---
title: "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic: Complete Guide"
game: "STAR WARS Knights of the Old Republic"
game_url: "https://qna.gg/games/star-wars-knights-of-the-old-republic"
author: "Qloud"
author_url: "https://qna.gg/players/Qloud"
topics: ["Builds", "Walkthroughs", "Crafting", "Classes"]
summary: "A full guide to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) on PC: character creation, classes and feats, the d20 combat system, party building, a planet-by-planet walkthrough outline, missable content, Light/Dark…"
url: "https://qna.gg/g/star-wars-knights-of-the-old-republic-complete-guide-d1f593ff"
published: "2026-09-27T17:30:24.139Z"
updated: "2026-09-27T17:30:24.139Z"
source: "QnA.GG"
---

# Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic: Complete Guide

A full guide to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) on PC: character creation, classes and feats, the d20 combat system, party building, a planet-by-planet walkthrough outline, missable content, Light/Dark side choices, and how to run the 2003 game well on a modern PC.

*Researched September 2026 — current as of the Steam PC version (no recent official patches; the remake announced in September 2021 moved from Aspyr to Saber Interactive in August 2022 and has no announced release date). Live games change; check the linked sources if something differs.*

## Quick Start

1. **Pick Scoundrel or Scout for more skill points, Soldier for easy combat.** You'll become a Jedi after Taris either way.
2. **Intelligence gives skill points.** It matters most early; many players raise it for Computer Use, Repair, and Persuade.
3. **Persuade is the best skill for story options.** It unlocks extra dialogue, rewards, and outcomes.
4. **Combat is round-based d20 (D&D rules).** Pause (Space) and queue actions; it's a tactical RPG in real-time clothing.
5. **Save often in multiple slots.** Some choices are permanent and some quests are missable.
6. **You're heading for Jedi training on Dantooine.** After that, the four Star Map planets (Tatooine, Kashyyyk, Manaan, Korriban) can be done in any order.
7. **Light and Dark side choices** affect Force power costs, companions, and the ending.
8. **Build a balanced party:** a tank, a Force user, and a ranged or tech support.

## Controls (PC)

| Action | Key |
|---|---|
| Move | W A S D |
| Pause combat | Space |
| Action menu / queue | Mouse (click targets and the action icons above the portraits) |
| Inventory, character sheet, map, journal, party leader switch, solo mode | Each has a default hotkey; see Options, Keyboard Mapping |

All keys can be rebound in Options. Look up the party-leader switch and solo-mode keys early: you'll use them constantly to put your best skill user in front for terminals, locks, and mines.

## Character Creation

### Classes

| Class | Strengths | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soldier | Most HP, feats for weapons and armor | Easiest early combat |
| Scout | Balanced, more skill points | Good all-rounder |
| Scoundrel | Most skill points, Sneak Attack | Great for Persuade/Stealth builds |

After Taris you become a Jedi and add a Jedi class:

| Jedi class | Focus |
|---|---|
| Jedi Guardian | Lightsaber combat, most HP |
| Jedi Sentinel | Skills and defenses |
| Jedi Consular | Force powers |

### Attributes

- **Strength:** melee attack and damage.
- **Dexterity:** ranged attack and defense.
- **Constitution:** HP.
- **Intelligence:** skill points.
- **Wisdom:** Force points and Force power strength.
- **Charisma:** Force points and Persuade.

### Build archetypes

- **Guardian lightsaber tank:** Soldier early, then Jedi Guardian; high Strength and Constitution; feats in Dueling or Two-Weapon Fighting.
- **Consular Force caster:** Scoundrel or Scout early, then Jedi Consular; high Wisdom and Charisma; Force powers like Force Wave and Stun.
- **Sentinel skill hybrid:** Scout or Scoundrel early, then Sentinel; high Intelligence for skills.

## Party Members

| Companion | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carth Onasi | Ranged soldier | With you from the Endar Spire escape to Taris |
| Mission Vao | Scoundrel | Stealth, security, computers |
| Zaalbar | Wookiee melee | Tanky |
| Bastila Shan | Jedi | Battle Meditation; key story role |
| Canderous Ordo | Heavy soldier | Mandalorian; great tank |
| T3-M4 | Utility droid | Repair, computer, security |
| HK-47 | Assassin droid | Purchased on Tatooine; excellent ranged damage |
| Jolee Bindo | Gray Jedi | Joins on Kashyyyk |
| Juhani | Jedi | Optional; recruited on Dantooine if you spare her |

## Walkthrough Outline

1. **Endar Spire** — tutorial escape pod sequence.
2. **Taris** — recruit Carth, Mission, Zaalbar, T3-M4, Bastila, and Canderous. Complete the swoop race and sneak into the Sith Base. Taris is your last chance for certain items; clear side quests before the big escape.
3. **Dantooine** — Jedi training, then the Ruins and the first Star Map. Juhani's quest decides if she joins.
4. **Star Map planets (any order):**
   - **Tatooine:** Sand People and Krayt Dragon; buy HK-47 in Anchorhead.
   - **Kashyyyk:** Wookiee politics; Jolee Bindo joins.
   - **Manaan:** underwater Kolto facility; courtroom-style choices.
   - **Korriban:** Sith Academy; best for Dark side paths.
5. **Leviathan** — a mid-game capture sequence with a major story reveal.
6. **Unknown World (Rakata Prime)** — after all Star Maps; tribal choices and the Temple.
7. **Star Forge** — final dungeon and boss.

### Missables and tips

- **Taris side quests and loot** are lost once you leave.
- **Juhani** only joins if you spare her on Dantooine.
- **HK-47** is purchased in Anchorhead on Tatooine; don't skip him.
- **Companion personal quests** trigger after you gain influence and travel; talk to companions after every planet.
- **Swoop racing** on Taris, Tatooine, and Manaan gives rewards and credits.
- **Pazaak** is a card game; win rare cards and credits.

## Combat System

- **Round-based:** actions resolve in rounds; queue up to several actions.
- **Pause:** use Space to plan.
- **Flurry, Power Attack, Critical Strike:** melee feats with different trade-offs.
- **Force powers:** Force Wave, Stun, Heal, Force Choke/Lightning (Dark), Force Speed.
- **Grenades and mines:** strong early.

### Force Power tips

- **Force Speed** is one of the best buffs in the game.
- **Heal** is essential for Light side runs.
- **Force Wave** clears groups; **Stasis Field** and **Stun** control dangerous enemies.
- **Dark side lightning** and **Choke** are powerful but cost more if you're Light side.

## Light and Dark Side

- **Alignment** affects Force power costs (Light powers cheaper for Light side, Dark for Dark).
- **Some companions** react to your alignment.
- **Endings** differ based on key choices near the end.
- **Mastery bonus** comes from reaching the extreme end of either alignment.

## Skills Worth Investing In

| Skill | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Persuade | More dialogue options, better rewards, and peaceful solutions |
| Computer Use | Hacking terminals to bypass fights, open doors, and gain intel |
| Repair | Droid encounters and fixing items; also affects some quest outcomes |
| Security | Opening locked containers and doors |
| Treat Injury | Better healing from medpacs |
| Stealth | Sneaking past enemies; used for Scoundrel Sneak Attacks |
| Awareness | Spotting mines and hidden enemies |
| Demolitions | Disarming and recovering mines |

Companions like Mission (Security, Stealth) and T3-M4 (Computer Use, Repair) can cover skills you don't want to invest in — switch the party leader to use their skills. You can only bring two companions at a time (per Wikipedia), so pick the pair that covers your gaps for each planet.

## Equipment and Crafting

- **Workbenches** let you upgrade weapons and armor with parts you find or buy.
- **Lab stations** craft medical items and stims.
- **Lightsabers** use color crystals and upgrade crystals that change damage, attack bonus, and effects; you get your first lightsaber during Jedi training on Dantooine.
- **Robes vs. armor:** most Force powers suffer when you wear heavy armor; many Jedi players switch to robes after Dantooine.

## Pazaak and Swoop Racing

- **Pazaak** is a card game played against NPCs: get closer to 20 than your opponent without going over. Buy and win side-deck cards to improve your odds.
- **Swoop racing** rewards fast laps with credits and prizes; hitting accelerator pads is key.

## PC Setup and Fixes

- **Widescreen:** the Steam version supports some higher resolutions, but UI scaling is limited; widescreen and HUD mods improve it.
- **Crashes:** disabling **Frame Buffer Effects** and **Soft Shadows** in graphics options is a common fix, especially for the Leviathan and Star Forge.
- **Frame rate:** some systems benefit from limiting FPS.
- **Community Patch:** the **KOTOR 1 Community Patch** fixes many bugs and restores content.
- **Mods:** most KOTOR 1 mods are installed manually into the game folder; install the Community Patch first and follow each mod's load-order notes.

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

- **Leaving Taris early.** You'll miss items and XP.
- **Low Intelligence and no Persuade.** You'll miss story options.
- **Skipping HK-47 and Juhani.** They add great content.
- **Ignoring companion dialogue.** Personal quests unlock with influence.
- **Relying only on melee.** Force powers and grenades make hard fights easier.
- **Not saving before major choices.** Some choices are permanent.

## Advanced Tips

- **Two-weapon fighting** with double-bladed or dual lightsabers deals huge damage with feats.
- **Upgrade lightsabers** with crystals found across planets.
- **Stack Force Speed and Flurry** for boss fights.
- **Use Persuade** to avoid fights and gain rewards.
- **Pazaak** is a reliable credit source once you have good cards.

## FAQ

**Is KOTOR canon?**
It's part of Star Wars Legends continuity.

**How long is KOTOR?**
About 30 to 40 hours for a full playthrough.

**What's the best class?**
Soldier into Guardian is easiest; Scoundrel or Scout into Consular or Sentinel is best for skills and Force powers.

**Can I play KOTOR on modern PCs?**
Yes. Use the Steam version with the fixes above and the Community Patch.

**What about the remake?**
Announced in September 2021 for PS5 and Windows with Aspyr leading; Saber Interactive's European studios took over development in August 2022 (per Wikipedia). There's no announced release date as of this writing.

**What order should I do the Star Map planets?**
Any order. Many players do Tatooine first for HK-47.

## Sources

- [Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/32370/)
- [Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic — Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_Knights_of_the_Old_Republic_(video_game))