Broadsword recently revealed details of Game Update 7.4 for Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR), including a new daily area, GTN revamp, etc. The update is called “Chains in the Dark” and will introduce a new Ord Mantell daily area, GTN revamp, changes to gearing, lighting/shadow tech improvements, and new dyes and color options in the Cartel Market.
In a livestream that aired on October 18, Broadsword went over all the previews for the upcoming update. Here is a synopsis:
Livestream Code for 7.4
In keeping with the tradition of SWTOR news livestreams, the developers offered an exclusive code to players that can be utilized for special rewards.
Enter the following code on the official redemption page. Note: you will need to log in to your account to accomplish this.
- LotSVizla
This time, the reward includes stronghold decorations for Shae Vizla and Heta Kol.
When Will 7.4 Release?
The developers have not confirmed a release date thus far for SWTOR 7.4, but did mention in the past that it will come out “as we enter the holidays.” What’s more, the Public Test Server (PTS) will be arriving shortly.
Keith Kanneg’s Appearance
Keith Kanneg, executive producer of SWTOR and director of the recent Legacy of the Sith expansion, made an appearance at the beginning of the livestream. He provided a recap of the technical performance upgrades since the game switched studios to Broadsword Online Games, in addition to confirming the devs have a roadmap that spans from 7.4.1 to 7.6 but no details were given.
Knowing that content updates are planned through 7.6, it’s a good sign that there will be plenty of new features to look forward to going into next year. What’s more, Keith mentioned the team is already at work for plans up to 2025.
Kessan’s Landing – New Ord Mantell Area
Ord Mantell is receiving an all-new daily area, which opens the planet up to Imperial characters as well.
There will be new daily quests and a new reputation to farm, offering a new title and rewards like a mount, armor set, and a “Unique Tech” side mission. Details were scarce regarding the side mission, as it requires players to explore the galaxy to complete it.
FR3-DOM – New World Boss
FR3-DOM is the new world boss that will be coming with Kessan’s Landing. The battle droid was crafted by Separatist remnants and was described as a propaganda bot. Confirmed mechanics so far include staying out of plasma pools on the ground, but more of its capabilities will be revealed later on.
New Mounts
Two new mounts that are unique to Kessan’s Landing include:
- Mantellian Hover Turret (Rep Vendor)
- Mantellian Separatist Hover Turret (World Boss)
Story
The main story continues in 7.4. At this point in time, the Separatist movement has lot of momentum, and the Republic Military has withdrawn from Ord Mantell. Locals have felt left behind and some sympathizers of the Separatists still linger.
Meanwhile, Heta Kol’s Hidden Chain is invading numerous worlds including this planet. These attacks are what lead your character to Kessan’s Landing.
Between the attempts of the Separatists making a comeback along with the Hidden Chain’s invasion, things are in disarray on Ord Mantell.
In addition, there are familiar faces returning in the story for 7.4.
New and Returning Characters
During the introductory questline for Kessan’s Landing, a different character will join you depending on the faction you are on.
Rass Ordo is one of the major characters returning.
Republic characters will work alongside Arn Peralun. He is now a Jedi Knight.
Imperial characters will work alongside Darth Krovos.
Several characters that were featured in starting missions for Trooper and Smuggler storylines will reappear.
One of these is Captain Blyes, who is fighting to defend the planet.
Gizmel Glam, who was part of the “Buying Loyalty” mission will be returning as well.
Petra Nihrum is a Cathar who lost her sister during the Ord Mantell assault and is now searching for her.
Lane Vizla continues to progress in her attempts to repair Ruhnuk Basilisk Droids.
“The Curator” is a mysterious Zabrak who collects antiquities. He is after a rare Czerka droid that was discontinued and outlawed by the Republic.
The droid sought after by The Curator is none other than HK-24, which was built by Czerka to fight Mandalorians and their Basilisk droids during the Neo Crusader wars.
Lighting and Shadow Changes
Cinematic cutscenes will receive an update, with the goal of making the lighting feel more natural. The environmental lighting has been greatly expanded upon and is a major improvement across the board.
Galactic Trade Network (GTN) Revamp
The GTN is receiving a significant overhaul to the UI that can create a more concise experience, including:
- A new layout
- New search options (Basic and Advanced)
- A new sale duration (7 days)
- A new “Claim” button to acquire items purchased on the GTN
- Listing updates that include sales tax, buyer’s price, listing fee, and total sale profit.
When there are multiple copies of an item, you will not see all of them simultaneously when searching. Rather, the copies are listed under a “Quantity” column in addition to the lowest available price. To compare and see the copies, the item will need to be inspected.
Gearing Changes
Gear across PvE, PvP, and Solo missions are receiving extensions and modifications.
Item Level Increase
The item level ceiling across gear for all types of endgame content is increasing. This includes the following:
- Noble Decurion (Conquest) gear can be upgraded to 340
- Supreme Decurion (Flashpoints) gear can be upgraded to 340
- Tionese (SM Operations) gear can be upgraded to 340
- Columni (VM Operations) gear can be upgraded to 340
- Rakata (MM Operations) gear can be upgraded to 344
- Thyrsian (PvP) gear can be upgraded to 336
Legendary Implant / Non-Legendary Implant Changes
Legendary Implants purchased from SN-4RK can be upgraded to item rating 340. While the achievement no longer exists, the Implant Destiny: 330 and 334 will still provide a 4,000 tech fragment discount. You simply need to apply two 330/334 on a single character to unlock the discount across your legacy.
Non-legendary implants will no longer drop from item crates or bosses beyond item rating 336.
PvP Changes
With the Thyrsian item cap now extending to 336, PvP progression will become relevant once more.
Rakata Gear Accessibility
OP-1 catalysts necessary to purchase Rakata gear can now drop from completing Master Mode Chapters from Knights of the Fallen Empire (KotFE) and Knights of the Eternal Throne (KotET).
Convert Virulent Gear to Rakata Gear
You can exchange your Virulent 340 gear from the R-4 Veteran Exchange vendor on the fleet. This costs R-4 Veteran Gear tokens, OP-1 Catalysts, and Credits.
Hyde and Zeek
Hyde and Zeek will now offer new missions to earn item mods for 340 gear. You can use this to help all of your alts get geared to 340 when you unlock the mods.
New Cartel Market Items and Life Day
The annual Life Day event is returning to SWTOR this year, and you will once again be able to earn rewards from Snow-Covered Parcels. Alongside this, you will be able to receive a new Life Day Armor Set.
Life Day Officer Armor Set
Defiant Maverick Armor
Don yourself in this Mandalorian Armor set inspired by Sabine Wren from Star Wars Rebels and Ahsoka.
Suppression Trooper Armor
This armor set, known as “Specularity”, features all the lighting improvements coming to 7.4. It includes a Metallic Black and Pearlescent Red finish.
Specularity, New Dyes
Specularity refers to the level of reflectiveness and matte appearance of items via dyes and texture upgrades. For the moment, this is primarily being done with dyes. The devs showed off previews of how these will look.
There are a total of six new dyes in 7.4 that make use of specularity, including:
- Metallic Black and Pearlescent Red
- Pearlescent Red and Metallic Black
- Chrome White and Metallic Gold
- Metallic Gold and Chrome White
- Metallic Black and Matte Black
- Matte Black and Metallic Black
Suppression Trooper Rifle
The Suppression Trooper rifle pairs with the armor set of the same name. Both the weapon and armor set will feature specularity in its design.
Westar 19 Weapon Sets
The Westar 19 Weapon Set is a new array of blasters. They are available in the Cartel Market in three sets of colors, including Western 19 (black), Westar 19-B (blue), and Westar 19-C (orange).
Darth Nul Dualsaber
Although the single-saber variant of the Darth Nul lightsaber was available, everyone will have access to the dual saber variant in the Cartel Market with 7.4.