My first tangle with an AT-ST in SWG

[Vigow Milla]

Greetings all, I just wanted to share the experience I had today with you all.

I'm walking in Coronet City approaching the cantina. As I've told you the Rrebel mission terminals are there, so like a good Reb I was going to see how I could assist my fellow freedom fighters.

Suddenly two overt Imperials arrive. Sadly, being covert I could not openly attack them. To everyone's suprise they proceeded to unload their "pets", two regular troopers, one stormtrooper, one dark trooper, and one AT-ST.

We were all stunned. You see, AT-ST's were just introduced in the latest patch. Well, I was able to target the "pets", so I proceeded to aid my comrades in dispatching the dark trooper, and stormtrooper. Then we concentrated our fire on the AT-ST. Aided by a Rebel's two rancor "pets", we were able to inflict serious damage, but sadly enough I was incapped. Here is why. An AT-ST hits you with 900 hp of damage in one shot. The highest hp in a character is 1200. So in two shots I was done.

So what did I learn from this lesson? Several things:

1. When confronted with an Overt Imp and his "pets", take out the Imp first. That way he cannot give them orders so they cannot coordinate their attack.

2. AT-ST's have some serious armor, as if you didn't know. It would take at least 10 players to take one down. They also hit with more force than a full grown rancor.

3. The rocket launcher you can purchase with Rebel faction points can only be used if you are Overt. I found this out the hard way. When I purchased it from the recruiter, no warning was given as to that fact, unlike when I purchased my first laser carbine from her.

And yes, I realize that this should have been put under the Military heading now that I look back, so please forgive me.

Oh and just to let you all know, the AT-ST survived against five Rebels, two rancors and a crimson panther. The latter were a Rebels pets.

[VixDraken]

Since your in beta can you explain how covert and overt work?

If I was covert, does that mean no one can know if I'm a rebel?

Yet, if I was overt, everyone that sees me would know I'm a rebel?

LOL? am I making sence?

[Vigow Milla]

That's exactly right Vix. Covert means that noone knows you're a Rebel, unless you aid the Rebellion and get a TEF, Temporary Enemy Flag. You get these by attacking Imperial targets like NPC's and facilities. Coverts cannot attack Overts unless they are assisting an Overt character. Once you are TEF'd, all can see your faction affiliation.

Being Overt, people always know your faction affiliation. Some of us testers wanted the dev's to drop Overt status for Rebels, because as a guerilla fighter no one has a blazing symbol over their heads that screams "Hey look everyone, I'm a Rebel!", but they wouldn't change it.

The other differences are that Overts can receive faction perks that Coverts can't. Also Overts can have a maximum 25000 faction points, whereas Coverts can only have 5000.

I hope that answers your question.

[saiber]

i want an at/st lol weeeeeeeeeeee
that would be so cool

[LeekorYair]

You'll definately want to help me with an SD once space expansion comes out

[kTamorel]

Oh no! rebel symbols hanging over our heads!!? so much for stealth!

If we want to ambush an imperial patrol and there are 5 or so of us lying in some bushes, will the Imps be able to see our rebel symbols from a distance?

tael.

PS. nice story on the AT-ST vigow. But I thought we should at least be able to take out the driver and steal one!

[Vigow Milla]

Yeah tael, there is no stealth as an Overt Rebel. That's why I am Covert. I got tired of being shot in the back while I was at the bank terminal, or in the star port. I stay covert most of the time. If a Rebel PC needs help I will join in, but the majority of the time I'm covert.

One thing I've noticed in Beta that I hope does not follow into the Live version is Rebels are pretty much wimps. Those times I mentioned getting attacked at the bank and such, there were other Overt Rebels there as well that did not assist me. After several of those attacks, I said the hell with Overt.

That is something we need to decide on as well. Are we going to play Overt or Covert. Overts can achieve higher ranks in the Rebellion and they have better perks, but it is a big trade off.

[Janel Kast]

I'm going to stay covert, at least till I get a little better with my blaster. Then I'll probably transfer to overt.

-Janel-

[Vigow Milla]

That's a good idea, Janel. Actually I recommend that all PA members who are considering a combat profession keep covert status until they have at least started their elite professions. For non-combat personnel I recommend that you keep covert status indefinitely. You see, factioned players get 15 faction points for every enemy PC that they kill. So artisans, entertainers and medics are always the Imp's prime targets, being as they have chosen non-combat professions and offer the least resistance.

[Shadow]

well i'm also going to be covert (since i'm a smuggler).
think it is kinda stupid that you got it hanging over you're head,it completely takes away the possability of an ambush cause you'lle probably see it through the bushes

just my 2 cents

[LeekorYair]

You're right Shadow we need to be covert all the time but when we aren't in a delicate situation we should be overt and pick fights on the street. This game will be really hard to do what Kyle Katarn did just getting into thee base safely. Once the game comes out. All people who don't know a combat form should wear armor anyway so they can run without having to worry a ton abbout shots in the back.

[Janel Kast]

I was thinking of having just one of us go out as overt with at least 5-10 others as covert hanging around the area, and use the overt character as bait for any imperials looking for an easy kill. Then when they open fire, have the overt target them, and all the covert help out.

I'll volunteer to be the overt character the first time, to try it out.

-Janel-

Let me know if this wouldn't work.

[Agoln]

You guys are saying "start as covert then go to overt" well, how do you change your status? is it by the click of a button? or is it when you make your characer you choose, and thats the way you are the rest of the characters life? how do you switch between covert and overt?

[Janel Kast]

I'm not 100% on this, but I'm pretty sure you do it at the rebel recruiter or terminal.

-Janel-

[Vigow Milla]

That's a great idea, Janel. And it should work very well.

Agoln, to change your status from covert to overt, just see a recruiter NPC and select the option "I wish to declare my faction standing". All characters start out as covert once they have gained 200 faction points and joined with a recruiter.