Comprehensive Guide to SWGOH’s Massive Update: New Eras, Episodes, Marquees, and Quality of Life Improvements Explained

Hello, Holotable Heroes! Grab your vibroblades, polish your droids, and put on your best Jedi robes, because Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes (SWGOH) just dropped one of its biggest updates in nine long years. Yes, you heard that right—Capital Games went full hyperdrive and decided it was time to shake things up like a cantina brawl. From revamped quest systems and new marquee characters to major quality of life improvements, this update promises to make your SWGOH experience smoother, more rewarding, and a lot more organized. So, let’s break down everything you need to know, with a bit of humor sprinkled in. Trust me, you’ll need it.

Why Overhaul SWGOH Now? Nine Years of Galactic Grinding

The Rationale Behind the Changes

First things first, you might be wondering why Capital Games is overhauling so much now. Nine years is a long time for any mobile game to stay relevant. While SWGOH has kept us entertained with marquee events, epic battles, and endless farming, the game’s systems were beginning to show their age. Think of it like an old ship in need of a serious retrofit—the developers needed to dust off some old hyperdrives, fine-tune the shields, and throw in a couple of shiny new gizmos.

According to Lead Producer Chris Stott (known as CG_SBCrumb in the SWGOH community), this update is all about ensuring that SWGOH remains a fun, engaging experience that aligns with modern expectations. This meant rethinking existing systems, reducing grind, and introducing new mechanics to make gameplay more rewarding. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) player or a crystal-wielding whale, there’s something here for everyone.

The New Galaxy Map: Introducing Eras and Episodes

What Are Eras and Episodes?

Let’s start with one of the biggest changes: Eras and Episodes. Think of these as your new galaxy-wide roadmap, giving you a clear direction and a more cohesive experience. Here’s the gist:

• Eras: Each era lasts 12 weeks and focuses on a specific story arc, bringing in characters, events, and content tied to that theme. Picture it like a major season of your favorite Star Wars series.
• Episodes: Within each era, there are three Episodes, each lasting 4 weeks. These Episodes zero in on particular characters or storylines, creating a more focused narrative arc and giving players specific goals to chase.

This structured approach promises a more predictable content cadence. No more guessing what’s coming next—now you’ll have a roadmap that lets you plan your grinding and strategizing like a true Jedi Master (or scheming Sith).

Launch Era: The Era of Apprentices

The first era is the “Era of Apprentices,” starting on November 19, 2024. It’s a bit different from the usual three-episode structure, featuring only two Episodes:

1. Episode 1 introduces two new marquee characters: Huyang, the ancient lightsaber-constructing droid, and General Syndulla, Ahsoka’s long-time ally and leader in the New Republic.
2. Episode 2 acts as a holiday special and culminates in the release of Galactic Legend Ahsoka Tano.

Expect this era to lean heavily on themes from the Ahsoka TV series, creating an immersive experience for fans.

Quality of Life Overhauls: Making Your Grind Less Grind-y

Revamped Quest System

Ever feel like the SWGOH quest system was more confusing than Palpatine’s political scheming? You’re not alone. Capital Games heard the cries of players everywhere and decided to simplify things. Daily Activities are now Daily Quests. Completing just seven tasks per day will net you your daily rewards. No more scrambling through obscure menus.

Here’s your daily to-do list:

1. Use 600 Energy (including Cantina, Mod, and Ship Energy)
2. Purchase three Shipments
3. Complete one Galactic War battle
4. Finish two Challenges
5. Complete one Fleet Challenge
6. Open one Data Pack
7. Win one Squad or Fleet Arena battle

The energy requirement change is live immediately, meaning you can earn your daily Guild Raid Tickets more efficiently. No more hoarding energy like a paranoid moisture farmer!

Episode Track and Episode Pass: The New Reward System

Once you reach Level 85, you’ll unlock the Episode Track, a reward system with Free and Paid tiers. Earn Episode Points (EP) through daily and Episode quests, progressing along the track to claim rewards. F2P players can complete the Free Track, while those who purchase the Episode Pass ($20 USD) will progress faster and earn extra rewards like marquee character shards, Relic materials, and more.

Why does this matter? Because SWGOH is all about collecting shiny things and getting the edge in battles. Whether you choose the free or paid route, there’s more incentive than ever to engage with daily content.

Marquee Madness: New Characters Incoming!

What Are Marquees?

For those who just woke up from a carbonite nap, marquee events introduce new characters into SWGOH. Each new marquee character is a chance to expand your roster and unlock unique abilities that can turn the tide of battle. With this update, each Episode will typically start with a marquee event, followed by another marquee release midway through.

In the Era of Apprentices, we’re getting:

• Huyang: A lightsaber-crafting droid with a penchant for storytelling.
• General Syndulla: A New Republic leader ready to kick some galactic butt alongside Ahsoka.

Unlocking marquee characters is only half the battle—you’ll need to power them up and use them strategically in events and battles.

Character Quests: Leveling Up With Style

Each marquee character comes with Character Quests—28 quests split into four parts. Complete these quests by using the new units in battle. Claiming these rewards requires specific amounts of character shards, so keep grinding and unlocking!

Simming Events and Even More Quality of Life Improvements

Simming Events: Less Time, More Fun

One of the most celebrated changes in this update is the ability to sim (simulate) more events. Here’s the list of what’s now simmable:

• Galactic Legend Ultimate Journeys
• Mythic Events (all tiers)
• Smuggler’s Run I and II
• Galactic Bounties I and II
• Endor Escalation
• Ghosts of Dathomir
• Defense of Dathomir
• Contraband Cargo

This change saves valuable time, letting you focus on the exciting stuff instead of repeating the same battles over and over.

Additional Quality of Life Changes

1. New Marquee UI: The revamped user interface for marquee events makes it easier to see rewards and navigate through tiers.
2. Raid Ticket Indicator: No more digging through menus to check your Raid Ticket progress. It’s right there on the navigation tab!

Galactic Challenges, Loyalty Programs, and More

Galactic Challenges Overhaul

Galactic Challenges are also getting a makeover. Instead of waiting for “boxes” to unlock rewards, you’ll earn Episode Points immediately. This speeds up progression and lets you choose your rewards using Episode Currency. It’s like getting presents early—what’s not to love?

The Kessel Run Loyalty Program

The Kessel Run loyalty program rewards players who interact with the Webstore. Complete objectives to earn Coaxium, advancing through milestones called Parsecs and earning rewards. This feature currently applies to the Webstore, but there are plans to bring it to PC players in the future. Whether you’re a F2P grinder or a dedicated spender, there’s something to gain.

Final Thoughts: A New Hope for SWGOH

This update is a game-changer, aimed at revitalizing SWGOH for years to come. Whether you’re excited about new marquee characters, streamlined quests, or simmable events, there’s something here to keep everyone engaged. Capital Games is clearly committed to delivering a better experience, and this is just the beginning.

So, polish your blasters, prep your squads, and get ready for an epic journey. The galaxy just got a whole lot more exciting.