Editing Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic/Ranged

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It is possible to successfully run through the game as a Jedi who dual-wields blasters instead of lightsabers. If gunning down Dark Jedi within one round of attacking appeals to you, read on. The ultimate goal of this guide is for you to end up with a powerful, dual-wielding, blaster-toting Jedi.

==Starting Class==
===Soldier===
Soldiers get the most hitpoints between the three non-Jedi classes, as well as the highest to-hit chance per level and can gain the most feats out of any class in the entire game.  They can also pick up the {{s|Feats|Weapon Specialization}}: Blaster Pistols feat at level 4 after picking up {{s|Feats|Weapon Focus}}: Blaster Pistols, allowing us to deal an additional +2 damage with any pistol in the game.

However, their combat prowess is offset by their lackluster skill selection and skill point gain.  Soldiers only have access to {{s|Skills|Demolitions}}, {{s|Skills|Awareness}}, and {{s|Skills|Treat Injury}} as class skills and get around 1-2 skill points to spend per level up (if you get 18 Intelligence, you can get a whopping 3 skill points instead).

If you want to maximize the amount of Jedi levels for your character, it is recommended to get to at least level 4 to pick up the Weapon Specialization feat '''as you will lose access to those feats once you become a Jedi'''.  You can still get the feat by equipping certain items, but you cannot get the feat through level ups if you don't pick it before becoming a Jedi.
===Scout===
Scouts are middle-of-the-road when it comes to the three non-Jedi classes, getting less hitpoints and feats than the Soldier but more than the Scoundrel - although both the Scout and Scoundrel have the same slightly worse to-hit chance per level.  Despite this, Scouts can be very powerful thanks to the automatic unlock of each rank of the {{s|Feats|Implant}} feat line and a good variety of class skills including {{s|Skills|Computer Use}}, {{s|Skills|Repair}}, and {{s|Skills|Treat Injury}}.  They also automatically gain the {{s|Feats|Uncanny Dodge}} feats as they level up, reducing the difficulty class to successfully save against grenades and retaining their Dexterity bonus to defense against being surprised by camouflaged enemies.

The biggest drawback of the Scout is that in order to gain both ranks of Uncanny Dodge and all 3 levels of the Implant feats, they need to be level 8 before they become a Jedi since Implant Level 3 unlocks at level 8.  The reason this can be seen as drawback is because you will only be able to get 12 levels as a Jedi if you want to get everything you can out of the Scout class before becoming a Jedi.  However, you can still pick both Implant Level 2 and Implant Level 3 as normal feats if you want to save more levels for becoming a Jedi, and you can safely ignore getting rank 2 of Uncanny Dodge since rank 2 only gives a minor boost in saving against grenades.

With how flexible the Scout is, you can choose to save levels from as early as level 2 and get 18 levels as a Jedi, level 4 for the auto-unlock of Implant Level 2, level 7 for Uncanny Dodge 2, or level 8 for the auto-unlock of Implant Level 3.
===Scoundrel===
The Scoundrel is the glass cannon of the three classes, having the least amount of hitpoints and feats amongst the three non-Jedi classes but having access to the arguably two best feats in the game: {{s|Feats|Sneak Attack}} and {{s|Feats|Scoundrel's Luck}}, both of which unlock automatically as you level up as a Scoundrel.  Sneak Attack adds an additional 1-6 damage per rank to the enemy you are attacking if you are either attacking them from behind, the enemy is stunned or immobilized in some fashion, or if you make an attack coming out of Stealth Mode, while Scoundrel's Luck passively adds +2 to your defense for each rank of it, making you harder to hit in combat.  They also get the most skill points to spend per level and have access to {{s|Skills|Stealth}}, {{s|Skills|Persuade}}, and {{s|Skills|Security}} as class skills.

The worst part about playing a Scoundrel is that they will have the hardest time going through Taris, due to the low amount of hitpoints and to-hit chance you have in the early levels of the game.  Since we are using ranged weapons for this build, it might be more useful to have Carth use melee weapons early on while you take {{s|Blaster pistols|Carth's Blaster}} off of him and use it yourself so you can easily get more Sneak Attacks off to deal more damage.

Since you gain a rank of Sneak Attack at every odd-numbered level (1, 3, 5, etc.) and you gain Improved Scoundrel's Luck at level 6, it is recommended to level up to 7 as a Scoundrel so you get Sneak Attack IV after getting Improved Scoundrel's Luck.  This will allow you to have a permanent +4 to defense from Scoundrel's Luck and be able to deal an extra 4-24 on successful Sneak Attacks.  After that, you can start saving up any levels up after that for your Jedi class.

==Character Stats==
Stats can make or break a character.  Knowing what the various stats do, and where to place your stat points are of paramount importance. Please read the following carefully.

===Strength===
Strength adds to your to-hit and melee weapon damage.  Since we are using pistols, we can ignore this stat. Either leave it at base 10, so you don't incur a penalty, or put it to 8 so you may use those two points elsewhere. 8 points is recommended.

===Dexterity===
Dexterity adds to your to-hit with ranged weapons, as well as adding to your defense rating. This is the "money" stat, for not only does it help to hit opponents with ranged weapons, it also adds to defense. 16 points is recommended for starting.

===Constitution===
This stat determines how many hit points your character receives per level. Since we will be a ranged attacker, we will be out of danger for a good portion of the game.  I recommend 10 points as a base for this stat. There's no reason to incur a negative penalty in this stat by placing it at 8; by the same token any more than 10 can be considered overkill for normal difficulty. With all of the enhancements your character will receive from items and force powers, your ending HP should be quite sufficient with this amount of stat points.

===Intelligence===
Intelligence is one of the most useful attributes there is. It raises the amount of skill points you receive every time you level up. However, these skill points do nothing in the means of helping in combat, so it is recommended to keep it at 10, to avoid a negative penalty.

===Wisdom===
Wisdom raises the amount of force points you receive as well as determines how
effective you are at using and resisting force powers.  This is the other
'money' stat for this build.  We need to be able to effectively use our force
powers on the enemy without them being resisted as well have the ability to
avoid the enemies force powers.  Think of wisdom as force dexterity.  I
recommend putting 16 points into this stat.  Combined with items, you should be
able to resist most of the dark Jedis' attempts to strike you down with force
powers, while dealing out a beating yourself.

===Charisma===
Charisma determines how amiable you are; how well you interact with others.
The higher your charisma, the better you'll be at being able to persuade.  There
are plenty of persuade options in the game, none of which are truly critical.

In addition to being correlated with your persuasion skills, charisma also adds
to the amount of force points your character will have; and to a lesser extent,
the power in which you use the force.  Charisma does not have as profound an
effect on your force abilities as wisdom, but the effects are evident,
nonetheless.  For example; the more points you put into charisma, the more force
points you'll have available to you for casting force abilities.  In addition,
the power in which you use those abilities, will be greater than if your
charisma was lower.  I recommend putting 12 points into this stat initially,
and boosting it with various equipment throughout the game.

Note: if you plan on having your character only use the treat injury skill
(described below in greater detail; section 3), you could drop your
intelligence to 8; then using those skill points in charisma, boosting it to
12.  If dexterity or wisdom is more of a concern to you, you could also use
those two points to raise them a point, to 17.

My starting stats looked like this:
<pre>
STR: 8
DEX: 16
CON: 10
INT: 10
WIS: 16
CHA: 14
</pre>
Every subsequent stat point you receive should go into getting both your
dexterity and wisdom to 20.  Because of all the +dexterity equipment you can get
throughout the game, I recommend getting your wisdom up to 20 before your
dexterity.

==Skills==
As a scoundrel, we get more skills than the other classes.  Unfortunately, not
many of these skills are worth while.  I recommend that you max Treat Injury at
every level.  The higher your proficiency in treat injury, the more health
you'll gain from medical packs.

With your leftover points, you should do one of two things.  Add the points to
Persuade, which if you get high enough, could allow you to put your charisma
stat down to 8.  With those two extra points you've saved, you could then move
the points into something more useful, like wisdom, dexterity, or constitution.
You could also, add the points into Repair.  The main reason for doing so is
that you may be able to unlock the functions of HK-47 when you purchase him.
Make the choice after determining if you're going to use HK-47 as one of your
main NPC allies or not.

All other skills can be performed masterfully by your allies.

==Feats==
As a scoundrel, we get the fewest feats of the bunch, so we have to make them
count.  I will list the feats you should consider getting, in order of
importance, highest to lowest.

===Two Weapon Fighting===
Maxing this skill will greatly reduce the penalty of wielding your dual pistols.
Without this skill, you are penalized -6 for your chance to hit with your main
weapon, and a -10 for your chance to hit with your secondary weapon.  When
maxed, this skill will reduce that penalty down to a -2 per hand.  A must have
for this build.

===Rapid Shot===
Rapid shot allows you to engage in an extra attack per round at the cost of
defense and chance to hit.  At the maximum level you lose 1 defensive point and
1 to-hit point.  Well worth the penalties for that extra attack.

===Blaster Pistol Weapon Proficiency===
You need level one to use blaster pistols, but scoundrels already start with
this feat.  At the maximum level, this feat adds +1 to your to-hit and a +2 on
top of your damage dealt.

===Implants===
Depending on the level invested, will allow you to use level 1, 2, or 3
implants; which in turn can grant bonuses such as mind-immunity and +dexterity.

==Jedi Class==
The Jedi Counselor will be our class of choice for two reasons.  The first
reason is that we get an extra four force abilities as we progress, compared to
the other Jedi classes.  The second reason is that we obtain Force Focus.  At
master level, force focus gives us a +6 bonus in both dealing and defending
against force powers.

==Force Alignment==
I have only gone through this build as a master light-sided Jedi, and I believe
this is the best alignment for this build.  I'm positive that it can be done as
dark-sided, but the force powers that accompany a light-sided Jedi are much more
aesthetically pleasing to this build.  After all, we're supposed to be a blaster
wielding scoundrel that shoots his way out of a fight, not a dark counselor who
prefers to use the force to do his dirty work.  I suppose one could remain
neutral in alignment, but I don't honestly believe that there are any dark-sided
powers to use that warrant the penalty of being aligned as neutral.  The choice
is yours, but I will only out line light-side force powers in the next section.

==Force Powers==
As a light-sided force user, you will use these powers to enhance your fighting
and defending abilities to their upper tiers.  I will list the more optional
force powers toward the bottom.  As always, it is your preference as to which
ones you'd like to get.

===Force Heal===
Heals you and your party members.  This force power also nullifies any poisoning
you or your party members may have.  Use this instead of medical packs whenever
possible.  This will help you to save money and stock pile the medical packs,
which you will most likely need on the Star Forge.

===Stasis Field===
At master level, this power has the chance to stun groups of enemies for 12
seconds.  This should be your most used skill.  Not only will your opponents be
unable to move or attack after a successful casting, but because they are
stunned, every successful attack you perform on them will result in your sneak
attack feat taking place.  Take into consideration that you will have an extra
attack per round from the rapid shot feat, and up to two more attacks per round
possible from force speed (covered in detail below, section 7.3).

If your normal attack and all three bonus attacks hit during your round of
attacks, that's an extra 4 * (3 to 18), or 12 to 72 damage you'll dish out on
top of your blaster damage!

===Force Speed===
At level one, this power increases your movement speed and defense for its
duration, 38 seconds.  At level two, you gain an extra attack in addition to
extra defense gained.  At its master level, this force power will grant you two
extra attacks per round, a +4 to defense, and the faster movement speed.  Try
casting this before and during every battle.  You may also wish to cast this
power to simply increase your movement speed.  Sometimes you have to tediously
run back and forth through certain areas in the game.  Cast this to reduce the
time it takes to get from point A to point B.

===Force Valor===
Master valor grants the caster and his/her party a +5 to all attributes and
saves.  In addition, it also grants the recipients immunity to poison.  There
are two drawbacks to this skill which makes it optional in the minds of many.
Drawback one: the duration on this spell is pitifully short; 20 seconds.
Drawback two: it's an expensive power to cast; and because of it's duration
you'll want to cast it often.  I believe, however, that this spell is worth
getting to master level.  The temporary boost it gives you in your stat points
can give you up to a +2 modifier on everyone in your party.  Not only that, but
the +5 to saving throws is huge; adding to your already high defense.  I highly
recommend using this power before and during large group battles, mini-bosses
and Malak.  Add this power on top of taking stims, and you'll be nigh
unstoppable.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Any spell I list below here, you should consider optional in maxing, or getting  altogether.

===Affect Mind===
Selecting this power opens up a new dialog option: force persuade.
Get this power if your persuasion is low, but be careful as many of the persuade
options are inherently dark-sided in nature.  Try to avoid using this on any of
your allies, as they'll usually know when you're using the power on them.  I
would avoid dominate mind altogether as affect mind serves its purpose well
enough.  As a light-side user, you shouldn't need to force anyone against their
will.

===Force Breach===
At master level, this will remove all helpful force powers on the target.  Since
every Jedi you encounter is dark (Bastilla aside), there aren't many buffs to
breach.  All beneficial force powers are light sided, minus one: force immunity.
The dark Jedi who use force immunity are few and far between.  If you're
concerned, however, with breezing through the star forge and your final battle
with Malak, this wouldn't be a bad choice.

===Force Armor===
At its master level, this force power gives its caster +6 to defense and saving
throws.  The major drawback to this power is, like force valor, that its
duration is only 20 seconds.  By the time you cast valor and armor on yourself,
your window of benefits isn't very long.  A good way to use this skill is have
one of your Jedi allies cast master valor while you cast this on your self.
You will, however, not be able to do this during any of the important solo
battles that take place during the game.  In such instances, you'll have to cast
both valor and armor yourself and reap the benefits in a very short time frame.

===Destroy Droid===
Not only will this force power deal damage to a droid(s), it will stun them for
a period of time as well.  At master level, this power turns enemy droids into
free experience.  Normally, I allocate this power to one of my Jedi allies;
Jolee can easily get this to master level.

One compelling reason to get an initiate point in this power is for the end
battle with Malak.  As a light-sided force user, you will not be able to
kill/neutralize the captured Jedi without this power.  If you simply don't have
the patience to duke it out with Malak for 15 minutes, put a point in this
skill.

==Allies==
I won't explicitly tell you who to use in this section, but rather gloss over
the party members, who I feel, benefit you the most during your journey.
Remember that you are a ranged attacker that benefits from stunned or
pre-occupied opponents.  Jedi party members can fill both roles, but certain
non-Jedi members bring some other, much welcomed, benefits to the party.

{{spoilers}}

===Jolee Bindo===
Jolee is a neutrally-aligned Jedi counselor.  He is helpful in many regards.
If you fail to stun one or two opponents Jolee can chime in with a stasis field
of his own.  When you encounter mini-bosses, Jolee can use Force Kill on
individual targets or Force Lightning on groups of targets; making your life
much easier.  If you're tied up in battle, or simply don't have the force
reserves, he can cast force heal or force valor in a pinch.  Let's not also
forget that this game has many, hard-to-kill droids.  Have Jolee get Destroy
Droid, and you can cake-walk past their broken hulls.

===Juhani===
Juhani is a light-sided Jedi guardian.  As a guardian, Juhani should be used
as a melee combatant, engaging opponents while you work your game.  Give her
force speed and force healing, and she can be force to be reckoned with.

===Bastila===
Bastila is a light-sided Jedi sentinel. Her battle meditation is helpful, an she is proficient in using a double-bladed lightsaber. It doesn't hurt to do her side-quest or romantic story,
but the Star Forge battle may take longer than if you hadn't.  Make sure you
strip her of all equipment before you run into Malak on the Leviathan.

===Mission===
Mission is a non-Jedi scoundrel.  At first glance, Mission doesn't seem like a
very competent combatant.  She is, however, quite the opposite.  Mission shines
for one reason and one reason only; sneak attack.  Unlike your character,
Mission's sneak attack ability can increase to level 9, which can deal massive
damage on top of her attacks.  You can equip her in a plethora of attack options
such as a melee combatant, rifle user, or blaster pistol user.

There are many good melee weapons in the game, and some can come close to being
as powerful as finely crafted light-sabers.  Have Mission use a double bladed
weapon with flurry on stunned opponents, and she will probably kill faster than
even you.  The downside to Mission as a melee combatant is that she has a low
hit point pool.  Boost her constitution with equipment, implants, and force
valor to keep her going.

Another route to take with Mission is one similar to your own.  As a dual pistol
wielder, she can sit back with you and eliminate stunned enemies at lightning
speed.  The problem with this setup, obviously, is that you have to split your
limited pool of good blaster pistols with her.  To avoid that problem, you can
set her up with a good blaster rifle or heavy blaster.  This will also free
points from the dual wielding feat.

===Zalbaar===
You can't assume that because someone is a Wookie that they should use a
crossbow. One look at Zalbaar's stats and you should be able to tell that he is
befitting a melee warrior.  Equip him with some of the great double-bladed
weapons throughout the game and use him as a high hit point tank.  Raise his
already high strength to do some extra damage, or raise his constitution to
help him live longer.  Make sure you get him the level 3 implant feat since he
cannot equip armor or headgear. Because of his high hit point pool, make sure
you put most of his skill points into treat injury; otherwise you'll be using a
lot of force heal and medical kits to get him back to full health. 

===HK-47===
If you've taken the time, and invested the points to repair HK-47's latent
abilities, he can become a very helpful ally.  A good heavy blaster, and flame
thrower will serve him well. He has a high hit point pool, but can only be
healed by using repair parts. He is also very expensive to upgrade. If you
wish to use HK, brush up on your Pazaak skills to get some easy money.

===T3-M4===
While the little droid is the least helpful when it comes to fighting, he more than makes up for it in other skills. If it requires Intelligence, he's the guy for the job.  He's REALLY useful in Computer, Repair, Security, Demolitions, etc. Just up those three skills and his Intelligence, and he's very helpful. 

===Canderous Ordo===
Being a Mandalorian, it is no surprise that Canderous is made for battle. He has an implant that can automatically regenerate his hit points. He's skilled in ranged, but excels in melee. Equipped with the heaviest armor sets and given the right implants, he can be a formidable ally. A major downside is that he's not skilled in much else. Just devote all his skill points to Treat Injury. It's really the only thing useful for him. 

===Carth Onasi===
Carth is useful early in the game, but as you get more companions, he becomes less helpful. After Taris, he's most helpful in providing Ranged Support than anything else. Recommend focusing on his dexterity, and improving his blaster pistol feats.

==Leveling==
There are many viable options as to how you level up your character.  Do you
save a majority of your levels until you become a Jedi, or do you level up as a
scoundrel before becoming a Jedi?

There is no definitive right or wrong answer.  If you save your levels until
you become a Jedi, you will have more force powers to use, but a much lower
damage output from sneak attack; level 1 (1-6), level 2 (2-12).  If you choose
to level up more as a scoundrel, you will probably end up with level 4 or 5
sneak attack (4-24 and 5-30 damage respectively), but will have less force
powers to allocate once you become a Jedi.

If you're into making your character streamlined toward one end of the spectrum
or the other, by all means, go for one of the above strategies.  For a more
balanced approach, I recommend getting to a level 5 or 7 scoundrel.  At level 5
you get sneak attack 3 (3-18 damage); a level 7 scoundrel gets sneak attack 4.
The damage doesn't increase much between level 3 and 4 sneak attacks, but you
can still get all of your core force powers, including extras, as a level 7
scoundrel.

==Equipment==
I will list, briefly, in this section what my final character was wearing.  The
equipment you use can be open to so much debate, that to think that any one
setup is the definitive, would be silly.  I was under much duress as  to which
equipment I used; I hope you take as much consideration.

===Implant===
I mainly used +dexterity implants throughout the game.  At endgame, my character
was using the Advanced Alacrity, level 3 implant.  Dexterity +5.

===Headgear===
I can't think of a better headpiece to wear than the Circlet of Saresh.  It
grants a +5 to wisdom.  If you use this headgear, you could leave your wisdom
at 19; the +5 from the helmet will put your end statistic at 24, for the extra
+2 bonus.

===Left Arm===
I used various shields throughout the game on both arms.  Use them before
engaging Sith, droids or Mandalorians to absorb the blaster damage.

===Left Hand===
My offhand.  Believe it or not, I was still using a fully upgraded Bendak's
Blaster up to the last battle.  I urge you to kill Bendak Starkiller, for you
will be using this pistol for a majority of the game.  Great pistols simply do
not become available until the end stages of the game.  This pistol deals a
moderate 5-10 damage, but also sports a +3 to attack modifier.

Before you get this pistol, undoubtedly, Carth's pistol will be equipped on your
right hand.  Once you receive Bendak's pistol, I recommend moving Carth's over
to the left hand while using Bendak's on your main hand.

===Body===
Before you become a Jedi, make use of the various light armors you find on Taris
that don't give big penalties to dexterity.  I recommend not investing in medium
or heavy armors as you will be unable to cast various force powers later in the
game when you are wearing them.  I could not find a better robe than a simple
Jedi Master Robe.  My defense ended up at 33.

You can, however, find better robes.  Qel-Droma's Robe is a light-side only
robe that is found on Korriban.  The Star Forge/Darth Revan robe would also be
a good choice if you can manage to get them.

===Right Arm===
Once again, I used mainly shields throughout the game.  If you're knee deep in
action, you may consider using Brejik's Arm Band and Belt to suppress melee
damage.  This is a good setup for dueling on Taris.

===Right Hand===
Take note that you should be using your highest damage pistol in your main hand.
Until you master two weapon fighting, you will have a greater to-hit penalty in
your offhand.  The best pistol in the game is Cassus Fett's Heavy Pistol.  It
does a huge 6-19 damage.  On top of its rifle-like damage, it has a +5 attack
modifier and gives a 25% chance to stun an opponent per hit.  You will, of
course, pay dearly for a pistol this good, but to use anything less would be
criminal.  This item can be bought on Korriban.

===Belt===
The Adrenaline Stimulator is an excellent belt to get: it boosts your dexterity +2 and adds a +4 to all saves.

==Final Analysis==
Let's quickly recap what you should have accomplished through reading this
guide.  You are quick killing scoundrel, who can attack multiple times a round,
toting dual-wielded blaster pistols, through feats as well as dealing that extra
oomph through sneak attack.  You wear only a robe, yet your defense is very
high; your saving throws are unparalleled.   You're also a light-sided Jedi
counselor who casts force powers not only to benefit him/herself but also your
party members.  The only good compliment to a blaster by your side is a stunned
opponent in front of you; stasis field is the basis of all your attacks.

The only challenge I have found with using this build for the game is the final
battle with Malak.  Because you are a light-sided Jedi, you are unable to kill
the captured Jedi in Malak's chamber.  Due to this fact, the battle is drawn out
considerably until he drains the life from each and every one of the captured
Jedi.  This is not necessarily a weakness due to the build, but an inherent
weakness of becoming a light-sided force user.  If you haven't put a point into
the destroy droid force power, grin and bear it; the final battle is, after all,
less than 1% of the game.