Star Wars: The Old Republic – what class will you be playing ? (a novel)

With SWTOR slated for Q1 2011 many of us are already within its “force grip”, so to speak. I have friends that ask me on a weekly basis what class and specialization I plan on playing, so I figured I may as well make a list for those that haven’t yet decided what to roll. Enjoy my insomnia.  Big thanks to SWTOR’S main site as well as Wookiepedia.com for helping me compile this information at the crack of dawn.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Jedi Consular

Consular seems to favor light armor and can wield a “Darth Maul” style double bladed light saber.  They appear to be of the DPS or support/healing variety depending on how you spec later in your career.  That being said, I think all Consulars can heal regardless of specialization. “Concentrating on mental refinement through study and meditation, Consulars sought to perfect the art of diplomacy and mediation, hoping to calm a tense situation or mend hurt feelings through civil discourse, reasoning, and parley, rather than drawing their lightsabers and cutting down an attacker.”

• Advanced Class – Shadow – “These Jedi shadows specialized in stealth and dealing high amounts of damage to enemies in melee combat. They were known to primarily wielddouble-bladed lightsabers in combat, and were adept at concealing themselves with the Force. Working directly under the Council of First Knowledge, Shadows were sent to destroy everything and anything connected with the Sith and their followers.”
• Advanced Class – Sage – These Jedi specialized in Force healing and Telekinesis. Jedi Sages were known to primarily wield one single-bladed lightsaber in combat, and were adept at ranged attacks with the Force.

Both the "Priest" and "Rogue" class.. neat

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Jedi Knight

The old standby.  What kid (or adult) has not wanted to be a Jedi Knight at least once in their lives?  Jedi Knights often wear the traditional Jedi robes, but can also wear heavy armor when going into battle (Think Kenobi with his trooper armor on during the Clone Wars) .  From what I gather Jedi Knights wield a single light saber, but can duel wield when they specialize. In terms of roles, they seem to be both TANK and DPS depeding on advanced class choice.

• Advanced Class – Jedi Guardian – From what I’m reading the Guardian will most likely play like the paladin class.  You will have the ability to “buff” your party as well as take an absurd amount of damage. “Perfect concentration and use of the Force allows smooth movement even in heavy armor–making the Guardian a hard target to take down. Leaders on and off the battlefield, Guardians are known for inspiring allies to amazing feats, making them invaluable for conflicts of any size.”
• Advanced Class – Jedi Sentinel – Shifting from protection and party buffs to pure DPS is the Sentinel.  “Control and focus are the hallmarks of the Sentinel. Through years of training the Sentinel learns the art of using two Lightsabers simultaneously to create an intricate web of damage that is almost impossible to evade. Manipulating the Force, the Sentinel can
  see holes in the enemy defense, potential flaws in their own technique and how best to plan for both.While they possessed adequate combat skills and had somewhat extensive knowledge of the Force, Sentinels blended both schools of teaching and amplified them with a series of non-Force skills, such as in the fields of security, computers, stealth techniques, demolitions, repair or medicine.”

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Smuggler

The kids that didn’t want to be a Jedi Knight wanted to be Han Solo.  From what I understand SWTOR places you in control of one of the most respected smugglers in the galaxy.  A true rogue class for those that like quick and stealthy gameplay and probably living in the moral gray.  The part I find to be the most exciting is that Smugglers get their own cover mechanic.  So unlike many of the other classes that have to wade into battle, the smuggler can dip in and out of shadows behind cover… cool!  DPS and support roles.

• Advanced Class – Gunslinger – “A gunslinger was a type of smuggler that appeared during the years of the Great Galactic War and the Cold War that followed it circa 3,653 BBY. Master of the trick shot, the first to dive for cover and willing to take advantage of every opportunity, the Gunslinger and his dual blasters are the perfect team. The Gunslinger can shoot out a man’s
  legs to keep him from charging, blind him so he can’t get to his weapons or inflict serious injuries for maximum distraction. There’s a right target for ending every disagreement and the Gunslinger knows them like the inside of his ship.”
• Advanced Class – Scoundrel – “In addition to his trusty blaster the Scoundrel packs a stealth belt, a scattergun and a med pack–everything he needs to get in, knock the enemy for a loop and get out alive. Being invisible works best, but even when Sith fly through the air waving Lightsabers all they get to do is look surprised as the Scoundrel’s scattergun sends them back the way they came. The Scoundrel always shoots first.”

Always shoot first

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Trooper

I don’t think that many people were excited about the Trooper class until that last trailer dropped.  Playing the story from the perspective of the best solider in the Republic may indeed be an amazing adventure (+ Jennifer Hale! ).  The trooper will be a hearty ranged DPS class that has the capacity to Tank if you choose the Vanguard class.  So your choices will be, dealing massive damage, or taking massive damage.

• Advanced Class – Commando – Able to withstand a beating and able to carry the biggest weapons in the game, this class is a no-brainer for those that like a more gritty story and high explosives. Trained in advanced assault tactics and weaponry, Commandos charge battlefields with massive blaster cannons, overwhelming their enemies with brute firepower.
• Advanced Class – Vanguard – Oddly enough, a ranged “tanking” class for the Republic – “A vanguard was a type of trooper that appeared during the years of theGreat Galactic War and the Cold War that followed it circa 3,653 BBY. These steadfast soldiers ignore personal risk, deliberately stepping into the line of fire to divert danger from allies and innocents.
  Though their tactical role is inherently dangerous, Vanguards have an uncanny survivability due to their expert defensive tactics and the advanced technology at their disposal.”

For the Republic?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

And now for the “bad” guys..

SITH EMPIRE

Bounty Hunter

No doubt destined to be a mega popular class the term “bounty hunter” was made cool by Star Wars and Star Wars alone.  Iconic characters such as IG-88, Aura Sing, and Boba Fett radiate cool and badassery.  Who doesn’t want to fly around the galaxy working for the highest bidder and have no moral code?  In terms of game play Bounty Hunters appear to slide into the ranged DPS and Tanking archtypes.  That being said, they also appear to have a variety of support roles on the battlefield…oh, and they can fly.

• Advanced Class – Power Tech – This advanced class specializes in defense, utilizing their custom-made armor, and absorbing damage in battle.  From what little information has been released about the PowerTech class, we do know that this will be the Sith’s “ranged tanking” class and will utilize a heavy personal shield to absorb damage while drawing aggro.
• Advanced Class – Mercenary – Think Jango Fett.  Personal jet pack, body armor, wrist mounted flame thrower, duel high power laser pistols… yep. “During the years of the Great Galactic War and the Cold War that followed it circa 3,653 BBY, the term “mercenary” was used to refer to a specific breed of armored bounty hunter. These mercenaries served the resurgent Sith Empire and were known for their use of dual-wielded guns, missile launchers, and dealing high amounts of damage in battle.”

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Imperial Agent

Imperial agent is the “rogue” class for Sith Empire.  Utilizing sneak attacks, stealth and gadgetry, Imperial agents will fill the roll DPS and support while grouping.  Depending on which path you choose an Imperial Agent can rain down orbital strikes, or use a stealth generator to get in close and break necks personally.  Imperial Agents can also generate cover and utilize a similar cover mechanic to the smuggler.  Something tells me this class will just be a lot of fun.

• Advanced Class – Sniper – Need I say more? The class is called “sniper” meaning that you’ll probably be doing a lot of shooting people in the face from far away.  “After extensive training, the Sniper’s long range blaster rifle becomes a weapon of exacting precision, allowing him to target enemies’ vulnerabilities and strike at the perfect moment to turn the tide of battle.“
• Advanced Class – Operative – This advanced class is sort of the “wild card” of the bunch because nobody really knows exactly what they’ll be doing at any given time.  They can heal their party, they can go stealth and eliminate targets, they have access to combat droids and have orbital strike technology (kitchen sink anyone?).  My brain is telling me that they will play a lot like a “pet” class in other MMOs’, meaning they let their minions do their dirty work for them.

Not a Dark Elf... I promise

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Sith Inquisitor

More Darth Sidious than Darth Vader, the Sith Inquisitor will be a lightly armored DPS machine that can use both ranged force powers and light saber combat.  However, my money is on them not being able to take a ton of damage on the battlefield.  This class should probably be chosen by those who like to inflict as much pain as possible.  Sith Inquistors will also have access to duel bladed lightsabers and according to wookiepedia “Sith Inquisitors were able to drain life from their opponents and use Force Lightning, but were also skilled with the lightsaber. They were known for their ability to spread fear and terrorize their opponents simply with their presence”

• Advanced Class – Sith Sorcerer – Ranged DPS machines. These Sith specialized in ranged attack abilities with the Force, such as Force lightning and Force drain. Sith Sorcerers were known to primarily wield one lightsaber in combat, and were adept at variant applications of Force lightning in combat.
• Advanced Class – Sith Assassin –  That just sounds bad right?  I mean Sith alone denotes that you’re an evil killer, but saying you’re a Sith assassin is like saying you’re a cannibalistic child eating evil killer.  From what I gather Sith Assassins will be a stealth melee class, making them most like the “rogue” class that we’re used to.  They will utilize stealth, mind control and a duel bladed light saber to kill enemies before they’re ever seen.

The Wizard and Rogue class mushed into one.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Sith Warrior

Darth Vader, Darth Bane, Darth Maul, Darth Tyrannus…  You too can be a Darth.  The Sith warrior will be a heavy armor wearing melee machine that can either be melee DPS or a Tank.  If you have fantasies of force throwing and force choking your enemies into submission, than this will probably be your class.  While at first glance they don’t appear to have much in terms of “bells and whistles”, what they do excel at is light saber combat and being tough as nails.

• Advanced Class – Juggernaut – Seemingly unstoppable the Sith Juggernaught will be your damage absorbing melee Tank.  What SWTOR promises is that tanking will now be fun, and even tanks will deal damage. The Juggernaut will wear heavy armor (think Vader) and will wield a single light saber (again think Vader).  “Through diligence and clarity, the Juggernaut shapes the Force to his will to become nearly invulnerable. Damage that would destroy others is shrugged off, and futility fills the Juggernaut’s foes with doubt and despair. Protecting their allies and punishing their adversaries, they charge into the thick of any fray, and take the brunt of the assault and are even able to drain the energy of their enemies to further strengthen their resolve”
• Advanced Class – Marauder – The Marauder will be for melee DPS lovers and people that like to get up close and dirty when they fight.  Seemingly wearing lighter armor than the Juggernaut and wielding two light-sabers, the Marauder seems to channel the essence of Darth Maul… only not as cut in half.

DPS and Tank

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Wrap Up – So there you have it.  The basic classes of SWTOR.  There are many other factors to include when picking your class.  Things such as race, cross faction communication, companion usage, skill trees, and more.   So who are you going to play?  We’re dying to find out.