TL;DR
- Companions provide essential combat roles and evolve through story decisions
- Each class receives role-appropriate companions early in their journey
- Special companions like HK-51 offer unique advantages for experienced players
- Proper role assignment and gear optimization significantly impact performance
- Companion relationships affect gameplay through loyalty bonuses and story outcomes
In Star Wars: The Old Republic, companions represent crucial NPC allies that players recruit throughout their galactic journey. These characters develop specialized abilities progressively as they gain experience alongside your main character. Companions join your cause for diverse motivations ranging from seeking adventure and fame to pursuing deeply personal objectives, ultimately pledging loyalty to support your mission to either preserve peace or establish dominion across the stars.
Your companions transcend their function as mere additional combatants. Each possesses a distinct personality that manifests through contextual dialogue and situational commentary during exploration. Furthermore, their perception of your leadership evolves throughout the narrative arc; your critical story choices directly influence whether these allies become devoted friends or develop into sworn adversaries.
Throughout your primary narrative progression, you can simultaneously recruit up to six companion characters. The introduction of Section X on Belsavis enables all character classes to obtain a seventh companion option, the highly specialized HK-51 droid, once achieving level 50. A key restriction limits you to deploying only one companion outside your starship at any given time. Strategic companion selection becomes essential for overcoming different combat scenarios and environmental challenges.
New players acquire their initial companion during the early game phases, typically within the first few hours of gameplay. This first ally is specifically designed to complement your class’s inherent strengths and weaknesses. For instance, Sith Inquisitors receive a melee-tank companion capable of absorbing enemy aggression and damage, thereby allowing the Force-wielder to concentrate on unleashing their destructive lightning attacks and other powerful abilities from a safer distance.
Ranged Damage – Features two distinct combat stances: Sniper Mode prioritizes precision firearm attacks optimized for single-target elimination; Assault Mode emphasizes explosive area-of-effect capabilities more effective against clustered enemy formations. Optimal use involves switching stances based on encounter type and enemy composition.
Melee Damage – Specializes in close-quarters combat utilizing lightsabers, vibroblades, electrostaffs, flamethrowers, oil slicks, and various wrist-mounted weapon systems. These companions excel at rapidly eliminating priority targets but require careful positioning to avoid unnecessary damage intake.
Ranged Tank – Employs specific stances, specialized attacks, and strategic gear selection to consistently draw enemy aggression; incorporates powerful blaster discharges; area-effect offensive capabilities; and abilities that forcibly reposition ranged combatants into melee engagement distance.
Melee Tank – Utilizes multiple tactical options to redirect enemy focus, complemented by devastating short-range assault techniques. These companions typically feature higher armor ratings and damage mitigation abilities.
Support – Provides essential medical capabilities including Field Dress and Kolto Pack; advanced levels unlock crowd control utilities like Carbonized Stream, enabling the companion to completely neutralize a specific enemy from combat; includes competent offensive alternatives for situations where healing requirements are minimal.
Mastering companion mechanics requires understanding role synergy with your class specialization. Damage-focused characters benefit tremendously from tank companions who can absorb incoming damage, while healers pair effectively with damage-dealing allies to accelerate combat resolution. Regularly evaluate your companion’s gear and upgrade their equipment whenever possible to maintain combat effectiveness.
A common mistake involves neglecting companion influence gains through conversation choices and gift preferences. Maximizing affection levels unlocks additional companion abilities and story content, while also providing stat bonuses that enhance their performance in both combat and crew skill missions. For comprehensive class strategies that complement your companion choices, consult our BF6 Class Selection Guide for optimal character building.
Advanced players should prioritize obtaining HK-51 through the Section X questline, as this companion offers unique dialogue options and specialized combat capabilities unavailable through standard companions. The acquisition process typically requires 2-3 hours for experienced players but provides long-term gameplay advantages.
Action Checklist
- Analyze your class strengths and select complementary companion roles
- Upgrade companion gear every 10 levels to maintain combat efficiency
- Complete Section X storyline at level 50 to unlock HK-51
- Maximize companion influence through preferred gifts and dialogue choices
- Experiment with different companion role combinations for various content types
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