karloss on the imperial fleet inner ring.
5 solo dailies, rewards 6 Daily Commendations in total (one [AREA]quest has multiple stages and rewards 2 daily commendations). You get ~ 7k credits in per quest, except for the multi-staged one, which rewards you ~ 11k credits. That is about 40 k credits at least per day from all the solo dailies.
One heroic H4+ daily, can be 2-manned if you are geared. Reward you with 3 Daily Commendations and either a blue prototype box or an orange piece.
One weekly, requiring to complete all the solo and group dailies once. Reward you with 6 Black Hole Commendations and 16k credits.
All of the solo dailies are fairly easy to do but can get annoying if there are quite a few people doing them as the area isn’t exactly packed with quest mobs.
All of the dailies are picked up at the quest terminal, you can pick up the heroic after you done all the solo dailies for the day.
Total Rewards/day: 9 Daily Commendations and 56, 043 credits

Here is a list of the quest names for both the Empire and Republic side. I will also do a short write up on both the Empire and Republic dailies below. Skip if you already know how to do them

Type	Empire	Republic	Reward
Solo Daily	Hypermatter Directive	Counter Eco-Terroism	1 Daily Commendation, 7175 credits
Solo Daily	Glow	Forced Labor	1 Daily Commendation, 7175 credits
Solo Daily	Control the Battlefield	Stolen Victory	1 Daily Commendation, 7175 credits
Solo Daily	No Trace Left	Eyes and Ears	1 Daily Commendation, 7175 credits
Multistaged [AREA] solo daily	Asset Liquidiation	Criminal Crackdown	2 Daily Commendation, 11196 credits
Heroic 4+	The End of Torvix	Chasing Shadow	3 Daily Commendation, 16147 credits

Empire-Hypermatter Directive

Steal 5 emergency hypermatter supplies.
No mobs are initially present but there are probes constantly being deployed that scans within a certain radius. If you are “scanned”, a strong mob will spawn and attack you.
Has sort of a stealth/Splinter Cell feel to it.

Empire-Glow

You will need to kill mobs and grab the Anti-Rad injector they drop, these injections will protect you from 10 ticks of the toxic water.Do not fight in the water, fight in the land whatever possible.
First console where you need to reroute the Hypermatter pipeline is immediate in front of you as you enter the “instance”, guarded by a group of mobs where you will receive your first Anti-Rad injector.
Reroute the remaining 3 Hypermatter pipeline located throughout the room (see the pictures below).

Empire-Control the Battlefield

Kill and easy, kill 12 mobs (same mobs required by Asset Liquidation) and turn in!

Empire-No Trace Left

Also very easy, identity 3 spies located in the same room as the quest terminal using the quest item they gave you. Each time you use the item, it will tell you how close you are to the spy (i.e. 15m, 10m, 5m).

Empire-[AREA] Asset Liquidation

Automatically received when you get off the shuttle and enter the Black Hole area.
Multiple stages: stage 1- kill 20 mobs, stage 2- destroy 6 munition caches, stage 3 – destroy the Com Tower and recover T-5R7 memory core.

Empire-[HEROIC 4+] – The end of Torvix

You will need to complete all the solo dailies (except the multi-staged [area] one) first to pick this one up.
Fairly challenging heroic 4+ but can be handled by two people with 2 companions if geared.
Having CC (Crowd Control) abilities will make this one easier.
Multiple steps, it is not a quick and easy one like the Belsavis/Ilum ones.
Puzzle at the end: goal is reroute toxic liquid from the left side of the wall to the right using 3 buttons on the consoles, each button handles a different pipe so play around with it until everything connects!

Republic – Counter Eco-Terrorism

Do not go into the toxic water! Kill the mobs around the water to obtain an Anti-Rad Injector that will give you 10 stacks of protection against the toxic water.
You will need to disable the holes in the tanks that are leaking toxic water (marked in the picture below). Each injector will allow you to disable 2 of these holes before you will need to run out.

Republic – Forced Labor

Rescue 5 Drall eningeers stuck in a holding cell. Pretty simple mission but the area is not “instanced” do it is best if you group up and all get credit at the same time.

Republic – Stolen Victory

Recover 15 stolen prototype weapon, which are in chests scattered around the quest area and also dropped by mobs guarding the chests.
Fairly easy quest, but can be annoying to get it done if there are a lot of other players around; luckily, the respawn timer on chests/mobs is not too bad.

Republic – Eyes and Ears

“Stealth” mission similar to Empire’s Hypermatter Directive.
You will need to plant 5 listening devices, but there are probes being deployed constantly around the room. If these detect you, a strong mob will spawn and attack you.

Republic – [AREA] Criminal Crackdown

Automatically received when you get off the shuttle and enter the Black Hole area.
Multiple stages: stage 1- kill 15 mobs, stage 2- destroy 4 weapon containers (if you have CC abilies, you can CC the strong mob, kill the weak one ,destroy the container and leave before the strong mob wakes up), stage 3 – Destroy the Sensor Hub and kill Quick-Hands Quarl (He has an ability called Artillery that you should interrupt if you can).

Republic – [HEROIC 4+] – Chasing the Shadow

You will need to complete all the solo dailies (except the multi-staged [area] one) first to pick this one up.
Fairly challenging heroic 4+ but can be handled by two people with 2 companions if geared.
Having CC (Crowd Control) abilities will make this one easier.
Fairly short (much shorter than the Empire equivalent) and ends in an epic boss fight.
Koric, the last boss has a two main abilities: First one is the grenades which he throws on a random player and pulls a nearby group member to that person. It has a small DoT (400 damage per tick) and slow effect.

The second ability is a giant yellow circle on the ground which lasts for a few seconds before an airstrike lands. It doesn’t really hurt but it is best to get out of it.

Ilum Dailies

Type	Empire	Republic	Reward
Solo – Base	A Tightened Grip	Jamming the Transmission	1 Daily Commendation,10762 credits
Solo – Base	Defend the Shipment	Pilot Down	1 Daily Commendation, 10762 credits
Solo – Base	Operation Shatterstorm*	A Fair fight	1 Daily Commendation, 10762credits
Solo – Waystation	Rightful Owner	Icy Destruction	1 Daily Commendation, 10762 credits
Solo – Waystation	Sabtotage	Crystal Clear Sabotage	1 Daily Commendation, 10762 credits
Heroic 2+	Poisonous Strategy*	Darkness on Ilum*	3 Daily Commendation, 13995 credits (Empire), 16147 credits (Republic), Q22 enhancements

*Operation Shatterstorm have a multi-staged bonus quest that can be only completed once per character that grant you 13,995 credits and 2 Daily Commendations.
*Poisonous Strategy/Darkness on Ilum also have a multi-staged bonus quest that can be only completed once per character that grant you 2332 credits and 2 Daily Commendations.
You can get a total of 8 Daily Commendations and 67805 credits per day for all the Empire dailies. Republic dailies will grant you 69957 credits in total.
Belsavis Dailies
Empire

Type	Location	Name	Reward
Solo	Imperial Domination Outpost	Invisible Threat	1 Daily Commendation,7175 credits
Solo	Imperial Domination Outpost	Unintended Consequences	1 Daily Commendation,7175 credits
Heroic 2+	Imperial Domination Outpost	Lights Out	3 Daily Commendation, 13995 credits, Orange weapon for your companions
Heroic 2+	Imperial Domination Outpost	Old enemies	3 Daily Commendation, 13995 credits,Q22 armoring or blue prototype box
Solo	Deep Launchpoint Transporter	Reluctant Volunteers	1 Daily Commendation,7175 credits
Solo	Deep Launchpoint Transporter	Ancient Transmission	1 Daily Commendation,7175 credits
Solo	Deep Launchpoint Transporter	Found in Translation	1 Daily Commendation,7175 credits
Solo	Signal Monitoring Center	Droid Malfunction	1 Daily Commendation,7175 credits
Solo	Signal Monitoring Center	The Carriers of Xenovirus Prime	1 Daily Commendation,7175 credits
Heroic 2+	Signal Monitoring Center	Freeing the Fallen	3 Daily Commendation, 13995 credits, Q22 mods or blue prototype box
Solo	Tunnel North of Signal Monitoring Center	Deadly Mutations	1 Daily Commendation,7175 credits

That is a total of 17 Daily Commendations and 99,395 credits for the Empire Belsavis dailies.
Republic

Type	Location	Name	Reward
Solo	Republic Wildness Outpost	Strengthening the Chain	1 Daily Commendation,7175 credits
Solo	Republic Wildness Outpost	Restraining the Darkness	1 Daily Commendation,7175 credits
Solo	Republic Wildness Outpost	Emergent Medicine	1 Daily Commendation,7175 credits
Heroic 2+	Meltwater Outpost	A Lesson is Learned	3 Daily Commendation, 9330 credits, Q22 mods
Heroic 2+	Meltwater Outpost	Open Communications	3 Daily Commendation, 9330 credits, orange weapon for your companions
Solo	Frozen Transport Center	Riot	1 Daily Commendation,7175 credits
Heroic 2+	Frozen Transport Center	Stasis Generator	3 Daily Commendation, 9330 credits, Q23 armoring or blue prototype box
Solo	Oasis Republic Outpost	Prison Repairs	1 Daily Commendation,7175 credits
Solo	Oasis Republic Outpost	Containing the Beast	1 Daily Commendation,7175 credits
Solo	Oasis Republic Outpost	Unheard Frequencies	1 Daily Commendation,7175 credits
Solo	Oasis Republic Outpost	Sleeping Rakata	1 Daily Commendation,7175 credits

That is a total of 17 Daily Commendations and 85,390 credits for the Empire Belsavis dailies.
Space dailies
Just you thought you were done with your dailies, there is also a daily for the highest level space mission that rewards 2 Daily Commendations and 6540 credits. This daily is called Operation Ascendant Pride on the Empire side and Operation New Eclipse for the Republic side.
Hardmode Flashpoints
Starting in 1.2, there are no more daily lockouts for Hardmode flashpoints! This means that you can farm these flashpoints whenever you like!
All the hardmode flashpoints pre-1.2 will drop only Columi grade gear on the last boss. You can check out this guide to I wrote to see what they drop.
However, the new Hardmode flashpoint introduced in 1.2, Lost Island, will drop Columi grade loot on every boss and the last boss also drops Rakata loot (Rakata chest). Be warned though, it is fairly diffcult compared to previous Hardmode Flashpoints and you definitely need to have previous gearing from pre-1.2 Hardmode flashpoints or Warzones for a successful run.
Don’t forget to pick up the following weekly and daily from the mission terminal located on the Supplies section of the fleet.
[DAILY] Galactic Conflicts – complete any of the Hardmode Flashpoints
[WEELY] Rakghoul Conflicts – Complete Hardmode Kaon Under Siege and Lost Island
You can also pick up the Vehicle Achievement – [Aratech Ice] from the achievement terminal located in the GTN section of the fleet (next to the guild bank).
Warzones
If you like to PvP, Battlemaster gear is also an alternative to running hardmode flashpoints for Columi gear. With 1.2, Battlemaster gear has no more valor requirement to wear. It can now be directly purchased via Warzone Commendations earned by doing warzones.
While Battlemaster maybe be lacking a bit when it comes to primary stats (i.e. willpower, endurance), it does have a bit more of secondary stats (i.e. crit, surge etc).
Operations – Rakata Gear
Hardmode/Nightmare Eternity Vault and Karagga’s Palace all drop Rakata gear, to see which bosses drop what. Please consult this guide here I wrote here.
The new operation, Explosive Conflict, also drops Rakata gear on storymode (also known as normal mode). It drops some Rakata stuff previously only available to Daily commendation vendors like Rakata implants. Here is a quest list of the loot dropped off storymode EC.
Explosive Conflict – Storymode

Toth and Zorn: Rakata Bracer, Rakata Implant, Rakata Chest
Stormcaller and Firebrand: Rakata Belt, Rakata Offhand, Rakata Boot
Colonel Vorgath: Rakata Legs, Rakata Gloves, Rakata Implant
Warload Kephess: Rakata Helmet, Rakata Mainhand, Black Hole MK-3 Legs

Remember to pick up [WEEKLY] Deadly Operations which give you 20 Columi commendations for defeating either Gharj or Jarg & Sorno in Hard/Nightmare EV & KP.
Also pick up [WEEKLY] Galactic Crisis Points for defeating Colonel Vorgath in storymode Explosive Conflict.
For Vehicles, you can pick up Vehicle Achievement – [Aratech Fire] from the achievement terminal located in the GTN section of the fleet (next to the guild bank), which rewards you with the vehicle for kill bosses in the three operations on storymode.
Operations – Black Hole Gear
Black Hole is a new tier of gear (rating 146) introduced with patch 1.2. There are 3 variants: Black Hole MK-1, MK-2, and MK-3. MK-1 gear can be purchased directly from the vendor with Black Hole Commendations (weapons are not available for purchase unfortunately). MK-2 and MK-3 are dropped from Hardmode Explosive Conflict (MK-3 legs also dropped off the last boss of storymode Explosive Conflict)
Black Hole gear has no set bonus unfortunately and cannot be reverse engineered (mods/earpieces/implants can be RE’ed)
The exchange rate is as follows

Slot	Black Hole Commendations
Offhand	50
Head	60
Chest	60
Gloves	50
Legs	55
Feet	50
Bracer	30
Belt	35
Ear	35
Implant	35
Implant	35
Total	495

Where to obtain Black Hole Commendations?

Corellia Black Hole weekly – 6 Black Hole commendations/ week
Weekly quest Rakghoul Conflicts (complete Hardmode Lost Island and Kaon Under Siege)
Nightmare Pilgrim – World Boss on Voss
Storymode Explosive Conflict – 2 Black Hole Commendations per boss, 4 per chest (3 chests found so far)
Hardmode Explosive Conflict – 4 Black Hole Commendations per boss, 4 per chest.
Nightmare Karagga’s Palace

Operations – Campaign Gear
Campaign gear is obtained from Hardmode Explosive Conflict and Nightmare Pilgrim – World Boss on Voss.
The loot table for Campaign gear, once completed, can be found here in that loot list I linked earlier. Keep in mind that tokens for Campaign gear are not class specific (i.e. bosses will drop a helm token that any class can trade in for armor).
Unlike Black Hole gear, Campaign gear does have a set bonus. It can also be Reverse Engineered for a schematics, which allow it crafters the chance to add an augment slot if they crit while crafting.
The point of Black Hole gear is to offer a stats alternative to the campaign gear. If you are curious about what the stats difference between Black Hole and Campaign gear, check out this guide I wrote a couple days ago.
For Vehicles, you can pick up Vehicle Achievement – [Aratech Nightscythe] from the achievement terminal located in the GTN section of the fleet (next to the guild bank), which rewards you with the vehicle for kill bosses in the three operations on Hardmode (nightmare KP/EV should also work).
Augmented Gear
The BiS (Best in Slot) gear is going to come from orange gear with augment slots. You will need a crafter to make you an orange armor shell that has an augment slot. Then you can move your armoring, mods, enhancements into that orange shell and also add an augment for additional stats.
Unfortunately, the set bonus won’t transfer with armoring for any of the pre-1.2 gear, only Campaign gear (for PVE gear) has set bonus that transfer with armoring. This means that you won’t be able to wear fully augmented gear until you start clearing Hardmode Explosive Conflict.

Article is co-owned and first published at

SWTOR patch 1.2 goes live tomorrow!

2012-04-11T08:38:00.000-07:00

It feels like we’ve been waiting forever for the Legacy system improvements contained in patch 1.2 for Star Wars: The Old Republic, but The wait is almost up. TOR will finally get the tangled, dysfunctional family trees that a Star Wars game deserves when the update goes live tomorrow.
The patch will let us weave TOR alts into grand space soap operas. Your Sith warrior can secretly be your Jedi Knight’s brother, who can be a secret family friend of your Imperial Agent, who once had a cup of tea with your Republic smuggler, and so on. As fascinating as it’ll be to slot everyone into a tangled family tree, the new legacy rewards are the real draw here. We’ll finally be able to use all that legacy experience amassed since launch day on new race options, convenience items, new powers and more.

The update 1.2 page has an overview of the new stuff patch 1.2 will add to TOR tomorrow, and features a picture of the saddest manacled, electric bipedal crocodile monster I’ve ever seen. It’s no surprise that he’s a bit miserable. He seems to be a monster in the new Operation, Explosive Conflict, and has the look of a creature readying himself to be repeatedly beaten up by excited raid parties for the rest of his existence.

Update 1.2 will not be kind to manacled bipedal crocodile monsters.

The patch will also add a bunch of features players have been asking for for a while, including guild banks and UI customisation. There will be major additions to the crafting system and we’ll be able to tear top level mods out of new endgame gear and slot them into any piece of customisable apparel we fancy.
There will be a new Flashpoint as well, following on from the events of Kaon Under Siege. It’s set on a lost island on Ord Mantell, and will give players the opportunity to hunt down the scum responsible for unleashing the Rakghoul virus on the galaxy and punch them with a lightsaber. Predictably, the culprits are hiding behind “endless hordes of twisted creatures,” as evildoers are wont to do. That only means more XP and loot for us. Bring it on.

Unrated PvP Gear Pricing in SWTOR Patch 1.2

2012-04-09T11:36:00.000-07:00

Click to enlarge.

Special 1.2 Q&A from April 6th

2012-04-08T11:28:00.000-07:00

This week’s Q&A continues on from last week where we answered a number of questions about Game Update 1.2. We had so many questions we broke the Q&A into two parts! Next week we’ll return to answering more general questions you might have. We’ll open a Forum thread for you to contribute as normal.
As a reminder, two weeks ago we suggested a shift in focus in your questions. As development plans are always subject to change, questions about future features will often get vague answers which can be repetitive and sometimes annoying. With that in mind, the development team is more interested in questions about current in-game features or systems, or questions about why development decisions were made. You’re still welcome to ask questions about future features and we’ll continue to answer them where appropriate – just expect the occasional ‘soon.’
We have now opened an official thread for next week’s Q&A, which will stay open until 2pm CDT on April 10th (7pm GMT/8pm CET). We welcome your questions in that thread and hope you enjoy the answers below. As always some questions have been edited for clarity and brevity.

Thangunis: Soon I will hit level 50 and was wondering what to do with my commendations. If I understand correctly the new Recruit gear set is more PVP oriented and has less PvE stats? Is the old gear worth buying or should I wait for the new Recruit? I would like to buy Battlemaster directly with commendations but I can only have 1000 commendations, right?
David Hunt (Sr. Systems Designer): PvP gear going forward has more Expertise than the initial PvP gear, which includes the Recruit set. The Recruit set is also purchased for credits. You have a few options for handling your existing commendations, but what you should do depends on what types of commendations you have.
Centurion, Champion, and Battlemaster Commendations: These currencies are getting deprecated in Game Update 1.2. There are a few miscellaneous things you can purchase in Game Update 1.2 that are currently on the vendors on PTS. Most players will be best served by spending any of these commendations that they have now before 1.2 goes live.
Warzone Commendations: The cap on Warzone Commendations is increasing in Game Update 1.2, and they buy many more valuable items. Characters that do not have Battlemaster gear will probably benefit the most by spending Warzone Commendations to stay below the cap, but should try to keep 1,000 commendations for 1.2 to spend them on Battlemaster gear.
Unassembled PvP Tokens: These currencies are deprecated and have no value in Game Update 1.2.

Giolon: I read in patch notes that sniper rifles will no longer drop for Republic players - what about Risha and Zenith? These companions use sniper rifles. How are we supposed to gear them up if sniper rifles no longer drop for Republic players?
David Hunt: There are still several ways to get sniper rifles for Republic players – this change primarily removed them from boss drops. Sniper rifles can still be crafted, purchased from vendors, and modded. And with Game Update 1.2, weapons that drop more frequently on one side can always be mailed across from the other side with legacy characters.

CamoCladn: If I reverse engineer orange items, will I be able to obtain the schematics for them in Game Update 1.2? It would be great if I can get schematics to attempt to get augment slots as this would grant the ability to look just like I want.
Patrick Malott (Systems Designer): While in reverse engineering mode, items that can provide research variations will display a ‘Chance to Research a Schematic: x%’ tooltip. Otherwise, the tooltip will read “No Research Available.” Reverse Engineering to get Armormech Schematics pertains to the new endgame tier of Operation items and PvP Battlemaster/War Hero items.

Ironcleaver: I was under the assumption that the three crafting classes would gain the new augment schematics through their trainers... but seeing what's listed under Slicing, does this mean the schematics are only gained as critical rewards through Slicing?
Patrick Malott: Correct. Augment schematics are not learned via the crafting trainers. They are acquired as Sliced Tech Part mission critical rewards through Slicing.

Shaynae: According to the patch notes: The chance of researching schematics via reverse engineering has been significantly increased. However I'm not seeing this on the stuff I'm trying, in fact I am getting purples from blues much less often than on the live servers. Yes, I do understand that some of it is luck. I found the Tier one stuff came pretty easier, but now the Tier three stuff I'm having either a really long run of bad luck or there is something wrong.
Patrick Malott: As stated earlier, while reverse engineering, items that can provide research variation will display a ‘Chance to Research a Schematic: x%’ tooltip. This chance will currently either be 20% or 10%. Pre-Game Update 1.2, Artifact items (Purples) had as low as a 4% chance for research. In addition, the “You already know that schematic” bug we fixed for this patch was preventing some research variations from being learned. Research chances overall should be significantly higher in 1.2.

Babouine: Will you guys add new stuff to the VIP area on the Fleets?
Daniel Erickson (Lead Game Designer): We will definitely be adding new items to the VIP areas on the fleets in the future, but we can’t give you an exact estimate on when just yet.

Xsmspiffs: Could we get an option to allow others to see the Guild Ledger, and show the Guildmaster on it?
Damion Schubert (Principal Lead Systems Designer): The Guildmaster not showing will be corrected in Game Update 1.2. We will eventually allow the Guildmaster to set who can see the guild ledger via permissions - this will not make 1.2, but is definitely coming in a future update.

Alexbeav: I love the new Smart Camera toggle option! However, I have one observation to make: when you move (with smart cam off), the camera does not rotate, but when you use an ability, the camera resets back behind the player. The same thing happens when traveling by taxi. Is this an oversight or is it intended?
Damion: That's a bug - good catch! I'll get a bug into the system, and hopefully we'll get a fix either in Game Update 1.2 or a patch shortly afterwards.

Mysquine: Whilst trying to do "/who x" (x being level) or "/who x-x" it does not return anything, if you type "/who x [planet]" then it will return the appropriate results. Is this intended?
Damion: That's not intended. I will investigate.

Leonalis: When will we get the titles promised for playing on PTS? Will it be for all my characters?
Stephen Reid (Senior Community Manager): Short answer: after Game Update 1.2 goes live and yes! There are two in-game titles that will be granted to anyone who created a new character on the Public Test Server. Both titles will be placed after your character’s name. The first title is given for attaining Level 10 with any new character on PTS, and it is ‘First Line of Defense’. The second title is given for finishing Chapter 1 with any new character on PTS, and it is ‘The Cutting Edge’.
We’ll be granting these titles soon after Game Update 1.2 goes live, and you’ll receive the titles across your account for all characters, both existing and new. You’ll get the titles via in-game mail, similar to the Founder’s Medal, so keep an eye on your mailbox. In addition, these titles will still be available to be gained from playing on PTS in the future.

Daezihang: Are Mortar Volley and Death from Above actually functioning the same now? How much faster does MV start its damage?
Austin Peckenpaugh (Senior Designer): Yes, this was the motivation for the change. Mortar Volley and Death From Above now fire projectiles at the same time and those projectiles travel at the same speed, dealing the same damage. As for how much faster MV starts its damage - the answer is "much faster."

Rystet: I have done extensive testing on the Training Dummies and I have spent over 2 hours beating on the Operation Training Target. I have not had any attack Dodged or Parried. Is this a bug?
Austin: Training dummies currently do not parry/dodge as intended. We are working on a fix for this.

PerfectDuke: Are you really removing the giggle/laugh for scoundrels when Upper Hand procs in Game Update 1.2? As a healer, having the audio cue is great for focusing on... well, healing. Especially if the proc comes off of my hot, slow-release medpac.
Austin: The change was intended to prevent sound fatigue when lots of these procs were going off in a small area (especially in operations). We are looking into ways of making this proc more visible going forward.

Zilvra: I have a level 32 Scoundrel Scrapper. I am already having problems killing my on level bosses due to the 1.1 nerfs. What will the 1.2 nerfs do to me in PVE? It seems really unfair to the purely PVE players when the nerfs hit?
Austin: Many of the class story bosses are intentionally very difficult. This is something that all classes face and is not unique to Smugglers. The fact of the matter is that Scrapper DPS is closer to target in 1.2. Understandably, if you were already struggling with an encounter, you may view this as an undesired change. For clarity, we don't agree that this is "unfair" for "pure PVE" players as the changes are not meant to (despite popular perception) specifically target PVP over PVE.

Thanks for all of your questions, and thanks to the team for answering them. If you’d like to put forward a question for next week’s Q&A, please visit this Forum thread!

Originally posted here.

SWTOR Patch 1.2 to Drop Next Week

2012-04-07T09:11:00.000-07:00

We've been telling you about Star Wars: The Old Republic's 1.2 Legends patch for a while now. Thankfully we've finally got a release date to share as well. Actually, let's call it a release window, and let's call it next week, thanks to statements made by BioWare's James Ohlen at PAX East earlier today.

"We have our update 1.2 coming in the next week, and then after that, it's going to continue to roll out month after month. It's exciting," he told Boston-area convention-goers.

Ohlen's optimism springs from what's to come in SWTOR over the next few months. "The scope of our game updates in 2012 is going to be unimaginable. You're going to see so many changes and additions to the Star Wars Universe; it's going to be impressive," he said.

Originally posted here.

Game Update 1.2: Ranked Warzones, New Medals & Craftable PVP gear

2012-04-05T15:05:00.001-07:00

I finally had the opportunity to try some ranked warzones on the PTS. Didn't had the chance to see everything I've wanted (since 50s queues take 6 hours), but there are a few nice things which I would like to share.

Let's start by saying players will need at least 10 ranked warzones matches in order to receive rating.

There's not so much activity in ranked warzones on the PTS, so sadly I can't say anything about how fast the rating is going up or down.

Players can queue for Ranked Warzones solo or as a group under the same queue button. From the same button you can check your Ranked Warzones wins/losses, Rating, Players killed, Medals and your Valor Rank.

The Ranked Warzone Commendations are rewarded by playing Ranked Warzones and, like on the live server, medals help you get them. And just to get an idea on how fast you can gear up, I've made 259 Ranked Warzone Commendations in 3 games (wins).

However, some changes have been made to medals and their rewards. 8 medals are needed now in order to get to 2000 Valor and 40 Commendations (250 Valor and 5 Commendations per medal), different compared to the live server where you need only 4 medals, each one awarding you with 500 Valor and 10 Commendations. Don't get upset, there is also a good part : new medals have been added to the game which will encourage players to finish the games faster and get rewarded.

Here there are:

Please note that there are probably more new medals (at least for Offense and Defense), I just didn't had the opportunity to see them yet.

PvP Dailies and Weeklies

As you might already know, Ilum dailies and weeklies are gone, but not the Warzone ones. Players can still complete the 3 wins Daily and 9 wins Weekly, but the rewards have changed.
I'm not sure about the Weekly, but completing the daily will award 25 Ranked Warzone Commendations and 100 Warzone Commendations. I would assume the Weekly will give 3 or 4 times more. (again, the lack of players made this impossible to test)

Valor Rank is not completely useless as people say. Synthweaving (and equivalent for Armormech) can do modable Battlemaster, War Hero and Rated War Hero gear. The looks are same as the non-crafted ones and the items have no mods on them. You still have to buy War Hero gear for example, if you want the mods. You can buy the bag with schematics from the Battlemaster/War Hero vendor for 50k credits.

For modable Battlemaster crafted gear players will need level 50 rank 50.

For modable War Hero crafted gear players will need level 50 and rank 70.

For modable Rated War Hero crafted gear players will need level 50 and the item appropriate Warzone Rating.

That's it for now, we'll continue the quest to play more Wz's on the PTS and if we get lucky (and maybe if Bioware copies more chars until 1.2 hits), we'll come with more news on the PVP front. Also don't forget, if you want to see how the new PVP armors looks, costs and what happens to the old commendations, check this and this.

http://www.oldrepublic.net/456-game-update-1-2-ranked-warzones-new-medals-craftable-pvp-gear.html

Community Q&A: Friday March 30th 2012: Game Update 1.2 Special

2012-04-02T10:05:00.002-07:00

In this week’s Community Q&A we’ve searched out questions on Game Update 1.2, which is currently available to test on the Public Test Server, and coming to live servers soon.
With so much new content and additions in Game Update 1.2, we found plenty of questions – and got you plenty of answers! However, we’ve got so many questions and answers that we’re going to extend this Q&A into next week as well. After that, we’ll return to taking new questions from everyone. As always, we have edited some questions below for clarity or brevity.
If you’d like to discuss any of the answers in this week’s Q&A, please use this Forum thread.

Clone_troope: I still don’t get how the Legacy system works. I have a level 50 Jedi Knight Guardian and a level 50 Smuggler Scoundrel. With the Legacy system can one ‘inherit’ the abilities of the other and vice versa?
Daniel Erickson (Lead Game Designer): Each class has one iconic ability that can be unlocked for your entire Legacy, which means every character on your chosen server. This ability is only available for use during the Heroic Moment ability (which means you need to have your companion with you, and that you only have a limited window to use it). In your case, that means your Guardian would unlock Legacy Force Sweep and your Scoundrel would unlock Legacy Dirty Kick. Each could then use the other’s ability as could any additional Legacy characters you might have, or create.

Cylht: I don’t want to have to leave my guild mates and go play Empire to unlock alien species. Will credits be able to purchase all species or will I have to grind them?
Daniel Erickson: All species have an alternate unlocking method that requires a minimum Legacy Level and credits, making them all purchasable.

Lstn: If I hit 50 as a human, what benefit do I get with the Legacy system, as humans can be any and all classes?
Daniel Erickson: Reaching level 50 as a human results in a sizable Presence bonus to all of your Legacy characters, making all current and future companions more powerful.

Shaynae: Would it be possible to add companion icons to the Legacy family tree?
Daniel Erickson: It is not possible now but is definitely something we want to do in the future.

AetherMcLoud: Is the Legacy Rocket Boost usable in PVP? I sincerely hope not, because if it is that would extremely unbalance Warzones between stinking rich people and people with a more moderate amount of credits.
Daniel Erickson: The Legacy Rocket Boost is most definitely not available in Warzones.

Wesleycrushers: In terms of Legacy unlocks, what do we get for leveling the ship droid to max affection? Is he considered a healer, or is he a different type of companion? Also, do the unlocks carry across characters, so if I max affection with my companion character healer for one character, will I get that bonus applied when I play a different character?
Daniel Erickson: The ship droid is primarily a crafting tool so increasing his affection results in crafting bonuses, but provides no additional Legacy rewards. He is not considered a healer in relation to Legacy unlocks. Maximizing your first companion character healer - and your first of any of the five companion character types - provides a bonus that applies to all Legacy characters. Maxing out additional companions of the same type provides a small Presence bonus that also applies to all Legacy characters.

ViciousFett: Light and Dark active ability Legacy unlocks are obviously Alignment +/- 10000, but what about Neutral? Is it simply a matter of staying between light and dark 1? Or perhaps having at least 5k in each?
Daniel Erickson: The Neutral Legacy reward will not be coming in Game Update 1.2 I’m afraid, as true grey alignment advancement did not make the cut. It will appear as part of the full grey alignment advancement package in a later Game Update.

Aymi: You guys are including a whole bunch of things to motivate us to reroll and unlock stuff through Legacy, but if I’m playing on one server because the community is great, I’ll be limited to eight characters. You said during the Guild Summit you were going to think about it at some point, any update on that?
Daniel Erickson: We are 100% committed to providing more character slots per server in the future but unfortunately we’re not ready to talk about how that will work.

Players have expressed some dissatisfaction with endgame armor sets – can you comment on your plans for future endgame appearances?
Daniel Erickson: We have heard the community loud and clear when it comes to armor sets. What we’ve heard the players say is, “I don’t care how high level I get, I still want my core sets to look and feel like Star Wars and like my class - cooler but not crazy. Keep the crazy to optional gear.” I will warn that creating new armor is a part of our game with long lead times so it will take a set or so before players see a strong shift in direction but we’re already working on some stuff I love and I think players will too.

Asphen: Can we get an option to turn off the combat error text in the center of my screen?
Damion (Principal Lead Systems Designer): We will be looking at adding the ability to move and/or turn off banner text and error text (the two kinds of text that appear in the middle of your screen) as part of the GUI customization system in a future patch. This isn't a trivial issue, however - in some cases, fairly vital information is given to the player here, and we'd need to be sure that in these cases the text gets rerouted someplace for a player to review. So short form, yeah, we're thinking about it, but no ETA for you at this time.

What rewards do I get from the new dailies on Corellia?
David Hunt (Systems Designer): Daily Commendations, with a weekly quest that gives Black Hole Commendations. Some new items have been added to Daily Commendation vendors, and Black Hole Commendations come from multiple locations as a means of buying high end gear.

Magnalorian: I have been acquiring champion gear pieces for the sole purpose of pulling those nice level 56 mods and enhancements out of them to put in my sexy Jedi Battlelord set, which currently makes it roughly equal to Columni I have kept the hollowed out remains of the champion gear I have pulled these mods from, leaving only the armoring which currently can't be removed. Will they turn blue right away in 1.2, remain purple as they currently are (cannot uneqip the armor slot), or will they remain purple and allow me to pull the armoring from them as well?
David Hunt: As a general rule for gear updates: Any mods that you’ve changed will remain changed. Any mods you haven’t changed will update if the gear changed.
In this case, it means your currently empty Champion gear will be purple and show a filled/extractable armoring and empty mod and enhancement slots. Those mods and enhancements will still be present in your Jedi Battlelord set.

Exaro - Will crit crafted orange gear with the tier 4 mods in it and an additional augment be required to get the best possible stats or will the stand alone purple tier 4 be just as good?
David Hunt: Augments are required for the highest possible stats, but augmented gear is not required for any existing content. A fully augmented set of endgame gear will put you above the stat curve.

ZudetGambeous - Is it possible to use Reverse Engineering on PvP gear and Operations gear in 1.2 to get the appearance shell for those items? If so, has the ability to trade bound items for Reverse Engineering been added, or can you only use Reverse Engineer on those items if you have them yourself... I.E will my alts have to start rolling need on my main’s Operations gear so I can use Reverse Engineering?
David Hunt: You can use Reverse Engineering on Operations gear but not PvP gear. You can purchase PvP appearance schematics for credits, but the appearance schematics may have additional equip requirements. For example, Battlemaster appearances require Valor even though normal Battlemaster items do not. This is because the recipes to produce Battlemaster appearances do not require PvP activity, while purchasing Battlemaster gear requires PvP commendations.
It is not currently possible to trade Bind on Pickup items for Reverse Engineering.

Arnathis: Can we please get an in-depth explanation of how gearing is going to work in Game Update 1.2? I understand that you can reverse engineer the gear and possibly learn the schematic but is that for everyone or just the people with the appropriate Crew Skills? Will this apply to the tier sets as well?
Georg Zoeller (Lead Combat Designer): This is a very broad question, but I’ll try to answer as comprehensively as possible, as the system is rather complex.
First off, in an ‘under the hood’ change to the game, end game items have more stat variety, allowing for significantly improved item customization for players that like to fine tune their stats.
The most important change for gear in Game Update 1.2 is that all previously modifiable purple gear has all their mods exposed, including the so called ‘base mod’ (Armoring, hilt, barrel). These can be freely moved into any empty (orange) appearance shell, giving you a lot more choices in your character’s appearance.
New end game gear (e.g. “Campaign Gear”) introduced with the Game Update has the added benefit that it keeps information about its set bonus on the armoring – but comes with the limitation that the extracted armoring can only be moved into an item of the same slot type (chest to chest, boot to boot, etc.). The reason for this ‘Bind to Slot’ behavior on armoring is that we do not want players to farm the initial boss of an Operation as the easiest way to obtain a full set of end game mods.
This means you can now take any custom (orange) appearance and imbue it with all the benefits of your end game set. As an added progression option, you can also acquire a critical crafted orange item with additional augment slots for even better stats.
Reverse Engineering has also received considerable improvements with Game Update 1.2.
For one, when attempting to reverse engineer an item (for which you indeed need the appropriate profession) you will now be able to see in the item tooltip what your chance to successfully reverse engineer a new schematic is (or if such a chance exists at all).
Many of the new end game items (and end game items going forward) can be reverse engineered to learn schematics based on the original item:

Reverse engineering an item with mods leads to empty orange equivalents of the end game items. This can be done after the mods are extracted and used in a different item!
The item you learn to create is commonly Bind on Equip, as we want to encourage a more lively market on the Galactic Trade Network.
Many different mods can now be reverse engineered which will grant you a schematic to craft that mod. (This is not possible on armoring that carry a set bonus.)
Reverse engineering non-modded items usually leads to a schematic for an equivalent item.
Reverse engineering an end game item also provides materials needed to craft these items. Operations materials are also Bind on Equip now, creating a more diverse market.
A crafting critical on these schematics will usually lead to an augment slot. For item mods, it results in an extra item.

Effectively, this means you can sell nearly full end game items (including augment slots on a critical success) one component at a time. However, doing so requires a significant upfront investment, it’s certainly not easy. This also means every profession now benefits from Reverse Engineering and can trade items.

Armormech produces certain Augments, Augmented Tech Armor
Armstech produces certain Augments, Augmented Weapons
Artifice produces Color Crystals, Enhancements, Augmented Shields and Relics
Biochem produces Augmented Implants
Cybertech produces Mods and Augmented Earpieces
Synthweaving produces certain Augments, Augmented Force Armor

Augment schematics (green) are found via Slicing missions and blue and purple variants of these augments can be researched via reverse engineering by the appropriate crafters. It is not possible to reverse engineer legacy augments obtained from slicing before the game update arrives, however. These are technically different items.
Because we do not want players to gamble with reverse engineering custom appearances (orange items) which are often unique quest rewards, the schematics for these items are obtained via mission discoveries for various gathering skills and are set to Bind on Equip to encourage active trading.
Finally, a word on augment slots: with Game Update 1.2, crafters are the only source of augment slots in the game, significantly elevating their ability to contribute highly desirable items into the more open trade economy while enabling players to engage in end game using an appearance of their choice.
We have also heard at the Guild Summit and through community feedback on the Forums that many players have built up a significant stack of custom appearances for future use in their cargo holds and would really like to upgrade these with an augment slot to make them fully competitive as end game gear. We absolutely support this and will be introducing the ability to do so in a future Game Update.

Thanks for all of your questions, and thanks to the team for answering them. Be sure to come back next week for more Game Update 1.2 questions and answers!

Originally posted here.

SWTOR PTS patch 1.2 updates 3/30/12

2012-04-02T09:54:00.000-07:00

These notes detail changes made to the PTS server on 3/30/2012. These changes ONLY apply to the PTS server.

Classes and Combat

General

Corrected an issue that could cause some ability animations to loop continuously.

The Combat Log's timestamps now include milliseconds.

Corrected an issue that could cause class trainers to appear to have new training available when they do not.

The healing bonus granted per point of Expertise has been reduced due to the amount of Expertise available on PvP items.

Smuggler

Scoundrel

Corrected an issue introduced on PTS that allowed Scoundrels to attack more rapidly than intended after using specific abilities.

Imperial Agent

Operative

Corrected an issue introduced on PTS that allowed Operatives to attack more rapidly than intended after using specific abilities.

Crew Skills

Crafting Skills

Craftable Custom (orange) Battlemaster and War Hero PvP armor has been added to Synthweaving and Armormech. The schematics for these items can be purchased from Battlemaster and War Hero vendors.

Reverse Engineering

Item tooltips now indicate when no research can be obtained to prevent players from reverse engineering items when there is no chance for a new schematic.

PvP items purchased with credits (Recruit and Champion gear) can no longer be reverse engineered.

Flashpoints and Operations

Flashpoints

Directive 7

Corrected an issue that could cause Interrogator to spawn more Cyborgs than intended.

Lost Island

Corrected an issue that occasionally caused a black screen to appear if a player logged out and back in while in the Lost Island Flashpoint.

The Flutterplume Plaguebearer is now immune to stun effects.

The False Emperor

Removed an invisible barrier that could prevent completion of this Flashpoint.

The Foundry

An issue that prevented the core cylinder to appear when the locks were activated too quickly during the HK-47 encounter has been corrected.

Operations

Eternity Vault

Soa's Mind Traps now kill players who are stuck inside the trap for the full 2-minute duration.

Explosive Conflict

Corrected an issue that caused multiple Trandoshan Shooters to appear in the same location.

Players can no longer circumvent the minefield puzzle after being defeated by Vorgath.

Changes have been made to the Hover Tank encounter to improve visual effects and the visibility of the players in the tanks. This makes the encounter easier to understand for players.

The Warstrider Battlewalker no longer becomes stuck in a crouching animation.

The Pulsar Droids in the Kephess encounter have been rebalanced and are more melee-friendly.

Toth and Zorn

Corrected an issue that could prevent Toth and Zorn from using ground-targeted abilities in some circumstances.

Toth is no longer invulnerable during his berserk phase, and now uses his cleave ability as intended.

Zorn's "Fearful" debuff now deals less damage.

Threat is no longer reset when Toth leaps to Zorn.

Area of Effect damage is now appropriate for 16-player groups.

Items

General

The Korrealis vehicles are no longer invisible.

Corrected an issue that could prevent stats and set bonuses from appearing on items purchased from Campaign and Black Hole vendors.

Level 50 Artifact quality PvP items can no longer be purchased by characters under level 50.

New endgame tanking Relics now feature stats appropriate for all tanking classes.

Vendors

The Crisis Point vendors are now labeled as "Campaign and Black Hole" vendors.

Legacy

The cooldowns for the Legacy Heroic Moment abilities Sticky Grenade and Orbital Strike now match cooldowns for other Heroic Moment abilities.
Corrected an issue that prevented players from assigning certain relations in the Family Tree after choosing a relation with another character.
All cybernetic options are now present on each head when creating a Legacy character of the Cyborg species.
The Legacy Family Tree now correctly updates when the character gains a level.

Missions and NPCs

Missions

World Missions

Tython

Egg Smashing: An animation issue that could make egg-breaking difficult has been addressed.

Class Missions

Jedi Consular

Fearless: Corrected an issue that could prevent an NPC needed to progress this mission from appearing.

Trooper

Catching Up: Seargeant Jaxo's conversation is now enabled for characters that could not complete it.

NPCs

The Nightmare Pilgrim no longer uses Bloodmark more frequently than intended.

Corrected an issue that could cause the Nightmare Pilgrim to become invulnerable if the Thing from the Stars was defeated before it activated Energy Screen.

Corrected an issue that could cause friendly NPCs to attack players of the incorrect faction.

PvP

General

Corrected an issue that could allow players defending Warzone objectives to be vote kicked for being AFK.

Implemented performance optimizations related to gaining medals in Warzones.

Players receive fewer on-screen notifications for gaining objective points in some areas.

Players who leave a Ranked Warzone early are now prohibited from entering another Warzone for 15 minutes (up from 5).

When a player leaves a Warzone, that player's votes to kick teammates are now removed correctly.

Warzones

Alderaan Civil War

The speeder bikes that transported players to the East and West turrets have been removed.

Novare Coast

Players can no longer activate emplacement controls after being defeated.

Players can no longer capture emplacements if another player uses an ability that places the entire group in stealth.

Voidstar

Corrected an issue that could prevent this Warzone from ending correctly when the second attacking team’s progress exceeded the first team’s.

Players no longer receive defender credit for "defending" doors that have already been destroyed.

General

Players can now add other players to their friends list even if they are offline.

Corrected an issue that prevented stats in the character window from taking gear into account after leveling up.

Chat

Converting a group into an Operation group now changes the active chat channel to the Operation group channel.

Typing /general now correctly changes the chat channel.

Galactic Trade Network

In-game mail messages generated by the Galactic Trade Network now contain more specific information about the item sold.

Groups and Targeting

The target tooltip now updates appropriately if the player's target changes while the mouse hovers over the target frame.

Guild Banks

Corrected an issue that could cause the "allow withdraw" option to incorrectly appear as Off for ranks that were granted withdraw access.

Guild Bank deposit errors are now clearer.

Miscellaneous Bug Fixes

Addressed some performance issues in the Overrun Machine Vault on Belsavis.
Defensive turrets no longer fire on mission NPCs outside the Imperial daily mission hub on Corellia.
New characters no longer begin play with dark or light side points.
Corrected a rare issue that could cause character appearance to change when equipping certain items.
The "Your Ship" option is now disabled on shuttles located on Origin Worlds if the player has not yet obtained their personal starship.
Several text errors have been fixed, some minor art adjustments (in the UI and world) have been made, and some cinematics have received minor polish tweaks.
Corrected an issue that could cause degraded performance during combat.
An issue that could prevent disconnected players from logging back into the game during Flashpoints and Operations has been corrected. Originally posted here.

PvP in Game Update 1.2

2012-03-30T15:30:00.003-07:00

Fellow PvPers,
We believe competitive measure is an important part of a complete PvP experience. As such we are excited to be introducing the first phase of that to Star Wars™: The Old Republic™’s PvP gameplay in Game Update 1.2: Legacy, with Pre-Season of Ranked Warzones. We want to emphasize this is Pre-Season while the community and development teams collect data and refine the system in preparation for Season One, which will begin with the inclusion of cross-server Warzone queuing. The Pre-Season ratings will be reset when Season One officially begins.

Ranked Warzone Queue and Matchmaking

In Game Update 1.2, any level 50 player will be able to queue up for Ranked Warzones by themselves or in a group of any size up to eight players. Performance will be tracked on every player who participates, as a rating that will be adjusted with every match won or lost (leaving counts as a loss and prevents you from re-queuing for several minutes) considering the ratings of all other players in the match. In other words, if the enemy team has an overall much higher rating than you and your team, your rating would only go down a small amount if you lost. Players will have a separate Solo and Group rating, meaning only the rating for which the player queued will be affected by each match.
The Ranked Warzone matchmaking system will match full groups of eight against one another, solo players against one another, players with similar ratings, etc. However, in order to ensure that players won’t have to wait too long for a match to occur, the system will become more ‘flexible’ over time. Solo and group queued players might be pulled together after a while if needed to launch a match. If a match cannot be made for extended periods of time, then Normal and Rank queued players (except those who queued as a group of five or more) might be pulled together to launch a ‘mixed’ match. Players will always be notified when a mixed match is made on the Warzone enter prompt. The rewards received in mixed matches will be based on how the player queued (type of commendations, rating adjustment if any, etc.).
We know that the flexible matchmaking and mixed matches are not ideal. They are only in until cross-server queuing is available and are the primary reason Ranked Warzones in Game Update 1.2 are Pre-Season, along with the opportunity to collect data and refine various systems in preparation for Season One.
Note, Rank queued players will never be prompted to backfill a match. So you’ll never be placed in a match that is about to end that could cause you to suffer a negative rating adjustment. Additionally, the Group rating is adjusted regardless of the size of group you queued up with and groups of five or more players are never called into mixed matches. So for complete control over the fate of your group rating, we suggest you queue up with your seven closest buddies that are good at PvP!

Warzone Rewards

Game Update 1.2 will include several changes to round out the Warzone reward system. They will affect both normal and Ranked Warzones.
Continuing on the changes introduced in 1.1.5, normal and Ranked Warzone Commendations can now be used to directly purchase gear. This is to help ensure commendations maintain their value throughout progression and thereby the inherent Warzone reward mechanics.
Ranked Warzone Commendations in tandem with the equivalent Battlemaster piece can be used to purchase pieces of the brand new set of PvP gear called War Hero. There are no other requirements for purchasing or equipping this gear.
Additionally, there is a set of Rated War Hero Gear and mounts which do have Highest Rating requirements to purchase and wear. Rated War Hero Gear has the same stats as regular War Hero Gear, except with a more prestigious appearance.
The final score for your team at the end of a match now always directly affects the rewards of all players on your team. So, high scoring games will reward more. Thereby better preserving reward meaning for continued good team performance - even if it looks like your team is losing. Experience reward is an exception to this. It will be a factor of time in the Warzone and participation.
Players who earn few to no medals will have their overall rewards reduced. For example, if a player goes ‘AFK’ for some reason and gains no medals, they will receive no rewards.
There are twelve new objective medals awarded for thresholds of objective offense and defense points which are earned for various objective accomplishments and participation (e.g. help defend a door in Voidstar, passing for score and scoring in Hutball, heal allies near an objective in Alderaan, etc.). These medals are intended to add to the objective oriented incentives as well as ensure players of all classes and skill levels can earn at least the minimum for no reward reductions provided that they participate in the objectives for the duration of the match.
There are several new medals awarded based on how quickly your team won the match. This combined with the medal reward cap introduced in 1.1.5 incentivizes winning matches as quickly as you can.
Level 50 Warzone quests now award a handful of commendations but the bulk will be earned by performance in Warzones. This ensures the focus remains on the direct Warzone reward mechanics.
Note that all rewards are still not given until the end of the Warzone.

AFK Vote Kick

Players will be able to vote to kick AFK players out of a Warzone. Any player can vote to kick a player through the group context menu. This will not initiate a vote prompt, but rather must be actively sought out by multiple players. Once a player has received several votes they will receive a prompt indicating that they’ll be kicked from the Warzone in a few seconds if they do not engage in combat or defend an objective. A player who is kicked from the Warzone in this manner will be returned to their original location before they queued, and will not be able to queue up again for several minutes.

PvP Stats

In addition to Ranked Warzones Solo and Group Ratings, players will now have several other PvP stats tracked including:

Player Kills
Medals Earned
MVP Votes Received
Total Warzone Wins
Solo Ranked

Wins
Losses
Highest Rating
Current Rating

Group Ranked

Wins
Losses
Highest Rating
Current Rating

Players with high Highest Solo and Group Ratings will be visible to other players on inspection and on the Who List. We intend on making the other stats visible to other players in a future update.

New Warzone: Novare Coast

Republic and Empire are locked in a brutal conflict by air and sea on the new planet, Denova. An Imperial drop ship has crash landed near the Republic coastal base and quickly established a fortification. The teams will need to turn the mortar cannons on the opponent’s fortification to bring it down. However, both fortifications are shielded. One mortar cannon is not enough to purge the shield. A team will have to control at least two to inflict any damage on the enemy fortification.
This is a majority three-point domination map with a tug-of-war style objective control. Control progress is saved when interrupted and then can be resumed by a player of the same team or worked back through by player of the opposing team. A training simulation themed variant of the Warzone supports same faction vs same faction matches.
Hopefully this gives all of you some insight into the changes we’re making in Game Update 1.2. We’d love to hear your feedback on the changes and hopefully we’ll see many of you on the Public Test Server. Don’t forget, the details given here may change slightly before Game Update 1.2 reaches the live servers, as we react to feedback from testing!
Gabe Amatangelo
Principal Lead PvP & Endgame Designer

Originally posted here.

New 1.2 PVP Gear Info

2012-03-30T08:20:00.002-07:00

Hey everyone, your old Champion/Battlemaster/Centurion are no longer being used in patch 1.2. They do not disappear, you just can’t use them to purchase armor anymore (they are no longer obtainable either). So the question is – what are they being used for now?
March 27: As of march 27 PTS patch, the exchange change between Warzone and Mercenary Commendations is now 10 Mercenary Commendations for 10 Warzone commendations. (Previously it was 30 Mercenary Commendations for 10 Warzone Commendations)
March 29: As of March 29 PTS march, Ranked Warzone Commendations can no longer be exchanged for normal Warzone Commendations (i.e. you can’t skip unranked warzones now in your PvP gear progresssion)
March 29: New expertise Crystals added to the PvP items vendor, price for Longspur Recon changed to 1500 Warzone Commendations

Centurion PvP gear is no longer sold by vendors.
Champion PvP gear is no longer sold. Instead, vendors now sell a set called Recruit which is blue quality with a rating of 126 (essentially Champion armor downgraded in stats but has more expertise). These pieces no longer have any moddable slots and can be purchased from vendors for credits. Your existing Champion pieces will remain the same (fully moddable, including the armoring)and not changed to Recruit.
Warzone commendations now caps at 2000 and is used to purchased the Battlemaster gear, which no longer have a valor requirement. You can still purchase the Mercenary Commendations at a rate of 10 Mercenary Commendations per 10 Warzone Commendations but they no longer have any use in directly purchasing PvP armor.
The new tier of PvP Armor – War Hero – is purchased via Ranked Warzone Commendations, which are obtained via playing warzones.

So the question you are probably wondering, what are your Champion/Centurion/Battlemaster commendations now used for?
There are now two PvP vendors near the PvP Terminal, the vendor for PvP items is the guy/gal you are looking for. He/she will exchange your old PvP commendations items. The exchange rate are as follows.

Crystals (March 29)
Advanced Black-Blue War Hero’s Crystal (+41 expertise)	150k credits, 1950 Warzone Commendations
Advanced Black-Orange War Hero’s Crystal (+41 expertise, 1500 PvP rating)	200 k credits, 1500 Ranked Warzone Commendations
Advanced Black-Purple War Hero’s Crystal (+41 expertise, 2000 PvP rating)	250 k credits, 3000 Ranked Warzone Commendations
Advanced Black-Red War Hero’s Crystal (+41 expertise)	150 k credits, 1950 Warzone Commendaitons
Advanced Green War Hero’s Crystal(+41 expertise)	500 Warzone Commendations
Advanced Red War Hero’s Crystal (+41 expertise)	500 Warzone Commendations
Item Boxes
Ancient Premium Storage Box	12 Centurion Commendations
Ancient Premium Storage Box	7 Champion Commendations
Ancient Prototype Storage Box	20 Champion Commendations
Ancient Prototype Storage Box	30 Centurion Commendations
Black Market Premium PvP Box	120 Warzone Commendations
Gilded Premium PvP Box	120 Warzone Commendations
Standard Premium PvP Case	120 Warzone Commendations
Jeweled Premium PvP Box	120 Warzone Commendations
Credit Boxes
Heavy Small Credit Box	1 Champion Commendation
Standard Small Credit Case	1 Centurion Commendation
Crafting materials
Baradium Flux*	1000 Warzone Commendations
Baradium Flux*	1 Battlemaster Commendation
Grade 6 Crafting PvP Box*	30 Champion Commendations
Grade 6 Crafting PvP Box*	1 Battlemaster Commendation
Grade 6 Crafting PvP Box*	45 Centurion Commendations
Grade 6 Crafting PvP Box*	1000 Warzone Commendations
Schematics
Schematic: Advanced Blue Eviscerating Crystal	450 Warzone Commendations
Schematic: Advanced Blue Hawkeye Crystal	450 Warzone Commendations
Schematic: Advanced Blue Indestructible Crystal	450 Warzone Commendations
Schematic: Advanced Yellow Eviscerating Crystal	450 Warzone Commendations
Schematic: Advanced Yellow Hawkeye Crystal	450 Warzone Commendations
Schematic: Advanced Yellow Indestructible Crystal	450 Warzone Commendations
Commendations
10 Warzone Commendations	10 Mercenary Commendations
Adrenals/Medpacs
Warzone Expertise Adrenal	20 Warzone Commendations
Warzone Expertise Adrenal	20 Mercenary Commendations
Warzone Medpac	20 Warzone Commendations
Warzone Medpac	20 Mercenary Commendations
Vehicles
Longspur Recon (valor50)	1500 Warzone Commendations
Ubrikkian War-rider (2200 PvP Rating)	1000 Ranked Warzone Commendations

Baradium Flux, a grade 7 PvP crafting material used in the construction of Blue, Cyan, Purple, and Yellow Expertise color crystals
Grade 6 crafting PvP box that randomly rewards crafting materials as well as Mission Discoveries and Expertise color crystal schematics.

In summary (inspired by this)
Centurion Commendations

1 Centurion –

Standard Small Credit Case
12 Centurion –

Ancient Premium Storage Box
30 Centurion –

Ancient Prototype Storage Box
45 Centurion – Grade 6 Crafting PvP Box

Champion Commendations

1 Champion –

Heavy Small Credit Box
7 Champion –

Ancient Premium Storage Box
20 Champion –

Ancient Prototype Storage Box
30 Champion – Grade 6 Crafting PvP Box

Battlemaster Commendations

1 Battlemaster – Baradium Flux
1 Battlemaster – Grade 6 Crafting PvP Box

Mercenary Commendations

20 Mercenary –

Warzone Expertise Adrenal
20 Mercenary –

Warzone Medpac
10 Mercenary – 10 Warzone Commendations
750 Mercenary & 750 Warzone – Longspur Recon (Valor50)

Originally posted here.

Updated PTS Patch Notes for 1.2

2012-03-29T16:14:00.000-07:00

These notes detail changes made to the PTS server on 3/29/2012. These changes ONLY apply to the PTS server.

Classes and Combat

General

"Unknown" is no longer displayed as a target or source of damage in the combat log or chat window.

The combat log now includes abilities that generate threat.

Jedi Knight

General

Force Leap now places a "root" visual effect on the affected target.

Master Strike damage has been increased by approximately 15%.

Guardian

Forceclap has been removed.

Sith Warrior

General

Force Charge now places a "root" visual effect on the affected target.

Ravage damage has been increased by approximately 15%.

An issue that prevented Force Scream from affecting Weak and Standard enemies has been corrected.

Juggernaut

Crash has been removed.

Jedi Consular

Sage

Seer

Valiance now reduces the health spent by Noble Sacrifice by 2% per point (up from 1% per point).

Sith Inquisitor

Sorcerer

Corruption

Dark Resilience now reduces the health spent by Consumption by 2% per point (up from 1% per point).

Smuggler

Gunslinger

Saboteur

Shock Charge now resets its cooldown if the target is defeated while under its effects.

Dirty Fighting (Gunslinger)

Nice Try is a new Tier 6 skill that reduces damage taken from periodic effects and gives Vital Shot and Shrap Bomb a chance to apply a weaker version of the same effect when they end (even if they are cleansed).

Quick Getaway has been replaced by Hold Your Ground, which additionally reduces the cooldown of Escape.

Scoundrel

Dirty Fighting (Scoundrel)

Nice Try is a new Tier 6 skill that reduces the damage taken from periodic effects and gives Vital Shot and Shrap Bomb a chance to apply a weaker version of the same effect when they end (even if they are cleansed).

Quick Getaway has been replaced by Smuggled Defense, which additionally reduces the cooldown of Escape.

Imperial Agent

Sniper

Engineering

Interrogation Probe's cooldown now resets if a target is defeated while under its effects.

Lethality(Sniper)

Lingering Toxins is a new Tier 6 skill that reduces damage taken from periodic effects and gives Corrosive Dart and Corrosive Grenade a chance to apply a weaker version of the same effect when they end (even if they are cleansed).

Vanish has been replaced by Hold Your Ground, which now additionally reduces the cooldown of Escape.

Operative

Lethality (Operative)

Lingering Toxins is a new Tier 6 skill that reduces damage taken from periodic effects and gives Corrosive Dart and Corrosive Grenade a chance to apply a weaker version of the same effect when they end (even if they are cleansed).

Vanish has been replaced by Escape Plan, which now additionally reduces the cooldown of Escape.

Bounty Hunter

General

Jet Charge now places a "root" visual effect on the affected target.

Mercenary

Onboard AED is a new level 50 ability that allows the Mercenary to revive an incapacitated ally. It is usable in combat.

Power Surge can now be trained at level 46.

Bodyguard

Critical Efficiency's buff description now properly refers to Rapid Scan.

Trooper

General

Storm now places a "root" visual effect on the affected target.

Commando

Emergency Medical Probe is a new level 50 ability that allows the Commando to revive an incapacitated ally. It is usable in combat.

Tech Override is now trainable at level 46.

Crew Skills

General

Droid companions now use the correct voice processing when being dismissed or sent on Crew Missions.

Flashpoints and Operations

Flashpoints

General

The Cademimu and Colicoid War Games missions now update properly for the entire party when speaking to the Flashpoint Courier Droid.

Corrected an issue that caused some bosses to display an incorrect amount of total health after being defeated.

Players no longer receive mission credit for some Story Mode Flashpoint or Operation missions when completing Nightmare Mode.

Emergency Fleet Passes can no longer be used in Flashpoints or Operations.

Directive 7

Corrected an issue that could prevent Mentor from becoming vulnerable in the final phase of this fight in Hard Mode.

Kaon Under Siege

KR-82 Expulsor Droid now uses his grapple ability correctly.

Lost Island

Scientists in the Dr. Lorrick encounter no longer appear in their tanks after being released.

Energy Coils no longer persist if the LR-5 Sentinel Droid resets.

Sav-Rak now resets if attempting to pursue a player beyond the confines of his platform and tower area.

Operations

Eternity Vault

Killing Soa in Nightmare Mode now grants the correct Codex entries.

An "Emergency Reset" button has been added to the Ancient Pylons encounter.

Explosive Conflict

Corrected an issue that caused a continuous sound to play when triggering Kephess' cinematic.

In Hard Mode, the tooltip for Charged Burst in the Hovertank encounter now correctly indicates that it can be dispelled.

Toth and Zorn

Several changes have been made to Toth and Zorn to improve the encounter.

The visual effects for Toth's berserk phase have been improved.

The cooldown of Toth's Area of Effect Smash ability has been increased after he leaps to Zorn.

Zorn's Embolden buff now more clearly indicates who is affected.

Players now receive the correct Codex entries upon defeating Toth and Zorn.

Knockbacks have been removed from Toth and Zorn's Area of Effect abilities.

The radius of the ground target for the Rock Spire attack has been increased.

The visual effects for the Fearful debuff have been improved.

The enrage timer has been increased in Story Mode.

Zorn now chases players if there are none in range of his rock toss.

Items

General

Modifiable items now have repair costs based on the level of their base modification.

The color palette for new endgame Bounty Hunter armor has been brightened.

Corrected an issue that could prevent Augment slots from displaying properly.

Commendation costs for Battlemaster and War Hero offhand weapons have been adjusted. They now cost 3,475 Battlemaster or War Hero Commendations, respectively.

Vendors

Color crystals have been added to the PvP items vendor.

Legacy

Deleting a character from the Family Tree no longer causes errors in the Family Tree display.
Players are no longer incorrectly granted access to some Legacy features before their Legacy has been unlocked.

Missions and NPCs

General

Items that are usable from the mission tracker now appear correctly when the item is obtained.

Addressed an issue that could cause text in the mission tracker to overlap.

Audio for several intro cinematics now plays correctly for distant sound sources.

An issue that could cause client crashes during a few specific conversations (ex: a conversation with General Threnoldt) has been fixed.

Missions

World Missions

Corellia

Chasing the Shadow: Koric's Hypermatter Grenade now correctly deals damage over time.

Control the Battlefield: This mission now updates correctly in the mission tracker.

Counter Eco-Terrorism: Irradiated water that the player must walk through now consistently causes damage.

Hoth

Aratech Coral: Players now properly receive credit when they defeat Snowblind.

Class Missions

Bounty Hunter

Hail the Conquering Hero: Players can no longer become stuck in a looping conversation during this mission while talking to the Huntmaster.

Trooper

Catching Up: Players who missed this mission will now have it granted if they are eligible.

NPCs

When fighting the Nightmare Pilgrim, Paranoia now stacks to the proper amount on players.

Enraged Gore and Reload are now activated at the same time during the Nightmare Pilgrim encounter.

PvP

General

PvP daily and weekly missions no longer provide obsolete rewards.

Warzones

Players can no longer purchase Warzone Commendations by trading in Ranked Warzone Commendations.

Novare Coast

Bunkers now look damaged regardless of how far the player was from the bunker when it was damaged.

Space Combat

General

Activating Space Combat abilities with keyboard hotkeys no longer incorrectly displays a "no target" error message.

General

Players can now invite guild members to a group from anywhere in the galaxy by right-clicking the player's name in the guild window.

Corrected an issue that could cause numerical information to include decimals.

Several graphical issues with the item modification UI have been addressed.

Players can no longer save and exit the interface editor without selecting "yes" or "no" on the pending changes prompt.

Corrected an issue that caused the interface editor and pending changes prompts to remain open if secondary UI windows were open.

Disabling "Enable Movable Secondary Windows" while the preferences window is open no longer prevents the preferences window from opening again.

The Response Wheel can no longer be disabled via the interface editor.

Paging a hotbar up and down no longer dispays hotbars that are already displayed elsewhere.

The ESC key now properly cancels timer dialog windows.

Galactic Trade Network

GTN filters for companion characters (specifically some Droid companions) now return the correct results.

The "Search" button in the GTN is no longer available if only a category (and not a sub-category) has been selected. Players do not need to select a category or sub-category if searching by entering text.

Corrected an issue that caused search text to be ignored when category and sub-category settings were active.

Guild Bank

The Guild Bank ledger now sorts alphabetically by name by default.

Guild Bank logs now properly reflect the number of items removed from a stack.

The number of guild members required to purchase a Guild Bank has been reduced to 12 (from 15).

The cost for Guild Bank tabs 5-8 has been increased significantly.

Groups and Targeting

Class icons that appear on nameplates now represent the player's correct Advanced Class.

The option to enable or disable class icons now has the correct label in the preferences window.

Maps

The minimap now updates properly when players leave or are removed from a group.

Corrected an issue that could cause framerate performance to degrade while using the Galaxy Map.

Miscellaneous Bug Fixes

Several text errors throughout the game have been corrected.
Jedi arriving on the Republic Fleet from Tython now appear at the shuttle doors.
An issue that prevented emote animations from playing while the player had one of their mini-pets targeted has been corrected.
Corrected an issue that caused some audio to repeat itself when changing rooms.
The game camera no longer moves itself when Smart Camera is toggled off.
Several audio issues have been corrected.
Corrected an issue that could cause the game to crash when specific NPC animations were played.

SWTOR Legacy Dev Blog

2012-03-29T15:33:00.001-07:00

Where would you start if you were constructing the Skywalker family tree? Let’s start with Anakin. If you ask me, Anakin is a level 50 Sith Warrior anchoring the top of the family tree. He’s married to Padme Amidala and they have two kids, Luke and Leia. Luke and Leia were both strong in the Force, like their father before them. Leia ends up marrying Han Solo, undoubtedly a level 50 Smuggler, and they have three children who all turn out to be Jedi. Luke marries Mara Jade, and they in turn have Ben, who is also a powerful Jedi Knight. Looking at their family tree, it’s clear that the Skywalker legacy produces powerful Force users and great heroes.
From the very beginning of development on Star Wars™: The Old Republic™, we felt that the idea of familial bonds was a cornerstone of the Star Wars™ experience. In this blog, I’m going to explore what that means and what rewards are waiting for the characters in your Legacy, as well as exploring the design philosophy behind the changes we made.
You may have already started your Legacy by picking a Legacy Name. This happens when you finish Chapter 1 with your first character. From this point, all of your characters on that server are now considered part of your Legacy, regardless of faction. This means that any existing characters which have not been played past Chapter 1 will gain a Legacy Name, and any newly created characters will also have their Legacy Name available from character creation.
From Game Update 1.2: Legacy, unlocking your Legacy grants you access to a newly expanded Legacy Panel (accessed, by default, by pressing the ‘Y’ key) where you can modify your family tree, and see what Legacy Rewards you have unlocked.
Your Legacy’s bloodlines are constructed on the family tree page, where you can see all of the characters that are part of your Legacy, and drag them into place according to their relationship to each other. Want your Smuggler’s father to be your Sith Warrior? Maybe your Agent is a noted rival of your Trooper? Your Consular’s brother is an Inquisitor? It’s all possible, as your characters can be linked together in any combination as siblings, spouses, adopted children, children, rivals and allies. We hope that players use the family tree as a way to better roleplay their characters, visualize their relationships, and craft stories about their lineage.
But what do your characters learn from each other? Fathers pass family knowledge down to their sons. Allies share information with each other. Even rivals must learn everything about their foes in order to know their enemies. Likewise, the characters in your Legacy will be able to earn global unlocks, which are abilities, emotes, and other rewards shared across all characters in your Legacy. If one character unlocks something, all characters, regardless of familial relationship, earn the same unlock. Let’s look at different categories of unlocks.

Class Unlocks

When characters in your Legacy reach important story milestones, they can pass down special emotes and abilities to other characters in your Legacy. On completing Chapter 2 with a character, your characters gain the use of an emote unique to that class. For example, if you finish Chapter 2 with your Inquisitor, you unlock an emote which causes your character to throw lightning between his hands. Again, all characters in your Legacy can use this emote. Likewise, at completion of Chapter 2, your characters unlock the ability to apply that class’ unique buff along with their own. For example, if you complete Chapter 2 with an Agent, and then create a Bounty Hunter, when you use the ability Hunter’s Boon it also applies the effects of the Agent’s Coordination buff.
After one of your characters completes Chapter 3, that character gets to pass on a special ‘Heroic Ability’ to all the characters in his Legacy. Powerful Sith Warrior in your Legacy? His Jedi children can "Force Choke" enemies. Father was a high ranking Imperial Agent? Call in some old favors and request "Orbital Strikes" from Imperial warships. Your sister is a notorious Smuggler? She taught you that… special… kick that only Smugglers know.
Some of you may be concerned about Heroic Abilities making the game unbalanced or just looking wrong if used frequently. We had this in mind during development, so as a result Heroic Abilities can only be used while you are using your class’ Heroic Moment ability. These are abilities you already have that require an active companion to use and that currently boost your regeneration while active, allowing you to take on tougher opponents.
By requiring you to use these abilities with a companion present, we ensure that people who play multiple characters do not gain an advantage during the end game or in Warzones. By also only allowing Heroic Abilities during the brief window of time that a Heroic Moment ability is active, they remain a relatively rare occurrence. You won’t see Jedi running around spamming Force Choke all the time.
Heroic Abilities are very useful for leveling up new characters, for taking on tough bosses and PvE content as well as being handy roleplaying additions. Our intention is not to upset end game balance with them, and hopefully you will agree.

Companion Unlocks

When you complete all possible conversations and quests with a companion, you receive a companion unlock that is granted to all characters in your Legacy.
The first companion you unlock of each companion combat archetype (ranged tank, ranged DPS, melee tank, melee DPS, and healer) gives you a unique unlock for that companion type that grants a passive stat bonus. These first-time archetype unlocks also modify the duration and cooldown times for your Heroic Moment ability. This ensures that a single character can potentially attain the full range of companion stat boosts and Heroic Moment modifiers, while also ensuring that a player who has severely mistreated one companion can get that unlock by playing an alternate character.
For example, a Sith Warrior who has mistreated Vette may find it extremely hard to get her unlock, but unlocking any other ranged DPS companion on any other character will grant the same archetype unlock. Additional companions unlocked beyond the five combat archetypes grant a passive bonus to your Presence stat, increasing the power of your companion characters.

Species Unlocks

Can Sith Purebloods ever find a path to the light side? Is a Miralukan’s Force sight good enough to fire a sniper rifle with any accuracy? Do Mirialans make for good Sith Inquisitors as well as Jedi Consulars? With Legacy species unlocks, you can tell those stories with your own characters. Playing a character of any species to level 50 unlocks that character’s species as an option at character creation for all classes. All combinations of class and species are now possible given the right unlocks. Opening these new combinations gives much more freedom at character creation. By having to earn these unlocks, instead of just allowing all combinations by default, we ensure that combinations like Jedi Pureblood are still uncommon, and require someone to have invested time in a Sith Pureblood Legacy to attain them.
Additionally, if you unlock a species like Cyborg that has unique customization options per class, you open up all possible customization options for every class. Your new Cyborg Smuggler can have the Agent’s cybernetic eyepieces, or the sinister looking facial cybernetics of the Sith Warrior.
If you have enough credits and a high enough Legacy Level, you may also unlock additional species combos by purchasing them for a large number of credits. The cost for bypassing the unlock requirements is high, but it allows players who may have played a human to 50 and beyond a chance to start their next character as the species and class of their choice if they have the credits to spare.

Ship Unlocks

By attaining high enough Legacy Levels and spending credits, players will be able to purchase unlockable items for their ship. Wish you could pick up your mail on your ship? There’s a mailbox you can purchase if you are the right Legacy Level and spend a few credits. Neutral Galactic Trade Network Terminal? Better be ready to shell out some credits for that one! Wish that you could love your ship’s protocol droid even more than you already do? A new astromech you can acquire for your ship sells unique sensor modules for your beloved C2-N2 or 2V-R8 that give him crafting specializations, just the same as your other companions. In case that’s not enough, the astromech also repairs items and buys your junk!
As with all unlocks attained through the Legacy System, when you acquire something on one character, you acquire it for all your characters. That means what a new character in your Legacy gets their ship, they will climb on board for the first time to find all of your purchases already in place and waiting.

Other Unlocks

Unlocks are also awarded for reaching important alignment milestones, hitting different valor and social levels, and others are purchasable just by reaching a given legacy level and spending credits. Players unlocking Valor rewards will get some new, special unarmed combat abilities used for dueling other players. Players unlocking Social rewards will be dancing the night away with their companions using the new Companion Dance ability, and will receive new emotes that will have your characters using tools and tech devices. Players with credits to spare can buy down the cooldown time of Quick Travel and Emergency Fleet Pass for added convenience, or get the "Rocket Boost" ability that gives their characters an additional very fast sprint. (Hint: Rocket Boost is just a poorly scrambled anagram of Rocket Boots. If you’re sporting a jetpack on your back, the jets will fire out of there instead!)
The Legacy System does not end with Game Update 1.2; we’re already designing new Legacy additions for future updates. The first of these will arrive in Game Update 1.3, when we will be introducing an extension of the system that adds per-character perks that are not shared globally amongst your Legacy. These new perks will allow players to customize the way their characters progress, as well as new rewards, conveniences, and all kinds of other fun surprises.
We won’t stop there, either. The Legacy Team is already looking to future Game Updates. We will continue to expand and build upon the Legacy System for years to come, just as you continue to expand your family tree and build upon your own Star Wars legacy.
We look forward to hearing your feedback on Game Update 1.2 and hopefully we’ll see many of you on the Public Test Server.
William Wallace
Senior Game Designer

Community Q&A: March 23rd 2012

2012-03-23T16:52:00.001-07:00

We’re back with some answers to your questions from the development team. As always, in some cases we’ve combined multiple questions into one. We have also edited some questions for clarity.
We’ve seen lots of questions throughout the community focused on the release of Game Update 1.2, especially after its release to the Public Test Server. To help answer some of those questions, next week’s Q&A will be devoted to Game Update 1.2, with questions drawn from across the Forums. With plenty of questions to choose from, we won’t be opening a dedicated Q&A thread for the subject. After next week’s Q&A, we’ll open another thread as usual.
Looking forward to future Q&As, we had some feedback from the development team which we wanted to share. While questions about future potential features in the game are always welcome, many times the answers will be non-specific, as development is always fluid. We don’t want to disappoint you with continuously saying ‘soon’ in reply to these questions.
Instead, the development team would appreciate more questions about features or systems currently in the game, or questions about the philosophy behind why development decisions were made. The development team feels they can really give you some in-depth answers to these sorts of questions, and overall we feel they will be more interesting answers than talking in vague terms about future features. This is not an attempt to shy away from questions about any aspect of the game, but rather a request to delve deeper into design philosophies and to get some more information on how things currently work in-game.
To sum up: a special Q&A next week drawn from existing Game Update 1.2 questions and back to the usual Q&A format the week after. As for this week, if you want to discuss any of the answers in this Q&A, please use this Forum thread!

Mksaccount: Are there any plans on adjusting rage timers in hard mode Flashpoints?
Gabe Amatangelo (Lead Endgame & PvP Designer): The team continues to tune Flashpoint bosses based on metrics and feedback. Bosses that are a ‘spike’ in the progression curve (e.g. when a second boss might be more difficult than the last) are being addressed in one way or another, be it increasing their enrage timer, decreasing their health, extending the cooldown of control abilities, etc.

Bendog: Are there any plans to make the lower level planet commendations ‘Bind to Account’? It would be nice to hand them off to another character.
Damion Schubert (Principal Lead Systems Designer): We've talked about it, sure. It's something we considered as we added in the Legacy System. However, right now we know that other aspects of the Legacy System will act to speed up the leveling experience for alternate characters. We want to see the state of the game in terms of leveling speed and itemization power after the core Legacy System goes live with Game Update 1.2 before we potentially make that change.

BurdoThePious: Is there a reason why the Commando / Mercenary Advanced Classes do not have an interrupt ability (eg. Mind Snap, Distraction, Force Kick)?
Georg Zoeller (Lead Combat Designer): Yes. The lack of an interrupt ability on these Advanced Classes is a purposefully designed weakness in their ability arsenal. At the current time, adding an interrupt to the Commando/Mercenary would increase their combat utility, especially in PvP, beyond what we are comfortable with.
That said, this issue is one we’ve re-evaluated with every major patch and will likely continue to revisit in the future. It is not inconceivable that an interrupt may be added to these Advanced Classes in a future update, especially if more PvE content is introduced that relies on a certain number of interrupts being available in a group.

Niktika: Can you please explain some of the reasoning behind the healing nerfs? It almost seems like every healer is up in arms regardless of their class.
Georg: Sometimes it's hard to hear this, but the change to healers you're referring to was, quite simply, a result of them being too good. When one healer is close to target performance and the others aren't, it's natural to think that the logical course is to buff the underperformer and leave the over-performers alone. I want to dispel that notion and explain why it isn't always possible.
All specs for all roles have a target performance. This is what drives the balance of the game: soloing, Heroics, PvP, Flashpoints, Operations... everything. When those targets aren't hit, we can't just ‘bring everyone up’ to the highest performer without negatively impacting the balance of the game and creating unsustainable inflation in our combat system. Frankly, it's also a lot more work to change all end game content in the game to compensate for an over-performing role than to bring the role back in line. The hard but simple truth is that Sorcerers and Sages had better Force management than we intended (e.g. a well-played Sage was almost incapable of running out of Force) and Mercenaries and Commandos were significantly over target in their healing performance.
After considerable testing, we're more confident than ever that all healing roles are both closer to target performance and closer to one another than ever before, leading to a much tighter balance on end game content. The community will be able to confirm this using the new combat logging feature in Game Update 1.2.
I know trying to ‘sell’ a downwards adjustment (AKA nerf) to anyone affected is like selling the need for a tax increase to people. When you are on the receiving end of it, you're not going to be happy about it. It may appear massive to you, even if the overall impact is limited. You likely won't care that it's 'for the greater good of the game' and, if you decide to disagree with our action, there's little we can do to sway you.
Based on the feedback brought to us so far from testers playing on PTS along with metrics and combat logs gathered from our guild testers, we are going to make additional adjustments before Game Update 1.2 is promoted to the live servers. For example, we reopened the internal debate about having an in-combat resurrect ability for Mercenaries/Commandos based on PTS feedback regarding the new Operations, in light of the higher utility value this ability brings to the table in 1.2. We're listening to your feedback, too, and rebalancing some of the changes made to healing based on data gathered from PTS. Look out for a future update to PTS for more details.

Pzljug: When are you guys going to finish the Timeline on the Holonet?
Stephen Reid (Senior Community Manager): When the Timeline series was begun we weren’t entirely sure how many timelines would be needed to detail relevant backstory for The Old Republic and left ‘blank spaces’ on the Timeline that, we thought, would all be filled in with Timeline entries. Ultimately, we feel we’ve detailed all the relevant backstory required, so no more Timeline entries going back into earlier history are planned. However, we know how much players enjoyed the lore details, style and presentation of Timelines, so we’re planning to continue that with a different series (currently unscheduled!) which will detail other aspects of the lore of The Old Republic.

Suzume_Bachi: If I unlock the Pureblood Sith species for all my future characters via the Legacy System, will I be able to create a Republic Pureblood Sith Smuggler, and will that Smuggler have Punish to I can smack around Corso Riggs?
William Wallace (Senior Designer): Players creating characters with the new species/class combinations allowed by Legacy will get that species’ unique ability. So yes, your new Sith Pureblood Smuggler will have the Punish ability, and can use it on Corso Riggs as much as you like. Poor Corso....

DevTheSith: Can Bounty Hunters get a [Name] The Mandalorian title (or if it’s already in game, where is it)?
Daniel Erickson (Lead Game Designer): Currently, there is no such title available for Bounty Hunters. It may be added as part of a future content update, but we’ve got no current plans to add it to the existing game.

Alericus: I am wondering how the ‘vote to kick’ system for PvP matches will work. I have a concern it will be abused by pre-made teams who want to control the team. Can you clarify how this system will work?
Gabe: Any player can vote to kick an AFK player through the Ops frame context menu. This will not initiate a vote prompt, but rather must be actively sought out by multiple players. Once a player has received several votes they will receive a prompt indicating that they’ll be kicked from the Warzone in a few seconds if they do not engage in combat or defend an objective. A player who is kicked from the Warzone in this manner will be returned to their original location before they queued, and will not be able to queue up again for several minutes. We’ll continue to fine tune the detection logic, but gradually, with an eye towards protecting the innocent bystander player.

Mataoh: A lot of guilds have a second alt guild for the opposite faction - is there any plan to allow some sort of cross-faction chat so both guilds can communicate with each other in game?
Damion: This was something that came up a lot during the Guild Summit and is an idea we're taking seriously. However, no design is locked down in stone and I don't have any sort of ETA as of yet for when something like this might happen.

joetacticSW: Can we have a ‘Loop music’ feature or some other way to make our experience less quiet?
Damion: Interesting idea. Let me give it some thought!

Thanks for all of your questions, and thanks to the team for answering them. Remember you can discuss this week’s Q&A answers in this Forum thread.

Originally posted here.

Legacy vendor info for patch version 1.2

2012-03-22T12:36:00.000-07:00

Are you one of those people farming orange bracers/belts for your characters? Or maybe you are a marauder/sentinel and wondering why there isn’t any orange bacers/belts for you! Have no fear! Legacy vendors are coming in 1.2 and they will solve all your problems! (ok maybe not all).

Legacy vendors are a set of four NPCs newly added to Dromund Kaas and Coruscant in patch 1.2. They each sell 2 sets of orange gear (including orange belts and bracers) that require legacy level 10/20 and also gear in the range of 14-16 and 29-33 that you can trade via tokens obtained as drops. All of them are Bind to Legacy (BTL)
NOTE:: To provide you with the highest renders, some of the images are quite large and can take a bit to load
In Coruscant, you can find the legacy vendors here.

In Dromund Kaas, you can find the legacy vendors here

There are 4 vendors, one for each class and they each sell 4 sets of armor.

Inheritance: Level 14-16 armor with stats – purchased with Inheritance item construction kits (these are likely obtained as world drops). These are Binds to Legacy (BTL)
Birthright: Level 29-33 armor with stats – purchased with Birthright item construction kits (these are likely obtained as world drops). These are Binds to Legacy (BTL)
Renowned: Orange armor without stats- purchased with credits but requires legacy level 10 to purchase. These are Binds to Legacy (BTL)
Exalted: Orange armor without stats- purchased with credits but requires legacy level 20 to purchase. These are Binds to Legacy (BTL)

Yes for you sentinels/marauders out there, this will make you very happy!

I don’t know if these orange sets have new models or not but it is still worth a look! (will take a bit to load, large image)

Oh I know some of you are not happy with the previews and want ultra high res, “cinematic” quality renders (oh also the male version) of these armors. Luckily the vendor selling them is wearing some of the legacy armor so I will take some pictures of them! (high quality images, take a bit to load)

Oh one last thing, maybe some of you would like to see the stats on those Inheritance/Birthright sets! Here is one for inquisitior, but other classes have similar stat ranges.
Inquisitor Inheritance set – level 14-16

Inquisitor Birthright set – Level 29-33

2012-03-20T11:10:00.001-07:00

Crew Skills in Game Update 1.2

Since the launch of Star Wars™: The Old Republic™, the Crew Skill system has been incredibly popular. Every week in-game, 52 million items are produced or harvested, 4.5 million item mods are installed and more than 35 million items change hands. Players actively participating in the Crew Skill system are generally better geared and have more credits in the bank than pure consumers.
That said, we still believe the Crew Skills can be made better. Without further ado, here are some of the things you can expect for your profession when Game Update 1.2: Legacy goes live.

Crafting Professions

Armormech
Characters with the Armormech profession will now be able to learn Aim, Cunning, Shield and Absorb augments schematics, which may be reverse engineered for a chance to research their prototype and artifact variants.
Armormech crafters may now reverse engineer almost any modifiable outfit into an empty custom (orange) shell of the same name and appearance, which may now gain an augment slot when crafted with critical success.
Armstech
Characters with the Armstech profession will now be able to learn Endurance, Surge, Critical, Accuracy and Power augment schematics, which may be reverse engineered for a chance to research their prototype and artifact variants.
We have also added new schematics to create custom (orange) ranged weapons to the profession and enabled the reverse engineering and researching of vibroknife and shotgun variations. As with Armormech, a critical success while creating a custom weapon may yield an additional augment slot.
Artifice
As alluded to in a previous blog post, color crystals are seeing some change in Game Update 1.2. We want players to be able to choose their weapon color without having to worry about stats. To this end, we are introducing top-end crystals for all available colors to the game.
Lack of schematics is one of the major concerns we've heard from the community. To address this, we are adding a large number of schematics to the game. This includes elder game crystals as powerful as those found currently found through the highest level of Operations, as well as +Power crystals of various colors.
We have also added mid-level and end game schematics for the creation of the prestigious magenta crystal to the game along with a new exploration activity chain for obtaining them. All magenta crystal schematics have been changed so they can be freely traded via the Galactic Trade Network.
Artifice is also the first profession to gain some dedicated PvP crafting. Players may earn crystal schematics of various colors via PvP, making it the only profession able to create items that offer a permanent expertise bonus at this time. The required materials for these crystals will also be obtained through PvP, creating a closed loop for those players that prefer to only engage in Player versus Player conflict.
Finally, Artificers are now able to create willpower based shields for Sith Assassin and Jedi Shadow tanks and, while crafting Enhancements, gain a bonus item on a successful critical.
Biochem
With BioChem being in a fairly good spot already, we are not making any major changes to the profession at this time. Some minor changes include producing an additional implant on a crafting critical, reclassifying 'Red Goo' as a Grade 6 Biochemical compound via Bioanalysis Missions and a new, special recipe for the creation of delicious Ice-Scrabbler Jerky...
Cybertech
If your character has the Cybertech profession, you will now be able to sell any of the vehicles you create on the Galactic Trade Network, as we have removed their binding restrictions from the game.
A critical success while crafting grenades now results in double the number of grenades (which also had their cooldown reduced to 3 minutes to allow more frequent use), and a critical success when creating item modifications now yields an additional mod for your efforts.
Synthweaving
Players with the Synthweaving profession can now learn schematics allowing the creation of Strength, Willpower, Defense, Alacrity and Presence augments, which may be reverse engineered and researched into their prototype and artifact level variants. As with Armormech, a critical success crafting custom (orange) outfits will add an additional augment slot to the resulting item.
We have also added a number of additional light armor schematics and tweaked the material requirements for some custom (orange) outfits for better balance.

Gathering professions

After reading about augment crafting above, you are probably wondering where these changes leave the Slicing gathering profession, which previously was the only (and very random) source of augments for the game.
With Game Update 1.2, we are changing Augment Slicing missions to become the source of Sliced Tech Parts - the main material component used in the creation of Augments by Synthweaving, Armstech and Armormech crafters. We anticipate these components to be in extremely high demand once the update goes live, and enterprising Slicers should see considerable windfall from selling their wares on the Galactic Trade Network.
Slicing missions completed with a critical success may now occasionally yield premium quality augment schematics.
A large number of additional tweaks have been made to all other gathering professions, including new mission rewards, addition of high end material nodes in end game daily areas and the removal of mission failure from one-time mission discoveries. For a full list of our changes in this area, please look forward to the detailed patch notes that will accompany Game Update 1.2 when it arrives on the Public Test Server.

Reverse engineering and Research

Reverse engineering has shown to be a surprisingly popular mechanic practiced by a large number of our players. With this update, the team has not only significantly increased the chances of successfully researching a new schematic through reverse engineering, but also improved the overall functionality of the reverse engineering system.
For example, you will now see a 'Research Available' indicator in item tooltips while in reverse engineering mode, indicating if a schematic can be researched from an item. The dreaded 'You already know this schematic' message when discovering an already known schematic is also a thing of the past. Instead, players now discover another available schematic in that case, leading to less frustrating and more predictable research advancement.
We have also added new content for both the leveling and end game:

Players with the appropriate professions are now able to reverse engineer random loot items and acquire materials from them - including Operations materials from end game items.
Reverse engineering and research is now available for tier 2 end game items (and will automatically happen if the player wins a 'disassemble' loot in a group).
Mods from tier 2 end game items may now be extracted and researched. However, Armorings that provide a set bonus can only be extracted. They do not yield research schematics.
Modifiable weapons and armor can now be reverse engineered and researched into empty, custom (orange) shells with the same name and appearance, adding a wide variety of new outfits to the game.

Droids…

Finally, on the topic of everyone's favorite character, the C2-N2 Droid and its Imperial counterpart, the equally charming 2V-R8 Ship Maintenance Droid, I am pleased to publish the following statement from the Republic News Wire:

"The C2 Droid Corporation is proud to announce the development of a new series of Droid sensors for their most popular product, the C2-N2. These sensors may significantly improve the crew skill efficiency and critical success chances of this unit when operated under normal, non combat conditions.

Not the be outdone by their Republic competition, the 2V Droid Corporation has announced a series of sensor updates for their popular 2V-R8 line of Droids. The corporation categorically denies reports that these new sensors may cause increase vocal frequency in the upgraded units!

Both lines of Droids reportedly had their personality matrix updated with an experimental emotion response chip, allowing them to accept gifts and tokens as a show of appreciation from their currently selected master. Crew skill performance of these units will increase upon acceptance of these objects in a way carefully created to simulate the response often associated with the transfer of goods between organics.

In related news, Balmorra Microprocessor Corporation has announced the discovery of a critical engineering flaw in the 'appreciation' subroutine of their bestselling 'Droid Vocal Response Chip' used on almost all ship maintenance droids currently available. The flaw is said to cause excessive expression of appreciation towards owners entering the proximity sensors of their Droids and is likely to blame for the sharp increase in escape pod related incidents around the galaxy over the last two months. A repair and replacement plan for the affected units has been devised and is said to take effect in the immediate future."

The road ahead

The above should give a good idea of what to expect from Game Update 1.2 in regards to Crew Skills and the economy. This is definitely not a complete list of changes and it is by no means the end to our improvement efforts. Game Update 1.2. is just one more step on our continuing journey.
May the Force be with you!

2012-03-19T13:35:00.001-07:00

New Q&A is up!!

Ziko: Already having 8 characters on my server...will I be forced to delete characters in order to take advantage of the Legacy system or will I be able to change race & new Legacy customization features on pre-existing characters and will there be more character slots added?

Georg Zoeller (Principal Lead Combat Designer): We have heard at the Guild Summit that there's interest in being able to acquire additional character slots on the servers. We are in the process of determining the requirements for such a step and will update the community when such a feature has moved past the planning state.

aivedoir: Any chance we'll get a pop up blocker for crews returning from missions?

Damion Schubert (Principal Lead Systems Designer): This should be fixed in Game Update 1.2. We also are adding an option to disable Crew Skill reward pop ups entirely in Warzones (since the definition of when you are in combat is fuzzier there).

SpaniardInfinity: At the Guild Summit, the question was asked whether or not Commando/Mercenary would receive an in-combat revive (at least in the near-future); to which the answer was no. I am curious, however: what is the rationale behind this design choice? As it stands, Commandos/Mercenaries can overcome their weaknesses (AoE and mobility) with practice, effort, and smart skill/ammo use; none of that will help us work around being the only healer unable to raise an ally, however.

Georg: The answer at the Guild Summit pertained to Game Update v1.2 for the most part. While different classes have different utility in the game (by design), we feel, based on feedback from our top end guild testers, that with the increased usefulness of in-combat revives coming in Game Update 1.2 (we increased the amount of health players come back with), it is necessary to re-evaluate this topic. We’re not categorically opposed to adding an in-combat revive to the class in the long term, most likely around the same time we add another Quickslot Bar to the game.

DinesenDK: Will it be possible to exchange lower level planet commendations for higher level commendations in the future?

Georg: It’s something we had in testing but took out as it lead to a majority of players not spending any commendations and just uptrading them, which defeats the purpose of the commendation system. I can see us re-opening this topic a while down the road, maybe in context of discussing something like the much requested Legacy Bank.

Loreki: Will the new crafting items coming in Game Update 1.2 have their own grade of materials and if so; how will you fit the nodes into the existing end-game areas?

Georg: The majority of Game Update 1.2 crafting content will seamlessly integrate with the existing system, meaning they will make use of existing endgame materials. The newly craftable augments will use new materials supplied by Slicing missions, while the newly created PvP crystals will use new materials bought by PvP commendations. We did add additional nodes for high-end materials to the daily areas and changed some of the operations materials to be Bind on Equip….

Khoreal: Will you add extra Quickbars? 4 is a bit short when you want to use your character to its full extent.

Damion: We plan to do this, but no ETA. This will not be in Game Update 1.2, I'm afraid.

Urtog: Say I get a Chiss to level 50, now that species is unlocked for all other classes. So if I make a Chiss on the republic side then delete the level 50 Chiss what would happen to my republic version? Or if I delete it before making another character of that species, does it become permanently unlocked even if the level 50 species is deleted?

Damion: You keep your Chiss, and you also keep the ability to create new Chiss. This ability is now permanently unlocked on that server.

ClayManiac: Will there be an overhaul to the achievement system? Currently there is no way to track progress towards them and most of them seem to just happen. Maybe even add more objectives? Survey a planet's map, etc. Reasons to do stuff other than sit in the fleet all day.

Damion: We are just starting an initial design document for this system now. I don't want to talk about it yet, but I can say that we have some twists planned that should make it no ordinary achievement system...

captainfrankie: Do you have any plans to upgrade the Razer Green/Black Color crystal (SE Black Green Color Crystal) as you did the pre-order Yellow/Black?

Georg: Yes. It will involve uptrading your existing crystal for a new one (along with paying a modest credit fee to the vendor), so don’t throw out the old one just yet

YuvalZiv - Are there any plans to add a barber shop anytime soon, or a feature that will allow existing characters to enjoy additional customization options, unlocked through the Legacy system?

Damion: "Are there plans?" - the answer is yes. "Anytime soon" -- the answer is no. It's not that we don't want to do it, it's just a little further down in the priority queue, and so I don't want everyone to have any expectations that are unrealistic in terms of when it will get into your hands.

Because this sort of answer happens what I am sure is too often in these weekly Q&As, I thought I'd pause and give an idea of how we sort and prioritize issues like this. Right now, my primary role on the project is to design and help guide prioritization for most of the new features that are in consideration for the next year. Designing them is easy and fun - my dream job, really. Prioritizing them is a lot trickier, and a lot of factors go into those decisions. Quick features (such as the ability to toggle off receiving mission rewards in Warzones, mentioned earlier) are cheap wins - easy to program, easy to QA, and useful or important to a large segment of the audience. The barber shop is harder -- not hard, mind you, but it requires multiple development groups, really needs new art to do very well, and has implications for existing characters in the world. For the cost of a well-done barber shop, we can do six or eight things the size of the Warzone toggle, or last week's Smart Camera Toggle (and sometimes more)!

This doesn't mean that we won't do larger features -- indeed, in the next patch we have multiple very large features, including Guild Banks and Legacy, that were big money features, and that we think are going to have huge impacts overall on the quality of the game. But we tend to pair a relatively smaller number of those big features with a lot of these smaller feature additions, because that sort of approach seems to offer us the largest bang for the buck. And to be honest, having looked at our most recent version of patch notes for Game Update 1.2 today --- well, let's just say that this patch is astonishing in the amount of new stuff, big and small, that is coming your way.

2012-03-19T11:18:00.000-07:00

Game Update 1.2 PTS Patch Notes (Continued)

The patch notes published for the Public Test Server are not final and are subject to change.

The following URL will allow you link directly to the Classes and Combat PTS Notes: http://www.swtor.com/community/showp...66&postcount=2

Classes and Combat

Game Update 1.2. contains a significant number of changes and improvements to the overall class balance and combat gameplay in PvP and PvE based on player and guild feedback, focus testing, and more than two months of combat interaction data from our servers. Our overall goal is, as always, to create a level playing field for our players while ensuring that classes retain their unique playstyles and identities.

These changes are not limited to class abilities and skill trees, but also involve modifications to the underlying combat math (for example diminishing returns, additional augment availability, etc.), which has an impact on combat that is hard to capture in a list of patch notes.

Since our changes involve a number of skill changes for many classes, we are refunding all skill points to the affected Advanced Classes so players can adjust the distribution of their characters' skills as they see fit with the new changes in mind. As a reminder, players can reset any character's skill points in the Combat area on their faction's fleet for free once per week (additional respecs cost credits).

Based on community feedback, we have also added a number of improvements to combat gameplay, such as more reactive animations for certain abilities, better visual and audible cues for important effects, and quality of life changes such as more useful combat revival abilities.

For enthusiasts interested in the detailed mechanics of combat and optimizing their own character, we have added a combat logging feature, which writes a machine-parsable file to disk that can provide detailed insights into what really happens during a combat engagement.

General

As a result of game balance efforts, many classes have had their skill tree layouts modified. Affected characters will have their skill points refunded on login.

Visual effects for persistent ground-targeted player attacks now reflect the target area of effect more accurately.

"Rest" abilities, such as Meditation and Recharge and Reload, are no longer interrupted by taking damage if the player is not currently in combat.

The movement visualization when observing players with lower performance has been improved.

Combat Training Dummies have been added to the game. Level 50 and 50+ Training Dummies can be found on the Gav Daragon and Ziost Shadow. Level 20, 30, and 40 targets can be found on Coruscant and Dromund Kaas. Level 10 targets can be found on Origin Worlds. Players can unlock Training Dummies for their personal starship through the Legacy System.

In-combat revival abilities (Resuscitation Probe, Hearttrigger Patch, Revival, and Reanimation) now revive the target with 25% health (up from 5%) to make them generally more useful for their intended purpose.

Several ability tooltips have been updated to include the correct values and information (these tooltip changes do not reflect changes to the ability; tooltips that previously displayed incorrect or incomplete information have been corrected).

Several areas throughout the game that have had line of sight-related problems ("cannot see target") have been corrected.

An issue that could prevent dual wield visual effects from playing correctly has been fixed.

Fixed an issue that would occasionally cause players to become stuck and unable to move after the expiration of a stun debuff.

Corrected an issue that could cause players to appear to continue to be dead after being revived.

The diminishing return formula for several stats (including expertise) has been adjusted.

Special abilities for several classes have been updated to emit light based on their actual weapon color crystal.

Minimum and maximum damage ranges now display correctly on the character sheet for all classes.

Combat Log

Players may now choose to view victory and defeat messages in the chat window. This feature can be enabled in the new "Combat Logging" section of the preferences menu. This must be enabled for combat messages to appear in the chat window.

The "Combat Logging" section in the preferences menu also allows players to stream all combat interactions originating from or directed at their character to a machine-parsable file. When this option is enabled, time stamped log files are written periodically to the Star Wars – The Old Republic\Combat Logs directory in the My Documents folder. Warning: This is an advanced feature. Constant combat logging may use a significant amount of disk space, and players may need to periodically delete old logs.

Jedi Knight

General

Awe no longer costs Focus to activate.

Dispatch can now be used on targets at or below 30% of maximum health (up from 20%).

Force Kick no longer costs Focus to activate.

Master Strike can no longer be interrupted.

Sentinel

Due to changes in the Sentinel skill trees, Sentinels have had their skill points refunded.

Crippling Throw's "Trauma" effect can no longer be cleansed.

Force Camouflage now additionally reduces all damage taken by 50% while active.

Pacify no longer has a Focus cost and is no longer limited by the global cooldown.

Transcendence now affects all Operation Group members.

Zen (while in Ataru Form) now additionally reduces the Focus cost and global cooldown of Cyclone Slash.

Watchman

Focused Pursuit has been replaced by Focused Leap, which increases the Focus generated by Force Leap.

Force Fade no longer grants damage reduction while Force Camouflage is active. It now increases the duration of Force Camouflage by 1 second per point and increases the movement speed bonus of Force Camouflage by 10% per point.

Inflammation now applies a 50% movement speed reduction (up from 30%).

Valor is now located in Tier 1 of the skill tree.

Combat

Ataru Form damage effects (procs) now deal weapon-based damage instead of Force-based damage. The overall damage of these effects has been increased by approximately 10%.

Ataru Form now correctly triggers when fighting very large targets.

Fleetfooted now additionally increases the movement speed bonus granted by Transcendence by 15% per point.

Temperance has been replaced by Stagger, which increases Force Leap's immobilize effect.

Focus (Sentinel)

Felling Blow is now a 3-point skill with the same overall effect. The effect now lasts 20 seconds (up from 15).

Force Exhaustion's cooldown has been reduced to 18 seconds. Its overall effect is unchanged.

Gravity now specifically affects Leg Slash and Force Exhaustion.

Inner Focus has been redesigned. It now requires 2 points in Singularity and causes Zen (while in Shii-Cho Form) to immediately grant 2 stacks of Singularity per point.

Master Focus now increases the damage of Master Strike instead of affecting Force Stasis.

Singularity's buff effects now last 20 seconds (up from 15).

Swelling Winds is now located in Tier 1 of the Focus skill tree. It increases the damage dealt by Force Sweep and Cyclone Slash and reduces the cooldown of Force Sweep.

Unwavering Focus has been removed from the game.

Zealous Leap now immobilizes the target for 1 second.

Zephyr has been replaced by Zephyrean Slash, which allows Slash critical hits to have a chance to refund 2 points of Focus while the Sentinel is in Shii-Cho Form.

Guardian

Due to changes to the Guardian skill trees, Guardians have had their skill points refunded.

Added Forceclap, a new passive ability granted at level 10 that causes Force Leap to stun the target for 2 seconds. This effect cannot occur more than once every 12 seconds.

Added Focused Defense, a new ability that allows the Guardian to spend Focus to lower threat. While active, one point of Focus is spent each time damage is taken to heal the Guardian for a small amount. This ability is usable while stunned and is not limited by the global cooldown.

Vigilance

Commanding Awe is now located in Tier 5 of the skill tree. It increases the Guardian's damage reduction while Focused Defense is active.

Single Saber Mastery is no longer restricted to certain stances.

Stagger is now located in Tier 1 of the Vigilance skill tree.

Sundering Throw is now located in Tier 6 of the Vigilance skill tree.

Zen Strike now generates 2 points of Focus when it is triggered.

Defense

Blade Barrier is now located in Tier 4 of the skill tree.

Blade Storm no longer consumes stacks of Courage while the Momentum buff is active.

Command no longer reduces the cooldown of Challenging Call and is now located in Tier 5 of the skill tree.

Dust Storm is now a 3-point skill that provides the same overall effect.

Guardian Slash now generates 50% additional threat.

Momentum is now a 2-point skill that provides the same overall effect.

Pacification is now a 1-point skill with a slightly reduced overall effect.

Shield Specialization is now located in Tier 5 of the skill tree.

Stasis Mastery is now located in Tier 4 of the skill tree.

Focus (Guardian)

Felling Blow is now a 3-point skill with the same overall effect. The effect now lasts 20 seconds (up from 15).

Force Exhaustion's cooldown has been reduced to 18 seconds. Its overall effect is unchanged.

Gravity now specifically affects Freezing Force and Force Exhaustion.

Inner Focus has been redesigned. It now requires 2 points in Singularity and causes Combat Focus to immediately grant 2 stacks of Singularity per point.

Master Focus now increases the damage of Master Strike instead of affecting Force Stasis.

Singularity's buff effects now last 20 seconds (up from 15).

Swelling Winds is now located in Tier 1 of the Focus skill tree. It increases the damage dealt by Force Sweep and Cyclone Slash and reduces the cooldown of Force Sweep.

Through Peace, a new 2-point skill located in Tier 6, has been added. It reduces the initial activation cost of Focused Defense by 1 Focus per point.

Unwavering Focus has been removed from the game.

Zealous Leap now immobilizes the target for 1 second.

Zephyr has been replaced by Zephyrean Slash, which allows Slash critical hits to have a chance to refund 2 points of Focus while the Guardian is in Shii-Cho Form.

Sith Warrior

General

Disruption no longer costs Rage to activate.

Intimidating Roar no longer costs Rage to activate.

Ravage can no longer be interrupted.

Vicious Throw can now be used on targets at or below 30% of maximum health (up from 20%).

Marauder

Due to changes to the Marauder skill trees, Marauders have had their skill points refunded.

Deadly Throw's "Trauma" effect can no longer be cleansed.

Force Camouflage now additionally reduces all damage taken by 50% while active.

Obfuscate no longer has a Rage cost and is no longer limited by the global cooldown.

Predation now affects all Operation Group members.

Berserk (while in Ataru Form) now additionally reduces the Rage cost and global cooldown of Sweeping Slash.

Carnage

Ataru Form damage effects (procs) now deal weapon-based damage instead of Force-based damage. The overall damage of these effects has been increased by approximately 10%.

Ataru Form now correctly triggers when fighting very large targets.

Erupting Fury has been replaced by Stagger, which increases Force Charge's immobilize effect.

Unbound now additionally increases the movement speed bonus granted by Predation by 15% per point.

Annihilation

Ferocity has been replaced by Enraged Charge, which increases the Rage generated by Force Charge.

Phantom no longer grants damage reduction while Force Camouflage is active. It now increases the duration of Force Camouflage by 1 second per point and increases the movement speed bonus of Force Camouflage by 10% per point.

Seeping Wound now applies a 50% movement speed reduction (up from 30%).

Short Fuse is now located in Tier 1 of the skill tree.

Rage (Marauder)

Decimate is now located in Tier 1 of the Rage skill tree. It increases the damage dealt by Smash and Sweeping Slash and reduces the cooldown of Smash.

Dominate is now a 3-point skill with the same overall effect. The effect now lasts 20 seconds (up from 15).

Force Alacrity has been replaced by Overpower, which allows Vicious Slash critical hits to have a chance to refund 2 points of Rage while the Marauder is in Shii-Cho Form.

Force Crush's cooldown has been reduced to 18 seconds. Its overall effect is unchanged.

Gravity now specifically affects Crippling Slash and Force Crush.

Obliterate now immobilizes the target for 1 second.

Ravager now increases the damage of Ravage instead of affecting Force Choke.

Relentless Fury has been replaced by Berserker. It requires 2 points in Shockwave and causes Berserk (while in Shii-Cho Form) to immediately grant 2 stacks of Shockwave per point.

Shockwave's buff effects now last 20 seconds (up from 15).

Unbreakable Rage has been removed from the game.

Juggernaut

Due to changes to the Juggernaut skill trees, Juggernauts have had their skill points refunded.

Added Crash, a new passive ability granted at level 10 that causes Force Charge to stun the target for 2 seconds. This effect cannot occur more than once every 12 seconds.

Added Enraged Defense, a new ability that allows the Juggernaut to spend Rage to lower threat. While active, one point of Rage is spent each time damage is taken to heal the Juggernaut for a small amount. This ability is usable while stunned and is not limited by the global cooldown.

Vengeance

Deafening Defense is now located in Tier 5 of the skill tree. It now increases the Juggernaut's damage reduction while Enraged Defense is active.

Rampage now generates 2 points of Rage when it is triggered.

Single Saber Mastery is no longer restricted to certain stances.

Stagger is now located in Tier 1 of the Vengeance skill tree.

Sundering Throw is now located in Tier 6 of the Vengeance skill tree.

Immortal

Battle Cry is now a 2-point skill that provides the same overall effect.

Crushing Blow now generates 50% additional threat.

Force Grip is now located in Tier 4 of the skill tree.

Force Scream no longer consumes stacks of Revenge while the Battle Cry buff is active.

Heavy Handed is now a 1-point skill with a slightly reduced overall effect.

Quake is now a 3-point skill that provides the same overall effect.

Shield Specialization is now located in Tier 5 of the skill tree.

Sonic Barrier is now located in Tier 4 of the skill tree.

Thrown Gauntlet no longer reduces the cooldown of Threatening Scream and is now located in Tier 5 of the skill tree.

Rage (Juggernaut)

Decimate is now located in Tier 1 of the Rage skill tree. It increases the damage dealt by Smash and Sweeping Slash and reduces the cooldown of Smash.

Dominate is now a 3-point skill with the same overall effect. The effect now lasts 20 seconds (up from 15).

Force Alacrity has been replaced by Overpower, which allows Vicious Slash critical hits to have a chance to refund 2 points of Rage while the Juggernaut is in Shii-Cho Form.

Force Crush's cooldown has been reduced to 18 seconds. Its overall effect is unchanged.

Gravity now specifically affects Chilling Scream and Force Crush.

Obliterate now immobilizes the target for 1 second.

Ravager now increases the damage of Ravage instead of affecting Force Choke.

Relentless Fury has been replaced by Empowering Rage. It requires 2 points in Shockwave and causes Enrage to immediately grant 2 stacks of Shockwave per point.

Shockwave's buff effects now last 20 seconds (up from 15).

Through Passion, a new 2-point skill located in Tier 6, has been added. It reduces the initial activation cost of Enraged Defense by 1 Rage per point.

Unbreakable Rage has been removed from the game.

Jedi Consular

General

Deflection's visual effects are now more noticeable.

The Unity ability has been removed from the Jedi Consular class. A similar ability can now be unlocked through the Legacy System.

Force Slow visual effects now begin and end at the correct times.

Sage

Due to changes to the Sage skill trees, Sages have had their skill points refunded.

Corrected an issue with Force Armor that prevented its appearance from refreshing when its effects were reapplied.

Rescue now modifies threat by the correct amount.

Seer

Confound now refreshes properly when Weaken Mind is refreshed.

Conveyance no longer unintentionally allows its buff to be applied to more than one healing ability. Its effects have been slightly redesigned. It now increases the critical chance of Benevolence by 60% and reduces the Force cost of Deliverance by 30%.

Egress now requires Preservation instead of Valiance.

Resplendence no longer removes the health cost from Noble Sacrifice.

Salvation's tooltip now correctly mentions that this ability affects a maximum of 8 targets. The ability's functionality has not changed.

A display issue that caused the first and second tick of Salvation to appear on top of each other has been corrected.

Telekinetics

Inner Strength now correctly affects Weaken Mind.

Balance (Sage)

Critical Kinesis now increases the critical chance of Telekinetic Throw and Disturbance by 3% per point.

Empowered Throw now increases the damage dealt by Project, Telekinetic Throw, and Weaken Mind by 2% per point.

Presence of Mind now affects Disturbance and Mind Crush only. Mind Crush's periodic damage now benefits from the 20% damage bonus when it is used to consume the Presence of Mind buff.

The Force in Balance no longer heals the caster if no targets are hit.

Shadow

Mass Mind Control: Updated this tooltip to correctly state that the ability does not break Stealth. The ability's functionality has not changed.

Kinetic Combat

Kinetic Ward's appearance now refreshes properly when reapplied.

Balance (Shadow)

Force Synergy's activation effects are now more visible.

The Force in Balance no longer heals the caster if no targets are hit.

Sith Inquisitor

General

Deflection's effects are now more noticeable.

Electrocute's visual effects now occur more quickly after activation.

Energize's effect now triggers a sound effect when it occurs.

Force Lightning now correctly plays its sound effects when the initial application of damage kills the target.

Force Slow visual effects now begin and end at the correct times.

The Sacrifice ability has been removed from the Sith Inquisitor class. A similar ability can now be unlocked through the Legacy System.

Shock sound effects have been polished.

Sorcerer

Due to changes in Sorcerer skill trees, Sorcerers have had their skill points refunded.

Corrected an issue with Static Barrier that prevented its visual effects from refreshing when its effects were reapplied.

Extrication now modifies threat by the correct amount.

Corruption

Force Bending no longer unintentionally allows its buff to be applied to more than one healing ability. Its effects have been slightly redesigned. It now increases the critical chance of Dark Heal by 60% and reduces the Force cost of Dark Infusion by 30%.

Conspiring Force now refreshes properly when Affliction is refreshed.

Fadeout now requires Efficacious Currents instead of Dark Resilience.

Force Surge no longer removes the health cost from Consumption.

Revivification's tooltip now correctly states that the ability affects a maximum of 8 targets. The ability's functionality hasn't changed.

A display issue that caused the first and second tick of Revivification to appear on top of each other has been corrected.

Lightning

Electric Induction now correctly affects Affliction.

Madness (Sorcerer)

Disintegration now increases the critical chance of Force Lightning and Lightning Strike by 3% per point.

Calcify now increases the damage dealt by Shock, Force Lightning, and Affliction by 2% per point.

Wrath now affects Lightning Strike and Crushing Darkness only. Crushing Darkness's periodic damage now benefits from the 20% damage bonus when it is used to consume the Wrath buff.

The Force in Balance no longer heals the caster if no targets are hit.

Assassin

Mass Mind Control: Updated this tooltip to correctly state that the ability does not break Stealth. The ability's functionality has not changed.

Madness (Assassin)

Raze's activation effects are now more visible.

The Force in Balance no longer heals the caster if no targets are hit.

Smuggler

General

Dirty Kick can now be used while moving.

Players can now "Crouch" (but not roll into cover) while immobilized.

Smugglers can no longer be pushed out of cover via the "cover integrity" mechanic, which has been removed from the game.

Gunslinger

Due to changes to the Gunslinger skill trees, Gunslingers have had their skill points refunded.

Flourish Shot now additionally inflicts trauma, reducing all healing the target receives by 20% for 9 seconds.

Saboteur

Hot Pursuit has been redesigned. It is now located in Tier 4 of the skill tree and makes Quick Shot cost no energy for 6 seconds after leaving cover.

Incendiary Grenade has been improved. It now deals more of its damage in the first few seconds and snares affected targets. If the initial hit strikes a target affected by your Shock Charge, that target is stunned for 2 seconds.

Pandemonium is now located in Tier 2 of the skill tree.

Sabotage's range has been increased to 60 meters.

Sharpshooter

Burst Volley has been redesigned. It now triggers from dealing damage with blasters and increases Alacrity and Energy regeneration for 10 seconds. This effect cannot occur more than once every 30 seconds.

Deadeye is now a 3-point skill that provides the same overall effect.

Holed Up is a new 2-point skill located in Tier 6 of the skill tree that reduces damage taken from area attacks by 60% while Hunker Down is active. This change allows the Sharpshooter to remain in cover more often in situations that force other classes to rapidly change locations.

Snap Shot's tooltip now correctly mentions that its effect cannot occur more than once every 6 seconds. Functionality has not changed.

Dirty Fighting (Gunslinger)

Bombastic now correctly requires Shrap Bomb.

Hemorrhaging Blast no longer has an Energy cost.

Hold Your Ground's cooldown reduction for Pulse Detonator has been reduced to 2.5 seconds per point.

Holdout Defense now increases Blaster Whip damage by 4% per point.

No Holds Barred now increases critical chance by 1% per point.

Reopen Wounds now increases the critical chance of Wounding Shots and Speed Shot by 4% per point.

Wounding Shots now costs 25 Energy (down from 30). The weapon damage component of this ability has been reduced by approximately 15%, but bleeding damage remains unchanged.

Scoundrel

Due to changes to the Scoundrel skill trees, Scoundrels have had their skill points refunded.

Back Blast now has a 12-second cooldown and deals approximately 5% more damage.

Diagnostic Scan's tooltip now displays the full amount healed over its duration.

Shoot First now has a 7.5-second cooldown.

Tranquilizer now gives an appropriate error message if used on Droids.

Upper Hand no longer triggers a "grunt" sound effect when it occurs.

Sawbones

Emergent Emergencies now additionally increases the maximum stack limit of Upper Hand by 1.

Healing Hand now also increases the duration of Upper Hand by 2 seconds per point.

Homegrown Pharmacology now additionally reduces the Energy cost of Kolto Cloud by 2 per point.

Kolto Cloud has been rebalanced. It now has a 15-second cooldown, heals over 6 seconds, and heals for approximately 10% more than before.

Patient Studies now additionally increases the speed at which Diagnostic Scan channels by 15% per point.

Scrapper

Brawler's Grit is now a 2-point skill.

Flanking is a new 1-point skill located in Tier 3 of the skill tree. It reduces the Energy cost of Back Blast by 5.

K.O. no longer experiences a delay in its knockdown effect.

Sawed Off now increases the damage dealt by Back Blast. It is now located in Tier 5 of the skill tree and requires Flanking.

Sucker Punch now costs 10 Energy (down from 15) and deals approximately 10% less damage.

Turn the Tables has been redesigned and is now a 2-point skill. It no longer increases damage dealt to bleeding targets, but increases the Energy gained by Pugnacity and the damage dealt by Sucker Punch and Flying Fists.

Underdog no longer increases Energy gained by Pugnacity. This effect is now part of Turn the Tables.

Dirty Fighting (Scoundrel)

Hemorrhaging Blast no longer has an Energy cost.

Holdout Defense now increases Blaster Whip damage by 4% per point.

No Holds Barred now increases critical chance by 1% per point.

Imperial Agent

General

Debilitate's tooltip now correctly displays its stun duration.

Players can now "Crouch" (but not roll into cover) while immobilized.

Agents can no longer be pushed out of cover via the "cover integrity" mechanic, which has been removed from the game.

Operative

Due to changes to Operative skill trees, Operatives have had their skill points refunded.

Backstab now has a 12-second cooldown and deals approximately 5% more damage.

Hidden Strike now has a 7.5-second cooldown.

Sleep Dart now gives an appropriate error message if used on Droids.

Tactical Advantage no longer triggers a "grunt effect" when it occurs.

Concealment

Culling has been redesigned and is now a 2-point skill. It no longer increases damage dealt to poisoned targets, but increases the Energy gained by Stim Boost and the damage dealt by Laceration and Collateral Strike.

Inclement Conditioning is now a 2-point skill.

Flanking is a new 1-point skill located in Tier 3 of the skill tree. It reduces the Energy cost of Backstab by 5.

Laceration now costs 10 Energy (down from 15) and deals approximately 10% less damage.

Meticulously Kept Blades no longer increases Energy gained by Stim Boost. This effect is now part of Culling.

Waylay now increases the damage dealt by Backstab. It is now located in Tier 5 of the skill tree and requires Flanking.

Medicine

Medical Consult now also increases the duration of Tactical Advantage by 2 seconds per point.

Medical Therapy now additionally reduces the Energy cost of Recuperative Nanotech by 2 per point.

Patient Studies now additionally increases the speed at which Diagnostic Scan channels by 15% per point.

Recuperative Nanotech has been rebalanced. It now has a 15-second cooldown, heals over 6 seconds, and heals for approximately 10% more than before.

Surgical Precision now additionally increases the maximum stack limit of Tactical Advantage by 1.

Lethality (Operative)

Corrosive Microbes now functions correctly.

Lethality now increases critical chance by 1% per point.

Razor Edge now increases Shiv damage by 4% per point.

Weakening Blast no longer has an Energy cost.

Sniper

Due to changes to the Sniper skill trees, Snipers have had their skill points refunded.

Shatter Shot now additionally inflicts trauma, reducing all healing the target receives by 20% for 9 seconds.

Marksmanship

Imperial Assassin is now a 3-point skill that provides the same overall effect.

Siege Bunker is a new 2-point skill located in Tier 6 of the skill tree that reduces damage taken from area attacks by 60% while Entrench is active. This change allows the Marksman to remain in cover more often in situations that force other classes to rapidly change locations.

Snap Shot's tooltip now correctly mentions that its effect cannot occur more than once every 6 seconds. Functionality has not changed.

Sniper Volley has been redesigned. It now triggers from dealing damage with rifles and increases Alacrity and energy regeneration for 10 seconds. This effect cannot occur more than once every 30 seconds.

Engineering

Calculated Pursuit has been redesigned. It is now located in Tier 4 of the skill tree and makes Overload Shot cost no energy for 6 seconds after leaving cover.

EMP Discharge's range has been increased to 60 meters.

Plasma Probe has been improved. It has new visual effects and now deals more of its damage in the first few seconds and snares affected targets. If the initial hit strikes a target affected by your Interrogation Probe, that target is stunned for 2 seconds.

Stroke of Genius is now located in Tier 2 of the skill tree.

Lethality (Sniper)

Corrosive Microbes now functions correctly.

Cull now costs 25 Energy (down from 30). The weapon damage component of this ability has been reduced by approximately 15%, but poison damage remains unchanged.

Hold Your Ground's cooldown reduction for Cover Pulse has been reduced to 2.5 seconds per point.

Lethality now increases critical change by 1% per point.

Razor Edge now increases Shiv's damage by 4% per point.

Razor Rounds now increases the critical chance of Cull and Series of Shots by 4% per point.

Targeted Demolition now correctly requires Corrosive Grenade.

Weakening Blast no longer has an Energy cost.

Bounty Hunter

General

Ability Heat costs are now displayed in skill tree and trainer windows.

Death From Above now has a 5-meter radius to bring its range in line with other Bounty Hunter Area of Effect abilities and it now begins dealing damage sooner after activation.

Hydraulic Overrides now has improved audio and visual effects.

Incendiary Missile audio has been improved.

Mercenary

Cure now generates 8 Heat (down from 16).

Jet Boost now triggers snare visual effects on affected targets.

Power Shot has been rebalanced. It now generates 16 Heat, has a 2-second activation time, and deals approximately 10% less damage.

Tracer Missile and Fusion Missile's animations have been exchanged by popular demand from the community.

Arsenal

Barrage: the chance to trigger this effect has been increased significantly.

Heatseeker Missiles' damage output has been increased by approximately 10%.

Jet Escape now reduces the cooldown of Jet Boost by 2.5 seconds per point.

Muzzle Fluting no longer reduces Heat costs. It now reduces the activation time of Power Shot and Tracer Missile by .5 seconds.

Power Barrier now provides 1% damage reduction per stack.

Tracer Missile has been rebalanced in order to encourage more active gameplay rotations. It now generates 16 Heat, has a 2-second activation time, and deals approximately 10% less damage.

Bodyguard

Critical Efficiency now reduces the cost of Rapid Scan by 8 (down from 16).

Cure Mind no longer reduces the cost of Cure. It now causes Cure to heal the target for a small amount.

Hired Muscle now increases critical chance by 1% per point.

Kolto Missile now affects up to 4 targets (up from 3), improving reliability in group and Operation situations.

Kolto Residue now increases all healing received by 3% (down from 5%).

Kolto Shell now builds 16 Heat when activated.

Supercharged Gas now vents 8 Heat (down from 16) when used and increases all damage and healing dealt by 5% (down from 10%). The shield applied by Kolto Missile now reduces damage taken by 5% (down from 10%).

Pyrotech (Mercenary)

Prototype Particle Accelerator now requires Combustible Gas Cylinder to trigger. The chance to trigger this effect has been increased significantly but cannot trigger more than once every 6 seconds.

Powertech

Due to changes to the Powertech skill trees, Powertechs have had their skill points refunded.

Quell no longer generates Heat.

Shield Tech

Ablative Upgrades: the Absorb amount gained from this skill has been slightly reduced.

Empowered Tech is now a 3-point skill.

Heat Blast is no longer limited by the global cooldown. Its damage has been reduced by approximately 15%.

Heat Screen is a new 2-point skill that causes Flame Burst and Heat Blast to build a stacking buff that increases shield absorption.

Oil Slick is no longer limited by the global cooldown.

Advanced Prototype

Charged Gauntlets now triggers from damage dealt such that the bleed caused by Retractable Blade can trigger the buff. It now has a visual effect.

Kolto Vents has been replaced by Hamstring, which causes Retractable Blade to slow the target by 30% for 6 seconds.

Pyrotech (Powertech)

Prototype Particle Accelerator now requires Combustible Gas Cylinder to trigger. The chance to trigger this effect has been increased significantly but cannot trigger more than once every 6 seconds.

Trooper

General

Full Auto's attack animation now begins more quickly to improve reactiveness and faction balance.

Mortar Volley's animation has been updated. In addition, it now has a 5-meter radius to bring its range in line with other Trooper Area of Effect abilities and it now begins its damage sooner after activation.

Commando

Concussion Charge now triggers snare visual effects on affected targets.

Charged Bolts has been rebalanced. It now costs 2 Energy Cells, has a 2-second activation time, and deals approximately 10% less damage.

Cure now costs 1 Energy Cell (down from 2).

Gunnery

Charged Barrier now provides 1% damage reduction per stack.

Curtain of Fire: the chance to trigger this effect has been increased significantly.

Demolition Round's damage output has been increased by approximately 10%.

Grav Round has been rebalanced. It now costs 2 Energy Cells, has a 2-second activation time, and deals approximately 10% less damage.

Muzzle Fluting no longer reduces Energy Cell costs. It now reduces the activation time of Charged Bolts and Grav Round by .5 seconds.

Tenacious Defense now reduces the cooldown of Concussion Charge by 2.5 seconds per point.

Combat Medic

Field Training now increases critical chance by 1% per point.

Field Triage now reduces the cost of Medical Probe by 1 (down from 2).

Kolto Bomb now affects up to 4 targets (up from 3), improving reliability in group and Operation situations.

Kolto Residue now increases all healing received by 3% (down from 5%).

Psych Aid no longer reduces the cost of Field Aid. It now causes Field Aid to heal the target for a small amount.

Supercharge Cells now restores 1 Energy Cell (down from 2) when used and increases all damage and healing dealt by 5% (down from 10%). The shield applied by Kolto Bomb now reduces damage taken by 5% (down from 10%).

Trauma Probe now costs 2 Energy Cells to activate.

Assault Specialist (Commando)

Ionic Accelerator now requires Plasma Cell to trigger. The chance to trigger this effect has been increased significantly but cannot trigger more than once every 6 seconds.

Vanguard

Due to changes to the Vanguard skill trees, all Vanguards have had their skill points refunded.

Fire Pulse's visual effect more accurately represents its functionality.

Riot Strike no longer costs Energy Cells.

Animation timing issues with Energy Blast have been addressed.

The hit timing delay on Explosive Surge has been improved.

Shield Specialist

Ceramic Plating: the Absorb amount gained from this skill has been slightly reduced.

Counter Attack is now a 3-point skill.

Energy Blast is no longer limited by the global cooldown. Its damage has been reduced by approximately 15%.

Power Screen is a new 2-point skill that causes Ion Pulse and Energy Blast to build a stacking buff that increases shield absorption.

Smoke Grenade is no longer limited by the global cooldown.

Tactics

Combat Tactics now triggers from damage dealt such that the bleed caused by Gut can trigger the buff. It now has a visual effect.

Kolto Recharge has been replaced by Hamstring, which causes Gut to slow the target by 30% for 6 seconds.

Assault Specialist (Vanguard)

Ionic Accelerator now requires Plasma Cell to trigger. The chance to trigger this effect has been increased significantly but cannot trigger more than once every 6 seconds.

2012-03-19T11:17:00.000-07:00

Highlights (New Features) Players can now unlock a wide variety of rewards by leveling characters and reaching new Legacy levels, including buffs for your characters, unlocking additional Species choices for every class, and upgrades for your personal Starship. Build your own Legacy with the new Family Tree! Lost Island, a new Flashpoint, is available for play! Having uncovered the sources of the Rakghoul plague outbreak in the Tion Hegemony, players must travel to Ord Mantell and confront Dr. Lorrick, the mad scientist who engineered this horrific biological weapon. Explosive Conflict, a new Operation, is available for play! The Trandoshan mercenary warlord Kephess has seized the planet Denova, a world rich in resources valuable to the war effort. Players must assault his war camp, situated atop a mountain in densely-wooded terrain, fighting Imperial defectors and heavy war machines along the way. 8- and 16-player Story and Hard Modes are currently available for this Operation. Novare Coast, a new objective-oriented Warzone on the planet Denova, has been added to the game. This Warzone, like Huttball, supports same-faction matches if there are not enough members of the opposing faction to be found. New repeatable high-level daily missions are available in a new area on Corellia, the Black Hole! Guilds now have access to a shared Guild Bank, accessible on the Fleets, with expandable storage. A new tier of gear has been added for both PvP and PvE. Ranked Warzones are here! Players can now queue up and participate in PvP matchups to rank themselves against the competition. Players can now customize their User Interface by moving and resizing UI elements! A new level 50 World Boss with a challenge for a well-coordinated 16-player Operation Group has been sighted in the Nightmare Lands region on Voss. Players can now leave comment on entires in the Friends List in the Social Window. General The Imperial Transportation Authority and the Galactic Republic Safety Council have authorized the use of vehicles in Orbital Space Stations and Spaceports. In-game rewards will be available to players who participate on the Public Test Server. Players will receive a title if they attain level 10 on PTS, and another if they complete Chapter 1. A new preference, "Character Texture Atlasing," is now available. Enabling this option increases the texture quality used when rendering character models. A new "Customize" option now appears on the character sheet. One of the features this button enables is the ability to color coordinate any individual piece of armor with the equipped chestpiece. A new preference, "Awareness Radius," allows players to adjust the number of characters displayed on-screen. Reducing this setting can improve performance in crowded areas on low-end machines. On planets with an Orbital Station, players can now travel directly from the planet shuttle on the surface to their ship. The Sprint ability is now available at level 1. General Bug Fixes Cinematics throughout the game have been polished. A large number of cinematics have been improved to address incorrect camera angles, smooth out animation issues, and to correct Companion Characters that appear in the wrong gear or at the wrong time. Cinematics and mission phases have been updated for consistency. For instance, several occurrences of NPCs appearing alive in a phase after a cinematic in which the player chose to kill them have been corrected. Corrected many instances of misplaced geometry, visible seams, and incorrect collision with world objects throughout the game. Many locations where player characters could become stuck on world geometry or fall through the world have been corrected. Some visual effects and animations have been adjusted and fixed in instances where they played incorrectly.

2012-03-09T15:38:00.001-08:00

BioWare has been busy. The 1.2 update to Star Wars: The Old Republic, scheduled to go live sometime in early April, will contain quite a bit of content, from a new player verus player Warzone and player versus environment dungeons to guild features and class rebalancing significant enough to refund all skill tree points. Game Director at BioWare James Ohlen provided plenty of detail about what is changing and why.

"We want to give our players their money's worth," said Ohlen. "They're paying fifteen dollars a month, so we have the whole team essentially devoted to pumping out new content and new systems on regular occasions. They've been crunching even past launch. We've had a lot longer [quality assurance] soak time this time. We want to make sure there's no bugs, such as the one that occurred in Ilum for our [patch 1.1]. We don't want that to happen again, we want the positives to be focused on."

Two dungeon areas will be introduced in 1.2, a new Operation, called Explosive Conflict, and a new Flashpoint, called Lost Island, which is linked to the Kaon Under Siege dungeon added in content patch 1.1. The Explosive Conflict Operation will be set on the planet of Denova, and will feature fights against large monsters and mechanical walkers. Ohlen didn't want to give away too many details about how the fights will actually work, but did hint that the experience will be much different from the end game content seen so far. "It's got more of a wartime feel, which is what Denova is all about. You have heavy war machines, you have a camp that you're invading." In the Operation your goal is to assault an arms factory, an especially dangerous mission due to the volatile baradium strewn all over the area, which will blow up if you're not careful.

If you've been playing the game since launch in late 2011, those Legacy levels will finally be good for something after 1.2. Specifically, they'll let you set up a family tree, where you can arrange your characters and earn bonuses. Getting to level 50 will unlock that character's race for all classes you create thereafter, bypassing the regular class and race restrictions. "If you were to play a character to level 50 with all the races, you could create any class of any race," said Ohlen. "We know that not many people are going to do that because it's kind of crazy, so we also gave the option for players to purchase some of the unlocks." Ohlen said the race purchases will be made only with in-game currency.

Other Legacy unlocks will not be available until you've leveled a class to 50, however. Such is the case with unlocking new skills. Do you wish your Bounty Hunter could shoot Force lightning? After 1.2, if you relate the Bounty Hunter to a level 50 Inquisitor, it'll be possible, though with some significant limitations.

A Bounty Hunter won't suddenly turn into a Force-wielding super user. Every class has a heroic moment ability which requires the presence of a companion to activate. Only by using these heroic moment abilities will you be able to access the cross-class Legacy abilities. That essentially means you can only use the abilities out in the questing world; they're locked out when you're in a full group or in a PvP Warzone. "It's a balancing mechanism. We wanted to make the abilities powerful and useful but we know that some players are going to eventually have all seven others on one character. We had to be cognizant of that when we were creating them so we don't give the player seven super-powerful abilities he can use in rapid succession."

In the future, it may be possible for players to fuse their Legacy systems and marry others, but that's far from final. At least for 1.2, only your characters can be slotted in the Legacy family trees.

Over the next months it seems as though the focus of player versus player combat is going to be adjusted quite a bit, as BioWare is on the verge of changing the reward structure. Soon there will no longer be any daily or weekly quests to visit Ilum, the end-game open PvP area. Ilum will still exist as a destination for those interested in open PvP, but it won't be a place to earn commendations for end game PvP armor. "We're keeping Ilum as-is. But I think almost all of our problems that occur in open world PvP are because of the fact that the rewards there, the behavior was less about having fun in that area and more about exploiting to get the rewards faster. We know there is a big contingent of players who are fans of open world PvP and we have a lot of experience, especially on the Mythic team, of working on it. We're going to have more announcements on what we're following up with to give those fans what they're looking for." After 1.2, all end game rewards will be handed out through Warzone participation, which includes Huttball, Void Star, Alderaan Civil War and, after update 1.2, Novare Coast.

Novare Coast will be a capture point setup similar to Alderaan Civil War, featuring turrets your team needs to capture and hold in order to secure victory. BioWare has been listening to player feedback since launch and is aware some end game PvP Warzone participants are tired of getting thrown into Huttball most of the time, and, aside from adding Novare Coast, will be taking additional steps to lower the frequency of Huttball matches.

No, you won't be able select specifically which Warzone to join after 1.2 goes live. Instead, Void Star will be changed so that Republic can fight Republic and Empire can fight Empire, a team format shared by Huttball and Novare Coast. "That means that Void Star will fire more often when you're on a server where it's a faction imbalance…There's going to be less of a Huttball bias. We plan to move Alderaan into that group as well, but it won't be ready for 1.2. We're very conscious of the fact that we have servers with a faction imbalance and we have to deal with that."

A ranking system is being implemented into PvP Warzones to improve matchmaking and let you compare your performance to others. "We can avoid matches where you're going up against a team of players who have a win-loss ratio that' s much higher than yours. We're going to continue to expand up on the PvP ranking in future updates as well. This one we're kind of calling the pre-season, because it's just the beginning of our ranking system. We intend to add to it significantly."

There's certainly a lot of attention given to the end game at BioWare right now, which makes sense given the number of the population at the level cap. "We have a lot of players at level fifty. I can't give exact numbers, but we have more players at level fifty than most MMOs have subscribers. Our first group of players who started when we first launched, they were very much our hardest core players. They went through the leveling content really fast. Other players have been going through the leveling content a little bit slower. I get reports every week on the player population distribution from levels one to fifty and it's a pretty good spread."

A new tier of armor will be made available in 1.2 for both PvP and PvE end game sets, and the crafting system will be enhanced as well. "We drive the artists bonkers with the amount of items they have to create. It looks really good." It'll be a higher tier than is currently available at the vendors. End game crafting is also receiving some attention, as BioWare will add in more level 50 options for those who didn't pick up Biochem as a crew skill. "We wanted to make it so Biochem wasn't the only viable elder game crafting skill. We've done a lot of changes there that'll make the crafting system a lot stronger."

Class changes in 1.2 include new abilities for the Warrior and the Knight, a nerf for the Bounty Hunter, and more. Every class will receive changes, and all skill tree points refunded so you can look over the trees again before deciding how to rebuild your class. "Some players will be excited, some might not. That's always the case when there's tweaks to classes."

Other frequently requested features, such as Guild Banks and a moddable user interface will be included in 1.2 as well. "You have to purchase the ability to use Guild Banks in the first place. Then that gives you one shelf. To purchase extra shelves, that costs extra credits. As you purchase more shelves they become more expensive." Settings will be available to control guild members' access to the bank's shelves, and higher-ups will be able to track who is removing what and when. "In terms of all of our features, it was probably one of the most expensive features we built because it involves a lot of underlying code because you're sharing items between multiple characters."

There's still a lot of discussion within BioWare about what to do with guilds next, including the possible inclusion of guild capital ships. "We want to put in some guild features, like the aforementioned capital ships, that players have never seen before in an MMO." Ohlen wasn't able provide more detail about how capital ships might work.

For the interface, it sounds as though nearly every element of it will be modifiable in some way. "You're going to be able to take a lot of the [graphical user interface] elements and move them around onscreen and place them where you want to place them. You're also going to be able to change the size. If you're so used to the World of Warcraft interface that you want to move everything so it's identical to that, you can do that."

Many less dramatic changes will be implemented as well. BioWare has been busy tracking down numerous bugs and smoothing out the leveling process, and in 1.2 will be implementing a better search functionality in the Galactic Trade Network, The Old Republic's auction house. Unfortunately the ability to bid on items still won't be included, but Ohlen promised searching will be a lot easier.

Specifics about class changes and crafting will be revealed in the coming weeks. Are you still playing The Old Republic? Do you like the sound of update 1.2 so far?

Community Q&A 2-24-2012

2012-02-24T18:00:00.001-08:00

It’s that time again! Last week we asked for your questions and this week we have some answers. Please note in some cases we’ve combined multiple questions into one, and we have edited some questions for clarity.
We have now opened an official thread for next week’s Q&A, which will stay open until 2pm CST on February 28th (8pm GMT/9pm CET). We welcome your questions in that thread and hope you enjoy the answers below. If you want to discuss any of the answers given, please use this Forum thread!

Chyp: Can we expect to see any animation/damage timing consistency changes between factions?
Georg Zoeller (Principal Lead Combat Designer): Yes. The animation team has been working on a new set of animations for abilities like the Trooper's Mortar Volley to provide closer matching of animation timings and improved combat responsiveness. We expect to roll these changes out with Game Update 1.2.

Zennis: Has there been any discussion to streamlining the Space Port process? Perhaps allowing speeders in the Space Ports besides the Fleet?
Brian Audette (Senior Designer): We've absolutely heard what the fans are saying and have been exploring options to address these issues. While we are still investigating allowing speeder use in Space Ports, we've also been looking for other ways to get people from point A to point B with greater haste. One such feature will specifically affect planets that have Orbital Stations instead of Space Ports such as: Tython, Korriban, Hoth, and Belsavis. We'll be adding an option for players to go directly to their ships from the surface shuttles as opposed to having them run through the Orbital Station to their airlocks. This feature and some additional tweaks will start showing up in Game Update 1.2.

deusBAAL: Will you be providing a LFG tool? What will be its features? How will it be intended to work and when can we expect it to go live?
Daniel Erickson (Lead Writer): We are hard at work on a much more robust LFG functionality that will quickly help put groups together while still offering the flexibility to decide how you group and what sort of people you want to be grouped with. We’ll release more details as we get closer to release.

LthalSavy: Will there be any way to implement a quick travel to your ship?
Georg Zoeller: Not in the short term, but it's something we've been discussing on and off. Currently, given how easily available fleet travel passes are on the Security Vendor, we don't think adding this is necessary.

IsACoolGuy: Will any new emotes be added to the game? The Jedi/Sith meditation thing that NPCs do looks pretty cool, will emotes of that nature become available to players?
Damion Schubert (Principal Lead Systems Designer): We do have some new emotes planned. Even cooler, we now have tech that allows us to grant emotes as rewards for various game systems. In Game Update 1.2, we have several emotes planned as unlocked rewards of the Legacy System. My favorite is the special dance that is so inspiring that your companion feels the urge to boogie down with you.

TrueDND: Currently, the incentive to choose other Crew Crafting Skills outside of Biochem is minimal due to the fact that, once you reach max level, all gear that is acquired through PvE and PvP is better than all crafted equipment and mods (mostly through the Commendation and token vendors). Is this being looked in to?
Georg Zoeller: Absolutely. With the upcoming Game Update 1.2, we are adding endgame crafting for all professions. This includes augment crafting, the ability to crit-craft custom (orange) gear with augment slots, new endgame schematics, new color crystals, expanded and improved research and reverse engineering and much more (we're up to 4 pages of crew skill related patch notes in 1.2. alone)
Combined with new features such as the ability to extract base-mods from purple items (including the set bonus) and the improved color matching feature, crafters of all professions will find themselves in a lot of demand once the update hits.

Toxin_Polaris: Do you plan to have mini-games like swoop races or pazaak? And if so what is the priority for this? Can we expect them this year?
Damion Schubert: We love mini-games, especially the ones that speak to the heritage of KOTOR. When would something like pazaak make its way to you? Hard to say - it's not on our immediate horizon, and we'd most likely do it at a point where we want to make a large splash.

Twaggy: I find it troublesome to compare mods/enhancements/armoring/hilts/crystals that are installed in my armor or lightsaber. Will you be implementing something that lets you see the stats of what you have (like the comparability you can do of the boots - boots or jacket - jacket)?
Georg Zoeller: This is a convenience feature on our list of things to look at once the higher priority UI features and community requests have been addressed. We definitely think it’s a good idea, but where it falls in terms of prioritization makes it impossible to give you an ETA at this point.

TheJestersHat: What is BioWare planning to do about performance issues that people get with Warzone, open world PVP, and general FPS issues?
Damion Schubert: We have an internal strike team that is fully devoted to ensuring that the game runs better and faster, especially on low end machines, and we consider this team's work to be a crucial internal initiative. You should see evidence of this work as soon as Patch 1.1.5, when we will be introducing a new 'very low' setting to shader quality, which should drastically increase the number of mid-to-low machines the game can run well on, especially in Warzones and Operations.

Frung: Have you considered adding a "companion" loot roll option?
Damion Schubert: We've discussed it and have a design for it - when we do this, we will make it so you can only roll 'need' on items that your advanced class is meant to use in one of its specs. I do not currently have an ETA on this feature.

Belthazaar: I like my ships but, I was wondering if or when we will be able to purchase, make, or steal a new and different ship beyond the one that we currently get from our class quest?
Damion Schubert: Unfortunately, the nature of our ships as central story areas for all of our class content, and all of the associated triggers and cinematics that must therefore be done on the ships, means that giving players new ship models, particularly interiors, is very, very hard for us. We will probably look at addressing this instead by providing a greater sense of ship customization at some point well in the future. But it’s someplace we definitely want to go!

Thanks for all of your questions, and thanks to the team for answering them. If you’d like to put forward a question for next week’s Q&A, please visit this Forum thread!