User blog:Bloodhit111/Escalation Launch Guide



A new day beckons across the battlefields of Auraxis, soldiers: the Escalation game update has arrived on PC!

PlanetSide 2 owes its revolutionary massive scale FPS gameplay to the dedicated player communities who populate every corner of Auraxis with living, breathing soldiers committed to the fight, and this massive update – our biggest since launch – doubles down on the core PS2 experience by providing more strategic tools and community content than ever before. The introduction of the mighty Bastion Fleet Carrier, deployable War Assets, Outfit Resources and Loyalty system, Sanctuary Social Hub, and all-new Outfit Wars endgame tournament (on an all-new continent!) combine to amplify the deepest, most varied, most epic gameplay any FPS has to offer.

Our team is incredibly proud of the work that went into this update, and we would have never got here without your support – community leaders who gave us extensive feedback in Beta, and players from all around the world who showed up every day for playtests. Your loyalty, feedback, and positivity has been overwhelming, and we can’t wait to join all of you planetside for a proper celebration!

Read on for all the Intel on the new Escalation game update!

MOBILIZE YOUR OUTFIT, SOLDIER!
Escalation begins with a significant revamp of our Outfit system, organized groups of players that can range from small groups friends to massive communities with specialized roles for infantry, ground vehicle, air combat and support staff. With PS2’s emphasis on strategic teamplay in battles that can range up to hundreds of players, there’s never been a better time to join an Outfit that can show you the ropes while watching your six.

NEW WAR ASSETS
Incoming Alert, soldier...an omega level threat looms over the horizon...



Dedicated Outfits can now accrue new resources by collectively capturing or defending bases across Auraxis, which can be crafted into powerful new War Assets and deployed across the battlefield!

Examples of new craftable Assets include:

This mighty leviathan of the skies has no rival on the battlefield! The Bastion is the ultimate force multiplier, capable of providing long-range air and ground support with mannable turrets, ship-mounted artillery cannons, an interceptor launch platform, and mobile respawn point for your entire Outfit. Bastions require significant resources to deploy, and even greater coordination and collective willpower to bring down!
 * The Bastion Fleet Carrier

This massive, projectile-blocking bubble shield can now protect entire bases from airborne and long-range threats! Roughly the size of a small outpost, the Citadel Shield provides a sturdy line of defense for protecting any strategic objective.
 * Citadel Shield



Squad and Platoon Leaders can now deploy an organized platoon drop pod assault to take your foes by surprise! After a short countdown, squadmates will be redeployed into drop pods above your target area, allowing you to crack a rival Empire’s stubborn base defense, or move quickly across the map and respond to an incoming threat.
 * Steel Rain


 * A.N.V.I.L.

Use the Advanced Nanite Vehicle Insertion Logistics system to airdrop a ground vehicle of your choice on demand! Like Steel Rain, the A.N.V.I.L. drop location can be set via waypoint, perfect for reinforcing a defensive push, or mobilizing an offensive force.


 * Orbital Satellite Uplink

Outfits now have the ability to call in an Orbital Strike on any target location! Use it to deter an enemy's advancing armor column, or clear that dug-in mountaintop.



All War Assets take time and resources to craft, and Outfit leaders will have the ability to grant privileges to other Outfit members to craft and/or deploy these Assets to help turn the tides of battle. For more intel on War Assets, head over to our War Assets Guide.

OUTFIT WARS: A NEW COMPETITIVE ENDGAME
A wormhole has opened in the skies above Auraxis, and only the best and bravest Outfits are taking the opportunity to fight for (and claim!) the lands and glory that surely lie beyond...



Welcome to Outfit Wars, soldier!

Outfit Wars is a new tournament structure for competitive Outfits in PlanetSide 2. Outfits from every Empire and server region now have the opportunity to opt-in to a monthly Qualification cycle, before squaring off in epic GvGvG battles on Desolation, an all-new Asteroid continent built for competitive play. Outfits qualify for Outfit Wars by accruing resources in the main game, with the top Outfits from each region earning the right to represent their Empire on the field of glory.

The first Outfit Wars "Alpha" preseason cycle kicks off this Friday, March 13, and we intend to continue balancing and refining the competitive structure as we head into future Outfit Wars seasons. Check out our Outfit Wars Guide for full schedule and details.

OUTFIT LOYALTY AND MERIT


Escalation introduces a new personal progression system for Outfit members that advances when you participate in successful capture or defense of bases with your Outfit mates. “Loyalty Rank” increases over time in a battle rank-style vertical progression, while "Merit" can be earned from completing meritorious actions with your Outfit. Merit acts as a currency which can be spent at Outfit Vendors in Sanctuary, while Loyalty Level will determine what kinds of items are available for purchase from those Vendors.



SANCTUARY
This update also brings the debut of Sanctuary, a new social hub for players of all Empires. Initially, Sanctuary will serve as a recruitment area for Outfit leaders, a trading space for new vendor NPCs, and a low-key relaxation zone for the war-weary. Sanctuary launches with the spacious Atrium area, as well as the Central Operations area. This environment will continue to expand as an in-game community space, and act as a foundation for future functionality.



RESURGENCE BUNDLES


In celebration of this massive update, we've restocked the Depot with valuable new Bundles to upgrade your arsenal!

Resurgence Bundles are now available in three epic tiers: Soldier (999 DBC), Captain (2499 DBC), and Warlord (4999 DBC). They'll remain in the Depot through Sunday, April 12, so be sure to stock up before these great deals disappear!

Visit the in-game Depot or our Resurgence Bundles Guide for more details.

PLATINUM GIVEAWAY & DOUBLE XP EVENT!
New Bundles aren't all we have in store for you - we're ALSO celebrating your dedication to PlanetSide 2 by giving away two FREE Platinum Items!

Redeem the code PS2Escalation in-game or online and you'll be auto-granted both the NS-11AP (a platinum NS-11A variant assault rifle for all factions) and the Salvaged Platinum Compound Helmet (VS/NC/TR only). Make sure you to redeem your items before the giveaway ends on Sunday, April 12!



In addition, we're running a Double XP FOR ALL event starting immediately when servers come back up on Wednesday, March 11, and lasting through Sunday, March 15 at 11:59 PM PST. Thank you for your loyalty, soldiers!

In addition to all the new content, features, bundles, and giveaway, you can also check out the full patch notes from this update over on the official PS2 forums.

Excited to get back into Planetside? Share your favorite moments from the Escalation update with us on Facebook, Twitter, or the Forums! Original post