Class Focus: Smuggler

Fact Sheet

• Species: Human, Twi’lek, Zabrak, Mirialan, Cyborg
• Starting World: Ord Mantell
• Combat Type: Ranged Damage, Healing
• Weaponry: Blasters
• Armor: Light Armor
• Ship: XS Freighter
• Famous Smugglers: Han Solo, Hylo Visz, Atton Rand

Summary

Armed only with their sharp wit, charisma and a handy blaster pistol or two,the Smuggler of the Old Republic makes his way in the galaxy through the trading of illegal goods. So even though siding with the Republic may be a bit counter-intuitive, when considering the other option, it isn’t much of a choice. Freedom is perhaps what a Smuggler values most and a tyrannic rule under the oppression of the Sith would offer much less freedom that the democracy of the Republic. By nature of their trade, Smugglers often require a wide array of skills. They are among the best pilots in the galaxy, handy with a blaster and some would say that luck is one of their many skills. Whether you need to transport containers of spice to the seedy streets of Nar Shadaa or weapons through enemy space to resupply troops, you can always count on a Smuggler to get the job done… for the right price.

Lore

The majority of Smugglers are independent by nature relying only on themselves and perhaps a furry and loyal companion, however in times of Galactic War it is impossible for anyone to stay truly neutral. The most obvious example of a man just trying to make his way, but getting swept up into a galaxy-wide war is non other than Han Solo. What started as a simple transport job turned into a quest to save the galaxy from a tyrannical Emperor bent on ruling the galaxy. As much as Jedi and Lightsabers, the Millennium Falcon and faulty hyper-drives have become entrenched in the minds of Star Wars fans. Those traits that Han Solo exuded: a quick wit, brazen attitude, top notch piloting skills, and a little bit of luck, have defined the Smuggler.

Proving that history repeats itself, not much has changed in the way of defining traits of the Smuggler in the Old Republic. Notably the cocky and sarcastic Atton Rand a man who followed both Revan and the Exile and at one point was even a skilled hunter of Jedi. As evident by the criminal nature of their work it is fairly common for Smugglers to have humble beginnings, freed slave, born and raised in the slums, or perhaps even a war orphan. Such was the start of Hylo Visz, a Mirialan Smuggler orphaned by the war between the Republic and the Sith, she was raised on the streets of Nar Shaddaa.  Eventually working her way up the ladder in the Hutt Cartel, she went on to lead a group of Smugglers in breaking the Mandalorian blockade at of the Hydian Way, causing some to consider her a Republic hero. Proving was again that there is no real neutrality in war, not even for a Smuggler in search of nothing but freedom.

Class Specializations

Scoundrel
Fighting fair isn’t the Scoundrel’s idea of a good time; shoot first ask questions later is his mantra. A stealth belt, his trusty scattergun and maybe a few med packs is all he needs to get by. The Sawbones skill-tree is the Scoundrel’s hodge-podge approach to medicine, but it gets the job done keeping him and his allies alive and protected. Sometimes you just need to sneak around and hit the enemy in their blind-spot and that’s exactly what the Scrapper skill-tree lets the Scoundrel do, dealing damage both up close and at mid range with the use of a scattergun and stealth belt.
Gunslinger
The Gunslinger doesn’t mess around. The Man With No Name of space, he’s more likely to shoot you than shake your hand. Sometimes though, a blaster just isn’t enough, so the Saboteur skill-tree gives the Gunslinger more options to kill you, such as explosives or other advanced tech. The Gunslinger always has an ace up his sleeve. The Gunslinger’s blaster pistols aren’t just for show either and the Sharpshooter skill-tree showcases the deadly precision with which the Gunslinger wields his weapons. Causing massive damage and dealing critical hits from long ranges allows a Sharpshooter to cut down his foes before they can get anywhere near him.

True to their nature, both the Scoundrel and Gunslinger can make use of the Dirty Fighting skill-tree using craftier and unsightly methods to dispatch of their foes. Nothing is off-limits to the Smuggler when his life is on the line dodging enemy fire or packing a little bit of a special punch to his blasters, whatever it takes to get the job done.

Is this the class for you?

The Smuggler offers the choice of being a ranged damage dealer or a rogue-ish stealth “backstabber” for critical hits with a little healing capability thrown in there for good measure. So if you like to stay out of the thick of battle and deal with your enemies from the safety of cover, the Smuggler may be the class for you. However, if you want to be going toe-to-toe with your enemies and getting in their faces, then it sounds like you want to tank and the tank is role the Smuggler cannot fill. If you’re in the game more for the story, with the Smuggler you can look forward to a “rags-to-riches” type of plot. You’ll be going from a skilled Smuggler with one of the fastest ships in the galaxy to a Republic hero in a time of war. The Smuggler has a lot to offer the Han Solo in us all, whether it’s always getting off the first shot or with some fancy flying, you can expect to do it all as a Smuggler in The Old Republic.

Links

Smuggler Holonet Page
Smuggler Class Trailer
Smuggler Progression