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Legion of Silver Suns: Operations showcase

March 28, 2012 By

If you’re wanting a high-quality glimpse of some of SWTOR’s key Operations, then it’s hard to go past the recently formed YouTube channel for Republic Oceanic Guild Legion of Silver Suns (LoSS). Based on The Harbinger server at present, they’ve got some great vids, as you can see below:

LoSS Vs Karagga HM

LoSS Vs Foreman Crusher HM

LoSS Vs Jarg and Sorno HM

LoSS Vs Bonethrasher HM

LoSS Vs Soa HM

LoSS Vs Infernal Council HM

LoSS Vs Pylon Boss HM

LoSS Vs Gharj HM Eternity vault

LoSS Vs Eternity vault Annihilation Droid XRR-3 HM

Thanks to James over at SWTOR Gamers of Oceania Facebook Group for the heads-up

Filed Under: Community, How-To, News Tagged With:

SWTOR Combat Log detail revealed

March 17, 2012 By

Now that SWTOR update 1.2 has hit the public test servers, we’re able to give some more in-depth information on the long awaited Combat Log. It’s format isn’t the prettiest yet, but it sure packs in a lot of information. Let’s look at the first section of a battle from a Sith Sorceror’s perspective, where he/she (Khantni) is getting ready to start:

[03/01/2012 14:19:04] [@Khantni] [@Khantni] [Safe Login {973870949466112}] [ApplyEffect {836045448945477}: Safe Login Immunity {973870949466372}] ()

[03/01/2012 14:19:18] [@Khantni] [@Khantni] [Safe Login {973870949466112}] [RemoveEffect {836045448945478}: Safe Login Immunity {973870949466372}] ()

[03/01/2012 14:23:30] [@Khantni] [@Khantni] [Sprint {810670782152704}] [Event {836045448945472}: AbilityActivate {836045448945479}] ()

[03/01/2012 14:23:30] [@Khantni] [@Khantni] [Sprint {810670782152704}] [ApplyEffect {836045448945477}: Sprint {810670782152704}] ()

[03/01/2012 14:24:30] [@Khantni] [@Khantni] [Innervate {1104395005591552}] [Event {836045448945472}: AbilityActivate {836045448945479}] ()

[03/01/2012 14:24:30] [@Khantni] [@Khantni] [] [Spend {836045448945473}: Force {836045448938502}] (36)

[03/01/2012 14:24:30] [@Khantni] [@Khantni] [Force Surge {808677917327360}] [ApplyEffect {836045448945477}: Force Surge {808677917327360}] ()

[03/01/2012 14:24:30] [@Khantni] [@Khantni] [Innervate {1104395005591552}] [ApplyEffect {836045448945477}: Heal {836045448945500}] (1393*)

The display of that data can be a little overwhelming at first, so this key provided by BioWare’s Georg Zoeller helps quite a bit:

(Click here for the full-size image)

See how it makes a little more sense now? Let’s look at a sample log, this time from a Jedi Guardian’s perspective:

[03/01/2012 14:23:50] [@Idrurrez] [@Idrurrez] [] [Restore {836045448945476}: focus point {836045448938496}] (1)

[03/01/2012 14:23:50] [@Idrurrez] [@Idrurrez] [Force Leap {812105301229568}] [Event {836045448945472}: AbilityActivate {836045448945479}] ()

[03/01/2012 14:23:50] [@Idrurrez] [@Idrurrez] [Momentum {2530075039760384}] [ApplyEffect {836045448945477}: Momentum {2530075039760642}] ()

[03/01/2012 14:23:50] [@Idrurrez] [@Idrurrez] [Unremitting {1280849441980416}] [ApplyEffect {836045448945477}: Unremitting {1280849441980416}] ()

[03/01/2012 14:23:50] [@Idrurrez] [@Idrurrez] [ {2695018963795968}] [ApplyEffect {836045448945477}: Vindicator {2695018963796231}] ()

[03/01/2012 14:23:50] [@Idrurrez] [Elite Tastybobble {846623953387520}] [Force Leap {812105301229568}] [ApplyEffect {836045448945477}: Immobilized {812105301229840}] ()

[03/01/2012 14:23:50] [@Idrurrez] [Elite Tastybobble {846623953387520}] [Force Clap {2848585519464448}] [ApplyEffect {836045448945477}: Stunned (Physical) {2848585519464704}] ()

[03/01/2012 14:23:50] [@Idrurrez] [@Idrurrez] [] [Restore {836045448945476}: focus point {836045448938496}] (3)

[03/01/2012 14:23:51] [@Idrurrez] [Elite Tastybobble {846623953387520}] [Force Leap {812105301229568}] [ApplyEffect {836045448945477}: Damage {836045448945501}] (698 energy {836045448940874}) <698>

[03/01/2012 14:23:52] [@Idrurrez] [@Idrurrez] [Master Strike {812139660967936}] [Event {836045448945472}: AbilityActivate {836045448945479}] ()

[03/01/2012 14:23:52] [@Idrurrez] [@Idrurrez] [Master Strike {812139660967936}] [ApplyEffect {836045448945477}: Unshakable {812139660968471}] ()

[03/01/2012 14:23:52] [Elite Tastybobble {846623953387520}] [@Idrurrez] [Ranged Attack {813449625993216}] [ApplyEffect {836045448945477}: Damage {836045448945501}] (261 energy {836045448940874}) <261>

[03/01/2012 14:23:52] [Elite Tastybobble {846623953387520}] [@Idrurrez] [Ranged Attack {813449625993216}] [ApplyEffect {836045448945477}: Damage {836045448945501}] (273 energy {836045448940874}) <273>

[03/01/2012 14:23:52] [Elite Tastybobble {846623953387520}] [@Idrurrez] [Ranged Attack {813449625993216}] [ApplyEffect {836045448945477}: Damage {836045448945501}] (276 energy {836045448940874}) <276>

[03/01/2012 14:23:52] [@Idrurrez] [Elite Tastybobble {846623953387520}] [Master Strike {812139660967936}] [ApplyEffect {836045448945477}: Damage {836045448945501}] (874 energy {836045448940874}) <874>

[03/01/2012 14:23:52] [@Idrurrez] [Elite Tastybobble {846623953387520}] [Force Clap {2848585519464448}] [RemoveEffect {836045448945478}: Stunned (Physical) {2848585519464704}] ()

[03/01/2012 14:23:52] [@Idrurrez] [Elite Tastybobble {846623953387520}] [Master Strike {812139660967936}] [ApplyEffect {836045448945477}: Damage {836045448945501}] (904 energy {836045448940874}) <904>

[03/01/2012 14:23:53] [Elite Tastybobble {846623953387520}] [@Idrurrez] [Melee Attack {813445331025920}] [ApplyEffect {836045448945477}: Damage {836045448945501}] (488 kinetic {836045448940873}) <488>

[03/01/2012 14:23:53] [@Idrurrez] [Elite Tastybobble {846623953387520}] [Force Leap {812105301229568}] [RemoveEffect {836045448945478}: Immobilized {812105301229840}] ()

[03/01/2012 14:23:54] [Elite Tastybobble {846623953387520}] [@Idrurrez] [Melee Attack {813445331025920}] [ApplyEffect {836045448945477}: Damage {836045448945501}] (241 kinetic {836045448940873}) <241>

So there you go, once you spend some time reading through these logs, they get easier to decipher. There’s no doubt they’ll be invaluable for those guilds tackling challenging content and wanting to identify weaknesses in combat.

Beyond that though, is it something you’d use? Let us know in comments!

Filed Under: How-To, News Tagged With: ,

Heavy Damage: Tanking The Esseles

February 27, 2012 By

Heavy Damage is our weekly Tanking column – if you have suggestions of what you’d like covered, drop our resident Tank, Alec Bailey a line.

The Esseles is the first flashpoint you encounter after leaving your starting planet. Upon entering The Esseles you’ll meet Ambassador Assara in disguise as a common ship passenger – an Explosion rocks the ship and you rush off to see what can be done. The explosion was caused by the Imperials, demanding that Ambassador Assara be turned over. You refuse and this is where the fun begins.

As you leave the command deck heading for the docking bay, you’ll run into some standard and gold mobs, with a group of four they should be no trouble. As you arrive at your destination you find a Mon Cal issuing orders to a squad of Republic troopers, when the blast door is blown open and the first Boss of The Esseles comes running in. Lieutenant Isric is a level 10 boss and he spawns trash mobs that tend to attack the healer so be ready to burn them down. Isric has a cone AoE blaster attack and a knock down ability so be ready for it.

After your defeat of Isric you head back to the Command deck that has been captured by Mandalorian mercenaries. Their leader is known as Iron Fist and will be your second boss encounter. Before you can fight Iron Fist you must first unlock the blast door. To unlock the doors you are faced with the option of sacrificing the crew or taking the long road and manually resetting the reactors.  This is your first Lightside or Darkside choice of the Flashpoint. Sacrificing the crew grants 150 Darkside points, and manually resetting the conduits, 150 Lightside points. Taking the Lightside option also grants you the chance to get a chest – it’s sitting behind the middle conduit.

After your decision with the engineering crew, you’re ready to fight Iron Fist. Like Isric, Iron Fist will spawn adds throughout the encounter. The best way to handle Iron Fist is to tank him, let your damage dealers burn the adds, and once the adds are down everyone gang up on Iron Fist. Iron Fist has three abilities that he’ll use during the fight: a Rocket Punch used as a gap closer, an AoE knock back, and Missile Salvo, which launches rockets onto a blue reticle (this can be avoided so try to keep an eye out for the reticle and move.)

The next boss is a large Guardian Battledroid named ISS-7. This fight is a very simple tank and spank although he will occasionally drop aggro and pick up a new target. Just watch for this and you’ll be fine. Immediately after your fight with ISS-7 you’ll have the opportunity to fight another boss if you hit the switches on either side of the room. The second boss in this area is much tougher, named ISS-994 Power Droid and he’s a force to be reckoned with. Starting out, he’s your standard Tank and Spank encounter, but he’ll use an ability that causes him to turn purple and crackle with lightning, so start kiting him. His damage is highly buffed during this phase, but his speed is lowered. He will do a lot of damage if he gets a hold of you, so watch what your doing when he has the damage buff up.

The final boss of The Esseles is a Sith named Vokk. Vokk is hard to tank because he’ll use Saber Throw and Force Choke on a random party member , both of which are unblockable. His third ability is Lightning Storm, and can be avoided by staying away from the purple reticle it leaves on the ground before activation. He also possesses an AoE knock back, so watch for that. Vokk is difficult because he has a lot of non-tankable damage, so this is a boss where you need a decent healer to pull off.

After Vokk’s defeat you’ll be faced with your second Lightside/Darkside choice – leaving Assara behind. If she’s left you’ll gain 100 Darkside points and if not 100 Lightside.

The Esseles is not a hard Flashpoint with a full group of level 10 players. I will be doing all the Flashpoints in order of level (at least the order I tanked them in),  so if you have any input or suggestions about the Flashpoints, leave a comment and I’ll look into it!

As always Stay Frosty and may the Force be with you!

Filed Under: How-To, News, Tanking Tagged With: , ,

How to Solo Ilum’s Poisonous Strategy Quest

February 24, 2012 By

Aussie gamer Xterminatz has made three nifty little videos showing you how to solo (with your companion of course) the Level 50 Heroic quest Poisonous Strategy. Have a look for yourself:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

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Quick Start Guide: Maps and Navigation

February 19, 2012 By

BioWare continue to trickle out their video Quick Start Guides, this time covering maps and navigation. These are very much aimed at new players, so don’t expect too many revelations. It covers the bases of current map functionality but it again highlighted for me the shortcomings of the current feature set – something we’ve covered before. I’m sure map improvements are on the development roadmap for SWTOR – there’s too many enhancements for there not to be work being done.

Watch the Quick Start Guide on maps for yourself here if you like – hopefully these guides will continue to expand and be a key part of the game’s initial learning curve.

Filed Under: How-To, News Tagged With:

SWTOR Quick Start Videos: first one released

February 4, 2012 By

BioWare have started to push out some tutorial videos to further flesh out their help / support offering. The first one is a brief look at logging in for the first time and creating your character. Being the cynical, world-weary SWTOR veteran I am, I initially thought this would be a pretty tedious video even for someone starting out with the game.

I’m here to say I actually learnt to things from the video – you can preview your character’s voice before choosing it, and you can lock individual facial elements before randomising others. I obviously rushed through the character creation screen!

Have a look for yourself:

[Read more...]

Filed Under: How-To, News, Support Tagged With:

Heavy Damage: Trooper Vanguard overview

January 8, 2012 By

This weeks it’s all about the Trooper Vanguard using the Shield Specialist tree. The Vanguard is a “ranged” tank according to Bioware, but in practice, it becomes very clear it’s a close range, almost melee tank. Now I’m not saying that the Vanguard isn’t capable of doing great damage or even pulling from range, only that once the conflict has begun you’re moving in close.

The Vanguard uses “Ammo” as its pacing mechanic. As with all classes you have abilities that cost, give, or are free of using your Ammo. From my experience with the Vanguard Tank, Ammo isn’t a hard resource to manage, easier than the Jedi Knight’s “Focus.” Also from my experience with the three Republic tanks, the Vanguard is VERY survivable, and one of the best tank classes I’ve played.

The Vanguard’s first companion is a DD or Damage Dealer. He’s also a Trooper, but specced as a Commando and he does excellent damage if equipped with some good gear. As with all Troopers, both the Vanguard and Commando use heavy armour, making Armormech a great crafting choice. Biochem is another great choice because you can craft reusable stims and Medpacks. Keeping your gear updated to your level is probably the most important thing you can do as a Vanguard, or any tank for that matter. Orange gear or “Artifact” gear is great for this, as you can just keep updating the armoring, mods, and enhancements, which you can do for nearly nothing if you save your commendations from each planet and use those to purchase your item mods – the same goes for weapons.

Now it’s time for some builds and some tactics – this is my build  as the 30/11. Using my build you’ll lose out on your top tier ability in the Shield Specialist tree, but gain “Gut”, a Kinetic/Bleed damaging close range ability. A Shield Vanguards Primer is a great guide to tanking with a Vanguard created by SWTOR forum member Anoiktos. Anoiktos lays out terms and rotations for both the 30/11 build and the 31/whatever builds. Here’s Anoiktos’s advice on tanking single and multiple targets:

Single Target:
Open with Storm.
Stock Strike > High Impact Bolt > Energy Blast. (Assuming 31 shield. If you’re 30 shield/11 Tactics, ignore the energy blast.) If you have excess energy, Ion Pulse is your best bet.

In addition to this, there’s a debuff priority list:
Static Field (Ion Pulse) > Gut DoT (Assuming 30/11. If not, ignore)

Multiple Target:
Open with Mortar Strike (if available), or Storm -> Explosive Surge (if not).

If any enemies are outside of easy AoE range, harpoon them now and on CD, prioritizing elites > strongs > weaks.

Now back up, and use Pulse Cannon (if up.) Otherwise mix Explosive Surge with stock strike and energy blast (if available) on CD, using hammer shot as filler and your taunt (Neural Jolt) to grab stray enemies. If you still have excess energy, try tab-gutting everything (if you have that skill) or adding more Explosive Surge to the mix.

Sticky Grenade can also be useful here, though I like to reserve it for its short hold on weak enemies that heal, and use it sparingly in AoE situations because its knockback makes subsequent AOE more difficult to pull off.

The debuff priority list is thus simple: Use Explosive Surge whenever the Static Field debuff is expiring.

Here’s a few builds that are worth a closer look:

Survival Tank – Submitted by Blackferne

Raid Tank – Submitted by darthuser3488

Here’s a couple variations of the 30/11 build set I spoke about above:

30/11 – Submitted by TyHalcyon

30/11 – Created by Yours Truly

Over to you: any tips you have on tanking as a Vanguard?

 

Filed Under: How-To, News Tagged With: , ,

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