December Launch for Star Wars: The Old Republic Update 7.6, Galactic Threads

The upcoming major update for Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR), Game Update 7.6, is slated for release early in December. The update consists of a blend of new features, enhancements to performance and functionality, along with PvP updates, it also continues the game’s storyline with “Galactic Threads.”

Storyline for Galactic Threads

This upcoming story chapter unfolds after the incidents in Desperate Defiance. Players will chase down Darth Malgus, slowly revealing the secrets behind Darth Nul’s holocron and the plans of the Hidden Chain. Well-known names such as Lana Beniko, Major Anri, and Talos Drellik come back as players journey through Hoth, Tatooine, and the remains of the temple on Elom.

The SWTOR group, however, has reported that delivery for this storyline has been delayed to fulfill their standards of quality. Although the development of this chapter continues, all other parts of Update 7.6 will proceed as earlier intended.

Dynamic Encounters and Introduction of New Lair Boss

One of the key inclusions in this update is Dynamic Encounters, a new world content system that is engineered to give the planets a more interactive feel. These encounters will debut on Hoth and Tatooine, with players encountering random missions ranging from Bantha herding to fighting against Hidden Chain troops. Special invasions by Hidden Chain can yield exclusive pieces of armour, and there’s a rare Freckled Loth-cat mini-pet up for capturing.

Apart from this, Update 7.6 also features the Propagator Core XR-53, a new Rakatan lair boss sourced from the Emperor’s Fortress wreckage on Ilum. Available in Story and Veteran modes, players can expect considerable challenges and rewards from this encounter.

Updates to Cartel Market and Cosmetics

The following additions have been included in the Cartel Market as part of Update 7.6:

• Remote Trading Post Bundle: Inspired by Galaxy’s Edge, this set includes repairable adornments that players can improve by completing missions.
• Skeleton Crew Cosmetics: Updated armour, firearms, and shades arrive, which includes the Mysterious Rogue and Fearless Buccaneer collections.
• Long Hair Customization: A new hairstyle will be made available free of charge to all players.
• There will be a permanent price reduction of 50% on dyes.

The Master the Fight: Starbolt Edition Bundle, launching on November 15, is priced at $99.99, it incorporates subscription time, Cartel Coins and a unique mount.

PvP Season 7: The Road to Mastery

The upcoming PvP season introduces new armors, titles, and adornments themed on “Path to Mastery.” Notable modifications include a reduction in Warzone group sizes from eight to four members and deactivation of level 75 Set Bonuses during PvP battles.

Progress in Modernization and Efforts to Improve Accessibility

Game Update 7.6 brings updates to Tython, Korriban, and Ilum, along with improved character models for certain species. These improvements are geared towards augmenting visual fidelity while retaining each character’s uniqueness. Additionally, inactive character names will be released, with no action required on part of the subscribers to keep their names.

Seasonal Events and Life Day

The Life Day celebration, based on a winter theme, comes back in mid-December with all-new rewards, including the Tirsa G1-F7 Mount and Life Day Ornate Robes. Players can also anticipate a novel Companion Mount feature that merges mini pets with mounts, such as the Meirm Cicada Mount, available free for subscribers from November 29 through to January 4.

A Glance at the Future

Game Update 7.6 signifies SWTOR’s ongoing commitment to modernize the game and extend its outreach to its dedicated fanbase through a combination of dynamic content, storyline upgrades, and changes focused on the community. Although the delay of the “Galactic Threads” storyline could disappoint some players, there is an assurance of abundant new adventures being offered by the range of new features. For those interested, SWTOR is technically free to play, though more committed players would need to opt for a paid subscription to access the complete content.

Extra Reads: Blog Post on the Official Website