Help Me Choose a Class! (And many other questions)

[Couratious]

Hello all!

 

I am new to SWTOR and just downloaded the game last night and am looking to try it out for a couple months. I really need some help on deciding a class to play though.

 

First a bit of background on myself (feel free to skip) I have been playing the elder scrolls online on the xbox NA server pretty religiously for the last 3 years. I love the game but the recent direction the devs have taken with the game (nerf hammer) while continuing to ignore near game-breaking performance issues for quite some time I have decided to try to find a different MMO to play. After much searching I have decided to give this game a try. I was very into end-game pve and pvp in eso (all 4-person content and almost all associated achievements cleared, same with 12-person content, and also max rank of Grand Overlord in pvp) and am hoping to get involved in the same type of activities in this game.

 

So basically I am curious as to what the current meta is right now in terms of classes for pve and pvp for dps so i can pick one to start leveling. None of the classes themselves really seemed to jump out to me as something I defintely wanted to play so any assistance on that would be greatly appreciated!

 

I try to do some research on my own but it seems like a lot of guides and information is outdated by a few years or more so I would just like to make sure I am getting up to date information.

 

Also looking for tips and tricks as far as leveling goes and gearing out my character as i level, what type of content should i be doing, what gear and drops should i be looking for.. etc.

 

Also was curious about the health of the end-game pve community. Is it still worth it for someone like me starting from scratch to look to work up to the point where I can run end-game? Or is the end-game community ever dwindling?

 

Either way I am planning on giving the game a spin because I heard the quests and what not had a good story and were interesting and I used to have lots of love for the star wars universe when I was younger. If the end-game community is good and healthy then that will be a plus. Don't think I'll be quitting eso for good but I definitely need a new mmo to take up some of my free time.

 

Anyways ty for reading my first post on these forums! Any help or feedback would be so appreciated Ty humbly

:):):):):):):):):)

[Couratious]

Yes thank you so much for all of that information! I actually did just subscribe so i could get the full feel of what the game has to offer. Yea idk commando sounds pretty cool might start there 😊 Edited July 9, 2019 by Couratious

[SteveTheCynic]

Yes thank you so much for all of that information! I actually did just subscribe so i could get the full feel of what the game has to offer. Yea idk commando sounds pretty cool might start there 😊

If you go with Commando, make sure to pick "Gunnery" as the Discipline (or "Arsenal" for Mercenary - they are identical(1) in game-play performance even if they look very different). Rather than multiple hybridisable skill lines like ESO, each class has three "Disciplines" that have an essentially fixed progression each, with a small amount of flexibility through the selection of "Utilities". Make sure to keep enough Utilities available to select the "Forced March" top-tier Utility, since this allows you to move while channelling(2) your most powerful single-target ability, Boltstream. (It's effectively you machine-gunning the target, but being able to move while doing so...)(3)

 

(1) Theoretically, anyway. There have been claims that some of the mirrored pairs of class/discipline combinations have mismatches in e.g. damage output because of differences in their animations.

 

(2) Terminology: a "channelled" ability is one that delivers damage (or healing) continuously during the channel time. A "cast" ability is one that you cast for a while and then it delivers its effect in a big blob at the end.

 

(3) Gunnery Commando is my favourite of all class/discipline combinations, with Lightning Sorcerer not far behind (for looks rather than for its top-tier end-game performance), alongside Vigilance Guardian and Vengeance Juggernaut.

[Couratious]

If you go with Commando, make sure to pick "Gunnery" as the Discipline (or "Arsenal" for Mercenary - they are identical(1) in game-play performance even if they look very different). Rather than multiple hybridisable skill lines like ESO, each class has three "Disciplines" that have an essentially fixed progression each, with a small amount of flexibility through the selection of "Utilities". Make sure to keep enough Utilities available to select the "Forced March" top-tier Utility, since this allows you to move while channelling(2) your most powerful single-target ability, Boltstream. (It's effectively you machine-gunning the target, but being able to move while doing so...)(3)

 

(1) Theoretically, anyway. There have been claims that some of the mirrored pairs of class/discipline combinations have mismatches in e.g. damage output because of differences in their animations.

 

(2) Terminology: a "channelled" ability is one that delivers damage (or healing) continuously during the channel time. A "cast" ability is one that you cast for a while and then it delivers its effect in a big blob at the end.

 

(3) Gunnery Commando is my favourite of all class/discipline combinations, with Lightning Sorcerer not far behind (for looks rather than for its top-tier end-game performance), alongside Vigilance Guardian and Vengeance Juggernaut.

 

Ohhh okay so its not so much the class that determines your trinity role but rather the discipline you select? And tysm for the information!🤗

[SteveTheCynic]

Ohhh okay so its not so much the class that determines your trinity role but rather the discipline you select? And tysm for the information!🤗

Yes, but more specifically, the combination of class and discipline:

* Gunslinger / Sniper ==> non-Force-User (NFU) classes that are DPS in all disciplines.

* Sentinel / Marauder ==> Force User(FU) all-DPS classes

* Shadow / Assassin ==> FU DPS/DPS/Tank with double-blade sabre and stealth

* Guardian / Juggernaut ==> FU DPS/DPS/Tank

* Vanguard / Powertech ==> NFU DPS/DPS/Tank

* Scoundrel / Operative ==> NFU DPS/DPS/Heal with stealth

* Sage / Sorcerer ==> FU DPS/DPS/Heal with huge energy ("Magicka" in ESO terms) pool

* Commando / Mercenary ==> NFU DPS/DPS/Heal (Commando has the Honking Big Gun)

[Couratious]

Ohhh okay that makes alot of sense now. Tysm😊

[JediQuaker]

I have been playing the elder scrolls online ..... So basically I am curious as to what the current meta is right now in terms of classes for pve and pvp for dps so i can pick one to start levelling.

If you gave us more of an idea of what sort of character you played in ESO, we could give you more of an idea of what class in SWTOR is close to it (if any). (I haven't played ESO and I have no idea what sort of "classes" it has.)

 

But, in any case, for PvE, start whatever class sounds good to you. You should have plenty of character slots, so don't be afraid to start multiple classes to see which one you like. In PvE the only thing that really matters is what class you like to play - there's no "better" or "worse" classes for PvE. (Although everyone has a favourite of course*.)

 

For PvP, I doubt that it really, really matters there either, but I don't PvP, and I'm pretty sure there are "favoured" classes. You could post in the PvP forum to find out what the "class de jeur" is for PvP. Also, for PvP, you could start a character at level 60 or 65** and bypass most of the levelling.

 

* My personal favourite is Gunslinger. But, I played a Jedi Knight, Jedi Sage, Trooper, Bounty Hunter, Scoundrel, and Sith Warrior before starting a 'Slinger. Which is why I say to try various classes. (I've played all classes now)

 

** If you have that option. I'm not sure/forget what conditions there might be.

[Couratious]

If you gave us more of an idea of what sort of character you played in ESO, we could give you more of an idea of what class in SWTOR is close to it (if any). (I haven't played ESO and I have no idea what sort of "classes" it has.)

 

But, in any case, for PvE, start whatever class sounds good to you. You should have plenty of character slots, so don't be afraid to start multiple classes to see which one you like. In PvE the only thing that really matters is what class you like to play - there's no "better" or "worse" classes for PvE. (Although everyone has a favourite of course*.)

 

For PvP, I doubt that it really, really matters there either, but I don't PvP, and I'm pretty sure there are "favoured" classes. You could post in the PvP forum to find out what the "class de jeur" is for PvP. Also, for PvP, you could start a character at level 60 or 65** and bypass most of the levelling.

 

* My personal favourite is Gunslinger. But, I played a Jedi Knight, Jedi Sage, Trooper, Bounty Hunter, Scoundrel, and Sith Warrior before starting a 'Slinger. Which is why I say to try various classes. (I've played all classes now)

 

** If you have that option. I'm not sure/forget what conditions there might be.

 

 

Oh you can skip to level 60?

 

Yeah its tough i definitely really liked the templar in eso because it could put out great damage with also great self heals and group off heals. But i really play everything in eso other than healer. For raids i was ussually dps or off-,tank.

 

Thats very interesting that there's no real "top dog" for pve cause im used to there being a strict hierarchy and meta in terms of classes for pretty much all roles. Thats really cool that all classes are pretty effective!

[SteveTheCynic]

** If you have that option. I'm not sure/forget what conditions there might be.

I believe that all new subscribed accounts get one Outlander pick for free. I'll continue writing while my other PC boots up so I can load up my second account on it.

 

You can also buy the "Outlander" token from the Cartel Market to get more bites at the "insta-60/insta-65" cherry, although the Master's Datacron (straight to 70) is better value. (The Outlander Token gives character-bound non-modifiable level 60 or 65 gear, while the Master's Datacron gives lowest-tier end-game (level 70) moddable set-bonus gear that is just like the set-bonus gear that drops from Command Crates, *and* it lets you play through the class story and SoR.)

 

To the general audience: the Outlander token lets you create a level 60 character with blue level 60 gear that begins at the beginning of KotFE (class story already complete and Shadow of Revan already complete) *or* a level 65 with blue level 65 gear that begins at the beginning of KotET (with the "first play" of KotET *also* complete).

 

OK, the other PC is up and logged in (Windows and SWTOR on SSD ==> *win*!). Yes, you get the equivalent of an Outlander token for free. See the "1 Boosted Characters"(1) below the words "Create Character".

 

(1) Complete with the singular "s" ending.

[Couratious]

Also i will pop into the pvp forums to ask there too! Good idea

[Couratious]

I believe that all new subscribed accounts get one Outlander pick for free. I'll continue writing while my other PC boots up so I can load up my second account on it.

 

You can also buy the "Outlander" token from the Cartel Market to get more bites at the "insta-60/insta-65" cherry, although the Master's Datacron (straight to 70) is better value. (The Outlander Token gives character-bound non-modifiable level 60 or 65 gear, while the Master's Datacron gives lowest-tier end-game (level 70) moddable set-bonus gear that is just like the set-bonus gear that drops from Command Crates, *and* it lets you play through the class story and SoR.)

 

To the general audience: the Outlander token lets you create a level 60 character with blue level 60 gear that begins at the beginning of KotFE (class story already complete and Shadow of Revan already complete) *or* a level 65 with blue level 65 gear that begins at the beginning of KotET (with the "first play" of KotET *also* complete).

 

OK, the other PC is up and logged in (Windows and SWTOR on SSD ==> *win*!). Yes, you get the equivalent of an Outlander token for free. See the "1 Boosted Characters"(1) below the words "Create Character".

 

(1) Complete with the singular "s" ending.

 

Ohhh okay thats good to know.

 

I have so much to learn😂

[SteveTheCynic]

Yeah its tough i definitely really liked the templar in eso because it could put out great damage with also great self heals and group off heals. But i really play everything in eso other than healer. For raids i was ussually dps or off-,tank.

If you don't mind ranged rather than melee, then Commando (Gunnery discipline) (or Arsenal discipline for Mercenary on the Empire side) is probably your best bet. It has good healing, including an in-combat rez, good survivability, and pretty sweet damage output.

 

For off-tank, I'd generally recommend one of the Jedi Guardian disciplines (probably Vigilance) or its Sith counterpart Sith Juggernaut (Vengeance discipline). They still have taunts and good defensive abilities, but better DPS than the Guardian/Juggernaut tank disciplines.

[Couratious]

If you don't mind ranged rather than melee, then Commando (Gunnery discipline) (or Arsenal discipline for Mercenary on the Empire side) is probably your best bet. It has good healing, including an in-combat rez, good survivability, and pretty sweet damage output.

 

For off-tank, I'd generally recommend one of the Jedi Guardian disciplines (probably Vigilance) or its Sith counterpart Sith Juggernaut (Vengeance discipline). They still have taunts and good defensive abilities, but better DPS than the Guardian/Juggernaut tank disciplines.

 

 

Mhmm those sound good cause i wana make a ranged and melee character. The gunnery commando definitely sounds like my cup of tea 😊