Highlights

Galactic Starfighter Now Available For All Players! – Galactic Starfighter is now available for Free-To-Play, Preferred, and Subscription players! Choose your ship role and help your fellow pilots in 12 vs.12 Battles. Click the Hangar icon next to your minimap to jump into the cockpit now!

New Galactic Starfighter Ship Role: Bomber – The Bomber ship role has been added to Galactic Starfighter, with six new ships available for unlock/purchase!

• Bombers are tough support ships that drop mines and drones throughout the battlefield.
• Mines detonate when enemies get into proximity, inflicting damage or crippling debuffs to all nearby foes.
• Drones attack nearby enemies with a variety of weapons, while Repair Drones restore the hull of nearby allies.
• Bombers can also place Hyperspace Beacons which function as mobile respawn points for their allies.

New Galactic Starfighter Game Mode: Team Deathmatch – Team Deathmatch is a new game mode which pits teams of players against each other. The team with the highest player kill score when either time expires or the score limit is reached wins the match. Team Deathmatch maps also contain a new feature: Power-ups.

Power–ups are spawned in the map at the start of a match, and once picked up will respawn at a random point in an area after a random amount of time. Power–ups provide boosts to the player depending on which is picked up, which currently last 45 seconds. The available Power-ups are as follows:

• Engine Overcharge – Doubles engine power regen rate, increases ship speed by 30%, increases ship defense by 15%, refills engine power to full on pickup.
• Weapon Overcharge – Doubles blaster power regen rate, refills blaster power to full on pickup.
• Shield Overcharge– Doubles shield power regen rate, eliminates shield recently consumed regen delay, refills shields to full on pickup.
• Damage Overcharge– Doubles damage from all primary and secondary non–drone weapons.

All power–ups are indicated on the minimap. The Damage Overcharge power–up is a rare spawn, however there is typically at least one up on the map at any point in time. Players that grab this power–up are identified to all players via a broadcast message and are indicated on the minimap.

New Flashpoint: Kuat Drive Yards – Both factions are interested in securing a formidable space armada and fighting over one of the largest starship construction sites. This Flashpoint is designed to be modular, with each “scenario” representing a different part of the expanding plot. This is also the first “tactical” flashpoint, providing bolstered and role-neutral gameplay, and is available to players starting at level 15.

New Reputations have been added to the Galactic Reputation page:

• Republic First Fleet – The Republic First Fleet serves as a beacon of hope across the galaxy, protecting the Galactic Republic’s member worlds and corporate partners from the dark designs of the Sith Empire.
• Imperial Forward Command – The Imperial Forward Command is focused on high-risk offensive strikes against the Galactic Republic and its allies, making it one of the Empire’s deadliest fleets.

New Starfighter Pack coming to the Cartel Market – The Galactic Ace’s Starfighter Pack will be available for purchase on February 11th. Cost: 320 Cartel Coins

General

• New Mount: The KDY Orbital Lifter! This personal heavy construction vehicle was specially designed by Kuat Drive Yards for orbital engineering work deemed too delicate to be automated. It requires Legend rank with the new Imperial Forward Command / Republic First Fleet reputation.
• A new category is available in Group Finder starting at level 15: Tactical Flashpoints. Tactical Flashpoints are role-neutral, meaning group finder will match the first four players it finds. The new Kuat Drive Yards Flashpoint is available in this category in two level brackets: 15-54 and 55. Czerka Corporate Labs and Czerka Core Meltdown are now included in this category at level 55.
• Dread Forces in Oricon are more distracted by the madness of the Dread Masters, reducing the range of their attention.
• Bolster now properly modifies the aggro radius of enemy NPCs and properly displays the difficulty color of enemy NPC levels.
• Group Finder now displays the level range of players it will match for Flashpoints and Operations.
• Players may now queue for Starfighter Battles at the same time as Warzones.

Cartel Market

New Items

• The Galactic Ace’s Starfighter Pack will be available on February 11th. Cost: 320 Cartel Coins
• Hypercrates containing 24 Galactic Ace’s Starfighter Packs will be available on February 11th. (Discounted by 10% for a limited time!) Cost: 6,912 Cartel Coins
• The Galactic Ace’s Starfighter Pack items can now be previewed in Collections.

Classes + Combat

Bounty Hunter

Powertech

Advanced Prototype

• Prototype Flame Thrower now requires High Energy Gas Cylinder to be active.

Mercenary

General

• Mercenaries with the Combat Support Cylinder loaded will now be able to use Rapid Shots to heal themselves.

Arsenal

• Stabilizers now reduces the pushback suffered while activating Tracer Missile and Power Shot by 50/100% (up from 35/70%)

Bodyguard

• Kolto Shell may now be deployed on more than one target at a time, but a target still may not have more than one active Kolto Shell. Additionally, Kolto Shell now generates 10 heat (down from 16), has 6 charges (down from 10), lasts up to 3 minutes (down from 5), and heals for slightly more per charge.
• The tooltip for the Bodyguard skill has been updated to indicate that it also reduces the rate limit of Peacekeeper, and the Bodyguard skill now requires Kolto Shell instead of Peacekeeper.
• Peacekeeper has been moved from tier 6 down to tier 5 in the Bodyguard skill tree.
• Cure Mind has been moved from tier 5 down to tier 4 in the Bodyguard skill tree.
• Protective Field has been moved from tier 4 up to tier 6 in the Bodyguard skill tree.

Trooper

Vanguard

Tactics

• Pulse Generator now requires High Energy Cell to be active.

Commando

General

• Commandos with Combat Support Cell loaded will now be able to use Hammer Shot to heal themselves.

Gunnery

• Steadied Aim now reduces the pushback suffered while activating Grav Round and Charged Bolts by 50/100% (up from 35/70%)

Combat Medic

• Trauma Probe may now be deployed on more than one target at a time, but a target still may not have more than one active Trauma Probe. Additionally, Trauma Probe now costs 10 energy cells (down from 16), has 6 charges (down from 10), lasts up to 3 minutes (down from 5), and heals for slightly more per charge.
• The tooltip for Probe Medic has been updated to indicate that it also reduces the rate limit of Frontline Medic, and Probe Medic now requires Trauma Probe instead of Frontline Medic.
• Frontline Medic has been moved from tier 6 down to tier 5 in the Combat Medic skill tree.
• Psych Aid has been moved from tier 5 down to tier 4 in the Combat Medic skill tree.
• Med Zone has been moved from tier 4 up to tier 6 in the Combat Medic skill tree.

Sith Warrior

Juggernaut

Vengeance

• Slightly increased the damage dealt by Shatter.
• Shatter now deals Internal Damage instead of Elemental Damage, as the tooltip indicates.
• Rampage has been redesigned: Impale and Shatter have a 33.3/66.7/100% chance to produce a stack of Rampage. At 2 stacks, Rampage finishes the cooldown on Ravage and generates 3 Rage.

Jedi Knight

Jedi Guardian

Vigilance

• Slightly increased the damage dealt by Plasma Brand.
• Zen Strike has been redesigned: Overhead Slash and Plasma Brand have a 33.3/66.7/100% chance to produce a stack of Zen Strike. At 2 stacks, Zen Strike finishes the cooldown on Master Strike and generates 3 Focus.

Sith Inquisitor

Sorcerer

Lightning

• Subversion now reduces the pushback suffered while activating Lightning Strike by 50/100% (up from 35/70%). The rest of the benefits provided by Subversion remain unchanged.

Madness

• Sith Efficacy now reduces the pushback suffered while activating Force Lightning by 33.3/66.7/100% (up from 25/50/75%). The rest of the benefits provided by Sith Efficacy remain unchanged.

Jedi Consular

Sage

Telekinetics

• Concentration now reduces the pushback suffered while activating Disturbance by 50/100% (up from 35/70%). The rest of the benefits provided by Concentration remain unchanged.

Balance

• Psychic Barrier now reduces the pushback suffered while activating Telekinetic Throw by 33.3/66.7/100% (up from 25/50/75%). The rest of the benefits provided by Psychic Barrier remain unchanged.

Imperial Agent

General

• Reduced the activation time, cooldown, energy cost, and damage done by Orbital Strike.

Operative

General

• Lowered the cost of Hidden Strike to 15 energy (down from 17 energy), increased its cooldown to 9 seconds (up from 7.5 seconds), and increased the damage it deals
• Increased the duration of Tactical Advantage by 5 seconds (now 15, up from 10)

Concealment

• Surgical Strikes now increases the damage dealt by Shiv, Overload Shot, and Backstab by 5% (up from 4%)
• Collateral Strike now has a 50/100% chance to trigger when Laceration is used (up from 35/70%)
• Culling now increases the damage dealt by Laceration and Collateral Strike by 3/6% (up from 2/4%) and recovers 4/8 energy whenever Collateral Strike damages an enemy target (down from 5/10)
• Waylay now increases the damage dealt by Backstab by 5% (up from 4%)
• Meticulously Kept Blades now additionally increases the critical damage dealt by Laceration by 10/20/30%, but no longer increases the critical damage dealt by Sever Tendon
• Calculated Frenzy no longer increases alacrity when triggered, but now increases ranged and tech critical chance by 2/4/6% instead

Lethality

• Corrosive Microbes is now a single-point skill (down from 2) but still increases the chance for Corrosive Dart to tick twice when it deals damage by 25%
• Lethal Injectors is now a 2-point skill (up from 1), but each point still increases the duration of Corrosive Dart by 3 seconds (so 2 points in the skill now increase the duration of Corrosive Dart by a total of 6 seconds, granting 2 additional ticks of damage)

Sniper

Lethality

• Corrosive Microbes is now a single-point skill (down from 2) but still increases the chance for Corrosive Dart to tick twice when it deals damage by 25%
• Lethal Injectors is now a 2-point skill (up from 1), but each point still increases the duration of Corrosive Dart by 3 seconds (so 2 points in the skill now increase the duration of Corrosive Dart by a total of 6 seconds, granting 2 additional ticks of damage)

Smuggler

General

• Reduced the activation time, cooldown, energy cost, and damage done by XS Freighter Flyby.

Scoundrel

General

• Lowered the cost of Shoot First to 15 energy (down from 17 energy), increased its cooldown to 9 seconds (up from 7.5 seconds), and increased the damage it deals
• Increased the duration of Upper Hand by 5 seconds (now 15, up from 10)

Scrapper

General

• Scrappy now increases the damage dealt by Blaster Whip, Quick Shot, and Back Blast by 5% (up from 4%)
• Flying Fists now has a 50/100% chance to trigger when Sucker Punch is used (up from 35/70%)
• Turn the Tables now increases the damage dealt by Sucker Punch and Flying Fists by 3/6% (up from 2/4%) and recovers 4/8 energy whenever Flying Fists damages an enemy target (down from 5/10)
• Sawed Off now increases the damage dealt by Back Blast by 5% (up from 4%)
• Underdog now additionally increases the critical damage dealt by Sucker Punch by 10/20/30%, but no longer increases the critical damage dealt by Tendon Blast
• Rolling Punches no longer increases alacrity when triggered, but now increases ranged and tech critical chance by 2/4/6% instead

Dirty Fighting

• Mortal Wound is now a single-point skill (down from 2) but still increases the chance for Vital Shot to tick twice when it deals damage by 25%
• Open Wound is now a 2-point skill (up from 1), but each point still increases the duration of Vital Shot by 3 seconds (so 2 points in the skill now increase the duration of Vital Shot by a total of 6 seconds, granting 2 additional ticks of damage)

Gunslinger

Dirty Fighting

• Mortal Wound is now a single-point skill (down from 2) but still increases the chance for Vital Shot to tick twice when it deals damage by 25%
• Open Wound is now a 2-point skill (up from 1), but each point still increases the duration of Vital Shot by 3 seconds (so 2 points in the skill now increase the duration of Vital Shot by a total of 6 seconds, granting 2 additional ticks of damage)

Galactic Starfighter

General

• New Feature: Battle Record – Your personal Galactic Starfighter Battle Record can now be accessed via a button in the upper right corner of the Hangar. Features include detailed lifetime battle stats, and the ability to link each stat to chat.
• New Feature: Detailed Scoreboard –Galactic Starfighter’s scoreboard will now feature new tabs containing information on:

• Performance – Track stats including kills, deaths, damaged dealt/received, hit %, objective captures, and more!

• Earning – A detailed breakdown of the Requisition you’ve earned during a battle and how it was earned.

• Starfighter Battles no longer lower durability of player equipment.
• A new non-contributor system has been added, replacing our previous AFK system. You may now initiate a kick against non-contributing players via the Map screen.
• Addressed an issue where low population checks happened prior to initial spawn, which caused some Battles to fail to start successfully.
• The new Starfighter Launch Deck floor on the Fleet can be accessed from the Mission Departures elevator.
• Typing “/squad” will allow you to chat with players in your Squad and/or Group.
• Quick Look functionality has been added. Players may use their keyboard’s number pad to quickly shift their camera’s view without affecting ship movement.
• Players who only inflict shield damage to a target now receive appropriate Requisition for the assist when the target is destroyed.
• Targeted enemies are now highlighted on the Map and Minimap screens.
• Queuing for Galactic Starfighter battles no longer blocks character changes.
• If you have an enemy selected it will now show their target’s name in the Targeting Computer.
• Debuffs can no longer be applied to targets after their death.
• A confirmation dialog has been added before travelling to the tutorial level.
• Combat HUD tutorial information on Enemy and Objective Indicators has been expanded.
• Combat Controls tutorial has been updated to feature targeted defense drones.
• Added a tutorial for Galactic Starfighter Battle Type: Team Deathmatch.
• Addressed an issue where tutorial notifications could not be properly dismissed.
• Players will now be invulnerable to all hull damage while in the Galactic Starfighter tutorial.
• Several forcefields have been removed from the Abandoned Shipyards level in Domination mode.
• Team Deathmatch features new map layouts for the existing Lost Shipyards and Kuat Mesas environments.

Ships + Hangar

• Gunships now get an additional 5 requisition for kills and assists where a secondary weapon is used to deal damage.
• Putting power to weapons now boosts damage by 10% (down from 20%) and putting power to shields or engines now reduces weapon damage by 5% (down from 10%)

• The dialog for new purchases within the Hangar has been enhanced to show the exact breakdown of Fleet and Ship Requisition to be used.
• Auto Roll functionality has been added. Press “V” (by default) to rotate your Starfighter to the default orientation.
• Selected ships can now be removed from the Readied Ships menu.

Components + Crew

• A new EMP Missile secondary weapon is now available on the Pike/Quell Strike Fighter.
  • The EMP Missile is a counter to clustered enemies, mines and drones.
  • On impact, it emits a 3000m radius pulse which damages and disables mines and drones.
  • Any player ship caught in the blast will suffer minor damage, and render their system ability unusable.

• A new EMP Field System is now available on the NovaDive/Blackbolt Scouts.

• The EMP Field is a counter to clustered enemies, mines, and drones.
• It emits a 3000m radius pulse around the scout which damage and disables mines and drones.
• Any player ship caught in the blast will have their sensor range and blaster accuracy reduced, and their System Ability rendered unusable.

• Directional Shield is now available on the Comet Breaker/Dustmaker and Premium Strongarm/Demolisher Gunships.
• The “Increased Range” upgrade for Sabotage Probe, Cluster Missiles, Concussion Missiles, and Ion Missiles now features a 10% increase.
• Thermite Torpedoes have had their range increased to 10000m
• Ion Missiles have had their range increased to 7000m
• Upgrades purchased for an individual drone no longer improperly affect other drone types.
• Crew members now animate within the Hangar preview window.
• Crew abilities “Running Interference” and “Wingman” have had their area of effect ranges increased from 1000m to 3000m.
• Bowdaar no longer wears a hoodie within the Hangar.
• Description for the “Rotational Thrusters” engine component has been changed to accurately show the range as 15,000m, not 150,000m.
• The “Lockdown” Crew Ability may now only be fired on enemy players and no longer drones or defense turret.
• Charged Plating now allows 40% of the damage done to it to bleed through to the hull, down from 50%. Its shield capacity has been lowered from 150% to 130%.
• Interdiction Drive has had a balance pass, and its tooltip now details its effects:
  • Boosts player speed by 20% for 6 seconds
  • Reduces speed and turning rate of all enemies within 3000m by 10% for 6 seconds
• Shield Piercing upgrades have been reduced in power, and weapons with native Shield Piercing have had their damage reduced slightly.
• Bypass crew ability now grants 16% shield piercing to both primary and secondary weapons (down from 35%).
• Evasion has been reduced in power:

• Response Tuning and Lightweight Armor have had their passive evasion bonuses reduced by 1%
• Distortion Field now grants 9% passive evasion, down from 15%, but has had its shield capacity increased from 70% to 80%
• Distortion Field’s active ability now grants only 27% evasion, but has had its duration extended to 6 seconds. The tier 1 upgrade now grants 8% evasion, down from 10%.

• Railgun weapons now require a minimum charge of 25% before firing.
• Mines and drones no longer display the name of the player who deployed them, only their type.

Items + Economy

• The 2-piece Field Tech’s PvP set bonus now increases the range of Distraction and Takedown or Quickdraw by 5 meters.
• The 4-piece Field Tech’s PvP set bonus now increases the duration of Orbital Strike or XS Freighter Flyby by 3 seconds.

SWTOR 2.4: The Dread War is now live, so if you’re stuck at work or somewhere else where you can’t actually play, then console yourself with the full patch notes for your perusing pleasure:

Game Update 2.4: The Dread War

Highlights

• New Story Mission Area: Oricon! Located in an uncharted system well off the Hydian Way, Oricon is a remote moon that is immeasurably strong with the dark side – a perfect home for the feared Dread Masters! Begin the Oricon journey by talking to O6-D5 on the Republic Fleet or D5-F3 on the Imperial Fleet. Details under General
• Warzone Arenas! 4v4 Warzone Arenas are now active for Unranked, Ranked Solo, and Ranked Team play! Details under PvP
• New Level 55 Daily Missions! Explore the ship-strewn, mysterious landscape of Oricon as you battle the deadly Dread Guard and their minions. The Dread Masters are bent on destroying both the Empire and Republic and they’re using their every resource to do so! Details under Missions and NPCs
• New Operation: Dread Fortress! Begin your assault of the Dread Masters lair, an ancient fortress claimed by the Dread Masters soon after arriving on Oricon. Details under Flashpoints and Operations
• New Operation: Dread Palace! Make your way beyond the Dread Fortress to the foreboding palace of the Dread Masters –and battle towards the final confrontation with the galaxy’s greatest threat.Details under Flashpoints and Operations
• New Galactic Reputation Organization! A new organization has been added: Strike Team Oricon (Republic) (Republic)/Dread Executioners (Imperial). Details under Legacy

• New Gear Sets! Three new sets of gear have been added: Dread Forged (new tier), Oriconian (new PvE Commendation gear) and Obroan (new PvP tier). Details under Items and Economy
• New Vehicles and Mount! The Praxon Pyroclast, Gurian Volcano, and Strike Force Tauntaun have been added! Details under Items and Economy

General

• New Story Mission Area: Oricon! Located in an uncharted system well off the Hydian Way, Oricon is a remote moon that is immeasurably strong with the dark side – a perfect home for the feared Dread Masters! The area includes two new Operations, two new Galactic Reputation Organizations, and completing a series of level 55 missions will unlock access to a [DAILY] mission series. Players can begin the Oricon journey by talking to O6-D5 on the Republic Fleet or D5-F3 on the Imperial Fleet.
• The Cartel Bazaar is now a Rest Area.
• A Cargo Bay is now available to players in the Cartel Bazaar.
• Speeders on the Western Ice Shelf of Ilum no longer dismount players and prevent travel from Imperial Firebase 3 or Republic Recon Post.
• The Thranta that takes players to the Elysium base on Alderaan is no longer on a killing spree; it will not dump players to their death, thus preventing completion of the [HEROIC 4] Shock Doctrine mission.
• The in-game mail confirming access to the Digital Expansion: Rise of the Hutt Cartel has been updated to no longer refer to the player purchasing the expansion.
• The Rakata Transporters on Belsavis are now connected to one another once they have been discovered.

Cartel Market

New Items

**Please note that Cartel Market updates are dynamic. Changes listed in Patch Notes may take effect several days after the patch is made available.**

• A new bundle is available on the Cartel Market. The PVP Consumables Bundle offers players 10 Medpacks and 10 Adrenals that can be used in all Warzones. Cost: 200 Cartel Coins
• A new bundle is available on the Cartel Market. The Major Warzone XP Boost Bundle offers Major Warzone Experience Boosts that can help the player level up quickly while in Warzones. Cost: 180 Cartel Coins

Classes and Combat

Jedi Knight

Guardian

Defense

• A single stack of Courage now appropriately reduces the focus cost of your next Blade Storm or Force Sweep.

Sith Warrior

Juggernaut

Immortal

• A single stack of Revenge now appropriately reduces the rage cost of your next Force Scream or Smash.

Jedi Consular

Shadow

• Phase Walk now only teleports the player when the ability is deactivated manually. All other methods of removing the effect (such as clicking to remove the buff from the effect bar) will simply end the ability without a teleportation.
• Phase Walk now only goes on cooldown when the character successfully teleports.

Sith Inquisitor

Assassin

• Phase Walk now only teleports the player when the ability is deactivated manually. All other methods of removing the effect (such as clicking to remove the buff from the effect bar) will simply end the ability without a teleportation.
• Phase Walk now only goes on cooldown when the character successfully teleports.

Bounty Hunter

General

• Reduced the cost of Flame Thrower to 24 heat (down from 25) and slightly reduced the damage dealt.
• Kolto Overload now triggers at 35% health and may heal up to 35% of max health (both up from 30%).
• Rail Shot now deals slightly more damage.

Mercenary

General

• Mercenaries now receive the proper dual-wielding damage bonus for Rail Shot.

Pyrotech

• Increased Thermal Detonator explosion damage, but reduced the damage it deals over time.
• Reduced the cost of Incendiary Missile to 16 heat (down from 22) and slightly reduced the damage it deals.
• Degauss has been redesigned: Activating Chaff Flare increases your defense chance by 12.5/25% for 6 seconds.

Powertech

Shield Tech

• Coolant now allows Kolto Overload to heal beyond 35% health (up from 30%).

Advanced Prototype

• Increased the cost of Immolate to 10 heat (up from 8) and increased the damage it deals.
• Slightly reduced the damage done by Retractable Blade.
• Prototype Cylinder Ventilation has been redesigned: While High Energy Gas Cylinder is active, players will vent 1/2 heat every 1.5 seconds.
• Prototype Flame Thrower has been redesigned: Flame Burst, Flame Sweep, and Immolate have a 50/100% chance to grant Prototype Flame Thrower, which affects the next Flame Thrower by increasing the damage dealt by 20%, reducing the heat generated by 2, slowing targets by 30%, and making it immune to interrupts. This effect can stack up to 3 times.
• Prototype Weapon Systems now additionally increases the critical strike damage bonus for Flame Thrower by 10/20/30%.
• Power Loaders now additionally increases the critical hit chance of Rocket Punch by 2/4/6%.

Pyrotech

• Increased Thermal Detonator explosion damage, but reduced the damage it deals over time.
• Reduced the cost of Incendiary Missile to 16 heat (down from 22), and slightly reduced the damage it deals.
• In addition to its previous functionality, Automated Defenses now also increases damage reduction by 15/30% while Kolto Overload is active.
• Bursting Flame has been redesigned: Rocket Punch has a 33/66/100% chance and Flame Burst has a 20/40/60% chance to trigger your Combustible Gas Cylinder if active.
• Sweltering Heat has been redesigned: While Combustible Gas Cylinder is active, Flame Burst and Flame Sweep have a 50/100% chance to reduce the movement speed of affected targets by 40% for 6 seconds.
• Degauss has been redesigned: Activating Chaff Flare increases your defense chance by 12.5/25% for 6 seconds.

Trooper

General

• Reduced the cost of Pulse Cannon to 24 energy cells (down from 25) and slightly reduced the damage it deals.
• Adrenaline Rush now triggers at 35% health and may heal up to 35% of max health (both up from 30%).
• High Impact Bolt now deals slightly more damage.

Commando

Assault Specialist

• Increased Assault Plastique explosion damage, but reduced the damage it deals over time.
• Reduced the cost of Incendiary Round to 16 energy cells (down from 22) and slightly reduced the damage it deals.
• Degauss has been redesigned: Activating Diversion increases your defense chance by 12.5/25% for 6 seconds.

Vanguard

Shield Specialist

• Soldier’s Grit now allows Adrenaline Rush to heal you beyond 35% health (up from 30%).

Tactics

• Increased the cost of Fire Pulse to 10 energy cells (up from 8) and increased the damage it deals.
• Slightly reduced the damage done by Gut.
• Cell Generator has been redesigned: While High Energy Cell is active, players regenerate 1/2 energy cells every 1.5 seconds.
• Havoc Training now additionally also increases the critical strike damage bonus for Pulse Cannon by 10/20/30%.
• Charged Loaders now additionally increases the critical hit chance of Stockstrike by 2/4/6%.
• Pulse Generator has been redesigned: Ion Pulse, Explosive Surge, and Fire Pulse have a 50/100% chance to grant Pulse Generator, which affects the next Pulse Cannon by increasing the damage dealt 20%, reducing the energy cell cost by 2, slowing targets by 30%, and making it immune to interrupts. This effect can stack up to 3 times.

Assault Specialist

• Increased Assault Plastique explosion damage, but reduced the damage it deals over time.
• Reduced the cost of Incendiary Round to 16 energy cells (down from 22) and slightly reduced the damage it deals.
• In addition to its previous functionality, Adrenaline Fueled now also increases damage reduction by 15/30% while Adrenaline Rush is active.
• Ionized Ignition has been redesigned: Stockstrike has a 33/66/100% chance and Ion Pulse has a 20/40/60% chance to trigger your Plasma Cell if active.
• Sweltering Heat has been redesigned: While Plasma Cell is active, Ion Pulse and Explosive Surge have a 50/100% chance to reduce the movement speed of affected targets by 40% for 6 seconds.
• Degauss has been redesigned: Activating Diversion increases your defense chance by 12.5/25% for 6 seconds.

Collections

• Items from the Pursuer’s Bounty Pack now have the correct icon for the account-wide unlock button in the Collections Window..
• The account-wide unlock now works correctly for Emote: Whatup
• The account-wide unlock now works correctly for the Poison Lobel Pet.
• The Collections entry for Cassus Fett’s Armor Set now has the belt.

Companion Characters

Treek

• Characters created before Game Update 2.3 can now progress beyond the first affection conversation with Treek.

Crew Skills

Crafting Skills

General

• Removed Isotope-5 as a material requirement for crafting Rating 156 [Artifact] gear.

Cybertech

• All Cybertech grenades now bestow a new effect called Bastion on the target, in addition to normal effects. Players who have this effect applied are immune to further Cybertech grenade attacks for the duration of Bastion (3 minutes).

Flashpoints and Operations

Operations

• New Operation: Dread Fortress! Begin your assault of the Dread Masters lair, an ancient fortress claimed by the Dread Masters soon after arriving on Oricon. This Operation is available at level 55 in Story and Hard Modes, and it contains 5 boss encounters with lockouts.
• New Operation: Dread Palace! Make your way beyond the Dread Fortress to the foreboding palace of the Dread Masters –and battle towards the final confrontation with the galaxy’s greatest threat. This Operation is available at level 55 in Story and Hard Modes, and it contains 5 boss encounters with lockouts.

Items and Economy

New Additions!

• Dread Forged is a new tier of gear obtained from the Dread Fortress and Dread Palace Operations in Hard Mode.
• Obroan is a new tier of PvP gear obtained via Ranked Warzone Vendors on the Republic and Imperial Fleets. Itrequires Ranked Warzone Commendations as well as the associated Conqueror piece.
• Oriconian is a new set of PvE Commendation gear obtained Ultimate Gear Vendors on the Republic and Imperial Fleets.
• The Praxon Pyroclast is a new vehicle obtained as a rare drop via Dread Palace and Dread Fortress Operations boss encounters in Hard Mode.
• The Gurian Volcano is a new vehicle obtained as a Galactic Reputation reward via the Strike Team Oricon (Republic)/Dread Executioners (Imperial) Galactic Reputation Vendors on Oricon.
• The Strike Force Tauntaun is a new mount obtained as a mission reward upon completing the Oricon story missions. It requires “Legendary” rank with Strike Team Oricon (Republic)/Dread Executioners (Imperial).

General

• Dye modules can now be added to most Adaptable (Orange) Gear, including Lore-based pieces and crafted items below level 15.
• Primary Black/Secondary Deep Red dye module is now available via the Strike Team Oricon (Republic)/Dread Executioners (Imperial) Galactic Reputation Vendors on Oricon.
• Centurion and Mercenary Commendations have been removed. These Commendation types have been converted into Warzone Commendations at 1:1 ratio, are no longer displayed in the Currency Tab of the Inventory Window, and Warzone Vendors no longer trade items for them.
• Players can now can use either Shift + Left Click or Shift + Right Click to split a stack of items, which will allow the function to be used while the GTN Window is open.
• The JA-3 Speeder’s engines now have sound.
• Movement sounds no longer persist after dismounting the Adno Mantis, Adno Locust, and Adno Saberwasp speeders.

GTN

• Players can now use Shift + Left Click an item while the GTN is open to populate the search box with the name of that item.
• Added a sortable “Unit Price” column to the GTN Window, which will display the listed item’s price-per-unit.
• The GTN now auto completes with the price and duration of a player’s last posted auction. In addition, the last price will be remembered on a per-unit basis. i.e. If a player puts 1 med pack up for 10 credits, and their next auction is a stack of 20 med packs (the same type as before) it will auto complete 200 credits (10 credits for 1 x 20 = 200). The remembered price and duration are reset upon area transition or log out.
• All Galactic Trade Network kiosks are now appropriately named.

Vendors

• New Vendor: Operations Gear Vendor! Players can now exchange Arkanian, Underworld, and Dread Forged gear tokens for the appropriate armor piece via the new Operations Gear Vendor on the Republic and Imperial Fleets.
• Basic Gear Vendors now sell Arkanian Relics and Black Market gear.
• Elite Gear Vendors now sell Verpine gear.
• Ultimate Gear Vendors now sell the new Oriconian gear.
• Ranked Gear Vendors now sell the new Obroan gear.
• Warzone Gear Vendors now sell Conqueror Gear
• Warzone Gear Vendors now sell new Conqueror Relics.
• Partisan gear is no longer available for sale.
• Warzone Enhancement Vendors now sell Conqueror level Enhancements
• Ranked Enhancement Vendors now sell Obroan level Enhancements
• Warzone Enhancement Vendors no longer sell Partisan level Enhancements
• Reduced the cost of Schematics sold by the Basic Commendations Schematic Vendor:
  • Bracers and Belt Schematics now cost 15 Basic Commendations.
  • Implants, Earpieces, and Offhands now cost 60 Basic Commendations

Legacy

• New Galactic Reputation Organizations! Complete missions on Oricon to earn Galactic Reputation with Strike Team Oricon (Republic) and Dread Executioners (Imperial) and purchase special rewards including the new Strike Force Tauntaun!
• Added a new category called “Dailies” to the Achievement Window which tracks Achievements for the following Daily Mission Areas:
  • New: CZ-198
  • New: Oricon
  • Moved: Black Hole (previously located under Location > Corellia)
  • Moved: Section X (previously located under Location > Belsavis)
• The Achievement “Down with the Corporate Elite” no longer incorrectly completes by defeating 15 rather than 30 enemies.

Missions and NPCs

General

• New Level 55 Daily Missions! After advancing through the Oricon story mission series, players can further explore the ship-strewn, mysterious landscape of Oricon and battle the deadly Dread Guard and their minions via a new set of [DAILY] missions. Players must stop the Dread Masters, who are bent on destroying both the Empire and Republic and are using their every resource to do so!
• Players can now obtain [WEEKLY] The Dread Palace and [WEEKLY] The Dread Fortress from the Operations Terminal on the Republic and Imperial Fleets.
• PvP missions have been updated:
  • [WEEKLY] missions no longer require wins and now advance with one point for a loss and two points for a win in an Unranked Warzone.
  • Ranked Warzones no longer count towards [DAILY] or [WEEKLY] mission progress.
  • Mission requirements are now as follows:
    • Under level 55 [DAILY] PvP missions: 2 completed Unranked Warzones
    • Under level 55 [WEEKLY] PvP missions: 5 completed Unranked Warzones
    • Level 55 [DAILY] PvP missions: 4 completed Unranked Warzones
    • Level 55 [WEEKLY] PvP missions: 15 completed Unranked Warzones

World Missions

Balmorra

• Attempting to abandon the following missions now clearly indicates that they may not be able to be obtained again:
  • Operation Breaking Point
  • Big Guns
  • Despair
  • Disguises
  • Breaking the Resistance

Makeb

• Trouble in Paradise: Now that Navigator Uptin has learned to speak Basic, he wants to talk more and the conversation with him has been extended.

Space Combat

• The Grade 7 Improved Power Converter now enhances and reduces damage appropriately.

PvP

Warzones

General

• 8v8 Ranked Warzones have been removed from the Ranked Warzone queue. For more information on this change please see our Developer Update regarding Warzone Arenas.

• To ensure proper matchmaking, players are no longer able to change Skill Tree points while in a Warzone queue or match.
• Bolster has been adjusted to account for the addition of the new Obroan and Dread Forged gear.

Arenas

• 4v4 Warzone Arenas are now active! These small scale PvP maps reward victory to last team standing in the best of three rounds. Missions and rewards are provided in the same manner as current Warzones.
• The following Arena maps are currently active:
  • Orbital Station Arena
  • Tatooine Canyon Arena
  • Corellia Square Arena
• Arenas count as a single Warzone in the Unranked Warzone queue rotation. (Each map is not weighed individually.)
• Players can queue for Arenas in Ranked Solo or Ranked Group modes via the PvP queue button on the UI minimap.
• Czerka VX-736 Injector can no longer be used in Warzones.

UI

• Using the “Ready” emote now shows up appropriately in the Chat Window.

As you probably well and truly know by now, Game Update 2.3 Titans of Industry is live (and has in fact been patched once to 2.3.0a). Read on for the full patch notes and we’d love your initial thoughts of 2.3 in comments!

Game Update 2.3: Titans of Industry

8/6/2013

Highlights

• CZ-198, a new Level 55 Daily mission area, is now available!  CZ-198 is a small, private moon where Czerka Corporation’s most secret and dangerous data, research and technology is stored. The facility has recently entered an emergency security lockdown, and both the Empire and the Republic have descended on the moon in order to seize control.  Details under Missions
• New Level 55 Flashpoint: Czerka Corporate Labs! Infiltrate Czerka’s corporate headquarters on CZ-198 and take down Rasmus Blys, the Czerka scientist responsible for developing the company’s most dangerous weaponry. Details under Flashpoints
• New Level 55 Flashpoint: Czerka Core Meltdown! Race against time to stop the imminent meltdown of the CZ-198 research facility and battle against the terrifying security system known as “The Vigilant!” Details under Flashpoints
• New Galactic Reputation Organizations! Three new Organizations have been added: The Adjudicators (Republic), Ordnance Acquisition Corps (Empire) and Bounty Brokers Association.Details under Legacy.
• New Feature: Tauntaun Creature Mounts! Head to Hoth, where players will find the Tauntaun Trainer and Tauntaun Handlers in Aurek and Dorn Bases.
• New Companion Character! Treek can now be obtained as an additional Companion Character via the Cartel Market or Legacy Vendors in the new Cartel Bazaar hangar of the Fleet!
• New Event: Bounty Contract Week! Each month, players can undertake contracts and pursue dangerous criminals throughout the galaxy! Details under General
• Palette Graphics Upgrade! All environments have been given a visual upgrade with more vibrant colors.

Cartel Market

New Items

• Players can now purchase a Mercenary Contract to obtain the new Companion Character, Treek. Cost: 2,100 Cartel Coins
• The Treek Customization Bundle is now available on the Cartel Market! This bundle contains three Companion Character customization items that will allow players to modify Treek’s appearance in a variety of ways. Cost: 300 Cartel Coins
• A new weapon is available in the Cartel Market! The custom-made Collapsible Bowcaster Grek requires Blaster Rifle weapon proficiency. Cost: 400 Cartel Coins

Bug Fixes

• The Pocket Sarlacc has acquired a taste for male characters with Body Type 1 and will now display the eating animation properly when used.
• Calo Nord’s Jacket now displays properly when equipped.
• The icon for the Unlimited Content Bundle no longer displays Medical Probes, as they are not contained in the bundle.
• Corrected a spelling error in the details for The Unlimited Content Bundle.
• Covert Energy Boots now display the proper icon in the Collections Window.

General

• New Event: Bounty Contract Week! Each month, players can undertake contracts and pursue dangerous criminals throughout the galaxy! Adventures begin on Republic and Imperial Fleets with a mission given by mysterious Bounty Hunters who are toting a “friend” encased in Carbonite. The first Bounty Contract Week begins on August 14th and will continue for seven days.
• New Feature: Tauntaun Creature Mounts! Head to Hoth, where players will find the Tauntaun Trainer and Tauntaun Handlers in Aurek and Dorn Bases.
• Palette Graphics Upgrade! All environments have been given a visual upgrade with more vibrant colors.
• The Cartel Bazaar is a new hangar on the Republic and Imperial Fleets with an Appearance Designer kiosk, a Galactic Trade Network kiosk, and a cantina. The Cartel Market Reputation Vendors have closed their shops in the Crew Skills area and have moved to the Cartel Bazaar.
• Added a sign to the Appearance Designer entrance on Coruscant.

Classes and Combat

Jedi Consular

Sage

Telekinetics

• Using Telekinetic Wave quickly before the proc for Tidal Force is triggered no longer prevents abilities from being cast for several seconds.

Sith Inquisitor

Sorcerer

Lightning

• Using Chain Lightning quickly before the proc for Lightning Storm is triggered no longer prevents abilities from being cast for several seconds.

Jedi Knight

Sentinel

Combat

• The visual effect for Centering can no longer be continually stacked such that it causes performance issues.

Sith Warrior

Marauder

Carnage

• The visual effect for Fury can no longer be continually stacked such that it causes performance issues.

Smuggler

Gunslinger

Saboteur

• Hot Pursuit has been redesigned to improve how it interacts with Hightail It. The skill now has a 50/100% chance to gain 4 charges of Hot Pursuit upon exiting cover, which reduces the energy cost of Quick Shot by 100%. Each use of Quick Shot consumes 1 charge, and consumption of the first charge triggers a 20 second rate-limit on this skill. This effect lasts 15 seconds but is also removed by consuming all charges or reentering cover.

Imperial Agent

Sniper

Engineering

• Calculated Pursuit has been redesigned to improve how it works with Covered Escape: The skill now has a 50/100% chance to gain 4 charges of Calculated Pursuit upon exiting cover, which reduces the energy cost of Overload Shot by 100%. Each use of Overload Shot consumes 1 charge, and consumption of the first charge triggers a 20 second rate-limit on this skill. This effect lasts 15 seconds but is also removed by consuming all charges or reentering cover.

Companion Characters

• New Companion Character! Treek can now be obtained as an additional Companion Character via the Cartel Market or Legacy Vendors in the new Cartel Bazaar hangar of the Fleet!

Crew Skills

Crafting Skills

Biochem

• Crafted level 401+ Prototype (blue) quality Stims, Adrenals, and Medpacs now yield stacks of 3 or 4 rather than 1 or 2, depending on success type.

Gathering Skills

Archaeology

• Added level 401+ missions that reward color crystals.

Flashpoints and Operations

Flashpoints

• New Level 55 Flashpoint: Czerka Corporate Labs! Infiltrate Czerka’s corporate headquarters on CZ-198 and take down Rasmus Blys, the Czerka scientist responsible for developing the company’s most dangerous weaponry.
  • Includes all-new role-neutral Story Mode at Level 55, where Group Finder will match the first four players of any role for fast queue times!
  • Level 55 Hard Mode is also available.
• New Level 55 Flashpoint: Czerka Core Meltdown! Race against time to stop the imminent meltdown of the CZ-198 research facility and battle against the terrifying security system known as “The Vigilant!”
  • Includes all-new role-neutral Story Mode at Level 55, where Group Finder will match the first four players of any role for fast queue times!
  • Level 55 Hard Mode is also available.

Operations

Scum and Villainy

• Cartel Warlord Sunder’s voice will now be properly modulated by his mask in the French and German versions.

Items and Economy

General

• New Weapons! The CZR-9001 weapons are available on the CZ-198 Reputation vendor. These Rating 162 weapons cost 350 Elite Commendations and require Friend rank with Adjudicators / Ordnance Acquisition Corps.
• Arkanian, Underworld and Kell Dragon proc relics will no longer prevent other Arkanian, Underworld and Kell Dragon procs of a different type from activating. For example, a Power proc relic and a damage proc relic will both activate correctly when equipped together.
• Bind on Use items that have a cast time now become bound when casting is complete rather than at the beginning of the cast.

Vendors

• New Reputation vendors are available in the CZ-198 Daily mission area:
  • Primary Black Secondary Blue Dye module schematic is available for players with Champion Rank with the Ordnance Acquisition Corps (Empire) / Adjudicators (Republic).
  • New Droid armor is purchasable for Companion Characters via these vendors.
• Added a new Bounty Broker’s Association Reputation Vendor to the Cartel Bazaar on the Republic and Imperial Fleets.
• PvP vendors inside of Warzones now trade Ranked Warzone Commendations for Warzone Commendations instead of the other way around.

Legacy

• New Galactic Reputation Organizations!
  • Complete CZ-198 missions to earn Galactic Reputation with the Ordnance Acquisition Corps (Empire) / Adjudicators (Republic) and purchase special rewards including powerful all new companion armor for Droids!
  • Complete Bounty Contracts Earn Galactic Reputation with the Bounty Brokers Association by completing bounty contracts during Bounty Contract Week!

Missions and NPCs

Missions

General

• [WEEKLY] Galactic Conflicts can now be advanced by completing [HARD] Czerka Corporate Labs and [HARD] Czerka Core Meltdown in addition to existing level 55 Hard Mode Flashpoints.
• The Curse of Conversation Craziness has been lifted from afflicted Companion Character hands, and when they equip certain gloves, it no longer prevents mission conversations from progressing properly.
• Using a mission item from the Mission Tracker during or after the mission updates to the next step no longer prevents players from interacting with objects in the world.

CZ-198

• CZ-198, a new Level 55 Daily mission area, is now available!  CZ-198 is a small, private moon where Czerka Corporation’s most secret and dangerous data, research and technology is stored. The facility has recently entered an emergency security lockdown, and both the Empire and the Republic have descended on the moon in order to seize control.
  • Complete missions to earn Galactic Reputation with the Ordnance Acquisition Corps (Empire) / Adjudicators (Republic) and purchase special rewards including powerful all new companion armor for Droids!
  • CZ-198 is now available as a destination on the Priority Transport Terminal.

NPCs

• NPCs following players during escort missions and other special situations are no longer able to be attacked by members of the opposing Faction when the player is not PvP flagged.
• Heads have been restored to Weequay NPCs throughout the galaxy, who requested better protection for their vulnerable floating eyeballs.

PvP

Warzones

Alderaan Civil War

• This Warzone has been updated, and now capturing the side turrets (Objective Control Points) will not spawn a speeder that takes your team directly to that turret.

UI

• The buff icon for the Dr. Oggurobb Hutt Holostatue now displays Dr. Oggurobb’s head instead of a Taun Fawn.

• Updated Tutorial text for “Fulfill Your Destiny” to account for prior changes in level cap and legacy unlock level.

• The Guild Window will no longer display level 0 characters with blank names in some circumstances.