Welcome to DDM’s Bounty Hunter and Trooper beginning class guides for Star Wars The Old Republic (TOR). Why am I discussing Bounty Hunter and Trooper Consular together? The answer is simple: mechanically speaking, they are played almost exactly the same, have the same powers, and fill the same roles in a group. The two have different storylines and completely different goals, but when you boil down the nitty gritty of each class, they are very similar. You will see what I mean soon enough.

These class guides will be focused around the mechanics and play style that each class fits into. The Bounty Hunter and Trooper play the same roles, work the same way, use the same powers, and seek the same equipment.

Do you want to play a character that likes to hang back from the front line and blast enemies with heavy ordinance? Do you want to bring devastation to large groups of your enemies at a time? Whether you want to serve proudly for the Republic or find fame through the Empire, these classes might be right for you in TOR.

Bounty Hunter Class Description

A thorough professional, the Bounty Hunter trains the mind and body for every possible job. Blasters, flamethrowers, missiles, energy shields, jetpack, and the best armor money can buy: the name of the game is preparation and versatility.

Bounty Hunters can be: Chiss, Cyborg, Human, Rattataki or Zabrak.

Trooper Class Description

Across the galaxy, the Republic’s elite special forces charge into the harshest conflicts ready to do maximum damage. Outfitted with advanced armor, huge weaponry, and the best training possible, troopers combine leadership with suppression fire and a variety of explosives and incendiary weapons.

Troopers can be: Cyborg, Human, Mirialan or Zabrak.

Bounty Hunter and Trooper Role in TOR

This class would be considered your area of effect (AoE) damage dealing and tank class, similar to wizards or barbarians in other MMO’s. There are a couple of different class paths you can take later to fine tune the role you like best, but for now, we are going to stick with the basic AE damage and tank role. They are a little different since this class mixes lots of AE damage with the ability to take the punishment this kind of fighting is sure to get you.

What does being an area of effect (AoE or AE) damage dealer mean? It means your character should be starting the fight from afar. You’ll use a far-ranging ability and target the enemy in the center of the group. Then use your high damage single-shot abilities to pick off the survivors of your initial onslaught.

You wear heavy armor and big guns, and lots of them. You are one of the toughest in the game, able to take a beating and keep on fighting. However, your options for battle tactics are more limited. You should be engaging in a battle right alongside the melee tanks, with a focus on using your AE specialization to take out their guards quickly.

Being one of the tanks in the game, it is your job to get the party started. Launch your heaviest attacks at the enemy to put a good dent in their health to start. If they sit back and blast you, keep up your ranged barrage. If they charge up to attack you in melee, tear them down with your up close attacks.

Through the first 10 levels, think about the role you play and if you want to focus solely on damage or if you want to diversify with some healing abilities.

Bounty Hunter and Trooper Starting Ability Points

Both of these classes begin with the same starting ability points. However, they can and will change frequently depending on the gear you wear and a few other things you can do in game to change them (such as using a datacron to permanently increase  an ability).

• 21 Strength
• 48 Presence
• 54 Aim
• 10 Cunning
• 48 Endurance
• 10 Willpower
• 0 Expertise

You will notice three abilities that are far higher than the others. Presence will help with your agro (aggression) generation. Aim will determine how effective your ranged weapons will be, and Endurance will determine how many hit points you have and how much damage you can absorb. These abilities should be your primary focus. Try to equip items and gear that increase Presence, Aim and Endurance.

Bounty Hunter and Trooper Armor

These classes can use light, medium and heavy armor. Light armor will have less of a bonus than medium armor. However, be sure to check the particular item’s statistics. Mouse over the item and the information will pop up. Quality medium armor is often better than standard heavy armor. Good changes will show as green and poor changes will show as red. Though it is nice to boost up your primary abilities, look closely at the armor rating. Tanks need to be able to take damage before they can deal it out and the armor rating should be your first priority.

Bounty Hunter and Trooper Weapons

A Bounty Hunter’s primary weapon is a blaster pistol, while a trooper’s primary weapon will be a blaster rifle. The style of fighting looks different and has a bit of a different feel, but the effects of both are the same.

As soon as you get a weapon you are able to upgrade and modify, do it. This is your baby (I call mine Vera) and you need to treat it right. Upgrade as often as you can and you will see a definite boost in your combat ability. Watch for quest rewards, drops, and most especially good crafters who can create these modifications for you. It might cost you a bunch of credits, but it will be well worth it.

 

Bounty Hunter and Trooper Abilities

Lvl	Bounty Hunter	Trooper	Activate	Cost	Cool Down	Range	Type	Description
1	Hunters Boon	Fortification	Instant			30m	Group Buff	Increases the target’s Endurance by 5% for 60 minutes. If the target is a party member, all other party members are also affected.
1	Recharge and Reload	Recharge and Reload	Channeled 15s				Self-Buff	Regenerates health and vents heat while channeling. Not usable in combat.
1	Vent Heat	Recharge Cells	Instant		120s		Self-Buff	Rapidly recovers resources over 3 seconds.
1	Missile Blast	Explosive Round	Instant	25/3		30m	Ranged Damage	Deals kinetic damage to the target and additional kinetic damage to up 3 nearby enemies in a 5-meter radius. If the primary target is a weak or standard enemy, it is knocked to the ground.
1	Rapid Shots	Hammer Shots	Instant			30m	Ranged Damage	Fires a quick stream of bolts, causing weapon damage.
2	Rocket Punch	Stockstrike	Instant	16/2		4m	Melee Damage	You strike the target for damage.
3	Unload	Full Auto	Channeled 3s	16/2	9s	30m	Ranged Damage	Unloads your weapon into the target, dealing weapon damage every second. Weak and standard enemies caught in the blaster fire are stunned for the duration. Fires both blasters if dual wielding.
4	Combustible Gas Cylinder	Plasma Cell	Instant		1.5s		Self-Buff	Loads your weapon with combustible gas/plasma, giving all of your blaster attacks a 10% chance to deal additional damage over 6 seconds. Only one cylinder can be active at a time.
5	Explosive Dart	Sticky Grenade	Instant	16/2	15s	30m	Ranged Damage	Launches a small bomb that will detonate after several seconds. Standard and weak enemies enter a state of panic while the bomb is active. The explosion deals kinetic damage to up to 3 nearby enemies when it detonates. Standard and weak targets are knocked back from the blast.
6	Rail Shot	High Impact Bolt	Instant	16/2	15s	30m	Ranged Damage	Fires a very powerful shot at the target that deals weapon damage. Only usable against incapacitated targets and targets suffering from periodic damage.
8	Flame Thrower	Pulse Cannon	Channeled 3s	25/3	18s		Close AE Damage	Damages everything in a 10-meter cone with your weapon, dealing elemental damage over the duration.
9	Determination	Tenacity	Instant		120s		Self-Buff	Removes all incapacitating and movement-impairing effects.
10	Death from Above	Mortar Volley	Instant	25/3	60s	30m	Range AE Damage	Rains death from above, firing a volley of explosives into the target area, dealing kinetic damage over the duration. Standard and weak targets are knocked down by the blasts.

• Level: The level you are able to train this ability.
• Name: The name of the ability.
• Cost: How much Focus/Rage it takes to use this ability.
• Activate: How long it takes to begin. Instant means right away. Channeled means it is used for the time duration listed. A time listed means it takes that long to begin the action. Both timed and channeled actions can be interrupted.
• Cool Down: How long you will have to wait before you can use this ability again. Seconds are abbreviated as (s).
• Range: This is the distance you must be within to use this ability. Some abilities are used up close while others can be used from afar. Meter is abbreviated as (m).
• Type: The kind of ability, if it helps you and your friends or harms your enemy. AE means Area of Effect, which will hit multiple targets.
• Description: A detailed description of the ability.

Bounty Hunter and Trooper Combat

Both of these classes are excellent classes for both ranged and up close area of effect combat. Be aware that Bounty Hunters and Troopers don’t have the tools that Jedi Knights and Sith Warriors have to manage combat such as knockbacks attacks. You blow things up, you do it well, but that is about all you will do for now. As soon as you get your gun buff make sure to activate it and keep it on. Also you want to keep your self buff on at all times. Make sure to always start the fight with your ranged and big boom abilities. Hurt your enemies hard and fast. If they get up and charge you down, then you can smack them with your melee attacks or close range AE if there are a pack of them. Get in the habit of doing this and you will be very successful in TOR, wreaking havoc on groups of enemies as one of these two classes.

Bounty Hunter and Trooper While Playing Solo in TOR

There is a lot of solo content in TOR, especially as you work your way through your class quest. Soloing means playing through content by yourself. If you are fighting a group of enemies, you can use your abilities however you choose. I would suggest experimenting in order to familiarize yourself with your abilities so you can easily decide in combat what you need to use and the results to expect. However, for most general playing in the game you will want to use the class’s one-two punch. Use the Tab key to cycle through the group and figure out if there is one that is the strongest. Select the strongest one, but if they are all similar in power, pick the one that is in the center of the group of enemies if they are close. If they are spread out, pick the one closest to you and approach from an angle you can blast the MoB straight back into its allies.

1. Toss an Explosive Dart/Sticky Grenade.
2. Shoot the same target with Missile Blast/Explosive. This blasts the target back towards their allies to be hit by a double explosion.
3. As the enemy’s allies stand up from the blast take them out with Rapid Shots/Hammer Shots.
4. Loot

Soloing Single Powerful Enemies and Boss Fights in TOR

You’ll want to use different tactics when you are fighting a single tough enemy, such as in boss fights.  The one-two punch tactic may not work as well. It depletes your resources fast on attacks that are not as effective on stronger single opponents. If they have minions and allies, take them out with the 1-2 punch, but switch up your tactics for enemies bosses.

This will be your first training for doing damage to bosses the right way. In Flashpoints and Raids, you will have to use these tactics or find yourself unable to do much because your resources will be fully depleted. Take this early training seriously and learn the tricks to using your abilities well here so you can be a great group player later in the game.

This will be great practice in learning to fill your role as damage dealer while managing your resources. To do this, check the boss and see if the MoB has any friends around it that will assist it. If that is the case, your first job is to eliminate them. The reason for this is that even if they are weaker MoBs, they will tear you up if you waste your time fighting the hard enemy and let the weaker ones take shots at you. Then you will need to switch to a single target, less resource intensive attack as your single target attacks are not as strong as other classes.

1. Throw down your 1-2 punch to take care of minions and guards. Then focus on the boss when it is the only thing left.
2. Hit the enemy boss with Unload/Full Auto then Rapid Shots/Hammer Shots.
3. Repeat step 2 until the enemy boss is dead.
4. Loot some nice blue loot!

If your target happens to move up into melee range, throw in a Rocket Punch/Stock Strike when they go active. It may be tempting to use other abilities, but they will just increase your resource usage and leave you with nothing you can use except your basic attacks.

Grouping in TOR

When you are grouped with others, the MoBs should drop pretty quickly, so there shouldn’t be much need to use a lot of different abilities. Use Rapid Shots/Hammer Shots as you run around. When you get into a real fight, the first thing you will want to do is to bring the AE pain to as many minions and guards as you can. Once they are dead, switch over to your single target rotation.

It’s easy for you to get agro, especially if you are opening up on enemies. If you have Jedi Knights or Sith Warriors in the group you should let them get the fights started most of the time, unless they would rather you pull the MoBs to the group instead of the group charging the enemy MoBs.

When you’re in a group, it is important to remember to only use your AE abilities when they are needed. Otherwise you will always be out of resources and unable to use them when they are really needed. So use single target abilities until you find your group confronting many enemies that are of strong strength or higher.

Grouping in Boss Fights in TOR

Grouping and fighting elite and champion bosses works similarly to solo boss fights. However, your main goal should be agro management. If you are the main tank, open up fast and hard. Keep your focus on the strongest enemy and use your AE abilities to take all the minions around it down quickly. Your other group members should focus on the lesser targets first to get them out of the way, and then move to the strongest enemy. This should give you plenty of time to generate lots of agro on the main boss.

Once you are down to just the last one big boss, switch over to your single target attacks. Use Vent Heat/Recharge Cells so you are able to use your best single target abilities to keep the enemy focused on you as the rest of the group unloads on it.

If you are not the main tank, then let the main tank take on the strongest enemy. You should focus on its allies and other groups of enemies. Once they are taken care of, change targets to the powerful enemy and start your attacks. Don’t pull agro from the main tank. Pace yourself and all should work out well.

If you’re not the main tank, a secondary objective is watching out for the other members of your group who can’t take too much punishment. When something is attacking a group member who is not a tank, blast it so it dies quickly or moves to you. Your healers and light armor wearing companions will thank you!

 

Overall the Bounty Hunter and Trooper are great classes to play in Star Wars TOR. They fill a role that falls between many roles you would normally find in an MMO but do it quite well. They can really bring the damage to groups of enemies when needed. Those that take the healing paths are also a boon to any group, in even the hardest of missions. Through your first 10 levels, you should get a feel for which way you want to take your class when it is time to pick your path. Both offensive and defensive choices are great characters and will be needed classes for any end game content. The choice is ultimately yours, play what fits your style, your character and what you envision these to be.

Below are a couple quick summaries to give you an idea what you will be looking for in TOR for advanced paths.

Bounty Hunter Class Paths

Powertech

The best in shielding, defensive tactics, and high-powered flamethrowers combine to make the Powertech an impenetrable blockade, getting up close and personal to take down enemies of all sizes.

• Class Role: Tank, Damage – Offensive
• Weapon: Blaster Pistol
• Armor: Heavy
• Skill Path: Advanced Prototype, Pyrotech, Shield Tech

Mercenary

A pair of blasters, deadly heat-seeking missiles, and heavy armor makes the Mercenary a mobile weapons platform. There’s no problem extra firepower can’t solve, and no one with sense gets between a Mercenary and their target.

• Class Role: Heal, Damage – Defensive
• Weapon: 2 Blaster Pistols
• Armor: Heavy
• Skill Path: Arsenal, Bodyguard, Pyrotech

Trooper Class Paths

Commando

Trained in advanced assault tactics and weaponry, Commandos charge into battle with massive assault cannons, overwhelming their enemies with brute firepower.

• Class Role: Heal, Damage
• Weapon: Assault Cannon
• Armor: Heavy
• Skill Path:

Vanguard

Unstoppable and utterly fearless, Vanguards are the first and best line of defense on the Republic Military.

• Class Role: Tank, Damage – Offensive
• Weapon: Blaster Rifle
• Armor: Heavy
• Skill Path:

Enjoy playing these fun classes in Star Wars TOR. Remember, once you choose a path, there is no going back, so choose carefully. Make sure you are certain what you want to do. Follow what you want to do with your character and consider your play style. Both classes are mirrors of each other, so pick the side that you think will fit your personality and role play style. You will have a lot more fun this way instead of trying to make a Sith act like a Jedi or vice versa.

Focus resource management and get ready to blast your way through battles and be ready to help bring your group through to victory in Star Wars TOR!

Play smarter, not harder!