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.

This article will be a discussion and analysis of the other Advanced Classes of the Consular/Inquisitor, the Shadow and Assassin.  Just like the previous pairing, the Shadow and Assassin are versatile classes with a lot of potential.  They are able to tear apart their enemies in close quarters combat, or keep everyone hacking away at them as they tank for their allies.

Just like all ACs, the Shadow and Assassin get signature abilities that help to define their class.  One of the most prominent is the weapon proficiencies that are gained upon selecting one of these ACs, electrostaff and double-bladed lightsaber proficiency.  While electrostaffs can be used, many abilities specifically require a double-bladed lightsaber, so there is nothing else someone should be using when playing a Shadow or Assassin. The other hallmark of these AC’s is the ability to enter stealth.  Even if someone decided to tank, using stealth is still a valuable tool in a combat situation and some abilities need a player to be stealthed before being used.

As Star Wars fans, it is easy to divide the galaxy into the categories listed in the title. After all, it represents the struggle between good and evil, law and chaos, and peace over war. It is just as easy to forget that the majority of the universe consists of those with no connection to the Force whatsoever. The Old Republic represents this part of the galaxy with Smugglers, Bounty Hunters, Agents and Troopers, but these are no ordinary individuals. We rarely get a glimpse into the viewpoint of the common person in the galaxy, which makes this quote from Atton Rand all the more interesting:

“The Jedi…the Sith…you don’t get it, do you? To the galaxy, they’re the same thing; just men and women with too much power, squabbling over religion, while the rest of us burn.”

“Peace is a lie, there is only passion.”

This is the first line of the Code of the Sith, a rather obvious antithesis to the Jedi Code. These are the words that the Sith live by during the Old Republic era and as a result the entire Sith Empire. Due to the unique position the Sith have in the Empire’s hierarchy many non-Force users have come to accept portions of the Code in how they handle their political and military dealings, whether they realize it or not.

Whether you play a cold-blooded Sith Warrior or Inquisitor, or perhaps an Agent or Bounty Hunter, the Code of the Sith can have a drastic impact on how your character interacts with the denizens of the Empire. Jump past the cut to find out how.

Speed and deception are the tools in the Assassin’s arsenal. Whether using stealth to infiltrate a Republic base and remove a high-profile target or tactically entering a large-scale battle, the Assassin’s dual-bladed Lightsaber flashes with deadly precision to provide a relentless offense and when necessary, a formidable defense. The Assassin can channel the Force just as easily, mentally assaulting an enemy and manipulating a confrontation to ensure his side maintains the upper hand.

INTRODUCTION

This handbook is intended to be a comprehensive guide to gameplay competency with the Sith Assassin. As such, it will provide data on effective Player-versus-Player gameplay, Player-versus-Environment gameplay, and some general tips on leveling as a Sith Assassin. It is not intended to be a walkthrough or guide to any specific World, Flashpoint or Operation, and will only contain some brief looks at specific Warzones and Conflict Regions. Skill Calculator builds are merely my opinion, and though I do my best to learn as much as possible, I cannot know everything. If you have contradictory ideas, please post them here. While this guide will never be perfect, it will be more perfect with each version than the last. We get better through sharing ideas, after all.

This guide will also go over the basics of gearing as a Sith Assassin, and highlight some notable pieces of equipment.

(NOTE: Information is based off of the 11/25 beta build, and it may change by launch.)

The Sith Sorcerer is a well rounded Healer and Ranged DPS that has three talent trees that will dictate the role the Sorcerer will play. Each tree has a wide range of talents, that will impact the aspects of a player’s style. While it isn’t uncommon to stray into one or both of the other tree’s with a few talent points for “hybrid talents”, many will “specialize” in one tree to increase effectiveness. At the top of every tree, there is also a new ability available.

Just imagine, you are an up-and-coming powerful Sith, and you just finish a quest to put a beautiful woman in a seat of power in her own House. You might be thinking to yourself, “Nice. This should be a good reward; some new loot and some great experience.” Not in TOR my friend, you take what you want! Eat your hearts out Jedi!

The Twi’lek never leaves my side. Just say’in.

Video by Straw Fellow.

When first logging in to the character creation screen for the Sith Inquisitor, there are five total options left for player species:

• Human
• Twi’lek
• Zabrak
• Sith Pureblood
• Rattataki

Everyone will have a reason for choosing the species they decide to roll with their Inquisitor, and these five options leave the player open to a lot of different possibilities!

The Star Wars universe is vast and serves as a home to a myriad of different species. They can be hard to keep track of sometimes and Bioware has elected to include 9 species as playable. Some of these will already be familiar to you depending on how much Star Wars material you’ve made your way through over the years. If you’re just starting out though, some of them may seem a bit more mysterious or daunting. This week we’ll take an introductory look at three species available to players; the brutal Rattataki, the arrogant Sith Pureblood and the carnivorous Zabrak.

Star Wars as a setting, universe and game world is seated on the obvious recurring theme of good versus evil; at least at first sight. Republic and Empire represent two warring factions at each other’s throats with a whole galaxy at stake. You have to make up your mind, on the spot, which side you’ll be on. The choice seems very simple at first, the Empire represents evil and the Republic good. Those of you that usually play the good go Republic and those more in tune with the evil side play Empire. This is where Star Wars and indeed The Old Republic offer more nuance though, so perhaps it’d be a good idea to have a look at the other side as well. Let’s explore.