8 reasons to look forward to SWTOR update 2.0

As mentioned in the past, one of the major changes is the addition of the achievement system. Pictured here is a screencap of the Achievements list, located in the player's legacy window, from Makeb - the new planet coming in the "Rise of the Hutt Cartel" expansion.Achievements can be earned from various tasks such as area exploration, completing Heroic missions, collecting datacrons, PvP and much more. Some achievements will also reward the player with titles and Cartel Coins.Pictured: Quest Log on Public Test ServerIn an effort to provide End Game content for those who reach level 55 (and who apparently don't think Level 50 hard modes are enough), the level requirements for Hammer Station, Athiss, Mandalorian Raiders, and Cademimu (forgive me if these are different on Republic side!) have been raised to Level 55.Not Pictured: There is also a new Operation available at Level 55, called "Scum and Villainy."While some may be turned off by the continuous gear grinding, we are pleased to hear about new Elder Game gear. There are at least 2-3 sets of gear per class for Level 55, and give a significant boosts to stats. Comparing my Level 55 medic (pictured) and my Level 50 on a live server, I see a +5% Critical Chance and +300 Primary Damage. The fact that this gear, in my opinion, looks much better than Tionese and Columi for Mercenary Medics doesn't hurt either - this is the first time I did not hide my head slot, because the helmet looks nice.View the list »
"Rise of the Hutt Cartel", the new expansion due out this Spring, is bringing us a new planet, raised level cap...Wait just a second!For those reading this list, there isn't much to say here. While Makeb, the new planet in question, is exclusive to players who purchase the expansion, the level cap might not be.From what we have seen, achievements for Makeb are already listed. The level cap has been raised to 55, and Crew Skills have been raised to 450. While it is speculation, it seems as though 2.0 might be released alongside Makeb - although there is no official word as of yet.

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A week and a half ago, during the PlayStation 4 announcement, BioWare announced on their site and in social feeds that Game Update 2.0 for “Star Wars: The Old Republic” was live on their Public Test Server. We took a look at the PTS patch notes and spent quite some time on the Public Test Server, and now we know what we are looking forward to. While they are retiring most of the current end game gear (Rakata, Tionese, Columi) and removing abilities, there is a lot of new content that looks very promising. Here, we list six of them, how they work, and why they excite us.
This newest update does not have a release date, although with the level cap and Makeb achievements listed we are absolutely certain it will come up alongside the “Rise of the Hutt Cartel” expansion, due to arrive this Spring. While we are not part of the Makeb closed testing, the achievements list has given us new information, to be discussed at a later time.

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  • "Rise of the Hutt Cartel", the new expansion due out this Spring, is bringing us a new planet, raised level cap...Wait just a second!For those reading this list, there isn't much to say here. While Makeb, the new planet in question, is exclusive to players who purchase the expansion, the level cap might not be.From what we have seen, achievements for Makeb are already listed. The level cap has been raised to 55, and Crew Skills have been raised to 450. While it is speculation, it seems as though 2.0 might be released alongside Makeb - although there is no official word as of yet.
  • While some may be turned off by the continuous gear grinding, we are pleased to hear about new Elder Game gear. There are at least 2-3 sets of gear per class for Level 55, and give a significant boosts to stats. Comparing my Level 55 medic (pictured) and my Level 50 on a live server, I see a +5% Critical Chance and +300 Primary Damage. The fact that this gear, in my opinion, looks much better than Tionese and Columi for Mercenary Medics doesn't hurt either - this is the first time I did not hide my head slot, because the helmet looks nice.
  • Pictured: Quest Log on Public Test ServerIn an effort to provide End Game content for those who reach level 55 (and who apparently don't think Level 50 hard modes are enough), the level requirements for Hammer Station, Athiss, Mandalorian Raiders, and Cademimu (forgive me if these are different on Republic side!) have been raised to Level 55.Not Pictured: There is also a new Operation available at Level 55, called "Scum and Villainy."
  • As mentioned in the past, one of the major changes is the addition of the achievement system. Pictured here is a screencap of the Achievements list, located in the player's legacy window, from Makeb - the new planet coming in the "Rise of the Hutt Cartel" expansion.Achievements can be earned from various tasks such as area exploration, completing Heroic missions, collecting datacrons, PvP and much more. Some achievements will also reward the player with titles and Cartel Coins.
  • As of 1.7, players had their Elder Game Tionese, Columi, Black Hole, and Daily Commendations, along with commendations for each planet (eg, Coruscant Commendations, Voss Commendations). With the retirement of Columi, Tionese, and Rakata Gear, two Elder Game commendations are eliminated. Black Hole Commendations are also retired, as the gear will drop from Hard Mode Flashpoints and Operations.In 2.0, we see Basic Commendations (we have received these from Section X daily quests), which will be used to purchase items previously bought with Daily Commendations, such as crafting schematics. Classic Commendations, which will replace Tionese, Columi and Black Hole commendations, will be used to purchase Campaign gear from the Classic Commendations vendor, located on the Fleet. Elite Commendations will drop from Flashpoints and Operations, and will be used to purchase level 55 end-game gear.The other thing to note is new commendation limits. Previously, there was no weekly limit, with a Commendation cap of 1000. Now, the cap varies by Commendation type, and weekly caps are enforced - half the amount of the cap per week.Worried about what will happen to your old Commendations? While we aren't sure about Planetary, all Elder Game Commendations currently owned will be rolled over to the Classic Commendations, at various ratios (4 Tionese per 1 Classic, 1:1 Black Hole). For those worrying they may own more than the 400 that the cap allows, they will be offering a "grandfather" cap of 800 Commendations for a limited time, once the update goes live.
  • Of course, with a raised level cap comes a raised crew skill cap. When the update goes live, players will now be able to reach 450 in each crew skill.With the added tier, new missions are available for grade 9 materials and lockboxes, but we haven't seen any missions for standard crafting materials. For example, grade 9 scavenged metals will provide Mythra  (we have not acquired other materials yet), we have not seen anything for the new material "Tricopper flux". We know Tricopper Flux exists - it is included in the list of materials needed for Advanced Reflex Armoring 30, a schematic we aquired by reverse engineering parts from new gear.We are assuming new materials (cloths, flux, etc.) will be available via a Crew Skill Trade Vendor on Makeb. It is also possible they just aren't showing up in our missions yet. We have also been unable to find Grade 9 Companion Gifts missions.
  • As of Game Update 1.7, "Relics of the Gree", a new Galactic Reputation system was put into place. The new system introduced The Gree Enclave, a source of Gree Reputation, that would periodically launch as a recurring two week event. Alongside the Gree Came the Fleet Command, granting missions via Space Combat, The Viss, and the Guard on Belsavis. Now, we have Galactic Solutions Industries.According to the blurb pictured in the screencap, players can increase their standing by running missions provided by GSI terminals. We're assuming this means many planets when it says "across the galaxy".
  • Oh, 2.0, how I want you to go live soon.Another Reputation Faction, The Makeb Imperial (or Republic) Forces, is listed alongside Galactic Solutions Industries. Like the screencap says, players will earn reputation by completing missions on Makeb, in the "Rise of the Hutt Cartel" expansion.Did we mention our thoughts on the possibility of the expansion launching around the time 2.0 does? We have too much information at this point of the Public Test Server for this not to happen.
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, Kansas City Video Game Examiner

Jessica (AKA Elaine Spencer) is an indie author, Zelda Speedrunner, and freelance writer residing in the Kansas City area. She enjoys playing video games and the violin, both of which she started at a young age. Contact Jessica at Jessica_Perez@mail.com

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