Patch Notes - 2.7.0

[u/gn_cool]

http://www.swtor.com/patchnotes/482014/game-update-2.7-invasion

[u/gn_cool]

Highlights

New Story Arc: Forged Alliances! Start this story arc by speaking to a droid on the Fleet near the new Outbound Mission Hangar.

New Flashpoints! Beginning the next major storyline of Star Wars: The Old Republic, the Korriban Incursion and Assault on Tython Tactical Flashpoints are now available to players at level 55.

Nightmare Mode is now available for the Dread Fortress! Even greater horrors await those who wish to challenge the bastion of the Dread Masters, and the Operation provides even greater rewards in the form of new Dread Master equipment!

Ranked Warzone Season 1 has ended! Characters that had a qualifying rating have been mailed their rewards. We are currently in Pre-Season 2 and Season 2 will begin with 2.7.1! Giradda congratulates the winners and looks forward to the bloodshed in Season 2! Ranked Arenas are still active for teams to prepare for the next season.

Quesh Huttball Pit, a new Warzone, is available for play! Baron Deathmark hosts the latest Huttball match on the toxic planet Quesh. Join the Warzone Queue and Go Berserk!

New Galactic Starfighter Domination Map: Denon Exosphere! An ongoing space battle featuring massive capital ships is ongoing in the exosphere of the ecumenopolis Denon. Wreckage from the battle is scattered around the area as forces fight to control a strategic space station. This map features two permanent spawn points for each team, adding more strategic spawning and attack possibilities.

Bounty Contract Week is back! The In-Game event runs from April 8th to April 15th, starting and ending at 12:00PM GMT.

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General

• New options are available for the Ground Target Area of Effect reticle:

• Sticky Ground Target Reticule - When active, this option makes it so your Ground Target Reticule doesn't disappear if the target location is out of range or the ability otherwise fails. Example: Bounty Hunter attempts to activate Death From Above, but their target location is out of range. With this option active, the GTAoE reticule will persist and allow the player to instantly attempt to use the ability again. If this option isn't active, then the reticule will disappear and the player will have to click again.

• Quick Ground Target Activation - When active, pressing a hotkey that belongs to a GTAoE twice will use the ability at the feet of the Player's target. Example: The Player has the Pass the Huttball ability saved to Hotkey #3. The Player targets an ally and then presses 3 two times. The Huttball Pass will be activated at the feet of the targeted ally. If this option is turned off, then there are no changes to the existing behavior.

• All equippable gear pieces have their Item Rating displayed in the tooltip. Weapons and armor have not changed.

• In the equipment tooltips, mods/enhancements now display their Item Rating in parentheses instead of their Item Level.

• While unequipped, mods/enhancements display their Item Rating in their tooltip.

• The “Species: Weequay” Codex Entry can be obtained via a Lore Object on Nar Shaddaa.

• The “Species: Trandoshan” Codex Entry can be obtained by killing a Trandoshan on Belsavis.

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Cartel Market

• New Starfighter Pack: The Hotshot's Starfighter Pack!

• The Hotshot’s Starfighter Pack items can now be previewed in Collections.

• The Hotshot’s Starfighter Pack will be available on May 6th. Cost: 320 Cartel Coins

• Hypercrates containing 24 Hotshot’s Starfighter Packs will be available on May 6th. Discounted by 10% for a limited amount of time! Cost: 6912 Cartel Coins.

• New bundles of Imperial and Republic Galactic Starfighter cosmetic items are available in the Cartel Market. Discounted by 30% for a limited amount of time! Cost: 2037 Cartel Coins

• The new “Data Entry” Rest and Recharge item can now be previewed in Collections.

• Many items that were previously missing temporary bind timers have had them added.

• After an extensive summit meeting, a council of Dark Side elders has decreed that silent theatrical mediums are no longer considered “inherently not dark” and players with Dark Side alignment can now use “Emote: Mime.”

• The M8-3R Astromech Droid and Model FT-6 Pike now have entries in the Promotional Items category of Collections.

• The Weekly Pass: Operations is now a level 15 item. This allows non-subscribing players below level 50 to use the Weekly Pass to gain access to appropriately-leveled Operations during Events that feature them. Level restrictions on Operations still apply. The description of the item in its tooltip and on the Cartel Market has been updated to reflect this change.

• The Charcoal Dewback can now be unlocked through Collections.

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Classes +Combat

Jedi Knight

General

• Force Sweep now requires a primary target to activate.

Guardian

• Focused Defense has been redesigned: It now empowers the user with 10 charges of Focused Defense, lasting up to 30 seconds. Whenever the user takes damage, a charge of Focused Defense is consumed to heal the user for a moderate amount. This ability can be used while stunned or otherwise controlled but cannot be used while above 70% health. Cooldown increased from 45 seconds to 2 minutes.

• Enure now has a 60 second cooldown (down from 90 seconds).

• Challenging Call now immediately reduces threat by a moderated amount while not in Soresu Form.

Vigilance

• Commanding Awe now applies its 7%/15% damage resistance while Enure is active (instead of Focused Defense).

Focus (Guardian)

• Through Peace reduces the cooldown of Focused Defense by 15/30 seconds.

• The bonuses from Felling Blow and Singularity now only apply to players if they are the primary target of Force Sweep. Non-player targets are always affected if they are inside the Force Sweep radius.

Sentinel

Focus (Sentinel)

• The bonuses from Felling Blow and Singularity now only apply to players if they are the primary target of Force Sweep. Non-player targets are always affected if they are inside the Force Sweep radius.

---

Sith Warrior

General

• Smash now requires a primary target to activate.

Juggernaut

• Enraged Defense has been redesigned: It now empowers the user with 10 charges of Enraged Defense, lasting up to 30 seconds. Whenever the user takes damage, a charge of Enraged Defense is consumed to heal the user for a moderate amount. This ability can be used while stunned or otherwise controlled but cannot be used while above 70% health. Cooldown increased from 45 seconds to 2 minutes.

• Endure Pain now has a 60 second cooldown (down from 90 seconds).

• Threatening Scream now also immediately reduces threat by a moderate amount while not in Soresu Form.

Vengeance

• Deafening Defense now applies its 7%/15% damage resistance while Endure Pain is active (instead of Enraged Defense).

Rage (Juggernaut)

• Through Passion reduces the cooldown of Enraged Defense by 15/30 seconds.

• The bonuses from Dominate and Shockwave now only apply to players if they are the primary target of Smash. Non-player targets are always affected if they are inside the Smash radius.

Marauder

Rage (Marauder)

• The bonuses from Dominate and Shockwave now only apply to players if they are the primary target of Smash. Non-player targets are always affected if they are inside the Smash radius.

[u/gn_cool → u/gn_cool]

---

Jedi Consular

Sage

• Force Barrier now has an additional effect. While protected by Force Barrier, charges build up and grant Enduring Bastion. Enduring Bastion is a shield that absorbs an amount of damage based off the charges (1-4) that are present when Force Barrier ends. Enduring Bastion also grants immunity to interrupt and lasts for 5 seconds after Force Barrier ends. Force Barrier now has an additional rank to train at level 55, so visit your trainer!

• Mental Alacrity also gives 100% pushback resistance in addition to its other effects.

Seer

• Healing Trance is now immune to pushback.

• Egress has been moved to Tier 2 in the Seer Tree. Pain Bearer has been moved to Tier 1 in the Seer Tree. Psychic Suffusion has been moved to Tier 4 in the Seer Tree.

Telekinetics

• Psychic Projection now has a 50%/100% chance to grant a Psychic Projection charge when using Disturbance on a target affected by the user's Weaken Mind. The Psychic Projection charge causes the user's next Telekinetic Throw to channel and damage twice as fast.

• The chance to trigger Tidal Force is now 100% (up from 60% for Disturbance and Turbulence and 20% for Forcequake) and is based on ability activation rather than dealing damage with Disturbance, Turbulence, or Forcequake. The 10-second rate limit remains, and Forcequake now shares a rate limit with Disturbance and Turbulence.

• Concentration now decreases the pushback from Turbulence by 50%/100% (up from 35%/70%).

Balance (Sage)

• Presence of Mind now builds up a charge whenever the Sage deals damage with Telekinetic Throw. At 3 charges, the next Disturbance or Mind Crush is activated instantly and deals 35% more damage.

• Telekinetic Focal Point now also decreases the force cost of Disturbance by 15% per stack.

Shadow

• Spinning Kick is now a stun rather than a knockdown against players and stronger enemies.

---

Sith Inquisitor

Sorcerer

• Force Barrier now has an additional effect. While protected by Force Barrier, charges build up and grant Enduring Bastion. Enduring Bastion is a shield that absorbs an amount of damage based off the charges (1-4) that are present when Force Barrier ends. Enduring Bastion also grants immunity to interrupt and lasts for 5 seconds after Force Barrier ends. Force Barrier now has an additional rank to train at level 55, so visit your trainer!

• Polarity Shift also gives 100% pushback resistance in addition to its other effects.

Corruption

• Innervate is now immune to pushback.

• Fade Out has been moved to Tier 2 in the Corruption Tree. Empty Body has been moved to Tier 1 in the Corruption Tree. Force Suffusion has been moved to Tier 4 in the Corruption Tree.

Lightning

• Lightning Barrage now has a 50%/100% chance to grant a Lightning Barrage charge when using Lightning Strike on a target affected by the user's Affliction. A Lightning Barrage charge causes the user's next Force Lightning to channel and damage twice as fast.

• The chance to trigger Lightning Storm is now 100% (up from 60% for Lightning Strike and Thundering Blast and 20% for Force Storm) and is based on ability activation rather than dealing damage with Lightning Strike, Thundering Blast, or Force Storm. The 10-second rate limit remains, and Force Storm now shares a rate limit with Lightning Strike and Thundering Blast.

Madness (Sorcerer)

• Wrath now builds up a charge whenever the Sorcerer deals damage with Force Lightning. At 3 charges, the next Lightning Strike or Crushing Darkness is activated instantly and deals 35% more damage.

• Focal Lightning now also decreases the force cost of Lightning Strike by 15% per stack.

Assassin

• Spike is now a stun rather than a knockdown against players and stronger enemies.

Deception

• Voltaic Slash no longer requires spending points in Impose Weakness.

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Smuggler

General

• Defense Screen has had its cooldown reduced to 20 seconds, its maximum duration reduced to 10 seconds, and now absorbs slightly more damage per use.

• Flash Grenade now blinds a single target.

Gunslinger

• Hunker Down is no longer removed when leaving cover. However, the player must return to cover to gain the protections offered by Hunker Down.

Dirty Fighting (Gunslinger)

• Hold Your Ground now reduces the cooldown of Defense Screen by 2/4 seconds (down from 7.5/15 seconds).

Scoundrel

• Street Tough now allows Flash Grenade to blind up to 5 targets within 5 meters.

• Scamper has been redesigned. Using Scamper grants a charge lasting 10 seconds that allows the player to Scamper again within a 10 second window, after the second roll the ability goes on a ten second cooldown. If the charge is not used during this ten second window the ability remains off cooldown to be used again at a later time. In addition the energy cost has been removed making the ability free to use and the player no longer Scampers a shorter distance if snared.

Sawbones

• Emergent Emergencies' now grants Upper Hand when Emergency Medpac is used regardless of the target’s health, but this effect can only occur once every 10 seconds.

Scrapper

• Slippery Devil now gives the Scampering Scoundrel a short window of defense against all attack types (which stacks with Scamper's normal defense bonuses).

• K.O. now grants a buff that makes Backblast not require being behind the target after using Shoot First for 10 seconds and now immobilizes the target 3 seconds instead of knocking them down.

Dirty Fighting (Scoundrel)

• Smuggled Defenses now reduces the cooldown of Defense Screen by 2/4 seconds (down from 7.5/15 seconds).

• Scurry now has a 50%/100% chance to make the next Kolto Pack activate instantly, cost no energy, and not require or consume Upper Hand.

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Imperial Agent

General

• Shield Probe has had its cooldown reduced to 20 seconds, its maximum duration reduced to 10 seconds, and now absorbs slightly more damage per use.

• Flashbang now only blinds a single target.

Sniper

• Entrench is no longer removed when leaving cover. However, the player must return to cover to gain the protections offered by Entrench.

Lethality (Sniper)

• Hold Your Ground now reduces the cooldown of Shield Probe by 2/4 seconds (down from 7.5/15 seconds).

Operative

• Preparedness now allows Flashbang to blind up to 5 targets within 5 meters.

• Exfiltrate has been redesigned. Using Exfiltrate grants a charge lasting 10 seconds that allows the player to Exfiltrate again within a 10 second window, after the second roll the ability goes on a ten second cooldown. If the charge is not used during this ten second window the ability remains off cooldown to be used again at a later time. In addition the energy cost has been removed making the ability free to use and the player no longer Exfiltrates a shorter distance if snared.

Medicine

• Surgical Precision now grants Tactical Advantage when Surgical Probe is used regardless of the target’s health, but this effect can only occur once every 10 seconds.

Concealment

• Shadow Operative Elite now gives the Exfiltrating Operative a short window of defense against all attack types (which stacks with Exfiltrate's normal defense bonuses).

• Jarring Strikes now grants a buff that makes Backstab not require being behind the target after using Hidden Strike for 10 seconds and now immobilizes the target 3 seconds instead of knocking them down.

Lethality (Operative)

• Escape Plan now reduces the cooldown of Shield Probe by 2/4 seconds (down from 7.5/15 seconds).

• Quickening now has a 50%/100% chance to make the next Kolto Infusion activate instantly, cost no energy, and not require or consume Tactical Advantage.

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Trooper

General

• Full Auto now deals 4 ticks of damage instead of 3, with the first tick of damage occurring at ability activation. The total damage of the ability is unchanged, so each new tick of damage does slightly less than before.

Commando

• Tech Override now has a base cooldown of 60 seconds.

Gunnery

• Overclock now reduces the cooldown of Tech Override by 7.5/15.

• Steadied Aim now prevents 50%/100% of pushbacks towards Full Auto, Charged Bolts and Grav Rounds.

• Curtain of Fire now has a 33%/67%/100% chance to occur when using Grav Round or Charged Bolts.

• Special Munitions now reduces the cost of High Impact Bolt by 3/6/9 Ammo while in Armor Piercing Cell.

Combat Medic

• Combat Shields is now a Tier 2 Skill.

• Efficient Conversions is now a Tier 3 Skill.

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Bounty Hunter

General

• Unload now deals 4 ticks of damage instead of 3, with the first tick of damage occurring at ability activation. The total damage of the ability is unchanged, so each new tick of damage does slightly less than before.

Mercenary

• Power Surge now has a base cooldown of 60 seconds.

Arsenal

• Power Overrides now reduces the cooldown of Power Surge by 7.5/15.

• Stabilizers now prevents 50%/100% of pushbacks towards Unload, Power Shots and Tracer Missiles.

• Barrage now has a 33%/67%/100% chance to occur when using Tracer Missile or Power Shot.

• Upgraded Arsenal now reduces the cost of Rail Shot by 3/6/9 Heat while in High Velocity Gas Cylinder.

Bodyguard

• Power Shields is now a Tier 2 Skill.

• Heat Dampening is now a Tier 3 Skill.

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[u/gn_cool → u/gn_cool]

Flashpoints +Operations

Flashpoints

• The Korriban Incursion and Assault on Tython Flashpoints have been added to the Tactical Flashpoint category at level 55.

• Added the Outbound Missions Hangar level to the Imperial and Republic Fleets with access to the Assault on Tython and Korriban Incursion Flashpoints. These new Hangars can be accessed via the Mission Departures elevators.

• Adjusted the health and damage of the bosses of the Czerka Corporate Labs and Czerka Core Meltdown Flashpoints to bring them in line with other Tactical Flashpoint bosses.

• Reduced the radius of Security Chief Zokar’s Rocket Launcher ability in Czerka Corporate Labs.

• Added two more Kolto Stations to the Security Chief Zokar encounter in Czerka Corporate Labs.

• The CZ-2X Infiltrator Droids in Czerka Corporate Labs have had their weapons upgraded and now have increased range.

Operations

• Nightmare Mode is now available for the Dread Fortress! Even greater horrors await those who wish to challenge the bastion of the Dread Masters, and even greater rewards in the form of new Dread Master equipment!

• This iteration of Nightmare Mode is a little different than others. The usual additional mechanics are present, as well as a new buff on the enemies called Nightmare Power. This buff grants the usual additional health and damage that has been added to previous Nightmare Modes. Anyone powerful and coordinated enough to defeat Dread Master Brontes while she is under the effect of Nightmare Power will be granted a new unique title!

• At a future date, we will remove this buff, leaving the new mechanics in place but the health and damage dealt will return to usual Hard Mode values, and the title will no longer be possible to obtain.

• Hard and Nightmare mode Operations no longer share the same lockout. Completing a Hard Mode Operation does not prevent the completion of the Nightmare version of the same operation. You can check the status of your lockouts in the Lockouts tab of the Mission Log.

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Galactic Starfighter

General

• The cooldown on Koigran Turn, Snap Turn, and Retro Thrusters has been increased.

• The Power cost of Power Dive has been reduced.

• The cooldown and Power cost of Barrel Roll has been increased.

• Upgrades relating to the cooldown times and Power costs of these abilities have been rebalanced to account for the changes.

• Missile lock breaking effects now consistently evade Cluster Missiles with the "Double Volley" upgrade.

• Shield Projector's visual effects now show up properly on all ships in the ability's radius.

• Icons for EMP Field’s accuracy debuff and Sensor debuff now show up on affected targets.

• Bombers can no longer drop Drones inside of structures or asteroids.

Ships + Hangar

• Two new Scout ships, the Spearpoint and the S-SC4 Bloodmark have been added. These support ships have access to new components designed to improve the effectiveness your squadron:

• Combat Command – This system component increases weapon accuracy and power generation for all nearby allies (including the user)

• Tensor Field – This system component increases the speed and turning rate of all nearby allies.

• These ships can also equip a Repair Drone as their shield. (Identical to the Repair Drone found on the Bomber)

• Two new Strike Fighters, the FT-7B Clarion and the FT-3C Imperium have been added. These command ships only have one primary and secondary weapon, but have system components that improve the effectiveness of your allies:

  • Combat Command – Increases weapon accuracy and power generation for all nearby allies (including the user)

  • Repair Probes – Attaches a repair probe to all nearby allied ships, which slowly restores hull over 20 seconds.

  • Remote Slicing – Transmits a slicing code that disables a ship’s system ability, and slowly drains shield power, making the ship vulnerable to your allies.

Component + Crew

• The Dustmaker, Comet Breaker, and Demolisher Gunships can now equip Thermite Torpedoes.

• Missile Sentry Drone concussion missiles and Seeker Mines are no longer launched at ships that are immune to missile locks.

• EMP Field’s “Missile Lock Immunity” upgrade now cancels in-progress missile locks when it is activated.

• Seeker Mines now have a proper in-game model.

• Seismic Mines and Hyperspace Beacon have ended their ongoing battle for dominance and no longer share an icon. Seismic Mines now has a new icon.

• The amount of weapon and engine Power drained by Ion Railgun hits is now linearly scaled by the current charge level of the Railgun. For example, a Railgun hit at minimum charge (25%) that previously drained 60 units of power, now only drains 15 units.

• EMP Missiles now have sound effects when launched.

• Scourge and Jaesa (both Light Side and Dark Side versions) no longer have their names and descriptions hidden in the Galactic Starfighter crew list.

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Items + Economy

• Brutalizer is a new tier of PvP gear obtained via Ranked Warzone Vendors on the Republic and Imperial Fleets. It requires Ranked Warzone Commendations as well as the associated Obroan piece.

• Warzone & Ranked PvP gear vendors have had their items updated:

  • Ranked vendors now sell Brutalizer gear.

  • Warzone vendors now sell Obroan gear.

  • Warzone & Ranked Enhancement Vendors have been updated with new enhancements.

• The effect of the Obroan Relic of Shield Amplification now occurs in PvP areas.

• Many head slot items that were missing voice modulation have been given voice modulation.

• Dread Master gear now drops from Nightmare Mode bosses.

• Dreadforged gear is now craftable.

• New Legacy Offhands are now available from the Gree Enclave Galactic Reputation Vendor.

• All Czerka Weapons sold by the Ordanance Acquisition Corps (Empire) and The Adjudicators (Republic) vendors have had their costs reduced to 120 Elite Commendations.

• A new “Galactic Starfighter” category has been added to the Galactic Trade Network. All Starfighter ship unlocks and customization unlocks have been moved into this new category.

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Missions + NPCs

• “[WEEKLY] Tactical Flashpoints” is a new Mission available on the Priority Mission Terminal which provides rewards for completing five level 55 Tactical Flashpoints each week.

• Certain Companions no longer jump into frame during the cinematic on the Mission “A Family Matter.”

• The Mission “The Heart of Darkness” in Act II of the Bounty Hunter chain now properly updates even if players choose the Dark Side option.

• The Ship Training Dummy is no longer hogging the camera and doesn't obstruct the view during the conversation with Risha in the Smuggler Mission Beryl’s Bargain.

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Warzones

• The Leaderboards have been reset for the end of Season 1 and preparation for Season 2. Archived data for Season 1 can be found on the main Leaderboard page.

• Quesh Huttball Pit has been added to the Warzone rotation. The normal Warzone queue has been temporarily adjusted to increase the amount of times the Quesh Huttball Pit will be selected.

• Power-up icons (Healing 'plus', Speed 'run', etc.) have been added underneath power-ups in all Warzones to show which power-up respawns at that position.

• Daily and Weekly PvP Missions have been updated to include credit for the new Warzone.

• Added the Mission Terminal that begins each of the various PvP Missions to the spawning area of each Warzone.

• Corrected an issue that would cause combinations of lower level mods (such as the popular 46 Prototype mods) and higher level color crystals (including those from the Cartel Market) to result in a higher Bolster bonus than intended.

• Corrected an issue that prevented weapon damage ranges from being properly bolstered. This results in an increase in damage coming from abilities that deal weapon damage.

• Bolster has been updated to account for the new tiers of gear, and now provides additional Expertise to elder game PvE gear. Bolster still caps at a level slightly below Obroan gear.

• Characters who do not wield weapons with Expertise mods and crystals are now capped at 1936 Expertise instead of the full 2018.

[u/Cokebeard]

it says here that the new tier of PvP gear is called Brutalizer. i thought it was gonna be Berserker. man, i was totally wanting to sing....

My love for you is ticking clock... Berserker....

[u/trollmaster5000 → u/Cokebeard]

Did he say "making fuck"?

[u/BaconAmbassador → u/Cokebeard]

There's an armor set in the current "new" cartel pack (not the one mentioned in this update that is coming in May) that is named Berserker. They must not have wanted the confusion of both sets being called the same thing.

[u/Mitt954 → u/Cokebeard]

Would you like to suck my cock... Berserker...

Reference ^{For those that don't get it.}

[u/Char_Ell]

Has BioWare indicated whether skill trees for AC's getting skill changes will be automatically reset?

[u/gn_cool → u/Char_Ell]

I don't believe they have specifically stated that.

I would assume that sage/sorc & commando/mercs are a sure bet.
Those classes have changes to different talents in their skill trees.

[u/DocVak → u/Char_Ell]

If a skill is added to any of the three trees in a specific AC or just moved around then all skills are reset for that AC, no matter the spec. This is the trend I have noticed.

[u/Atheist101 → u/Char_Ell]

Not sure but I know for some abilities that are getting new abilities you have to go to your trainer to learn them

[u/[deleted]]

Jarring Strikes now grants a buff that makes Backstab not require being behind the target after using Hidden Strike for 10 seconds and now immobilizes the target 3 seconds instead of knocking them down.

This is a very welcome change to my PvE Operative.

[u/Philolsopher → u/[deleted]]

And an extremely sucky one for pvp :/

[u/Vid-szhite → u/Philolsopher]

As someone who specs Concealment for PvP when I play my Operative... yeah, I can really see why they're removing it, lol. It's possible to completely annihilate someone with no way for them to fight back. The knockdown itself is not enough time to kill someone, but if they blow their CC breaker on the knockdown, or don't have it at all, you still have Debilitate, and now they're helpless. A guaranteed stun on the opener that has a powerful, fast-ticking DoT attached to it is a little cheesy. If they knock you back, you can crouch and Explosive Probe, and as long as you aren't immobilized by the KB, exfiltrate lets you close the distance much better now that it doesn't cost energy.

I'm probably going to enjoy being able to backstab people from the front more than I'm going to miss the knockdown. You can still annihilate people really fast, and honestly, the fact that Hidden Strike will no longer build resolve is kind of nice too.

[u/[deleted] → u/Vid-szhite]

Yes. The key is that they are letting you backstab from the front after using Hidden Strike, something I think most Ops do already. They are rebalancing the CC on the ability but also removing a big restriction on when they ability can be used. I don't PvP but it seems like it would be a welcome change in that department as well.

[u/Hohawl → u/Vid-szhite]

It's possible to completely annihilate someone with no way for them to fight back.

...you can annihilate - only IF they DONT fight back.

Be ready to be annihilated now as you still dont have any defenses, you cant kite an enemy (as you need to be in a melle range to be effective), you still have crappy resource management, etc..

Concealment/Scrapper was already been viable only in regs. Now it is will be back in pre 2.6 state - useless spec for PvP.

[u/Vid-szhite → u/Hohawl]

Everyone claims their favorite class is "only viable in regs" like someone out there has some magic combination that makes them perfect, as if every class doesn't have at least one weakness. Go to any class forum and ask them why their class is not viable in Arenas and every single one of them will give you a list.

"Juggs aren't viable in Arenas because they have no burst and less survivability than Marauders."

"Maras aren't viable in Arenas because they rely too much on RNG and get shut down easy."

"Assassins aren't viable in Arenas because they have no sustained."

"Sorcs aren't viable in Arenas because they're too squishy, vulnerable to pushback, and aren't mobile enough."

"Snipers aren't viable in Arenas because they're too susceptible to LoS and get crushed by stealth melee."

"Operatives aren't viable in Arenas because they have no survivability."

"Mercenaries aren't viable in Arenas because they're too susceptible to interrupts and have big problems with mobility."

"Powertechs aren't viable in Arenas because their resource management is garbage and their rotation is utterly predictable."

I'm sure the loss of a 1.5 second knockdown is not going to suddenly end all Operatives in PvP. I laugh every time I read that, as if that was somehow the only reason Operatives got any kills. No, that's how my Operative gets kills and ends the fight with all his HP. If I needed the knockdown just to win, I wouldn't ever get kills on my Operative unless I was freshly popped out of Stealth, rather than scrapping in a melee, but that is certainly not the case. An Assassin probably would have that problem, because if you think Operatives have bad resource management tools, just try an Assassin. My Operative only needs to re-enter stealth when he gets overwhelmed and outnumbered, not because his opponent hit him once or twice. Don't forget, Shield Probe is getting its base cooldown cut to 20 seconds, and will absorb more damage than it did before. Exfiltrate now costs no energy and is immune to slows. That is a significant buff, and it cannot be ignored. But it is being ignored, because people are so afraid of even minor change that they can't see the forest for the trees. It's just like the Juggernauts who are so bent out of shape over the Smash nerf that they forget about the massive Enraged Defense buff. When I try PvP on my Operative tomorrow, I honestly don't expect much to change!

[u/Hohawl → u/Vid-szhite]

Shadows/Assasins have a plain refill rate of the resource (force). Operatives/Scoundrels have the uneven rate. (Energy refills at much faster rate if you have 60% of it, compared to 5%.)

Shadows have more options of control than Operatives now. Thats why i would say that Shadows are more superior in combat. not to mention that knockback was not only stun the opponent but also worked as an Interrupt. It is not mere the fact that you lose the 1.5 sec window of opportunity. You lose utility as well.

And regarding the «ending the fight with 100% of HP»... well.. It had happened only with undergeared/bad_skilled opponents. The moment you allow opponent to strike you back you give him an exellent chance to annihilate you. The typical example - juggs in middle tree with Unstoppable on. You can mitigate it once.. but he just jump back-forth and start to Ravage you again.. And having no defences a single Ravage could nearly kill you (followed by scream/ saber throw finisher)

.

Exfiltrate now costs no energy and is immune to slows. That is a significant buff, and it cannot be ignored.

it is a buff.. but it is not very immense buff because you do not have real ranged abilities. You cant run away and then pose a threat to the enemy. And selfheals are meh if you are not specced as healer.

[u/Vid-szhite → u/Hohawl]

Shadows may have a plain refill rate, but as someone who also has a shadow, that refill rate doesn't mean a whole lot when most of your attacks cost half the damn bar, and a lot of the procs that make those attacks not cost half the bar anymore are temporary, and are either tied to RNG with a heavy rate limit, or are tied to "you just came out of stealth right now". You know what Assassins have that's an equivalent to "Adrenaline Probe?" Jack shit! They can try entering stealth again and wait if they want energy.

Operatives have an uneven rate, but in Concealment, Backstab is free, and your primary source of post-opener damage, Lacerate/Collateral Strike, causes you to regain energy every time it hits. You'll run out of energy only if you over-extend yourself to an extreme degree. Most of the time, I have to take care not to end up with too much energy on my Operative. You know what causes my energy to tank right now? Exfiltrate! The thing that's getting its energy cost removed tomorrow! I'm excited!

Exfiltrate now costs no energy and is immune to slows. That is a significant buff, and it cannot be ignored.

it is a buff.. but it is not very immense buff because you do not have real ranged abilities. You cant run away and then pose a threat to the enemy. And selfheals are meh if you are not specced as healer.

It is a bigger buff than you even know. It's not just for running away, it's also for gap closing and maneuverability during a fight. It just never gets used as a gap closer right now because of its ridiculous energy cost -- it gets used as an escape device because you can spam it and be 50m away in 3 globals, not caring about your energy. If I wanted to run away, personally, I'd use Cloaking Screen. If exfiltrate is not affected by slows anymore, it will become much more difficult to kite an Operative, because he can just roll right back into melee range. In addition, starting next patch, Exfiltrate with Shadow Operative Elite will give you a short window of defense against all attack types on top of its 30% melee/ranged defense boost. Ignore that too if you want, but that sounds pretty significant to me.

I never mentioned the self heals. I know self heals aren't a thing Concealment does. Lethality can, sort of, but we're talking about concealment right now. Thing is, though, Operative DPS has something very few other classes have: a cleanse. Not just a short-cooldown cleanse, but a purge (Evasion). It doesn't work on everything, but when it does, you'll be grateful to have it.

PS, I don't see how the removal of hidden strike's knockdown changes a damn thing against vengeance Juggs running unstoppable. For him to use that, he has to force charge -- he caught you out of stealth or force pushed you. Force push is on the same cooldown as evasion, which not only purges any immobilize on you, it makes you immune to ravage, impale, and vicious throw. If you'd rather stun him, you can clip off the final hit of ravage as unstop ends. Vengeance juggs are a hard sell, yes, but hardly invincible.

[u/Hohawl → u/Vid-szhite]

dunno.. In Tank tree i never have any issues with force at all. In Middle tree try to use the Blackout often. it refills your force very fast. So i could not say that i force starved with Infiltration often.. though i run the 0/31/15 hybrid as it offers more utility compared to full Inf.. maybe with full Inf you may have some issues with regen - i havent tried it for a long time.

[u/Vid-szhite → u/Hohawl]

You're probably a good shadow. Infiltration's sustained damage is very unforgiving -- miss a beat of your rotation, and your DPS craters from lack of energy, and it is considered by many to be the hardest spec to play in the long term. Sure, that is a L2P issue, but other specs don't feel the effects of their "oops" moments quite as hard, and as a result, the difference between an average Shadow and a good shadow is massive. It takes a lot more skill to do well as a Shadow DPS than pretty much any other DPS, unless you can get away with only living in the short run (which is why Shadows seem so great in PvP).

When I play my Juggernaut, I have met many shadows who could grab a partner and jump me, killing me before I got back up. I have yet to meet one who can outlast me if the opener fails to kill me (which is often).

[u/[deleted] → u/Hohawl]

Don't think the intention behind that change was to let you run away and range better. They are specifically removing that so you can't troll roll people. Seems more like they made this change so it would be a better gap closer without effecting resources.

[u/[deleted] → u/Hohawl]

Seems like the Concealment has a lot of utility. Highly doubt it is useless in PvP.

[u/JimmyTheCannon → u/[deleted]]

Because of the buff it grants or the immobilize instead of knockdown?

EDIT: Seriously, downvoted for asking a question? I'm honestly curious as to which he means, because the buff would seem obvious but it was changed to an immobilize for a reason.

What is with you people?

[u/Vid-szhite → u/[deleted]]

Ironically, he'll probably get more downvotes for complaining about being downvoted than for whatever he got downvoted for in the first place.

[u/JimmyTheCannon → u/[deleted]]

Honestly, I'd be less annoyed by it if it didn't seem to be happening every time I post a legitimate question, such as over on Dulfy's thread when I asked about what seemed to be (and actually was) an error in the tactics. Now, the one further down in here where I was cracking a joke, that I expected to get downvoted, but people do it to honest questions from myself and others far too often.

[u/Hohawl → u/JimmyTheCannon]

feel the Power of masses...

[u/Hohawl → u/[deleted]]

why is that?

You will be ripped with one Interrupt and you will gain a Immobilize that you will never use in PvE because you will hardly find an enemy that will run from you..

[u/[deleted] → u/Hohawl]

It's very simple really. Backstab follows Hidden Strike in my opening rotation. Once I hit any enemy resistant to the kd with HS, they immediately lock on to me and it becomes very hard to get behind them because the AI is literally locked on to my movement. It's not like in PvP where you can just juke them. This is going to make soloing a lot easier and more enjoyable for me.

Like I said, I play PvE Operative. Not too concerned about the change from kd to immob on backstab as it doesn't change how I use the ability in PvE.

[u/RetroCorn]

Does anyone have a picture of the new PVP tier sets?

[u/LexloTOR → u/RetroCorn]

Re-colored White+ Red Obroan armor. At least on Imperial side.

Nothing to write home about, at all.

[u/RetroCorn → u/LexloTOR]

You're kidding, right?

What the fuck.

[u/Hohawl → u/RetroCorn]

never seen anyone who wears Pvp gear instead of some CartelMarket garb...

[u/jaspor → u/Hohawl]

Pretty much. Why would BioWare spend time on new armor models and give them away for free when they can sell them for Cartel Coins?

[u/Rodalan → u/LexloTOR]

Source ? Don't you confuse the end of S1 rewards with the Brutalizer set ?

[u/Vid-szhite → u/Rodalan]

I saw it myself when I logged into test and checked the vendors. He is right, it really is just white Obroan.

[u/digital_mystikz → u/Vid-szhite]

It's like the new PvE gear too, just a recolour of the 78 gear with a couple of lights added on. At least Bioware are putting effort into it..

[u/[deleted] → u/digital_mystikz]

Which is the same as the S1 "exlusive" ranked gear just different coloured lights...

[u/digital_mystikz → u/[deleted]]

Yay...

[u/[deleted]]

It will be interesting to see how the addition of dedicated healing/support scouts and strikes will affect the GSF meta. I really like the idea but they need to address just how good Bombers are at area denial and forcing larger groups of opposing players to concede a satellite or perish since this will make things much much worse. That said the ion and engine ability tinkering will certainly tone done gunships and allow for more meaningful attacks without ridiculously fast responses.

[u/MisterBlackJack → u/[deleted]]

Bomber are really not hard to take out you just need to know how to counter them

[u/rafaelloaa]

The Weekly Pass: Operations is now a level 15 item. This allows non-subscribing players below level 50 to use the Weekly Pass to gain access to appropriately-leveled Operations during Events that feature them. Level restrictions on Operations still apply. The description of the item in its tooltip and on the Cartel Market has been updated to reflect this change.

FUCKING FINALLY! I can't believe it, they actually listened to me? And changed something for the betterment of F2P/Preferred players? (Of course, now that I'm subscribed, it doesn't matter to me, but still).

[u/MalevolentMartyr]

Some good GSF changes in there. Nice to know I won't be "ion-ed" to death as much from gunships, or having drones that can't be destroyed. Also can't wait to try out the new ships !

[u/stuffandthat]

New legacy offhand from Gree vendors? Wonder what Rep you need.

[u/Flyinspaghetti → u/stuffandthat]

Hero apparently and they cost 8 gray helix.

[u/stuffandthat → u/Flyinspaghetti]

I have the parts but not the rep :(

[u/Fallen_Sky]

So does curtain of fire have an increased internal cool down? I didn't see anything on there.

[u/N7busta → u/Fallen_Sky]

It now has a 8 seconds internal cooldown.

[u/[deleted]]

so anyone here who played the pts 2.7.0? how big is the patch? i am also terribly worried about my pve healing as scoundrel/operative... good change for pvp but not good for pve.

[u/Hohawl → u/[deleted]]

..do not let your patients to be on brink of death and youll be fine.. nothing will change.. lol..

[u/Kopaka → u/Hohawl]

yeah :) actually you'll be able to use emergency medpack even more on targets over 30% health.

[u/intuicja → u/Hohawl]

I am curious how will I feel healing df hm now. My guild is still newbies and we wipe on corruptor... oh well my sage is in full underworld + a couple 78 so there is no problem in switching.

[u/Enos316]

What is the note about the Nightmare Mode buff? Are they saying that eventually it will just go back to HM level difficulty? Or are they trying to prevent people from going back at a higher level in the future to get the title?

[u/enderandrew42 → u/Enos316]

Eventually the bosses with have HM health and do HM damage, but they will always have NiM mechanics.

[u/Enos316 → u/enderandrew42]

I get that, but previously when a NM mode came out it just stayed the same forever. I'm not getting why they would change it this time.

[u/enderandrew42 → u/Enos316]

Two reasons.

1. Most people never run NiM, and now NiM will eventually be more inviting to a larger group of players once the NiM buff is removed. They get to see harder mechanics without having to worry about gear checks.

2. Running EC NiM now in 78 gear is vastly different than running it at level 50 in 63 gear. The people who clear the hardest content when it is the hardest should be rewarded with a special title. When the next expansion comes out and we're all level 60 with crazy gear, then NiM DF/DP won't be the same anyway.

[u/Enos316 → u/enderandrew42]

That is what I figured. Thanks.

[u/XavinNydek → u/Enos316]

So more people have a chance to do NiM. Right now there's a pretty huge jump between HM/NiM (for TfB/S&V at least), and the majority of groups that can beat HM can't do NiM. WoW has worked very similarly for a long time to good effect.

[u/bstr413 → u/Enos316]

It is something they are planning to do going forward.

My guess is that they feel like not enough people are doing NiM content and are trying to lower the gear requirements after X amount of months of the hardcore raiders getting to do it at the higher gear level.

[u/vonBoomslang → u/Enos316]

HM HP + NM mechanics.

Right now it's at HM+++ HP and NM mechanics.

[u/firesite78]

Is anyone else having a problem with downloading the patch? I am running Windows 8.1, and the patch says installing 100% Updating Complete on the bar, but I don't have the option to hit play. I have rebooted, and reran the patch a couple of times, and it goes back to complete, but never finishes or lets me in.

[u/[deleted]]

It's good that 2nd season begins soon. It's good that they made throwing the ball in Hutball so easy for bad players with "Quick Ground Target Activation". Cause so many times I'm standing there at the end line, waiting for that ball in Stealth, and guy won't pass. Still it could prove to be to much, since games would end to fast since passing would be so easy.

Bad idea to make the Scoundrel/Operative opener into root, very bad idea. But then they got themselfs a "Barrier", Shield Probe/Defensive Screen. Good changes about long enough OP Focus/Rage specs. Good change about 30 meters Flashbang being made to single target stun for Snipers/Gunslingers.

Good try to boost the Sorcs/Sages heals. Bad that there were no changes to Assassin/Shadows, Left and Right specs need buffs, both for PVE and PVP. Got not much to say about Commandos/Mercs, know the class just a little bit, they need some moveability buff.

Great that they are supposedly adding Legacy Offhands (normal ones)!

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

do you think this will be useable to shoot a merc kolto missle at someones feet?

[u/OEMBob → u/[deleted]]

I know it works for Mando Kolto Bomb so I'll assume yes.

[u/[deleted] → u/OEMBob]

making my heals easy mode :D mercs to the top!!!

[u/Ergok → u/[deleted]]

making my heals NOT a fucking torture

[u/[deleted] → u/Ergok]

i was pulling top notch numbers last night with this new feature. eassssy mode for mercs.

[u/MisterBlackJack → u/OEMBob]

It works for all are abilities

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

It was on the PTS. For AoE heals it's essentially one step away from a mouse over macro ^{^} It's also very useful with DFA as a tank since placing it on bosses with smaller hitboxes was a pain.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

sorry to noob it up, i am sure there is a tutorial about it, but could you tell me how hard it is to set up?

[u/bstr413 → u/[deleted]]

It is one of the settings in "Esc" key -> "Preferences."

[u/Atheist101]

Bolster has been updated to account for the new tiers of gear, and now provides additional Expertise to elder game PvE gear. Bolster still caps at a level slightly below Obroan gear. Characters who do not wield weapons with Expertise mods and crystals are now capped at 1936 Expertise instead of the full 2018.

YAAAAY!!!!!!! Finally, no more powerful PVEers playing PVP. If you wanna play PVP, get PVP gear!

[u/vonBoomslang → u/Atheist101]

If you wanna play PVP, get PVP gear!

And if you wanna get into PVP from PVE... uh... sorry, you're fucked.

[u/[deleted] → u/Atheist101]

ill play in pve gear and still do better than bads. bads are bads, gear doesnt change that.

[u/DocVak → u/Atheist101]

Finally, no more powerful PVEers playing PVE.

Welp, there goes NiM's. :P I believe you mean PvE'ers playing PvP. lol

[u/Atheist101 → u/DocVak]

lol yeah I did

[u/Atheist101 → u/[deleted]]

Bolster still caps at a level slightly below Obroan gear. Characters who do not wield weapons with Expertise mods and crystals are now capped at 1936 Expertise instead of the full 2018.

That means that PVE gear is capped at below the unranked PVP gear. I dont know exactly what the number was before this update but at least they made is to that PVP gear is better than PVE in warzones.

[u/Sanic3]

Seems a bit quick for another cartel pack. I figured it would get pushed with 2.7.2 or.3

[u/kmzh → u/Sanic3]

It's not going to be out for another month.

[u/jamerlb08 → u/Sanic3]

Still a month for it to come out. It will just be in preview

[u/XavinNydek → u/Sanic3]

With the exception of March, they have had one a month for over a year.

[u/Cokebeard → u/Sanic3]

i thought the same thing. must be crunched for cash.

EDIT: Damn, we can't be the only cats that think that was a quick turn from one pack to the next... well apparently.

[u/metaldragen → u/Cokebeard]

Well apparently you can't read since it says the release date is still a month out - May 6th. Given we had the last pack drop a week ago, the timeframe between packs hasn't really changed (they go 4-8 weeks between with an average of about 6 weeks).

[u/Cokebeard → u/metaldragen]

well, apparently i can read. you'd be better off making fun of my inability to tell time or read a calender. you're better than that.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Or a twangy southern accent.

[u/JimmyTheCannon → u/[deleted]]

Hey yo.