Wondering what are the possible approaches to leveling up in SWTOR? What is the difference between F2P and Subscriber, should you use Tokens?
This guide is an extension to my Ultimate SWTOR Beginners Guide!
The Current Level Cap in SWTOR
The current level cap in Star Wars: The Old Republic is 80. If you are a new player, you have a lot of fun hours ahead of you
How long exactly it will take for your character to get to the level cap and the EndGame, depends on your playstyle and the approach you choose.
It may take you twenty hours or it could take you days and weeks to get to the level cap.
Some classes can speed through content using stealth, others rely on their high damage output and the help of a great healing companion to keep them alive.
The Healers and Tanks classes have the slowest progression in general, but it’s a lot of fun as you can use a DPS companion. These are also the most needed classes and roles in the EndGame of SWTOR.
Start at level 1 or 70
SWTOR 6.0 now allows you to start the game with a new character from level 1, level 60 or level 70. These are the available paths you can choose from:
- Start a new lvl 1 character and play Origin Class Story, Heroics, Flashpoints, Operations, PvP and all of the expansions (if you have a subscription – more on that below)
- Start a new lvl 70 character via a token and play Onslaught, Heroics, Flashpoints, Operations, PvP
Starting from higher than level 1 is a risk. If you are a veteran player and want to get just another character to level cap to play in the EndGame, that’s fine.
If you are a new player, I highly recommend you to start at level 1. Jumping blind into the middle of the story with a Token (more on them below), will result in you likely feeling confused and distracted all the time with what’s going on.
The Commander’s Character Token
The Commander’s Character Token can be purchased from the Cartel Market (the in-game shop) and will allow you to create a new character starting either at level 60 or at level 70 (see the list above) – your choice.
These tokens give you the opportunity to start from a certain point in the story progression by skipping everything else prior to that moment.
Note that when using a Commander’s Token you lose the ability to go back with that character you are creating and do the story missions up to level 70.
If you start at level 70, you can do Onslaught and everything after it, but you cannot go back to the origin stories, Makeb, KOTFE, KOTET and everything else story-wise before Onslaught.
All choices from previous content will be set to their default values (what BioWare considers to be default) for your specific class.
The Master’s Datacron Token
This is another token that you can purchase from the Cartel Market. You can use it on an existing character that is between level 1 and level 69. Applying it will immediately boost that character to level 70.
Unlike the Commander’s Tokens, which you use to create a new character, the Master’s Datacron Token is used on an existing character only.
Applying the token to a character only boosts its level. You do not lose access to any story content that you have not yet finished.
When and why to use the Tokens
Don’t use the Tokens on your first character. You will ruin a huge part of your game and entertainment by doing so.
Starting directly at lvl 60 will lock the previous story and set all its variable parameters to the Bioware-default choices and settings.
Please note that the tokens do not unlock future content for you. If you use the Commander’s Token, your character will not receive access automatically to KOTFE and KOTET. These expansions are only unlocked if you Subscribe to SWTOR.
If somehow you find yourself challenged by the content and want an “easy way out” or if you want to start earning the higher level rewards from the Conquest System sooner for example, you could get this token and use it.
It’s a breeze leveling up as level 70 character going through all low level areas and encounters. The higher level is mitigated to an extend by the Level Sync system, but all of the abilities that are granted to your characters – that’s what will make the difference. You will be a lot more powerful having a large arsenal of skills both passive and active at your disposal.
What is Level Sync and how it works in SWTOR
While leveling, you can mix and match activities to keep yourself entertained. It is highly likely that you will often be above the required level of the content you are playing through.
Here comes the Level Sync System into play. This is a system that balances your character’s current level, including abilities and stats to compensate for the difference between your character’s level and the level of the NPCs you encounter in the specific place or instance.
The system works both ways – it can level you up temporarily (without granting you new abilities) for an encounter, such as a Flashpoint. Other times it will bring your level and damage/heal output down, while you are on a lower level planer, for example.
Subscriber vs Preferred vs F2P while leveling
Subscriber players receive more Experience Points from defeating mobs and completing missions. The leveling experience is smoother and faster if you are a Subscriber.
The down-side of being a Subscriber is also… the fact that you level up fast. You will be very high level very fast and the Level Sync system will have to decrease your level for the majority of the content you play through as you level up.
Being higher level will make the content look even easier than it is. SWTOR is already offering you a very smooth and easy leveling experience. Being much higher level than the encounters you face, could make things look even boring at times.
The Three Player Account Statuses
The three player account status modes are as follows:
Free-to-play (F2P)
Most limiting, this is how you start the game after you install it and have not purchased a Subscription or have bought something from the Cartel Market
Preferred Player
The middle tier is granted to you after you make a purchase in the Cartel Market or after your subscription expires. Once you become Preferred, you will never go back to F2P
Subscriber
A Premium player status, which is granted to you if you pay a monthly subscription to the game. Unlocks everything for you and lifts all kinds of restrictions. If you subscribe for a single month even, you will unlock all digital expansions and you can keep your access to all the stories and planets forever. If you encounter the term “Premium Player” in SWTOR, know that it’s the same as “Subscriber Player”. BioWare just like to use the first one as a more fancy way to acknowledge that you are a paying customer.
What can you play as Free-to-Play
Leveling up and all of the story content of SWTOR is completely free of charge for players up to level 60.
With the release of Game Update 6.0 and the digital expansion Onslaught BioWare made it so that the first two expansions of the game are free to all players.
You can play the origin stories, then progress through the Rise of the Hutt Cartel and Shadow of Revan digital expansions. Since they are free, you may not even realize these are expansions. Your story will continue on its own. The F2P level cap is 60.
To continue leveling and unlock access to future story content, planets and more, you need to Subscribe for a month at least.
Preferred status is the middle tier and it lifts up some of the restrictions of the F2P, but it has no significant value for you while you make your first steps into the game. It is more useful at the EndGame or when you approach it.
Which way of leveling is best and fastest
Fastest path for leveling is most likely through Heroics and/or Flashpoints. Depending on your class role and your guild/social status you might benefit more from doing Flashpoint runs, but the easiest and probably the most rewarding way is Heroics. It’s also the most boring and tedious one! Be warned!
Leveling through Story Content
If you chose a level 1 character, do the origin stories. They are the most fun and entertainment you can get from the game at low levels.
The personal character stories (for F2P) are the best part of this game. For all of the Star Wars fans, who want to immerse themselves into an authentic Star Wars story full of choices, fully voiced dialogues and cinematic cutscenes, this is the most rewarding way.
After the end of Chapter 3 of the Origin class stories, your character will start playing through the expansions and story patches. The following story lines are not personal anymore, though some of them do offer per-character unique lines or moments.
Stories may be the best part of the leveling progression in SWTOR, but the there are other alternatives in case you get tired of running through planets doing your faction’s bidding.
Level up through PvP
Among the least productive is PvP (Warzones and Arenas). However it’s just as fun as the personal stories, because you never get to repeat things. In PvP everything changes from match to match. The leveling speed is worse than the movement speed of a tired and lazy Bantha.
The PvP in SWTOR is organized in three segments:
- 8v8 instanced matches called Warzones with specific objectives
- 4v4 instanced deathmatches called Arenas in which the winner is the last standing team
- Free World PvP – the least popular feature of SWTOR due to the laggy and heavy game engine, which causes low FPS and performance during mass players battles.
Leveling through Heroics and Flashpoints
The group content of SWTOR in the early levels offers some sort of a narrative as well, but it is not directly tied to your personal character’s storyline.
Heroics in SWTOR are two to four men group content challenges that may take place in a dedicated instance or in the open world. They are short missions with an objective that almost always involves killing waves of mobs until you reach your targeted destination. Some times there would be mini puzzles involved, but they are nothing special.
Flashpoints are four men group content. In the early levels they are not attached to the character’s story. Later in the Shadow of Revan and following expansions they become parts of the story progression.
Flashpoints reward you with a ton of loot and XP. You will likely be doing them over and over in the EndGame gear progression and farm. It may be a good idea to not over-do the Flashpoin runs while leveling up.
Heroics and Flashpoints grant you the most XP per hour spent. However, they can start feeling repetitive and unless your ultimate goal is to get to level cap as soon as possible, you should avoid farming them.
Tips on SWTOR Leveling
When you start at lvl 1, be sure to pick up all initial quests, including the Crew Skills introductions, check the Flashpoints terminals for your first Flashpoint quests, the PvP terminals for the Initial Warzone related quests (including the discovery of Outlaw’s Den on Tatooine).
If you are new to SWTOR or have never before played the Origin Class Stories, do not start right away at lvl 70. Later on you will regret it. For many reasons.
Be sure to join a guild either in the very beginning of your journey or when you approach the EndGame of SWTOR. Playing with friends is a lot of fun in every aspect of the game except for the personal story missions.
Do not spend too many credits on gear while leveling. If you struggle to beat an encounter, do a Flashpoint, a Warzone or a couple of Heroic Missions to level up faster.
We have a dedicated guide explaining how to gear while leveling in SWTOR where you will find detailed recommendations for armor parts, mods, stat priorities and everything else.
Use your XP and other boost items when you need them. Steams are nice to have, but they are not vital to your survival. Learn to rely on your companion.
Speaking of companions – let them carry you if needed. Pick a Healing role for your companion if you play as DPS and they will never let you die, unless you really really want to. Select a DPS or Tank role for your active companion when playing as a Healer. Choose DPS companion when playing as a Tank.
SWTOR’s EndGame isn’t as popular as it used to be, though it’s still very active on the more heavily populated servers.
The Steam Launch resulted in a very large influx of new or returning players getting into the game. The low level population on all servers received a large boost in the middle of the Summer of 2020.
What to do after Class Story
As a new player it is most likely that you will chose to level up through the Story missions in SWTOR. After they end, you may find yourself wondering what to do next.
Are you sure you are done with the Story?
Based on what account status you have, you may still have story left ahead of you. Here is a quick list of all SWTOR Digital Expansions in the order they have been released and in the order you play through them:
- Rise of the Hutt Cartel (Update 2.0, level cap 55, Free-to-Play now)
- Shadow of Revan (Update 3.0, level cap 60, Free-to-Play now)
- Knights of the Fallen Empire (update 4.0, level cap 65, accessible with sub)
- Knights of the Eternal Empire (update 5.0, level cap 70, accessible with sub)
- Onslaught (update 6.0, level cap 75, accessible with sub)
- Legacy of the Sith (update 7.0, level cap 80, accessible with sub)
If you do not see a purple mission on your mission log, but you know that you have not yet finished the story, check the terminal or console on your personal starship.
EndGame Progression
Once you are 100% sure you are done with the story progression, you should be at the level cap. It’s time to turn your eye to the gearing for EndGame.
The EndGame gearing process is a result of loot drops and planned gear purchases as you play the content and earn tokens and currencies. Gear is also rewarded through the Conquest System and for completing daily and weekly missions.
The vertical gear progression is simple – each time you loot a gear piece, compare its stats and Item Rating. If the IR is higher than what you currently have equipped, put the new piece in place. Some times you will have to use items that may not sound logical, but as long as they progress you vertically through the gear tiers, you should do it.
When you reach the highest gear tier, it’s time to start paying attention to the Horizontal progression – balanced stats, proper gear set with set bonuses, tacticals and so on. Consult with the SWTOR 7.0 EndGame Gearing Guide for level 80 if you need a helping hand in understanding how the progression works. In it you will also find tips on how to progress faster.
The EndGame consists of the same gameplay elements – Heroics, Flashpoints, Operations, PvP. The higher the difficulty tier you play on, the better the loot and mission rewards will be.
Additional resources and guides
For more information on leveling, new mechanics, features and systems as well as changes to the game, check the main menu of the site, visit the SWTOR Guides Category and subscribe to receive Push Notifications from VULKK.com
Here is a list of other related useful resources:
- Ultimate SWTOR Beginners Guide for new players
- SWTOR Classes: Beginners guide to all Roles and Disciplines
- SWTOR Class Guides List
- SWTOR Crafting and Crew Skills: A Beginners Guide
- SWTOR Basics: The DOs and DONTs for Beginner Players (Leveling Tips)
- SWTOR Guide to Damage Types and Damage Mitigation
- SWTOR Conquest Guide
