SWTOR: Which Class Is Best for You? [2026 Update]

Choosing your path in Star Wars: The Old Republic in 2026 is fundamentally different than it was at launch. With the game celebrating its 15th anniversary and the 8.0 updates refining how we play, your choice of “class” no longer locks you into a single way of fighting, with everything being changed and improved.

Despite all these, the Jedi Knight or Sith Warrior remain the gold standard for that iconic “Star Wars” feel. They are strong, durable, and provide the most cinematic experience for both beginners and veterans.

These classes are perfect for both beginners and experienced SWTOR players, being strong and durable – which is exactly what you need in the game.

Also, both the Jedi Knight and the Sith Warrior have attacks that are named differently but do the same thing. This makes sense for balancing the game out, so know that each Empire class has a similar Republic one.

Of course, there are PROs and CONs regarding each of the classes available in this game, and we’re going to get a bit more in depth with each down below.

Because, no matter if you are considering playing Star Wars The Old Republic (or most likely, start playing it once more), choosing the class that is at the moment the best will give you a huge advantage.

Your choice depends on a few factors: Do you want to play the Republic or the Empire? Are you an up-close melee fighter, or do you prefer a long-range gunfight? Are you a fighter or a healer? Do you prefer to be a member of the team or a lone-wolf? We’ll talk about all these in today’s article.

I found out that generally Light Side players are more accommodating to new players and those who like being in groups and teams.

Dark Side players are more aggressive and vicious, but can also work together if everyone is on the same page.

You can be light or dark regardless of what side you initially take (ex. I have a Sith Warrior that is light and a Jedi Knight that is dark).

If you want something a bit different, why not check out my list of the most relaxing games you can play?

Now let’s move on and check out my rankings of the best classes in SWTOR this year. For the sake of saving time, I have grouped the Light Side classes together with their Dark Side counterpart.

Understanding the 2026 Combat Style System

Before we look at the rankings, we have to clear up one important thing that potentially changes everything. In modern SWTOR, you choose an Origin Story (the 8 classic plots) and a Combat Style (how you fight).

Subscribers can now pick two Combat Styles and swap between them instantly. This means you can play the Smuggler story but use the “Vanguard” combat style to be a heavy-armored tank.

Or, you can have a Sith Warrior who uses “Juggernaut” for soloing and “Sorcerer” for group healing. You get the idea: it’s all easier now, in case you choose a class you’re not very happy with later on.

1. Class: Jedi Knight / Sith Warrior

I like this class because it is best suited for players who attack their problems head-on. If you choose the default “Guardian” or “Juggernaut” styles, your main weapon is a single Lightsaber.

These are among the fastest-moving characters in the game thanks to the Force Leap ability, which lets you jump toward and strike opponents from a distance.

Depending on how quick you are this class can do a lot of damage with no restrictions that other classes have.

The biggest downside to this class is that its sole purpose is to attack. Every other class in the game has some option to become a healer, but the Knight/Warrior class lacks this. This makes it quite difficult for this class to team up with.

However, this year, this is easily fixed by picking a second Combat Style like Sage or Sawbones (if you’ve unlocked the legacy requirements). Even without a second style, these remain the “best” because they are the center of the SWTOR universe’s narrative.

Pros

• The definitive Star Wars story experience.
• High durability and great defense for solo play.
• Exceptional mobility.

Cons

• Default combat styles lack Stealth.
• Difficult to team with.
• Melee-only combat styles can be frustrating in certain late-game boss fights.

2. Class: Jedi Consular / Sith Inquisitor

This class is best suited for players who like to attack from a distance while still being able to use close-range attacks.

If you pick the Shadow or Assassin combat styles, you also gain access to Stealth, which is arguably the most powerful tool for a modern player. Stealth allows you to skip “trash” mobs and finish missions in half the time.

They can also become a Healer (player that can heal his/her teammates) or a Tank (player that directs enemy attention towards themselves and away from teammates) depending on which advanced class you pick. Because of this, Inquisitors make great teammates.

From personal experience, I can confirm that the Inquisitor can have a hard time doing real damage and is seen as a class that supports other classes.

While light armor technically means lower base defense, the 2026 gear scaling and the ability to set your companion to “Heal” makes this point almost irrelevant for solo players. This class is excellent for making friends because every group wants a healer or a tank that can also sneak past obstacles.

And if you want to read my thoughts on the matter, make sure to read my editorial on why you should play healers more often in MMOs.

Pros

• Great healers or tanks (depending on which advanced class you take).
• Access to Stealth (if using Shadow/Assassin styles) allows for the fastest leveling.
• Great teammates.

Cons

• Light armor = Low defense.
• Some combat rotations are complex and require more management than the Knight/Warrior.

3. Class: Smuggler / Imperial Agent

This class is best suited for those who like to use strategy and tactical abilities when fighting.

Smugglers and Imperial Agents are good long range fighters and can make great backup for other players. The Agent story, in particular, is often cited as the best-written narrative in the game.

The biggest weakness with this class is that there is not much you can do at close range. You will find yourself trying to create distance between you and your opponent when fighting one-on-one.

This class also relies on crouching behind a barrier for defense. This class also relies heavily on surprise attacks so it’s not very easy to play. All of these make me stay away from it, generally.

But it’s worth noting that if you choose the Operative or Scoundrel combat style, you don’t use cover at all. Instead, you get Stealth and close-range “shiv” or “shotgun” attacks.

Pros

• Long range fighters.
• Great tactical abilities.
• Great healers.

Cons

• Not good with close range.
• Snipers and Gunslingers are very stationary; if you hate standing still, you won’t like this.
• Must rely on surprise attacks at times.

4. Class: Republic Trooper / Bounty Hunter

This is the “super soldier” experience. These classes are well-suited for long-range fighters who want to rush into battle. Their heavy armor gives them great defense, and they are arguably the most “rugged” feeling classes in the game.

Its heavy armor gives it great defense, allowing it to be a formidable Tank. This class also has an option to become a Healer.

Like the Smuggler/Imperial Agent, this class does not do well at close range. This class is all about power, and tactical abilities are limited.

The biggest setback for this class is that the Ammo/Heat gauge restricts your attacks, so you have to be conscious of this and limit your more powerful attacks.

Pros

• Excellent for players who want to feel like a “Tank” in group content.
• Diverse weapon choices (Dual pistols, rifles, or heavy cannons).
• Great Tanks and Healers

Cons

• The resource management (Heat/Ammo) can be difficult to master.
• More power than tactical.
• Limited mobility compared to the Force-using classes.

Wrapping up

If you are looking for the most efficient, “best” experience for your time, I recommend a Sith Inquisitor (Assassin style) or a Jedi Consular (Shadow style). The combination of a great story and the ability to use Stealth to skip unnecessary fights makes the game much more enjoyable in the long run.

However, if you are here for the pure “Star Wars” fantasy, stick with the Jedi Knight. It is the story the game was built around, and with the ability to add a second combat style later, you can fix any “weakness” the class has.

For more details on the eight classes and their abilities, visit the Star Wars: the Old Republic website. There, you can also sign-up and get started playing the game for free!

If you are interested in exploring other Star Wars games, make sure to check out previous guide to the best perks in Star Wars Jedi Survivor.

Now don’t hesitate and let us all know what you think about this matter – which is the best class you can play in Star Wars: The Old Republic right now?