Monday, June 4, 2012

SWTOR Datacron guide: Dromund Kaas





What follows are facts about the datacrons to be found on Dromund Kaas. These datacrons, available to Sith Empire only faction players, can be found above a walkway, gaurded by a boss, on top of a mountain and past a few elites. All in all there are five datacrons to be found on Dromund Kaas.

Galactic History 18: The Hutt Cataclysms 

Stat/Reward: Strength +2
Waypoint: X: 855, Y: 643
Tips: This datacron is located in a hangar, the southern end of Dromund Kaas spaceport. Take the lift to ‘Docking Bay D-61’ and from there you have to go up a ramp to the walkway above and look for steel bars along the wall that you can jump on, which will lead you to the datacron.




Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:


Datacron guide: Dromund Kaas



What follows are facts about the datacrons to be found on Dromund Kaas. These datacrons, available to Sith Empire only faction players, can be found above a walkway, gaurded by a boss, on top of a mountain and past a few elites. All in all there are five datacrons to be found on Dromund Kaas.

Galactic History 18: The Hutt Cataclysms 

Stat/Reward: Strength +2
Waypoint: X: 855, Y: 643
Tips: This datacron is located in a hangar, the southern end of Dromund Kaas spaceport. Take the lift to ‘Docking Bay D-61’ and from there you have to go up a ramp to the walkway above and look for steel bars along the wall that you can jump on, which will lead you to the datacron.




Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:



Since its victories against the forces of the Tion Cluster, the Hutt Empire had continued to expand its influence. It now controlled dozens of systems, and the Hutt criminal enterprises extended even into Republic space.

But the greed of the Hutts was insatiable, and their long life spans meant grudges could be carried for centuries. Rivalries became open hostilities, until their entire empire was embroiled in the "Hutt Cataclysms," a series of conflicts that saw devastating weapons unleashed on Hutt-controlled worlds.

When the cataclysms ended, the Hutt homeworld of Varl and hundreds of Hutt colonies had been rendered lifeless. Seeking a new homeworld, the Hutts began relocating to the planet Evocar, slowly buying parcels of land from the Evocii people. Eventually, the Hutts owned the entire planet, which would later be called Nal Hutta--or more often, simply "Hutta," the "Glorious Jewel."

Galactic History 19: The Pius Dea Crusades

Stat/Reward: Presence +2
Waypoint: X: 581, Y: 798
Tips: The moment you exit Dromund Kaas Spaceport you will be able to go up a path to the left. Look for pink ‘glowing’ mushrooms and you’ll find an entrance/path between the rocks. This path takes you up a hill, which leads to datacron. There is a Gundark Lifetaker boss guarding the datacron, which most players seem to have no problems with when using their companion.




Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:

The Republic had been established on principles of free speech and tolerance for all sentient beings. Unfortunately, these principles also allowed the growth of fringe groups. During the term of Supreme Chancellor Pers'lya, a fanatical pro-human religious sect calling itself "Pius Dea" emerged.

Many dismissed Pius Dea as just another cult, but the group's intentions were much more sinister. Through political maneuvering, the members conspired to have Chancellor Pers'lya impeached and their own man, Senator Contispex, put in his place. Through Supreme Chancellor Contispex, Pius Dea exploited tensions within the Hutt Empire after the Hutt Cataclysms. Eventually Contispex sanctioned an invasion of Hutt Space, beginning the Pius Dea Crusades.

Over the next thousand years, Contispex's descendants--biological and ideological--would inherit his position, continuing to wage war against various alien factions until growing unrest brought Pius Dea's rule to an end. A new Chancellor was elected, free of Pius Dea's influence, and the Pius Dea "Supreme Temple" was destroyed... but the tensions created between the Core Worlds and the Outer Rim persisted for centuries to come.

Galactic History 20: Chancellor Blotus

Stat/Reward: Cunning +2
Waypoint: X: -1222, Y: 214
Tips: This datacron is located in the ‘Dark Temple Approach’ - the heroic 4 quest area. To get to it you will need to go around the mountain and climb on top of it, then jump down over a few rocks to get it.








Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:

After the Pius Dea Crusades, the Republic stagnated, forced to rebuild alliances Pius Dea had damaged. However, during the Rianitus Period, the Republic began to enjoy prosperity again under a new Supreme Chancellor, Blotus the Hutt.

Blotus had been the administrator of a network of mining worlds that split from the remnants of the former Hutt Empire. He and his worlds applied for Republic membership, and although tensions between Hutts and the Republic remained, Blotus proved both competent and popular in the Galactic Senate. He was eventually elected Supreme Chancellor by an overwhelming majority, and his position was solidified when his tax breaks for independent traders brought Coruscant into an economic boom and improved trade throughout the Core Worlds.

Blotus served a 275-year term and died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 912. His rule would be remembered with affection for centuries; even today, his favorite chair in the Senate tower's lounge is traditionally left empty.

Galactic History 21: The Birth of the Mandalorians

Stat/Reward: Yellow Matrix Shard
Waypoint: X: -193, Y: 1663
Tips: This one is not hard to get to, but you have to get past a few elites.







Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:

The culture of the gray-skinned Taung species had always been defined by conflict, even before their days battling the Battalions of Zhell on Coruscant. For millennia, striking out from the world they called Mandalore, the Taung explored and conquered new worlds, seeking new opponents to test themselves against.

Over time their philosophy of battle grew and changed, and a new cadre of elite warriors emerged. Known as the Mandalorian Crusaders, these warriors were honed by years of battle and guided by a strict code of honor. Wild stories began to spread throughout the Outer Rim of soldiers who could disappear into forests, face terrifying beasts without a trace of fear or even capture an entire planet in a day.

These tales were the first time the name "Mandalorian" became widely known. Although the Taung themselves went into decline and eventually disappeared, they left behind followers trained as they were. Ever after, the Mandalorians were a people to be respected, and feared.

Galactic History 22: The Second Great Schism 

Stat/Reward: Endurance +2
Waypoint: X:-790, Y: 1449
Tips: This one is not hard to get to, but you have to get past a few elites.





Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:

The Jedi Order had already faced one great schism in its history, against the fallen Xendor and his Legions of Lettow. Although Xendor had been gone for centuries, there were uneasy stirrings in the ranks. A group of Jedi had learned to use the Force to shape living beings, twisting them into horrific monsters.

These Dark Jedi were swiftly exiled, but they retaliated by raising an army of their monstrous creations and unleashing them against the rest of the order. The Jedi fought back, finally driving the Dark Jedi to a last stand on the planet Corbos.

Victory would not have been certain even then, but the Dark Jedi had begun to turn against one another. Without a united front, they were overwhelmed and scattered. Although the Jedi cheered their victory, it was later discovered that many of the Dark Jedi had fled Corbos, leaving no trail for anyone to follow.




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Friday, June 1, 2012

SWTOR Datacron guide: Hutta



What follows are facts about the datacrons to be found on Hutta. These datacrons, available to Sith Empire only faction players, can be found hidden behind a pipe, in the midst of the mob and on an island. There are three datacrons to be found on Hutta.

Galactic History 01: The Architects

Stat/Reward: Aim +2
Waypoint: X: -96, Y: 861
Tips: The datacron is located up on a small hill that you can climb a pipe up to get to it that is leaned onto the hill. The datacron is a bit hidden under some tree branches, but it is down to the right after having climbed the pipe and made your way up.









Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:



Datacron guide: Hutta


What follows are facts about the datacrons to be found on Hutta. These datacrons, available to Sith Empire only faction players, can be found hidden behind a pipe, in the midst of the mob and on an island. There are three datacrons to be found on Hutta.

Galactic History 01: The Architects

Stat/Reward: Aim +2
Waypoint: X: -96, Y: 861
Tips: The datacron is located up on a small hill that you can climb a pipe up to get to it that is leaned onto the hill. The datacron is a bit hidden under some tree branches, but it is down to the right after having climbed the pipe and made your way up.









Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:



Although the Republic has existed for millennia, there is evidence to suggest that long before its founding, a highly advanced race ruled the galaxy. Referred to as the "Architects" or "Celestials" by scholars, these beings possessed remarkable technology capable of constructing or realigning solar systems. The Corellia system, for example, appears to have been artificially constructed.

These claims would seem extraordinary, but many of the Architects' machines survived the ages. The Vultar system was home to an immense "Cosmic Turbine" that could only have been Architect technology, before misuse destroyed both the turbine and the Vultar system itself. The fabled Centerpoint Station is thought to be an Architect installation, though many species have claimed it as the work of their own people.

In addition to their engineering marvels, it is believed that the Architects seeded the Core Worlds with life--particularly humans--though some attribute this to the Rakata's Infinite Empire. Despite the proof of their achievements, however, there is little evidence to suggest where the Architects came from or what eventually became of them.

Galactic History 02: The Ancient Civilizations

Stat/Reward: Blue Matrix Shard
Waypoint: X: -22, Y: 319
Tips: This is the hardest datacron to find on Hutta. It is located within an elite mob (non-instanced) heroic area called “ Sewer Maintainence Tunnels”. The entrance to this area is at X: -15, Y: 226.
After you go through several groups of enemies you have to find level-8 boss- a robot called B3-4T Disposal Droid. Behind him is where the datacron is.





Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:

In the period after the mysterious Architects vanished from the galaxy millennia ago, several great civilizations rose in their place. The intellectual Columi species created a vast but peaceful empire, focusing on academic pursuits while droids and elaborate machines labored for them. As a result, the Columi evolved enormous craniums and tiny bodies.

The strange, reptilian Kwa, who achieved interstellar travel through Infinity Gates that allowed them to effectively teleport between worlds, rose and mysteriously fell, eventually devolving into simple lizards. The cephalopod Gree also reached their apex in this time, creating technological marvels that have rarely been equaled. Eventually, on the backs of these civilizations would come the Rakata and their Infinite Empire.

Galactic History 03: The Batallions of Zhell

Stat/Reward: Presence +2
Waypoint: X: 497, Y: -13
Tips: The datacron is located on an island in the very North-East corner of the map.
To get to the island you have to go across a pipe that starts at X: 497, Y: -13. Be careful at the L junction on the pipeline, you might miss and fall into the water and have to start over.









Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:

In the millennia before the founding of the Republic, humans had not yet developed spaceflight. One human population--perhaps the only one--was confined to Coruscant, divided into thirteen tribes. This nearly proved disastrous when a volcanic eruption caused a near-extinction event, wiping out a large percentage of human life.

This made the humans easy prey for the Taung, a gray-skinned species that reveled in battle. Awed by the majesty of the eruption's ash cloud, the Taung took the name "Warriors of the Shadow," descended on the surviving humans and subjugated them. Gradually the fighting force of the thirteen human tribes--known as the Battalions of Zhell--mustered a resistance against the Taung.

After years of struggle, the Battalions managed to repel the Taung and claim their freedom. Coruscant has been the seat of humanity ever since.


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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Blizzard says if you want to be the best you have to trade


This post from Blizzard Community Manager Bashiok hits the nail on the head with what we've been saying about loot. If you want the good stuff you have to trade or buy and sell.

Diablo has always been a random number generator. You walk into a dungeon and it's randomly generated into a configuration. You pick up a piece of loot and it's randomly generated with a set of stats. This is how it was in Diablo 1 and 2 and in 3 it's a much greater beast. We have far more variety in stats than we did in the original Diablo and so the chances of you getting what you need from a random loot drop is so rare that if you set up your character with only random loot drops, and you were then able to complete higher level dungeons, if I were you I'd go and buy a lotto ticket!

Trade forums in Battlenet were nuts in Diablo 2 but I got a lot of my gear back then by monitoring for things in the chat and jumping into games with people to trade. The Auction House just provides an easy way to do that now.

This is what Bashiok had to say on the matter ...

SWTOR Datacron guide: Korriban



What follows are facts about the datacrons to be found on Korriban. These datacrons, available to Sith Empire only players, are easy to spot compared to many other in the game. There are three datacrons to be found on Korriban.

Galactic History 15: Mandalore

Stat/Reward: Willpower +2
Waypoint: X: 530, Y: -163
Tips: You can see this datacron glowing almost instantly when you leave the taxi station, the first time you go to lower wilds.





Datacron guide: Korriban


What follows are facts about the datacrons to be found on Korriban. These datacrons, available to Sith Empire only players, are easy to spot compared to many other in the game. There are three datacrons to be found on Korriban.

Galactic History 15: Mandalore

Stat/Reward: Willpower +2
Waypoint: X: 530, Y: -163
Tips: You can see this datacron glowing almost instantly when you leave the taxi station, the first time you go to lower wilds.






Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:

The gray-skinned Taung species, which clashed with humans long before the formation of the Republic, had lost none of its fearsome reputation over the years. The Taung revered conflict in all forms, relishing the chance to test themselves against powerful enemies.

While the young Republic continued to expand, the Taung also sought out and colonized many worlds. Eventually they discovered an Outer Rim planet populated by enormous, vicious beasts called mythosaurs. The Taung took the world for their own, calling it Mandalore after their leader, Mandalore the First. The mythosaurs presented little challenge to the powerful Taung; in time, mythosaur bones were used to build Mandalore's first cities.

Galactic History 16: The Alaskan Conflicts

Stat/Reward: Endurance +2
Waypoint: X: 158, Y: 81
Tips: The datacron is next to the shuttle that will take you off the starting planet.





Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:

During the boom period of early Republic expansion, dissent arose from the unlikeliest of quarters: the planet Alsakan. Colonized by the first explorers from Coruscant long before the development of the hyperdrive, Alsakan had been a member of the Core Worlds for centuries.

But as the planet grew more powerful and influential, its Senators believed that Alsakan, not Coruscant, should be the capital of the Republic. A series of skirmishes called the "Alsakan Conflicts" broke out, slowing Republic growth as it tried to quell Alsakan's forces.

Despite the best efforts of Republic diplomats and generals, Alsakan remained belligerent, and seventeen such uprisings would occur over the next several thousand years. Later, the battle cruisers built during the Alsakan Conflicts would inspire the Republic's Invincible-class dreadnought.

Galactic History 17: The Duinuogwuin Contention

Stat/Reward: Red Matrix Shard
Waypoint: X: -54, Y: 378
Tips: This datacron is in the open area right before you go into the tombs where the heroic quests are.





Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:

In their travels, the early Republic explorers encountered many bizarre and fascinating species. Most of these first contacts were peaceful, but while charting worlds in the Outer Rim, scouts encountered enormous, flame-breathing reptiles known as Duinuogwuin. The terrified scouts opened fire and fled the planet, eventually returning to Coruscant--only to discover they'd been followed. The Duinuogwuin began waging war against the capital in what would be called the "Duinuogwuin Contention."

Supreme Chancellor Fillorean, often criticized in the Senate for being hesitant and indecisive, ignored demands to mobilize the Republic Navy and attempted to communicate with the Duinuogwuin. To everyone's surprise, the Duinuogwuin were revealed to be intelligent and inherently peaceful. Supreme Chancellor Fillorean and the Duinuogwuin philosopher Borz'Mat'oh negotiated a treaty, and later even cooperated to found Coruscant's first university.


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Monday, May 28, 2012

Datacron guide: Ord Mantell




What follows are facts about the datacrons to be found on Ord Mantell. These datacrons, available to Republic only faction players, can be found on a hill, near a lake and buried in the sand. All in all there are three datacrons to be found on Ord Mantell.

Galactic History 12: The Birth of the Republic

Stat/Reward: Aim +2
Waypoint: X: -660, Y: -561
Tips: To get here head to the group area, it is on a hill there. Use the hill to the west of it to get to it.




Datacron Guide: Ord Mantell




What follows are facts about the datacrons to be found on Ord Mantell. These datacrons, available to Republic only faction players, can be found on a hill, near a lake and buried in the sand. All in all there are three datacrons to be found on Ord Mantell.

Galactic History 12: The Birth of the Republic

Stat/Reward: Aim +2
Waypoint: X: -660, Y: -561
Tips: To get here head to the group area, it is on a hill there. Use the hill to the west of it to get to it.





Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race.

You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:

For centuries, safe and reliable travel through hyperspace had been the biggest obstacle to galactic exploration. Finally, Corellian scientists managed to perfect hyperdrive technology on par with that of the ancient Rakata, allowing travel between the Core Worlds in mere days. Joined by trade and renewed communication channels, the Core Worlds signed an accord and united as the first Galactic Republic.

The newborn Republic began exploration of hyperspace routes in earnest, supported by daring Duros scouts and eventually established the Perlemian Trade Route. This route connected Coruscant to many worlds, including Ossus, where the Jedi Order's enclave had been established centuries before. The Jedi welcomed Republic scouts with curiosity and interest.

The head of the enclave, Master Haune Tiar, returned with the scouts to the allied Core Worlds. Impressed by what he saw, Master Tiar also foresaw the young Republic would need protectors. After conferring for several weeks, the Jedi pledged themselves as the Republic's guardians of peace and justice. The foundations for the modern Republic were laid.

Galactic History 13: The First Great Schism

Stat/Reward: Presence +2
Waypoint: X: -971, Y: 201
Tips: Simply head along the beach from the Volcano Camp. The Datacron is resting behind some rocks, near a small lake.




Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:

After the Force Wars, when the Jedi Order learned of the destructive power of the dark side, the Jedi devoted themselves to the path of the light. In the early days of the Republic, a young Kashi Mer Jedi named Xendor defied the order's code and began experimenting with dark side techniques. Incensed, the Jedi Order confronted Xendor and banished him from Ossus.

Xendor, now immensely powerful and full of rage, raised an army on the planet Lettow and led it against the Jedi. Not since the Force Wars had the Jedi fought their own. Xendor and the Legions of Lettow eventually fell in battle; his lover, Arden Lyn, was defeated by the Jedi Master Awdrysta Pina and placed into a strange stasis, sustained by the dark side. Although this first schism within the Jedi was over, it would not be the last.

Galactic History 14: The Fall of Tion

Stat/Reward: Red Matrix Shard
Waypoint: X: 778, Y: 133
Tips: Follow the beach up north. There is a level 8 elite guarding it, and the Datacron is down a little hole in the sand just next to him.

Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:

The Tionese Cluster, once a great civilization ruled by the despot Xim, entered its fading years as the Republic began its ascension. The third great power in the galaxy, the Hutt Empire, was also thriving. The Hutts used their criminal influence to control entire worlds, extorting and enslaving their subjects. Fear of the Hutts drove many worlds to seek membership in the Republic; truthfully, far more than the Republic could safely allow.

Eventually, war broke out between the Tion Cluster and the Republic. Despite--or because of--the Tionese's lack of resources, the Republic found them a dangerous foe. In response, Republic spies quietly stirred up trouble between the Tion Cluster and their old enemies, the Hutt Empire.

Facing a war on two fronts, the Tionese submitted to the Republic. The worlds of the Tion Cluster gradually came under the Republic's banner, finally ending their long enmity.

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Thursday, May 24, 2012

SWTOR datacron guide: Tython




What follows are facts about the datacrons to be found on planet Tython. These datacrons, available to Republic only faction players can be found on top of remote mountain passes, near ancient statues, and guarded by a mysterious shaman. All in all there are three datacrons to be found on Tython.


Galactic History 09: The Force Wars

Stat/Reward: Endurance +2
Waypoint: X: -33, Y: -102
Tips: You have to go through the mountain pass (entrance -29,13). The above location is up on a ledge that appears to be inaccessible. You have to go around behind the datacron and the entrance to the cave that leads to it is at -34, -29.




Codec description: This datacron holds unheard of power and knowledge collected by an ancient race. You access its power and discover writings which are clearly only one small piece of a massive galactic history:

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