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BioWare just posted a new blog post, explaining the combat changes, we can expect in the expansion – Knights of the fallen Empire.
Combat Changes in Fallen Empire 3r4k12
With the talk about these changes.
Stat Changes 3ix6s
We have reworked some of our stats with the goal of helping in itemization as well as cleaning up some lingering changes will reduce the amount of items that you find in game which simply don’t apply to your character. No more throwing items away because it has the wrong main stat, or hating that you have to get both Critical Hit Rating and Surge just to make the stats effective. These changes include:
- The four primary stats Strength, Willpower, Cunning, and Aim have all been replaced by a single stat called Mastery. For all intents and purposes, Mastery acts identically to the primary stat it replaced.
- Endurance now gives slightly more health per point once you hit level 65. We felt that health totals were a little low compared to offensive output.
- The stat Surge has been removed. Surge has now been rolled into the Critical Rating stat. Fallen Empire will result in less critical hit change and damage from before, but this is simplified by only having one rating.
- To ensure that Critical Hit Chance is never a wasted stat, any abilities that automatically critically hit now convert any Critical Hit beyond 100% into additional critical damage.
- Base weapon accuracy has been increased from 90% to 100%. All non-basic attacks already had 100% Accuracy, so this change brings basic attacks up to par.
- Lastly, we have rearranged how we distribute ratings on items. Now, Power and defense share the first rating slot on modifications, while the rest of the stats (Accuracy, Alacrity, Critical, Absorb, and Shield) will share the second rating slot.
Planet Level Sync 5r1p4j
We have added a new system to the Alderaan to do some Missions, your character will be scaled down to be level 32.
While you are under Level Sync the following things are adjusted on your character:
- Stats
- Armor
- Weapon Damage
However, while under Tatooine? No worries! Now you can simply head there and check it out without dramatically stopping your progression.
Experience and Grouping 1of1n
We have also made some let players group up with whomever they want while still being able to make progress. With that in mind, we have made the following adjustments:
- Experience is no longer split between of a group. This means the size of the group no longer impacts how much experience your character will earn.
- The experience earned is now based on the level difference between the highest level character (after level sync) and the level of the NPC.
Temporary Ability Bars 6p5n2a
We can now grant players access to a temporary hotbar, with abilities on it that are only content in the future!
Ability Replacements 4x5j16
Speaking of trying to reduce some ability bar clutter, we can now actually replace older abilities with things that are direct upgrades. This usually occurs when a Discipline unlocks a new ability that is just a straight up replacement (Lethal Shot for Snipe as a Virulence Sniper, as an example). The new ability will take the same spot on the hotbar as the old ability. Whenever you abandon your discipline, the older ability will return to you.
Companions f56c
Like we covered in the PAX Prime Livestream, Companions have gotten a significant overhaul. You can watch the stream here, but here are a few quick highlights:
- Companions are now summoned from the Companions and s/Alliance window.
- Companions now all have 3 roles you can choose from on the fly, DPS/Healer/Tank, and different ability sets based on that role.
- Companions that use the same weapon type will share the same ability sets (so every companion that uses Blaster Pistols will have the same ability sets).
- Companions no longer generate any weapon in order to activate their abilities, but the stats of the weapon won’t matter.
In Fallen Empire player, Companions will continue to be a huge part of your personal story. All of these gameplay changes are to enhance their functionality.
As always, please let us know what you think about the changes we’ve made, and thank you.
