Introduction

Publish 25 brings us all some “exciting” new game enhancements. For quite some time we have heard that our game is not delivering on the promise of a true Star Wars adventure. The enhancements premiering in Publish 25 take our game to an all new level of Star Wars style action making our game play experience feel more like the films and fiction; exciting, story-driven, Star Wars fun. The game plays more like a fast-paced, action-packed Star Wars adventure.

• Recently our Producer, Julio Torres, posted his thoughts on these enhancements and gave insight into the thinking that drove this development. You can read about it here.
• You can read all about the new details in the latest version of our Frequently Asked Questions. You can find that information here.
• If you are looking for a guide on how to respec your character, click here.

Enjoy the new adventure that lies ahead. May the Force be with you!

New Fast-Action Combat

Combat is now more action-oriented and feels like the action-packed combat depicted in the Star Wars movies – the new system is about 4 times faster than the current combat interaction. Movement speeds are fast and weapons fire at incredibly high rates of speed. These high rates of speed for movement and combat bring the Star Wars Galaxies combat experience to life and put players in control of every move and swing of a weapon.

However, ranged combat is not the only way to enjoy this great feature – melee combatants will also attack in similar fashion using the same keyboard and mouse functionality.

Introducing 9 New Iconic Professions – Live the Saga!

Each profession is based on several of the most popular Star Wars characters, giving players the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of their favorite Star Wars heroes… or villains. Developing a character in the chosen profession is still based on story-driven adventuring, questing, and acquiring new skills.

1. Bounty Hunter = Boba Fett

Bounty Hunters chase the worst foes in the galaxy. You will learn to use whatever dirty tricks you must to bring your prey down. When someone needs an enemy taken care of, they hire Bounty Hunters to do their dirty work. Tracking down and eliminating people are what Bounty Hunters do best. As a Bounty Hunter, you must learn the tricks of ambush and assault so your prey does not escape.

General Skills:

• Ranged Combat
• Bounty Hunting
• Melee Combat
• Capture Techniques

2. Commando = Commander Cody

Need an AT-ST destroyed? Call a Commando! Need a base blown up? The Commando is the one for you! A true combat specialist, the Commando uses heavy weaponry and demolitions to break through resistance. Whether you prefer to get in close or fight at range, Commandos wreak havoc with their powerful weapons.

General Skills:

• Heavy Weapons Combat
• Melee Combat
• Grenades
• Demolitions Techniques

3. Entertainer = Oola

What cantina would be complete without a stellar band on stage and a dancer or two gyrating to the music? All the fame of top musicians and dancers can be yours! Top entertainers can inspire people to do their best, allow them to relax and enjoy a drink at the bar, or give them an internal rhythm to follow throughout their day.

General Skills:

• Dancing
• Musicianship
• Image Design

4. Force Sensitive(Jedi) = Luke Skywalker

Jedi are Force Sensitive beings that can use their Force powers to over-come and control their enemies and can master the art of fighting with a lightsaber. Force Sensitive individuals feel a connection to the energy that surrounds all living things and binds the galaxy together.

General Skills:

• Lightsaber Combat
• Force Powers
• Block Blaster Bolts
• Force Lightning

5. Medic = 2-1B

Medics use the powerful healing properties of bacta to keep others alive before, during and after combat. Their remarkable knowledge of anatomy and medicines allow them to counter the detrimental effects of toxins, diseases, and vertigo. The nature of war dictates that Medics also know how to fight. Some medics use their medicinal knowledge to poison or disease while others fight with blasters.

General Skills:

• Ranged Combat
• Healing – the only Profession that can heal other players
• Poisons and Diseases
• Revive

6. Officer = Princess Leia

Do you think you have what it takes to be an Officer? Can you handle the responsibility of other people’s lives? Are you calm in a crisis? Every army needs good leaders to organize the troops and help them perform at their peak! Whether Imperial or Alliance , if you want to be an officer, you will learn how to lead a squad and how to fight. You will keep your squad alive, no matter how hostile the terrain.

General Skills:

• Ranged Combat
• Group Buffs
• Sniper Techniques
• Indirect Fire
• Resupply

7. Smuggler = Han Solo

Smugglers make their living dealing with the scum and villainy of the galaxy. While moving stolen goods, having a blaster at your side and knowing how to get out of sticky situations will keep you alive. Smugglers can fight without weapons as easily as with a pistol. Who knows when a cantina disagreement will get ugly? With the Smuggler’s clientele, you would be wise to know how and when to fight dirty.

General Skills:

• Melee Combat
• Ranged Combat
• Dirty Tricks Techniques
• Fence Goods

8. Spy = Leia as Bounty Hunter Boussh

Some operatives favor subtlety over grandiose pistol-waving intimidation. Spies use their training to blend in with a crowd, sneaking up quietly on targets to accomplish their missions. As they are often on their own, Spies have a rudimentary knowledge of first aid to keep themselves alive.

General Skills:

• Ranged Combat
• Stealth and Sneak
• Assassinate
• Stealing

9. Trader = Lando Calrissian

A noble profession for those that like to work with their hands, Traders craft items and then sell what they craft to eager folks that need items that they make. Credits can flow into a shrewd Trader’s hands if they follow the desires of the market. Traders tend to specialize in one of four fields: Domestic Goods, Structures, Munitions, or Engineering.

Headlines

• Profession rewards granted with respec!
• Character Respec Device counts bumped up to 11 for everyone!
• Chat issues fixed!
• Elder Buff Granted!

Character Respec

• Fixed an issue that would sometimes prevent the Character Respec Device or Profession Restart Kit from working properly.
• Characters that somehow did not finish the initial required respec (when logging into the game) will be required to respec again on login. This will not use up any charges on the respec device and will not affect any characters that were correctly converted.
• Character Respec Devices have all been reset to 11 charges.
• Profession Rewards will now be granted: when you respec your character, you will be granted all of the reward items associated with the profession you have selected.
  • Here is how it works:
  • You will use the respec device to respec your character.
  • When you respec your character for the first time, all of the items will be placed in your inventory. If your inventory is full, you may be “overloaded”. If this happens, you will need to either delete some old items or find a way to transfer some of your existing items to your house, a backpack or other container.
  • For each respec after the first, you MUST have 20 spaces of free inventory in order to respec your character. As long as you have 20 spaces of free inventory, you will be able to respec your character and you will be granted the reward items associated with your profession.
• Fixed the Commando armor rewards for Ithorians. Ithorians will now be granted their armor properly on the profession skill wheel.
• Fix an issue with the respec screen where an erroneous cancel button would appear.

Client Stability

• Fixed many instances of “Crash-to-Desktop”.

Combat

• Fixed an issue where Area of Effect attacks that did not require a target couldn’t be targeted. Now, you can use Area of Effect attacks by using the right mouse button and you will not have to find a target. For example, an AoE heal will now simply require you to choose the ability on your toolbar (1-9, -, =) and right-click your mouse button.
• Players can only attack creatures when properly targeting the mouse over the creature.
• Fixed an issue with Area of Effect attacks where the center of the attack would follow the player who set off the attack instead of attacking the targeted player.

Profession: Jedi

• The Niman Stance should now display the proper particle effect.

Profession: Medic

• Using the Nutrient Injection special ability should now properly apply the correct buff.

Quests

• Players should now be able to enter the Sennex Pirate Camp on Tatooine.

Sound

• Made improvements to the sounds of particle effects for special abilities.

User Interface

• Chat window functions should work correctly.
• When creating new chat windows, you will be able to type directly into the new chat windows.
• Elders should now be able to select their “Elder Titles” for Crafting and Entertainer Professions.
• Made the HAM Bars wider and brighter.
• Objects that are loaded into the “right slot” (such as grenades, etc.) will now show up better in the toolbar against the background.
• Prevented the number displayed for a character’s Combat Level on the character sheet until the character has selected a new profession on the profession select screen. Previously, an incorrect combat level was displayed and was confusing.
• Fixed an issue that caused all windows to close when closing the planetary map window.
• Fixed an issue that prevented User Interface settings from being updated to the new default settings when multiple characters were accessed without logging off. Note: This does not resolve the issue for characters already affected. To manually correct the issue, click the “Reset Defaults” button on the Interface page of the Options window.
• You should no longer be able to claim any veteran rewards in the new player space station or in space.
• When you load Star Wars Galaxies, you will see the original SWG loading screen.
• The lightsaber on the profession window skill wheel now works properly when you reach the level cap.
• On the profession window, the order of Abilities, Schematics and Skill Modifiers is now correctly displayed in the lower right hand window.
• Fixed an issue with low mouse sensitivity causing unplayable mouse jitters.
• Fixed an issue that caused the skill wheel ability boxes from displaying correctly. When you click on an ability on your skill wheel, it will be highlighted in yellow.
• Fixed an issue that would cause your skill wheel to display the wrong information after a player’s first respec.
• Completed many fixes to the Space Toolbar. Mouseovers are now highlighting correctly and we are continuing on outstanding issues for the Space Toolbar.

Veteran Rewards

• Fixed an issue that prevented granting the “Favor of the Elders” ability (the Elder Buff) to existing players. The command will be now be granted to veteran characters the next time the Profession Selection Screen is shown either from your first required respec or by using the respec device.

Experience Points

• Widened the level ranges for allowable experience points so that players can hunt a wider range of NPCs and creatures for their level.

GCW

• Spawns for Faction Bases are going to be temporarily disabled while we revaluate their overall role in the Galactic Civil War

GCW: New Galactic Civil War Point System

In this publish, we are adding a new Galactic Civil War Point System. Both Rebels and Imperials can earn Planetary Control Points for their side in the war by killing both Rebel and Imperial NPCs and factionally declared players.

Standings in the Galactic Civil War will now be based on the total amount of planetary control points your side has in the war for each of the current planets under contention. The planets on which you can earn points for your side in the war are Corellia, Naboo and Tatooine. Again, each of these three planets will have a different point total.

GCW: Gaining and Losing Points in the War

• You must be declared Special Forces to earn these points.
• Killing 25 NPC Rebels and Imperials will earn your side 1 point for the planet you are fighting on.
• Each factioned player (Rebel and Imperial) you kill will earn your side 1 point for the planet you are fighting on.
• The point scores for each planet will decay an unrevealed percentage every day, so you will need to remain active in the war to maintain the standings for your chosen side.

GCW: Checking the Planetary Control Score

There are “News Net” Terminals placed in Starports on Corellia, Naboo and Tatooine that players can use to determine who is winning the war on the planet they are currently on. Rebels and Imperials can to determine the actual score by speaking with a Faction Recruiter.

Loot

• Fixed an issue that prevented looting while in a group. You will also no longer be receiving the message, “You cannot loot that item because your inventory is full”.

New Player Tutorial

• Added friend finder terminal into station gamma.

Profession Respec

• Fixed an issue that prevented characters from earning experience points (XP) after using the Profession Respec Device.
• Fixed an issue that prevented a character from getting the profession reward item associated with the last skill box earned when using a respec device.

Quests

• Fixed an issue that allowed Force Sensitive Village quest events to occur. The old man will no longer make his visits.

User Interface

• The “Lots Remaining” description has been restored to the personal section of the Character Sheet.
• HAM Bar tool tips have been updated to display actual points and not percentages.
• The Profession selection window for profession respecs now covers the screen in all resolutions.
• Inventory windows should remember settings correctly (size, location, examine info, and avatar display).

Art

• Improved many animations for NPCs and players while they are in motion.

Combat

• Running now gives you a 50% chance to be missed by an NPC using a ranged weapon (Up from 25%).

Profession: Jedi

• Decreased the cool-down time for Force Run.
• Increased the duration for Force Run.
• Increased the duration of Force Throw snares.

Profession: Medic

• Executing the Nutrient Injection ability or any of the Heal-over-Time commands without a target should now target the Medic.

Quests

• Reduced the experience point rewards for Mustafar hunting quests.
• Jabba’s Palace quests will now properly award experience points (XP) for the quests.
• If you deleted your Bactapack or Slitherhorn on Tansarii Point Station and cannot complete your quest, the quest giver will now give you a new quest.

User Interface

• Chat is now modal. Any time you want to chat, hit ENTER to begin chatting.
• Double-clicking on a vehicle deed will now generate the vehicle.
• Fixed the incorrect cursor that was being displayed for generating and storing vehicles or pets.
• Fixed the incorrect cursor that was being displayed for activating and deactivating waypoints via the Datapad.
• Fixed an issue where a rapid accumulation of fly-text would cause it to be pushed down on the screen.
• The new player tutorial continuation screen displays in the proper location at all resolutions.

Veteran Rewards

• Those players which should have been granted the Elder Buff, but were not, will now properly be granted the elder buff when they login.

Headlines!

• Jedi have more protection with this update!
• All creatures and NPCs over level 21 have been balanced for fun combat.
• All special abilities that are snares have been fixed!
• Melee combat improved!
• Weakness Timer reduced!

Character Creation

• If you create a new character with a name that is already being used, you will no longer be switched back to the beginning character creation screen. You should be able to pick a new name and continue normally.

Combat

• All creatures and NPCs level 21 and up have had their difficulty reduced.
• Fixed all snares (snares are special abilities).
• The duration for the weakness timer was reduced from 2.5 minutes to 1 minute. If you are incapacitated a second time in less than 1 minute, you will be cloned.
• Melee attacks will hit more frequently against moving creatures and NPCs.
• Melee combat speed for respec’d characters should be improved.

Profession: Jedi

• Added Force Protection to Jedi Robes/Cloaks. This will provide protection for Jedi based on the level requirement of the item. Force Protection numerical values are found on the Character sheet once the object is equipped.
• Added various new Jedi Robes to provide Protection from levels 40-80, Happy Hunting!
• The “Two Handed” Force Throw special ability should work correctly.

Quests

• The RSF mainframe quest can now be completed.
• The legacy quest, “Jabba’s Dirty Work” will now give you the proper waypoint to complete the quest.
• The legacy quest, “Digital Infection” will now give you better information on how to upload the virus during the quest.
• The “Activating the Terminal” quest will no longer award experience points.

Server Stability Enhancements

• Improved some lag and over-spawning issues.

User Interface

• The class icon for the HAM bar has been corrected to display the proper profession icon.

Veteran Rewards

• The exclusive veteran reward, “Favor of the Elders” will no longer be granted to new players. It will only be granted to characters that were created before publish 25.