As more and more MMOs’ release, it is evident that World of Warcraft’s success has been an anomaly. Remember when SWTOR was strutted as the next “WoW killer?” But ultimately a large exodus occurred, and layoffs followed. Many have since begun questioning the success of any subscription based MMO to follow. If Bioware is struggling with a subscription model when they have the biggest IP you can attach to an MMO, what hope is there for any other MMO that follows the same model? Essentially, Bioware needs to convert to the Free-to-Play model if they want to increase their profit and player base.

What use is it calling yourself the “Protectors of the Galaxy” if you keep yourself from fighting? How can a galaxy at war train a Jedi to learn of peace and knowledge with the threat of impending doom over their heads? While the Jedi Order portrayed in The Phantom Menace and the beginning of Attack of the Clones was one that had flourished in peace, the Great Galactic War breeds an entirely different mindset for these paragons of the Force.

Jump past the cut to read how war can turn a philosopher into a warrior, and if the Order can really uphold its standards while fighting a brutal war.

This week’s “The Galaxy is Yours” is the conclusion of the exploration of lightsaber forms in The Old Republic. Last week spotlighted Shii-Cho, Soresu and Ataru forms as well as the kinds of characters who would be attracted to using those forms. This week covers the final two in the game: Shien and Juyo. Jump past the cut to continue the journey.

Jedi Guardians will be familiar to anyone who has played a sword-and-shield warrior-type tank class in any MMORPG. They are the traditional melee tank relying on a combination of absorption, avoidance, and mitigation to successfuly tank content.

As the Jedi Knight you will start your journey as a Jedi Padawan on the planet Tython, the starting world of the Jedi Knight and Consular. As a Jedi Padawan you are expected to pass the Jedi Trials before being promoted to the rank of the Knight.

Upon reaching level 10, you will be able to choose an Advanced Class (AC) from the Jedi Advance Class trainer near the Combat Training section of Carrick Station. To play the “Tank” role in a group, you must pick the Guardian Specialization as your AC choice. After choosing your AC you will be able to equip heavy armor and use a shield generator to maximize your mitigation. When you pick the Guardian AC, you will receive your first shield generator for free. The Guardian Specialization opens up three skill trees where you can spend your skill points. Skill points are earned at the rate of one point per level for a maximum of 41 points. The three skill trees are Defense, Focus, and Vigilance. Defense is the Tank tree; Vigilance is the DPS tree optimal for Player Versus Environment (PVE); and Focus is the DPS tree optimal for Player Versus Player.

Originally posted by GeorgZoeller (Source)

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Hi guys,

There are many different subjects discussed in this thread and I would like to take the opportunity to give you some information on the topics at hand.

First off, we currently have no indication that any class needs a huge buff. Class balance is defined by the interaction between classes and changes we make to one class will, inevitably, move the balance towards or from other classes. Our data and testing currently indicates that the Juggernaut and Guardian AC could use some buffing up in two areas where we see them underperforming against our expectations.

FORCE Junkie Basics Series is an effort to help you decide and decipher between all the different Classes in Star Wars: The Old Republic. This series of video guides describes the eight basic classes in the game to help give you an idea of the classes mechanics and root abilities. Each of the eight different classes are broke up into mirrors; for example the Jedi Knight and the Sith Warrior are the two equivalent Imperial and Republic classes. Each of the eight basic classes are divided up into two separate Advanced Classes which are not covered in these guides.

So if you are new to the game and want to see a brief intro into each class, make sure you watch each video to get an idea of what you’re getting yourself into!

Today’s video brings the Jedi Knight into light, and some of the basics of what to expect when first creating a character of this type. The Republic’s stalwart defenders are an excellent choice for any player looking to lead their fellow players into the fray, either against the Sith or the many other threats in the galaxy.

Leaping into a group of evil foes with dual lightsabers a blaze, the Jedi Sentinel stuns and damages his enemies by leaping into the air and blasting them with a concussive wave of the force.  Before regaining his senses, an adversary is finished of by a slash of a lightsaber.   As another opponent approaches, he too is cut down buy a wide sweep of the Jedi’s lightsaber.  The final combatant tries in vain to shoot the Jedi with his blaster, but the bolts find no purchase as they are easily deflected by the Jedi.  With a dazzling 180 degree turn and the Jedi spins around and finishes his final enemy by stabbing him with both lightsabers.  After the flurry of violence over in what seems in instant, his foes dispatched of, the Jedi Sentinel deactivates his lightsaber and centers himself for his next quarry.

With last week’s NDA lift, many fan questions can finally be answered!

Jedi Knight Guardian / Sith Warrior Juggernaut
The Guardian and Juggernaut are iconic Star Wars roles. From a high level, they closely resemble tanking classes in other games by force leaping into battle and using melee abilities to gain threat. Feedback from the beta seems to imply that these advanced classes are slightly underpowered. Specific complaints include: limited area of effect damage, low up-front threat generation, low DPS from the non-Defense/Immortal talent trees. This is not to say they are less than capable tanks! Nonetheless, they are slightly more challenging to play in their current state, particularly with large area of effect pulls. The good news is that this minor balance issue is something BioWare can easily tweak in the near future.

Diplomat, General, Warrior, Mediator and Peacekeeper: The Jedi Knight has been known by all these titles and more. Though the title Jedi Knight is a rank in the Jedi Order, the ones SWTOR refers to fall more into the category of Warrior and Peacekeeper. They are the first into battle, and style themselves as the protectors of the galaxy. They are the good to the Sith Warrior’s unmitigated evil.

But what does it mean to be a Knight? Though all have completed their training as a Padawan and proven themselves to their masters, there are differences even within the light side of the force. Head past the cut to explore some important Knights you can take a pointer or two from.