Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR) offers a unique opportunity to step into the expansive Star Wars universe as a character of your own making. Choosing the right class can deeply impact your gameplay, determining everything from your role in battle to the storylines you experience. This guide will help you navigate through the class tiers from S to C, ensuring you make an informed decision for your play style. Understanding the Classes in SWTOR SWTOR divides its classes into two main categories: Force users and non-Force users, each with unique abilities and story arcs. Understanding these classes and their subclasses is crucial for mastering the game. The S-Tier Classes S-tier classes are the crème de la crème of SWTOR. These classes are highly efficient in almost any game scenario. For instance, the Sith Inquisitor excels due to its powerful crowd control abilities and robust damage output, making it a…
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SWTOR: Planned Balance Changes for 7.1.1
Gameplay designer for SWTOR, Shabir Dhillon took to the forums to explain some of the balance changes coming with game update 7.1.1 in Star Wars: the old Republic. This includes those for Lightning / Telekinetics, Madness / Balance, and Advanced Prototype / Tactics. Check it out: Shabir here and I am a Gameplay Designer on SWTOR. I wanted to start by saying we appreciate everyone for taking the time and effort to give feedback on the changes. I wanted to explain some of the changes we are making in the upcoming patch: Lightning/Telekinetics: Patch Notes: Convection/Clamoring Force – Critical hit damage bonus goes to 12% (down from 15%). Thundering Blast/Turbulence – Second arc of damage deals 20% of Turbulence’s damage (down from 25%). Storm watch damage decreased by 4% Halted Offensive/Power of the Force cast time increased to 3.0 seconds (up from 2.5 seconds). Alacrity still affects cast time. Decrease Halted Offensive’s/Power…
STAR WARS: The Old Republic – Class Changes: Carnage Marauder / Combat Sentinel
Eric Musco just updated the community about the upcoming changes for Concealment and Scrapper coming in Game Update 5.4. Note: All changes below are currently in development and are subject to change before being released. Marauder Carnage Reduced the critical strike damage bonus granted by Sever from 15% to 10% Reduced the damage bonus to Ataru Form attacks granted by Ataru Mastery from 5% to 3% Sentinel Combat Reduced the critical strike damage bonus granted by Saber Storm from 15% to 10% Reduced the damage bonus to Ataru Form attacks granted by Ataru Mastery from 5% to 3% DevNotes: The Carnage/ Combat discipline was overperforming, so we reduced the effectiveness of two key passives to bring their DPS back in line with the target.
SWTOR Class Changes: Lethality Operative / Ruffian Scoundrel
Below are the upcoming changes for Lethality and Ruffian along with the notes from the SWTOR dev team on why they are occurring. Note: All changes below are currently in development and are subject to change before being released. Operative Lethality Corrosive Assault weapon damage has been increased by 13.97% but it no longer triggers Toxic Blast damage Corrosive Assault no longer deals additional damage per poison effect. Instead, Corrosive Assault weapon damage now triggers additional damage from your periodic poison effects Toxic Blast now costs 10 Energy and deals 14.29% more damage Scoundrel Ruffian Brutal Shots weapon damage has been increased by 13.97% but it no longer triggers Sanguinary Shot damage Brutal Shots no longer deals additional damage per bleed effect. Instead, Brutal Shots weapon damage now triggers additional damage from your periodic bleed effects Sanguinary Shot now costs 10 Energy and deals 14.29% more damage DevNotes: The Lethality…
SWTOR: Class Changes: Fury Marauder / Concentration Sentinel
Here are the changes for Fury and Concentration coming in Star Wars: The old Republic game update 5.4. Note: All changes below are currently in development and are subject to change before being released. Marauder Fury Increased the damage done by Bloody Slashes by 35% Sentinel Concentration Increased the damage done by Burning Slices by 35% DevNotes: The Fury / Concentration discipline only needed a small boost to bring it up to its target DPS, so increasing the damage dealt by Bloody Slashes / Burning Slices was all it took to do the trick.
SWTOR: Class Changes: Pyrotech Powertech / Plasmatech Vanguard
Eric Musco from Bioware has posted a list of the planned changes for Pyrotech Powertech and Plasmatech Vanguard commin in Patch 5.3. Check it out: Class Changes: Pyrotech Powertech / Plasmatech Vanguard | 06.21.2017, 08:06 PM Note: All changes below are currently in development and are subject to change before being released. Powertech Pyrotech Increased the Searing Wave damage bonus given by Superheated Flamethrower from 20% to 50% Reduced the burn damage of Incendiary Missile by 10% In addition to its previous effects, Rain of Fire now increases the damage dealt by Incendiary Missile by 10% Increased the critical damage bonus given by Firebug from 10% to 15% Vanguard Plasmatech Increased the Ion Squall damage bonus given by Pulse Generator from 20% to 50% Reduced the burn damage of Incendiary Round by 10% In addition to its previous effects, Rain of Fire now increases the damage dealt by Incendiary Round…
SWTOR: Class changes: Nerf vs. Buff
Our bellowed community manager for Star Wars The Old Republic Eric Musco, took on the forums today answering an old question on nerfs vs. buffs off classes. Check it out: Any time that nerfs happen during Class balance, there is a common question we receive “Instead of nerfing , why not buff all of the other Classes up to their performance?” This is a really good question and we want to try to explain to you why we handle balance this way. From that thread, the main point you need to understand is that we balance Classes/Disciplines based on specific DPS, HPS, and DTPS targets. Now, those balance targets not only dictate Class/Discipline balance, but they dictate balance across all combat in the entire game. Every Mission, Operation boss, piece of gear, and more is all factored around those balance targets. Let’s say that our hypothetical target for Ranged Burst…
SWTOR Discussion Topic: Class Changes This Summer
Eric Musco took on the official forums, and posted a list of specs and classes that are up for some balances in patch 5.3 coming this summer. Check it out: Discussion Topic: Class Changes This Summer | 06.07.2017, 10:06 PM Hey folks, As Keith mentioned in the roadmap, we want to start the process of having weekly discussion threads here on the forums. Let’s get this started with our first topic, Class changes starting with Game Update 5.3. Let us know what you think of the list! Are these the Disciplines you expected to see? Are any missing and if so which ones and why? The following is each Class/Discipline we are currently looking into changing. By Friday, we will begin posting in-depth threads on exactly what is happening to each Discipline. This will include whether they are being buffed or nerfed and why, along with the specific planned changes. These threads…
Game Update 2.5 Class Changes
BioWare just released a lengthy news post explaining all the upcoming class changes players can expect with Game update 2.5. You can check out the full post here, or read out copy pate below: Game Update 2.5 Class Changes -10.17.2013 Hello there! We here on the Classes & Combat team wanted to take some time to keep players up-to-date on the changes we have planned for the upcoming Game Update 2.5. As always, these are subject to change, and we welcome your feedback. There are quite a few changes to go over, so with no further introduction, let’s dig in! Sith Inquisitor Madness In addition to previous effects, Devour now makes your damage-over-time effects uncleansable. This affects Creeping Terror, Discharge, Crushing Darkness, and Affliction. Jedi Consular Balance & In addition to previous effects, Psychic Absorption now makes your damage-over-time effects uncleansable. This affects Sever Force, Force Breach, Mind Crush, and…
Official Forums Class Rep Voting Begins
Eric Musco posted a quick update on the official forums. He have now posted the polls for all Advanced Classes with their respective nominations! Head on over to your Advanced Class forum and be sure to vote! Voting Links Imperial Assassin Juggernaut Marauder Mercenary Operative Powertech – only 1 candidate showed interest and has been elected Sorcerer Sniper – only 1 candidate showed interest and has been elected Repbulic Commando Guardian Gunsliner Sage Scoundrel Sentinel Shadow Vanguard – only 1 candidate showed interest and has been elected
Official Forums Class Representatives Announced
Eric Musco posted an interesting update to the official SWTOR forums yesterday. We will now be getting class representatives for the forums. Each representative will only serve for a term and then new representatives will take their places so it ensures there is some balance and rotation. Class Representatives are player elected and will not be granted any special access to the BioWare team. They will be used to help Bioware staff provide more information and community involvement on the topic of classes within SWTOR. What tasks will these forum class representatives do? What Will They Do? Upon the Class representatives being selected, we will release a schedule. On each scheduled date listed, the chosen representative for each Class will make a forum post in their Class forum with the top 3 things they want to have answered or commented on. Our current plan is to do 4 ACs each…
SWTOR 2.0 level 55 Class Abilities Video
The guys from the-old-republic.ru mailed us a bad ass movie showing off the new level 55 class abilities. There is no denying that the Russian guys have been quick capturing this video, so kudos for their work! Electro Net, Force Barrier and Double Saber throw look pretty awesome, and its great that agents and smugglers finally get real mobility. The sith sorcerer defensive bubble animation is also exactly how I’d imagine it–as the sith sorcerer uses all their energy to repel all attacks. Good stuff! Check it out below:
SWTOR Faction Classes Not Mirrored Exactly
We wrote before here on the site about how the SWTOR classes are mirrored on each faction side and how that can be a downfall to people who like to play both sides (like myself). I want to have one of everything in an MMORPG but I’m now learning that the classes are not actually mirrored completely. A post here in this thread explains that there are problems and differences in the attempted mirroring across the factions. For example, some issues are in the numbers (cool downs or how long a spell or effect lasts) and other problems are in the animations. One Reddit user took the info in this thread and compiled a list of the differences in the mirrors as follows: Jedi Knight / Sith Warrior: JG’s Freezing Force slows for 6 seconds, SJ’s Chilling Scream (equivalent) slows for 9. Freezing Force : Chilling Scream JK Blade Storm…
The Poll to End All Polls: What Class Will You Play?
If you missed it on the official forums, we have the “Poll to end all polls” ( Gone with the official forums now) which discusses class, species, role and alignment. This was a really popular user-created poll that brings up some important stats about the game and the people who will play it. The poll asks “What will your FIRST character be?” and has LOADS of responses. Take a look before the forums get wiped because this poll is the ultimate poll for SWTOR. About the Poll: It started back in April and as of today, it has over 11,000 votes and pages and pages of comments. It gives us some real insight into the playerbase and what you all want from the game. This will show you who you will likely be playing with and what kinds of stats we can expect in the game. To help you understand…
Mirrored Classes According to MMORPG.com
Michael Bitton from MMORPG.com has been sharing their own opinions and updates about SWTOR. Recently they wrote about five “not-so-great” things about SWTOR. This is actually refreshing with all the good news going around and all the hype about the game. Seeing negatives keeps the balance and it keeps it real. No game is perfect, even if it seems close. However, they later admitted that they forgot one important thing on their original list so they wrote a new feature and dedicated it all to this one omission- mirrored classes. Here’s what they had to say about mirrored classes: Having mirrored classes generally implies that each class has a counterpart on the opposing faction, but in Star Wars: The Old Republic this idea is taken quite literally. SWTOR’s class mirrors are actually not just extremely similar, but identical. For example, if you’ve played a Smuggler, you’ve played an Imperial Agent,…
The SWTOR RP Class Selection Flowchart!
A Reddit user, DarthRevan, created and shared a class selection flowchart to help us all out. His post reads: I made it relatively quickly in MS Paint, so I apologize if it’s not so visually appealing. It was meant to be functional, and is a first draft of sorts. I would love any feedback, and I might even revise it if people find it helpful with some tweaks. If someone wants to make a flowchart based on gameplay & mechanics (which I also think will be very helpful), I invite them to do so because I admit a lack of expertise on that. So without further ado: The SWTOR RP Class Selection Flowchart! Edit: I also found in the process of making this chart that it is very difficult to find short statements that encapsulate the actual choices, which are more complex. I tried my best, though. Edit 2: People…
Classes, Advanced Classes and Roles
We stumbled across this great photo from Star Wars MMO Leveling Guide that shows the classes, advances classes and roles. It’s a great visual although we don’t really agree with the class popularity and faction popularity though. As this photo shows, there is the complete breakdown for each class, including what their role is and the weapons that they get and more. If you still were not sure what you wanted to play, this little guide rocks for helping you get the perfect visual and helping you to figure out what class is the best choice for your needs. So what do you think? Does this change what you had in mind to play or solidify the choice you had already made?
(Amateur) Statistical Analysis: Class/Faction Popularity by Amount of Discussion on Official Forums
Here is an interesting post we found on Reddit where an amateur statistic analysis is done based on class and faction popularity according to discussion from the official forums. A lot of people have been talking about who will play which side and which classes as well as how this will affect the balance of the game. Here are the highlights from his findings: OVERALL Republic classes are being discussed more than Sith classes. On average, the Jedi Knight is the most discussed class (though the Bounty Hunter technically has the most # of threads). The Imperial Agent is the least discussed class. AMONG REPUBLIC CLASSES: Jedi Knight is the most discussed. Smuggler is the least discussed. AMONG SITH CLASSES: Bounty Hunter is the most discussed. Imperial Agent is least discussed. Check it all out for yourself and let us know if you think he’s on the right track…
SWTOR Class Background Sheets
A attendant at this years PAX East was quick to take a picture of all class background sheets. A really interesting read as it gives some inside to the class as well as the story behind each class. Off course this is not in game screen shots, so some of the pictures might be hard to read: EDIT: apparently these Pictures comes from a focus test on leakerz.net. Check below comment. Also here is some HD footage of (almost) the entire gameplay experience of SWTOR at PAX East 2011. :
Troopers Got Game
Bioware has released another fantastic trailer video, for Star Wars: The Old Republic. This time it’s of the ultimate muscle class “The Republic Trooper.” Even though the Troopers as a character are soldiers of the Republic following orders from a higher authority and personally I can’t follow the orders, but as I seen them throwing down in the fray of blaster fire as they reveal mini guns to sweep the entire group, man that was awesome. I have to say that the armor’s special ability to push back their enemies after being surrounded is one sweet move. I thought about favoring the Bounty Hunter or the Smuggler as my first choice, but this video makes me rethink my decision. Even if you choose a force user as your first choice I’d rethink that plan to take on the Trooper head on. May The Force Be With You All.
Friday Update: Imperial Agent Details!
It’s time for BioWare’s regular Friday update on the Star Wars: The Old Republic site, and this one’s pretty massive. BioWare took pity on the many fans who have been clamoring for gameplay information and released an All Imperial Agent Extravaganza including a new class gameplay video: The update gives a little more detail on the Agent’s advanced classes: Healing skills are confirmed for the Operative just as his specialization on close-range combat. In contrast to the Sniper, who’s more into stealth and ranged combat. He frequently makes use of his long range blaster rifle, although it seems that one needs “extensive training” to make use of this weapon. Combining the expertise of multiple disciplines, Operatives adapt to any environment and any circumstance to ensure the Empire’s agenda is achieved. Whether emerging from stealth to ambush and eliminate enemies in close-range combat or using advanced medical technologies to keep colleagues in…
BioWare Blog: Designing the Advanced Classes System
To explain some of the choices in BioWare’s approach to the advanced classes system in The Old Republic, this Friday’s update gives us a BioWare blog post from Principal Lead Systems Designer, Georg Zoeller. Here’s an except: Example: The Smuggler Han Solo, Lando, Talon Karrde… There are plenty of different Smuggler personalities to be found in the Star Wars universe to choose from and this is reflected in the versatility of their available Advanced Classes: The Scoundrel The Scoundrel is not afraid of getting his hands dirty, as the ‘Scrapper’ skill-set has an off-hand Scatter Gun, a number of powerful (but not necessarily fair) melee moves and access to a Stealth Field Generator with various possible upgrades for a dramatic entrance … or exit. The ‘Sawbones’ skill-set on the other hand offers ways to dramatically improve the Smuggler’s healing and support-related abilities, including access to the powerful Emergency Medpack. And,…
SWTOR Updates Vital Info on the Jedi Knight
Confirming what you may have already heard on the Star Wars: The Old Republic’s Jedi Knight, BioWare has finally updated the holonet to include specialization and companion information for this deeply iconic class. The Jedi will be able to choose between the heavily armored tank-like specialization aptly name the Guardian or the more limber and offensive specialization of the Sentinel. To assist you on your journey through the brutal worlds in the Star Wars universe, you can choose a T7-01 droid to accompany you. With centuries since its last memory wipe, this droid would be a valuable asset of knowledge! You can learn more about the Jedi Knight, their specializations and known associates by checking out the freshly updated holonet on the official SWTOR website. A symbol of hope in dark times, the Jedi Knight stands for the legacy of the Jedi Order—more than twenty-thousand years of protecting the Republic…
No Sarlacc Enforcer Class!
At the start of April BioWare announced that they were including a ninth class in Star Wars: The Old Republic, namely the Sarlacc Enforcer. And I’m sure that many of you were looking forward to playing the stealthy lurker. But now BioWare dashes all of your hopes and dreams by announcing that the Enforcer won’t be a class after all. As per Sean Dahlberg’s post: Hey everyone, We hope that you have enjoyed the Sarlacc Enforcer class reveal we made on April 1st. We just wanted to confirm that the Sarlacc Enforcer is not going to be a class and that it was just some fun we were having for April Fool’s day this year. We’ve had quite a bit of fun reading all the posts and threads that were created and we sure do hope you’ve had as much fun as we’ve had! While you can no longer post…