BioWare Posts SWTOR 3.1 Patch Notes

BioWare has usually followed the predictable MMORPG formula when it comes to patch notes and actual updates. While Star Wars: The Old Republic players may have hints about upcoming content, they really don't get a full look at what a patch will contain until the day before the patch goes live and the notes are published.

If you hang out on the SWTOR forums at all though, you'll notice things are changing a bit. Tait Watson posted the patch 3.1 patch notes a week ago for a patch that goes live tomorrow, February 10th. Why? In Tait's words, "One of the things that many people have asked for is a better look into what's coming up. Outside of Bug Report replies and the maintenance messaging synopsis, you don't really get a full picture of what's coming in upcoming patches until the Patch Notes go live the day before. I wanted to change this and give you insight into what you can expect in the next week's patch earlier. This is part of our continued effort to be more communicative of upcoming changes and content."

Patch 3.1, "Conflict on Rishi," will add Hardmode Flashpoints for Blood Hunt and Battle of Rishi, the usual slew of class and ability balancing changes, some bug fixes, and the beginning of Ranked Warzone Arena Season 4.

Honestly, my favorite addition in the update is the ability "Improved Mounting." Besides being a HYSTERICAL name for an ability, this skill allows players to mount up while moving. Ever since I personally first encountered that skill in TERA, I've always thought that should be the norm in my MMORPGs. This skill is a Legacy Unlock though, so some may not be able to obtain it on day one of patch 3.1

You can read through the entire post to see how your class may have changed, but I'll warn you Huttball players, the fire traps have become a bit more deadly since their damage can no longer be mitigated by level 55+ players.