Narasil Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 When I first started playing SWToR there was a lot of angst that if you didn't consistently pick one side or the other you could gimp your character, or at least lose out on some content because some equipment required you to be at certain levels of dark or light side. Bioware said this was a feature, that choices mattered and were not going to change the system. My question is is this still the case? Can you "gimp" yourself by not consistently picking one side or the other? The other entirely separate question is can you change factions via this mechanic, or some other way? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSchuyler Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 (edited) Well, no, you can't "change factions" by choosing dark or light side. Think about it. You chose a character in the Republic or the Empire. That's your faction. Having said that, individuals can be "evil" or "benevolent" on either side, and that's what dark/light is all about. It's kind of instructive, really. Someone you consider an enemy can be a very nice person, and someone on your side can be inherently evil. Sometimes dark/light can be a little strange. For example, in the Eidilon (sp?) fight (BH on Nar Shadda) you get light side points for killing him. The idea is that it is a mercy killing because you saved him from being tortured by the Hutts. Edited July 3, 2013 by MSchuyler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narasil Posted July 3, 2013 Author Share Posted July 3, 2013 Thanks for your response, and yes I didn't see a clear way to "change faction" ie pets, class, ships, etc. just wondered if anything changed. That being said I'm still not sure about whether or not you can miss out on gear or content if you don't consistently pick dark or light no matter how much you'd like to RP or "just play and enjoy the game"... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSchuyler Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Thanks for your response, and yes I didn't see a clear way to "change faction" ie pets, class, ships, etc. just wondered if anything changed. That being said I'm still not sure about whether or not you can miss out on gear or content if you don't consistently pick dark or light no matter how much you'd like to RP or "just play and enjoy the game"... Yes, you can miss out on light side gear of you are 100% dark or you can miss out on dark side gear if you are 100% light. There are advantages each way, but they balance each other out. Once again, if you are "in character" and playing dark there's no reason to worry that you can't get a wussy piece of light side gear. It's beneath you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nmyownworld Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Can you "gimp" yourself by not consistently picking one side or the other? You can't use Relics if your character stays "Neutral." Your character has to achieve, and maintain, a certain Dark or Light level to use various Relics. I don't think there are Relics that can be used by characters who are Neutral. Not a huge thing, but would I miss that extra "power," "alacrity," or whatever boost during a fight with a major baddie? Yes. I have a Bounty Hunter character who is perpetually in the realm of Neutral. An almost equal number of Dark, and Light side choices. At this rate, there will be no Relic equipping/usage for her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOTACTICS Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 You need top go either dark or Light all the way to get the better relic boosts, there is little point staying neturel. What is a little annoying is that your companions effection may well go against that naturel dark or light choice, I,.e your companion may favour more a republic light weighting conversation rather than your naturel dark or vice versa. One example with the Sith Jugg's first mate Vette in that she favours more light choices as she is a republic slave as such which kind of goes your tendancy to go dark in being a sith . It can be a bit of balancing act between effection gains and dark/light gains, although yo can counter this indifference with buying/gathering lots of gifts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtonewbie Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 That being said I'm still not sure about whether or not you can miss out on gear or content if you don't consistently pick dark or light no matter how much you'd like to RP or "just play and enjoy the game"... I've leveled a bunch of toons as full dark and some as full light. But i have a tendency to play my BH and IA in character. That means my BH is a good guy, but he will almost always go with what he is contracted to do. My IA i also play as a level headed imperial instead of a complete psycho. But she wont hesitate to kill to preserve the empire. And i dont even rollplay, it just feels wierd to play a BH or IA as full on psycho. If you arent interested in the light/dark vendor gear there isnt any need to go full light or dark. You will miss out on relics as you level because higher level relics have higher light or dark requirements. BUT from what i've heard there are max level relics that dont have light/dark requirements. My IA is light 1 and she has equal amounts of light and dark, and i've never bothered getting her relics, and she is 55 now. But in the end, if you play how you want to play and dont worry about if a choice is light or dark you might have a little more fun. If you pick light or dark choices just for the sake of being full light or full dark you might not have as much fun, you might even miss out on some cool dialogue options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narasil Posted July 3, 2013 Author Share Posted July 3, 2013 Thanks to all for your replies! I really appreciate it and now that I know the trade off I can make an informed decision I suppose one could always "farm" DS/LS points in flashpoints if you got yourself in a bind, but it's important to know what you will or won't be missing Thanks again to all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narasil Posted July 3, 2013 Author Share Posted July 3, 2013 (edited) double post Edited July 3, 2013 by Narasil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deathstalker_ Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 There is one relic you can use if you go Neutral: the Matrix Cube. This only provides basic boosts to your Primary and Secondary stats (when put together properly), but doesn't require any Light or Dark levels to use. I don't think it makes up for the sheer number of choices you'd have if you went full Light or full Dark, but at least you will have a Relic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gidrea Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 After level 50 the relics are neutral. You can get them from the Comm Vendors. And of course your matrix cube is neutral. And if, after your story, you are at light or dark 4 and you want to get to 5, you can solo Esseles or Black Talon in story mode for 200 points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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