Ryloth, the Twi’lek homeworld coming in Star Wars: The Old Republic‘s Game Update 8.0, went up on the Public Test Server on November 6, Broadsword said in a Steam post that afternoon. This sixth phase of 8.0 testing also gives testers their first look at the update’s new gearing system and another round of class balance changes.
The Details
Ryloth and Dynamic Encounters. The planet is open to explore on the PTS and “fully stocked” with Dynamic Encounters: feeding Banthas, searching for relics and fighting off the forces of the Hutts. Broadsword notes that its art, environments and some assets “are not yet final.”
The new gearing system, in Broadsword’s own summary:
- Gear is upgraded through a new interface.
- Gear carries its Augments, Color Crystals and Tunings over to the next upgrade.
- Tertiary stats can be changed at certain item ratings.
- Gear is Bind on Pickup.
- Catch-up vendors help alts gear up faster.
More class balance. Every class gets further changes, with the full list on the official PTS forums.
Phase 6 follows October’s phase 5, which added Venture: Expert for the Jedi Knight and Imperial Agent stories and opened level 85 PvP Warzones and Arenas. Ryloth was already on the official list of 8.0 features, beside the Galaxy in Chaos storyline, the level 85 cap, overworld Difficulty Modes and the Children of Nul Operation, but this is the first build in which players can explore it.
What This Means for Players
You need a subscription to test it. Broadsword opened the 8.0 PTS to Subscribers, so everyone else meets Ryloth when the update goes live.
Upgrades keep their parts. Because Augments, Color Crystals and Tunings move with each upgrade, the work put into a piece is not lost when it is upgraded. Bind on Pickup means gear stays with the character who earned it, and the catch-up vendors are Broadsword’s answer for alts. Since this is a test build, any of it can still change before launch, which is what the feedback threads are for.
Where it fits. SWTOR sits at number 8 on our 20 best MMORPGs to play in 2026, mostly for its fully voiced class stories, and it has its place in our BioWare games in order list. The rest of our galaxy far, far away is on the Star Wars hub.
When and Where
Game Update 8.0, which begins the Masters of the Force era, does not have a release date yet, and Broadsword has said it will share launch details later. The Public Test Server is on PC, where the game itself is played.
Source: Broadsword, “Ryloth, Gearing, and Class Balance Updates are now available on the Public Test,” Steam, November 6, 2026.