[Guide] Reverse Engineering

[Slaign]

Awesome guys, I'm glad you are all enjoying and finding the guide useful! I'm also very happy to see people interested in finding out more and posting their findings. Thank you all, and please continue!

 

Now, let's get to come comments and questions, shall we?

 

I also don't know if this is true for weapons -- when I RE a blue weapon with defense, I get the purple version with defense. Same for crit.

 

Can you please explain further what you mean? Are you saying weapons never earn a second tier prefix?

 

Using Defense as an example, the Premium (Green) quality weapon would have base stats. When you RE it and get the Defense version, it is called "Redoubt _____" and is a Prototype (blue) quality. If you RE the Prototype Redoubt weapon, you should earn a schematic for one of Redoubt's second tier prefixes at Artifact (purple) quality. For example, General, which retains the defense from Redoubt and adds +Presence.

 

If the starting item is Prototype (blue) then you may only be able to earn Redoubt, because RE'ing Artifacts doesn't appear to produce further schematics so far.

 

If this is not what happens, please explain in as much detail as you can what does happen. If this is what happens, and I wasn't clear in the guide, please let me know what part is confusing, if possible.

 

Thanks!

 

I RE'd about 4-5 purples in Beta and didn't learn any artifacts -- but keep us posted!

 

Go for it

I tried reverse engineering purple (Artifact) stash, about 7 of them actually, no recipe so far. I don't have resources to do much more so I gave up for now. Maybe I'll try more on later levels. But it'd be great if we'd figure out if it's possible to get better version or not.

 

I don't want to conclusively state in the guide that RE'ing Artifacts is pointless, but I haven't seen any specific reports of success. While 12 RE's certainly doesn't preclude that you guys were unlucky, I appreciate you reporting your experiences. I will add a bit to the guide emphasizing that I have seen no reports of Artifact RE'ing yielding schematics.

 

The customisable items don't appear to be REable at all. My wife got the schematic for some orange synthweave leggings with mod/armour/enhancements slot and the product was (fortunately) un-DEable.

 

I'll add this information to the guide, thank you!

 

Has anyone discovered if RE'ing a stack or a single item is better yet?

 

Seeing a lot of mixed results/answers on the question.

 

As a Synthweaver on one character and Artificer on another, I haven't had the opportunity to test this. It's also going to be very hard to prove one way or another, because it could be the luck of the draw.

 

If it were me, I'd try picking the 6 lowest stackable products you can make that you don't know the improved recipe for, and do as follows:

 

For 3 of them, make items 1 at a time and RE them, keep track of how many RE's each item takes to get and find the average.

 

For the next 3, produce stacks as big as you can. Try to make them at least double or triple the average you found with the first 3. RE them, and if the game gives you a chance to learn the next schematic for each item in the stack, then it would stand to logic that at least 2, and probably all 3, of these items should yield a schematic on the first stack RE'd.

 

Another indication is, if you RE a large stack, do you seem to get materials for every item in the stack, or do you get the same amount of materials you get for RE'ing a single item? If you get the appropriate amount of materials, I would guess stacks give you a chance to learn for each item in the stack. If you get only a single item's materials, I would guess the game fails to see stacks as more than one item, and you are losing both materials and schematic learning opportunities.

 

Either way, the most efficient way to go about it is make one item at a time and RE it before making another. This way you never make more than you need. That said, if the game recognizes stacks, it may be easier to produce a stack and RE it with disregard for the waste.

 

REed at least 30 level 2 premium Red cristals, that give 4 endurance (don't remember exact name) - got no recipe. So maybe I'm so unlucky.... Have anyone tried?

 

If you are speaking of the Red Resolution Crystal, there is indeed a Prototype and Artifact version of these crystals. You are just extremely unlucky, keep trying.

 

Im doing biochem and it works the same way as the mods. RE a green has a chance to get the schematic of an improved blue item and RE on the blue has a chance for a reusable purple variant. I am not completly sure if the reusable is always the same quality of the green or blue or can be both. I do know that my resusable medpack has the same effect as the green version which makes the blue superior statwise to the reusable. I think that my stims and adernals has the same effect as the blue item. Going to check it when I login.

 

Will add this information into the guide, thank you.

 

I have a question:

[prefixes] - Let's say I got purple Critical Blaster and Blue-quality blaster plans. How do I get the Tempest Blaster? Through reverse engineering of Blue-quality blaster or rather Critical Blaster?

 

I'm afraid I don't know, I have yet to have to opportunity to experiment with the prefix system when the base item is a Prototype. Here's what I know for sure:

 

When the base item is a Prototype (Blue) it works the same as if it were Premium (Green). This means you need to find 3 schematics that derive from it, Critical, Overkill, and Redoubt. These will be Artifact (purple) quality.

 

What I don't know, is what happens when you RE those Artifacts. It's possible they would produce second tier prefix Artifact schematics, but it's also possible they would produce nothing. This needs further testing to be certain, but it will be a costly experiment.

 

Not sure this is of much benefit but I was RE'ing some Green low level blaster types and managed to get three Blue schematics in a row.

 

Now, I was RE'ing the same green blaster each time. People told me to stop, but i didn't and I ended up with three blue schematics ALL with the same stats, but ALL with differing names.

 

It does pose the question as to how many differnt names and stats you might get from just one single Green item.

 

Regards

 

That's correct, most equippable base items result in 3 improved versions. Redoubt, Critical, and Overkill. RE'ing these improved items results in second tier prefix items.

 

To be clear, these items should have the same stats as the original and a new stat, based on the prefix. Overkill is Power, Redoubt is Defense, and Critical is, well, Critical. RE'ing those items for the second tier prefixes retains the original stats, the new stat, and adds yet another stat.

 

From my research, there appears to only be 3 first tier prefixes. However, each first tier prefix should have at least 5 second tier prefixes. This means with diligence, every premium schematic should result in 3 prototypes and 15+ artifacts.

 

Not sure if its common knowledge but it seems you can "learn" the same recipe multiple times and it will just give you an error message. Kinda sucks since there is the same chance to learn a single recipe every time regardless if you learned the others. Hopefully its just a bug

 

*Occured for me on the blue to artifact*

 

Yes, I've had this happen to me as well. I'm curious, when this happened, how many schematics had you already discovered from the Prototype? And was the Prototype an improved version of a Premium, or a base Prototype?

 

When it happened to me, it was on a premium item and I already had all 3 improved schematics. I'm wondering if it happens only when you have no more schematics to learn, or if it can happen any time at random.

 

i'd like to add that not only the armor of crafted items goes up with item quality, but also the base damage of crafted weapons or lightsaber hilts...

 

Ah! Of course, as a Synthweaver this completely slipped my mind, thank you! I will add this into the guide.

 

My thanks to everyone who has commented, questioned, and contributed! Keep it up! I'm going back to make some updates to the guide.

[joshvrana]

so i go to reverse engineer a pair of boots and i get a message:

 

you do not have the required skill

 

my companion is trained in armourmech, scavenging and UT

 

any idea what this message is or how to correct it?

[Alexeia]

I only knew the one recipe and it was the very next Re of the prototype after I had learned the Artifact

 

Item in question was Prototype- Overkill Durable Combat Jacket Artifact-Expert Durable Combat Jacket(Superior)

[Zengrok]

As the previous poster mentions, I'm curious why I can't RE most of the armor I loot or get as quest rewards. (armormech)

 

Are there specific requirements for what you can and can't RE?

[Slaign]

Among smaller updates, I added the below to the guide under Artifacts. I wanted to repost this down here so people who have already read the guide don't have to go looking for it. I would very much like any input, experience, and information on this subject:

 

-Reverse Engineering:

 

All present indications are that RE'ing Artifacts does not result in further schematics. There are, however, variables left to be tested. For instance, if an item is Prototype at it's base level, and gains first tier prefixes when graduating to Artifact, can you RE those Artifacts for second tier prefix versions?

 

I have also heard that it's possible to RE an Artifact and learn a slightly better version. For example, on Torhead, many high level mods and crystals have the standard Artifact discovered version "Advanced ________" but also have a second artifact version "Mastercraft ________" Whether the Mastercraft items are learnable via RE'ing I do not know. It's possible they are merely the result of critical crafting, as some armor and weapons earn a [Mastercraft] tag when an Artifact is critically crafted.

 

This is an expensive thing to learn about, and details will become more readily available as we progress onward.

 

Also, many of you will find your names listed under Special Thanks. Your information and input is very appreciated.

[Slaign]

so i go to reverse engineer a pair of boots and i get a message:

 

you do not have the required skill

 

my companion is trained in armourmech, scavenging and UT

 

any idea what this message is or how to correct it?

 

Armormechs can only RE Armormech armor, which is for non force users. Trying to RE force user armor will fail. Also, certain drops and quest rewards, regardless of their stats, appear to be immune to reverse engineering.

 

I'll add this information to the guide, thank you.

 

I only knew the one recipe and it was the very next Re of the prototype after I had learned the Artifact

 

Item in question was Prototype- Overkill Durable Combat Jacket Artifact-Expert Durable Combat Jacket(Superior)

 

Cool, that's in line with my assumptions and how I added it to the guide. Thanks.

 

On another note, can you please tell me which additional stat the Expert prefix gave you? It's not on my list yet.

[Loonygan]

Bookmarked!

[Otto_TSL]

Great post, will contribute when I can!

[Necrosia]

Bump for sticky

[Gumbydammit]

Thank you so much for this. It's valuable information for all of us learning a new game. Please sticky this.

[Berjiz]

I have checked it now, reusable medpacks has the same stats as green medpacks so they dont have the healing over time effect that the blue ones have. Reuasble stims and adernals have the same stats as the blue ones.

 

Also got implants from the trainer and managed to RE enough greens get one blue, there dosen't seem to be any random stats on it. Just the same stats but better. I RE the blues aswell but so far haven't gotten the purple schematic(if it exits).

Edited December 19, 2011 by Berjiz

[Sanctioned]

I'm having trouble reading this guide. What is "Premium", "Prototype", and "Artifact"? Are those what they are called in-game? I am guessing that these are the "Green", Blue", and "Purple" recipes. Is tha true? Or are "Premiums" something else entirely? Is there such thing as a "Standard" recipe, to which "Premium" recipes are superior to? Or are you calling the very first craftable tier the "Premium" recipes?

 

If that's not what they're called in-game, can't you call it something more relevant, like say, Green, Blue, Purple? RE1, RE2, RE3? T1, T2, T3? Or is Prem Proto and Artifact once again another reference from WoW? (I hated that game from the start and didn't play for long, so I honestly don't know).

 

Does critical crafting have any relevance to reverse engineering? Can you RE a [Exceptional]/[Advanced] crit crafted item and obtain a permanent recipe that comes with a mod slot? I guess the question is as I already asked, does getting lucky crit crafts have anything to do with reverse engineering? Or is that only about getting a lucky crit while crafting a blue or while crafting a purple?

 

So if I'm getting this right:

 

 

~~~~~~Blue Type 1 = Purple of same type

~~~~~/

Green - Blue Type 2 = Purple of same type

~~~~~\

~~~~~~Blue Type 3 = Purple of same type

 

 

**EDIT

BTW, thank you very much for taking the time to type this up.

Edited December 19, 2011 by Sanctioned

[Slaign]

I'm having trouble reading this guide. What is "Premium", "Prototype", and "Artifact"? Are those what they are called in-game? I am guessing that these are the "Green", Blue", and "Purple" recipes. Is tha true? Or are "Premiums" something else entirely? If that's not what they're called in-game, can't you call it something more relevant, like say, Green, Blue, Purple? RE1, RE2, RE3? Or is this once again another reference from WoW? (I never played the game, so I really don't know).

 

You got it, these are the official Bioware names for the qualities. You will find these names when you use the drop down for Quality on the Galactic Trade Market. I colored them to clarify this, but I can add parenthesis to clear it up more.

 

Critical crafting has nothing to do with reverse engineering right? Or am i also mistaken on that? Can you RE a [Exceptional]/[Advanced] crit crafted item to get a chance of obtaining a permanent recipe that reproduces that moddable item? I guess the question is as I already asked, does getting lucky crit crafts have anything to do with reverse engineering?

 

Excellent question. I included this part in the guide for further edification of the readers. While it doesn't relate directly to reverse engineering, it does relate to getting the best quality from your crafting. I wanted people to be aware of this, so that when they reach the highest tier of an item, they realize it can be improved further with a crit.

 

I also wanted people to be on the lookout for critical crafting, because they may not want to RE a critical item. These could be sold, or if you are making gear for yourself, sometimes a Premium or Prototype with an augment slot might be better for you than the Artifact would.

 

Finally, there is the strangeness of the Artifact items being learned with a tag that looks like a critical craft already on them. I wanted to explain critical crafting, so that I could explain how it's different for these items.

 

So if I'm getting this right:

 

 

~~~~~~Blue Type 1 = Purple of same type

~~~~~/

Green - Blue Type 2 = Purple of same type

~~~~~\

~~~~~~Blue Type 3 = Purple of same type

 

Basically, yes. It doesn't really tie into color that way, though. Some base items are learned as blue and have no green equivalent. I'm currently not sure if there is a way to advance these beyond tier 1 prefixes, because RE'ing a item that is blue at it's base leads to tier 1 prefixes on purple items. I'm not sure if you can RE those items and receive tier 2 prefixes, since the item is already purple. Allow me to refine your chart to be more clear, and I will include it in the guide:

 

----------------------------[ Leadership

---------------------------/- Tempest

---------------- Critical ---- Fervor

-------------/-------------\- Endowment

-------------|--------------[ ????????

-------------|----------------------------

-------------|--------------[ Exactitude

-------------|-------------/- Anti-Armor

Base Item -|- Redoubt --- General

-------------|-------------\- Veracity

-------------|--------------[ ????????

-------------|----------------------------

-------------|--------------[ Vehemence

-------------\-------------/- Rampart

---------------- Overkill --- ????????

---------------------------\- ????????

----------------------------[ ????????

Edited December 19, 2011 by Slaign

[Sanctioned]

Wow thank you! I understand the guide a ton better now.

 

I noticed some start off as blue recipes. So, these particular blues (Tier 1) will split into 3 purples (Tier 2), but currently, we're unsure if those can be further split into the prefixed items (Tier 3).

 

 

It's beyond me why they would name starter recipes "Premium". I guess it's part of the make-everyone-feel-special movement.

 

 

Thanks for an excellent write up.

[Leoncour]

great stuff, thank you!

[Calimwulf]

Is it possible to reverse engineer loot and get the schematics for those?

 

Oops, I got so excited at what I was reading, I forgot my manners. Thanks much for the work and thread. What server are you on, may be I can contribute credits to the cause?

Edited December 19, 2011 by Calimwulf

[Slaign]

Wow thank you! I understand the guide a ton better now.

 

I noticed some start off as blue recipes. So, these particular blues (Tier 1) will split into 3 purples (Tier 2), but currently, we're unsure if those can be further split into the prefixed items (Tier 3).

 

You're very welcome, you've got it exactly.

 

It's beyond me why they would name starter recipes "Premium". I guess it's part of the make-everyone-feel-special movement.

 

 

Thanks for an excellent write up.

 

It's because white armor is "Standard." The idea is that your average joe shmoe isn't as well outfitted as we are. We are the heroes.

 

We start out in Standard Armor, and very quickly become specialists wearing premium armor. As we advance and become more distinguished, we begin wearing prototype armor. Advancing further into becoming heroes, we start wearing artifacts. Those of us who get really lucky may one day wear Legendary armor. The fashion conscious among us will sport entirely custom armor.

[Slaign]

Is it possible to reverse engineer loot and get the schematics for those?

 

Oops, I got so excited at what I was reading, I forgot my manners. Thanks much for the work and thread. What server are you on, may be I can contribute credits to the cause?

 

I haven't found any reverse engineering schematics from world drops, nor seen any such reports, but that doesn't mean it's not possible. The thing is, you only get one shot at most of those items, or if your lucky, 2 or 3, unless you farm them. You may just need to get very lucky to get such a schematic. As of now, however, I'm assuming those items don't provide schematics. That's not going to stop me from trying.

 

While I appreciate the generosity of offering credits, I'm afraid I must decline. I don't want to start taking people's creds for this, even just to pour back into RE'ing research. I started this out of curiosity and a desire to learn, and will continue it for those same reasons.

 

If you want to contribute, look over the guide and spend those credits researching some of the incomplete sections, like what happens when RE'ing Artifacts, or trying to find the missing tier 2 prefixes.

 

Thanks!

[Tristam_Ward]

Yep the white named gear dropped off mobs is standard quality stuff but it seems like ive seen some items with a kinda dark gray name. Im wondering if this is inferior quality loot or maybe im just missing something.

[Slaign]

I'd like to give a big thanks to Goshee for including a link to this guide in his crafting guide stickied at the top of the forum. Until we get stickied here, at least we know the link is provided in another sticky! If you guys want more info on crafting in general, make sure you check out Goshee's guide!

[Slaign]

Yep the white named gear dropped off mobs is standard quality stuff but it seems like ive seen some items with a kinda dark gray name. Im wondering if this is inferior quality loot or maybe im just missing something.

 

The GTM lists it as "Cheap" quality. Likely the kind of stuff thugs and bandits might wear.

[Jeido]

Using Defense as an example, the Premium (Green) quality weapon would have base stats. When you RE it and get the Defense version, it is called "Redoubt _____" and is a Prototype (blue) quality. If you RE the Prototype Redoubt weapon, you should earn a schematic for one of Redoubt's second tier prefixes at Artifact (purple) quality. For example, General, which retains the defense from Redoubt and adds +Presence.

 

 

 

I misunderstood what you said then -- that's exactly what happens Slaign. Thanks!

[Goshee]

Very nice guide Slaign, you have put a lot of work into it, good job!

[Gauvi]

Thanks for the guide.

 

Regarding the chance of getting new schematics, do you know if it is a small "random" value, or fixed ? Does it also depend on the type of item you are REing ?

 

Some background:

- one of my char with synthweaving tried to RE 20+ of a regular light armor sash (the first one you get) and still nothing (I remember during beta, I got improved versions much faster, this could have changed)

- on the other hand, another char with biochem managed to get several blues and one purple already with only a few RE (less than 10)

[Slaign]

Very nice guide Slaign, you have put a lot of work into it, good job!

 

Thanks!

 

I also have good news, everyone! *Professor Farnsworth*

 

I believe the prefix table is almost complete! We need 2 more (+Defense, +Alacrity) and (+Power, +Accuracy)

 

Search your server's GTM and see if you can find either of these two prefixes, and I think we will have all of them. I believe, based on how things seem to be lining up, there are a total of 5 tier 2 prefixes for each tier 1. Accuracy, Alacrity, Presence, Shield, and Surge.

 

That means we'll be done searching for prefixes unless it comes out that there is a third tier (which I doubt.)

 

That frees us up to investigate things like RE'ing artifacts, and whether orange items can be critically crafted or not.

 

Thanks for the support everyone!