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PvP Revamp with Game Update 7.2

Here’s all you need to know about the Arena and Warzones PvP changes that are coming to Game Update 7.2 “Showdown on Ruhnuk.”



The goals for the PvP Revamp
Our goal is to create a positive and engaging PvP experience for all players by increasing the overall participation and quality of PvP matches and offering new incentives that benefit everyone who participates in PvP.

What are the changes?
No distinction between Ranked and Unranked play
Previously, players would queue for Warzones and Arenas in Unranked and Ranked matches. With 7.2, these queues will now be consolidated. Players will be able to queue solo or as a group for 4v4 or 8v8 matches. Additionally, with 7.2, the 8v8 queue will also allow full 8-player premade groups to queue up.

No restrictions for non-subscribers
All players, regardless of account type, can participate in PvP. During previous seasons, non-subscribers were restricted on the amount of matches they could play. With 7.2, free-to-play accounts will be able to participate in PvP; however, they will earn PvP points at a slower pace than Subscribers.

New PvP Points system
Players will now earn PvP points by playing and completing PvP content. These points will be based on three criteria:
  • Types of match
  • Win/loss
  • Amount of medals earned during the match. Medals have been updated to accurately reflect the state of damage numbers in 7.0. Players will need to earn 8 medals in a match to get full rewards.
  • Note that points are only earned through participation in Arenas and Warzones, this does not include Galactic Star Fighter.


Below are the details on how many points players can get from participating in Warzones:

[center]Warzone[/center]
Warzone Win
Warzone Loss
8 or more medals
24
8
7 medals
21
7
6 medals
18
6
5 medals
15
5
4 medals
12
4
3 medals
9
3
2 medals
6
2
1 medals
3
1
0 medals
0
0


In addition to the above, players can earn bonus points with the Warzone “queued as group” bonus. This bonus will grant 2 PvP Points, assuming players meet the minimum medal threshold of 6.

[center]Arena[/center]
Arena Win
Arena Loss
8 or more medals
12
4
7 medals
10
3
6 medals
9
3
5 medals
8
3
4 medals
6
2
3 medals
4
2
2 medals
3
1
1 medals
2
1
0 medals
0
0


Similar to the Warzone bonus, players can get an Arena “queued as group” bonus of 1 PvP Point, assuming they meet the minimum medal threshold of 6.

Finally, players will be able to earn PvP points by completing PvP Season Objectives.
Each week, players will have 4 PvP Season Objectives (Subscribers will have 6 PvP Season Objectives) that award 100 PvP Points each when completed. Players will only be able to complete 4 of these objectives per week, regardless of their account type.

New PvP Rewards track
A new PvP rewards track will be added to the same window where players can find the Galactic Seasons track.

On this tab, players will be able to track the PvP Season Objectives and their progression through the current PvP Season. Players will be able to see their level, the number of PvP points earned for the week, including the overall total of points accumulated.

Each PvP season, players will be able to advance through 25 levels that grant rewards such as Armor Sets, Seasonal Trophies decorations (small and large), titles, and more. The team is targeting to have several PvP Seasons per calendar year, with each season running for 12 weeks.

(Seasonal Trophies decorations (large and small). Colors can be changed to white, blue, or red.)

(From left to right: Cartel Prospect's and Combatant's Armor Sets.)

Similar to Galactic Seasons, players will have the opportunity to catch up on rewards from Week 7 of the PvP Season. Credits can only be used to catch up to level 15.

Ranked PvP Tokens
Players who still own Ranked PvP Tokens earned during the previous seasons will need to spend these tokens before 7.2 as they will be removed when the update goes live. The tokens will not be converted into any other form of currency.

The items that could be purchased by these Ranked PvP Tokens will be available on the seasonal PvP vendor, however, the rate that players will be earning the new PvP currency will only allow them to purchase either new items or one to two replicas. If a player who was not previously engaged in Ranked PvP focused all of their efforts into obtaining these replicas and none of the new items, it would take several years to obtain every single one.

PvP Vendors
You can find the PvP Vendors, Giradda the Hutt and Tullek, on the Fleet of each faction. Players will be able to purchase items with PvP Season Tokens received from the new PvP Season Reward Track.

Current Season rewards will be available on the PvP Seasonal vendor Tullek’s inventory during the entire season. When the season ends, these rewards will be moved to Giradda’s inventory.

The PvP Rewards Vendor, Giradda the Hutt, will offer replicas, trophy decorations, titles, and art decoration of Arenas and Warzones on a rotating basis.

Giradda’s inventory rotation will work similarly to the Galactic Seasons vendor Jaleit Nall’s inventory rotation. We will have 4 rotation groups: A, B, C, and D. Each Rotation Group will be active for 1 week and then cycle out for 3 weeks. These weekly rotations will occur during our weekly reset at 12:00 PM GMT.

[center]Group A[/center]
Item Name
Cost
Gladiatorial Nexu Replica
20
Rombuk
20
Battleworn Holo-Rancor
20
Replica Victorious Mystic Armor Lockbox
20
Replica Furious Battler Armor Lockbox
20
Replica Furious Weapon Lockbox
20
Replica Predacious Weapon Lockbox
20
Replica Victorious Assault Cannon
16
Replica Baron Deathmark's Huttball Helmet
16
Replica Victorious Blaster Lockbox
16
Title: Orbital Station Obliterator
12
Replica Furious Red-Yellow Color Crystal Lockbox
12
Replica Eternal Gold-Blue Color Crystal Lockbox
12
Trophy Art: Alderaan Civil War
12
Trophy Art: Mandalorian Battle Ring
12
Trophy Art: Tatooine Canyon
12
Human Frogdogs Player (Female)
12
Damage Trophy: Season 9 (Interior)
12
Frogdog Trophy: Season 9 (Interior)
12
Health Trophy: Season 9 (Interior)
12
Rotworm Trophy: Season 9 (Interior)
12


[center]Group B[/center]
Item Name
Cost
Giradda's Special Pet Nexu Replica
20
Replica Victorious Combatant Armor Lockbox
20
Resourceful Renegade Armor Lockbox
20
Unrivaled Guardsman's Weapon Lockbox
20
Replica Furious Mystic Armor Lockbox
20
Replica Commanding Weapon Lockbox
20
Replica Giradda's Rancor
20
Replica Victorious Saberstaff
16
Replica Victorious Lightsaber Lockbox
16
Title: Canyon Crusher
12
Replica Swashbuckling Black-Blue Striated Color Crystal Lockbox
12
Frogdog Gold Color Crystal Lockbox
12
Replica Juvenile Rancor
12
Trophy Art: Novare Coast
12
Trophy Art: Onderon Palatial Ruins
12
Trophy Art: Odessen Proving Grounds
12
Trophy Art: The Voidstar
12
Rotworms Player (Krex)
12
Empire Trophy: Season 10
12
Gree Trophy: Season 10
12
Republic Trophy: Season 10
12
Speed Trophy: Season 10
12


[center]Group C[/center]
Item Name
Cost
Baron Deathmark's Furious Walker Replica
20
Baron Deathmark's Predacious Wrangler Replica
20
Replica Victorious Infiltrator Armor Lockbox
20
Precise Insurgent's Weapon Lockbox
20
Airborne Invasion Armor Lockbox
20
Replica Furious Combatant Armor Lockbox
20
Replica Swashbuckling Weapon Lockbox
20
Replica Victorious Blaster Rifle
16
Title: Cove Cutthroat
12
Title: Slayer of the Square
12
Replica Predacious Gold Green Color Crystal Lockbox
12
Rotworm Purple Color Crystal Lockbox
12
Trophy Art: Ancient Hypergates
12
Trophy Art: Corellia Square
12
Trophy Art: Orbital Station
12
Trophy Art: Quesh Huttball Pit
12
Trophy Art: Yavin Ruins
12
Trophy: Giradda's Pleasure Barge (Holo-Replica)
12
Empire Trophy: Season 10 (Interior)
12
Gree Trophy: Season 10 (Interior)
12
Republic Trophy: Season 10 (Interior)
12
Speed Trophy: Season 10 (Interior)
12


[center]Group D[/center]
Item Name
Cost
Baron Deathmark's Swashbuckling Cutter Replica
20
Giradda's Acklay Replica
20
Ember Makrin Replica
20
Replica Victorious Battler Armor Lockbox
20
Replica Furious Infiltrator Armor Lockbox
20
Replica Gladiatorial Weapon Lockbox
20
Centurion Defender Weapon Lockbox
20
Replica Victorious Sniper Rifle
16
Title: Mesa Mauler
12
Title: Battle Ring Brawler
12
Replica Gladiatorial Gold Outline Color Crystal Lockbox
12
Replica Commanding Burning Orange Color Crystal Lockbox
12
Ranked Warzone Black-Silver Crystal Lockbox
12
Trophy Art: Huttball
12
Trophy Art: Makeb Mesa
12
Trophy Art: Rishi Cove
12
Trophy Art: Vandin
12
Damage Trophy: Season 9
12
Frogdog Trophy: Season 9
12
Health Trophy: Season 9
12
Rotworm Trophy: Season 9
12


A new 4v4 PvP Map
Alongside the changes listed above, a new 4v4 Arena Deathmatch PvP map, the Onderon Palatial Ruins, will be available to all players at 7.2’s launch.

(Loading screen for Onderon Palatial Ruins.)

PvP Season 1
The first PvP Season begins with the launch of Game Update 7.2. There will be new PvP Achievements, and players can earn PvP Season Tokens (maximum of 20 tokens) to purchase one of the new Season 1 rewards. Tokens not used this season can be carried over to the next season.

(From left to right: Cartel Delegate's and Enforcer's Armor Sets.)

We are eager for players to check out all of these changes, and we look forward to the start of PvP Season 1!

SWTOR Galactic Season Objectives: December 6th - January 10th

Galactic Seasons 3: “Luck of the Draw” started a few weeks ago. Similar to the previous season, the Daily and Weekly Season Objectives will be communicated on a month-to-month basis. Here is the list of the Season Objectives from December 6th - January 10th.



Week 8 (December 6th - December 13th)

Daily
Influencing the Galaxy
Earn 25,000 Personal Conquest Points across your Legacy.
Weekly
Complete any 7/10
March Across the Galaxy
Earn 200,000 Personal Conquest Points across your Legacy.
True Purpose
Defeat enemies across the Galaxy with PH4-LNX as your active Companion.
Playing the G.A.M.E.
Turn in G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules to PH4-LNX in your personal ship to earn Reputation with the Gambling Authority and Management Entity.
Liabilities of Quesh
Track down and defeat the following high profile targets on Quesh: DS-224 Colossus (Adrenal Valley - Republic), Foreman Telleon (Imperial Mining Control - Empire), Lord Rhexa (Broga's Palace - Republic), Yanu Selke (Three Families Palace Grounds - Empire).
Seat of the Empire Daily Sweep
Complete the mission: [WEEKLY] Daily Area: Ziost multiple times or complete [WEEKLY] Daily Area: Yavin and [WEEKLY] The Enemy Within once.
Fielding Loyalty
Complete Missions as a Trooper or an Agent Origin.
Legacies of the Force
Complete Flashpoints (1 point). Earn bonus progress for completing Depths of Manaan, Assault on Tython, Korriban Incursion, or Secrets of the Enclave (requires content) (4 points). Earn additional bonus progress for defeating their Bonus Bosses (3 points).
Heading the Frontline
Complete Unranked Warzone matches. Earn double progress for wins.
Stay On Target
Earn Capture, Defensive, and Damage Medals in Galactic Starfighter by capturing and defending objectives or damaging enemies.
Heart of Ruin
Defeat Lair Bosses (1 point). Earn bonus progress for defeating the Colossal Monolith on any difficulty (3 points). (Requires a Subscription).


Week 9 (December 13th - December 20th)

Daily
Influencing the Galaxy
Earn 25,000 Personal Conquest Points across your Legacy.
Weekly
Complete any 7/10
March Across the Galaxy
Earn 200,000 Personal Conquest Points across your Legacy.
Better Analytics
"Obtain G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules by completing Daily Objectives, Season Objectives, Season Reward Track, Flashpoints, Uprisings, Operations, or defeating enemies across the Galaxy.
- Daily Objectives grant 2 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- Season Objectives grant 10-15 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- Some Reward Track levels grant 10 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- Flashpoints grant 2-4 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- Uprisings grant 3-5 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- 8 Player Operations grant 12-18 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- 16 Player Operations grant 14-24 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- Lair Bosses (including Event Lair Bosses) grant 2-6 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
Combat with PH4-LNX as your companion is prone to produce higher yields of G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules. Speaking with an 'Informative Jawa' on the Fleet may offer aid in locating G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules."
Playing the G.A.M.E.
Turn in G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules to PH4-LNX in your personal ship to earn Reputation with the Gambling Authority and Management Entity.
Ace of the Armada
Board your personal ship and complete Space Missions (1 point). Earn bonus progress for completing [HEROIC] missions (2 points).
GSI Valued Partner
Complete the Mission: [WEEKLY] GSI Valued Partner Initiative
Capitals of Dichotomy
Complete Repeatable, Exploration, or Bonus Missions while defeating enemies on Coruscant or Dromund Kaas. To locate Exploration Missions throughout the Galaxy, check 'Show Exploration Missions' on the World Map Legend.
Sparks of War
Defeat Champion difficulty Republic and Imperial guard droids and turrets across Alderaan and Corellia.
Decorated Combatant
Earn Warzone Medals (1 point per medal). Earn an additional progress point for becoming 'Highly Decorated' by earning 8 Medals in a single match.
Forging Darkness
Assemble materials into War Supplies: Invasion Forces, and then assemble Dark Project MK-1s.
The GEMINI Deception
Complete Chapter XV: The GEMINI Deception of Knights of the Fallen Empire on Veteran difficulty or harder. (Requires a Subscription and/or access to Knights of the Fallen Empire).


Week 10 (december 20th - December 27th)

Daily
Influencing the Galaxy
Earn 25,000 Personal Conquest Points across your Legacy.
Weekly
Complete any 7/10
March Across the Galaxy
Earn 200,000 Personal Conquest Points across your Legacy.
Better Analytics
Obtain G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules by completing Daily Objectives, Season Objectives, Season Reward Track, Flashpoints, Uprisings, Operations, or defeating enemies across the Galaxy.
- Daily Objectives grant 2 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- Season Objectives grant 10-15 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- Some Reward Track levels grant 10 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- Flashpoints grant 2-4 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- Uprisings grant 3-5 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- 8 Player Operations grant 12-18 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- 16 Player Operations grant 14-24 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- Lair Bosses (including Event Lair Bosses) grant 2-6 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
Combat with PH4-LNX as your companion is prone to produce higher yields of G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules. Speaking with an 'Informative Jawa' on the Fleet may offer aid in locating G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules.
Peace or Power
Complete Missions as a Jedi Knight or a Sith Warrior Origin.
This Will Do Nicely
Affect enemies with destructible pipes, tanks, canisters, and capacitors found throughout the Galaxy.
Supplying the War Effort
Assemble materials into any of the following War Supplies: Infantry Supply Kits, Starship Weapons, Armored Vehicles, Crystal Capacitors, or a Holocron of Strategy, then assemble an Invasion Force.
The Coreward Worlds
Complete Repeatable, Exploration, or Bonus Missions, while defeating enemies across Alderaan, Balmorra, Corellia, Mek-Sha, or Onderon. To locate Exploration Missions throughout the Galaxy, check 'Show Exploration Missions' on the World Map Legend.
Legacies of the Underworld
Complete Flashpoints (1 point). Earn bonus progress for completing Directive 7, Mandalorian Raiders, Cademimu, or Spirit of Vengeance (requires content) (4 points). Earn additional bonus progress for defeating their Bonus Bosses (3 points).
The Nightmare of Voss
Defeat the Nightmare Pilgrim World Boss on Voss.
Stay On Target
Earn Capture, Defensive, and Damage Medals in Galactic Starfighter by capturing and defending objectives or damaging enemies.
Lair of the Mountain Queen
Defeat Lair Bosses (1 point). Earn bonus progress for defeating the Mutated Geonosian Queen on any difficulty (3 points). (Requires a Subscription)


Week 11 (December 27th - January 3rd)

Daily
Influencing the Galaxy
Earn 25,000 Personal Conquest Points across your Legacy.
Weekly
Complete any 7/10
March Across the Galaxy
Earn 200,000 Personal Conquest Points across your Legacy.
Better Analytics
Obtain G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules by completing Daily Objectives, Season Objectives, Season Reward Track, Flashpoints, Uprisings, Operations, or defeating enemies across the Galaxy.
- Daily Objectives grant 2 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- Season Objectives grant 10-15 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- Some Reward Track levels grant 10 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- Flashpoints grant 2-4 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- Uprisings grant 3-5 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- 8 Player Operations grant 12-18 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- 16 Player Operations grant 14-24 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
- Lair Bosses (including Event Lair Bosses) grant 2-6 G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules
Combat with PH4-LNX as your companion is prone to produce higher yields of G.A.M.E. Analysis
Modules. Speaking with an 'Informative Jawa' on the Fleet may offer aid in locating G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules.
True Purpose
Defeat enemies across the Galaxy with PH4-LNX as your active Companion.
Still Got It
Defeat non-player enemies across the Galaxy without the aid of your Companions. (No companion may be summoned for progression. This does not progress through Warzones, Galactic Starfighter, Flashpoints, or Operations).
Seat of the Hutts Daily Sweeps
Complete the mission: [WEEKLY] Daily Area: Oricon multiple times or complete [WEEKLY] Daily Area: Ossus once.
The Distant Outer Rim
Complete Repeatable, Exploration, or Bonus Missions while defeating enemies on Belsavis, Hoth, Rishi, or Tatooine. To locate Exploration Missions throughout the Galaxy, check 'Show Exploration Missions' on the World Map Legend.
Legacies of Revan
Complete Flashpoints (1 point). Earn bonus progress for completing Maelstrom Prison (Republic only), Taral V (Republic only), The Foundry (Empire only), or Boarding Party (Empire only) (4 points). Earn additional bonus progress for defeating their Bonus Bosses (3 points).
Heading the Frontline
Complete Unranked Warzone matches. Earn double progress for wins.
Clashing in the Stars
Complete Galactic Starfighter matches. Earn double progress for wins.
Dark Reunions
Complete the Chapter III: Dark Reunions of Knights of the Eternal Throne on Veteran difficulty or harder. (Requires a Subscription and/or access to Knights of the Eternal Throne)


Week 12 (January 3rd - January 10th)

Daily
Influencing the Galaxy
Earn 25,000 Personal Conquest Points across your Legacy.
Weekly
Complete any 7/10
March Across the Galaxy
Earn 200,000 Personal Conquest Points across your Legacy.
Integrity of the G.A.M.E.
Catch cheaters within cantinas or casinos with PH4-LNX as your active Companion.
Playing the G.A.M.E.
Turn in G.A.M.E. Analysis Modules to PH4-LNX in your personal ship to earn Reputation with the Gambling Authority and Management Entity.
Liabilities of Taris
Track down and defeat the following high profile targets on Taris: Jiinan E'ron (Western Republic Resettlement Zone - Republic), Maltok (Northern Republic Resettlement Zone - Empire), Reclamation Forerunner (Eastern Brell Sediment - Empire), Urlos Du'Ram (Southern Tularan Marsh - Republic)
Seeking Artifacts
Uncover artifacts and other lost treasures with your Seeker Droid across Alderaan, Tatooine, Hoth, and Makeb.
For the Right Price
Complete Missions as a Smuggler or a Bounty Hunter Origin.
Sparks of War
Defeat Champion difficulty Republic and Imperial guard droids and turrets across Alderaan and Corellia.
Heading the Frontline
Complete Unranked Warzone matches. Earn double progress for wins.
Capital Punishment
Defeat The First on Dromund Kaas and SD-0 on Coruscant.
Fearsome Foes
Defeat Dread Pirate Karvoy on Mek-sha and R8-X8 on Ossus.

SWTOR In-Game Events for December



Pirate Incursion Date: November 29th - December 6th, 2022 (BEGINS AND ENDS AT 12:00PM GMT)
Requirement: Level 20+

The remote planet Dantooine has been thrust into the center of escalating hostilities between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire. Spurred on in secret by covert Imperial forces, the Nova Blade pirates have staged an all-out attack on the pastoral Republic world. As the Republic scrambles to defend this key territory at the edge of Imperial space, the Empire plans to capitalize on the chaos and deal a major blow to the longtime Republic bastion.

FEATURED REWARDS:
  • Nova Blade and Dantooine Homesteader Armor Sets
  • Ugnaught Companion
  • Walker Mount
  • Kath Hound Mount
  • Kath Hound Mini-pet
  • Dantooine-inspired Stronghold Decorations
  • … and more!




Bounty Contract Week Date: December 13th - December 20th, 2022 (BEGINS AND ENDS AT 5:00AM PST/12:00PM GMT)
Requirement: Level 15+

For a limited time, the Bounty Brokers Association has opened its doors to anyone willing to take on their dangerous contracts, offering an opportunity for both seasoned and rookie hunters to prove their skills and bring crime syndicates and violent gangs to justice!

Each day, you can sign up for one standard Henchman contract and one high profile Kingpin Contract, and each may take you to a separate planet. Complete five standard contracts to unlock Kingpin missions with bigger loot! Head to the fleet now, invite your friends and visit representatives of the Association to get started on your contracts!

FEATURED REWARDS:
  • Reputation with the Bounty Brokers Association
  • Bounty Tracker’s Armor Set and Contract Hunter’s Armor Set
  • Assassin’s Bowcaster and Elite Tracker’s Bowcaster weapons
  • Lobelot, Swamp Kell Drake, and Drink Server Probe Mini-pets
  • BH-7X Custom Hunter Mount
  • ... and more!




The All Worlds Ultimate Swoop Rally Date: December 27th - January 3rd, 2023 (BEGINS AND ENDS AT 12:00PM GMT)
Requirement: Level 20+

In the growing shadow of war, swoop fans across the galaxy descend on Dantooine, Tatooine, and even Onderon for the sport’s biggest spectacle—The All Worlds Ultimate Swoop Rally! They’re packing the stands, eager to take their minds off their troubles and cheer their favorite swoop gangs. The bikers are here to take on dangerous challenge courses, show off their piloting skills, and flaunt their souped-up swoop bikes. The thunder of the engines, the deafening applause from the fans, the wind battering their helmets… there’s no bigger rush for these thrill seekers.

Despite their reputation as wild rebels whose makeshift courses disregard local districting restrictions, swoop gangs aren’t a serious threat to anyone--something all true swoop fans know! They just love adrenaline-pounding speed, sweet jumps, and big explosions, and the All Worlds Ultimate Swoop Rally combines all three in one crowd-pleasing package. The biggest gangs on the circuit — Horizon’s Razor, the Pit Screamers, and the Blatant Beks — are ready to show their fans a great time.

FEATURED REWARDS:
  • Swoop Rally Mounts (regular and gold versions)
  • Swoop Gang Outfits
  • Promotion Droid Mini-pets
  • Various Stronghold Decorations
  • …and more!




Ten Year Anniversary

"Bottled Fury" Short Story



Mek-Sha was a cold rock in a hard place.

Carved out of the stone skin of an asteroid, this frontier mining town would never be as refined and polished as the ore it exported. Home to fortune seekers, criminals, and anyone else looking to hide from their past, it was run by an uneasy collaboration of factions, each grasping for the throat of the other. Shae Vizla was right at home.

Long before she was leader of the Mandalorians, Shae had been one of the greatest bounty hunters in the galaxy. She still preferred the thrill of the chase to keeping the peace between clans, planning tactics, and reviewing intelligence reports. She was hunting Heta Kol, a renegade Mandalorian who had recently ambushed her prized ship, the Spirit of Vengeance II. Heta vanished after the attack – but she had help, and help was easier to track down.

On one side of the street, the buildings rose several stories into the artificial sky. On the other, the glint of shielding against the black void of space. Life on a knife’s edge. Shae glanced around; no sign of a welcoming committee from Indigo. He must be hiding. Indigo led the mercenary group Dar’manda, one of the ruling gangs that controlled the dusty streets of Mek-Sha. No armed reception meant no firefight – not yet anyway. Shae could be quiet when she needed to be; silent and quick as a predator in tall grass.

Unlike many she hunted, Indigo would stay put. Everyone in this part of town worked for him, one way or another. This made learning his location tricky. There was an art to getting what you needed from people on the fringe of civilization; you push too hard, and you get nothing but blaster fire.

The few people she saw on the street were studiously not looking at her. Regular people wanting to avoid notice, she thought. The more she walked however, the more she saw past the first impression. Shae caught the eye of a young woman pushing a dolly of boxes. It wasn’t just fear – she expected fear. She was Mandalore the Avenger, leader of the most dangerous warriors ever known. Her days of being anonymous were long gone. No, she saw anger. Like a hissed argument and a splash of blood behind a closed door. Whatever was simmering here started long before she arrived.

The squeak of the rotating sign caught her attention: “Tivoli’s Cantina.” She’d start there.

The double doors opened into a grimy, smoke-filled den lined with a mix of aimless drifters, local toughs, and weary patrons looking to wash away the day. As a bounty hunter, Shae knew how to walk among those who lived on scant credits and dread. Her hand twitched near the blaster that hung at her belt. Her old senses were waking back up and the world sharpened into focus.
Her stroll to the counter was slow and heavy as her gaze swept the large room. She marked two tables of patrons; full drinks, no cards and sitting on the edge of their seats, ready to move. The young bartender kept glancing just below his bar as he washed a glass, his hands not quite as steady as they should be. A stashed weapon was not far. Things were about to get noisy.

“I’ll get a drink first, if you don’t mind,” she said, setting her helmet down on the counter.

The bartender blinked a few times. “What?” he asked, his eyes shifting around the room. He started to sweat.

“Grab that bottle of Fury.” She nodded to one just behind the bartender. The bartender slowly reached for the bottle. “That’s it. Now stop messing with the glass and pour something into it.” He set it on the counter within arm’s reach. The drink was strong stuff, known for starting fights.

She could hear chairs being dragged across the rust-streaked floor behind her and people clearing out. “Now move back.” The bartender stepped back. She leaned over and felt around under the bar until she found the weapon. Two-shot scattergun. With her other hand she grabbed the tall, red bottle by the neck.

“Indigo has nothing to say to you, Vizla,” someone behind her said. “You best leave before there’s trouble.”

Without turning around, Shae poured herself a drink. She took a quick swig – Fury was harsh and terrible – before slipping her helmet back into place. She motioned for the bartender to duck down behind the bar. “Trouble. Yeah.”

Shae spun and tossed the bottle into the middle of the room, blasting it with the scattergun. No aim required. A spray of hard liquor coated a wide area across the room. Shae silenced the cries of dismay with a jet of flame from her wrist as bright as the copper hair under her helmet. The flame retreated to the length of a welding torch, and she leveled it close to the dripping mess. The other noteworthy thing about Fury: it was very flammable.

“Don’t,” she said. The patron lifted his hand away from his blaster. Everything was bathed in the small flickering orange light like the sunrise that never arrived here. Shae glanced at a table of miners with their hands up. “Out.” They didn’t understand at first. “Out. Now!” she repeated.

Why was she wasting her time with these idiots? To the other table of patrons in the wrong place at the wrong time: “You too, go.” With some tipping of chairs and a few grateful mumbles, they bumped and stumbled out through the doors.

“Tell me where Indigo is, and everyone gets to leave.” A new jet of flame arched up and licked the hanging light above her. Sparks and puffs of smoke curled along its grimy surface.

The room gritted its teeth.

Eyes locked on Shae for several heartbeats.

With a bang, two men in worn overalls pushed their way through the double doors, looking for a drink. The room pounced.

Shae’s blaster appeared in her hand as she shouted a warning. She shot two pistols, still in their holsters, and blasted a hand holding a jagged blade while most still groped for their weapons.

The first move was hers, but now it was their turn. A barrage of blaster fire started pinging off her beskar armor, pushing her a half step back against the bar. Mandalorian steel had saved her life dozens of times, and today it bought her a moment to roll over the bar behind some cover. Give enough bogworms loaded weapons, and one of them might get lucky and hit something.

“Haar’chaak!” she swore.

Weapon fire was turning bottles into bombs. Glass, alcohol, and metal shrapnel fireworks lit up the room. Flames were beginning to spread up the walls and over the counter. She needed more information, but this place was finished. It wasn’t so long ago that making her point with destruction would have been her first choice. The young bartender squirmed in the chaos, curled in a ball, trying to protect his head. Another bottle exploded above him.

Spying a sign to her left that read “STORAGE,” she put an arm around the bartender and sparked her jetpack, throwing them both through the door. A risky move if it led to a dead end, but there was no choice. She collided with a stack of crates, protecting the bartender from the worst of it.

The storeroom was dark, except for a rectangle of dim light peeking out from behind a shelf of cleaning equipment. A way out. She tossed the shelf aside with one hand, her grip on the bartender tightening in the other. She jumped, sparking her jetpack once more and bursting through the window, out into the cold air. Without looking back, she rocketed up into the sky with a screaming passenger in tow. Behind her, the room was engulfed in blaster fire and rage. Tivoli’s Cantina had served its last drink.

Shae circled back and cut her jetpack, landing three floors up a towering building. She hid behind a purple and red sign advertising a pawn shop. Her shoulder ached from where a blaster bolt singed her armor’s undersuit. Bogworms. The ex-bartender took an unsteady step and threw up. She almost forgot she’d grabbed him.

“I’ll get out of here,” she said, rolling her shoulders. She stepped to the edge. “Stay here for now, keep your head down.” People were gathering outside the cantina. The fire had grown, and smoke was pouring out of the windows.

“Wait! You saved those folks - “ he stammered. “And me. I didn’t expect that.” He wiped his hands on his pants. “I couldn’t draw on you like I was told. I mean, everybody’s got a blaster tucked away… but I couldn’t do it.”

“Smart.”

He took a few deep breaths. “Indigo told us you were coming.” His hands were shaking as he pushed his hair back. “Said to turn you in.”

“Huttbreaker allows this?” Shae couldn’t imagine the unofficial queen of Mek-Sha wanted trouble with the Mandalorians. Huttbreaker generally stayed out of gang squabbles as long everyone kept it quiet. Less problems meant more credits all around.

“They’re fighting. I don’t know why. Huttbreaker took away some of Indigo’s trade privileges. He’s been bleeding us dry to make up the credits. Things are bad.” He hesitated a few seconds before continuing. “He must have done something.” Shae pictured the dead and wounded aboard her flagship. Indigo wasn’t there, but his people were. Dar’manda had spilled Mandalorian blood.

“He did.”

The ex-bartender stood up, his hands gripping the welded steel support. “You here to take his place?”

The crowd outside the cantina was getting loud. Indigo’s people had arrived and were pushing them back, yelling orders.

“No.” She stepped up to the edge of the rooftop. “Revenge,” she said and dropped out of sight.

***

It didn’t take long for the streets to fill up with people as the fire spread. The crowd was getting ugly. Indigo’s people encouraged obedience with a few well-placed rifle butts to the chest. It was a perfect cover for her.

Shae opened a device at her wrist. She had taken it off a particularly sleazy target on Nar Shaddaa who was spying on the wrong people and won a chance to meet her. It tracked local comm signals. With the trouble at the cantina, she guessed Indigo would be getting all sorts of chatter. Filtering out the static, the remaining blinking orange dot gave her a likely destination for that chatter. She clicked the device shut. Time to move; no jetpacks this time. Silent and quick.

She watched the streets as she slipped her way over the rooftops and around signs closer to the orange dot. Groups of Indigo’s troops were on the move. They weren’t gentle with the people they found. She heard shots and wasn’t sure which group they were coming from. New fires lit up dark corners. Lone shouts grew, multiplied, and merged into the howl of a mob.

The orange dot started to blink. She had a location. Just below was a heavy blast door under an unlit awning, pressed between bright, blinking ads. Indigo had picked a good hiding spot. There were a few windows too small to crawl through (or blast out of) and others shut with welded durasteel. No obvious way in except the front door. A fortress. She leaned back against the wall of her perch a few stories up and took her helmet off to wipe away the sweat. Fires a block over were close enough she felt the heat. Indigo wasn’t coming out of hiding without some very tempting bait. The shouts and gunfire felt closer.

She had an idea. A bad idea.

***

The micro-missiles from her shoulder made a lot of noise upon impact but the door remained intact.

“Knock-knock.”

Shae stood in the middle of the street.

A heavy clank followed by the slow squeal of unoiled metal. The door slowly slid open.

Indigo’s armor had changed since she saw him last. Polished. A few more unnecessary embellishments. Credits looked good on him.

“Shae Vizla.”

“Sharp as ever, Indigo.”

“I had nothing to do with that attack on the Spirit of Vengeance. Nothing.”

“Word is Huttbreaker doesn’t agree.”

“She was just looking for an excuse to come at me. We had a disagreement about how things should run here.”

Indigo’s people were filing out from behind him. Armed, armored, and waiting for the go ahead to cut Shae down.

“You love credits more than honor.” Indigo bristled at Shae’s words. “Bottom line is, Dar’manda soldiers were paid to board my ship and attack my people. Explain that.”

“You’ve been out too long, maybe you didn’t hear. Dar’manda is big now. Crews have their own territories, different objectives.” A few shouts and gunfire a block away turned the heads of his people. A haze was forming and the smell of burning oil and melting plastic was clear even through her filters.

“You had a piece of it.” She leveled her pistol at him. Several rifles were raised in response.

Through the smoke, Shae counted five. She guessed another half dozen that she couldn’t see.

“Drop it.” Indigo said, raising his rifle at her. If someone knew what they were doing, the chance of missing her at this range was remote. Shae raised her hands, one still clasped around her blaster. “I said drop it, Shae, or this gets bloody.” She dropped the blaster.

Indigo knew what he was doing.

“She moves, kill her.” Indigo swaggered up to Shae. His shiny and expensive rifle casually looped over his shoulder once again.

“Was this your plan?” He chuckled. “You come here, ask some questions, and leave?”

“It worked before.”

“You’ve lost a step after all this time.”

“Maybe.” This all would have been so different not too long ago. A barely controlled chaos that she walked away from when she got what she came for. Shae looked past Indigo to the line of his soldiers. Bad idea or not, she was committed. “Humor me: who put Dar’manda and Heta’s group in the same room?”

“You want those to be your last words?”

“Call it a last request.”

“Just so you know, Vizla, I’ve scrambled the comms. I can put you down and deny everything. Why would I give you the name of my guy?”

“So, you do have a guy.”

“Of course. He came to me first,” he bragged. Indigo couldn’t help himself. “Heta Kol and her crazy cult were paying very well.” He sighed. “Couldn’t do it. I’ve got a good thing here. I didn’t need to mess with the real Mandalorians.”

He knew. Her lips curled back in rage. Not just the broker who signed up the mercenaries, he knew enough about the job to want to steer clear. The veneer of civilization disappeared.

“You worm.” The frost in her voice could have extinguished the fires for blocks.

Though he had his rifle out, though his people had their weapons ready, it didn’t matter. Twin palm blasters appeared in her hands and the two men on either side of Indigo sprouted blood and smoke with a bang. The shock didn’t last a heartbeat as Shae kicked Indigo in the chest, sending him teetering backwards. She dove behind a parked speeder as a volley of return fire erupted.

Indigo was coughing hard, pushing people in front of him as he staggered back.

An orange streak and explosion knocked Indigo and his remaining people to the street. The shockwave shattered every window along the block. A moment of silence before groans and curses filled the air, they slowly began to regain their feet as dust swirled. Everyone heard the familiar click of rifles, slug-throwers, and blasters being readied through the painful ringing.

“Freeze!”

Shae was wrong. She had figured she saw five people and guessed maybe another half-dozen she couldn’t see on the rooftops. The reality was five plus another twenty, maybe thirty. She guessed none of them were happy with Indigo. The guy who fired the explosive was awkwardly reloading. She put her hands up. Enthusiasm and nerves made for heavy trigger fingers.

“Put your weapons down!” It was the ex-bartender. “Indigo…? You… you tell ‘em to put them down.” His voice didn’t crack. Good kid. Shae never caught his name.

Indigo started to speak; somebody blasted a hole next to his feet. More cursing.

“You better do what he says,” Shae said, her hands still up. “Someone might get lucky and hit you.”

Indigo looked over the rows of people with loaded weapons aimed at him. Miners, technicians, merchants, buyers, and all manner of regular people. His anger ebbing into dangerous calm.

“Okay, okay, everybody relax.” He nodded to his people. “Guns down. We’ll work this out.” He set his shiny rifle down and his people carefully followed. “Happy?”

The ex-bartender looked at Shae. She nodded. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea to ask him if he had some pals who had a problem with Indigo.

“Yeah, okay, we’re happy.”

“I’m learning it pays to make friends, Indigo.” Shae made a show of dusting herself off. “Now, the only reason I didn’t shoot you is because I need the name of that broker. Who got Heta her army?” The two men she’d shot bled and writhed on the street.

Indigo looked at the guns pointed in his direction. The smoke had thickened, and the fires were closer.

“Gauss. The broker’s name is Gauss.” He motioned to take a step closer, but Shae’s palm pistols appeared.

“You’re never going to find him!” he spat.

“Nobody hides from me for long.” Shae picked up her dropped blaster and jammed it into its holster.

“You put these people up to this, Shae. I promise you, someone will pay.”

Shae picked up Indigo’s expensive rifle, inspected it, and slung it over her shoulder.

A dry, slithering voice was heard. “Yes, someone will pay.”

A reptilian figure was silhouetted in the rising flames. Two cold, blue-green eyes took in the chaotic scene.

“Huttbreaker,” Shae said. The final word in Mek-Sha had arrived to sort this out herself. Impressive.

There was a ripple of unease among the rioters with weapons. Huttbreaker raised her hand. Immediate silence. She stepped forward.

“Indigo, we will talk of Dar’manda. We will talk of peace in my streets, of trouble you brought, and the cost you will bear.”

Indigo started to protest. Huttbreaker glared him still.

“I’ll leave you to it,” Shae said, turning to leave.

“And you, Mandalore the Avenger,” Huttbreaker’s eyes blazed. Shae stopped. “I thank you for the leverage over this one –“ She pointed to Indigo. “…but grace my streets with fire again, and he will have his revenge. Clear?”

“Clear.”

The ex-bartender was at the edge of the crowd. She nodded, and he smiled in return. Shae started for her ship.

Heta, I’m coming for you.

Silent and quick.

Game Update 7.2 “Showdown on Ruhnuk” Livestream Recap

If you were unable to watch–or if you want a recap of everything we showed during our Game Update 7.2 Livestream–we’ve got you covered! Below is a breakdown of what we showed, including timestamps for the different segments of our livestream.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Timestamp 03:16

To celebrate the upcoming launch of Game Update 7.2, “Showdown on Ruhnuk,” use the code LotSGallore on this page to get your own Colonel Gallo Stronghold decoration. Don’t wait too long, as this code will only be available until November 16th, 2022!


Timestamp 05:12

Narrative Director, Ashley Ruhl, and Senior Environment Artist, Robby Lamb, introduced the new planet, Ruhnuk, and shared a teaser of the Story Update, “Showdown on Ruhnuk.”


Timestamp 09:19

Senior Game Writer, Jay Watamaniuk, gives an overview of all the characters–both enemies and allies–players will meet in “Showdown on Ruhnuk,” including some familiar faces.

Timestamp 14:18

Lead Writer, Caitlin Sullivan Kelly presents the Ruhnuk Daily Area Story, including new characters Lane Vizla and Kur Ha’rangir. She also gave an overview of the new Reputation Track and rewards players can obtain from it.

Timestamp 24:31

Lead Game Producer, Eric Musco, and Community Manager, Jackie Ko, talked about the updates that are coming to PvP, such as changes to PvP queues, removing the distinction between Unranked and Ranked modes, the PvP reward track, rewards, and the new “Onderon Palatial Ruins” Map!


(From left to right: Cartel Delegate's and Enforcer's Armor Sets.)

(From left to right: Cartel Prospect's and Combatant's Armor Sets.)

Timestamp 37:35

Systems Designer, Bryant Wood, discussed gearing changes we’re bringing with Game Update 7.2. We invite you to join us on the forums to give your feedback on gearing in the R-4 Anomaly Operation and to get more details on gearing changes, such as new Legendary Implants, Currency Conversions, and QoL improvements.

Timestamp 39:37

Game Update 7.2 will also have UI/UX updates, such as a colorblind mode, improved maps, updated tooltips, a new Welcome Window/Top Utility bar, and a customizable Utility Bar.

Timestamp 50:55

Players got a sneak peek of 7.2 Cartel Market Items with Art Monetization Director, Bradley Lewis. Among the new items, players will be able to purchase the Master Orr’s Lightsaber, the Ceremonial Beskad Blade, the Ri’Kan’s Vibro Axe, and items inspired by The Book of Boba Fett, such as the Pyke Syndicate’s Armor Set.

(Master Orr’s Lightsaber.)

Timestamp 55:55

We’ve also announced the return of the Life Day Event with new snowglobes themed around the R-4 Anomaly, Manaan, Ruhnuk, and Elom. Get ready to throw snowballs and hug wookies beginning with 7.2's launch.

(From left to right: Snowglobes themed around R-4 Anomaly, Manaan, Ruhnuk, and Elom.)


Players will be able to jump into the Public Test Server right now to experience new 7.2 content. Check out the PTS sub-forums here for more details.

Game Update 7.2, “Showdown on Ruhnuk,” launches free to all subscribers in Winter! Keep an eye on our social platforms and website for more updates!