BioWare launched Star Wars: The Old Republic in December 2011 and put it on Steam in 2020, and its selling point has never changed: eight fully voiced class stories, four for the Republic and four for the Empire, each a standalone campaign with its own companions and villains. The 7.0 Legacy of the Sith update split those origin stories from your fighting style, so a Jedi Knight can now swing a double bladed saber as a Shadow or throw lightning as a Sorcerer. The level cap sits at 80, and level sync scales you down on old planets so every world stays playable.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness, factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame. New to the game? Start with our beginner's guide first.
Quick Rankings
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jedi Knight | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Sith Inquisitor | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Bounty Hunter | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Imperial Agent | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Smuggler | A | Balanced | Best available |
For detailed meta rankings, see our STAR WARS: The Old Republic tier list.
A-Tier: Jedi Knight
Jedi Knight is a top-performing option in STAR WARS: The Old Republic.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Lightsaber | The single saber used by Guardians, Juggernauts, Sages and Sorcerers. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Origin story and Combat Style split | You pick an origin story such as Imperial Agent or Jedi Consular for the narrative, then choose a Combat Style separately for how you actually fight. |
How to Play Jedi Knight
Jedi Knight focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Lightsaber does the damage and Origin story and Combat Style split keeps it running, which is why this sits at the top of the list. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Sith Inquisitor
Sith Inquisitor is a strong option in STAR WARS: The Old Republic.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Double bladed lightsaber | The Assassin and Shadow weapon, a saberstaff that fits stealth based melee. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Level sync across planets | Entering a lower level planet scales your character down to its intended range while keeping your abilities. |
How to Play Sith Inquisitor
Sith Inquisitor focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Pair Double bladed lightsaber with Level sync across planets and the build stops depending on a good start, so it holds up across most content. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Bounty Hunter
Bounty Hunter is a strong option in STAR WARS: The Old Republic.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Blaster pistol | The Smuggler, Gunslinger, Scoundrel, Mercenary and Powertech weapon, used singly or in pairs. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Companions and influence | Story companions fight alongside you and can be set to tank, heal or deal damage, which is why almost every solo story mission is soloable. |
How to Play Bounty Hunter
Bounty Hunter focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Companions and influence covers the gap Blaster pistol leaves open, so the build stays usable even when a fight goes badly. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Imperial Agent
Imperial Agent is a specialized option in STAR WARS: The Old Republic.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Blaster rifle | The Trooper and Imperial Agent standard, and the entry weapon for Vanguard and Operative disciplines. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Legacy and alt progression | Every character on your account feeds a shared Legacy that unlocks account wide perks, species options, ship upgrades and travel conveniences. |
How to Play Imperial Agent
Imperial Agent focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: This one leans on Legacy and alt progression rather than raw numbers, and Blaster rifle is what makes that trade pay off. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Smuggler
Smuggler is a specialized option in STAR WARS: The Old Republic.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Assault cannon | The Commando weapon, a heavy repeating cannon that supports both the Gunnery damage discipline and the Combat Medic healing discipline. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Group content ladder | Flashpoints are four player dungeons, Operations are eight and sixteen player raids, and both come in Story, Veteran and Master difficulty. |
How to Play Smuggler
Smuggler focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Assault cannon and Group content ladder pull in the same direction here, which separates this from the safer picks above. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Sith Inquisitor: the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Jedi Knight once you understand core mechanics and have access to Lightsaber
- Keep a Bounty Hunter setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Smuggler for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Follow our walkthrough for the optimal progression path through each area.
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first, since it gives the biggest power spike. See our weapons guide for rankings.
- Choose your origin story for the writing, not the combat. Since 7.0 the story and the Combat Style are separate choices, so wanting to play a Sniper no longer forces you into the Imperial Agent narrative if you would rather be a Bounty Hunter.
- The Imperial Agent story is widely considered the strongest of the eight, with the Sith Warrior and Jedi Knight close behind. If you only play one character to the end, pick on that basis rather than on class power.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
More STAR WARS: The Old Republic Guides
- STAR WARS: The Old Republic STAR WARS: The Old Republic Overview
- STAR WARS: The Old Republic Tier List
- STAR WARS: The Old Republic Walkthrough
- STAR WARS: The Old Republic Beginner's Guide
- STAR WARS: The Old Republic Tips & Tricks
- STAR WARS: The Old Republic Weapons Guide
- STAR WARS: The Old Republic Combat Guide
- STAR WARS: The Old Republic Boss Guide
- STAR WARS: The Old Republic Maps & Locations
- STAR WARS: The Old Republic Crafting Guide
- STAR WARS: The Old Republic Classes & Characters
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