1.2 state of PvP

With 1.2 being live for a couple of days now, it's time to talk about the state of PvP. To be clear from the beginning, I won't go through classes' nerfs and buffs as I've done it in a previous post. So, let's start.

One big change is the adjustment to the expertise rating. They have changed the curve of the diminishing returns and now, expertise gives a hell bigger advantage in PvP making PvP gearing up a true upgrade. If we add the healing reduction for all healing classes, you understand that damage dealt means more right now. Melee classes seem to have gotten an overall buff, as they stand better toe-to-toe against ranged dps. Overall, fights are faster and more bursty and for me, Bioware hit in the nail in the head with those changes as their battle system has been accused many times for being clunky and slow.

Sadly, they let a of people down as they didn't solve the low population servers problems. They could either allow cross-server queueing or/and allow server transfers. The second big dissapointment is the withdraw of the rated warzones. Let's hope that they make the correct changes and make rated PvP a smooth and enjoyable feature.

As far as the new warzone, Novare Coast, I'm having a blast and Ι have to admit that it's now, along with Huttball, my favourites. I really really hope, they add some new warzones soon, even if they are different stadiums for Huttball.

To coclude this post, I can't say that I'm dissapointed with 1.2 but I feel that they could do better. Giving free game time is a way to appease the subscribes but if they don't solve the problems, especially the low population servers ones, soon, people are just gonna lose their faith in BW and leave the game.

1.2 Novare Coast PvP video!

I've played my Sage in the PTR for the last days and I've spending my time on PvP and Class Quests only as I want to finish Act 1 and see the new features. I have to say that the changes in medals have made matches more fast paced and that something I really, really like. Needless to say, I've tried Novare Coast and I LOVE it! This WZ has a lot of fighting, as the objectives are close to the bases and it's easily to turn the table. I've recorded a full match, hope you'll enjoy it; I know I did. Expect a guide coming soon, so stay tuned!

1.2 PvP: Medal Changes

During Guild Summit, Developers said that they won't to redesign the medal system as it was not working as intended. So they make a cap to the medals that can be earned in a match. When you get 10 medals, a buff named HIGHLY DECORATED that will prevent you from earning more. Still, if some requirements are met, more than 10 medals can be earned after a match has ended. That medals are named DAUNTLESS and is rewarded depending how fast you won a match. 

Medal list from Hutball

Medal list from Voistar

 Also, there more objective medals. Additionally to the original medals for damage, healing and defensive done, new objective medals are introduced, divided to OFFENCE and DEFENCE. Passing the ball at Hutball rewards 500 Attacker Points, killing the ball carrier rewards 500 Defender Points, interrupting enemy capturing an Emplacement rewards 500 Defender Points at Novare Coast. Collecting enough defender and attacking points, rewards offence and defence medals. Surely Bioware reacted fast and solved the imbalance of the medal earnings. Healers tended to be left behind whereas dps with taunting abilities could easily get 12+ medals in a match. Also, those changes will avert dragging the matches for medal farming and also encourage more teamwork, more fast paced and more engaging battle.