So then how do I gain a skill?
When you have earned enough experience points for a skill within your profession you are granted that skill. When you have earned enough experience points to gain a combat level, your combat level is increased. This is a departure from the existing system which was far more complex and forced you to acquire experience points, "spend" them on a chosen skill, and then the system calculated your combat level based on the experience point costs of all the skills you had acquired. Now combat level is based solely on experience points earned - simple, easy, fun and less time spent wandering around looking for trainers and more time living the Star Wars saga!

How will group XP work?
Groups will earn XP faster and so will solo adventurers. Groups hunting creatures and killing NPC's will get the sum total of experience points for the NPC's and creatures killed by the group. This experience total is then divided by the number of players in the group. All players in a group going on quests will earn the full amount of quest experience points available and advancement in the game will be based mostly on quest XP - which means more fun and faster advancement.

II. Combat Questions

Why is combat changing?
The existing game featured a turn-based style of combat that did not truly capture the spirit of Star Wars nor was it particularly engaging. The new action combat system more closely resembles the fast-paced action-packed combat depicted in the Star Wars movies.

What will happen to current armor, clothing, and skill modifiers?
Most, but not all of these items and modifiers are being converted to work within the new combat system.

Will there still be PvP combat?
Absolutely as it's one of our players' favorite features - and one of the most fun!


III. Character Classes and Professions Questions

Why would you eliminate any of the existing professions?
Today our player professions by percent of masters is significantly skewed to the core combat professions as a very small proportion of our player (less than 1% of players) choose to master the professions of Bio Engineer or Creature Handler. For this reason, we are putting the focus where the majority of our players are putting their game-play investment -- on the core profession paths. However, there are some elements of these professions incorporated into several of the new professions. Players who were Bio Engineers will be interested in the new Trader or Medic professions as these two both incorporate some crafting abilities. These changes will reinvigorate the game world, bring the excitement of the movies alive in-game and put the player into a more active role.

What is happening to my character if my class isn't listed on the 9 types of new iconic professions?
We recommend that you choose the new iconic profession type that most closely matches your existing skill set and interests. Remember, we have included elements of several professions in each of the "new" professions, so you may find overlap in skills from your current class with the new professions. That said, we encourage players to explore all of the professions during your free review/re-spec period (until your 9 re-spec opportunities have been used).

What are these new "iconic professions"?
The new character advancement paths are based on professions of 9 legendary Star Wars heroes:

Bounty Hunter (Based on Boba Fett)
Commando (Based on Commander Cody)
Jedi (Based on Luke Skywalker)
Medic (Based on 2-1B)
Smuggler (Based on Han Solo)
Officer (Based on Princess Leia)
Spy (Based on Princess Leia as the Bounty Hunter Boussh)
Entertainer (Based on Oola)
Trader (Based on Lando Calrissian)

Will this new profession system help me make sense of the advancement system?
Definitely - that's the main reason we decided to enhance the profession development system. It is now much easier as you can view the steps you will need to take and skills you will need to learn in order to become a master of your chosen profession. Another addition with this new system is a single total experience point bar (XP bar) on your screen that fills-up as you earn XP from quests, defeating enemies and other NPC's, as well as other adventures. When the experience bar fills up, you will see that you have gained a combat level and earned the chance to learn some great new skills and abilities.

What if I have a fully developed character?
All current players will be given the chance to sample all the new professions before choosing one. Each veteran player (existing characters active in-game prior to the introduction of the enhancements) will receive a "re-spec" (change or revise a character's basic skills and abilities) token with ten uses/charges to provide the opportunity to try any and all of the professions once before making your final choice. Currently, there is no time limit for when to use the "re-spec" tokens - players will use of them until all of the opportunities have been used. As an additional bonus, all current active characters will be able to begin advancing through new levels as we are adding 10 levels to the combat advancement system, level 80 - 90.

What's happening to my Jedi character?
Jedi will be able to choose any of the nine iconic new professions, including the Jedi profession. Regardless of a veteran Jedi's (existing active Jedi characters prior to the introduction of the game enhancements) re-spec choice the character will gain items and abilities that will represent the original accomplishments achieved by that character. These include specifically, the ability to take on the transparent Blue form of an ascended Jedi, a special Robe that is endowed with protective properties, and an exclusive new lightsaber with a unique color that deals more damage. All of these new items are being given to existing Jedi characters in recognition for their past achievements.

Will crystals and pearls still be used in lightsabers?
Yes, you will still be able to use crystals and pearls to upgrade lightsabers.

Will I still have to go to the Force Sensitive Village to be Force Sensitive?
No. Being a Jedi character will no longer require you to complete the Force Sensitive Village series of quests.

There will be quests and adventures created specifically for the Jedi path that you will need to pursue in order to progress on the Jedi path.

Do you still plan to have a Force Ranking System?
Not at this time.

What is the future of entertainers?
Entertainers are included as one of the nine iconic professions. However, we have rolled musician, dancer, and image designer all into this one new Entertainer template. A master entertainer will have the skills of all three.

How will these changes affect my Entertainer character?
Entertainer will be included as one of the new iconic professions, and should be relatively unchanged in terms of abilities.

Are crafters being phased out?
Absolutely not, especially considering Galaxies has one of the deepest and most engaging crafting systems of any game that offers one. We are still supporting crafting, but as a profession unto itself included in the nine iconic professions (Trader). What is really fantastic about crafting now is that we are allowing for skill branching within the crafting profession so that crafters can specialize in certain skills and thus help maintain the diverse Galaxies economy.

What is the future of crafters?
Crafters will continue to be the foundation of the diverse and extensive player-driven economy in Star Wars Galaxies.

If I have the politician skill set, which character should I choose?
All players get to keep their politician skills as they will remain unchanged. Any of the nine iconic professions can also learn the politician skills in addition to the skills of their chosen profession as there is no skill associated with the politician profession.

IV. Interface

Will there be a new manual so I know how to use the new controls?
Yes, we will be updating the online and in-game Knowledge Base as well as revamping all of the information on our website - along with a great new look! Since the new controls are so much more accessible and easier to pick-up than before, we are confident you will be able to familiarize yourself with the new controls very quickly.

Will the Quest Journal be changing?
Many new quests are being added into the game at all levels by profession. For current players, depending on your current level and what profession you chose to "re-spec" to you may find new quests to pursue along your new path.

All players will find that quests now come to them via interaction with iconic Star Wars heroes and other NPC's, as well as by traveling to legendary Star Wars locations. The game is more quest focused offering players more of a designed path to follow while adventuring and advancing.

How will the existing titles on my character window be affected?
Veterans will maintain the ability to display any title they have earned over their SWG career. New characters that enter the galaxy will only have access to the titles supported by the nine new iconic professions.

Will Bounty Hunter missions and other missions still be located on my datapad?
Yes, you will still see mission terminal quests on your datapad. However, there will no longer be Bounty Hunter missions that target other players, they are only NPC based going forward, and these will appear in your Quest Journal.