On the 1.2 PTR Champion and Centurion gear is being phased out without any changes to their existing stats while Battlemaster gear is receiving an upgrade. BM is going from being just 8% better than Champion to being 81% better than Champion regarding the Expertise stat.
Originally posted by David Hunt (Source)
Unlike Champion gear, Battlemaster gear does have stat changes. All current and future (1.2+) tier PvP gear is going through a stat transition to give it more expertise.
Are you wearing only Centurion or Champion gear? Want to know how you’re being left behind without any compensation? Click Continue Reading.
Live vs PTR
Currently the stat breakdown works like this:
- Live 1.15 Champion = 652 Expertise
- Live 1.15 Battlemaster = 704 Expertise
- PTR 1.2 Champion = 652 Expertise
- PTR 1.2 Battlemaster = 1182 Expertise
BM has only 8% more expertise than Champ currently, but when 1.2 hits BM will have 81% more expertise. That’s over a 1000% increase.
Nerfed by Omission
Any player who only farmed up to Centurion or Champion gear is being hit with a nerf stick. The disparity between Champ and BM has always been minor enough that skill could overcome the gear disparity.
However if this goes Live then the gear disparity will become great enough that skill may not always be enough to beat better geared opponents that are not as skilled as you.
Preferences vs Players
Originally posted by David Hunt
(Source) However, we prefer to avoid changing the stats or mods on items when possible.
There are a lot of solid reasons to not change gear when you don’t have to. Game Balance being one of the most solid ones out there. But when a situation like this arises players are within their right to demand a gear change to keep them within range of where they were before a patch.
And while this won’t hamper the hardcore or super casual PvP’er, this does affect a wide range of players that PvP’d regularly without earning a full set of BM gear. So what’s the justification then? I can’t find one outside of BioWare’s “preferences”. Tell us what you think and leave a comment below!
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