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.
Your choice of equipment defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightsaber | S | Tanking disciplines and Force casters who need an offhand slot for defensive or healing stats. | The single saber used by Guardians, Juggernauts, Sages and Sorcerers. |
| Double bladed lightsaber | A | Stealth players who want to open fights on their own terms and escape when they go badly. | The Assassin and Shadow weapon, a saberstaff that fits stealth based melee. |
| Blaster pistol | A | Non Force characters wanting either the cover based ranged game or mobile close range damage. | The Smuggler, Gunslinger, Scoundrel, Mercenary and Powertech weapon, used singly or in pairs. |
| Blaster rifle | B | Vanguard and Powertech style play where you fight at short to medium range in heavy armour. | The Trooper and Imperial Agent standard, and the entry weapon for Vanguard and Operative disciplines. |
| Assault cannon | B | Republic players who want ranged healing or sustained ranged damage without leaving heavy armour. | The Commando weapon, a heavy repeating cannon that supports both the Gunnery damage discipline and the Combat Medic healing discipline. |
S-Tier: Lightsaber
The single saber used by Guardians, Juggernauts, Sages and Sorcerers. Paired with a shield generator for tanking or a focus for casting, it defines every Force user discipline that is not dual wielding.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Tanking disciplines and Force casters who need an offhand slot for defensive or healing stats. |
| Key Mechanic | Origin story and Combat Style split |
| Recommended Build | Jedi Knight |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Lightsaber: Pairs naturally with Jedi Knight thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Double bladed lightsaber
The Assassin and Shadow weapon, a saberstaff that fits stealth based melee. It carries both the Darkness and Kinetic Combat tanking disciplines and the Deception and Infiltration damage ones.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Stealth players who want to open fights on their own terms and escape when they go badly. |
| Key Mechanic | Level sync across planets |
| Recommended Build | Sith Inquisitor |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Double bladed lightsaber: Pairs naturally with Sith Inquisitor thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Blaster pistol
The Smuggler, Gunslinger, Scoundrel, Mercenary and Powertech weapon, used singly or in pairs. Dual pistols mark the Gunslinger and Mercenary damage specifications.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Non Force characters wanting either the cover based ranged game or mobile close range damage. |
| Key Mechanic | Companions and influence |
| Recommended Build | Bounty Hunter |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Blaster pistol: Pairs naturally with Bounty Hunter thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Blaster rifle
The Trooper and Imperial Agent standard, and the entry weapon for Vanguard and Operative disciplines. Reliable mid range damage with tactical utility attached.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Vanguard and Powertech style play where you fight at short to medium range in heavy armour. |
| Key Mechanic | Legacy and alt progression |
| Recommended Build | Imperial Agent |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Blaster rifle: Pairs naturally with Imperial Agent thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Assault cannon
The Commando weapon, a heavy repeating cannon that supports both the Gunnery damage discipline and the Combat Medic healing discipline.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Republic players who want ranged healing or sustained ranged damage without leaving heavy armour. |
| Key Mechanic | Group content ladder |
| Recommended Build | Smuggler |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Assault cannon: Pairs naturally with Smuggler thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Tython
- Double bladed lightsaber → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Blaster pistol → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Lightsaber → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Equipment Tips
- Always upgrade your primary equipment before diversifying. One strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- 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.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More STAR WARS: The Old Republic Guides
- STAR WARS: The Old Republic STAR WARS: The Old Republic Overview
- STAR WARS: The Old Republic Best Builds
- 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 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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