In an earlier pilot briefing, EA expanded on more details around the playable ships for Star Wars: Squadrons, including four ships each on the Rebel and Imperial sides. Ships will also have unique abilities that players can customize through power management, such as increasing shield capacity or weapon damage. Each different ship in Star Wars: Squadrons also has its own special skills such as support class ships which can act as medics or bomber ships which deal heavy damage.
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In the latest pilot briefing, details on ship customization have been revealed. Star Wars: Squadrons will utilize a components system that players can unlock through acquiring Requisition points. Ships have seven component slots and can employ three passive components and four active components at a time, which are broken down below:
Primary Weapons (active): These components link to the ship’s main cannons. Some may offer a higher fire rate but a lower damage level and each component can be tailored to how a player chooses to engage an enemy. Auxiliary (x2) (active): These make up a starfighter’s secondary abilities. They include repair astromechs, tractor beams or different mines, torpedoes, and bombs. Players will only be able to employ one of each secondary ability in a loadout. Countermeasures (active): These components help players stay in the fight longer. Players can choose to employ a seeker warhead that fires behind them when pursued or sensor jammers to prevent missile lock-ons. Hull (passive): Passive components are generally statistical increases or decreases but have some added bonuses. Players can choose things such as a nimble hull which can increase a ship’s speed but decrease its damage resistance. Shields (passive): Certain shields can be employed to be more resistant to different weapon types. Some shields may be more resistant to blaster fire but less resistant to missiles for example. Engines (passive): An added bonus for some engine load outs is choosing an engine that will explode on destruction, damaging enemies nearby.
There will also be unique components for each starship in Star Wars: Squadrons that players can choose from, making the experience different for each vehicle, though customization is also optional.
Star Wars: Squadrons will also have cosmetic customization which allows players to change the look of their pilot, cockpit, and ship exterior. Cosmetic upgrades can be unlocked by earning Glory points in-game. Character customization will offer a range of heads, voice styles, and outfits. Starships can have different paint jobs and insignias that relate to both the Imperial and Rebel sides. Players can even outfit their cockpit in Squadrons and place trinkets on their dashboards, including a miniature Millennium Falcon.
It looks like Star Wars: Squadrons has an insane amount of customization options that players can utilize. It raises the question of whether there are too many options available that may deter some players. But for those who enjoy detail-oriented play styles, Star Wars: Squadrons looks like it will excel beyond the typical flight simulator.
Star Wars: Squadrons will release October 2, 2020, for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
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Source: EA
