SWTOR’s 7.5 Update brought two new pairs of enhanced dyes with non-holiday-themed colors. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about them and show you what they can look like on a set that dyes well.
With 7.4, Broadsword added tech that allows them to modify the specularity of a given material independently from its color. They are using this tech to sell fancy dyes that not only change the color of the designated part of the armor but also alter its specularity in a specific way.
Specularity is the trait that governs how well the material reflects light, so altering the specularity value can make something look more reflective and shiny, like polished plate armor, or more dull and matte, like normal fabric, or anything in between.
Enhanced Dye Availability
The Enhanced dyes, or as we like to call them, Shiny dyes, have more limited availability. Initially, they were only going to be available for sale in the CM during the winter Life Day event, but Broadsword changed their plans.
Sometimes, a version with inverted colors is available for direct sale; sometimes, you can only buy both as a bundle. Pricing-wise, the individual ones cost 1750 CC, while the bundle costs 2500. Yes, your sticker shock is reasonable because these dyes are consumed on use and cannot be unlocked in collections.
So far, only 1 can be initially obtained outside of the CM, and that’s at level 99 on the subscriber track for Galactic Season 6, though this guide will focus on the dyes added most recently, with that extra special dye included for good measure.
Why is Enhanced dye availability limited
Broadsword has not offered an explanation as to why the Enhanced dyes initially had such limited availability or why they decided to change their mind.
Out of the three enhanced dyes released after the initial batch, two of them were explicitly released around the same time as a holiday and featured colors associated with that holiday (Red and Pink for Valentine’s Day and Green and Gold for St. Patrick’s Day).
The third retains a commemorative vibe, as it matches the colors of SWTOR’s recreation of the infamous speeder bikes used by the cyborg biker teens in The Book of Boba Fett.
Now, they have returned to offering dyes that are not holiday-themed, so perhaps they’re just playing it by ear. The dyes could be a marketable stepping stone on the way to a larger character customization revamp, as it’s clear the devs know both that Space Barbie is popular and that the existing customization system has significant limitations.
Catalog of the New Enhanced Dyes in SWTOR 7.5
This section will show you what each of the shiny dyes looks like from each side on Mythosaur Hunter armor set on a Body Type 2 Male, along with comparisons to the undyed set and a high-contrast dye. The Enhanced dyes released in or around 7.5 include:
| Icon | Item Name |
|---|---|
 | Pearlescent Purple and Metallic Gold (GS6 at LV 99) |
 | Pearlescent Blue and Pearlescent White |
 | Pearlescent White and Pearlescent Blue |
 | Chrome White and Metallic Black |
 | Metallic Black and Chrome White |
Base Set
I opted to use the Mythosaur Hunter armor set because it consistently looks good with these shiny dyes. Don’t get me wrong, they can look positively HORRENDOUS when used incorrectly, but you aren’t gonna use these dyes to make hideous outfits, right? RIGHT?!
Comparative Dye
Before we look at the individual dyes, it’s helpful to see the set with a Deep Orange and Light Blue Dye. You get to see which parts dye to the primary and secondary colors, or don’t dye at all, and also get a sense of the base luster of each color and its effect on the armor when dyed.
Pearlescent Purple and Metallic Gold
The Pearlescent Purple and Metallic Gold dye is part of the subscriber track for Galactic Season 6 at level 99, so your armor can match the colors of the infamously iconic S-100 Turbo Boxxer speeder bike.
There does not appear to be any way to get an additional copy of this dye, even from the GS vendor, unless you complete GS6 on another server and transfer the toon with it in their inventory to wherever you want.
Pearlescent Blue and Pearlescent White
Pearlescent White and Pearlescent Blue
Chrome White and Metallic Black
Metallic Black and Chrome White
Tips for Making Cool Outfits with Shiny Dyes
As you can see, it’s easy to flush a bunch of money down the drain on a consumable by completely ruining an outfit with one of these shiny dyes, but it is possible to make something that looks pretty sick, too!
In my opinion, the dyes work best to amplify existing effects. For example, suppose you have a dye that changes secondary elements to have a metallic effect. In that case, it will tend to look the best on armor sets that mostly have a lot of secondary elements that already look somewhat shiny.
They also work well on sets that feature fewer dyable regions because the shininess is so overpowering and works better as an accent.
If you attempt to make a piece of fabric look metallic, the best you can hope for is something vaguely reminiscent of silk, leather, or latex. However, it’s far more likely to end up looking wet or just plain weird.
Since many of the actual metal bits aren’t dyable or are the only dyable parts on the outfit, I highly recommend using a shiny dye that matches or complements the undyable bits.
We have a beginner-friendly guide explaining the difference between gear and an outfit if you are new to the game. If you are ready to make some investments (both time and resources) in an awesome new look for your character, our guide on how to create a unique and original outfit will come in handy!
How to Preview a Dye Before you Buy it
The Cartel Market allows you to preview most items before you purchase them. This is the case with most dyes, including the Enhanced dyes as well, though you cannot preview an item inside a pack or bundle unless you find one for sale on the GTN or can otherwise get someone to link the dye to you, assuming you know of its existence.
To preview a dye (or any other item from the Cartel Market), follow these steps:
- Open the Cartel Market Store.
- Select the item you want to preview.
- In the bottom right corner, open the “Show Items” tab.
- Click on the “Preview” button.
The Preview window will open, and you will see the effects of the selected dye on your character’s outfit. The dye you are previewing will be placed in the Dye Slot at the bottom right of the Preview Window.
This was just a subset, so check out our main catalog if you want to see all of the Enhanced Dyes ever released in SWTOR.
To learn what else is new in SWTOR 7.5, check our changes overview. Visit the SWTOR 7.5 Archives to read our comprehensive coverage of the new update. For everything else SWTOR, see our SWTOR Guides Master List.
