SWTOR The Esseles Flashpoint Guide

This guide will tell you how to start and complete the SWTOR Flashpoint The Esseles in any difficulty mode, what achievements you can unlock, and the rewards you can earn.

How to Start the Flashpoint and its Story

The Esseles is the introductory flashpoint for Republic characters in SWTOR. It is designed to be one of two paths you can take to Coruscant after finishing your quests on Tython or Ord Mantell.

It is also used by players to farm Light and Dark Side alignment points to get titles and/or visual effects for their characters, such as Dark Side corruption.

Empire players have access to a different introductory Flashpoint called The Black Talon. The stories are absolutely unique and different for both flashpoints and each faction only has access to one or the other.

As for the story for this flashpoint, you’re on your way to Coruscant to carry out your next mission. The ship you board is The Esseles, a Wanderer-class transport ship.

The ship is then under attack by an Imperial war ship. The Imperial ship’s commanding officer, Grand Moff Rycus Kilran, is attempting to capture a Republic ambassador on the Esseles.

Your job is to fend off the invading Imperials and save as many people on the Esseles as you deem necessary.

This guide covers Story Mode, Veteran Mode, and Master Mode for The Esseles.

Whether you’re a Jedi fresh off Tython or a Trooper/Smuggler making their way from Ord Mantell, you’ll want to head to Coruscant. If you’re new to the game entirely, the Republic Fleet can be a bit confusing to navigate at first.

The following map shows you how to reach Coruscant Departures on the Republic Fleet. Coruscant Departures will be on the south side of Carrick Station, the main part of the fleet you spawn in here.

When you take the elevator down, you have the option to take the direct flight to Coruscant or get there via the Esseles flashpoint. To start The Esseles, talk to the Neimoidian Priority Transport Officer.

If you’re new to the game and still low level, select Story Mode. You can come back to Veteran and Master Mode when you’re a higher level and properly equipped for the task.

If you’re new to the game, I’ll fill you in on how many of the flashpoint guides on VULKK.com work. These guides primarily show players mechanics of bosses, bonus missions, or anything else noteworthy found in the flashpoints. They assume you know how to navigate an area by using your map and following green markers to objectives. As such, they will not tell you how to navigate the maps unless a shortcut is available as they’re typically very linear.

With that in mind, let us start out with the first thing to note which is a Mini-Boss encounter!

Read our SWTOR Story Progression Guide to learn where this story fits in. The guide will help you experience the game’s narrative in the proper intended order of events and aid and assist you if you are not sure what to do and where to go next.

Mini-Boss: Lieutenant Isric

The first big fight you’ll encounter on The Esseles is the Imperial boarding party led by Lieutenant Isric. This is an easy encounter on any difficulty mode as Isric is fairly easy to beat.

He may occasionally knock his target back with a stock strike, nothing too bad. He also uses a “Hail of Bolts” ability where he’ll fire blaster bolts in a cone AoE in front of him.

Light and Dark Side Choice: The Engineering Crew’s Fate

After learning that the bridge deck has been cut off by the Imperials, you’ll need to head to the Engineering deck to figure out a workaround. The Engineers explain two ways you can gain access to the bridge.

You can reset the reactor at the cost of venting the entire engineering deck, or you can disable the secondary conduits.

Ambassador Asara will be in favor of resetting the reactor to save time, however, the ultimate decision is yours.

• “We’re not killing people” will grant you Light Side points. This will start a new objective after the cutscene.
• “Engineers die, the rest live” will grant Dark Side points. This will allow you to head immediately to the bridge of the Esseles.

If you choose to keep the engineering crew alive, you’ll need to travel around the engineering deck to deactivate Secondary Conduits A, B, and C.

Bonus Mission: Mercenary Boarders

This bonus mission does not lead to the Bonus Boss. If you’re looking to get some extra XP, you can take on the bonus mission Mercenary Boarders.

This bonus mission starts if you defeat a Mandalorian Commando. You’ll need to defeat a total of 8 Mandalorian Commandos in the Port Hangar Deck to complete the bonus mission.

First Boss: Ironfist

After reaching the bridge, you’ll fight the leader of the Mandalorian forces on the Esseles. He goes by the name of “Ironfist”.

Ironfist isn’t too bad of a fight considering he’s the first boss. He has the ability to charge to someone, pushing them backwards. He also has an AoE push available.

His most damaging ability is his Missile Salvo. This will be channeled for 12 seconds, during which everyone in the group will be getting hit by missiles. Group up for AoE heals and have the tank mitigate the squishiest target.

He can also spawn adds to assist him, one of which will use a flamethrower to hit multiple targets. Try to stay out of this if you can as its damage stacks and deals damage over time.

Veteran Mode Differences

There are no mechanical differences in Veteran Mode.

Master Mode Differences

There are no mechanical differences in Master Mode. Ironfist’s Missile Salvo is exceptionally deadly in this match so use of DCDs is warranted.

Override the Elevator to Access the Starboard Hangar Bay

After defeating Ironfist, you’ll need to board the Imperial ship and return the favor. A common mistake new players make is pressing the wrong button when reaching the elevator. Be sure to interact with the panel on the right to continue the flashpoint.

Bonus Mission: Desperate Assault Phases 1 and 2

Once you board Imperial ship, The Emperor’s Glory, you can start the second bonus mission. This starts when you defeat any enemy aboard. For the first phase, you’ll need to defeat 30 Imperial Forces. From there, complete the second phase by defeating 40 Imperial Forces.

Bonus Mission: Desperate Assault Phase 3

Once you’ve defeated enough Imperials, you’ll need to slice into the Power Consoles located in the Power Core. There are two Power Consoles, one to the north and one to the south. If you’re on Story Mode, you’ll only need to interact with one to shut them down and summon the bonus boss.

If you’re on Veteran or Master Modes, you’ll need at least two people to pull this off. You both need to slice into the consoles around the same time in order to summon the bonus boss.

Second Boss: ISS-7 Guardian Battledroid

This boss is designed to teach players about environmental awareness. This droid only uses melee attacks, however its punches can punch you backwards.

If you’re the tank, be sure to have a good chunk of space behind you or have something solid behind you. If you’re not careful, you’ll be knocked into the shaft below and have to respawn. The boss’s aggro will reset after it stuns its primary target. When this happens, the tank should taunt the boss to ensure it doesn’t punch back a DPS or healer into the shaft below.

A good place to have your back towards one of the power transformers in the middle of the ring. Avoid using the glowing blue console for this. Doing so will still give you a chance to be pushed back into the shaft.

Veteran Mode Differences

There are no mechanical differences in Veteran Mode.

Master Mode Differences

There are no mechanical differences in Master Mode.

Optional Bonus Boss: ISS-994 Power Droid

This boss is designed to teach tanks that taunting an opponent will not always work, and that sometimes you need to run. You’ll be fighting what is essentially an overpowered GNK Droid, the ISS-994 Power Droid.

This is mostly an easy fight as it’s a tank and spank, until it isn’t. Every so often, the Power Droid will become Overcharged. You can tell when this happens as it’ll be surrounded by purple electricity.

While this is active, it’ll become immune to taunts and deal damage to anyone near it. You can kite it since it only uses melee attacks and wait out the Overcharged effect.

Veteran Mode Differences

There are no mechanical differences in Veteran Mode. You may need to kite it to avoid unnecessary damage.

Master Mode Differences

There are no mechanical differences in Master Mode. You WILL need to kite this thing while it is overcharged. The damage adds up quickly and can take down squishy characters if they’re not careful.

Final Boss: Vokk

After a cool cutscene, you’ll have to fight the final boss, Vokk. This Sith Apprentice is designed to teach players about the importance of dodging telegraphed AoEs.

Vokk’s attacks are fairly simple to deal with. He’s a melee opponent that can Force Choke his primary target to stun them for a bit. If he Force Pushes you, he’ll throw his lightsaber at you twice.

His last ability is Lightning Storm. When he uses this, a purple ring will appear on the floor. Soon after, lightning will fire down in that area and deal damage to anyone in that circle.

Stay out of this purple AoE to avoid the lightning damage. This AoE is very small so it’s good practice since it’s very easy to avoid. From there, it’s a matter of tank and spank.

Veteran Mode Differences

There are no mechanical differences in Veteran Mode.

Master Mode Differences

There are no mechanical differences in Master Mode. Be sure to dodge Vokk’s Lightning Storm as one hit will take out 30% of your maximum hit points.

Light and Dark Side Choice: Asara’s Fate

After defeating Vokk, you’ll need to talk to Ambassador Asara for your last Light/Dark choice. The first chat options are:

• “Let’s go!”, this will grant Light Side points and take you back to the Esseles.
• “We need to talk, Asara.” will lead to more dialogue that will offer a Dark Side option.

The second options for this chat are:

• “No, of course not” will grant you Light Side points.
• “Yes–you’re staying here.” will grant Dark Side points. This will have you leave Asara behind so Kilran can get his prize and stop harassing Republic ships she’ll be in.

Wrap up the rest of the dialogue at the end of the flashpoint and choose your final destination. You can go to Coruscant or return to the Republic Fleet as your final choice. Be sure to not rush through this final choice to make sure you end up at the right destination.

Achievements for The Esseles

The majority of the achievements for this flashpoint are for defeating the bosses 1 time, 10 times, and 25 times. Though here are two that grant item rewards:

Defeat Vokk (Veteran Mode)

Elite: Ironed Out (Master Mode)

Decoration Drop

The bosses in The Esseles have a chance to drop the Power Transformer (Republic) decoration. If you chose to do story mode of The Esseles from the Activity Window, you’re guaranteed to get this decoration. This will fit in a Large hook.

This is a good filler decoration for an area such as the ship in the Rishi Stronghold. If you have some sort of tech room, it could work there as well. It’s hard thinking of good things to say about it considering how mundane it is, but some creativity can make it work!

The Esseles Fun Fact

Did Commander Narlock sound familiar at all?

If you’re a fan of The Clone Wars series, you might know this voice actor as he also portrayed Admiral Yularen! This is also the same voice actor that would announce the premise of the episodes in The Clone Wars. It’s just a neat fact and it’s neat to hear his unique voice in The Old Republic setting.

This concludes my guide to The Esseles Flashpoint. You can find more SWTOR Flashpoint Guides here on VULKK.com. For anything else, a great starting point is our SWTOR Guides Master Catalog!