Star Wars: Squadrons Balance Update Out Now, Doesn't Require A Download

A new update is out now for EA's Star Wars: Squadrons, delivering some balance changes to the space combat game for a series of different ships. In total, three major starfighters are getting changes to their balance to provide a "healthier meta" for top-tier players, EA said. If the balance changes work out like EA hopes they will, the wider playerbase should not be negatively impacted by these updates.

Starting off, the TIE defender sees a change so its rapid power management becomes more costly, without nerfing the rest of its stats too much. On top of that, available ammo is being reduced.

The B-wing, meanwhile, sees its boost max speed increased from 200 to 210, while shields are increased by 100. The boost loss rate has been cut by one third. "We're aiming to give the B-wing better ability to reach combat around objectives faster while still having a bit of boost in reserve if power is managed well," EA said of the changes.

The third ship getting a balance pass is the Y-wing. Its boost generation rate has been increased by 30% while its boost consumption rate has been cut by 43%. "Like the B-wing, the Y-wing should now also be able to get in and out of combat a bit easier while not pushing it too close to Fighter-class capabilities," EA said.

You can see a full rundown of the changes, along with commentary from EA, below, as shared on the Squadrons website. This is a server-side update, so it doesn't require a download.

EA is staying in business with Lucasfilm and is planning more Star Wars games in the future, but EA no longer has the exclusive license for console games. Lucasfilm has also partnered with Ubisoft on a new open-world Star Wars game coming from the developers of The Division.

Star Wars: Squadrons April 7 Patch Notes

TIE defender

The TIE defender is a powerful starfighter when it comes to power management and reducing its energy pool too much risks invalidating what makes it unique, so for this balancing pass we're making rapid power management a bit more costly without nerfing its stats too hard. Additionally, we're reducing some of the ammo it has available, allowing it to still function in its intended role but while requiring additional support for longer engagements.

• Increased boost activation cost by 15%
• Decreased boost charge rate by 10%
• Concussion mission ammo count reduced from 6 to 4
• Ion missile ammo count reduced from 6 to 4
• Cluster missile ammo count reduced from 5 to 3
• Advanced Power System cooldown increased by 20%

B-wing

We're aiming to give the B-wing better ability to reach combat around objectives faster while still having a bit of boost in reserve if power is managed well.

• Increased boost max speed from 200 to 210
• Increased shields by 100
• Decreased boost loss rate by 33.3%

Y-wing

Like the B-wing, the Y-wing should now also be able to get in and out of combat a bit easier while not pushing it too close to Fighter-class capabilities.

• Increased boost generation rate by 30%
• Decreased boost consumption rate by 43%