Breaking down the upcoming Hutt Contracts for Battlefront
We don’t know exactly what Hutt Contract will arrive next week, but thanks to a data miner, we’ve got a pretty good idea.
Uninspired Zebra dug through Battlefront’s files a couple of months ago and found two new items: the Escape Artist trait and the CJ-9 Bo-Rifle. Around the same time, they also came across the Stinger Pistol, which has since been released. Because a new Hutt Contract is on the slate for August 30, one of those not-yet-released items will likely be available from Jabba on Tuesday.
That said, what Unsipired Zebra dug up is technically unfinished, so it’s possible that information about these items might change or that one or both of these items might be dropped from the game altogether.
Regardless, based on footage and pictures shared by Uninspired Zebra, here’s the information that’s been dug up:
Escape Artist
This trait has two functions: to increase player speed and melee damage. According to the Companion App screen for the trait, which was shared by Unispired Zebra, its description reads: “You lived the good life in the Outer Rim, swiftly escaping with stolen riches before anyone was the wiser.”
At level one, this trait will provide a small sprint speed bonus. At level two, it becomes a high sprint speed bonus. Upon reaching level three, the player will have a high sprint speed bonus coupled with instant melee strike kills.
Based on an image shared by Unispired Zebra, players must melee five enemies while also completing 10 uplink defended events in order to unlock the Escape Artist’s Hutt Contract, titled “Escape”.
Personally, my hope is that this trait will provide an alternative to the jump pack. A number of players currently use the jump pack to get back into action quickly. If the sprint speed bonus of the Escape Artist is effective, then the jump pack could be swapped out in favor of another Star Card.
CJ-9 Bo-Rifle
This weapon is inspired by the AB-75 Bo-Rifle wielded by the Lasat Garazeb Orrelios in Disney XD’s Rebels. The in-game description for the CJ-9 variety reads: “Originating from the Lasat, the Bo-Rifle became renowned as a weapon owned solely by the one strong enough to defeat its wielder. The rifle has a reliable fire output although what defines it is its forward facing staff, capable of delivering lethal melee strikes.”
Those with the weapon equipped will see a new melee animation, as shown in Uninspired Zebra’s gameplay video.
Its in-game stats seem to mimic the E11 rather closely. However, the bo-rifle appears to differ from the standard issue Imperial blaster with shorter range and weaker cooling power. It will also be semi-automatic. It’s worth noting that the in-game stats aren’t terribly accurate, though; we’ll have to wait until the weapon is finally playable to fully analyze bo-rifle’s numbers on Symthic.
Unlike the Escape Artist, the bo-rifle’s Hutt Contract requirements aren’t available, unfortunately.
While I would prefer to see a new automatic rifle (we haven’t gotten one since launch), the bo-rifle’s melee mechanic should be fun. I’m not fully sold that it’ll fit in my rotation, but I will reserve final judgement until it actually arrives.
Which item would you rather like to see arrive next week? Give your thoughts in the comments below or let us know your opinion via Twitter or Facebook.
(Image sources: Zeb. Shock trooper is in-game. Bo-rifled Sullustan.)
