Advanced Class Selection Walkthrough Guide

Advanced Class Selection Walkthrough Guide for The Old Republic

Easily the most frequently asked question throughout the beta for new players in The Old Republic, we’ve put together a short guide to provide all you need to know about how to select your advanced class. The process itself is relatively simple, but we’ve also included some tips and related information that all new players should be aware of before making their advanced class decisions.

I. What Are Advanced Classes?

Advanced classes are a more specialized version of the core class you choose during character creation. At level 10, all core classes are split into divergent paths which offer not only uniquely different play styles, but the ability to assume different roles in combat as well.

As such, the role you prefer to fulfill in combat will largely help determine which advanced class you will want to choose. Be sure to click on the ‘Advanced Classes’ tab during character creation to determine if the core class you wish to play offers the ability to specialize in the combat role you most enjoy.

Imperial Agent Character Creation Screen
You can view a basic overview of the available advanced classes during character creation

II. How Do I Choose An Advanced Class?

As soon as you reach level 10 you will be able to select your advanced class. This process is relatively simple, but we’ve also added some pointers to make it an easy process and help you avoid any confusion.

Before Leaving the Origin Worlds

As soon as you complete your final class quest on one of the four origin worlds (Hutta, Korriban, Tython, or Ord Mantell) you will be given a quest that sends you to your faction’s Fleet Station.

Before heading out, however, you will want to be at or very close to level 10. Completing all available quests (including Heroic quests) on the origin worlds will put you just over the level 10 mark. If you haven’t completed the Heroic quests yet, they are all easily manageable once you obtain your first Companion if you’re unable, or choose not to find a group for them.

While it’s entirely possible to complete your origin world class quests and head to the fleet station as early as level 7 in some cases, I’d advise against it as explained in the following step in the advanced class selection process.

Arrival at the Fleet Station

Upon arrival at the fleet, take the elevator up to the main level, where you will see a group of 4 NPCs directly in front of you. If you are already level 10, one of them will have a quest available that initiates the process of selecting your advanced class, so be sure to speak to them before exploring the rest of the station.

New Player Tip: In the same area there is a Mission Terminal that offers two additional quests that are helpful for new players. One will introduce you to the Social Points system, and the other will point you towards the Crew Skill trainers. Even if you’re familiar with both of these systems, completing these quests provides some decent XP and are easy to complete, so worth picking up while you’re in the area.

Locating Your Class Trainers

The advanced class quest obtained above will direct you to speak to another NPC located next to your class trainer on the station. You can either follow the markers on your mini-map, or opening the full map (M) will also show you where the class trainers are located.

In the resulting conversation, you will be given a basic description of which advanced classes are available to you. As the conversation ends, a window will appear on-screen that contains expanded information on your available options, including what roles each can fulfill in combat as shown below.

Advanced Class Information Window

At the bottom of this window you will also see two buttons for each advanced class. Before making your final selection, be sure to click on the “Inspect” button, as this will allow you to look at the Skill Trees for each advanced class available to you.

Sniper Skill Trees

Don’t forget, you can also view the Skill Trees for all available advanced classes right here on our Skill Calculator.

Selecting Your Advanced Class

Once you’ve made your decision, clicking on the “Select” button will complete the process. At this point, if there is any special gear associated with your advanced class selection, you will also be given a bag containing any items you’ll need. For example, choosing the Sniper advanced class will reward you a shiny new Prototype quality Sniper Rifle.

III. Can I Respec Once I’ve Chosen an Advanced Class?

Once you’ve chosen your advanced class as described above, the decision is final so you will not be able to reselect a new advanced class on the same character.

However, you will be able to reset your Skill Points at any time by visiting an NPC in your faction’s capital city. Be aware that the cost for doing so increases each time you respec, so be sure to take your time when assigning points and read through all of the available options.


If you have any other questions relating to advanced class selection in The Old Republic, be sure to leave a comment below!

Comments

SirRobin's picture

Considering that an AC may turn out to not be what someone wants it to be... I'm surprised that changing your AC is currently not an option at any point. Personally I don't want to play the same story twice, since the Class-quests are based on your class instead of advanced class, just so I can have an Inquisitor Sorcerer and Inquisitor Assassin.

Agreed, I'm hoping for the ability to change AC at some point. I'm making some assumptions here, but in most MMOs I've tried, leveling an alt as a healer isn't much fun - you inevitably end up soloing a bunch of quests and you're not very well equipped to do it. So even if I plan to be a healer at level cap, I tend to level as DPS and respec as I near max level. Maybe SWTOR is different - I haven't tried any healing ACs yet - but if not, I'm worried we'll have a severe scarcity of max-level healers. (In my experience, all the same is also true for a tank, but to a somewhat lesser degree.) Then again, maybe that's not so bad. My first character will be a healer that I'm planning to level my as a duo with a friend. So I should have easy leveling and no trouble finding groups at level cap. :)

I dont think that will be a huge problem... all healer AC's have a DPS skill tree. I was able to fill in as a healer on a few occasions with my commando while spec'd for DPS.
Mikes's picture

I like the idea of the not being able to change your class. I hated how easy it was in WoW and detested the duel classing they had. The way I play I like ti think people are wholly involved in their class and their role. I know that's not a popular view. but then again I'm sure this is something that will be introduced not long after launch.

I come from the days of FFXI when you not only got involved in your class, but mastered it. This wasnt because you couldnt choose another class, but because it took 6mo + of heavy gameplay to reach lv cap. Ever sense "hyper leveling" was introduced and made popular by WOW mmos have felt... Meh. I am really enjoying the swtor "no turning back" mentality just because i have that drive to master my class again and not role 12 alts everytime i reach lv 15 in two days. Choose, but choose wisely my friend...

So assume I want to level as DPS but heal at max level. I'd go with the healing-capable advanced class, but spec (at least mostly) in the DPS tree while leveling, then respec (at least mostly) into the healing tree when I was ready to heal? That makes sense, and would probably work out very well, thanks.
Sardu's picture

I've leveled as a healer with most classes where it's an option, and found it easy to solo spending points in the healing tree as I leveled. The companion characters make all the difference in that regard. For example, on Sith Inquisitor the first companion (Khem Val) tanks for you, so you can DPS in most easy fights, or heal him in more difficult ones. The same holds mostly true in PvP where I found healing specs to work exceptionally well. It's a bit rougher at lower levels since you have limited heals with longer cast times, but by the time you hit level 20+ there are some great skills that help address that particular issue.
SirRobin's picture

Indeed, your "Companions" make a HUGE difference. Since every class is a pet-class, soloing is easier and faster than you find in many mumorpugers. Both the Sith Inquisitor and Jedi Consular get a melee-tank as their first Companion. So its not nearly as painful to level a healer from level ten on. Also there continue to be rumors that the "Legacy System" will let us change our Advanced Class at some point. I ran a Sage Seer up to 24 and a Juggernaut Immortal up to 24. The healer was actually easier to level than the tank because the Sith Warrior's first companion was ranged dps. Having a pocket healer, or pocket tank, does make a huge difference.

Hi, The skill calculator above under Locating your Class Trainers is not showing up. Could you please fix it. Thanks <a href ="http://Swtor-guide.biz/video.html>Kamrul</a> http://swtor-guide.biz/video.html

Since I can't make up my mind.... what if I simply continue with my main class 'til Level 15 and THEN choose an AC. Do I get to pick up 5 levels of 'backlogged' AC skills then, or am I out of luck?

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