Question about story progression

1. They're interesting but not essential. If the big issue is the leveling, you might want to buy a white acute module before the 20th to be able to really slow down the progress once the 2x XP event ends.

2. Yes, actually, KotFE/ET can just be done on one toon, so you can whittle to 2 in RotHC and either do one or two in SoR (I forget if that's where it merges or if it's already merged there, sorry).

For KotFE/ET it's generally suggested you use a force class.

3. Nope, just different choices in conversations or endings in the base class.

Also,in case you want to go incorporate the side stuff...

1. Planetary stories are worth doing once with each faction. Exploration missions less so (although there are some good ones). There was a recent thread where some good suggestions regarding class were given for each planetary arc by porcelain_platypus

https://www.reddit.com/r/swtor/comments/cqz62a/help_me_get_through_all_8_classes_without_boredom/

2. I wish there were 8 chapters per class. :P There are actually only three. You really only need to do one character per faction post-class stories up until KotFEET, then you only need one character until Ossus. In a little more detail:

• Illum: (Not expansion, but it is post class story) Different stories per faction, arguable on whether you "need" to do FPs on both sides as the differences are fairly minor

• Oricon: Different stories, but quests are the same (note finale requires completing an Op)

• Makeb: Dramatically different story per faction

• SoR Prelude FPs: Same basic storybeats, but different enough to warrant playing both sides

• Rishi and Yavin IV: Same as SoR Prelude FPs

• Ziost: Very minor differences for faction, but also a quick play so your call on whether it is worth two runs

• KotFEET + Fractured Alliances: Scenes regarding old companions play out differently depending on class but probably not worth multiple full runs (says the person about to start his fourth run to get LS Imps decisions :( ). Some people recommend a LS/DS run, but I'm not sure if that is worth it.

• Ossus: Back to faction mattering (note that if you skip to Ossus your past decisions for KotFEET will be faction based LS for Pubs and DS for Imps). Also adds traitor variable, so arguments for doing four times could be made.

There is sort of an exception I glossed over above. On Rishi each class gets a unique quest tying in to their class quest somehow. You have to go through the four Prelude FPs and about half of Rishi to get to them though. Some of them are quite good, so if you don't end up hating those four FPs, it may be worth getting that far through SoR (you can ignore Illum, Makeb, and Oricon).

There also is a class unique dialogue at the end of Yavin IV where you get a class unique title. I like them (especially the Smuggler getting a "Get out of Jail Free" card), but probably not worth another 2 FPs on every character.

3. Only things I can immediately think of that is alignment based in the story is SI's Darth title being based on alignment and one option at the very end (that is never mentioned again) which requires the SI to be LS. Might be more, but they tend to be more previous decision based than overall alignment based. Oh I guess also the dialogue of the SW reflection on Tantooine.

If you want to adjust your alignment, there should be a LS and DS button somewhere on your interface. Depending on which is selected, you should get LS/DS points on every quest completion making alignment management easy.

Hope you enjoy your return!

1. are the side quests worth it? right now there are two exp events making me lvl 24 doing lvl 12 content. if i skip all sidequests and just do main story till i'm caught up will i miss anything good?

They're a mixed bag. Some, I really liked. Others, not so much. You can go through without doing the side quests and you won't lose anything from the main story. It's more just additional concepts or exploring the lore of the planet.

2. can i do all 8 stories till the original 8 chapters are done, and then just do one character from each faction through the exapcs? or is it still worth it to take all 8 through to the end?

There's a few exclusive bits. Each class gets an exclusive mission on the planet Rishi in the Shadow of Revan expansion, but otherwise it's simply flavour text and how you're addressed by characters that changes.

3. I can't remember if there is any story content locked out because of lightside darkside ranks, so is there? IE if i'm only lightside 2 will i be unable to make a light side choice later on? If so, are there ways to boost lightside ranks? right now i'm playing a sith marauder but want to be a "light side" sith as i've heard that makes for a very interesting story.

No content is locked based on light side/dark side. You get exclusive titles depending on your rating and it can change things at the end of your story (for example, you get given a different title at the end of the Sith Inquisitor campaign depending on whether you're light, dark or neutral) but nothing substantial. Most differences trigger off your actual choices, rather than your LS/DS meter.

1. yes, many side and planetary arcs are pretty enjoyable and absolutely worth it. There are some completely iconic swtor characters that only show in planetary missions. Don’t discard them. There are boring ones too, but it’s still worth it.

2. Yes, you can just do class story on all your characters and then go back to do planetaries and sides with just 1 of each faction. No, it’s not worth it to play every single mission with every single character as it gets repetitive. But I don’t recommend doing what you are planning, it will feel tiresome and grindy to go back with one character and play everything you left behind. I would recommend playing side missions at the same time as the class story while you are on the planet, just... not all of them. Maybe with, for example, your inquisitor, you can do Tatooine side quests, and with your warrior, Taris. That way it will never get too grindy, you’ll advance fast and you’ll experience the full content!

3. there are some story comments and endings locked behind alignment but it’s enough to be light I or dark I to achieve then (sometimes you need neutral which is harder, you need to be between light I and dark I but these are rare cases). No need to be light V or anything. On the bottom right of your screen there’s a dark/light button, pick the side you wanna join and you’ll get light/dark I in no time!

1: Im only doing this as im onto my last class stories for both factions, kinda like a last hurrah. The presentation quality is the same for the side quests as it is for the main quests, so if you're feeling in the game they won't disappoint. You actual character level is a bit pointless these days, you only notice level 1 and level 70.

2: Yep, exactly what im doing. A little spooky they're both the same advance class.. the tanking inqusitor sage spec.. actually also taking my jedi knight through as she was my main for eternity. I only really enjoy playing sages though.. maybe stick with the rotations that don't bore you.

3: Not that i know of.

There's a link on the sidebar with an invaluable diagram of the story flow. Use that to plan your journey and be sure you're not missing anything.