There’s nothing like a trip to the Public Test Server to remind everyone that yes, your character’s jawline might be smoother than before, and no, you still probably won’t survive that new Master Mode boss fight. BioWare just opened up the latest SWTOR PTS round, and it’s bringing two big updates: Character Modernization improvements and a preview of Relentless Replication Master Mode.
If you’ve been longing for a slightly less polygonal neck seam or feel like punishing yourself with the galaxy’s hardest Propagator Core, this one’s for you.
💅 Character Modernization: Now With 100% More Neck Seam Polish
The SWTOR team has been on a slow but steady journey to improve character visuals without launching a full remaster. The latest batch of Character Modernization updates on the PTS focuses on two specific upgrades:
✨ What’s New?
- Face Smoothing
This enhancement applies to a range of species, including Human, Cyborg, Miraluka, Mirialan, Togruta, both Zabrak variants, and Chiss. So if your Sith Lord was looking more like a Sith Polygon, you might notice a glow-up. - Neckline Seam Improvements
For both male and female player characters. No more awkward stitching where your armor ends and your neck begins—at least, not as much.
These changes are subtle but aim to improve the immersion, especially in cutscenes where awkward seams and rough facial geometry tend to be a little distracting—especially if you’re trying to be emotionally moved by a Jedi’s monologue.
⚠️ Not Fixed Yet
Let’s manage expectations. The following issues are still in progress:
- Chiss splotchy skin textures (the blueberry look lives on—for now)
- Minor geometry bugs (like weird ear shadows)
- Discrepancies between character preview models and in-game appearances
The dev team is actively working on these, and they’ve made it clear that player feedback will influence what gets prioritized next.
🧪 Testing Period and Feedback
Character Modernization testing is available on the PTS until April 3rd. If you hop in, feedback is not just welcome—it’s being actively requested.
Got strong thoughts about your Sith Warrior’s neckline? Great. You’re encouraged to post in the PTS feedback thread—and if you’re reporting bugs, include your character slider settings so the devs can recreate the fabulous disaster.
☠️ Relentless Replication: Master Mode Incoming
Let’s move from visuals to violence.
Coming soon to the PTS is the Master Mode difficulty for the Relentless Replication Operation, specifically the Propagator Core XR-53 boss. If the normal version wasn’t enough to wipe your raid team repeatedly, this one should do the trick.
📅 When Can You Test It?
- The current Character Modernization content runs through April 3rd.
- Once that closes, the PTS will reopen with Master Mode content.
- Exact date and time: TBD, but it’ll be announced on SWTOR’s Dev Tracker and social channels.
🎮 What to Expect
Master Mode difficulty means tighter mechanics, less forgiveness, and probably a lot of yelling in voice chat. As with previous testing rounds, feedback is everything. The devs will monitor the forums and adjust the encounter as needed.
Bonus: If you’ve got thoughts about Character Modernization during this phase too, the door’s still open. The next wave of visual improvements may depend on how constructive—or delightfully salty—the community feedback is.
🛠️ Known Issues to Watch For
A few bugs and quirks are already on the devs’ radar:
- Neck seam issues with companion characters
- Model discrepancies in preview vs in-game rendering
- Chiss characters still vibing in full texture chaos
These aren’t being ignored—they just didn’t make the cut for this testing round.
📥 How to Join the PTS
If you’re new to testing content on the PTS (aka willing to brave the land of bugs for early access), it’s easy to jump in:
- Read the official post on how to get started with the PTS.
- Steam users can download the PTS directly from this link.
Keep in mind: the PTS is available only to Subscribers, and only in English.
🎯 Final Thoughts
This round of SWTOR PTS updates strikes a balance between visual finesse and hardcore gameplay. The Character Modernization efforts continue to refine player immersion without breaking what makes SWTOR’s aesthetic feel uniquely “Star Wars.” Meanwhile, the Relentless Replication Master Mode is primed to challenge even the most experienced ops groups with a brutal new difficulty tier.
Whether you’re in it for the beauty pass or the boss fights, this PTS cycle is worth checking out—especially if you like shaping the game’s future before it hits the live servers.
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