This guide will show you how to complete the Hoth Pursuit mission in SWTOR, part of the Galactic Threads storyline, released with update 7.8.
Table of contents
How to start the mission
This is one of the branching missions part of the Galactic Threads storyline, released with SWTOR Update 7.8. The mission starts on Odessen where you, the Alliance Commander, talk to Jekiah Ordo and Lana Beniko discussing the possible leads for Shae Vizla and Darth Malgus’ whereabouts.
It doesn’t matter if you pick “Hoth Pursuit” mission first during the KOTOR-style dialogue at the Alliance Operations room on Odessen. To start this mission, ask your allies about Shae’s accomplice on Hoth.
Variations and Decisions
This mission is quite linear and although you will see some dialogue options and different answers, the gameplay parts are the same for every character from either faction. There are a couple of Light and Dark side decisions you will have to make, but they don’t change the outcome of the mission.
You will be accompanied by Rass Ordo while you look for the Hidden Chain defector on Tatooine.
Search Shai Tenna on Hoth
Shai Tenna’s Pleasure Denn is located in the middle of Highmount Ridge on Hoth. You will have to ask around a few NPCs for information on Besrik. Talk to everyone that has a purple icon above their head until you get to the one in the far back, leaning against a stall.
Investigate White Maw Dead Drops
Go outside and visit the marked locations on your map. You are looking for small containers, usually half-buried under the snow. Interact with them. The Dead Drops are clearly marked on the map and are in the same locations for both Empire and Republic.
The last location will spawn White Maw Couriers. Defeat them and loot the Illicit Combat Stims mission item.
Go to the Star of Coruscant
When you approach the giant relic ship, Rass will give you a new temp ability. Use it to Summon Probe Droid. This droid will assist you in tracking the slicer.
Inside the ship, there will be a few White Maws you will have to take care of. Look for the large glowing panels on the walls. There are three you need to interact with to let the Droid do its job and track the slicer.
After this, go through the door marked on your map. The Republic players’ entrance is on the second floor of the ship. The Empire players’ entrance is to the left from where you came in. A cinematic will play where you will see Besrik talking to White Maw pirates.
You will then be transported into a new area for the continuation of the mission. Take out the NPCs and chase after the slicer.
Chase Besrik
While trying to find another path to Besrik after he ran off, you will fight a couple more White Maw pirates and reach a tunnel with a datapad and a yellow exclamation mark icon over it. It’s a warning for the slick icy surfaces ahead:
To avoid slipping on the ice, walk on the clear path or you can use your Jetpack to cut across. Climb the stairs, fight a few more White Maw pirates until you reach the mini boss encounter area at the end.
Defeat Greb Besrik and the Droid Battle Platform
This mini boss fight is simple as long as you pay attention to the buffs and debuffs of the two targets.
When the droid casts Protective Shield, it will spawn an orange energy barrier around itself, which will also shield Besrik while he is inside. If Besrik has the buff Protected Occupant, he will take no damage. When this happens, focus the Droid.
The droid can go into a Protective Shutdown, which will create a blue shield around its body and prevent it from taking damage for 25 seconds. When you see this happen, focus on Besrik.
The other notable special abilities the Droid has are very well telegraphed and you can easily avoid them by moving out of the marked spots.
From time to time Besrik will throw a smoke bomb on you and darken your vision for a moment.
What to do with Besrik?
We don’t know at this time if Besrik may play a role later down the line, but it is doubtful. There are a couple of choices at the end of the fight where you can pick a light or dark side. At the very end of the conversation after you defeat him, you have an option to shoot him.
At this point in the story’s development (7.8 released), we don’t know if there will be any consequences to your decisions regarding Besrik. For this storyline, it doesn’t appear to matter at all if you send him to Mandalorians, Republic/Empire, or Kill him.
Mission Rewards
To complete the mission, head back to Odessen and talk to Lana and Jekiah. During the conversation, Lana will bring up the situation on Ilum. If this is the first of the three missions you do, this will be the first time Land mentions the situation on Ilum.
You will receive the following rewards for completing “Hot Pursuit”. Note that at the time of this publication, the Greb Besrik Holo decoration was bugged (or at least it was for me).
 | Credits |
 | 10x Conquest Commendations |
 | 50x Tech Fragments |
 | Greb Besrik Holo Decoration |
