SWTOR Defender of Alderaan

Surviving SWTOR’s Mid-Season Doldrums: Tips to Stay Engaged in Galactic Season 7

Matt "ObiWaN" Hansen discussion, SWTOR

So, you’ve hit the mid-season lull in Star Wars: The Old Republic’s Galactic Season 7. It feels like that awkward moment in a road trip when you’re halfway there, the snacks are gone, and your favorite playlist has played three times. Welcome to the mid-season doldrums, a time when enthusiasm tends to dip, and players start questioning their choices. But don’t worry! There are ways to stay entertained and engaged during this downtime without succumbing to boredom.

What Exactly Are the Mid-Season Doldrums?

The mid-season doldrums refer to that period in SWTOR’s Galactic Season when most of the shiny new content has been explored, but the end-of-season rewards and events feel like they’re still lightyears away. Players start to feel like they’re treading water, completing objectives just for the sake of it rather than out of excitement.

This isn’t a new phenomenon in MMOs. The excitement of fresh updates, objectives, and content eventually fades after the initial rush, leaving players to grind through repetitive tasks. In SWTOR, the Galactic Seasons model tends to follow a pattern: enthusiasm peaks at launch, and by the mid-point, players experience a collective lull in energy.

How to Beat the Doldrums: Tips to Keep Your Game Fresh

  1. Mix Up Your Objectives If grinding the same dailies feels like watching paint dry, why not switch things up? You can go for objectives you might have skipped earlier or even try challenging yourself to complete them in creative or unusual ways. Use a class you rarely play or pick objectives that push you out of your comfort zone.
  2. Solo Adventures and Story Quests Now is the perfect time to catch up on any story content you might have skipped. Whether it’s running through old expansions like Onslaught or completing side quests you’ve been neglecting, diving into the narrative can help shake off the repetition. The SWTOR universe is rich with lore and untold stories just waiting to be explored.
  3. Get into PvP If you’ve always been more of a PvE player, consider dipping your toes into PvP. Sure, it can be chaotic, but nothing shakes off the boredom like squaring up against real players. Plus, the PvP community in SWTOR is passionate and always looking for new blood. Who knows, you might find a whole new aspect of the game to love.
  4. Socialize with Guildmates Galactic Seasons may feel tedious, but with the right group of people, even the most boring grind can turn into a fun experience. If you’re part of a guild, organize group activities like world boss hunts or flashpoint marathons. Playing with others is a great way to keep things lively and help you stay motivated to finish your season objectives.

Is SWTOR’s Current Content Enough?

A key reason players may find themselves in these doldrums is that SWTOR hasn’t had major expansions since Legacy of the Sith. Although the expansion had a lot of hype, it was criticized for not delivering a long-lasting boost in content, with player engagement dropping not long after its release.The current model of releasing smaller patches means that while there are regular content updates, they may not be enough to fully reinvigorate players during the long haul of Galactic Seasons.

This mid-season lull could potentially be mitigated if Bioware and the SWTOR development team focused on larger, more impactful expansions rather than incremental updates. However, it seems like they are still sticking to the content-patch model, leaving players to navigate these content droughts creatively.

Keep Your Eye on the Prize

The rewards at the end of Galactic Season 7 are pretty sweet, so don’t give up now! Think of the mid-season doldrums as that dreaded final lap in a marathon. Sure, it’s tiring, and your brain might be screaming, “Why am I doing this?” But the finish line is within sight, and that exclusive mount, armor set, or companion will be worth the grind.

If you’re struggling, try setting small, manageable goals. Break up your objectives over the week rather than doing them all in one sitting. It’s much easier to digest the content in bite-sized chunks rather than overwhelming yourself.

Try Something New in SWTOR

If the mid-season content grind is wearing you down, why not use this time to explore something totally new in the game? SWTOR has loads of hidden gems, from secret achievements to rare mounts that you can unlock. Use this period as an opportunity to explore content you haven’t tried yet, like crafting, rare event quests, or companion missions.

Final Thoughts

The mid-season doldrums in SWTOR are real, but that doesn’t mean you have to log off in frustration. By switching up your playstyle, setting new goals, and getting creative with your objectives, you can keep your SWTOR experience fresh and engaging. And remember, Galactic Season 7’s rewards are just around the corner, so hang in there!

In the end, whether you’re grinding objectives or discovering new content, the key is to keep things fun. After all, isn’t that why we play in the first place?