The Old Republic, now an even better single-player game.

[Evildrider]

I personally don't have an issue with this.  You are still pretty OP compared to real level people.  This just seems to be the newest "OMG CHANGE, DOOM, KILL IT WITH FIRE" issue of the week.

[Sky]

It seems like it will negatively impact the way I play, I try to stay just at the limit of getting xp from an area, because I solo a lot. Thus I can do a lot of 2 man heroics solo.

If I could craft myself OP gear I'd be better about the change, but the crafting system is sooo shitty in SWTOR. Trying to gear up my alts is usually what makes me quit a run.

[DraconianOne]

It seems like it will negatively impact the way I play, I try to stay just at the limit of getting xp from an area, because I solo a lot. Thus I can do a lot of 2 man heroics solo.

If I could craft myself OP gear I'd be better about the change, but the crafting system is sooo shitty in SWTOR. Trying to gear up my alts is usually what makes me quit a run.

If you outlevel a zone then the down-syncing puts you at the highest possible level you can be while still able to earn xp - essentially the way you play it. The advantage is that you can stay on a planet and keep earning xp if you want because of this new system. Or just move on like you would do now. The livestream showing this also showed the guy soloing a heroic mission easily so there's that.

Also, changes to crafting are coming in that mean all the items will be blue level and adaptive so any class can use them and it's easier to stay geared. (And you won't need to gear companions now either).

There's a load of stuff not mentioned in that article as well - like the upscaling for Operations, Tactical Mode flashpoints and so on - but why let facts get in the way of a good rant?

[Sky]

I don't mind the facts at all! Don't stuff me with your straw!  

In light of that info, I have now waffled over to liking the changes.  

edit: so no more ability to craft purple gear? It was pretty much my best route to good gear as a solo player, as much as it was a horrific grind that had to be repeated every 10-15 levels per armor type...). How about the purple reusable stims/adrenals/etc?

[Tannhauser]

Won't have to gear companions?  Thank the Maker!  I think.  It was annoying mostly.

[DraconianOne]

I don't mind the facts at all! Don't stuff me with your straw!  

Wasn't you I was indirectly referring to, Mr Paranoid. ;)

They haven't released full details of crafting changes yet so can't answer the bit about purples. But as a solo player myself, I've never worried about it at all and levelled just fine. Then again, I also don't mind the Space Combat missions and am not averse to a bit (read quite a lot) of pvp in warzones. Multiple characters over 50 and still haven't done planet quests on Alderaan, Hoth, Voss or Corellia.

[Sky]

I like to steamroll content as much as I can. I'm not in it for a challenge. I want to be the lightsaber-weilding bring of righteous fury. If this helps me on that path, then I like it.

[ajax34i]

From what I've briefly read, they're:

- removing str, dex, wil, cu, and replacing them with a universal primary stat, so you can take the gear off any class and put it on any other class and it will work (more or less, there's still the issue of defense vs. crit, but still).
- all companions will have tank, healer, AND DPS modes, so basically pick the least annoying one and stick with it in all situations.
- companions ignore gear stats (their power is based on your level), so basically outfit them just for looks.
- if you're L60 and go to a L30 zone, you get L60 experience and keep all your powers, but do damage comparable to a L30 and probably have the health of a L30.
- search filters for your collections.

[Sky]

So companions finally work the way they were supposed to and you can pick the one you like to companionate with rather than the healer. Nice!

That and streamlining the gear actually has me kind of excited. Still a heavy/med/light split on armor?

[Rasix]

From what I've briefly read, they're:

- removing str, dex, wil, cu, and replacing them with a universal primary stat, so you can take the gear off any class and put it on any other class and it will work (more or less, there's still the issue of defense vs. crit, but still).
- all companions will have tank, healer, AND DPS modes, so basically pick the least annoying one and stick with it in all situations.
- companions ignore gear stats (their power is based on your level), so basically outfit them just for looks.
- if you're L60 and go to a L30 zone, you get L60 experience and keep all your powers, but do damage comparable to a L30 and probably have the health of a L30.
- search filters for your collections.

Those are some really nice companion changes.  Gah, that could get me to sub again for a month.

[Lantyssa]

Nice changes on the companions.  Finally back to the original system that they should have kept.

I am curious about what they're doing with the crafting system.  The item bloat was significant considering what you had to do to get a single purple quality recipe learned.  But that makes me wonder what is going to happen to all those recipes I spent time getting...

[ajax34i]

Technically there probably still is a heavy medium light setting on armors, but everybody uses "adaptive" ( = universal) armor sets from the cartel market, because you can get them easily (there are ugly, but super-cheap versions, on the GTN).

[Evildrider]

Nice changes on the companions.  Finally back to the original system that they should have kept.

I am curious about what they're doing with the crafting system.  The item bloat was significant considering what you had to do to get a single purple quality recipe learned.  But that makes me wonder what is going to happen to all those recipes I spent time getting...

From what I read they took out all the green items and said that everything that you can craft should be an upgrade from basic loot.

Or they could a blog today about it. 

[Tannhauser]

I didn't see anything in there that outraged me, so I'll likely re-sub and check it all out.  Reduction of companion task times is good.

[ajax34i]

It's not bad:

- gathering skills get crafting options, so they can be power-leveled.
- they're changing which skills can make the armorings, mods, enhancements, etc. to even them out a bit
- making something is a lot faster
- we'll have to buy and learn new recipes but the old ones will still be available

I have 3 crafters and have leveled the others as gatherers; I'll just switch them to crafters, one of each, I guess.

Stock up on mats and wait for the patch to hit and everyone to try to re-level their crafting, heh.

[Sky]

Looks good at first blush, the only thing I don't like is the removal of the re-usable bio stuff, which I really liked a lot. I get what they were going for, but the problem is you need to be a biochem of high skill to use them, so 'making a market' for them is a false statement, unless everyone was taking biochem at higher levels? I always saw it as a perk for folks who took biochem, though I do admit everyone outside my core crafter alts had biochem to use the kits while levelling.

[Evildrider]

Looks good at first blush, the only thing I don't like is the removal of the re-usable bio stuff, which I really liked a lot. I get what they were going for, but the problem is you need to be a biochem of high skill to use them, so 'making a market' for them is a false statement, unless everyone was taking biochem at higher levels? I always saw it as a perk for folks who took biochem, though I do admit everyone outside my core crafter alts had biochem to use the kits while levelling.

A majority of PvP'ers all took Biochem for the reusables.  I think at least half my characters are Biochem and slicers.

[Ashamanchill]

Hey gang, quick (but possibly dumb question). Is that 12x XP feature still in the game, or still being left in with the X-pac. I read went a few pages back to read about it but the consensus seemed to be it was not here to stay.

If it is then I am resubbing just after (Canadian) Thanksgiving. There are several story lines I want to finish, and a few I would like to take a look through, but I hated the MMo around it.

[Merusk]

It was still in place a month ago when I last played to finish up my Sith Inquisitor and Warrior storylines. It's only available to subscribers, but since you can buy in month or two-month chunks it works better than other MMOs you forget to cancel the sub on.

[Lantyssa]

They're changing it so everyone can level through the story alone.  There won't be any need for the 12x bonus.

All good changes so far.  I just wish I had any desire to take advantage of them.

[ajax34i]

I logged into account management two days ago to check my subscription status and saw something about extra XP; I think it's still on.

[Father mike]

It's still on.  I used it this weekend to get 15 levels on a Republic trooper.  Important points:

1) 12X applies only to class story missions,  Not the planet story lines, not flashpoint quests, and definitely not the random "kill 12 rats" quests.

2) 12X is only for subs

3) 12X goes away when Fallen Empire launches.  It is replaced by the new system where you should be able to stay on-level by JUST doing class story and planet story missions.

The new system looks like it should functionally be the same as 12X, just maybe a little slower since you're supposed to do the planet stories as well.  Not a big deal, since the planet stories are pretty well written.  The main difference is that the scaling system means that you can't ROFLstomp -4 to -5 planets and still get passable rewards.  You'll be scaled back to the zone's power level (your HP/attack power is reduced), but you'll still have all the powers available due to your level.  And you get rewards based on your level (that is, better rewards that someone doing it on-level).  Remarkably similar to the way Guild Wars 2 handles overlevelled characters in zones. 

[ajax34i]

I think, for alts, it's more about skipping Taris and a couple other annoying planets than it is about roflstomping anything.  Which the new system allows.  I also read a patch note that they'll let us create new characters that are already level 60.  Which skips all the planets.

No more Esseles / Black Talon speed runs for social points, though.  

[Evildrider]

I think, for alts, it's more about skipping Taris and a couple other annoying planets than it is about roflstomping anything.  Which the new system allows.  I also read a patch note that they'll let us create new characters that are already level 60.  Which skips all the planets.

No more Esseles / Black Talon speed runs for social points, though.  

Subs get 1 Level 60, I think you can then buy more with Cartel Coins.  Not sure on that second part.

[Evildrider]

New expansion has been pretty fun so far.  First time in awhile that I got sucked into playing for 4-5 hours straight.

[Sky]

I'm just playing a lowbie but it's sooo much better. Tons of QoL improvements and the ability to choose whichever companion you want rather than be stuck with the one that matches your build is finally fixing one of the most bone-headed pre-launch decisions.

[Fordel]

For the folks who hate daily quests, the weekly heroic missions on the fleet are a great alternative.

Little to no travel time (they give you a teleport item) and the down leveling scaling makes them very soloable and quick. I did the four Courscant heroics and their associated bonus quests in like 15-20 minutes and made 100k and tons of XP and shit. Some planets have more quests, others less, do whichever amount you'd like where ever, since you can just teleport to your next one!

[Shatter]

Im really enjoying the new story driven content, easily got sucked in for hours.  Also really like the companion changes. 

[Tannhauser]

Sword Coast Legends was supposed to trump this, but since it's a dumpster fire, looks like I'm going back to SWTOR.

[Ironwood]

This is probably the 4th time now I've reinstalled this, logged on and been utterly clueless about how it all works again.

Would I really, really regret starting entirely again ?

[Sky]

Nope, it's much better now, assuming you like teh story bits. They've probably gone overboard easing things up now, but it's way more conducive to seeing the story content.

The companion changes alone are great. Both in the execution of the original vision of each companion can heal, dps or tank and they were saying something about now they have a chance to die (in the new expansion content, I'd assume, story-based death). Also, solo flashpoints!

If you like games to be a tough challenge, maybe not. But there are other games for that, this game is now what I think it should've been at launch. They also took out a LOT of gear, with promises to trickle it back in through various means. But for now, variety in low-mid level gear has taken a major hit. In the long run it should be cool, since the changes are otherwise massively positive (no more ditching heavy armor with aim when you needed str, for instance). Pretty much anyone can wear anything now. And gear is only cosmetic on companions, so no dicking around trying to gear several companions - since you can now take out whomever you like since they can fit your character's role.

And yes, there is a ton of confusing crap. I don't know what half of it is. I want to try solo Hammer Station FP but can only find the group tactical version, for instance.

[Surlyboi]

Actually broke away from Destiny for a few days to play this. The changes are good and the new story isn't horrible.

[ajax34i]

This is probably the 4th time now I've reinstalled this, logged on and been utterly clueless about how it all works again.

Would I really, really regret starting entirely again ?

Changes that affect levelling new characters:

- you only need to gear yourself, not the companions
- each companion can function as tank, healer, or DPS, your pick, and it can be changed on the fly
- revamped tradeskills + much less costly to level up trade skills = you can either find cheap armor / weapons for yourself, or make some alts for manufacturing
- class and planet missions give, basically, 12x XP, allowing you to ignore all other side missions (you have to actually enable the side missions to even see them)
- heroics are all 2+ (no more 4+) and you always get a teleport-to-location item when you accept the mission
- if you're level 50+ and go to the starter planet and fight there / do missions, your level will be matched to the monsters, but you'll get level 50+ experience, so basically do whatever you want, and you'll still level up fast

[Ironwood]

Ok, with that in mind :

1 - Why do my companions still have gear boxes ?  Why is my mail now Flooded with Gear and other shit that, er, I would guess used to be elsewhere ?
2 - Yup, that one looks good.
3 - I opened up my tradeskills and realised I have no clue what any of the armorsmithing stuff of which I have a shitload DOES anymore.  :D
4 - 12x XP ?  Holy fuckballs.
5 - Nice.
6 - Nice.

[Evildrider]

Ok, with that in mind :

1 - Why do my companions still have gear boxes ?  Why is my mail now Flooded with Gear and other shit that, er, I would guess used to be elsewhere ?
2 - Yup, that one looks good.
3 - I opened up my tradeskills and realised I have no clue what any of the armorsmithing stuff of which I have a shitload DOES anymore.  :D
4 - 12x XP ?  Holy fuckballs.
5 - Nice.
6 - Nice.

Any boxes you have left are there for appearance. 

Also all that stuff in your mail is your companions gear that was stripped off.