Ninth Class: Sarlacc Enforcer

Though I'm off on vacation, I'm glad I took a moment to log in today and notice this major reveal. We all thought that there were going to be eight classes in Star Wars: The Old Republic, but today BioWare announced a ninth class: The Sarlacc Enforcer.

Here is the official news:

Think you’ve seen all the playable classes in Star Wars™: The Old Republic™? Think again! We’ve saved the best for last! Now you can realize your fantasy of playing as a Sarlacc Enforcer in Star Wars: The Old Republic!

For thousands of years, the brave souls who answer to the name Sarlacc have been the ultimate authority on final judgment in the galaxy. A perfect combination of ruthless efficiency and calculated precision, the Sarlacc Enforcers make sure the galaxy’s trash doesn’t have a chance to pile up.

Access the latest HoloNet entry now to see a full profile of the deadly Sarlacc Enforcer, including combat footage of the Sarlaccs in action!

As the news notes they've got the HoloNet page up already as well, showing the ominous image of the Enforcer laying in wait for its prey, something which is sure to give some unique gameplay (though it wouldn't surprise me if the gameplay was inspired by that for making garden gnomes in The Sims Online). The description to the side reads as follows:

Patient, Calculating, & Elusive

The galaxy is filled with every sort of riffraff, refuse and space trash imaginable. For thousands of years the brave souls who answer to the name Sarlacc have made sure it doesn’t pile up. As deadly as they are misunderstood, these determined individuals are the ultimate authorities on final judgment in the galaxy. A new definition of pain is waiting for anyone who would dare cross one.

Contrary to popular belief, a Sarlacc is much more than an extreme omnivore – a misconception the cunning Sarlacc have been exploiting for thousands of years. Frequently, a Sarlacc will act as a mercenary-for-hire, contracting their services – and their tentacles – to underground groups needing extra muscle. Occasionally, one will pose as a trophy pet of an egotistical Hutt gangster, capitalizing on the perfect disguise as they zero in on their targets.

But the Sarlacc aren’t just opportunistic scavengers waiting for a free lunch; they are paragons of patience and planning, always waiting for the right moment to pounce on their quarry – even if it takes one thousand years. A Sarlacc has no trouble keeping their sights on a target that has long since forgotten them. Revenge is a dish best served cold, and no one serves this dish better than a Sarlacc.

Professional Courtesies

Most Sarlacc have learned more about the galaxy than most other professionals could hope to learn in ten human lifetimes. Not only has an average Sarlacc done everything under the double suns, many techniques that are synonymous with other professionals were innovated and perfected by a cunning, resourceful Sarlacc.

Every Smuggler knows that one dropped shipment could lose him respect – and a year’s worth of credits, but only the insane would search for contraband cleverly stashed in the belly of a Sarlacc. Imperial Agents breaking the will of interrogated prisoners rely heavily on techniques handed down to them by the Sarlacc – who are known to telepathically torture information out of their most reticent victims. Jedi Knights train for years to master The Way of the Sarlacc, Shii-Cho Lightsaber form as the foundation of their amazing combat prowess. Consulars of the Jedi Order spend long hours meditating on Sarlacc to develop the dissonant serenity that keeps them calm in the midst of chaos. Bounty Hunters – a Sarlacc delicacy – have perhaps benefitted most from developing contacts in the Sarlacc Underground; it is here that hunting and trapping are brought to new heights and Bounty Hunters learn to become great, or die. No team would have the skills it needs to survive its mission without the practice and invention of a dedicated Sarlacc.

And the text below the screenshots, concept art, and movies showing some decidedly powerful abilities (it seems that the Sarlaxx Enforcer will get a, most likely high-level, ability which turns them into a veritable Death Star... something which might have to be tweaked down a little or else they'll run out of planets for players to play on before too long) it has the following descriptions:

FIELD RECONNAISSANCE

Traditional wisdom dictates that to lessen the chances of a run-in with a Sarlacc you need only avoid remote sandy places with big holes in the ground (e.g. the Great Pit of Carkoon). As the Sarlacc feel the pain and pressure brought by the Great War, many of them are taking more active roles in galactic affairs. In this age a careful observer may notice a Sarlacc doing population control to help maintain the balance of a fragile Outer Rim ecosystem, arbitrating treaty disputes, and lobbying for a dock workers guild in the Galactic Senate. There has been some speculation that Sarlaccs have an innate Force sensitivity, however because of their extreme age, none have been considered trainable by either the Jedi or the Sith. Collectively, they may represent an unallied sect of Force users.

OUTFITTING

The Sarlacc is a testament to nature’s ability to equip warriors with powerful gear that science strives to synthesize. A Sarlacc’s tentacles are not only resistant to most attacks, they also contain a powerful neurotoxin. This venom puts most species into a type of stasis until a reaction with enzymes present in one of the Sarlacc’s invulnerable stomachs awakens the target for torture. Even so, a Sarlacc – especially a young one – doesn’t consider itself above the occasional upgrade. Sarlacci resourcefulness knows no bounds and several of them have learned to put collected vibroblades, ion cannons, and stealth field generators to good use.

COMBAT TACTICS

Whether meditating from a reinforced base in the desert of Tatooine, intimidating the pirates in the alleys of Ord Mantell, or doing some mercenary clean up on the lower levels of Coruscant, a Sarlacc has a trick up each of its countless sleeves. Taking a no-frills approach to hand to hand to hand to hand combat, the Sarlacci have a well-earned place among the galaxy’s most feared warriors.

I might just have found a new class to play. Teir class story is sure to be quite interesting and unique.


In case you still haven't picked up on it, and (as noted by Darth Hater) as written in the Aurebesh on the site, this is obviously an April Fool's joke. Funny, if a bit obvious. Now I should go back to studying The Way of the Sarlacc.


[UPDATE]

Though I didn't notice it last week, it seems that GameSpot has a Q&A for this 'new class' much like they did for the real classes. Here's an excerpt:

GameSpot: We're very excited to be able to take the wraps off the newest character class, the Sarlacc enforcer. Give us an overview of this new profession.

Daniel Erickson: In The Old Republic, we always start with the dream; the iconic role in Star Wars we're trying to let players live. One of those that kept coming up again and again was the "disgusting gaping maw" fantasy. So many of us grew up watching Star Wars and pretending we were the hole [down which] Vader threw the Emperor [or that we were] the endless pits of the Death Star or, of course, [that we were] the Sarlacc, the most amazing maw of all. Nobody gaped like him/it.

And glad to hear that they've got Christopher Walken to voice the Sarlacc Enforcer. <nods>