Patch 2.7.0

Patch 2.7.0 is the eighth patch for the Rise of the Hutt Cartel expansion. This patch includes a new story arc, two new flashpoints, nightmare mode Dread Fortress, a new Huttball warzone, and a new Galactic Starfighter map. This is the fifteenth content update since release.

Highlights

 * New Story Arc: Forged Alliances! Start this story arc by speaking to a droid on the Fleet near the new Outbound Mission Hangar.
 * New Flashpoints! Beginning the next major storyline of Star Wars: The Old Republic, the Korriban Incursion and Assault on Tython Tactical Flashpoints are now available to players at level 55.
 * Nightmare Mode is now available for the Dread Fortress! Even greater horrors await those who wish to challenge the bastion of the Dread Masters, and the Operation provides even greater rewards in the form of new Dread Master equipment!
 * Ranked Warzone Season 1 has ended! Characters that had a qualifying rating have been mailed their rewards. We are currently in Pre-Season 2 and Season 2 will begin with 2.7.1! Giradda congratulates the winners and looks forward to the bloodshed in Season 2! Ranked Arenas are still active for teams to prepare for the next season.
 * Quesh Huttball Pit, a new Warzone, is available for play! Baron Deathmark hosts the latest Huttball match on the toxic planet Quesh. Join the Warzone Queue and Go Berserk!
 * New Galactic Starfighter Domination Map: Denon Exosphere! An ongoing space battle featuring massive capital ships is ongoing in the exosphere of the ecumenopolis Denon. Wreckage from the battle is scattered around the area as forces fight to control a strategic space station. This map features two permanent spawn points for each team, adding more strategic spawning and attack possibilities.
 * Bounty Contract Week is back! The In-Game event runs from April 8 to April 15, starting and ending at 12:00PM GMT.

General

 * New options are available for the Ground Target Area of Effect reticle:
 * Sticky Ground Target Reticule - When active, this option makes it so your Ground Target Reticule doesn't disappear if the target location is out of range or the ability otherwise fails. Example: Bounty Hunter attempts to activate Death From Above, but their target location is out of range. With this option active, the GTAoE reticule will persist and allow the player to instantly attempt to use the ability again. If this option isn't active, then the reticule will disappear and the player will have to click again.
 * Quick Ground Target Activation - When active, pressing a hotkey that belongs to a GTAoE twice will use the ability at the feet of the Player's target. Example: The Player has the Pass the Huttball ability saved to Hotkey #3. The Player targets an ally and then presses 3 two times. The Huttball Pass will be activated at the feet of the targeted ally. If this option is turned off, then there are no changes to the existing behavior.
 * All equippable gear pieces have their Item Rating displayed in the tooltip. Weapons and armor have not changed.
 * In the equipment tooltips, mods/enhancements now display their Item Rating in parentheses instead of their Item Level.
 * While unequipped, mods/enhancements display their Item Rating in their tooltip.
 * The "Species: Weequay" Codex Entry can be obtained via a Lore Object on Nar Shaddaa.
 * The "Species: Trandoshan" Codex Entry can be obtained by killing a Trandoshan on Belsavis.

Cartel Market

 * New Starfighter Pack: The Hotshot's Starfighter Pack!
 * The Hotshot's Starfighter Pack items can now be previewed in Collections.
 * The Hotshot's Starfighter Pack will be available on May 6. Cost: 320 Cartel Coins
 * Hypercrates containing 24 Hotshot's Starfighter Packs will be available on May 6. Discounted by 10% for a limited amount of time! Cost: 6912 Cartel Coins.
 * New bundles of Imperial and Republic Galactic Starfighter cosmetic items are available in the Cartel Market. Discounted by 30% for a limited amount of time! Cost: 2037 Cartel Coins
 * The new "Data Entry" Rest and Recharge item can now be previewed in Collections.
 * Many items that were previously missing temporary bind timers have had them added.
 * After an extensive summit meeting, a council of Dark Side elders has decreed that silent theatrical mediums are no longer considered "inherently not dark" and players with Dark Side alignment can now use "Emote: Mime."
 * The M8-3R Astromech Droid and Model FT-6 Pike now have entries in the Promotional Items category of Collections.
 * The Weekly Pass: Operations is now a level 15 item. This allows non-subscribing players below level 50 to use the Weekly Pass to gain access to appropriately-leveled Operations during Events that feature them. Level restrictions on Operations still apply. The description of the item in its tooltip and on the Cartel Market has been updated to reflect this change.
 * The Charcoal Dewback can now be unlocked through Collections.

Jedi Knight
General
 * Force Sweep now requires a primary target to activate.

Guardian
 * Focused Defense has been redesigned: It now empowers the user with 10 charges of Focused Defense, lasting up to 30 seconds. Whenever the user takes damage, a charge of Focused Defense is consumed to heal the user for a moderate amount. This ability can be used while stunned or otherwise controlled but cannot be used while above 70% health. Cooldown increased from 45 seconds to 2 minutes.
 * Enure now has a 60 second cooldown (down from 90 seconds).
 * Challenging Call now immediately reduces threat by a moderated amount while not in Soresu Form.

Vigilance
 * Commanding Awe now applies its 7%/15% damage resistance while Enure is active (instead of Focused Defense).

Focus (Guardian)
 * Through Peace reduces the cooldown of Focused Defense by 15/30 seconds.
 * The bonuses from Felling Blow and Singularity now only apply to players if they are the primary target of Force Sweep. Non-player targets are always affected if they are inside the Force Sweep radius.

Sentinel

Focus (Sentinel)
 * The bonuses from Felling Blow and Singularity now only apply to players if they are the primary target of Force Sweep. Non-player targets are always affected if they are inside the Force Sweep radius.

Sith Warrior
General
 * Smash now requires a primary target to activate.

Juggernaut
 * Enraged Defense has been redesigned: It now empowers the user with 10 charges of Enraged Defense, lasting up to 30 seconds. Whenever the user takes damage, a charge of Enraged Defense is consumed to heal the user for a moderate amount. This ability can be used while stunned or otherwise controlled but cannot be used while above 70% health. Cooldown increased from 45 seconds to 2 minutes.
 * Endure Pain now has a 60 second cooldown (down from 90 seconds).
 * Threatening Scream now also immediately reduces threat by a moderate amount while not in Soresu Form.

Vengeance
 * Deafening Defense now applies its 7%/15% damage resistance while Endure Pain is active (instead of Enraged Defense).

Rage (Juggernaut)
 * Through Passion reduces the cooldown of Enraged Defense by 15/30 seconds.
 * The bonuses from Dominate and Shockwave now only apply to players if they are the primary target of Smash. Non-player targets are always affected if they are inside the Smash radius.

Marauder

Rage (Marauder)
 * The bonuses from Dominate and Shockwave now only apply to players if they are the primary target of Smash. Non-player targets are always affected if they are inside the Smash radius.

Jedi Consular
Sage
 * Force Barrier now has an additional effect. While protected by Force Barrier, charges build up and grant Enduring Bastion. Enduring Bastion is a shield that absorbs an amount of damage based off the charges (1-4) that are present when Force Barrier ends. Enduring Bastion also grants immunity to interrupt and lasts for 5 seconds after Force Barrier ends. Force Barrier now has an additional rank to train at level 55, so visit your trainer!
 * Mental Alacrity also gives 100% pushback resistance in addition to its other effects.

Seer
 * Healing Trance is now immune to pushback.
 * Egress has been moved to Tier 2 in the Seer Tree. Pain Bearer has been moved to Tier 1 in the Seer Tree. Psychic Suffusion has been moved to Tier 4 in the Seer Tree.

Telekinetics
 * Psychic Projection now has a 50%/100% chance to grant a Psychic Projection charge when using Disturbance on a target affected by the user's Weaken Mind. The Psychic Projection charge causes the user's next Telekinetic Throw to channel and damage twice as fast.
 * The chance to trigger Tidal Force is now 100% (up from 60% for Disturbance and Turbulence and 20% for Forcequake) and is based on ability activation rather than dealing damage with Disturbance, Turbulence, or Forcequake. The 10-second rate limit remains, and Forcequake now shares a rate limit with Disturbance and Turbulence.
 * Concentration now decreases the pushback from Turbulence by 50%/100% (up from 35%/70%).

Balance (Sage)
 * Presence of Mind now builds up a charge whenever the Sage deals damage with Telekinetic Throw. At 3 charges, the next Disturbance or Mind Crush is activated instantly and deals 35% more damage.
 * Telekinetic Focal Point now also decreases the force cost of Disturbance by 15% per stack.

Shadow
 * Spinning Kick is now a stun rather than a knockdown against players and stronger enemies.

Sith Inquisitor
Sorcerer
 * Force Barrier now has an additional effect. While protected by Force Barrier, charges build up and grant Enduring Bastion. Enduring Bastion is a shield that absorbs an amount of damage based off the charges (1-4) that are present when Force Barrier ends. Enduring Bastion also grants immunity to interrupt and lasts for 5 seconds after Force Barrier ends. Force Barrier now has an additional rank to train at level 55, so visit your trainer!
 * Polarity Shift also gives 100% pushback resistance in addition to its other effects.

Corruption
 * Innervate is now immune to pushback.
 * Fade Out has been moved to Tier 2 in the Corruption Tree. Empty Body has been moved to Tier 1 in the Corruption Tree. Force Suffusion has been moved to Tier 4 in the Corruption Tree.

Lightning
 * Lightning Barrage now has a 50%/100% chance to grant a Lightning Barrage charge when using Lightning Strike on a target affected by the user's Affliction. A Lightning Barrage charge causes the user's next Force Lightning to channel and damage twice as fast.
 * The chance to trigger Lightning Storm is now 100% (up from 60% for Lightning Strike and Thundering Blast and 20% for Force Storm) and is based on ability activation rather than dealing damage with Lightning Strike, Thundering Blast, or Force Storm. The 10-second rate limit remains, and Force Storm now shares a rate limit with Lightning Strike and Thundering Blast.

Madness (Sorcerer)
 * Wrath now builds up a charge whenever the Sorcerer deals damage with Force Lightning. At 3 charges, the next Lightning Strike or Crushing Darkness is activated instantly and deals 35% more damage.
 * Focal Lightning now also decreases the force cost of Lightning Strike by 15% per stack.

Assassin
 * Spike is now a stun rather than a knockdown against players and stronger enemies.

Deception
 * Voltaic Slash no longer requires spending points in Impose Weakness.

Smuggler
General
 * Defense Screen has had its cooldown reduced to 20 seconds, its maximum duration reduced to 10 seconds, and now absorbs slightly more damage per use.
 * Flash Grenade now blinds a single target.

Gunslinger
 * Hunker Down is no longer removed when leaving cover. However, the player must return to cover to gain the protections offered by Hunker Down.

Dirty Fighting (Gunslinger)
 * Hold Your Ground now reduces the cooldown of Defense Screen by 2/4 seconds (down from 7.5/15 seconds).

Scoundrel
 * Street Tough now allows Flash Grenade to blind up to 5 targets within 5 meters.
 * Scamper has been redesigned. Using Scamper grants a charge lasting 10 seconds that allows the player to Scamper again within a 10 second window, after the second roll the ability goes on a ten second cooldown. If the charge is not used during this ten second window the ability remains off cooldown to be used again at a later time. In addition the energy cost has been removed making the ability free to use and the player no longer Scampers a shorter distance if snared.

Sawbones
 * Emergent Emergencies' now grants Upper Hand when Emergency Medpac is used regardless of the target's health, but this effect can only occur once every 10 seconds.

Scrapper
 * Slippery Devil now gives the Scampering Scoundrel a short window of defense against all attack types (which stacks with Scamper's normal defense bonuses).
 * K.O. now grants a buff that makes Backblast not require being behind the target after using Shoot First for 10 seconds and now immobilizes the target 3 seconds instead of knocking them down.

Dirty Fighting (Scoundrel)
 * Smuggled Defenses now reduces the cooldown of Defense Screen by 2/4 seconds (down from 7.5/15 seconds).
 * Scurry now has a 50%/100% chance to make the next Kolto Pack activate instantly, cost no energy, and not require or consume Upper Hand.

Imperial Agent
General
 * Shield Probe has had its cooldown reduced to 20 seconds, its maximum duration reduced to 10 seconds, and now absorbs slightly more damage per use.
 * Flashbang now only blinds a single target.

Sniper
 * Entrench is no longer removed when leaving cover. However, the player must return to cover to gain the protections offered by Entrench.

Lethality (Sniper)
 * Hold Your Ground now reduces the cooldown of Shield Probe by 2/4 seconds (down from 7.5/15 seconds).

Operative
 * Preparedness now allows Flashbang to blind up to 5 targets within 5 meters.
 * Exfiltrate has been redesigned. Using Exfiltrate grants a charge lasting 10 seconds that allows the player to Exfiltrate again within a 10 second window, after the second roll the ability goes on a ten second cooldown. If the charge is not used during this ten second window the ability remains off cooldown to be used again at a later time. In addition the energy cost has been removed making the ability free to use and the player no longer Exfiltrates a shorter distance if snared.

Medicine
 * Surgical Precision now grants Tactical Advantage when Surgical Probe is used regardless of the target's health, but this effect can only occur once every 10 seconds.

Concealment
 * Shadow Operative Elite now gives the Exfiltrating Operative a short window of defense against all attack types (which stacks with Exfiltrate's normal defense bonuses).
 * Jarring Strikes now grants a buff that makes Backstab not require being behind the target after using Hidden Strike for 10 seconds and now immobilizes the target 3 seconds instead of knocking them down.

Lethality (Operative)
 * Escape Plan now reduces the cooldown of Shield Probe by 2/4 seconds (down from 7.5/15 seconds).
 * Quickening now has a 50%/100% chance to make the next Kolto Infusion activate instantly, cost no energy, and not require or consume Tactical Advantage.

Trooper
General
 * Full Auto now deals 4 ticks of damage instead of 3, with the first tick of damage occurring at ability activation. The total damage of the ability is unchanged, so each new tick of damage does slightly less than before.

Commando
 * Tech Override now has a base cooldown of 60 seconds.

Gunnery
 * Overclock now reduces the cooldown of Tech Override by 7.5/15.
 * Steadied Aim now prevents 50%/100% of pushbacks towards Full Auto, Charged Bolts and Grav Rounds.
 * Curtain of Fire now has a 33%/67%/100% chance to occur when using Grav Round or Charged Bolts.
 * Special Munitions now reduces the cost of High Impact Bolt by 3/6/9 Ammo while in Armor Piercing Cell.

Combat Medic
 * Combat Shields is now a Tier 2 Skill.
 * Efficient Conversions is now a Tier 3 Skill.

Bounty Hunter
General
 * Unload now deals 4 ticks of damage instead of 3, with the first tick of damage occurring at ability activation. The total damage of the ability is unchanged, so each new tick of damage does slightly less than before.

Mercenary
 * Power Surge now has a base cooldown of 60 seconds.

Arsenal
 * Power Overrides now reduces the cooldown of Power Surge by 7.5/15.
 * Stabilizers now prevents 50%/100% of pushbacks towards Unload, Power Shots and Tracer Missiles.
 * Barrage now has a 33%/67%/100% chance to occur when using Tracer Missile or Power Shot.
 * Upgraded Arsenal now reduces the cost of Rail Shot by 3/6/9 Heat while in High Velocity Gas Cylinder.

Bodyguard
 * Power Shields is now a Tier 2 Skill.
 * Heat Dampening is now a Tier 3 Skill.

Flashpoints

 * The Korriban Incursion and Assault on Tython Flashpoints have been added to the Tactical Flashpoint category at level 55.
 * Added the Outbound Missions Hangar level to the Imperial and Republic Fleets with access to the Assault on Tython and Korriban Incursion Flashpoints. These new Hangars can be accessed via the Mission Departures elevators.
 * Adjusted the health and damage of the bosses of the Czerka Corporate Labs and Czerka Core Meltdown Flashpoints to bring them in line with other Tactical Flashpoint bosses.
 * Reduced the radius of Security Chief Zokar's Rocket Launcher ability in Czerka Corporate Labs.
 * Added two more Kolto Stations to the Security Chief Zokar encounter in Czerka Corporate Labs.
 * The CZ-2X Infiltrator Droids in Czerka Corporate Labs have had their weapons upgraded and now have increased range.

Operations

 * Nightmare Mode is now available for the Dread Fortress! Even greater horrors await those who wish to challenge the bastion of the Dread Masters, and even greater rewards in the form of new Dread Master equipment!
 * This iteration of Nightmare Mode is a little different than others. The usual additional mechanics are present, as well as a new buff on the enemies called Nightmare Power. This buff grants the usual additional health and damage that has been added to previous Nightmare Modes. Anyone powerful and coordinated enough to defeat Dread Master Brontes while she is under the effect of Nightmare Power will be granted a new unique title!
 * At a future date, we will remove this buff, leaving the new mechanics in place but the health and damage dealt will return to usual Hard Mode values, and the title will no longer be possible to obtain.
 * Hard and Nightmare mode Operations no longer share the same lockout. Completing a Hard Mode Operation does not prevent the completion of the Nightmare version of the same operation. You can check the status of your lockouts in the Lockouts tab of the Mission Log.

General

 * The cooldown on Koigran Turn, Snap Turn, and Retro Thrusters has been increased.
 * The Power cost of Power Dive has been reduced.
 * The cooldown and Power cost of Barrel Roll has been increased.
 * Upgrades relating to the cooldown times and Power costs of these abilities have been rebalanced to account for the changes.
 * Missile lock breaking effects now consistently evade Cluster Missiles with the "Double Volley" upgrade.
 * Shield Projector's visual effects now show up properly on all ships in the ability's radius.
 * Icons for EMP Field’s accuracy debuff and Sensor debuff now show up on affected targets.
 * Bombers can no longer drop Drones inside of structures or asteroids.

Ships + Hangar

 * Two new Scout ships, the Spearpoint and the S-SC4 Bloodmark have been added. These support ships have access to new components designed to improve the effectiveness your squadron:
 * Combat Command – This system component increases weapon accuracy and power generation for all nearby allies (including the user)
 * Tensor Field – This system component increases the speed and turning rate of all nearby allies.
 * These ships can also equip a Repair Drone as their shield. (Identical to the Repair Drone found on the Bomber)
 * Two new Strike Fighters, the FT-7B Clarion and the FT-3C Imperium have been added. These command ships only have one primary and secondary weapon, but have system components that improve the effectiveness of your allies:
 * Combat Command – Increases weapon accuracy and power generation for all nearby allies (including the user)
 * Repair Probes – Attaches a repair probe to all nearby allied ships, which slowly restores hull over 20 seconds.
 * Remote Slicing – Transmits a slicing code that disables a ship’s system ability, and slowly drains shield power, making the ship vulnerable to your allies.

Component + Crew

 * The Dustmaker, Comet Breaker, and Demolisher Gunships can now equip Thermite Torpedoes.
 * Missile Sentry Drone concussion missiles and Seeker Mines are no longer launched at ships that are immune to missile locks.
 * EMP Field's "Missile Lock Immunity" upgrade now cancels in-progress missile locks when it is activated.
 * Seeker Mines now have a proper in-game model.
 * Seismic Mines and Hyperspace Beacon have ended their ongoing battle for dominance and no longer share an icon. Seismic Mines now has a new icon.
 * The amount of weapon and engine Power drained by Ion Railgun hits is now linearly scaled by the current charge level of the Railgun. For example, a Railgun hit at minimum charge (25%) that previously drained 60 units of power, now only drains 15 units.
 * EMP Missiles now have sound effects when launched.
 * Scourge and Jaesa (both Light Side and Dark Side versions) no longer have their names and descriptions hidden in the Galactic Starfighter crew list.

Items + Economy

 * Brutalizer is a new tier of PvP gear obtained via Ranked Warzone Vendors on the Republic and Imperial Fleets. It requires Ranked Warzone Commendations as well as the associated Obroan piece.
 * Warzone & Ranked PvP gear vendors have had their items updated:
 * Ranked vendors now sell Brutalizer gear.
 * Warzone vendors now sell Obroan gear.
 * Warzone & Ranked Enhancement Vendors have been updated with new enhancements.
 * The effect of the Obroan Relic of Shield Amplification now occurs in PvP areas.
 * Many head slot items that were missing voice modulation have been given voice modulation.
 * Dread Master gear now drops from Nightmare Mode bosses.
 * Dreadforged gear is now craftable.
 * New Legacy Offhands are now available from the Gree Enclave Galactic Reputation Vendor.
 * All Czerka Weapons sold by the Ordanance Acquisition Corps (Empire) and The Adjudicators (Republic) vendors have had their costs reduced to 120 Elite Commendations.
 * A new "Galactic Starfighter" category has been added to the Galactic Trade Network. All Starfighter ship unlocks and customization unlocks have been moved into this new category.

Missions + NPCs

 * "[WEEKLY] Tactical Flashpoints" is a new Mission available on the Priority Mission Terminal which provides rewards for completing five level 55 Tactical Flashpoints each week.
 * Certain Companions no longer jump into frame during the cinematic on the Mission "A Family Matter."
 * The Mission "The Heart of Darkness" in Act II of the Bounty Hunter chain now properly updates even if players choose the Dark Side option.
 * The Ship Training Dummy is no longer hogging the camera and doesn't obstruct the view during the conversation with Risha in the Smuggler Mission Beryl's Bargain.

Warzones

 * The Leaderboards have been reset for the end of Season 1 and preparation for Season 2. Archived data for Season 1 can be found on the main Leaderboard page.
 * Quesh Huttball Pit has been added to the Warzone rotation. The normal Warzone queue has been temporarily adjusted to increase the amount of times the Quesh Huttball Pit will be selected.
 * Power-up icons (Healing 'plus', Speed 'run', etc.) have been added underneath power-ups in all Warzones to show which power-up respawns at that position.
 * Daily and Weekly PvP Missions have been updated to include credit for the new Warzone.
 * Added the Mission Terminal that begins each of the various PvP Missions to the spawning area of each Warzone.
 * Corrected an issue that would cause combinations of lower level mods (such as the popular 46 Prototype mods) and higher level color crystals (including those from the Cartel Market) to result in a higher Bolster bonus than intended.
 * Corrected an issue that prevented weapon damage ranges from being properly bolstered. This results in an increase in damage coming from abilities that deal weapon damage.
 * Bolster has been updated to account for the new tiers of gear, and now provides additional Expertise to elder game PvE gear. Bolster still caps at a level slightly below Obroan gear.
 * Characters who do not wield weapons with Expertise mods and crystals are now capped at 1936 Expertise instead of the full 2018.