The upcoming 2.0 update in Star Wars: The Old Republic will implement a new bolster system and PvP brackets, assistant designer Alex Modny wrote in a recent blog post.
The Bolster system will no longer be based on character level alone, Modny wrote, and "is not as linear" as its previous form. The current bolster system helps bring characters to a set level of stats for entry-level PvP. The cutoff is level 50, which results in "a huge drop of effectiveness" after a character moves from 49 to 50, Modny wrote. With the new system, stats will no longer be dependent on that level.
"Rather we look at each one of the item ratings (including the mods, augments, armorings, etc. that go into the armor/weapon) of the current equipped gear and base the amount of stats given based on these values," Modney wrote. "The worse your items are the more stats you are given to get you to the base value we want every PvPer to be at."
The game's new brackets will be broken up into three different distinctions: level 10-29, 30-54 and 55 & 55 Ranked. With the new bolster system in place, Modny wrote, the bracket breakup should make the playing field more even.
The team will keep an eye on how the aforementioned changes affect queue times and match balance, Modny wrote, with the intention to tweak further should problems arise.