Galactic Season 8, titled “Rising Powers”, has come to a close in Star Wars: The Old Republic, and it brought more than just flashy cosmetics and a weekly checklist. It was a shakeup in both structure and storytelling, centered around Lane Vizla—the not-quite-heroic Mandalorian—and her deadly droid, B3-S1.
So how did it all land? Was it a bounty hunter’s dream season or just another grind in disguise?
Let’s break it down.
A Strong Character Anchor: Lane Vizla Steps Forward
SWTOR has been using Galactic Seasons as a vehicle for light narrative threads lately, and Season 8 doubled down on that with Lane Vizla. Her story was gritty, morally ambiguous, and had just enough narrative weight to carry the seasonal theme. For players following the Mandalorian arcs since Chains in the Dark, this felt like a natural progression.
Dialogues were delivered through holocalls (a standard budget-friendly format at this point), and while they didn’t break new ground, they effectively shaped Lane’s personality: aggressive, no-nonsense, and a little too comfortable with collateral damage.
She’s no Republic poster child, and that’s exactly why her story worked.
B3-S1: A Companion Worth Upgrading
Each Galactic Season needs a hook, and this time it was B3-S1, a Basilisk war droid companion with customization unlocks tied to your progress. And not just a new paint job—players could unlock a total of three different appearances, each tied to specific reputation ranks.
More than just a visual tweak, B3-S1 came across as a functional, versatile companion with a strong visual identity. It added a nice layer of progression for those who like rewards that evolve as you go.
Verdict: Better than some past companions (cough CXP-era clones cough), but still just shy of greatness.
Daily and Weekly Objectives: Streamlined, But Not Stale
Galactic Season 8 didn’t reinvent the wheel on the daily/weekly objectives front, but it did continue the positive trend of:
- Making objectives rotate regularly
- Avoiding excessive RNG or group-only gating
- Encouraging a mix of PvE and light PvP content
You could log in, bang out a couple objectives solo, and still feel like you were progressing. For casual and alt-heavy players, this model still hits the sweet spot between accessibility and engagement.
If anything, the objectives could use a little more spice in the future—a few curveballs wouldn’t hurt.
The Rewards Track: Cosmetics, Flair, and Cartel Market Tastes
Let’s be real—most players chase the Galactic Seasons for the loot, not the lore. So what did Season 8 offer?
Highlights included:
- Unique armor sets with Mandalorian flair
- Mounts styled after Lane Vizla’s crew aesthetic
- Cartel Coins at predictable milestones
- Legacy-bound gear pieces that don’t clog up your inventory
The cartel-inspired rewards weren’t as flashy as some previous seasons (looking at you, Season 4’s Calo Nord vibes), but they were clean, thematic, and functional. No complaints.
Still, one can’t help but wish for a few more standout vanity items that scream “flex.”
What Didn’t Land as Well
No season is perfect. While Galactic Season 8 nailed tone and tempo, a few things felt undercooked:
- Lane’s story arc was short—some character development was hinted at but not fully explored.
- No mission instancing or voiced cutscenes meant the story delivery lacked cinematic punch.
- B3-S1’s mechanical role was solid but didn’t evolve over time, limiting engagement after unlock.
Also, there’s a sense that these seasonal arcs, while clever, are starting to blend into each other. Without substantial mechanical evolution, even great characters like Lane risk becoming forgettable once the next season drops.
Final Verdict: A Solid Season with a Sharp Edge
Galactic Season 8 delivered where it mattered—functional rewards, character-driven flavor, and smooth progression. Lane Vizla was a great thematic lead, and B3-S1 felt like more than just a companion checkbox.
But SWTOR will need to innovate a bit more going forward if it wants Galactic Seasons to stay fresh. The groundwork is strong; now it’s time to experiment.
Here’s hoping Season 9 brings us a twist or two—preferably with more Mandalorian drama, customizable companions, or a surprise story beat that punches us in the feels.