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New SWTOR dev diary explores Section X and HK-51
Although fans' attention has been turned toward Star Wars: The Old Republic's impending free-to-play conversion tomorrow, developers have continued their work on upcoming game updates. Today's developer blog goes more in-depth on two aspects of the 1.5 update: Section X and HK-51 missions. The blog also includes spoilers for certain in-game storylines, but those can be avoided by the spoiler-free crowd; in order to see them, folks will have to specifically log in. Section X beefs up the offerings of daily repeatable quests for both the Republic and Imperial factions, including two new heroics with more rewards, more commendations, and more credits than ever before. Daily Commendation vendors will also have plenty of new goods to trade in for, and new campaign armoring mods will allow for even more customization. Obtaining HK-51, the new player companion joining SWTOR, is touted as a memorable moment for players. Future HK-51 owners must first run epic mission chain that involves a massive derelict Czerka ship deserted for a century. As an aside, the devs also noted that The Fatality wreck is definitely not located on Hoth. For more details on that tidbit, head on over to the dev blog.
SWTOR developers talk about update 1.5
Star Wars: The Old Republic's game update 1.5, HK-51 Activated, is looming ever-closer. To stir up some interest, the dev team has released information about the new HK-51 companion and the patch's graphical updates. Now it's time for a look at the big picture. A new developer dispatch gives the down-low on what players can expect the update to bring to PvE. A big feature of HK-51 Activated will be Section X on Belsavis, the site of the Republic's first attempt at a prison colony. Now the area will play home to new Dread Master antics. The area is meant to be "darker" and "edgier" than other content players have encountered and is being touted as the "coolest-looking area" in the game. Players will also find the wreck of the Fatality, which sets them off on a very special venture. (Hint: You're going to track down a legion of HK-51 assassin droids, and this whole thing is called HK-51 Activated, and you know that at some point you get an HK-51 companion.) Players will be introduced to multiplayer quests during which they have to work together to move through an area without setting off traps or activating alarms. A new world boss, Dreadtooth, will be introduced. When Dreadtooth is killed, he respawns with a stack of Dreadful Resurgence, which makes him harder to kill every time he respawns with players in the area. Those stacks will dwindle if players leave, or they can be deliberately increased to make encounters more interesting. If interesting is what you like, you'll also find nightmare mode available for Operation: Explosive Conflict. Skip below the cut to hear the developers talk about the patch!
SWTOR's Game Update 1.5 hits the public test server
After recently winning four GDC Online awards earlier this week, BioWare rides the enthusiasm train a bit longer by releasing new content on the public test server today. Game Update 1.5 introduces us to Section X, a fresh area to explore on the prison world of Belsavis. You can also earn the final pieces of the Dread Guard gear set in the new Operation: Explosive Conflict. And of course, what update wouldn't be complete without the addition of a new buddy? HK-51 is an assassination droid companion available to those who explore the derelict ship wreckage beneath the icy surface of Belsavis. Take note that character cloning and full support are not available with this update, so BioWare encourages all players to use the Public Test Server forum with any questions or concerns you may have with the new content.
