Character Creation Guide, Part 2: Combat Styles

 Combat styles are sets of abilities you can use in combat. There are sixteen combat styles in SWTOR...but there are really only eight, since half of them are identical to the other half except for the ability names and animations. The combat style you choose does not affect your class story.

Force-users

Guardian/Juggernaut: Melee, single lightsaber, tank/DPS

Sentinel/Marauder: Melee, dual lightsabers, DPS

Sage/Sorcerer: Long-range, caster, heal/DPS

Shadow/Assassin: Short-range, double-bladed lightsaber, tank/DPS, stealth

Note: At the beginning of the game, only the Guardian, Sentinel, Sage, and Shadow combat styles will be available for Jedi until you unlock the Dark Side V perk; likewise, only the Juggernaut, Marauder, Sorcerer, and Assassin combat styles will be available for Sith until you unlock Light Side V.

Tech-users

Commando/Mercenary: Long-range, assault cannon (Commando) or dual blaster pistols (Mercenary), heal/DPS

Vanguard/Powertech: Short-range, blaster rifle (Vanguard) or single blaster pistol (Powertech), tank/DPS

Gunslinger/Sniper: Long-range, dual blaster pistols (Gunslinger) or sniper rifle (Sniper), DPS

Scoundrel/Operative: Varied range, single blaster pistol (Scoundrel) or blaster rifle (Operative), heal/DPS, stealth

Disciplines and Loadouts

Every combat style has three specializations called disciplines, which you can switch between while in a cantina or other rest area. Loadouts are a way to have multiple builds on the same character. I'm new to using loadouts myself, so check out VULKK's loadout guide for more information.

Second Combat Styles

If you're subscribed to SWTOR, you get the option to take a second combat style through a quest called "Training in the Force" or "Training and Skills." You can then switch back and forth between your two styles. I wouldn't worry about this if you're a new player, though.