As I was a dumbass and did not register for beta; I need to live vicariously through those of you who who are playing.

Is there fishing? How robust is the crafting?

No fishing. And the crafting is handled mostly off screen so far, but the items I've seen means it'll be useful.

So far, I don't like the crafting. You get a quest that directs you to talk to the crafting trainers to figure out what you want, but none of the trainers tells you what the skills does. Ok, so armorsmith or whatever is pretty easy to figure out, but sometimes you want a brief description just to make sure you're going the right route. But don't look to the merchants for that! Instead, you have to find your Codex to find descriptions, which isn't even a main tab - it's a third tab under, what, abilities? Or something that I had never seen before, and no tool tip for an introductory player explained.

So ok, you chose your skills, now let's get to it! Uhh... only, you don't really do anything. You send your companion (the jedi companion at first is a droid) out on 'missions' to hopefully succeed and bring you back components. Ok, now I have some Green Goo, let's make some medpacks under crafting Biochem. Only... you don't get to. You tell your companion to, and they disappear for a minute or more PER ITEM - so you can queue him to make 5 at a time, and he'll be gone for at least 5 min - more time on higher level items.

I took Diplomacy too. You'd think it'd help with talking to people. Nope, companion skill. You send them out on missions, and I have yet to see any benefit from it, other than he brings me items back to clutter up my inventory, since I don't have a bank storage area yet (level 14).

So yeah, I don't like the crafting. You don't actually do anything besides direct your companion to do everything and disappear, so you either sit in town and send him out on long missions and wait, or you do it while you're fighting and that leaves you down a companion to help fight with you.

Which, I find the companions very annoying anyway, so I'm more than willing to send him away. You have to outfit them as well with weapons and armor, only when you hover over a new piece of gear, it doesn't compare them or tell you which is better. And there's no way to see both items at the same time (like in WoW I can click on something in Trade chat and look at the stats while pulling up my character screen and being able to have that piece's stats up as well), so you're constantly going back and forth trying to decide which is better and what stats are good. I like playing one character at a time, so it's a bit annoying - do I roll need on this in a group because I think my companion needs it?, etc.

And this is why Kethi keeps getting invited to early betas and I don't.

I got invited to the beta for this as well, I did not like it! I am a big fan of star wars, but for some reason i can't get into it. Now I am playing the diablo beta, now this is fun!!!!!!!:)

I got invited to the beta for this as well, I did not like it! I am a big fan of star wars, but for some reason i can't get into it. Now I am playing the diablo beta, now this is fun!!!!!!!:)

I'm not as excited about it as I was when I got into the first early early beta. The icons and text are small, I totally forgot about skill points until I had 6 of them because they don't remind you you have them. While Z and I have grouped together, I just don't see how they're actually going to do groups or raids. It just seems so awkward...

I certainly don't need the game to have big honking arrows reminding me of things or point things out, but if I'm having trouble locating stuff (someone who's played MMO's and betas for 10+ yrs) then a new player, a casual player, or first MMO person is not going to get into it at all.

I heard that Don already has built the DeathStar and is destroying planets.

A few pointers I think I've found along the way:

Apparently there is an option to turn on companion gear comparisons, in the Options menu. I haven't confirmed that though.

When you are introduced to crafting, as soon you touch the crafter you generate a Codex entry. Codex entries are explained at the very beginning as races you meet, places you find, etc are added to your codex. If you access the codex at any time, there is a description of all crafting skills (assuming you have touched all of the trainers to generate the codex entry).

While you have the option to send your companions to craft, you can craft things yourself. Begining with the post-beginner areas, you will find resources that you can gather. The option to send companions to find resources allows you to gather while doing other things. This is slightly offset by a cost; when you send out a companion there is a credit charge from your cash (credits). So, it's not like you can send them out all the time unless you really feel you are swimming in credits. The actual crafting can be done in your ship, at least that's supposed to be in the game. I made it to ship with one character but didn't look for the crafting table. I'll check that later.

I personally like companions, although some I like better than others. Some I don't care for so much.

My biggest gripe was that during the quest dialogues I was using the NUM PAD to choose my dialogue responses. I was getting strange Light Side and Dark Side results. That is to say, sometimes you pick a result that you are sure will result in garnering the type of point you are after, but it results in the opposite effect. You can hit ESC and start the whole thing over, but this gets old very quickly. Turns out that if you MOUSE OVER the choice buttons, you get a little symbol in the wheel to tell you if the choice has a Light or Dark side result. This is very helpful. Unfortunately, some options give or take away from your companions affection for you, or result in extra credits or other results. You won't know until you choose an option as the only hint provided is the red triangle for Dark Side or the blue-white star for Light Side, and the number of these points gained won't be known until you actually choose the response.

I thought I would dislike the space combat, but first and second run through it was not bad. I'm afraid I would prefer free flight. I'll have to wait forever and that still may never happen.

The major advantage of the game is the questing system and the visceral combat. If you like blasters, light sabers and the sound and light efffects that go with them, then you will love the effects. If you don't, then it won't be anything special. One great thing about blaster fire is that bolts travel across the map. You can be standing or traveling in a spot and if a fight is near, the bolts that miss their target may pass in front of your face. You are in no danger, but it is neat to see the bolts passing across the topography instead of "disappearing".

I mentioned the quest system. For me, that's the best part. It's not perfect, but it changes the MMO genre to a real RPG. I have a friend that won't play MMO's because he thinks them inferior RPG games. Of course, he is a table top gamer so all computer games are inferior to him. But, he likes games like Oblivion with real RPG elements. This game has more RPG elements that any other MMO so far and it's thanks to the immersive and exceptionally well done quest paths. While these steps are scripted (you won't leave your beginning area until you complete your class quest path, nor will you get to specilize your class until you do the class quest path no matter how many levels you grind on yard trash), the scripting tells a story that is germaine to your class. The only issue I take with the system is that sometimes your dialogue choices really don't matter; certain events will take place no matter what you say i.e. you can smart off to a Dark Lord and get away scott-free because the scripting is set a certain way. This example makes me scratch my head a little. While it's fun to pick certain options, after a while you get used to the idea that you can say or do anything and it won't matter most of the time. Not sure this is the best way to handle it. On the other hand, to make it more responsive means making dialogues a minefield that must be traversed so it's probably a good compromise in the end.

I'll give more info later.


Oh, and no fishing so far. Of course, you can't really fish in Skyrim either, Pils. You can grab fish from the water but that's not really fishing, just farming.

I found crafting to be different and favorable. I love the fact while I am training, shopping or exploring, I send my companion off to craft. The codex seemed to pop up everytime I chose something, so I would click open and read the description. They even gave hints to what crewskills helped what craftsmanship.
I liked the dialogue. I am a Dragonage player so I knew about the mouse over for dialogue choices. The light and dark side choices were interesting. I ran the same class but different sides and observed if you are a force user, it benifits you to build up your light/dark side rating.
The combat was the real treat. I played both melee and ranged classes. The combat is so much faster and even at a low level you get alot of abilities. No spamming one key here. Grouping was easy and made encounters very easy and Heroic encounters need at least 2, plus companions. The flashpoints, or instance were fun also, very fast. No set up and pull. You go guns blasting, grenades a throwing, and lightsabers a swinging. You need to make quick decisions on targets and use whatever at your disposal to incapacitate adds.
I just loved the combat and group dynamics. Very fast paced.

The art and graphics are mindblowing compared to WoW. Stormwind does not hold a candle to Corusant. The environments are just so much more detailed. Also chacter creation was nice. Having a fat Jedi that looked like Shrek was so much fun.

The quests are not as polished as I am used too, and there was always a shorage of items or targets needed for quest completion. The cutaways are nice touch, but after 50 or 60 of them they can grow tedious. And the companion is difficult to control in combat. The troopers companion is not very bright, poor in thick of a fight. The droid rocks and was a great tank.

The different classes do offer alot of fun solo play, but progression will offer challenges to those who wish to group together but are on different starting worlds or even different legs of the quest lines.

That is alot to digest, will write more later.

Part 2: More Wall of Text

Another observation, SWTOR does not insulate the player from douchebaggery as much as WoW does. While grouped together you are vulnerable to more abherrant behavior from party members. From social interactions with NPC's to loot and over all quest and flashpoint success/enjoyment; you are at the mercy sometimes of your fellow group mates. WoW has done alot to reduce poor behavior and has alot in place to insulate you from "douchebaggery". SWTOR is still kind of anything goes. My suggestion is to share the experience with friends first, then mingle with strangers with the idea of no expectations.
One thing they did right was to have gear drops that suit the group. Example; no more shaman gear drops when there is no shammys in the group. Loot is oriented towards the classes playing. Now if it is a boon or bust is another thing or you just lose it to someone else. See all gear can be used by you or your companions. That can mean everyone grabbing what they can. That is where playing with friends comes in handy.
Another observation is you have alot of abilities, but none of them are game changers. I mean, no one ability is so powerful or useful that it really makes all the difference. That is a plus and a minus. Kind of makes your character diluted. Example: tanks that do not have sure fire ways to grab and hold aggro. Healers with very slow or weak heals, and still need to do damage or crowd control. All players have to be doing something all the time, and sometimes it is not the path you may prefer. That may rub folks the wrong way, or it may make some feel tickled pink on how much variety there is.

One thing to keep in mind about the tanks not having a way to grab and hold aggro. At lower levels they do not. But they do eventually get taunts. Healing works the same way. You start with relatively weak heals but the more you level the better your healing abilities get.

Good point. I forget starting on the bottom of the food chain again takes some getting used too. Overall I enjoyed the game and had alot fun. I will tell you one thng I noticed, the environmental physics are more realistic and less blocking pathways. I actually jumped from a cliff into a group of droids using my force leap. That was simply amazing. I also got into a gunfight with 4 bog scavengers and was running around and between trees for cover while firing back. That was alot of fun. It helped to run for cover while waiting for a cooldown on a missle or grenade. I believe this game is going to offer plenty of enjoyment. I do not believe it will kill or replace WoW, just fill in where WoW leaves you hanging. I believe WoW still will have better endgame content, and be able to update and patch faster. That is nice to have.

All I need to know is if anyone is going to play and what server.

I took a screenie of the Sith Vendor. Looks like Darth Vader likes croissants.

I took a screenie of the Sith Vendor. Looks like Darth Vader likes croissants."I find your lack of marmalade disturbing." /forcechoke

All I need to know is if anyone is going to play and what server.

I'll be playing. Are you wanting to play Republic or Sith? Or both? I'm signed up to play in a Sith guild at this time so that's the plan right now but I will likely experiment with the Republic classes too. I think I'd rather play opposite factions on different servers.

As for server, I don't really have a preference. I am partial to Mind Trick simply because I find the name apropo but it really doesn't matter. I don't think the Sith server I'll be on has been decided yet.

"I find your lack of marmalade disturbing." /forcechoke

HAHA NICE!

What types of raw materials are gathered for crafting? Is there mining and gathering a la WoW?

Scavenging I guess would be the equivalent to mining.
Archeology gathers crystals and sometimes gems.
Treasure Hunting can provide gems and lockboxes
There is a herb collecting called Biosyn something, I forget.
Slicing is like lockpicking, but gets you loot and plans.
Diplomacy can get plans, companion gifts or just good old loot.

The gathering is different because you send your crew out to accomplish it and you can do it also if the resource is available. For example, I scavenged alot of metals and resources from the droids I was killing. I also found alot of scavenged metal piles about the questing areas I was in. Reverse engineering is cool too. It is like DE'ing an item for raw materials, but there is always a chance you might come out with a item that is even better. The drawback would be the non-personal feel to alot of the crew skills and the time involved. The more complex the task or craft the longer it takes. Something simple may take a min or two. Something complex may take up to an hour or longer. Let's just say, you are not likely to just go out on your toon to farm resources (no flying around Uldum mining ore and picking herbs). You are more likely to enter a flashpoint and send your crew off to do your bidding while you kill baddies.

So from what I read...SW:TOR has decided that fighting is more fulfilling than gathering materials and crafting; they give you the option to do it...but you can also just have your henchdroid complete it for you while you go do "more desirable" stuff.

Well that was simple.

So from what I read...SW:TOR has decided that fighting is more fulfilling than gathering materials and crafting; they give you the option to do it...but you can also just have your henchdroid complete it for you while you go do "more desirable" stuff.

Well that was simple.

While I was running around, I was able to gather resources from the environment. This went pretty fast and gathered rather a lot of resources.

When you send your companion, you pick from a list of missions. For instance, you can send for a "moderate yield" metal scavenging mission that takes 3:00 minutes of real time and costs like 95 credits. I also had a rarer option for a "bountiful yield" that takes 6:00 minutes and costs 265 credits. When the companion comes back, they might fail the mission and you get nothing, or bring back a random resource of a random amount. In my experience, anywhere from 1-6 of an time, or even 2 different items though this only happened once. So, it is probably better to gather them as you play but if you are doing other things, like even just exploring or chatting with other people/socializing, you can send your companions on missions to gather resources. This cost will add up in credits though.

Also, you have the option at any time before the end of a mission to cancel it and bring the companion back immediately in which case you get nothing but your credits are refunded. While exploring, you can have your companion gather the resource nodes that you see so that you don't have to actually take it, freeing you to start the next fight, keep situational awareness etc.

I recommend you go to Torhead.com (by the makers of Wowhead) and browse all of the crafting information, class information, etc. I'll grant there isn't a ton of information other than crafting lists, but it will give you an idea of what's there pre-release.

I found a video, link below, that has decent resolution and shows the beginning of crafting and how a companion fits in. After the poster shows the crafting, you get to see a couple of cutscenes that show the quest system. The first one shows a flashpoint quest introduction, which is basically what we would call a dungeon or instance, in this called The Esseles which is a shuttle ride that turns nasty.

Later, during the combat, the poster shows that he isn't using the cover system that the smuggler is made for. With a companion, you don't need to but there is more variety to encounters if you want it based on your different abilities. Also during this time you get to see him gathering crafting materials, both from defeated droids and from scrap metal piles.

The video is about 22 and half minutes, with the first half being the crafting and the latter half being the combat. I thought the first half of the video was the most worthwhile. Hopefully, anyone curious about crafting and questing in SWTOR will get a slight feel from this video.

YouTube video of crafting, plus some questing and combat

I found a link in a forum to a Windows 7 theme you can download: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=43MGUREX

It's 100MB and includes a lightsaber pointer.

I'll be playing. Are you wanting to play Republic or Sith? Or both? I'm signed up to play in a Sith guild at this time so that's the plan right now but I will likely experiment with the Republic classes too. I think I'd rather play opposite factions on different servers.

As for server, I don't really have a preference. I am partial to Mind Trick simply because I find the name apropo but it really doesn't matter. I don't think the Sith server I'll be on has been decided yet.

Good question. Is VS going to have a guild in SWTOR and if so where? The pre order early access is almost here. I would prefer light side but I can go either light or dark there are classes on each side that look interesting.

Good question. Is VS going to have a guild in SWTOR and if so where? The pre order early access is almost here. I would prefer light side but I can go either light or dark there are classes on each side that look interesting.

Early access starts tomorrow for those that put in their pre-order codes in July, and with staggered access for later code entries.

yea im an idiot - i pre ordered in July but diddn't enter the code until last week. Cya in a couple days :)