Before you begin your journey in Star Wars™: The Old Republic™, you’ll need to decide what type of environment is best-suited to your playstyle and what type of character you want to play. In this section, we’ll guide you through the process of selecting your server, as well as walk you through the process of creating your first character.
Selecting a Server
In Star Wars™: The Old Republic™, you will choose one of four types of game servers to play on. Different players have different preferences; some prefer a competitive environment while others prefer an atmosphere where they can focus entirely on personal and group missions. For some players, the most important aspect of the gameplay setting is that everyone respects a high level of immersion by staying in character when they communicate in the game. You can find out what type of environment each server is by looking at the item marked as "type" next to each server’s name.
While people with experience playing Massively Multiplayer titles will immediately know what each of these different environment types are, those of you who are new to the genre may have questions about the available options. A short description of each of the four different server types below should give you a better understanding:
Player vs. Environment (PvE) - In Star Wars™: The Old Republic™, Player vs. Environment servers serve as the "default." On these servers, you have the option to role-play as your character, and player- vs.- player fights must be agreed to by both sides.
Player vs. Player (PvP) - On a Player vs. Player server, players from the opposing faction can attack you at almost any time. Of course this means that you can also attack them at almost any time. This provides you with a more challenging experience since you are under the near-constant threat of attack, both from NPCs and from players aligned with the enemy faction.
Role-Playing (RP-PvE or RP-PvP) - Role-Play-specific servers are for those of you who want to take your role-playing experience to the next level and create your own persona in the Star Wars galaxy. Role-Playing servers are available as either Player vs. Environment or Player vs. Player, except on these servers players remain in-character at all times to provide a more immersive experience.
Creating Your Character
The characters you create in Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ serve as an extension of yourself; a representation of who you are in the Star Wars™ universe that will be with you throughout your journey. Creating your character is easy, and the options given will allow you to truly customize your character to your personal style
Choosing Your Allegiance
At the beginning of character creation you will decide whether you want your character to be a defender of the Republic, or a champion of the Empire. Once you select your allegiance, you will be prompted to choose your character class.
Choosing Your Class
Each Class is represented with a visual icon at the bottom of your game window. This is the single most important choice that you will ever make in Star Wars™: The Old Republic™, as your Class not only determines your combat style and how to play, but it also determines which of the unique stories you will experience! To help you in this decision, we’ve listed each of the playable classes below:
Republic
- Jedi Knight - Strong-willed and powerful fighters, Jedi Knights have dedicated themselves to honing both their minds and bodies.
- Jedi Consular - The Jedi Consular uses their mastery of the Force to both defend the Republic and protect their allies.
- Smuggler - Highly adaptable to almost every situation, Smugglers rely on their guile and their smarts to slip out of any tight spot.
- Trooper - The Trooper is the defender of the Republic, wielding heavy weapons and armor on the frontlines.
- Sith Warrior - Using their rage to fuel their power, the Sith Warrior is among the most feared combatants in the galaxy.
- Sith Inquisitor - Fueled by the Dark Side, Sith Inquisitors channel their hatred into powerful attacks that cripple their foes.
- Imperial Agent - The eyes and ears of the Empire, Imperial Agents keep to the shadows to carry out the Emperor’s orders.
- Bounty Hunter - Bounty Hunters rely on the latest black market tech and weapons to stalk and eventually eliminate their targets.
Tanks lead the charge into battle, rushing headlong into the fight and taking the brunt of the enemy’s attacks in support of your allies. Tanks utilize heavy armor and defensive bonuses to better absorb the extra pounding they receive.
Classes that can play Tanks: Jedi Knight, Sith Warrior, Bounty Hunter, Trooper, Jedi Consular, Sith Inquisitor
Damage Dealers, also known as DPS players, will have the most powerful attacks and specialize in offensive combat. Damage Dealers utilize powerful weapons and offensive abilities to stop their enemies dead in their tracks.
Classes that can play Damage Dealers: All Classes
Medics, commonly referred to as "healers" in other MMOs, will take on the role of supporting groups by using their abilities to keep their fellow players’ health high during battle. Medics have powerful defensive abilities, as well as skills that replenish health for themselves and their allies.
Classes that can play a Medic: Jedi Consular, Sith Inquisitor, Smuggler, Imperial Agent, Trooper, Bounty Hunter
Choosing Your Species
Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ features eight playable species. Your selection of different Species is determined by which class you have chosen. After you have decided which species you want to play, you will have the chance to pick your gender: female or male. After choosing your gender, it’s time to customize your appearance.
Species:
Human - Known for their versatility and ability to adapt to almost any situation or circumstance, Humans are recognized as the most common species in the known galaxy and are used as the "standard" by which all other species are compared.
Twi’lek - Though Force sensitive Twi’leks are often taken at a young age to learn to harness their powers, many free Twi’leks rely on their powers of seduction to get ahead in the galaxy. This allows Twi’leks to use their powers of persuasion to loosen the lips of influential powers, and slip their way out of sticky situations.
Mirialan - Easily recognized by their greenish-tinted skin and geometric tattoos that mark their own personal achievements, Mirialan are renowned across the galaxy for their prowess both at the negotiation table and on the field of battle.
Miraluka - While they share many similar traits, the evolution of the Miraluka has diverted significantly from their Human counterparts. Born without eyes, the Miraluka can see the galaxy around them through their strong connection to the force, and often wear veils or headbands, many of them elaborately decorated, to cover their faces.
Zabrak - Easily recognized by their cranial spikes and facial tattoos, the Zabrak are one of the most culturally varied species in the galaxy. This difference can trace its roots to the Jedi Civil War, where the Zabrak homeworld of Iridonia was constantly fought over. As a result, each of the Zabrak’s colony worlds broke away from their homeworld and followed their own paths. Because of this and other influences, Zabrak can be found serving many roles for both the Galactic Republic and Sith Empire.
Sith Pureblood - The Sith, as a species, have been regarded throughout history as a violent people who share a strong, symbiotic connection to the Dark Side of the Force. While they are regarded as "pureblood" to the galaxy at large, much of Sith culture has been shaped by their interbreeding with Humans which began when Dark Jedi who were exiled by the Jedi Council became marooned on the Sith homeworld of Korriban. Today very few Sith are spared the "taint" of an impure bloodline.
Rattataki - Because of the harsh climate on the arid world of Rattatak, the native Rattataki had to fight off Humans, Zabrak and other species for control of any resource they could find. This constant drive for survival has led to the Rattataki being strong and deadly warriors.
Chiss - Chiss are known to be cunning warriors and capable military leaders. Chiss are also known to be highly educated, and many of them use their skills to gather intelligence on their enemies in an expedient and quiet manner. Because they are the only known ally of the Sith Empire, Chiss are often seen as high ranking officials in the Empire’s Imperial Intelligence organization.
Cyborg - Half-man, half-machine, Cyborgs are humans who have turned away from their humanity and their mortality in favor of technological advancements. While many use cybernetics to save their lives or replace missing limbs, some turn to implants to help them in combat, such as using retinal implants to scan for potential threats.