The first patch notes for Game update 2.8 is online. These notes are only indicative of the current patch to the PTS, and will be expanded upon as we get farther into the testing process.
Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ PTS Game Update 2.8 Last Updated: May 1st, 2014 All content and features on the Public Test Server are not final and are subject to change. Highlights
Nightmare Mode Dread Palace is now available! Return to Oricon to face off against Dread Masters Bestia, Tyrans, Calphayrus, and Raptus, who are now more powerful than ever before!
General
- Added a high resolution shadow map option for high-end machines. This enables more detailed shadow rendering over a longer distance.
Classes + Combat General
- Fixed an issue that would occasionally allow abilities to affects targets, even if those targets had a 100% or greater chance to defend against attacks.
Watchman
- Merciless Slash now deals more damage and costs 4 Focus.
- Mind Sear has been reworked. It now offers a flat 3/6/9 seconds reduction in the cooldown of Cauterize passively, instead of resetting the cooldown when other abilities are used.
- Cauterize passively instead of resetting the cooldown when other abilities are used.
- Inexhaustable Zeal now also makes the Damage Over Time effects from Cauterize and Overload Saber uncleansable.
Guardian
General
- Focused Defense now lasts a maximum of 10 seconds (down from 30 seconds).
Annihilation
- Annihilate now deals more damage and costs 4 Rage.
- Pulverize has been reworked. It now offers a flat 3/6/9 seconds reduction in the cooldown of Rupture passively, instead of resetting the cooldown when other abilities are used.
- Indefatigable Onslaught now also makes the Damage Over Time effects from Rupture and Deadly Saber uncleansable.
Juggernaut
- Enraged Defense now lasts a maximum of 10 seconds (down from 30 seconds).
Balance (Sage)
- Sever Force now deals slightly more damage.
- Telekinetic Focal Point now grants a 9% per stack bonus to the damage of Rippling Force.
- Mental Scarring now increases Telekinetic Throw damage by 8.3%/16.67%/25% to targets affected by the player’s Sever Force.
- Containment now reduces the cast time of Force Lift by 0.5/1.0 second (up from 0.25/0.5)
Shadow
General
- Shadow’s Training now additionally decreases the cast time of Force Lift by 1 second.
Balance (Shadow)
- Sever Force now deals slightly more damage.
- Force Breach now deals slightly more damage.
- Mental Scarring now increases Telekinetic Throw damage by 8.3%/16.67%/25% to targets affected by the player’s Force Breach in addition to the existing bonuses of Mental Scarring.
- Sever Forces now also triggers the damage and Force regeneration of Rippling Force.
- Mind Warp now increases the periodic damage of Mind Crush by 16.5%/33% instead of increasing its duration.
- Containment now reduces the cast time of Force Lift by 0.5/1.0 second (up from 0.25/0.5)
Madness (Sorcerer)
- Creeping Terror now deals slightly more damage.
- Focal Lightning now grants a 9% per stack bonus to the damage of Lightning Burns.
- Creeping Death now increases Force Lightning damage by 8.3%/16.67%/25% to targets affected by the player’s Creeping Terror.
- Haunted Dreams now reduces the cast time of Whirlwind by 0.5/1.0 second (up from 0.25/0.5)
Assassin
General
- Assassin’s Training now additionally decreases the activation time of Whirlwind by 1 second.
Madness (Assassin)
- Creeping Terror now deals slightly more damage.
- Lightning Discharge now deals slightly more damage.
- Creeping Death now increases periodic Crushing Darkness damage by 8.3%/16.67%/25% to targets affected by the player’s Lightning Discharge in addition to the existing bonuses of Creeping Death.
- Creeping Terror now also triggers the damage and Force regeneration of Lightning Burns.
- Lingering Nightmares now increases the periodic damage of Crushing Darkness by 16.5%/33% instead of increasing its duration.
- Haunted Dreams now reduces the cast time of Whirlwind by 0.5/1.0 second (up from 0.25/0.5)
General
- Power Surge now grants 6 seconds of interrupt and pushback immunity after it has been consumed. For Mercenaries with Power Override, the immunity comes after the second activation.
Pyrotech (Mercenary)
- Superheated Rail no longer gets damage from both Primary Hand and Off-Hand Rail Shot attacks.
Powertech
Shield Tech
- Shield Vents now also vents Heat when an attack is defended against (such as being dodged or resisted).
- Hydraulic Shield now has a chance to finish the cooldown on Rocket Punch when an attack is defended against.
Pyrotech (Powertech)
- Power Bracer now additionally increases the damage of periodic elemental damage by 35%.
- Rapid Venting has been replaced by Critical Venting. Critical Venting increases critical hit chance by 1%/2%, and reduces the cooldown of Vent Heat and Thermal Sensor Override by 15/30 seconds.
Trooper
Commando
- GeneralTech Override now grants 6 seconds of interrupt and pushback immunity after it has been consumed. For Commandos with Reserve Round, the immunity comes after the second activation.
Vanguard
Shield Specialist
- Shield Cycler now also regenerates Energy Cells when an attack is defended against (such as being dodged or resisted).
- Static Shield now has a chance to finish the cooldown on Stockstrike when an attack is defended against.
Assault Specialist(Vanguard)
- Riot Augs now additionally increases the damage of periodic elemental damage by 35%.
- Rapid Recharge has been replaced by Critical Recharge. Critical Recharge increases critical hit chance by 1%/2%, and reduces the cooldown of Recharge Ammo and Reserve Powercell by 15/30 seconds.
- The effect of Nightmare Power has been removed from Nightmare Dread Fortress, and the “Conqueror of the Dread Fortress” Title can no longer be obtained. Congratulations to those who overcame this challenge! *Nightmare Mode is now available for the Dread Palace Operation.Dread Master Brontes and the Dread Council now drop a Dread Guard Cranial Scan for each member of the Operation.
Rewards for completing content via the Group Finder have been improved!
Operations:
- Upgraded to 30 Ultimate Commendations at Level 55.
- Upgraded to 25 Elite Commendations between Levels 50-54.
Hard Mode Level 55 Flashpoints:
- Upgraded to 10 Ultimate Commendations.
Tactical 55 Flashpoints:
- Upgraded to 10 Elite Commendations.
- Spawn locations are now chosen randomly for players by default. Players can override this from the Map screen by manually selecting a spawn location.
Ships + Hangar
- A new Gunship variant has been added! The SGS-S1 Condor (Republic) and GSS-4Y Jurgoran (Empire) are now available via Fleet Requisition. These Skirmisher Gunships are a more up-close-and-personal Gunship with a Railgun and Missile-focused loadout, including an option for the new Interdiction Missile.
- A new Bomber variant has been added! The Sledgehammer (Republic) and B-5 Decimus (Empire) are now available via Fleet Requisition. These Assault Bombers are heavily armored Bombers that are best in the thick of the battle, and are able to deploy Drones or Mines for maximum effectiveness.
