How free to play is SWTOR in 2024?

Modified Jul 13, 2024 07:25 IST

SWTOR is a free-to-play MMORPG (Image via Electronic Arts)

More than 12 years after its release, Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR) remains one of the best free-to-play MMORPGs out there. The title provides extensive free-to-play content in terms of storyline, gameplay, cosmetic options, and so on. Launched in 2011 by Bioware and Electronic Arts, it boasts a top notch experience for new players to try out even in 2024.

SWTOR provides free-to-play players with complete class storylines and the prelude to the Shadow of Revan expansion. Apart from that, they can also access various group PvE and PvP content.

SWTOR in 2024: What does it offer to free-to-play players?

The faction selection screen in Star Wars: The Old Republic (Image via Electronic Arts)

Given below is a list of things that you have access to as a free-to-play player in SWTOR.

Class storylines

As a free-to-play player, you get access to all the class storylines in SWTOR. You have the option to choose your faction (either the Galactic Republic or the Sith Empire).

A faction has four classes, with each having its own unique storyline. In addition, each class has two different combat styles. For example, the Sith Warrior class has Sith Juggernaut and Sith Marauder.

However, the best part is that all the class stories are free, as they come with the base game along with two free expansions. This means you have a wide variety of content to choose from as soon as you start playing the game.

As mentioned before, the only expansion you can play as a free-to-play player is the prelude to the Shadow of Revan. You need to subscribe to the title to get all the other expansions.

Planets and maps

SWTOR provides you with a large array of planets to visit as your story progresses. Heavenly bodies in the game are intricately crafted with changing environments and surroundings.

You can meet other players on these planets. If you choose the PvP instance of the planet you are on, you can even fight with players from the opposite faction.

Player vs Environment (PvE)

The vast majority of SWTOR is PvE-oriented and free to play. The storylines are PvE, and you can choose to play them either by yourself or group up with friends.

Flashpoints are group-based PvE matches that free-to-play players get access to after completing their starting planets. Flashpoints are played by a group of four players who face off against AI enemies.

Player vs Player (PvP)

Every player in the game gets access to PvP from Level 1. All you need to do is queue up in the PvP groupfinder, and you will be able to join matches.

The title features a PvP season, which is like a battlepass. You can progress along the levels of PvP seasons as you keep participating in this content. You can also earn PvP tokens which, you can use to buy exclusive armor sets and accessories.

Limitations for free-to-play players in SWTOR

The combat style selection section in Star Wars: The Old Republic (Image via Electronic Arts)

For a casual player, SWTOR does not have much in terms of free-to-play limitations. However, if you want to explore every aspect of the game, it will cause obstacles in the long run, and your best option is to subscribe to the title at least once.

The highest level that you can reach is 80, but if you are a free-to-play player, you have a level cap of 60. You will also have the in-game currency, called Credits, capped at one million. Even though there are a lot of items you can get with one million Credits, most of the premium items cost much more.

Apart from that, you cannot access a lot of accessories, expansions, and some endgame content like Operations. You also cannot choose and switch combat styles.

If you want to access all the expansions, you need to subscribe to the game at least once to unlock all of them. This is also true if you want to access various accessories and Operations.

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Edited by Rachel Syiemlieh