Star Wars: The Old Republic Beginner’s Guide
The Sith Empire has returned to Republic space in Star Wars: The Old Republic, EA’s powerhouse MMORPG. In what might be the most expensive game ever produced, Bioware joins the Star Wars franchise to tackle that timeline a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. Before Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker, before the Empire, there was the Old Republic, where Jedi and Sith (Evil Jedi) fight for supremacy of the civilized galaxy. The war is about to heat up, and for every player wanting to get in on the lightsaber swinging action, you’ll want to know all about where to start in this massive game.
Here you’ll find all the information you need to get started. Learn more about the early missions and classes available to you, that way you can jump in and start playing the way you want to. For extra content related to The Old Republic, check out our cheats page.
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Video Walkthrough
Smuggler Class
Opening Story:
After blatantly violating the galaxy’s trade embargoes, you land on the war-torn planet of Ord Mantell and deliver a shipment of munitions to the local criminal element. Rather than paying for delivery, the gangsters decide to steal your spacecraft and strand you on the planet indefinitely. Afterwards, continue completing various missions to aid in your departure from Ord Mantell and locating the thugs who betrayed you…
Species
Cyborg
Human
Mirialan
Twi’lek
Zabrak
Advantages:
Smuggler’s possess the ability to take cover during a battle, increasing their defensive and offensive resistance against long-range attacks. Staying crouched behind various objects keeps you shielded from the majority of blaster fire that comes from ahead. To locate ideal cover points, target an enemy in front of you and roll to one of the green outlines that appear by various objects.
Aside from being able to eliminate enemies from behind objects, the smuggler can also provide cover-fire for your companions. By targeting multiple threats at once and using rapid blaster strikes, your team can take this opportunity to either move forward to the next position or escape situations in which they have been pinned down.
The Smuggler’s use of stun attacks allows you to either escape from a one-sided fight or distract enemies long enough to move in at close-range and fire with more lethal accuracy.
Upgraded versions of the Smuggler class, improve the accuracy of your blasters to the point that you can target specific areas of an enemy’s body as a means to incapacitate.
Disadvantages
At close-range, the smuggler has trouble targeting fast-moving enemies and dodging them before they’re right on top of you.
By taking cover as the Smuggler, you lose the majority of mobility that helps in evasive maneuvering. Enemies will be able to focus their fire on your position more effectively which can result in ambushes or a division between companions.
Since the the Smuggler relies on cover points as a means of defense, your armor will tend to be less effective against a consistent barrage of damage.
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Jedi Knight Class
Opening Story:
As a Padawan learner, you begin this adventure en route to the planet of Tython to complete your training. After arriving, you must locate a renowned Jedi master to receive your final challenge: investigate the local village and protect it from the evil forces that have invaded the area. As the initial quest continues, you work towards earning the rank of Jedi Knight and honing your proficiency with the force.
Species:
Human
Miraluka
Mirialan
Twi’lek
Zabrak
Advantages:
Jedi Knights are best used for extremely-close range melee combat against multiple targets. This is due to their high resistance to damage and high speed attack combinations.
When approaching a cluster of enemies at long-range, Jedi Knights have the ability to Force Leap across great distances to enter the heat of battle in an instant.
In situations where enemies have you surrounded completely, a Jedi Knight can create a buffer zone by using a shockwave of Force energy to knock them down or push them backwards in unison.
After receiving the lightsaber, the Jedi Knight class allows you to string together various combination attacks across multiple enemies. Each of these attacks is designed towards executing a finishing maneuver that no enemy can withstand.
Disadvantages:
While long-range attacks are possible by throwing your lightsaber like a boomerang, these strikes are difficult to aim and take time to complete, leaving you vulnerable in the process.
A Jedi Knight’s reliance on melee attacks, requires consistent exposure to enemy fire so that you can strike at close-range. This makes you highly susceptible to dying every time a battle takes place, more so than other classes.
Strong finishing attacks can only be executed after you have sufficiently filled a Jedi Knight’s Force gauge. The gauge is filled through a succession of combination strikes and eventually disappears if not used in a certain amount of time.
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Trooper Class
Opening Story:
As a newly inducted member of the Havoc squadron, you must patrol and protect the planet of Ord Mantell to hone the Trooper’s combat skills. The opening missions of this world involve mostly keeping the peace, whether it be hunting down radical insurgents or locating weapons of mass destruction.
Species:
Cyborg
Human
Mirialan
Zabrak
Advantages:
The blaster rifle assigned to each Trooper, allows you to mow down multiple targets at long-range. This advantage is best utilized when trying to thin out a large group of enemies before they can combine and focus their firepower against you.
Troopers have the freedom to choose their method of completing an objective without any moral consequences, resulting in a more personal and customized gameplay experience. In other words, it’s your decision as to whether a situation is handled through an abuse of power or strict official procedure.
Members of this class are also armed with grenades that will stick to an enemy’s body and damage any of his teammates in close-proximity to the blast.
A Trooper’s rifle can be modified to fire highly explosive grenades, allowing for an increase in accuracy and the amount of damage inflicted.
Disadvantages:
While Troopers do possess a devastating melee strike, executing it requires moving into a disadvantageous close-range position and attacking a limited number of enemies.
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Jedi Consular Class
Opening Story:
As a Consular on the planet of Tython, you are charged with locating a collection of ancient recordings for the Jedi Council. When you discover that all but one of the artifacts is accounted for, the next stage of your quest begins. Using your knowledge of the Force, search the planet’s surface for answers and uncover the evil presence responsible for this crime against the Jedi.
Species:
Cyborg
Human
Mirialan
Zabrak
Advantages:
Playing as a Jedi Consular relies more on your capacity to problem-solve and investigate the surrounding areas. Choosing this class allows you to focus more on the mechanics of gameplay rather than just combat and survival.
Consular’s have the ability to bend the Force more extensively than the other Jedi classes. This allows you to perform a variety of creative strikes that include raising enemies into the air and slamming them to the ground.
Since Jedi Consulars are designed to complete challenges with patience and the path of least resistance, your rate of survival increases tenfold if each obstacle is approached strategically.
Disadvantages
Dueling with a double-bladed lightsaber requires the highest level of skill in order to block and strike effectively against Sith enemies.
The majority of a Jedi Consular’s maneuvers drain your Force bar, which refills at a sluggish rate. This restricts your freedom in attacking as often as possible with whatever ability you’d like to utilize.
Due to the shortage of battle scenarios, this class’ adventure tends to move at a tedious pace. This makes it less preferable to those who favor gameplay over story.
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Imperial Agent Class
Opening Story:
As an Imperial Agent, you take on the role of a master spy and assassin-for-hire called “The Red Blade”. In the first block of missions, your primary concern is aiding the Galactic Empire’s efforts to change the tide of war against the Republic. This adventure takes place on the criminally-owned and politically neutral planet of Hutta.
Species:
Chiss
Cyborg
Human
Rattataki
Advantages:
Imperial Agents are skilled in stealthy maneuvers that allow you to creep up on enemies and execute a fatal melee strike. With practice, this style of offense can save you health and hassle.
This class utilizes cover-point methods of attack that also act as a form of defense. While locked in this position, you can execute special maneuvers that involve sniping and sticky grenades.
Rather than rely on the objects provided in each setting, Imperial Agents have the ability to create a small forcefield in front of you. This provides you with limited cover at any point during the game as well as give you more freedom in choosing the angle at which to attack from.
This class comes with a variety of combat-based gadgetry that provides a unique advantage for each situation. The more devastating of these devices is Orbital Bombardment, an air-strike of laser blasts that can eliminate a wide circle of enemies.
Disadvantages:
While an Imperial Agent’s stealth capabilities allow for close-range melee strikes, this assault strategy is only effective in one-on-one combat and cannot be utilized in larger battle scenarios.
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Sith Warrior Class
Opening Story:
Your journey as a Warrior begins on the planet of Korriban, the savage training grounds for wanna-be Sith. Upon arrival, you learn that other students of the Dark Side are present in the area and your primary concern is to derail their success by any means necessary. Use the power of your rage to knock off the competition and earn an apprenticeship with Overseer Treme, an infamous Sith Lord.
Species:
Cyborg
Human
Sith Pureblood
Zabrak
Advantages:
As a Sith Warrior, you possess a Choking ability that works as both an offensive strike and as a strategic device. This particular maneuver can drain an enemy’s life or torture their body until information is given up.
In terms of lightsaber combat, no class can rival the potential that Sith Warriors have to inflict the most damage possible during melee assaults. By jumping into conflicts at close range, you can clear out multiple threats with a few swipes of the blade or immediately change an enemy’s position in battle from an offensive role to a defensive one.
To further create an advantage during lightsaber duels, the Sith Warrior class allows you to emit a burst of dark Force energy that stuns surrounding opponents. Once you have disabled enemies with this ability, they become easy pickings for a combo melee attack that will ensure your victory in the assault.
Sith Warriors are also the speediest when it comes to crossing the battlefield on foot. This allows you to move in for a more comfortable close-range attack before the enemy has a chance to respond.
Disadvantages:
A Sith Warrior’s strength lies in focusing their powerful strikes as a combo towards a single target. This makes them less effective on solo missions, as opposed to swarming enemies as a group.
Due to their high proficiency with lightsaber-based attacks, the Sith Warrior has less emphasis placed on his ability to execute long-range assaults.
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Bounty Hunter Class
Opening Story:
Your adventure as the Bounty Hunter begins with entering a competition the planet Hutta called The Great Hunt. The first objectives involve “persuading” your way into this contest of mercenaries, while upgrading your armor and becoming familiar with this class’ various gadgetry. Once your spot has been secured in the hunt, it’s time to prove your the best Bounty Hunter in the galaxy by winning first place.
Species:
Cyborg
Human
Rattaki
Zabrak
Chiss
Advantages:
Bounty Hunters are equipped with jetpacks that allow you to turn the tide in battle situations. By lifting into the air and changing your attack angle, you gain the advantage in any fight.
Aside from blasters, the Bounty Hunter class also arms you with wrist-mounted missile launchers. This weapon fires rockets at a high speed that strike with enough impact to eliminate an enemy and any threats in close vicinity.
In addition to having long-range projectiles and a jetpack to escape danger, the Bounty Hunter class is rounded out by also including a blowtorch strike that pushes enemies away at a close vicinity.
Story-wise, being a Bounty Hunter offers you a great deal of freedom in that you can choose to be a hero, a villain or something in between.
Disadvantages:
This class employs a ventilation system for your armor that’s gauged by the amount of Heat built up during battle. If the Bounty Hunter overheats, all of your gadgetry will stop functioning and the armor’s cooling down period will extend significantly.
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Sith Inquisitor
Opening Story:
You begin this class’ journey under the chains of slavery, until your character is able to discover their hidden Force potential. Once your powers are discovered, you will be whisked to the planet of Korriban to begin your training in a competitive academy setting. Once your education of the dark side begins, you’ll either need to earn the title of Inquisitor or suffer the wrath of your fellow Sith apprentices.
Species:
Sith Pureblood
Human
Twi’lek
Zabrak
Rattataki
Advantages:
When faced with multiple threats, a Sith Inquisitor allows you unleash a storm a lightning tornados that spin off enemies their feet and incapacitate them. Once they are downed, you can easily finish them off with lightsaber strikes.
To avoid being surrounded, a Sith Inquisitor can emit a burst of Force energy that will both damage and lay out any enemies in the nearby vicinity.
A Sith Inquisitor is most proficient when using attacks that utilize their force lightning abilities. These attacks allow you to either drain or paralyze enemies, putting them completely at your mercy.
Due to the long-distance possibilities of Force lightning and the melee strike offered by the lightsaber, the Sith Inquisitor class has the advantage at any range.
Disadvantages:
As with Jedi classes, the Inquisitor is subjected to the limitations of relying on Force energy to execute attacks. This forces you manage your assaults more efficiently but with greater difficulty.
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Companions
Functions
In terms of moving you from plot-point to plot-point, companions act as a useful tool that keeps the story going so that the next mission can begin. Each companion you encounter has their own adventures that you can take part in, so make sure that these resources are tapped to enjoy the full journey of your character. Sometimes, making new companions means making news enemies if a relationship goes south at some point in the game.
Another function of companions is that they can be utilized tactically during battle scenarios. When low on health and faced with a large wave of enemies, providing cover fire before sending in an ally to complete the job will save you from taking damage. Likewise, companions will also set up ambushes that you can execute and provide your character with additional support such as health replenishment.
Lastly, a companion can be used to help your gameplay proceed more efficiently and enjoyably. By directing your NPCs to carryout extraneous tasks such as doing business at the market or utilizing their crew skills, you can focus on the more exciting missions available around the galaxy. Storymode provides each class with five possible compatriots that can be unlocked, with each of them possessing a necessary support skill to help you succeed throughout the game.
Available Companions for Each Class
Smuggler
Bowdaar: Melee AttackerCorso Riggs: Ranged AttackerGuss Tuno: HealerAkaavi Spar: Ranged AttackerRisha: Ranged Attacker
Jedi Knight
Kira Carsen: Melee AttackerDoc: HealerT7-O1: Ranged AttackerLord Scourge: Melee AttackerSergeant Rusk: Ranged Attacker
Trooper
Yuun: Melee AttackerTanno Vik: Melee AttackerAric Jorgan: Ranged AttackerM1 4X: Ranged AttackerElara Dorne: Healer
Jedi Consular
Tharan Cedrax: HealerQyzen Fess: Melee AttackerLieutenant Iresso: Ranged AttackerNadia Grell: Melee AttackerZenith: Ranged Attacker
Bounty Hunter
Mako: HealerGault: Ranged AttackerTorian Cadera: Melee AttackerSkadge: Melee AttackerBlizz: Ranged Attacker
Imperial Agent
Kaliyo: Ranged AttackerEnsign Temple: HealerVector: Melee AttackerDoctor Lokin: Melee AttackerSCORPIO: Ranged Attacker
Sith Warrior
Vette: Ranged AttackerBroonmark: Melee AttackerJaesa Willsaam: Melee AttackerMalavai Quinn: HealerLieutenant Pierce: Ranged Attacker
Sith Inquisitor
Ashara Zavros: Melee AttackerAndronikos Revel: Ranged AttackerKhem Val: Melee AttackerXalek: Ranged AttackerTalos Drellik: Healer
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Warzones
Warzones act as battlefield maps, where you and a group of allies compete against another team to win each conflict. In order to achieve victory, you must complete a variety of level-specific objectives that range from transporting explosives to conquering marked territories of the area. At the beginning of the game you are supplied with 3 different warzones: Voidstar, Alderaan and Huttball.
Voidstar
Alderaan
Huttball
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