Source
r/swtor•
warframework

Your "Best 8" alts for lazy Completionists?

Discussion

There are 8 class stories, and 16 advanced classes...but each of those 16 advanced classes is near mirror image across an Imperial/Republic divide (e.g. Sage/Sorceror or Powertech/Vanguard), making there effectively only 8 "true" advanced classes.

So, a "lazy Completionist" could get one of each of the 8 "true" advanced classes, and complete each of the base class stories with exactly 8 alts, no more, no less.

And so, this leaves the question of which 4 classes to play on each side, Imperial or Republic, for the overall "best" experience. "Best" being scare-quoted, because obviously, this is subjective, and will vary a bit from player to player. But I'm curious about general advice here.

Here are my recommendations for "Best 8" for lazy Completionists:

Republic
  • Consular: Sage For Lightside Jedi, Sage is just more appropriate than Shadow, all else being equal (and Sorceror/Assassin being much more of a wash on the Imperial side).
  • Knight: Guardian The single-saber Jedi Knight is the classic form, for the classic story. Why fight tradition? (And the more offensive form is really a better fit for Sith, all around.)
  • Smuggler: Scoundrel Not only is this a KOTOR classic, it's also the only class that can use Shotguns/Scatterguns, and of course, you want that, right?
  • Trooper: Commando Similar to the above, if you want to use an Assault Cannon, this is the only option. Might as well take it.
Empire

These are mostly forced now, since the choices above lock these to their opposites...but I'll list them with some comments anyway!

  • Inquisitor: Assassin Perhaps the hardest call to make here, but again, the saberstaff just fits Sith better.
  • Warrior: Marauder Twice the sabers, twice the hate!
  • Agent: Sniper Even a sniper can shiv a punk that gets too close!
  • Bounty Hunter: Powertech Shield > Dual-Wield (in SWTOR, anyway), even if the Pub-side Assault Cannon hadn't decided things already.
And you?

The above would be my choices, assuming I followed the default paths (Light-side for Republic, Dark-side for Empire). Though, I could definitely see reversing the Jedi classes, e.g. Guardian/Marauder for Juggernaut/Sentinel, for reversed alignment play-throughs.

However, Scoundrel and Commando are locks for me, simply due to their exclusive weapons (Shotgun and Assault Cannon), regardless of Light/Dark choices.

If different, what are your choices here? And why?

Posted Jan 8, 2016, 6:31 PM UTC

234
BeardpunYour privilege is the dirt•

Agreed almost completely. I tend to flip for Gunslinger and Operative on the grounds that sneaky stabby seems more fitting for Imperial Intelligence. I do love the scattergun though. It's so satisfying.

9
warframeworkOP•

I definitely understand you, here.

But as counterpoint, I'd imagine a sniper is a better fit for taking down Jedi and traitorous Sith...it's hard to imagine sneaking up on a combat-veteran Force user.

But perhaps I've just seen the movie Wanted too many times.

1
kalarhan•

KOTOR used stealth as a weapon against Jedis ...

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BeardpunYour privilege is the dirt•

Both would have their success rates be pretty decent, given all factors. The sniper/operative is one of the most dead even as far as ACs fitting the class fantasy in my opinion.

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warframeworkOP•

Agreed.

Just saying, in a role-playing scenario, that were I personally tasked by Imperial Intelligence to kill Jedi targets, after an intensive Imperial course in either "Stealth & Vibroblade CQC" or "High-Powered Sniper Rifle Marksmanship"...I know I'd personally choose targets at 200m, rather than up-close-and-personal with Jedi.

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hutcho66•

Yep, I have an Operative and a Gunslinger for the same reason. Just seems less like the Agent to go in guns blazing, and more Han Solo-esque to do exactly that.

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hutcho66•

Yep, I have an Operative and a Gunslinger for the same reason. Just seems less like the Agent to go in guns blazing, and more Han Solo-esque to do exactly that.

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jhlotb•

You're nuts if you think a saberstaff is more Sith than lightning.

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LeRedditsModsRCunts•

I think he means compared to jedi Saber staffing

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warframeworkOP•

Sure...

But ALL Inquisitors (Sorc and Assassin both) get Force Lightning (and Electrocute, Shock, and Jolt).

(And Deception-spec Assassins can lightning-charge their saberstaffs!)

So, just "lightning" doesn't really decide much, between Assassin/Sorc...unless your commitment to it is total (which isn't the case for 2/3 Sorc specs).

0
theswertoEbon Hawk: The Malleus Legacy•

Gunslinger, Guardian, Shadow, Commando, Operative, Marauder, Sorcerer, Powertech.

MALE NEUTRAL Gunslinger: Dual wield is a no brainer, and Imperial fits the sneaky stabby more than smuggler story. Go male, better voice actor and like all non force sensitives turn alignment off and just do what you want.

MALE LIGHT SIDE Guardian: Jedi are defenders, not really offensive and it just fits the character more. Voiced by david hayder, no brainer on choosing male and light side here.

FEMALE LIGHT SIDE Shadow: Hard choice, but I prefer sorcerer to the abysmal Sage animations, and shadow still fits the boring storyline of consular. Male voice acting is abysmal for consular, female makes it somewhat passable. Light side for the appropriate faction alignment, and also the fact the dark side story is terrible for consular.

FEMALE NEUTRAL Commando: Only option for assault canon, no brainer. Voiced by Jennifer Hale, and once again turn alignment off for non force sensitive and just make choices that make sense to you.

MALE NEUTRAL Operative: Sneaky Stabby imperial agent. Male or female here are both fantastic, I went with male. Once again, turn off force alignment.

FEMALE DARK SIDE Marauder: Far more offensive and aggressive, fits the sith real well. I went with female here to balance things out, and I enjoy the female voice actor. Dark side to be aligned with the faction.

MALE DARK SIDE Sorcerer: C'mon, all the force lightning casting is just all around better looking and feeling than spamming pebbles and force pushes at people. Both the male and female are good choices here as well, really great voice acting from both camps. Dark side to align with faction.

MALE NEUTRAL (light leaning) Powertech: Assault canon on republic locks this in, but punching and burning things is far more satisfying than unleashing missiles and shooting things with two wimpy guns. Male for the better voice acting and the superior body type 3, and turn off force alignment. Go light leaning if you want to be Mandalorian (choose 'honorable' things).

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radicalblurThe Shadowlands•

what is this "turn off force alignment" thing? I thought there's just the 3 choices of dialog to choose from

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theswertoEbon Hawk: The Malleus Legacy•

In your options there is a way to hide what is light/dark tooltips in conversations, and since top isn't always light and bottom isn't always dark it doesn't immediately give it away with it turned off. You can also hide your alignment on the character so darkside doesn't make you look ugly by unchecking 'show darkside corruption"

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Jalian174Pot5 BMF Jalgorm, Secati•

but I prefer sorcerer to the abysmal Sage animations

Man, I just don't get this, their dot specs are just as boring on both classes in the animation department, and their burst specs are just as fun to watch. Whoosh or Zap, I'm happy either way!

1
theswertoEbon Hawk: The Malleus Legacy•

I really enjoy madness's dot animations. Its burst heal (force leech) has one of the best animations in the game and is exclusive to that spec, it also is the only spec that almost constnatly has lightning coming out of its fingers.

1
warframeworkOP•

Thanks for the super-detailed response!

1
Abdul_Falcon_Jab•

gotta disagree with the scoundrel : i made a fat ass black dude named Oh'maan, specialized in rumble, seeing him running with his little gun and shieet facial expression in a battlefield has no price

edit: just learned about the 2nd gun rule thanks to The Wire,fits too with the hidden gun in rumble spec

3
kalarhan•

consider playing some dark pubs and some light imps, the story can be quite interesting when you are not following the usual script

some of my best experience was playing slighty neutral/grey, instead of pure light/dark. That way you get to decide how you want to RP your character, instead of the the game. Like a darkish smuggler, much more fun than a pure light side one (Han Solo would be mostly neutral/dark with some heroic moments in the game setting)

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mstielerEl'emefa'yo - The Harbinger•

Playing a DS Shadow has been rewarding.

"Hey don't kill the guy because reasons"

kills the guy

"Whoops, my bad."

"Hey, don't do that again."

repeat

3
warframeworkOP•

Yeah, I'm mostly "grey" usually, anyway, having only done 1 playthrough each of pure Light-side/Dark-side choices, both of which were a challenge to get through.

There are too many "pure" choices that are just terrible from a role-playing perspective.

E.g. even if I'm a completely dark-hearted, corrupted Sith, killing the only half-competent Imperial officer around for some minor infraction just feels stupid. There's a difference between Dark and Dim.

Or as a beacon of purity, if I defeat a mad maternity-ward bomber, who promises to do it again if they escape, I might prefer Killing to Capture. There's a difference between merciful and gullible.

But I've still gone mostly faction-aligned, with most of my alts.

Though I'm currently breaking that trend with my current toon, a dark-side "jedi" knight, just to see how that goes.

1
south_wildling•

This is exactly what I did for my first eight characters.

2
hepfestus•

Class: Vanguard, Powertech, Operative, Gunslinger, Sorcerer, Sage, Guardian, Juggernaut.

Though my Knight is a Sentinel because I thought the 'quick and fast' was a better foil to the unstoppable Juggernaut, and my Trooper is a Commando because assault cannon. Sniper is cool but Operative feels more spy-ish. I love the double-sided blade but Sorcerer feels right for the storyline. Scoundrel is great but double pistols feels more space cowboy.

Alignments/Gender don't have any that feel 'right' imo, depends on how you play it. (Though I'm not fond of male BH because of the voice, and I don't think the dark side Consular was really well implemented honestly).

2
Therosfire•

Gotta be a female trooper, channel Jennifer Hale and become the soldier you were born to be.

1
tyonamin•

I just wonder where those Scoundrel bring their Scatterguns from. So much that I can't sleep. This is why I like Operative better. Lots of knife actions and stealth fits agent.

2
warframeworkOP•

Cyborg "wooden" leg...like Robocop.

Great for shotguns and all sorts of small contraband goods!

1
Jalian174Pot5 BMF Jalgorm, Secati•

Consular: Sage For Lightside Jedi, Sage is just more appropriate than Shadow, all else being equal (and Sorceror/Assassin being much more of a wash on the Imperial side).

I disagree here, because I think there is something really cool about the roleplayability of a Jedi whose purpose is to exterminate political/necessary enemies (which fits well with the consular storyline) and is basically walking a dangerous edge of taking the darkness into themselves so the innocent don't have to.

Meanwhile electrocuting enemies or blasting their minds apart seem much more sithy.

2
aoibhealfae•

I play mirror classes; Jedi Sentinel/Sith Marauder, Jedi Consular/Sith Sorcerer, Gunslinger/Sniper, Vanguard/Power tech which allows me to focus only on four playstyle.

My only true LS was my Jedi Sentinel and true DS was Sith Sorcerer. The rest, I prefer being pragmatic and morally ambiguous. The game doesn't punish you that much if you don't strictly align to a morality anyway.

1
aldernonNadd's Sarcophagus, The Bastion, now Pot5•

Lol going 8? I lean towards 4..

Guardian / Jugg, 1 saber just feels right.

Sage / Sorc, I cheesed the sage by healing and then shot lightning on the Sorc. Honorable mention for the stealth side, great for questing.

Vg/Pt, global everything.

Op/Sc, cheese questing as a stealth healer

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tyonamin•

Global everything as Pyrotech PT! yay! Hail to the dots and THE BURST!

1
warframeworkOP•

Well you need 8 playthroughs for all class stories, regardless.

And the completionist in me wants to try everything. If I limited myself to 4 advanced variants, I wouldn't be able to try 50% of playstyles (which is 12 specializations!)

There's nothing wrong with your choices, but they don't scratch that completionist itch as well as I'd like.

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aldernonNadd's Sarcophagus, The Bastion, now Pot5•

Word, I can feel that. I was that way until I tried mando/merc and sniper/gunslinger- cover mechanic drove me insane, and I'm not a particular fan of the ranged play style. To each their own though!

2
warframeworkOP•

Yeah, I liked cover a lot more after turning off the "Use Cover Bar" option in the interface...so damn annoying to have my abilities rearranged in combat. And I agree, even with that fix, it's still a goofy mechanic, overall...but still one I could hang with, for one alt.

1
kalarhan•

a completionist would play all disciplines (24) from level 1 to 65, just saying ;-)

(good luck!)

1
warframeworkOP•

Hey! I carefully hedged with "lazy"!

1