Star Wars: The Old Republic’s Game Update 5.10 is targeted for a July release. It will bring a new PvP Arena, New Rishi Stronghold, Weekly PvP events and two more returning companions.
This article contains NO story spoilers about 5.9 or 5.10. Please, note, all that you are about to hear in the video or read in the article is subject to change. 5.10 is a few months away still and things may change based on active development of the discussed new features and changes.
FULL LIVE STREAM VIDEO ARCHIVE
The live event (linked above) was a special presentation/interview/discussion initiated by me. SWTOR Creative Director Charles Boyd and Community Manager Eric Musco accepted my invitation to help me introduce new features and changes coming with Updates 5.9 “The Nathema Conspiracy” and 5.10.
COMING IN UPDATE 5.9
We already know a lot about what’s coming to Game Update 5.9. I will be brief and leave you a few links to get you up to speed with what is coming:
- The Nathema Flashpoint
- SWTOR Game Update 5.9 Class Changes
- SWTOR Update 5.9 New Augments Details
- SWTOR Conquest Changes Coming with Update 5.9
- Returning Companions for 5.9
As usual, when the release comes near, I will have a collective post gathering absolutely all of the information – written content plus videos. All news, overviews, walkthroughs, guides and updates will be put together in the similar manner I have been doing it for each Game Update.
COMING IN UPDATE 5.10
Now, the more unknown parts and what is currently targeted for release in July with 5.10 (or 5.9.2). As a matter of fact, at the time of this event, it is still unclear if the update will be 5.10 or 5.92. These are technical details, though. Now, let’s break down the new info we’ve got into topics.
New PvP Content
The video above is a highlight from the live stream. The thumbnail is a placeholder. There are no visual details released yet of thew new Arena and Warzone.
We have a confirmation that a new Arena is in the works currently. It will be situated in Shae Vizla’s Mandolorian Compound. It will be like Fighting Pits, heavily decorated in a beastly manner. There is a new Warzone being developed too, but was announced as being in a very early stage, so it will probably not be included in this update.
New unique Weekly PvP events are set for the same patch too and will likely continue through the Summer of 2018. No details were revealed about what exactly is in the works, but as a joke Eric Musco shared the possibility of 8 vs 8 returning as well as an example of random Rakghouls appearing in Warzones during the regular Rakghoul event week. These events are meant to enhance and spice up the existing warzones in the game. Each week there will be something different.
New Rishi Stronghold
The video above is a highlight from the live stream. The thumbnail is a placeholder. There are no visual details released yet about the new Stronghold.
A brand new Stronghold will be released on July too. It is on Rishi. Charles Boyd hinted at some new special enhancements being added to the Stronghold, but they may not be ready for 5.10 and the update may go live with just the Stronghold being included as a regular one.
UPDATE 1: The Summer Roadmap 2018 revealed a few more details about the Stronghold – it will be tied to PvP in the way that it will be able to house proper 4v4 or even 8v8 player organized tournaments. Decorations will serve as Line of Sight obstacles. To learn more, check the SWTOR Summer Roadmap 2018
UPDATE 2: The Stronghold will be available for purchase on the Fleet in the regular way, meaning you will not be required to do PvP to get/unlock it. The PvP area will have designated hooks where you can put any decorations you want. The major difference is that here the decorations would play a role of a line of sight blocking elements. There will be spaces where you can even place chairs for audience to sit and enjoy the duels.
It has been also confirmed that this really is a big stronghold with your own beach, where you can just simply sit down and enjoy the sun. Also, if you were wondering about Guild availability – yes, the Rishi Stronghold will be available for purchase as a Guild Stronghold too.
Returning Companions
Charles Boyd shared his eagerness to bring all the remaining alive companions before the new expansion arrives. By the way, 6.0 is not close at all. It was described as “way off”. My personal expectations are a release date targeted somewhere in the Winter of 2018 – November or early December.
UPDATE ON JAESA: Dark Side Jaesa will be coming back, but it is not as previously announced with Update 5.9.2 in July. She is scheduled to return with her own personal class mission in 5.9.3. Lord Scourge and Kira are currently in the works too, but may not be ready for 5.9.3 or 5.10. Though, the amount of work done on the last two is not enough yet and they will likely be delayed for a later release.
Charles Boyd stated that he wants to include more and meaningful story into the return of the classic companions, but certain restrictions (financial?), time constrains and other factors may prevent that from happening. His message was basically “Expect a short cinematic, but if I can, I will include a bigger one”.
I always keep the Companions Status List up to date. You can find the most recent announcements and news of returning companions there.
SUMMER EVENTS
Beyond 5.10 Eric Musco and Charles Boyd hinted at the Nightlife event returning for the Summer. Musco spoke of a new unique Subscriber Reward, that is coming in May – something that nobody owns and every subscriber will get (regardless of their Subscription history).
This is only a brief recap of what I managed to get from my two guests. Check the full video archive available in the top of this article for the full details.
