Space combat and ship upgrades are integral to the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic experience, allowing you to traverse the galaxy and enhance your primary mode of transportation, the Ebon Hawk. While direct ship-to-ship combat is minimal, your vessel serves as your mobile base, and its capabilities can be improved through various means, impacting your overall journey.
The Ebon Hawk: Your Mobile Base
The Ebon Hawk is more than just a ship; it's your home away from home. It serves as a place to:
- Rest and Recover: Heal your party and restore Force points.
- Interact with Companions: Engage in conversations, build relationships, and trigger companion quests.
- Store Items: Manage your inventory and access your storage.
- Travel the Galaxy: Select your next destination from the galaxy map.
Ship Upgrades
While you don't directly pilot the Ebon Hawk in combat scenarios, its systems can be upgraded, primarily through the efforts of T3-M4 and by acquiring specific components. These upgrades often manifest as passive bonuses or unlock new functionalities:
- Droid Upgrades: T3-M4 can install various upgrades that might improve the Ebon Hawk's shields, engines, or other systems. These are often acquired through purchasing parts or completing specific quests.
- Component Acquisition: Keep an eye out for rare ship components or parts that can be used to enhance the Ebon Hawk. These might be found as loot, purchased from merchants, or awarded for completing tasks.
- Story-Driven Enhancements: Certain plot points or character interactions may lead to the Ebon Hawk receiving sificant upgrades or modifications.
Space Travel Mechanics
Traveling between planets is handled via the galaxy map on the Ebon Hawk. Once you select a destination, a cutscene plays depicting the journey. While there isn't active piloting involved, the choices you make regarding your destinations and the order in which you visit them are crucial for progressing the story and completing quests. Some areas might require specific ship capabilities or upgrades to access.
Strategic Importance
Maintaining the Ebon Hawk and ensuring its systems are up-to-date, particularly through T3-M4's expertise, can indirectly benefit your party. A well-maintained ship might offer slight advantages in travel time or unlock dialogue options with your crew. Always check with T3-M4 periodically to see if any new upgrades are available or if specific components are needed.