I just joined this forum and I want to first give of a complement to the DH team on the fast, efficient and up-to-date news service they have been providing, Well Done!

Now that I'm done sucking up, to my post. I thought I might start discussion on the possible advanced classes the Jedi Consular might have. First thing that came to mind was a choice between a "Force Based AOE" class or a "Force Healing" class. That's what first came to mind but i can't help but feel like I'm following the classic WoW thinking in this... What are your thoughts?

I have no idea what the advanced classes for this class will be called. But I've been thinking today that my 2nd character may be a Jedi Consular. It used to be a Sith Warrior, and it may change back, but there's something about the Consular that intrigues me. I also may get tired of the Imperial story and will want the Republic perspective.

Jedi Consular definitely needs some more developer attention. While the differentiation between the Sith Warrior and Sith Inquisitor is literally as visible as a lightning strike, the JK and JC are a bit more vague. I could see the JC damage path being AOE focused, but then again that might end up being something you choose within your skill trees, not in your advanced class. I'd love some more fuel for speculation.

I am also hoping to see more about the Jedi Consular. The developer blog on it was rather intriguing, but we barely know anything about the class itself. I'm still deciding between Jedi Consular and Jedi Knight, two classes with little information.

About the paths,
I think there will be an AOE/DPS path with stuns. Not really sure how this would translate into a path, but I could see a Jedi Consular specializing in ancient Force techniques that draw upon both the light and dark side powers.

The difference may be more of styles: more force-power based (KOTOR2 Jedi Master class) vs. more saber melee options... Unless all the neat melee stuff will be JK only.

It also seems to me that the JC class story will be the most KOTOR-like, but that may be for another thread.

On the advanced classes in addition to the above mentioned AOE/DPS and healer possibilities, I would like to add the possibility of an advanced class focused on the Crowd Control/Buff-Debuff roles. This would be somewhat unique to TOR and could be pretty useful in large scale battles.

I agree most with edgesarmy. Crowd Control/Buff-Debuff roles are a strong possibility for the JC. AOE/DPS are most likely to be JK Advanced Classes.

But I'm also curious about the different names for JC advanced classes. For fun any ideas?

In KOTOR 2, the Jedi Master prestige class was an extension of the Jedi Consular. I could see a Jedi Master advanced class, which would focus more on traditional light-side powers. For the other, perhaps something like Jedi Sage? No clue what the name would be. This path would have access to the more ancient techniques. Another possibility would be a balanced path, Force powers augmenting physical attacks. Jedi Sentinels follow the balanced path. I could see Sentinel as either a JK or JC advanced class.

Something I thought might be interesting to note.

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Jedi

I started poking around in Wookieepedia and it didn't take long for me to find a few AC name candidates.

For Jedi Consular:

Force Warrior a Jedi who was skilled in a special type of unarmed combat, using meditative martial arts and the Force.

Jedi Healer Some Jedi would focus on the more Humanitarian aspects of the Force, specializing in Force powers based on Force healing. In addition to knowledge of such Force powers, also had extensive knowledge of medicine and medical technology.

For Jedi Knight (thought I would add them to):

Jedi Guardian a Jedi Master who was especially skilled in battle, the Guardian would concentrate mainly on martial training and combat in general without losing focus on diplomacy and the philosophies of the Force.

Jedi Weapon Master a Jedi Master who focused solely on battle, the Weapon Master was among the greatest physical fighters of the Order.

I found these at the "Military and Warfare" section half way down the page.

^ Those all sound pretty good though maybe Battlemaster instead of Weapon Master.

Jedi Sentinel makes good sense, for either a Counselor or Knight Advanced class. Seeing how an important lore character like Bastila Shan was a Sentinel its likely to be part of TOR in some capacity.

Yes, but a Sentinel is more of a blending of Guardian and Consular rather then one or the other.

I agree Kbrury, battlemaster does sound better but I wouldn't rule anything out.

To round out the KOTOR1 (regular class)/KOTOR2 (prestige class) names:

Jedi Guardian (melee) -> Jedi Weapon Master (LS) / Sith Marauder (DS)
Jedi Sentinel (combo) -> Jedi Watchman (LS) / Sith Assassin (DS)
Jedi Consular (caster) -> Jedi Master (LS) / Sith Lord (DS)

Note that you could actually choose a prestige class from another path. Still, does the DS melee class name look familiar?

I'm pretty sure Bio will recycle names when it can -- although Jedi Master and Sith Lord have non-class-specific meanings as well, so those might not be used. I expect one of the SI advanced classes will be called Sith Assassin, though.

Yes, but there are only 2 Jedi and 2 Sith classes, so Sentinel would be out as a class and more likely an AC.
But over all I like your line of thinking. Jedi Master and Sith Lord would make the most sense for Jedi Consular
and Sith Inquisitor but seeing as The TOR class is called "Jedi Knight" I would think Jedi Guardian
would be an AC as well. Just a guess but it makes sense.

So we know that the Inquisitor's two paths are a double-bladed lightsaber spec, based on Darth Maul, and a ranged caster spec, based on Palpatine. Here's my speculation that the Consular's two paths (described as Controller and Support by the devs) will be loosely based on Yoda and Qui-Gon Jinn, respectively.


Watchman (Yoda)

Defining lore: Unifying Force, visions, esoteric abilities

Description: These are the sages of the Jedi Order. The Consular who is more interested in pushing the boundaries of the Force become Watchmen. They combat and control adversaries through sheer force of will, and prefer to keep their enemies at a distance. Although more than competent with a lightsaber, a Watchman prefers to control the battlefield from afar. Watchmen are also adept at manipulating minds and can peer far into the future.

Core abilities:
- Telekinetic combat
- Stuns/mezzes
- Single lightsaber


Nomad (Qui-Gon Jinn)

Defining lore: Living Force, acrobatic, healing

Description: Proponents of the Living Force view, such as Qui-Gon Jinn, espouse a philosophy of "living in the moment" and rely heavily on their instincts and concentrated more on sensitivity to living things, rather than fulfilling destiny. This connection makes this type of Consular especially adept at dueling, as their reflexes and agility are unparalleled. Nomads draw their power from living things, and can mend and heal better than any other Jedi. Masters adept at the Living Force often persist as Force Ghosts.

Core abilities:
- Lightsaber combat
- Healing/buffs
- Double-bladed lightsaber


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I know Yoda wasn't a strict proponent of the Unifying Force and there's some bleed between the two, but he was best known for his ability to perceive the future, and there's a clear philosophical disagreement between him and Qui-Gon Jinn. Obviously Qui-Gon didn't heal anyone in the movies, but if they were going to use anyone for that role, Jinn's Living Force emphasis really fits.

Also the reason I link Qui-Gon to the healer is that his Living Force approach fits with the idea of a healer who's in tuned with living things but is also an excellent duelist. I envision the Nomad spec as kind of multi-role, (similar to the Smuggler's Scoundrel spec), which I think fits the character of Qui-Gon Jinn (who, as we know, had a lot of interesting and unorthodox skills). The Nomad's capable of buffs, melee and healing, but doesn't have the raw damage output of the Watchman.