Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Beginning Advice

Get started with KOTOR. Essential beginning advice on character creation, combat, exploration, companions, and saving your game.

Beginning Advice

Starting Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic can be an overwhelming yet exciting experience. To make your initial steps in the galaxy far, far away as smooth and enjoyable as possible, here's some essential advice. Focusing on these key areas early on will set you up for success and allow you to fully appreciate the game's rich narrative and gameplay mechanics.

The first few hours of KOTOR involve character creation, the introductory mission on the Endar Spire, and your arrival on Taris. Understanding the basics of combat, dialogue, and exploration during this phase is crucial. Don't rush through the early sections; they are desed to teach you the fundamental systems of the game.

Key Advice for New Players:

  1. Character Creation: Choose your class (Soldier, Scoundrel, or Jedi) wisely based on your preferred playstyle. Consider your attribute distribution carefully, focusing on primary stats for your chosen class (e.g., Strength for Soldiers, Dexterity for Scoundrels, Wisdom for Jedi).
  2. Understand Combat: KOTOR uses a real-time combat system with a tactical pause. Learn to utilize your basic attacks, Force powers (if applicable), and companion abilities. Don't be afraid to pause the game to issue commands or assess the situation.
  3. Talk to Everyone: Engage in conversations with NPCs. Dialogue choices often reveal lore, provide quest hints, and can influence your alment (Light Side or Dark Side).
  4. Explore Thoroughly: Loot everything! Containers, fallen enemies, and environmental objects often contain valuable items, credits, or quest-related information.
  5. Manage Your Inventory: Keep an eye on your inventory and equip your character and companions with the best available gear. Sell unwanted items to merchants.
  6. Save Often: The game features an auto-save, but manual saves are crucial. Save your game before important decisions, difficult combat encounters, or entering new areas.
  7. Utilize Companions: Your companions are vital. Equip them, use their special abilities, and pay attention to their dialogue. They offer unique perspectives and combat support.
  8. Read Datapad Entries: Journals, datalogs, and other text entries provide essential lore and quest information. Make it a habit to read them.

By following these tips, you'll be well-prepared to face the challenges that lie ahead in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Embrace the journey, make your choices, and forge your own path in the galaxy.