Friday Update: Advanced Class Palooza!

In what can only be described as the most awesome Friday Update ever, forum super hero Georg Zoeller takes on a new developer blog that provides some very meaty information on the workings of Star Wars: The Old Republic Advanced Classes:

Choosing an Advanced Class is very important in The Old Republic, as within your Advanced Class, your character will reach their full potential. Your Advanced Class choice dramatically alters the gameplay experience of your base class by providing access to two exclusive skill trees per Advanced Class, with a third being shared between both Advanced Classes.

For the first time, the combat roles of the Advanced Classes are being discussed in an official capacity:

Bounty Hunter Advanced Classes

• Mercenary (Roles: Mid – Long Range Damage Dealing, Healing)
• PowerTech (Roles: Short – Mid Range Damage Dealing, Tanking)

Imperial Agent Advanced Classes

• Sniper (Roles: Mid – Long Range Damage Dealing)
• Operative (Roles: Close – Mid Range Damage Dealing, Healing)

Jedi Knight Advanced Classes

• Jedi Sentinel (Roles: Close Range Damage Dealing. Wields dual Lightsabers)
• Jedi Guardian (Roles: Close Range Damage Dealing, Tanking. Wields a single Lightsaber)

Jedi Consular Advanced Classes

• Jedi Shadow (Roles: Close – Mid Range Damage Dealing, Tanking)
• Jedi Sage (Roles: Mid-Long Range Damage Dealing, Healing)

Smuggler Advanced Classes

• Gunslinger (Roles: Mid – Long Range Damage Dealing, wields dual pistols)
• Scoundrel (Roles: Close – Mid Range Damage Dealing, Healing, wields scatter gun)

Sith Inquisitor Advanced Classes

• Sith Assassin (Roles: Close – Mid Range Damage Dealing, Tanking)
• Sith Sorcerer (Roles: Mid-Long Range Damage Dealing, Healing)

Sith Warrior Advanced Classes

• Sith Marauder (Roles: Close Range Damage Dealing. Wields dual Lightsabers)
• Sith Juggernaut (Roles: Close Range Damage Dealing, Tanking. Wields a single Lightsaber)

Trooper Advanced Classes

• Vanguard (Roles: Close – Mid Range Damage Dealing, Ranged Tanking)
• Commando (Roles: Mid – Long Range Damage Dealing, Healing)

Georg also spends some time elaborating on how, when choosing abilities from your Advanced Class tree, your base tree abilities can be modified:

Imagine a Sith Warrior character, with the Juggernaut Advanced Class. As part of the tanking and control themed ‘Immortal’ skill tree, he may choose to learn Force Grip. This upgrades the base class ability Force Choke from being a channeled ability, requiring several seconds to activate, to being an instantly used ability.

This goes a long way in bolstering the idea that Advanced Classes are truly an entirely different class, not just a “spec.”

Some of the more astute followers may also notice hints of a UI revamp in the screenshots provided.

Hop on over to the official site and check out what is an absolute must-read for any TOR follower!

Maybe this will take the spotlight off of the swimming debate. ;)