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September 26 2010

Truth be told, when the Smuggler was announced as a playable class for Star Wars: The Old Republic, I had absolutely no interest in it.  This isn’t because I was only interested in Force classes (as I wasn’t), nor is it because I’m not a fan of Han Solo (he will always be the best character in the Star Wars galaxy, in my opinion).

My lack of interest stemmed from what appeared to be a pitiful gameplay experience from the initial information and videos provided.  Being able to use a kick to the nads as an interrupt really didn’t impress me.  Plus, the duck and cover mentality meant the class would be spending more time hiding as it’s “squishy”.

This rarely appeals to me in MMOs.  I don’t have a problem playing classes that don’t have as much defence and as such have to rely on some form of crowd control, but the duck and cover mentality doesn’t do much for me.  I want to be able to go in all balls out and thanks to skill, be able to remain standing till the end of the fight.

Now I know that the Smuggler can do that… and do it very well as a Gunslinger.

So how about we take a closer look at the Smuggler.

Bioware has gone to great lengths to keep the Han Solo feel for the class.  Even the class description screams Han… they may as well have added a post-note saying the Smuggler always shoots first.

Smooth, streetwise, and always ready for action, the Smuggler is a complex and elusive character. Though a cocky attitude and a wry wit may be the most common traits attributed to this scruffy rogue, one should never underestimate the speed of the Smuggler’s draw or his uncanny ability to take enemies by surprise. No matter how bad the odds, the Smuggler is a hero who always seems to pull through… and usually make off with more credits than he can count.

So far, we know that you can choose to be either Human or Twi’lek.  There’s no word yet as to whether other races will be able to play as a Smuggler, though one would assume that most should be.  Each race has shady people who fit the mentality and characteristics of a smuggler.

Personally, I love the idea of playing a hot Twi’lek chick Smuggler who’s edgy, sarcastic and insanely dangerous while dual-weilding a couple blasters.  The RP potential, considering the Twi’lek history, makes the writer in me giddy.

Twi’leks are often slaves or criminals, so the idea of one growing up in that environment and making the most of their life as a smuggler simply fits.

Twi’leks are also “naturally quick and cunning”, which suits the Smuggler class.  If Bioware intends to add racial bonuses to each class, this may be the best race to choose for those reasons.

In terms of the Advance Classes for the Smuggler, we can choose to be either a Gunslinger or a Scoundrel.  Here’s the write-up for each from swtor.com.

Advance Classes

The Gunslinger
Master of the trick shot, the first to dive for cover and willing to take advantage of every opportunity, the Gunslinger and his dual blasters are the perfect team. The Gunslinger can shoot out a man’s legs to keep him from charging, blind him so he can’t get to his weapons or inflict serious injuries for maximum distraction. There’s a right target for ending every disagreement and the Gunslinger knows them like the inside of his ship.

The Scoundrel
The Scoundrel doesn’t have time for politeness or a fair fight. In addition to his trusty blaster the Scoundrel packs a stealth belt, a scattergun and a med pack—everything he needs to get in, knock the enemy for a loop and get out alive. Being invisible works best, but even when Sith fly through the air waving Lightsabers all they get to do is look surprised as the Scoundrel’s scattergun sends them back the way they came. The Scoundrel always shoots first.

We’d been told before that the Scoundrel will be able to act as a type of field medic for a group, filling a healer roll.  We haven’t heard enough yet to know whether he will be will strong enough to main heal or if he’ll be more of a off-healer… someone to toss a few heals during a tough fight.  This would suit the class a lot more, in my opinion, though would severely limit that functionality… which may upset some people who would like to main-heal with him.

The Scoundrel sounds a lot more like a Rogue than a healer anyway.  He’ll have invisibility and insane burst damage; enough to apparently take out a Sith.  Tack on the ability to heal himself, and you’ve got yourself a very powerful class.

That said, the Gunslinger is where it’s at… without a doubt.  I don’t know how much control we’ll have over targeting, however Blizzard states that we’ll be able to “shoot out a man’s legs to keep him from charging”.  I don’t know if that will be an ability, or if we’ll have further targeting abilities which will allow for greater versatility in gameplay.  I highly doubt that, but one can dream.

Still, having the ability to stand there, clad in the most awesome trench coat and hat, blasters in front and firing rapidly and accurately… oh, that just sounds insanely cool.

Recently, we also got some information regarding the ship that the Smuggler will get.  It’s no Millennium Falcon, that’s for sure.  It’s better.  The Falcon can keep its 12 parsecs Kessel run title.  The XS Stock Light makes the Falcon look like a bucket of bolts.

Corellian XS Stock Light Freighter

The classic Freighter has advanced by leaps and bounds since the Dynamic class Freighters from the days of the Jedi Civil War. The freighter is larger and more versatile than its predecessors, and the XS Stock Light model also features a variety of significant upgrades that make it one of the fastest and most nimble ships in the galaxy. In addition to an enlarged cargo hold, the XS also has secret compartments throughout the ship for transporting contraband and anything else the captain would prefer to keep hidden. If the captain prefers to simply avoid being boarded, the XS has proven itself to be fully capable. In addition to the standard laser and torpedo batteries, the starship is designed with upper and lower turrets that can be controlled manually or remotely from the cockpit. Captains of these freighters typically live on board, so the XS Stock Light has all the creature comforts anyone could ask for, from a recreational lounge to extra sleeping quarters. It’s no wonder that it inspires such loyalty in its owners.

And here’s where we’re going to be seeing a lot of RPers blending their favorite IPs.  I’ve said it before that I am not the biggest Star Wars fanatic.  Certainly, I’ve enjoyed the films, but the fact that I actually enjoyed the newest three is testament to the fact that I’m just a fan.

That said, I am a rabid Firefly fanatic, and upon reading this description of the XS Stock Light, the only thing I could think about was how great it would be to RP a Smuggler as a Captain Malcom Reynolds and this be his Firefly ship.

I’d suggest you check out the video at the link above, as it shows you how spacious and gorgeous this ship interior is.  In my opinion, it is definitely the best we’ve seen so far.

Lastly, Bioware has released some information about your companion.  This one was fairly obvious.  Smugglers will get a scraggly-haired Wookiee to call their own.

Bowdaar
The mighty Wookiee warrior named Bowdaar has fought in every death-match arena from Geonosis to Nar Shaddaa. In over one-hundred years facing countless opponents, Bowdaar has never been defeated. He has bested rancors, gundarks, Mandalorians and even a Jedi in single combat. Even more impressively, he often fights without the benefit of armor or weapons. The more gullible underworld scum whisper that Bowdaar is an immortal creature who can’t be killed, but those who have faced him and lived to tell know he is simply the best there is.

Although his many victories have earned and lost fortunes for the gamblers and crime lords wagering on his fights, Bowdaar has never shared that wealth. Enslaved as a child and forced into the arenas against his will, he has served one corrupt master after another for decades. Bowdaar has no family, no friends and no home—only a warrior’s strength and an unbeatable will to survive.

Key Facts

TIME SPENT IN SLAVERY
108 years

LIFETIME ARENA DEATH-MATCHES WON
10,000

PIT-FIGHTER ALIASES
“The Killer from Kashyyyk,” “Deathmountain,” and “Boneshatterer.”

Personally, I’m not a fan of everyone getting a named companion.  I prefer a nameless, generic companion.  I know that Bioware’s way will create a far richer solo gaming experience, however it won’t be as immersive when you’re in a group and surrounded by a couple Bowdaars. 

Also, will your companions remain “out” while you’re running around cities and such?  Ol’ Bowdaar won’t seem quite as unique when he’s surrounded by a hundred others just like him.

I’m also not crazy about his appearance.  I can appreciate that trying to make a hairy Wookiee look decent is difficult, however the fur just looks like it’s made of hard plastic in these screenshots.

That said, the back story they’ve created for Bowdaar is very good.  Of course, it’s going to be quite difficult to stand out as a badass Smuggler living in this gladiator’s shadow.  I don’t think a companion’s story should be quite that powerful… that is, unless ours is even better.  I’m hoping that’s the case.

Screenshots

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