SWTOR "Rising Powers" Update: Key Fixes You Need to Know

Ah, Star Wars: The Old Republic—the game that keeps on giving. Whether you’re a Sith Lord scheming for power or a Jedi Knight defending the light, the Rising Powers update promised to crank up the excitement. But let’s face it: even the best updates can stumble out of the gate. That’s why Broadsword swooped in like a hero with Patches 7.6.1a and 7.6.1b, smoothing out the rough edges.

If you’ve been battling bugs instead of Sith lately, this article’s for you. Let’s break down what these patches fix, why they matter, and how you can help make SWTOR even better. Strap in, grab a blue milk, and let’s dive in.

The ‘Rising Powers’ Update: A Rocky Start

When Rising Powers (Update 7.6.1) launched, players were hyped. New features! Fresh challenges! But like a protocol droid with a bad motivator, things didn’t go entirely smoothly. Some folks noticed wonky Conquest math, hairstyles that looked like they’d been hit by a Force push, and story missions that froze faster than a Tauntaun on Hoth.

Enter Patches 7.6.1a and 7.6.1b. These follow-up fixes, rolled out in early and mid-March, tackle the most glaring issues. Think of them as Broadsword’s way of saying, “We’re listening—and we’ve got your back.”

Patch 7.6.1a: Conquest Points, Glitchy Gear, and Decorator Wins

Released earlier this month, Patch 7.6.1a was all about quality-of-life tweaks. Here’s the scoop:

1. Conquest Points: No More Math from the Dark Side

If you’re a SWTOR veteran, you know Conquest points are the lifeblood of territorial domination. But players with duplicate Strongholds noticed something fishy: their points weren’t adding up correctly.

Imagine this: You own two lavish Nar Shaddaa pads (hey, flexing on the galaxy is fun), but the game acted like you only had one. That meant fewer points, slower rewards, and a lot of frustrated head-scratching.

The Fix: Patch 7.6.1a recalculates Conquest points for duplicate Strongholds. Now, owning multiple bases works as intended. Time to conquer planets AND your real estate empire fairly!

2. Galactic Season Glitches: Style Over Substance

Nothing ruins a Sith’s vibe faster than a hairstyle that clips through their hood or a blaster pistol that looks like it’s made of pixels. Galactic Season rewards are supposed to make you look legendary, not like a glitchy hologram.

The Fix: Broadsword polished up these visual gremlins. Hairstyles now flow naturally (no more “Force-fried” looks), and blaster pistols have the sleek finish you paid for. Pro tip: Pair that fixed blaster with the new hood fixes (more on that later).

3. Kaas Vibrosword Display: Five Times the Swag

Stronghold decorators, rejoice! Unlocking the Kaas Vibrosword Display used to give you one decoration. Now? You get five.

Why does this matter? Maybe you want to line your Tatooine garage with Vibroswords or create a shrine to your Sith legacy. Either way, more decorations mean more creative freedom. Just don’t let your guildmates steal your style.

Patch 7.6.1b: Smoother Uprisings, Hood Fixes, and Story Rescues

Launched on March 21, Patch 7.6.1b tackled everything from difficulty spikes to cinematic freezes. Let’s unpack the highlights:

1. Uprisings: Story Mode to the Rescue

Uprisings are SWTOR’s chaotic, co-op battlegrounds—think of them as mini-raids. But Veteran Mode (the original difficulty) could feel like a meat grinder, especially for newer players. Enemies hit hard, health pools felt endless, and squads wiped faster than you could say “Buckethead.”

The Fix: Veteran Mode in the Group Finder has been replaced with Story Mode. Here’s what changed:

• Enemy health and damage reduced: Fights are less punishing, letting players focus on mechanics instead of panic-healing.

• Better for learning: Story Mode is perfect for squads testing strategies or newcomers dipping their toes into group content.

Veteran players, don’t worry—Hard Mode Uprisings still exist for those craving a challenge.

2. Experimental Combat Enhancer: Enhanced Enemies, Balanced Fun

The Experimental Combat Enhancer is a fun toy that buffs enemies for extra rewards. But pre-patch, Enhanced enemies spawned about as often as a polite Hutt.

The Fix: Enhanced enemies now appear more frequently when using the Enhancer. Translation: More chaos, more loot, and more bragging rights for solo warriors.

3. Hoods: No More Bald Spots or Clipping Issues

The Coruscanti and Kaas Traveler’s Hoods are iconic. But before the patch, equipping them could turn your character into a bald monk or create clipping issues that ruined your Dark Lord aesthetic.

The Fix: Hoods now sit properly on heads, preserving your character’s hairstyle and avoiding awkward gaps. Your Sith Inquisitor can finally look menacing and put-together.

4. Story Missions Unblocked: Cinematics Saved!

Few things sting worse than getting locked out of SWTOR’s epic story moments. Players reported blocked cinematics in Knights of the Eternal Throne and Knights of the Fallen Empire, halting their progress mid-drama.

The Fix: Patch 7.6.1b unblocks these cinematics, ensuring you can finish your saga without reloading or pleading to the Force for help.

What’s Still Broken? Broadsword Wants YOUR Help

Let’s be real—no patch is perfect. While 7.6.1a and 7.6.1b fix major issues, players are still spotting bugs. Maybe your guild’s flagship is glitching, or a companion’s dialogue loops endlessly.

Here’s where you come in: Broadsword is leaning on community feedback to prioritize fixes. If you’ve encountered a bug, report it on the official SWTOR forums. The more details you provide (screenshots, steps to replicate), the faster the devs can squash it.

Why These Fixes Matter for SWTOR’s Future

The Rising Powers patches aren’t just about bug squashing—they’re a sign of Broadsword’s commitment to SWTOR’s longevity. Here’s why:

• Accessibility: Replacing Veteran Mode with Story Mode in Uprisings lowers the barrier to entry, welcoming new players.

• Respect for Time: Fixing Conquest points and decorations rewards players who invest in the game’s deeper systems.

• Community Trust: By responding quickly to feedback, Broadsword builds goodwill. Happy players stick around—and spend Cartel Coins.

How to Make the Most of the Patches

Ready to jump back in? Here’s how to leverage the fixes:

• Rekindle Your Conquest Grind: With duplicate Strongholds fixed, stack those bonuses and dominate the leaderboards.

• Try Story Mode Uprisings: Gather your squad and enjoy the chaos without the stress.

• Show Off Your Style: Equip those fixed hoods and Galactic Season gear. The galaxy deserves to see your drip.

• Report Bugs: Found a glitch? Be the hero SWTOR needs by documenting it on the forums.
  

Final Thoughts: A Galaxy Worth Revisiting

Look, we’ve all been burned by games that ignore player feedback. But SWTOR’s Rising Powers patches prove Broadsword isn’t just going through the motions. These fixes address real pain points, from broken cosmetics to progression blocks, making the galaxy feel alive again.

So whether you’re a returning player or a seasoned veteran, now’s a great time to hop back in. The Force (and Broadsword) is with you—mostly.

May the fixes be with you, always.