Ilum: The Basics

Ilum is a desolate planet covered in ice and snow located in the outer rim. Due to the recent discovery of large formations of crystals used in the creation of lightsabres, both Imperial and Republic forces have put many resources into claiming the planet as their own. As it stands now both factions are locked in a back and forth battle between two opposing bases on the western ice shelf.

The Ilum map is divided into two major areas, the eastern ice shelf and the western ice shelf. The eastern portion houses each faction’s starport/settlement and is where all of the Ilum PVE dailies take place. The western portion is where the PVP battle constantly rages between the Republic base to the south and the Imperial to the north.

Eastern Shelf

Serving as your port of entry, the eastern shelf houses your faction’s main base with all the standard amenities, and the vendors for Daily Commendations. The speeder point here is also your path to the Western shelf, where all the PVP action happens.

Daily Quests

The daily quests become available once you have completed your class story and the initial quests you receive upon first arriving on the planet. They can be repeated daily and are turned in for Daily Commendations which can then be used to purchase high level Rakata implants, earpieces and mods from the vendors inside your faction’s base. Those strapped for credits will also find that they provide a good deal of buck for the bang, another reason to put them on your “to do” list.

Western Shelf (World PVP)

Home of The Old Republics open world PVP battleground, the Western Shelf pits Republic and Imperial forces against one another in a battle for control over three central control points and defensive turrets outside of each faction’s base. The bases locations are in the southern end for the Republic and the far north for the Imperials, and any attempt to enter the opposing team’s base is met with instant death.

Getting to this area is done by taking the speeder from your faction’s base in the Eastern Shelf to one of the three speeder points located on the battlefield. These points are unlocked regardless of whether you’ve discovered them or not, and can transport you to your factions base or two safe areas located out in the battlefield. These safe areas also serve as your resurrection point should you suffer an “accident” while enjoying the sights.

Objectives

The central nodes are captured by destroying the enemy walkers and troop transports using a channeled attack that fires a shoulder mounted rocket. Once you’ve taken out the other teams walkers, reinforcements from your faction will be flown in signifying the capture and granting your faction an additional bonus in valor for each kill of an enemy player. The same technique is used on the enemy base, only the targets are two large anti-air emplacements on either side of the bases entrance. If your team’s turrets do succumb to this fate, a terminal located directly beside it can be used to repair it back to operational condition. While these turrets themselves serve no actual defensive purpose, two smaller guns located in front of them can be mounted and fired at enemy players.

Quests and Rewards

There are two quests for the Ilum World PVP zone and they come in the form of a daily and a weekly which can be picked up at the PVP Terminal in the fleet. Both require you to accumulate a certain amount of kills/collect enemy armaments. The armaments can be found in the central control point and look like a small cooler with a missile inside. These quests can then be turned in back at the PVP Terminal for your choice of Champion or Battlemaster Gear Bags.

The buff from capturing points has an hour long duration and also applies to any warzone you take part in during that time, the difference being the bonus is given for the match as a whole not on a per kill basis.