Darth Hater

Welcome to the new Darth Hater weekly PvP column, where we’ll collect and update the news about PvP that matters to the PvP community. This thread will be updated periodically throughout the week, so you can refer back to it for new information. If you have any tips on current content that should be featured, or if you think your PvP video or PvP guild should be featured in a future column, send them to pvp@darthhater.com.

This week’s installment looks at Free-to-Play warzones, a great hybrid Jedi Sage PvP video, and some great discussion topics in the forums. Hit the jump for all the PvP news from the past week.

News

Official SWTOR Posts

The big news this week was the confirmation by BioWare that SWTOR is going to be transitioning to a Free-to-Play model in November. This will affect PvP, as players with free accounts will have limited access to warzones. For more discussion on this, check the Op-Ed section near the bottom of this post.

In addition to this, the normal Q&A which would have been last Friday has been delayed, as BioWare is working on a Free-to-Play Q&A to address common questions.

Devtracker Highlights

No real devtracker highlights to speak of. Most entries this week are simply thread moderation.

PvP Patch Changes

1.3.5 Patch Notes
07/08/2012

Classes and Combat

Jedi Knight Sentinel Combat Saber Storm: The critical damage bonus this skill applied to Ataru Form was not functioning correctly, and we have opted to remove it, as Combat Sentinels are performing within expectations. This change does not affect the current combat effectiveness of this skill.

Sith Warrior Marauder Carnage Sever: The critical damage bonus this skill applied to Ataru Form was not functioning correctly, and we have opted to remove it, as Carnage Marauders are performing within expectations. This change does not affect the current combat effectiveness of this skill.

Smuggler General XS Freighter Flyby: This ability can no longer cause other players who are not flagged for PvP to become flagged.

Imperial Agent General Orbital Strike: This ability can no longer cause other players who are not flagged for PvP to become flagged.

PvP

Warzones Novare Coast Players no longer land on top of the buildings that surround the consoles when using abilities that charge an enemy (such as Force Charge).

Community Highlight

Around the Forums – Discussion Highlights

AngryErik suggests that the game should inform players when their PvP queue is for a game in progress.

JasozanLok begins a reasonable discussion of class balance.

Cybridwarform asks you what your favorite ability to use in PvP.

Compton argues for the addition of macros to SWTOR.

PvP Video Spotlight

Revenantes shows us his skills as a hybrid Jedi Sage DPS in Huttball. Excellent use of movement tools and support of the ball carrier make for an interesting watch. Revenantes shows a strong understanding of his character’s abilities, which keep him out of trouble and increase his effectiveness in the field.

You can check out Revenantes’ channel, along with more PvP videos.

Op-Ed: Free-to-Play Warzones in PvP

The big news last week was that SWTOR would be converting to a Free-to-Play model in November. While the specifics of how this will affect PvP are unknown, we do know that free players will have a limited amount of Warzones that they can complete each week. It is unknown if this also includes Ranked Warzones, or if those will be off-limits. The implication from BioWare is that this will be a weekly limit.

If you’re thinking to yourself that this doesn’t matter, as you’ll still be a subscriber and will have unlimited access to Warzones, think again. Competitive PvP needs players, and if not enough people subscribe (or, if subscribers just don’t care that much about PvP and so don’t bother to do it) you could find yourself facing the same players over and over again. Depending on how long we have to wait for cross-server queuing, we could also see increased wait times, especially out of peak periods.

I’m guessing that BioWare will allow somewhere between 10-14 Warzones a week for new players. This would allow sub-50 players to complete their daily most days even if they lose, while 85s would be somewhat more pinched and would complete their daily less often. This could possibly encourage players to subscribe. The trick is that if the limit is too low, free players will become frustrated and won’t bother. If it’s too high, there’s no point in subscribing. This balance will be key to getting players who love PvP to subscribe for it.

Poll

Last week’s poll

Poll Question 7/31/12 – Single Choice

It is crucial that SWTOR has meaningful World PvP – 29.2%
I am not overly bothered by the lack of World PvP but I would prefer that it be available – 50%
I don’t care either way if World PvP is available or not because it isn’t my thing – 16.7%
I don’t want World PvP to be (re-)implemented in SWTOR at all – 4.2%

A lot of support for World PvP! Almost 30% of you said it was crucial, while fully another half of you preferred that it at least be available. Hopefully BioWare gets it re-implemented soon!