Expertise stat returning to PvP in 8.0 as Augments, now in testing on the Public Test Server

Please read all of this post before jumping on the PTS and testing out the PvP queues.

Playtest Instructions:

As we’ve mentioned previously, the Expertise stat will be returning with 8.0. For those unfamiliar with Expertise, it is a PvP only stat that increases your damage dealt, decreases your damage taken, and increases your healing done.

This phase of PTS is to help us fine tune the balance of Expertise and the amount available to players.

Before you get started, we want to give a little background of how PvP and our Expertise Augments will work with 8.0.

When you reach level 85 and begin your gearing journey, you’ll be able to purchase your starting expansion gear as well as starting PvP Augments (Item Rating 318). These 318 augments are the ones you’ll be wearing this round of PTS.

How do I gear up?

When you log in to PTS and create a character, you’ll find NPCs that will teleport you to Odessen. On Odessen you’ll find the needed vendors and NPCs to obtain your gear and to boost your level to 85.

Please purchase a full set of Item Rating 380 gear, Implants, and Tactical.

What do I test?

For this phase of PTS we ask players to try out 2 scenarios and give us feedback. For both scenarios please use full Item Rating 380 gear, and only swap which Augments you have equipped.

1. While wearing 380 gear and non-Expertise augments (Item Rating 318, named Superior Augment 86), how does your class perform in PvP?
2. While wearing 380 gear and Expertise augments (Item Rating 318, named PvP Augment X-1), how does your class perform in PvP?

Note: If you’re a daring player who loves PvP you can experiment with a mixture of both Augments, but please take into account our goal stated below.

Our goal is that players wearing a full set of expertise augments will feel stronger than a player wearing a full set of non-expertise augments, so please leave any feedback for us surrounding this goal.