Class Progression & Feats — Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Guide

Class Progression & Feats

Understanding your class progression and strategic feat selection is paramount to mastering Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Your initial class choice on Taris, followed by your Jedi class selection on Dantooine, will dictate your available feats and skill points. This section will guide you through optimizing your character's development for maximum effectiveness.

Initial Class Selection (Taris)

Your choice of initial class on Taris has a significant impact on your early game and sets the foundation for your Jedi progression. Each class offers unique starting feats and skill point distributions.

• Scout: Scouts are versatile, offering a balanced approach to combat and skills. They gain the invaluable Flurry feat at level 1, allowing for multiple attacks per round. They also receive free ranks in Implants, enabling them to equip advanced implants earlier without investing precious feat points. This is an excellent choice for players who want a strong foundation in both combat and utility, especially if planning to become a Jedi Guardian or Sentinel.
• Soldier: Soldiers are combat specialists, excelling in weapon proficiency and durability. They start with Heavy Armor Proficiency and gain bonus feats every level, making them powerhouses in direct engagements. Their skill points are limited, so they rely heavily on companions for non-combat tasks. Soldiers are ideal for players aiming for a Jedi Guardian build focused on lightsaber combat.
• Scoundrel: Scoundrels are masters of stealth, diplomacy, and critical strikes. They gain the powerful Sneak Attack feat, dealing bonus damage to unaware or flanked enemies. They also receive more skill points per level, making them excellent at persuasion, security, and computer use. While initially squishier, their damage potential with Sneak Attack can be immense. Scoundrels pair well with Jedi Consulars or Sentinels who can utilize their high skill points and critical strike potential.

Jedi Class Selection (Dantooine)

Upon reaching Dantooine and completing your Jedi training, you will choose one of three Jedi classes. This choice permanently shapes your Force powers, lightsaber combat, and overall playstyle.

• Jedi Guardian: Guardians are combat-focused Jedi, specializing in lightsaber mastery. They gain bonus feats like Weapon Specialization: Lightsaber and have a higher base attack bonus. Their Force progression is slower, but their raw damage output is unmatched. This class is perfect for players who want to be at the forefront of every battle, wielding their lightsaber with deadly precision. Combine with a Soldier initial class for a true melee powerhouse.
• Jedi Sentinel: Sentinels strike a balance between combat and Force powers. They gain immunity to certain Force powers (e.g., Fear, Stun, Paralysis) and have a decent attack bonus. They also receive more skill points than Guardians, making them versatile. Sentinels are a solid choice for players who want to be effective in both lightsaber combat and Force application, offering flexibility in their approach to challenges. A Scout initial class complements a Sentinel well.
• Jedi Consular: Consulars are masters of the Force, boasting a higher Force point pool and quicker access to powerful Force powers. Their lightsaber combat proficiency is lower, but their ability to control the battlefield with Force abilities is unparalleled. This class is ideal for players who prefer to decimate enemies with Force Storm, Stasis Field, or other potent Force powers. A Scoundrel initial class can provide valuable skill points and critical strike potential to complement a Consular's Force dominance.

Key Feats and Strategic Acquisition

Feats are crucial for customizing your character and enhancing their abilities. Prioritize feats that synergize with your chosen class and playstyle.

Combat Feats

• Two-Weapon Fighting: Absolutely essential for any character planning to dual-wield lightsabers or blasters. Invest in this feat line (Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Master Two-Weapon Fighting) as early as possible. The penalty for off-hand attacks without these feats is severe.
• Flurry/Power Attack/Critical Strike: These are your primary combat modifiers.
  • Flurry: Grants an extra attack at a slight attack penalty. Excellent for dealing consistent damage. Scouts get this for free at level 1.
  • Power Attack: Deals extra damage at an attack penalty. Great for enemies with low defense or when you need to burst down a target.
  • Critical Strike: Increases your critical threat range and multiplier. Best used with weapons that have a naturally high critical threat range (e.g., lightsabers).
  Choose the one that best suits your weapon and combat style. Many players choose to max out one of these lines.
• Weapon Focus/Specialization: These feats provide a bonus to attack rolls and damage with a specific weapon type.
  • Weapon Focus: Available early, provides +1 attack.
  • Weapon Specialization: Only available to Jedi Guardians, provides +2 damage. Prioritize this for Lightsabers if you're a Guardian.
• Conditioning: Provides a bonus to all saving throws. A solid defensive feat for any character, especially against Force powers and grenades.

Utility Feats

• Implants: Allows you to equip implants, which provide significant stat bonuses. Scouts gain free ranks in this. If you're not a Scout, consider investing at least one rank to equip basic implants like the Cardio-Regulator (found on Taris, Lower City Apartments) or the Strength Enhancer (purchased from various vendors).
• Toughness: Grants bonus HP per level. A good choice for any character, especially those on the front lines.
• Gear Head (PC only): This feat is a PC-exclusive that grants bonus to Repair and Computer Use skills. Highly recommended for characters who want to maximize their utility and save credits on repairs and computer spikes.

Example Progression Paths

Melee Jedi Guardian (Soldier -> Guardian)

1. Taris (Soldier Levels): Prioritize Two-Weapon Fighting line. Max out Flurry or Power Attack. Invest in Conditioning.
2. Dantooine (Jedi Guardian Levels): Continue with Two-Weapon Fighting. Take Weapon Focus: Lightsaber immediately, followed by Weapon Specialization: Lightsaber at the earliest opportunity. Continue to max out your chosen combat feat (Flurry/Power Attack). Consider Toughness for added durability.

Force-Focused Jedi Consular (Scoundrel -> Consular)

1. Taris (Scoundrel Levels): Focus on skills like Persuade, Security, and Computer Use. Invest in Two-Weapon Fighting if you plan to dual-wield blasters or lightsabers. Consider Conditioning.
2. Dantooine (Jedi Consular Levels): Prioritize Force powers. For feats, continue with Two-Weapon Fighting if applicable. Conditioning is still valuable. Consider Toughness to offset lower HP. Your main power will come from Force abilities, so feat points are less critical for direct combat.

Balanced Jedi Sentinel (Scout -> Sentinel)

1. Taris (Scout Levels): You start with Flurry and Implants. Focus on the Two-Weapon Fighting line. Invest in skills like Repair and Treat Injury.
2. Dantooine (Jedi Sentinel Levels): Continue with Two-Weapon Fighting. Take Weapon Focus: Lightsaber. Consider Conditioning and Toughness for a well-rounded character. You'll have enough skill points to maintain key utility skills.

Remember, careful planning of your class progression and feat selection will ensure your character is a formidable force in the galaxy, ready to face any challenge the Sith Empire throws your way.