In 2011, only a year before Disney bought LucasFilm, BioWare released a Star Wars MMORPG set in the future of their famous series Knights of the Old Republic. With its unique worlds and highly immersive storytelling, Star Wars: The Old Republic became a beautiful example of MMORPG done right, having many of the characteristics people love from the genre, but without simply being more of the same.
With the combat system change, you now can freely choose between the eight origin stories during your character's creation. They're divided into two factions, The Galactic Republic and The Sith Empire. There is much to enjoy from these stories from weird gags to engaging plots. With troopers, agents, smugglers, Jedi, and Sith, you have more than enough to experience the legends of the Old Republic.
Updated May 26, 2023 by Lucas Olah: Sadly, we don't have any new class stories to discuss. Story expansions are generic for all classes, or at least divided between Republic and Empire. Regardless, the eight main stories hold up well, making them worthy of a deeper dive into what they're about, with their individual acts and companions, and re-evaluating their placement in the rank.
8 The Smuggler
If you ever wanted to be Han Solo but aren't Harrison Ford, here's your chance. The ideal option for those who love games where you are a criminal, this one allows you to be a criminal with a heart of gold, a ruthless mob boss, or somewhere in between.
Act one is likely the best, with a good antagonist to fight against and the introduction of the Smuggler's best companions, Corso Riggs and Risha. Acts two and three revolve around doing shady business with the Republic and building your own criminal empire, which is a great concept. Still, aside from one or two antagonists, the main villain could be more enjoyable. Regardless, the Smuggler shines by using more humor than other class stories, being funny and silly, giving it its unique charm.
7 The Trooper
The Republic Trooper is a perfect choice for those interested in playing with political plots and wearing some of the best-looking armor in the game. Sadly, despite the good story, many of its moments can be forgettable. Aside from its first arc, the antagonists could be more interesting.
Fighting the former Havoc Squad is one of the highlights here, and the moral choices and an excellent plus for the story, where you can be a good soldier, a soldier who follows all orders despite how bad they can be, or abuse your power to extort people. Still, the end bosses aren't as fun. Finally, at least some of the companions are more enjoyable here. Jorgan and Dorne are definitely the best ones, but the eccentric Yunn is also a fun addition, and you'll either love or hate Tanno Vik, depending on your character's alignment.
6 The Bounty Hunter
The perfect choice for mayhem, the Bounty Hunter story illustrates the underworld of the Star Wars universe greatly. Aside from the Smuggler, it's the only class whose story is more independent (though you have primarily imperial connections). It also features more humor, and it does a better job.
The companions are some of the best, not only for being fun characters within themselves but they play a much more active role in the story. Mako's presence makes a lot of difference in the overall narrative, Torian is compelling and has a good romance sub-plot, and even the likes of Treek and Gault grow on you as the game goes. Moral choices are standard; you can be a professional or take bribes, and you must consider how far you'll go with some of your targets. The kind of choices you'd expect from a gun-for-hire story, but that doesn't take their impact away.
5 The Jedi Consular
Though most of the 'cool Jedi fantasy' went to the Knight, the Consular still has a lovely story to back it up. Rather than striking the Empire's heart, the Consular has more of a supportive role, whose plot revolves around defending the Republic and the Jedi Order.
From saving the Order from corruption, restoring an Alliance between the Republic and some of its worlds, and fighting the twisted Children of the Emperor, you have exciting things all around. Some companions are good, too, such as your Padawan Nadia, Lieutenant Iresso, and the Trandoshan hunter Qyzen Fess, who is luckily by your side for almost the entire journey.
4 The Jedi Knight
The Chosen One fantasy is right here. Being powerful with the Force, becoming one of the strongest Jedi, and taking the battle to the Emperor's doorstep — all within your grasp. It's by far one of, if not the most epic of all the stories. The companions also vary from charming to straight-up amazing characters, and even their particular stories can be endearing draws to the class.
Of all classes, this is the one that feels the most like the protagonist of the game, and your choices affect the story in spectacular ways. This is also one of the best stories to start with, as it does a good job of introducing the player to the time period and the overall narrative.
3 The Sith Inquisitor
Through victory, your chains are broken. From former slave to Lord of the Sith, the Inquisitor beautifully shows how Sith politics and the Dark side work, being perfect for the mythos of the series. It can also be fascinating for those who like to be the villain because you have plenty of opportunities to torture others.
Though the beginning is a bit slow (not counting the Prologue, since it's arguably the best in the game), the story picks up towards the middle, showing the cruel side of Sith politics, where you kill your way to the top of the Sith hierarchy. The companions are also very compelling and some of the most participative in the plot, which only improves their characters.
2 The Sith Warrior
Become wrath itself by combining the art of the lightsaber with the power of the Dark Side. A pure, brute Force (pun very much intended) awaits you with this class. This story not only shows the full potential of the master and apprentice dynamics, but it also shows how curious a Star Wars story can be with an Imperial protagonist and having the Galactic Republic as the antagonists, not to mention that it also introduces the game pretty well, making it another perfect first class.
The plot and enemies are astounding, with the best end boss of all eight stories as he is built up from the beginning. The choices you can make are very impactful, and most of the best companions of the game come from this class, who all have their moments to shine in the story. And just because you use your emotions in battle doesn't mean you can't be kind to others, turning your Sith into a nice person. Or at least as nice a person can be while still supporting the oppressive Sith Empire.
1 The Imperial Agent
It's funny how a game based on Star Wars, with Force users, bounty hunters, and whatnot, has this random class as the best-written of all. Not only does this class show what it's like to be a 'regular' person within the Sith, but it has a magnificent and complex story.
Not all your companions are memorable — aside from the love-it-or-hate-it Kaliyo — but sneaking around, having cover identities, and even becoming a double agent are some of the many highlights from this story, which gives you many moral and not-so-ethical choices to make. And the web of lies goes so deep that you have a lot more at risk than you'd ever expect at the beginning. All stories happen simultaneously, though, and there are some neat details to pick up on if you play the others first.