Following on from earlier Class reveals, this weekend saw Bioware release a selection of Bounty Hunter information alongside a new trailer as a showcase for some of the profession specific abilities.

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We also got our first look at some of the options available through the Advanced class choices, which we’ll take a look at below.


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Mercenary

If the best defense is a good offense, the Mercenary’s got the most
intimidating defense in the galaxy. Heavily-modded blasters and deadly heatseeking missiles make the Mercenary a mobile heavy weapons
platform. There’s no problem extra firepower can’t solve, and no one
who knows what he’s doing gets between a Mercenary and his target.

Defining features

  • Dual Wield Guns
  • Missiles
  • DPS

 

Powertech

A Powertech wears heavy plating like a second skin and never
balks at taking on the newest prototype technology if it means greater protection and upgraded safeguards. The best in armor shielding, smart defensive tactics and high-powered flamethrowers combine to make the Powertech an impenetrable one-man blockade, from which few enemies
escape unscathed.

Defining features

  • Flamethrower
  • Defense / Energy Shields
  • Tank

 

Of course, this doesn’t go into vast amounts of detail on some of the more exotic abilities aspiring Bounty Hunters will have available to them through the advanced class options (Something which will hopefully be revealed at PAX East), although I hope you’ll agree it does give us a more rounded outlook on choices that will be available and how certain builds will relate to the traditional Tank/DPS/Healer Archetypes.

 

Kuat Drive Yards (KDY) D5-Mantis Patrol Craft

We were also given our first look at the Bounty hunter ship that will be supplied to all members of the Bounty Hunter class.

I think it’s fair to say that it’s somewhat similar in design to Slave 1, Imitation is a *Good* thing though, right?

 

Summing up

While the majority of this information was met with cheers and the occasional sage nod by the Bounty Hunter community, one aspect that came to light over the weekend has been somewhat disappointing for Bounty Hunters planning to make the jump to SWTOR from a certain other Star Wars themed MMO..

In response to a question regarding the ability to place a bounty on another player, Stephen Reid, Senior Online Community Manager had this to say..

“As Georg is not in the office right now, I’ll answer on his behalf (and with his words) – the answer is no, not at launch.
As always with an MMORPG, things may change in the future, but player bounties are not planned for the launch of The Old Republic.”

PvE Bounties will, of course, be a major part of the Bounty Hunter Class story and hopefully, taking into consideration Stephens comments above, a PvP Bounty system is something that will be implemented once we move past launch.

 

What are your thoughts on the Bounty Hunter reveals?  let us know in the comments section below.