The Rift dev team has posted a new blog article outlining some of the most significant changes coming to PvP when v1.7 is deployed.

Here are the things the blog post details:

• Prestige ranks will increase from 8 to 40. The length of time to get to 40 will remain the same but the team says that this streamlines the progression and rewards gained for each level. As players progress through the levels, players will receive wardrobe pieces to keep their armor looking good through all 39 levels.
• All level 45+ items prior to Hammerknell/Rank 8 are receiving an upgrade in stats, check out the full details here.
• Bolstering will boost player stats to the minimum a PvP battle requires. In the event that a player's stats are higher than the minimum, the higher stat number will rule.
• The Mercenary system will be introduced where player can participate in PvP battles as a member of the opposing faction's team IF there are not enough members of its own faction to fill a full team. This will reduce wait times and get players into PvP battles faster. Mercenary players will receive a special Mercenary buff and on-screen callout.