Date: January 7 - 13 (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: January 21 - 27 (BEGINS AND ENDS AT 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!
Executive Producer Letter - Q4 2024
Hi folks!
Happy 13 years with Star Wars: The Old Republic! Much has been accomplished this year and we are happy to see players enjoying Game Update 7.6 “Galactic Threads”. Let’s take a look at what’s happened in 2024 so far!
Game Updates
We started off the year with Galactic Seasons 6 “Building a Foundation” and debuted Date Night Companion missions featuring Arcann, Koth Vortena, Theron Shan, and Lana Beniko. We will continue to deliver these throughout the year and keep you all posted on the next companions. Game Update 7.5 “Desperate Defiance” released in late May and came with a variety of new content including the continuation of the main storyline, the debut of the Basilisk Prototype Venture, a new spring seasonal event, and a modernization update for the planet Hutta.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NLU_pgU1xk&t
Galactic Seasons 7 “The Greatest Bounty”, which released with Game Update 7.5.1 was extended to January 7, so be sure get all your bounties in to reap all the rewards!
The team has done an incredible job with the modernization updates over the last couple years, and one question I have seen pop up every now and then is “why modernize the game?”. The short answer is that SWTOR launched in 2011, and we have to replace, extend, and refine our technology which enables us to continue delivering regular updates to the game. Both hardware and software have substantially improved over the years and many of our changes enable us to leverage the new tech.
There have been huge improvements made in 7.6 to the environments of Tython, Korriban, Hoth, and Ilum, and I am pleased to see our modernization efforts continue with character models.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN7JD4pTpks
Mac Launcher
In case you missed it, we now have an open beta test for the new Mac launcher! Back in October, we opened a closed technical test and we received nearly a thousand players responding to it! We rolled out the technical test to several groups of players to validate how the launcher and ultimately the game would perform on select M-Series Mac machines. We’ve now moved to open beta, and anyone who would like to check it out can download the launcher from the main page on swtor.com.
Skeleton Crew inspired items
Our collaboration with Lucasfilm Games continues on with new Cartel Market offerings inspired by the Disney+ series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew™. The Mysterious Rogue outfit and Fearless Buccaneer weapons are fun additions to any player’s wardrobe who may want to indulge in the pirate life.
Fun fact, a new mount inspired by the speeder bike as seen in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is now in-game and you’ll notice that it has a rather unique feature about it.
That’s right, companion and mini pet functionality has now come to SWTOR! The Meirm Cicada mount is our newest reward for any player who is a Subscriber through January 4, 2025.
What else is happening?
Another Twitch Drop campaign is now active and the reward is a highly requested Amethyst Vulptilla Mount. Watch four hours of live SWTOR content on Twitch to unlock this reward. If you haven’t connected your SWTOR and Twitch account, you can do so on the account page on SWTOR.com.
Events and sales
Our Anniversary Event is now live and will be active until January 3, 2025.
The Coruscant and Kaas City Strongholds are discounted to 13 credits (down from 5000) until the next game update.
Life Day is now live and will be active until January 7, 2025.
The Double XP event runs from December 22, 2024 to January 2, 2025.
The 50% off Collection Unlocks sale is now active and will run until January 7, 2025.
If you missed the announcement during our dev stream, all dyes in the Cartel Market are 50% off!
180 Days Subscription Time + 600 Cartel Coins per month
5500 Cartel Coins
Vectron 240R Starbolt Mount
Rideable at level 1
Base speed as fast as Speeder Rank 5 (130%)
Gives players a speed boost while mounted
Primary Metallic Yellow Dye (x5 per character)
Secondary Metallic Yellow Dye (x5 per character)
Bundle is priced at $99.99 USD
Be sure to pick it up before January 14, 2025!
What’s coming up?
We are really excited as we look towards 2025! Let's talk about the beginning of the year. First up will be Game Update 7.6.1 in the first quarter of the year which will kick off our next Galactic Season. This one will be a fun one as we throw you into some content you may not have played in a bit... be sure to come back early in the year for our livestream to hear about that season and everything else planned for the update.
And then of course, right on the horizon of 7.6.1 is 7.7! Really looking forward to talking about our plans here as we have a new coming with some new , the continuation of our story, along with a host of other things to tell you about! Last but not least, we can't forget that 2025 is the next Star Wars Celebration 2025 is just around the corner and so I'm just excited as a Star Wars fan to see what next year holds for all of us.
Enjoy Game Update 7.6, have a happy holiday, and we will see you in the new year!
-Keith
Game Update 7.6c Patch Notes
Lightsabers shown in cinematics will now display the correct colors.
The SFX for creature mounts will now play when they are summoned.
[Eternity Vault Operation] Players can no longer get caught on an invisible floor that forms in the middle of the arena after Soa destroys the platform.
Game Update 7.6c coming December 19
We will be bringing down the servers on December 19 to deploy Game Update 7.6c..
Fixed an issue that caused the pillars and their shadows to appear invisible in the Soa encounter in the Eternity Vault Operation.
First of Many and First Among Veteran titles, Kai Zykken’s MK-85 Log Mount will now be granted to players who completed these Achievements on the Public Test Server upon next log in.
The Stronghold Conquest Bonus is now calculated properly. More details can be found here.
Game Update 7.6a Patch Notes
General
Tier 11 items can now be Deconstructed as intended.
The Stronghold Conquest Bonus is now calculated properly.
Black hair no longer appears green or has a green tint when being viewed by other characters.
Achievements
Defeating the Propagator Core XR-53 in Story and Veteran Modes will now grant Achievements as intended.
Dynamic Encounters
[Hoth Dynamic Encounter Pirate Problem] The boss now spawns properly allowing multiple players to complete the encounter.
Missions
[Agent Storyline: High Society] Players can now click on the terminal to progress through the mission.
[Black Hole Weekly: HEROIC 2+] Players can now interact with the panels in the pipe room.
[The Memory Heist] Players can now interact with the Override Station Terminal.
Cartel Market Additions: Game Update 7.6!
Get your hands on some Cartel Coins and check out new items coming to the Cartel Market with 7.6!
Dropping in 7.6 is SWTOR’s largest Decoration bundle ever! Players will receive two full sets of decorations inspired by Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge AND two mini pets! At initial purchase, players will receive the following items:
2 Cantinas (Neglected)*
4 Spire Basins (Neglected)
4 Fountains (Neglected)
6 Illuminated Trash Receptacles (Neglected)
8 Trash Receptacles (Neglected)
8 Cargo stacks (Neglected)
8 Chandeliers (Neglected)
8 Water Tanks (Neglected)
8 Street Lamps (Neglected)
10 Pathway Lights (Neglected)
16 Sconces (Neglected)
“Outpost Repairs” Unlock
The Outpost Repairs Unlock item will set players on the path to complete two lightweight gameplay missions such as placing and inspecting items and gathering info about one of the mini pets.
Once completed, players will unlock fixed versions of the neglected decorations plus two minipets:
2 Cantinas*
4 Spire Basins
4 Fountains
6 Illuminated Trash Receptacles
8 Trash Receptacles
8 Cargo stacks
8 Chandeliers
8 Water Tanks
8 Street Lamps
10 Pathway Lights
16 Sconces
1 Cantina Bartender
Dianoga Minipet
D5-C0 Minipet
*The RTO Cantina decorations can be placed on the Starship and Center Piece hooks.
(Cantina - Fixed and decorated. NPCs sold separately)
(Dianoga and D5-C0 Minipets)
Shae Vizla Battle-Scarred Armor
(Shae Vizla’s classic armor set returns with modernized textures)
(Left is default coloring of armor set. Middle image has Metallic Gray & Chrome White applied. Right image has Chrome White & Metallic Gray dye applied)
Tirsa G1-F7 Mount
The following items are inspired by Star Wars: Skeleton Crew™
Armor
Mysterious Rogue
(Comes with two variants, jacket and without jacket)
Weapons
Fearless Buccaneer Lightsaber and Fearless Buccaneer Dualsaber
(Half long, half short. Comes with slightly highlighted strand)
Game Update 7.6 “Galactic Threads” is now live!
Dynamic Encounters
Dynamic Encounters is new world content that offers a variety of missions for players to experience. They are meant to breathe life into the planets they inhabit, giving players a sense that something is always happening at any given time. As players explore planets, they will naturally come across Dynamic Encounters or they can find active Encounters on their map. Missions can range from taking out Hidden Chain forces to herding escaped Banthas running amok in a space port. These Encounters will debut on Hoth and Tattoine with 7.6.
Hidden Chain Invasions are special Dynamic Encounters where players are tasked with stopping Heta Kol’s forces as they continue to wreak havoc in the galaxy. These Encounters can take place on Hoth and Tattooine, but can also be found on several other planets.
As players complete Dynamic Encounters, they can receive special rewards like unlocking various Achievements, obtaining the Freckled Loth-cat Kitten pet and Hidden Chain and Electric Gaze armor sets. Completing the meta-achievents of each planet will grant the themed Frozen Peaks and Desert Sand Mounts.
The Propagator Core XR-53 Lair Boss
A new Operation boss will be coming with 7.6. The Propagator Core XR-53 originated from one of the many broken pieces when the Emperor's Fortress crashed onto Ilum. The XR-53 is a Rakatan droid replicator trying to fix itself by harvesting resources. Story and Veteran Modes are now live!
Augments
Three new tiers of augments have been released with 7.6! Read the details on how to obtain them here. For a full list of schematics and their requirements, read here!
Planet and Character Modernization
Our modernization efforts continue on with Game Update 7.6. Character models, specifically heads, will also see improved fidelity across the game! Players will see updates to their character via updated character textures, along with ocular specularity and with lighting, and shader improvements. Our goal is to improve the fidelity of characters across the game while keeping your character uniquely yours.
https://youtu.be/WN7JD4pTpks?si=SkA8U7m85k6YEAjf
PvP Season 7
Season 7 “The Path to Mastery” begins with 7.6! For a full breakdown of the new season and its rewards, click here!
Life Day
Our winter seasonal event begins today! The the Ornate Life Day Robes has been added to the list of rewards that can be earned! The Tirsa G1-F7 mount can be found on the Cartel Market.
Cartel Market Offerings
New outfits, weapons, customizations and dyes are now available in the Cartel Market. Alongside Star Wars: Skeleton Crew™ inspired items, players can get their hands on Shae Vizla’s Battle Scarred armor and unique Remote Trading Outpost Decoration Bundle inspired by Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge™. See everything available here!
Additionally, a highly requested long hairstyle will be made available for players for free! This customization will automatically be added to the hair character slider.
Character Customization in the Appearance Designer is 90% off until January 7, 2025.
Best View in SWTOR winners
The Best View contest winners have been selected and their framed decorations can be found on the Anniversary vendor. Congrats to this year’s winners!
Twitch Drops
For the next 28 days, the Amethyst Vulptilla Mount Twitch Drop will be active. In order to obtain it, make sure that you go to your account page on swtor.com, and link up your SWTOR account and your Twitch account. Watch live SWTOR content on Twitch for four hours in order to unlock the mount!
We’ve been looking for opportunities to release inactive character names, and we have selected 7.6 launch as the time to begin this process. Please read through this blog in its entirety to understand how you can keep your character name if it was impacted.
180 Days Subscription Time + 600 Cartel Coins per month
5500 Cartel Coins
Vectron 240R Starbolt Mount
Rideable at level 1
Base speed as fast as Speeder Rank 5 (130%)
Gives players a speed boost while mounted
Primary Metallic Yellow Dye (x5 per character)
Secondary Metallic Yellow Dye (x5 per character)
Bundle is priced at $99.99 USD
This bundle will be available until January 14, 2025.
Game Update 7.6 debuts Dynamic Encounters and The Propagator Core XR-53
Dynamic Encounters
Dynamic Encounters is new world content that breathes life into planets and offers a wide variety of repeatable activities that rotate their availability over time. This content makes its debut with Game Update 7.6 and can be found on Tatooine and Hoth.
When players make their way to either of these planets with the Galaxy Map, they can immediately see which Encounters are active.
As players venture out and explore, they will see unique icons pop up on their map indicating that a Dynamic Encounter is currently active. Once a player is close enough to the Encounter, the mission tracker will update with a description of the Encounter and what requirements need to be fulfilled in order to complete the Encounter. All encounters can be completed solo or in a group. There are two different types of encounters: those that share progress normally (only with others in your group) and those that share progress between all active players in the encounter area--even if you aren't in a group. These use different icons to let you know which is which.
What kind of Dynamic Encounters are there?
Though you may be tasked to take down enemy NPCs and mini bosses, not every Encounter requires combat! On Hoth, you may need to calm some anxious Ice Kittens or carry baby Tauntauns up a hill just so they can happily run down it and back to their mother. On Tatooine, you may come across a Cantina band experiencing travel woes and you need to help repair their vehicles or become an Ad Gonk droid and market their show to patrons.
Hidden Chain Invasions are unique Dynamic Encounters that can occur on Tatooine, Hoth, Rishi, and Ilum. Stop Heta Kol’s forces from wreaking havoc in the galaxy by summoning friendly NPC faction forces to take down the Hidden Chain and earn rewards for doing so.
What are the rewards?
There are a number of rewards that can be earned as Dynamic Encounters are completed! Alongside numerous Achievements, players can earn Conquest Commendations, Tech Fragments, Mounts, a unique decoration, and armor sets!
Hidden Chain Invasions Encounters will drop pieces of the Hidden Chain armor set and various Encounters on Hoth and Tatooine will drop pieces of the Electric Gaze armor set.
Completing specific (and also rare) Dynamic Encounters on Hoth may drop the Everglade Zakkeg mount and the Hoth Snowcap decoration.
A rare and unique Freckled Loth-cat Kitten pet can be obtained upon completing kitten related Dynamic Encounters on Hoth.
Upon completing the meta-Achievement for Hoth, players will receive the Frozen Peaks Mount. Completing the meta-Achievement for Tatooine will yield the Desert Sand Mount. Both mounts come with mini-pet functionality!
We look forward to creating more missions for other planets in the future!
The Propagator Core XR-53 Operation Boss on Story and Veteran Mode!
The Propagator Core XR-53 originated from one of the many broken pieces when the Emperor's Fortress crashed onto Ilum. The XR-53 is a Rakatan droid replicator trying to fix itself by harvesting resources. As players explore an abandoned production lab on Ilum, they may find themselves the XR-53’s newest targets to be collected.
(Complete Construct enemy NPC)
There are two ways to begin the encounter. Players can:
Fly to Ilum and approach the phase gate located in the main base camp
Use the Group Activity Finder window and choose “Relentless Replication” for Story Mode
For a limited time, Relentless Replication will be the only Encounter listed in the window
Players are encouraged to jump into a 8-player group and take down XR-53 not only for the excitement of a challenging fight, but also because this boss drops the needed components to craft new augments!
Three new tiers of augments have been introduced with 7.6:
Augment 83 (Item Rating, 296 Prototype)
The tradeable Schematic to craft these will drop from the XR-53 fight on Story Mode
Augment 86 (Item Rating 302, Prototype)
The tradeable Schematic to craft these will drop from the XR-53 fight on Veteran Mode
Advanced Augment 86 (Item Rating 310, Artifact)
The schematic is only available by deconstructing Augment 86.
A full breakdown of these augments can be found here.
A full list of the updated schematics and requirements can be found here.
We hope you enjoy Dynamic Encounters and the new Operation boss!
