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Nanite Appreciation Week Sales are back through February 2!



2020 is shaping up to be a massive year for PlanetSide 2, and we're kicking the year off right with the return of our Nanite Appreciation Week Sale!

Starting TODAY and running through Sunday, February 2, all Auraximas deals are back in the Depot at their original sale price. If you missed out on your Pink Camos or forgot to tuck the Fatestealer into your stocking, grab them now before they disappear in a few weeks! 

We're also looking ahead to the Lunar New Year on January 25! The Year of the Rat comes around only once every dozen years, and we're ready to celebrate with the Lunar New Year Bundle, which will be available in the Depot for a limited time between Friday, January 24 and Sunday, February 2

Lunar New Year Bundle (499 DBC)
  • 1-Day Experience Boost
  • Gold NS-7 PDW
  • "Year of the Rat" Decal




Remember, the Nanite Appreciation Sale only runs through February 2 – stock up or miss out!

January 2020 Game Update - Empire Strength

PC servers will be taken offline Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at 5:30 AM PST (1:30 PM GMT) for extended downtime to bring the January update and make hardware upgrades. Downtime is expected to last up to 4 hours.


Continent Rotation and Empire Strength

Territory now matters at all times, as each empire gains strength when key facilities are captured, and when continent events are won.

When a faction reaches 100 Empire Strength or more, a Meltdown alert fires off (provided no other events are currently active,) and the victorious faction will lock the continent.

Gaining/losing Empire Strength is as follows:
  • Maintaining a link to an enemy Warpgate is worth 50 strength, (both is 100 strength.)
  • Maintaining ownership of the center base is worth 15 strength (or 30 on Esamir).
  • Maintaining ownership of a major facility is worth 15 strength (or 20 on Esamir).
  • Each continent-event win is worth 10 strength, and is the only permanent form of Empire Strength.
  • Cutoff territories do not contribute to Empire Strength.


Prior to this change, continents were standardized at 3 continent events (like Aerial Anomalies, Maximum Pressure, Gaining Ground,) before requiring 41% territory control from a single faction in order to trigger an end-of-continent Meltdown alert. With this update, factions can force continents to turn over more quickly by completing strategic map goals, and continent event wins will progress players toward the final battle over a continent.

Koltyr
  • Koltyr has been disabled for the time being, and will be re-introduced as a standard combat zone at a later date.


Dev Note: Koltyr has been in kind of a weird spot, in addition to being plagued with technical issues. As a VR zone, it often stood as more confusing for new players than helpful as its intended testing ground. In a future update we'll be converting Koltyr to a standard combat continent that opens and closes during off-peak hours. This should help reduce the frustration of finding and sustaining combat in times of low population, and add some gameplay variety for our nocturnal players.


Infantry
T7 Mini-Chaingun (Terran Republic Heavy Weapon)
  • Minimum refire rate from 100ms to 80ms.
  • Maximum refire rate from 75ms to 71ms.
  • Ballistic Rapid Refire Toggle no longer reduces maximum refire rate (as that's now built in by default.)
  • Ballistic Rapid Refire Toggle no longer has a hidden projectile speed benefit.
Dev Note: Always treated like a support weapon, but without the traits that make it successful as one (most support weapons sacrifice damage for accuracy or splash damage,) the Mini-chaingun is hard to justify bringing onto the battlefield over other LMG options. This update offers a significant boost to its 1v1 potential, and increases its overall ferocity.

Revive Grenade (Combat Medic)
  • Reduce detonation time by 1 second to increase responsiveness.
  • The thrower no longer receives a UI notification in an attempt to revive yourself.
  • NSO Defector units are no longer revivable with Revive Grenades.
Proximity Mine(NSO Engineer/Infiltrator utility)
  • Renamed "F.U.S.E."
  • Fixed medal tracking issues.
  • Refunded skill lines associated with these mines.
  • Now works with Mine Carrier suit slot.


Tank Mine (NSO Engineer)
  • Fixed medal tracking issues.
  • Refunded skill line associated with these mines.
  • Now works with Mine Carrier suit slot
MAX and Defector
  • Nanite Auto-Repair (Defensive Slot)


Repair from 0.5/0.75/1/1.25/1.5% health restored per second to 1/2/2.5/2.75/3% health restored per second.
Dev Note: Rarely in competition Kinetic Armor and Ordnance Armor, Nanite Auto-Repair has received a buff.

Defector (NSO Infantry Unit)
  • NSO Defector units are no longer revivable with Revive Grenades. (As mentioned above.)
  • We've decided to let Defectors continue to contest capture points for the time being.
  • Defectors now receive the Maximum Pressure event discount.
  • You can now hear this unit's footsteps in first person.
  • Adjusted Defector's loadout screen camera.
  • Fixed various animation-related issues.

Weapons
Grenade Printer (Primary Weapon)
  • Grenade Printer's cooldown speed increased by 20%.
  • Weapons medals are now properly tracked.
  • Mini-map firing signature from 1 to 60.

Defector Claws(Melee Weapon)
  • Now earns weapon medals.
Abilities
Time Bomb
  • Time Bomb's movement speed penalty from 25% to 10%.

Seraph Shield
  • Now has new audio.
  • Seraph Shield can now be toggled off manually.
  • Seraph Shield movement speed penalty from 50% to 40%.
  • Seraph Shield duration from 8 seconds at all ranks to 8/10/11/12 seconds at ranks 1 through 4.
Defensive Slot
Ablation Mesh
  • New Defensive Slot Certification
  • When Time Bomb or Seraph Shield are first activated, the damage mitigation received from those abilities is increased by 50% for 2 seconds.

Hypermatic Servos
  • New Defensive Slot Certification
  • Removes the movement speed penalty of Time Bomb, and reduces the movement speed penalty of Seraph Shield to 25%. In addition, you accelerate into a sprint more quickly at all times.


Javelin (NSO Ground Vehicle)
General
  • Vehicle terminal cost from 200 Nanites to 100 Nanites.
  • Javelin now uses its own experience type, instead of the Flash's to award experience.
  • Using a repair tool on the Javelin will now show particle effects in the correct location.
  • Spitfire Turrets will now fire at riders.
  • Vehicle now bounces less while moving along rough terrain, is slightly less prone to nose-up while airborne, and is all around a bit more stable.
Performance Slot
  • Speed Chassis now increases afterburner fuel recharge by 30%.
  • Combat Chassis now allows greater control of side to side movement while afterburner is engaged.
  • Agility Chassis now provides lift from the ground when the afterburner is engaged.

Dev Note: We've made some adjustments to the chassis options to more dramatically alter how each of them makes the Javelin performs.


Misc. Fixes, Changes, and Additions
  • NSO's Tankbuster Nosegun (Liberator) now correctly tracks directives.
  • NSO's Zephyr Bellygun (Liberator) now correctly tracks directives.
  • NSO's Shredder Bellygun (Liberator) now correctly tracks directives.
  • NSO's Dalton Bellygun (Liberator) now correctly tracks directives.
  • NSO's LB00 Python (Lightning Main Cannon) now correctly tracks directives.
  • NS-W Survivor weapon medals can now be earned.
  • SR-200's Tier 3 Long Rifle directive no longer requires an Auraxium Medal, instead of a Gold Medal.
  • Fixed an issue where removing camo in the UI selector would not remove it from your character in-game.
  • Locked continents should no longer show unstable icons from the map dropdown.
  • Nano-Armor Kits and Medical Applicators granted from the Third-Year Anniversary bundle now work correctly on NSO characters.
  • NS-03 Thumper and MGR-A1 Vanquisher's Disruptor Ammunition no longer saps energy from vehicles.
  • Fixed additional edge cases related to falling through the floor.


Looking Forward
Hey there. In this month's update (on top of the bug fixes and NSO tuning,) we've reintroduced and rebranded the Victory Point system as Empire Strength. Doing this now sets us up for our big update later in Q1, gets players used to taking territories for strategic value (hint hint,) and alleviates the arbitrary "3 continent events then Meltdown" alert cycle we were in before. This cycle led to continents staying open for 5 hours or more if players were unable to achieve 41% territory control after the 3 continent events were complete. We'll be having a Livestream later this month (the 31st or sooner) to reveal all the hush-hush-super-secret stuff we've been working on, and will be announcing the Livestream date once we've got the full loop feeling cohesive. It's. Going. To. Be. Awesome. We'll continue teasing out some bits and pieces as we move closer to the announcement/release, so be sure to check www.twitter.com/planetside2 every now and again.

Ring in 2020 with the New Years Celebration Bundle 60% OFF sale!



We're ushering in another year of all-out planetary warfare by offering 60% OFF all camos, infantry, and vehicle cosmetics through New Years Day!

The New Years Celebration Bundle will also be available from the Depot on New Years Eve and New Years Day - don't forget to equip your Kazoo for the ball drop!

New Years Celebration Bundle - 3999 DBC
  • Kazoo horns for all factions and all vehicles.
  • NS Patriot Flare Gun
  • Party Time Camo


*Available from 12:00 AM PST on Tuesday, December 31 through 11:59 PM PST on Wednesday, January 1 only.

New Years Sale
  • 60% off all camos, infantry and vehicle cosmetics


*Sale runs from 12:00 AM PST on Tuesday, December 31 through 11:59 PM PST on Wednesday, January 1 only.

Spark and Snow - Winter 2019 Game Update



Global PC servers will come offline on Wednesday, December 17 at 11:00 AM PST / 7:00 PM to bring you the Winter Game Update. Downtime is expected to last up to 3 hours.

Winter has come to Auraxis! Today's game update kicks off our annual winter event - do YOU want to frag a Snowman!? - and introduces a wealth of new holiday goodies for PC players, including a new sniper rifle, hovercycle, and infantry class. Bundle up and read on!

[h3]New Weapon: SR-200[/h3]



Robotic reinforcements are about to get a lot more deadly: the SR-200 is ready to enter the battlfield! The first in a new line of NSO-specific weaponry, the SR-200 is a long-range, bolt-action sniper rifle exclusively available to remote-infantry combat units. It is currently available in the Depot for 1000 Certs (699 DBC), with the fully loaded bundle available for 899 DBC.

[h3]New Vehicle: Javelin[/h3]



A new prototype for NSO characters, the Javelin features Maglev techology that allows it to hover over any terrain type for speedy reconnaissance and transport across the battlefield. An open rumble seat allows for one additional passenger, and while it is not innately equipped with offensive weaponry, it has a variety of defensive and utility options.

[h3]New Infantry Class: Defector[/h3]



A new combat unit has entered the battlefield! The Defector acts as a "MAX unit," though with additional agility and less resistance to damage than other units of its type. It comes fitted with a grenade launch for its primary weapon, with access to two utilities: a walking time bomb for storming enemy positions, or a bubble shield for protecting nearby allies.

[h3]Winter Event: Snowmen Abound[/h3]



Auraximas is back, and the battlefields are colder than ever! Frosty faces have popped up across the planet, perfect for earning XP and getting in a little target practice. You'll also find a deployable Snowman Soldier in your infantry utility slow throughout this event - deploy this snowman and it will do it's best to protect you from incoming threats. With a little luck and skill, you may even happen upon the elusive Golden Snowman, who can reward you with a shiny gold hood ornament and a ton of bonus XP!

This event will be available in game starting today, and running through Sunday, January 5!

[h3]New Winter Directive[/h3]
And of course, there are presents that you can earn yourself by completing the new Seasonal Directive line: 
  • Tier 1: 250 Certs, Holiday Hat
  • Tier 2: 500 ISO-4
  • Tier 3: Merry Mess Camo
  • Tier 4: Cold Heart Implant, "Abominable" Title

Once unlocked, you'll be able to use these gifts even after the snow melts away.

[h3]Even Bio Labs have received a seasonal makeover[/h3]



Power fluctuations have been wreaking havoc on the BioLab control apparatus. Be sure to dress warm...

That's not all! Additional bug fixes, performance improvements, balance changes, and other quality of life enhancements are introduced with today's update. Head over to the official forums to read the full patch notes!

Winter is Coming to Auraxis!

It's frosty season, soldier, so bundle up and fortify your spot by the fireplace; the December update is bringing a wealth of wintry gifts to a chimney near you!

The first NSO-specific weapon, NSO infantry unit, new Hovercycle, Snowmen event, and Auraximas Directive line headline our Winter game update, which is now up on the public test server (PTS) for your feedback! The update will remain on the test server through the weekend (all NSO content will be available to everyone playing on PTS), before coming to live servers next week.

Read on for everything coming your way!

[h2]NEW WEAPON: SR-200[/h2]


Robotic reinforcements are about to get a lot more deadly: the SR-200 is ready to enter the battlfield!

The first NSO-specific weapon to join the war effort, the SR-200 is a long-range, bolt-action sniper rifle exclusively available to remote-infantry combat units. Keep your eyes on the horizon when NSOps drop into your zone, this devastating addition to their arsenal can bring death from nearly any distance.

The SR-200 will be available in the Depot for 1000 Certs (699 DBC), with a fully loaded bundle available for 899 DBC.

[h2]NEW VEHICLE: JAVELIN HOVERCYLE[/h2]


A new prototype for speedy personal transport and reconnaissance across the battlefield, the Javelin features built-in turbo and strafing capabilities. Whether outflanking an enemy position or escaping a hairy situation, glide with speed and grace in this hovercycle designed for quick infantry transport across any variety of combat terrain. An open rumble seat allows for one additional passenger, and while it is not innately equipped with offensive weaponry, it has a variety of defensive and utility options.

[h2]NEW INFANTRY CLASS: NSO DEFECTOR[/h2]


A new combat unit has entered the battlefield! Though it's uncertain who is behind its creation, this hijacked robotic husk is wired with explosives, and appears devoid of the typical moral restraints that come with Nanite Systems sanctioned operators. With an increased health pool, built-in grenade launcher, deadly melee capabilities, and two utilities - a bubble shield that protects nearby allies, or a powerful time bomb - the Defector can annihilate entire squads in close-range combat without springing a gear. Be wary of its generator lights: that means its abilities are active!

Nanite Systems has noted an uptick in missing combat units, and would like to remind all leaseholders that tampering with, disabling, or otherwise preventing the return of these units is unauthorized, and will result in immediate contract termination.

[h2]WINTER EVENT: THE RETURN OF THE SNOWMEN![/h2]


Are YOU ready to frag a snowman this Auraximas, soldier? The chilliest event of the year is back, bringing forth the coldest faction Auraxian battlefields have to offer! This year, even the Bio Labs have frozen over!

A faction of snowmen has sprung up across the planet, perfect for earning XP and getting in target practice as you work towards bringing victory for your empire. You'll also find a deployable Snowman Soldier in your infantry utility slot - deploy this snowman and it will do it's best to protect you from incoming threats. You may even happen upon the elusive Golden Snowman who can reward you with a shiny gold hood ornament and a ton of bonus XP!

This event will be available in game starting on Wednesday, December 18, and running through Sunday, January 5!

[h2]NEW WINTER DIRECTIVE[/h2]
And of course, there are presents that you can earn yourself by completing the new Seasonal Directive line: 
  • Tier 1: 250 Certs, Holiday Hat
  • Tier 2: 500 ISO-4
  • Tier 3: Merry Mess Camo
  • Tier 4: Cold Heart Implant, "Abominable" Title

Once unlocked, you'll be able to use these gifts even after the snow melts away.

[h2]31 DAYS OF AURAXIMAS[/h2]


The holidays are fast approaching, so don't forget to finish your holiday shopping, soldiers! 31 days of special deals are on-going in the Depot through December 31, don't miss out on the perfect gift this Auraximas.