Bonus Series Missions tips

What a lot of people don't realize as they're advancing through the levels is that some planets offer a bonus series of missions. At Alderaan for instance, there are a level 40 series of missions that provide some sweet epic loot upon completion. Hoth has a series of missions that are unlocked at around level 47 and Belsavis has a level 50 bonus series mission line that gives you daily commendations. Although some of these missions to go back to the planet are based on your fleet space station, the Hoth one for instance, is only found by travelling back back to the planet once you've reached level 46/7. If someone hadn't told me about the Alderaan and Hoth bonus missions, I would have never known they were there!

What these bonus missions did was to put me ahead of the base level required on the advanced planets. for
example, although Corellia is a level 47-50 planet, I was actually level 49 by the time I got there. I am now level 50 and still have a tonne of missions to complete, which all provide commendations and much needed credits. As all these missions are green to me, they are very easy to complete. I under a week, I've got my 110 speed speeder and I'm well on my way to decking out all my companions. I've also got all my crafting skills maxed and able to craft a number of epic items. My experience on Beta was very different; I had no credits at level 50 and my gear was no where near as good as it is this time and things were a lot harder.

I strongly advise that you take the time to do the Alderaan bonus missions at level 40 and Hoth at level 47.

SWTOR Slicing: Post Nerf

Just in from our underground network:

As we all know, slicing was a great money maker before patch 1.0.1 on December 27. Now the big question, is it still worth it to make money. To find out, we did every lockbox crew mission 10 times and came up with the following. On average, the return per mission is only about 10 credits per minute. So with all 4 companions, you are only making around 40 credits a minute. You can get more from a mob at higher levels than from this skill. But there is still a silver lining. If you gather lockboxes and safes as you quests, there is a lot of money to be made. On average from the planet Voss, we were pulling in around 2K per minute just by flying around a loop and gathering the nodes. If I was to start a new character and not worry about my crafting skill till later, this would be a great way to make money by just gathering. So, from a crew mission point of view, this is no longer worth doing, but from a questing point of view, go for it.

Enjoy and happy hunting.

Data from test. All figures are averages. PPM is Profit Per Min. X is the average additional items we got.

A big thanks to our man in the underground Taao for this data.

New Players Guide to SWTOR

As you find your feet in SWTOR, it's handy to have some inside information.

This guide covers getting set up with the game including:

• the right hardware
• a look at the background story
• how to choose a server and guild
• key terms and roles for characters like DPS, tank and healer
• the options for setting up a character
• Advanced Class options
• Complete lists of information about Companions
• preferred gifts
• Crafting with Companions
• upgrading equipment and mods
• keyboard and mouse controls
• navigation
• general tips on Missions, combat, targeting
• using Companions in combat
• setting up Quick Shots
• full Maps to planets

This eBook is available on Amazon which means that with the appropriate free app or utility you can look at it on your phone, second monitor, laptop or tablet while you game.

If anything that SWTORFace has posted has ever been useful to you, purchasing the guide is a great way to say thanks ... and ensure I get fed!

Thanks everyone ... and let me know if there is a burning topic you'd like me to put a guide together on.

Flashpoints: Do's and Don'ts

Hey guys and gals, just thought I'd list a few of the basic rules when looking for Flashpoints and getting into a group to do them.

First of all what are Flashpoints?  For the most part Flashpoints are important story line sequences which offer a social and entertaining side line away from your normal missions. Flashpoint couriers usually take the form of Droids on the Imperial or Republic Space stations and are also scattered around various planets as well.

Flashpoints are level based. The first one is found as you leave your starting planet where you have learned the basics of combat and how to play your character.

Do's

1) Try to get into a balanced group, for example a tank, healer and a couple of dps. The beginning one is reasonably easy and will give you a basic understanding of group encounters.

2) Try to be understanding of new players and be as helpful as possible.  These encounters are not the standard "dungeons" that most WoW players are used to and the roles required by each player can change during a Flashpoint. Sometimes a player will be needed to off-tank or interrupt special abilities; other times they might just need to do as much dps as possible.

3) Listen to the story lines and enjoy them.  Obviously repeated occurrences of the same Flashpoint will make you want to skip through options but be courteous to players who haven't done the Flashpoint before and want to listen to the story line.

4) Asking people if they would like to join should never be a problem. Most likely you will notice in the general chat multiple people asking for members to specific encounters. Sometimes people tend to ignore this chat and sometimes getting asked to come do a Flashpoint can be a nice breather from missions etc.

5) Enjoy yourself.

[Editor's addition 6) don't go AFK without at least informing the group if an emergency comes up.]

Dont's

1) Be rude or overbearing. Obvious reasons.

2) Actually most people should know how to behave so I won't go into these issues of etiquette.

3) Don't be scared to ask questions on how to better play your character in an encounter. Some people will no doubt not expect this and may act rude or unaccommodating but the majority of people will see this as an opportunity to try and work together.

4) Don't be afraid to try new things.

[Editor's addition: 5) don't start a Flashpoint if you know you won't have the time to finish it, unless you've cleared it with the group first]

These listings are pretty much commonsense but one important thing I've noticed about all of the Flashpoints I've done so far is that they are far more geared towards the social aspect of the game with gaining social points and unique pieces of gear, than that of gaining or farming experience. Quite frankly some of these encounters are very long and you should only do them if you have the time and want some unique entertainment and social activity. [Editor's addition: be prepared to set aside up to two hours]

SWTOR 1.0.1 Patch Notes The Big Slicers Nerf Of 2011

Nothing real big in this one except ...
Slicing
- Rewards from Slicing have been reduced to bring them into balance with other skills.
- Adjusted incorrect values for medium slicing boxes.
... this might upset some people. Damn, I didn't get on that free ride!. And slacking off in Warzones got the nerf too ...
- Rewards for winning Warzones have been increased.
- Warzone completion rewards have been decreased.

Patch Notes for Patch 1.0.1

Hello everyone!
With this update, the first of many for Star Wars™: The Old Republic™, we have addressed several high-priority bugs. We've implemented fixes for those players affected by performance issues on Taris and have corrected the problem preventing some pending mission rewards from being accepted. Additionally, the issue that could cause some gathering nodes to appear unharvestable has been addressed, and you'll notice several bug fixes relating to Flashpoint and Operation content.
We're committed providing the best possible MMO experience, and will continue releasing fixes and updates on a regular basis.
Thank you for playing Star Wars: The Old Republic!


Classes and Combat



Combat Bug Fixes
- Fixed a bug that could cause the global cooldown to display incorrectly in the UI. 
- Abilities that require Companion Characters now always correctly require a companion.
- NPCs no longer attempt to engage vanity pets in combat.


Imperial Agent


Operative
- The tooltip for Acid Blade now displays the correct information.


Companion Characters


Companions
Kira Carsen
- Fixed an issue that could cause Kira’s affection progression to become blocked.


Bug Fixes
- Companion Character dialogue now plays at the correct volume.


Crew Skills

Gathering Skills
Slicing
- Rewards from Slicing have been reduced to bring them into balance with other skills.
- Adjusted incorrect values for medium slicing boxes.


Bug Fixes
- Corrected an issue that could cause some gathering nodes to appear as unharvestable.


Flashpoints and Operations


Flashpoints
Mandalorian Raiders
- Crowd control immunity has been removed from several members of the Enemy Boarding Party.


Colicoid War Game
- An issue that prevented some players from mounting turrets in this Flashpoint has been corrected.


The Red Reaper
- Darth Ikoral now uses his abilities correctly.


Directive 7
- Mentor now resets correctly if he defeats the player group.


Bug Fixes
- All players in a group who have a daily Flashpoint mission now get credit for completing that Flashpoint.


Operations
Eternity Vault
- Fixed an issue that could cause players to instantly die when affected by Soa’s knockback.
- Turrets in Normal Mode no longer behave as turrets from Hard Mode.
- Players are now able to properly obtain loot from chests.
- The Ancient Pylons now spawn enemies at the correct intervals.


Karagga’s Palace
- Players no longer need to reset this Operation if they do not defeat Bonethrasher.
- Corrected an issue that caused some players to become stuck at the throne room door.


Items


Bug Fixes
- PvP lockboxes can no longer be sold for credits.
- Fixed incorrect item rewards from PvP leveling lockboxes.


Missions and NPCs


Missions
Imperial
- A New Master: Defeating Teeno no longer causes him to surrender on top of Phyne, making him difficult to interact with.
- General Faraire: All of Khourlet’s Elite Guards are now accessible by the player.


Bug Fixes
- Fixed a mission-related issue that could cause poor performance and client crashes on Taris for some players.


NPCs
Bug Fixes
- Corrected several instances of non-interactive NPCs appearing and disappearing from the player’s view.


PvP


Warzones
General
- Rewards for winning Warzones have been increased.
- Warzone completion rewards have been decreased.


Bug Fixes
Voidstar
- Corrected an issue that could prevent some players from entering the Voidstar.
- Made adjustments to prevent attacking players from reaching the doors in the reactor core before bridges are extended.


UI


Bug Fixes
- Fixed a bug that could prevent players from accepting pending mission rewards.
- Targeting a friendly player no longer occasionally displays incorrect text for the character’s name.
- Corrected an issue that could cause some auction expirations to behave incorrectly.
- The splash screen no longer displays longer than the “accept changes” dialogue when changing resolutions on some computers.
- Master Looter now works correctly for items being looted from chests.
- The server select screen no longer displays over the character select after being disconnected for being away.
- Corrected an issue that could cause mission mapnotes to disappear when a new mission is obtained.


Miscellaneous Bug Fixes
- Special characters no longer display incorrectly in the French credits.
- Remaining baby names have been added to the credits.
- Corrected a link that displayed in French and German versions when the servers are unavailable.

World PVP in SWTOR With a Twist: Tatooine PVP Zone

The word PVP zone in Tatooine brings a twist to PVP as it's not a faction PVP zone at all; it's a Lawless zone. You can attack anyone in there at all: same faction, same guild, best friend! It's a zone that you will find high end mats in and you can farm them all you want as long as you can stay alive! Is it wrong to kill someone in your faction to stop him/her getting a node you want to harvest? I got to spend a bit of time in there and got lots of level 6 gems and other mats. There was a smuggler in there that I didn't touch. If it was a Sith  and he was after the same things I was, I would not think twice. Don't think I would attack my same faction,  but if the player was taking stuff I wanted to harvest I would show him the light :)

This map shows you where to find the PVP zone on Tatooine.

The Old Republic Toys for Christmas

So we know all you geeks have got a Collector's Edition or the Digital Deluxe, so what does that leave Santa to get you for Christmas? Me, being the lucky guy I am, married a Star Wars fan and my legendary wife found this Star Wars geek the perfect gift for the Old Republic fan that has everything ...

My very own Bastilla Shan figure! Now I will have Battle Meditation with me all the time!

For those of you who don't know, Bastilla Shan was in The Knights of the Old Republic and is the perfect gift for any Star Wars fan who is into the expanded universe. I had no idea that this figure was available until my wife pointed her out and although she let me take photos of it for this post, Bastilla Shan is now giving Batle Meditation to all of our Christmas decorations.

While we're on the topic of Christmas, I know that it's really exciting to spend a lot of time in your new found home in the Galactic Republic, but don't forget about those other people in your life over this festive time. Put reality first for a Merry Christmas!

The SWTOR Leveling Experience, Levels 1 - 10

My first experiences in SWTOR began in the beta 2 weeks prior to launch.  I had initially been invited to join earlier but thought I would wait for launch and avoid any disappointment. Whilst I had faith in Bioware, I had bad experiences with other MMOs and decided I would just wait and see what would happen.  I finally decided to take up the option for the open beta after hearing a lot of discontent with the WoW die hards saying what a poor game SWTOR was looking to be. To me this could mean only that it was looking to be a decent game and this encouraged me to take advantage of the open beta and take a look for myself.

I decided very early that I wouldn't try to rush through and level as fast as I could as a lot of people in betas are inclined to. So instead I would take a look at every class and look at the dynamics and gameplay of each class. 

The first 10 levels of every character are extremely diverse and the story content of all 8 character classes was extremely unique and very well thought out. The play style of each of the 4 characters in each faction is also quite interesting and whilst a lot of people will say this is a WoW clone in the combat arena, I couldn't disagree more heartily. I feel that the differences are amazing and the only way you will learn these is playing for yourself.  I didn't want to make this a guide on how to play, guides like these have been posted all over YouTube and if you want a step by step guide then you are losing the experiences and surprises in the game. This is more about what information is important, and what you might like to know without any spoilers.

Hotkeys
Combat very early on is, as you would expect, limited to a couple of hotkeys, but knowing exactly the function of each ability is invaluable. Making certain you understand what each hotkey is for should be the very first thing you do and as you level, read and invest a little time in looking at your abilities to know what they can do. Whether or not you chain keys for higher damage or just spam a single button, early combat is really quite easy and does not make it a difficult game for the novice player. This gives you the ability to become immersed in the story and develop your skills as you go.  By about level 4 or 5 you will have 6-7 abilities which you can use to your own play style.

Missions
Questing [editor's note: it's called Missions in SWTOR you old WoW player!] is amazingly simplified in SWTOR. Your objectives are placed straight onto your minimap and the primary zones are slightly linear to allow the learning experience to progress. What a lot of experienced MMO players fail to realize is that with each new game release there is an over-abundance of new players who really have no idea what they are doing. The beginning quests for each class begins with, why your character is where they are and their immediate goals.  This leads on to a primary class quest beginning with ACT 1 and leads you into an immersing story line which is both interactive and entertaining.  Side quests are abundant and are pretty much the meat and vegies for leveling.  Not once have I had to grind or worry about not being too low to do my quests.  

Dark side vs light side
One of the first things I noticed, while getting engaged in each story line, were the light and dark side options. As a general rule I decided that if I wanted to be dark I would play dark.  I was playing light then I chose light side options.  There were no exceptions and I found by level 10 I was easily past the first tier of dark or light side points. Choosing a combination did not seem very important as it seemed to balance you closer back to a neutral option.  This may be tempting for the role players out there who are not swayed by the choices they make. 

Companions
People have heard all about companions and these in my view are a game-changing asset whether you like to play solo or with friends. Group partys are limited to 4 members which includes the use of  companions. Since beginning the actual game I have leveled with my close friend Jean (ingame name) and the 2 of us with our companions have been, for lack of a better term, "tearing it up".  I cannot stress this enough.  LEARN how to use your companions. This is vital. 

Social points
This brings up another extremely important facet of the game that a lot of people are not taking so much notice of yet, "Social Points".  Whilst you are grouped with a friend or any other person and you do quests not related to your private class quest, you will gain social points for each interaction within quest dialogue. for example, whenever you are talking to a quest giver and make a choice within this conversation you will receive points which accrue and give you access to superior (both looking and functional) equipment. 

Finally as the beginning zone draws to a close, your primary class quest becomes more prominent and those initial desires seem to be coming to fruition, for example, if you're Jedi / Sith type character your lightsaber looks to be closer at hand.

What I would dearly love to recommend is that you try to do every quest and explore these beginning zones thoroughly. This will make for a much more enriching experience and will allow you whether you are an experienced MMO player or a complete beginner, a fantastic experience which you will thoroughly enjoy. 

Star Wars: The Old Republic Mobile Security Key

I can't express the importance of a secure account. With MMO games there is a lot more at stake than just a character file. If you lose your account you lose years of work and not only that, but your friends can also be affected, especially if you're involved in a guild. 

In WoW, we saw hackers time and time again logging into people's accounts and clearing out everything they could get access to. In one circumstance the hacker even decided that he would start removing people from the guild that the account was on, as it happened to be an officer's account. 

It's obvious that SWTOR is going to be a hot target for hackers these holidays. I have a tough enough job keeping their horrible spam from the comments section of this site! I highly recommend that if you have not purchased the Collector's Edition of the game, which comes bundled with a security key, to download the free app from iTunes for your iPhone if you have one (full guide below). Hopefully they release an app for other platforms like Android soon as well. 

The other option is to purchase the security key key chain from BioWare. I can't remember the exact price, and the site is down for pre-launch maintenance so I can't check, but I think it was around $2-4. That's a small price to pay to know that your avatar is not vulnerable to hackers.

There seems to be some confusion about how the app works. You can use the app if you have an account (even if you don't have your hard copy yet). Here's how to use it:

Log into your SWTOR account on your PC.

Go to Security Key.

Click Mobile Version.

This will provide you with a 7 digit key and a 20 digit key.

Then open the app and enter the 7 digit key in the 'Serial number' section.

It will then ask for the 20 digit key. Enter it.

The app will then provide you with a code (sample above).

Go back to your SWTOR account on your PC and type in that code.

If you start using this app then make sure that you keep a copy of the Serial number that is generated, just in case you ever loose your phone, or have to reset it. Every time you go to log into the game from then on you'll have to fire up the app on your phone and enter the serial number, get the security key and then enter it on your SWTOR login on your PC.

Description:

Keep your STAR WARS: The Old Republic account protected with the official STAR WARS: The Old Republic Mobile Security Key app for your iPhone and iPod Touch! The STAR WARS: The Old Republic Mobile Security Key app is an optional program that will allow you to apply an additional layer of protection to your STAR WARS: The Old Republic account by generating a unique, one-time passcode that you can use in addition to your regular password. By using the STAR WARS: The Old Republic Mobile Security Key app, you can rest assured that your account is secured from hackers, Trojans and other unauthorized users.

How To Use: How To Use: Once you have installed the app on your iOS device you’ll need to visit www.starwarstheoldrepublic.com to associate the Mobile Security Key with your account. Log in to the STAR WARS: The Old Republic web site and go to the My Account page (link on the upper right of the page). From the menu on the right side of the page choose Security Key and then follow the instructions to set up your Mobile Security Key.

Airtime or Wi-Fi connection required for use.
For more information on how to register the STAR WARS: The Old Republic Mobile Security Key app to your starwarstheoldrepublic.com account, please visit www.swtor.com/support.
Languages Supported:
• English

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/star-wars-the-old-republic/id488420295?mt=8

Getting the Most out of Crafting

I've got to the stage where I have most of my crafting and Missions up to the mid-200 level.

I'm really seeing the necessity of sticking tot he triangles when crafting. I picked up artifact, treasure hunting and archaeology. Artifice is the crafting portion of my three skills, archaeology is the gathering/Mission combination and treasure hunting is the pure Mission portion.

What I discovered is that archaeology provides me with all the basics mats I need to craft a lot of the  artifice  items. If I want to craft any special items like yellow high quality lightsaber crystals, I need to collect those using treasure hunting. Without having the triangle skills I wouldn't be able to craft all the items I want. Plus, treasure hunting is providing me with the high demand items that people want.

I've also received a few purple quality Krayt Dragon pearls which will allow me to make epic level lightsaber crystals once I discover the pattern. You discover new patterns by reverse engineering items you've crafted.

So if you want to take crafting seriously, I highly recommend you to stick a triangle of skills.

If you're looking for more information on crafting, check out our guide to crafting basics video.

Sith Warrior Trainer Locations

We’ve all been there; for the first couple of levels there’s a class trainer right next to your class mission and we get lulled into a false sense of security. Then we gain a few levels, hop to a couple of new worlds and next thing we know we can’t find the trainer. You may ask countless times in General chat and get vague instructions and become convinced that you’re being directed by republic spies. So here, from a fellow Sith Warrior, are the locations of the trainers.

Korriban
Level 1-3
Your first trainer, Veshta is directly inside the building for your first quest. Follow the path from where you arrive in the planet and you will see her on the left hand side before you have to defeat slugs.

Level 3-10
This trainer is one of the easiest to find since you will be directed to him by a quest. He resides on the second floor of the Sith academy. Take the left side stairs and walk straight through the hallway. The trainer (Overseer Rance) is straight ahead of you.

Dromund Kaas
Level 10-15
You will need to travel to Kaas city ( north central part of the map) in order to find this trainer. He is in the Sith sanctum which you take a taxi to from the main part of Kaas city. The Sith sanctum is the building in
the middle. Once you enter the building, the trainer is straight and to the right of the glowing green center. The trainer, Ajaan is directly to the left of the story phase for your class quest.

Balmorra
Level 15-20
This trainer is in the main city, Sobrik. From the spaceport, walk down several steps and he is in the first gated area on your left hand side. Once you pass through the opening of this area, he is on your right. This area is the same area as your class quest, he stands to the right of this door. If you look at your map however, this trainer,Ramesh Kon is on the right/east side of the map.

Nar Shaddaa
Level 20-24
This trainer was the hardest for me to find. He resides in the Promenade sector which you will have to take a taxi to. From the taxi, get to the lower floor and he will be standing to the northwest of the Promenade
Market. Derish is the left most trainer.

There is no trainer in the Orbital Monitoring Station

Tatooine
Level 23-28
This trainer resides in the Mos Ila Market right outside the middle building on the second floor. From the spaceport head down and you’ll see a pathway to your right. Pass the cantina on the right and head down the hill. Move to the right of the center market area and you’ll see the icon pictured below on the second level of a nearby circular building straight and to the right. Head up the spiral stairs and the trainer Lord Undaara is right there.

Alderaan
Level 27-32
This trainer is fairly easy to find. From the spaceport take the right path and continue straight. Once you get to the heart of the market, don’t turn to follow the path. You will see the House of Thul palace in front of you. The trainer is to the left of the palace entrance. On your map, he is located near the House of Thul Taxi on the right side of the market.

These are all of the trainers you will need to find for Chapter 1 of your Sith Warrior journey. May the force be with you in your endevors for the Empire!

SWTOR Servers Busting at the Seams

Are you finding that your server is VERY HEAVY or FULL? Here's what I am experiencing ...

Although Oceanic players got their very own Beta test a few week ago, they were never officially assigned an Oceanic server. This did surprise a lot of players located in the Oceanic region. Although the game isn't officially launched in countries in the Oceanic region, like Australia and New Zealand, thousands Australians pre-ordered from Amazon.

To protect themselves, to ensure they get to play with other people in the same time zones, a lot of large Oceanic guilds have banded together using SWTOR's guild association network, and as soon as servers were assigned to their guilds it became very clear that the majority of the PVE guilds were placed on the one server, The Harbinger. What happened then was that any PVE guild that had not been assigned to the Harbinger quickly moved there.

So now, us Aussies are on a server that is extremely crowded and at any given time there is a half an hour (plus) wait to log on. This morning the wait is close to an hour! There also seems to be a lot of other servers that are full.

My biggest concern is that it's still three days until the game officially comes out. There are still a lot of players who signed up for the pre-launch guild program that are not ingame yet. We're missing about 50% of our members and we know some of them pre-ordered way too late to get access before the 20th. When all these players finally do get to log in and try and join their guild, how will these servers, which are already full and over-populated cope?

Keep in mind that ingame it does not feel over-populated due to the phasing technology which spreads players out. The phasing technology takes a zone and splits it up into several instances. For example, you could have a thousand players on Tatooine but only see a few players around you. What the game does is to create Tatooine instances. I have seen up to ten instances in cities so far and you can swap from one Tatooine instance to the other through your map. This instance technology will automatically give you the option to move to the instance that your guild is in.

Server allocation and server queues are the make or break of any game launch and to be honest, due to the guild association and pre-launch options, it may backfire. If you weren't allocated to a server you would have a choice to choose a less-populated server. As it is now, regardless of population, if you join the game today or tomorrow, you'll be assigned to the server with your guild flag next to it, whether or not it's full already.

Giving a grace period for STAR WARS: The Old Republic

This will save me! Thank you BioWare!

Gold Post:

Hello everyone,

While we've worked closely with our retailers in the launch territories to ensure copies of Star Wars: The Old Republic are available from our launch date of December 20th, we understand that for those of you who’ve pre-ordered, there may be a concern about getting your copy on time. We’ve heard you want a 'grace period' where you can continue to play without having to enter a final product registration code (AKA 'game code').

We've been listening, and after doing another deep review of our platform infrastructure, we're taking action. Today, we're announcing a two day grace period for Star Wars: The Old Republic customers.

This means that everyone who pre-ordered and is in the Early Game Access program has forty-eight hours from launch in which to enter their product registration code, which will be found inside the physical Standard and Collector's Editions of the game; for digital editions of the game from Origin.com, the registration code will have been emailed to you after December 16th and will arrive before December 19th at 11:59PM EST. After December 22nd 12:01AM EST, you will be required to have a valid payment method and a product registration code registered to your account to continue to play. We strongly recommend that you register your product code as soon as you are able to do so (rather than waiting until the last minute) to ensure a seamless entry into the game, a smooth experience on the account website and to collect any special gifts and items you may be entitled to based on the version of the game you purchased.

We understand that for some, your copy of the game may still arrive on or after December 22nd. Unfortunately, we cannot extend the grace period any further. We suggest you contact your retailer to discuss shipping options, if this is a concern.

You may be wondering if your 30 days of game time (included with your purchase of the game) will be affected by the grace period. The answer is no. If you redeem your product registration code during the grace period, and add a valid payment method to your account, you will begin your billing cycle from then, and you will be entitled to 30 days of game time. If you redeem your product registration code before December 20th, your billing cycle will begin on December 20th at 12:01AM EST (the official launch date and time of the game).

We know this has been an issue for some of you, and we apologize for the concerns. We're looking forward to welcoming all of you to the official launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic!

Thanks,

Ray and Greg

Leveling Guide to SWTOR

I know a lot of people are asking about leveling guides and the fastest way to level in SWTOR but unlike older games SWTOR doesn't need a leveling guide. The Missions tells you where to go. If you compare it to World of Warcraft, in WoW you needed a specific third party mod to find quest objectives on a map. It took Blizzard four years to add these convenient tools into their actual game. It was the lack of these tools that made leveling guides necessary. With SWTOR, you are about to learn the easiest, fastest, and fun way to level ...

Do it with a friend!

For the last two days I have been leveling with a good friend of mine, Rammy (ingame name). Now although he's a dude in a dress, his avatar has saved my ass more than once. I would say that comparing it to my last leveling experience in SWTOR Beta where I was playing alone, leveling grouped with a friend has been three times faster and even more fun. 

There is no disadvantage of doing Missions in a group. You both get full experience. You both get to bring your Companions, and you end up killing stuff really fast, completing bonus Missions where you need to kill thirty of this mob and thirty of that mob, are done in minutes.

Not only that, but you also get social points for grouping with a friend. These social points unlock unique outfits like the slave girl outfit that Princess Leia wears in Return of the Jedi, or the beautiful white dress that you can see the healer Rammy wearing int he background of this screenshot. These social outfits are orange items, so they can be modified and utilized all the way up to end game.

So get a friend and go kill some stuff!

New Players Guide to SWTOR eBook Out Now

So for some of you you're already in the game and probably not reading this! For others you are checking to see if you've been granted access in one of the random waves, just waiting to get your feet wet in the game! While you're waiting, or while you're learning the ropes, might I suggest you download this eBook I put together to help new SWTOR players understand the core elements of the game.

Whether you are a veteran MMO player or completely new to this genre of PC gaming, this guide will help you get started and understand the key concept of Companions and their role in the SWTOR galaxy. This guide covers getting set up with the game including the right hardware, a look at the background story and how to choose a server and guild. Key terms and roles for characters like DPS, tank and healer are introduced and inside information gained from over 250 hours of gaming in Beta is set out. The eBook then goes through the options for setting up a character before explaining and detailing the Advanced Class options. Complete lists of information about Companions available to each class is provided including their preferred gifts, which will help you build reputation, unlocking new and exciting Missions. Crafting with Companions, upgrading equipment and mods, keyboard and mouse controls, navigation, tips on Missions, combat, targeting, using Companions in combat and setting up Quick Shots is all explained, plus information on Datacrons and full Maps to planets is included.

Get set for your Galactic adventure! On sale for $2.99 now ... and besides, if you've been enjoying this site pre-launch, this is a great way to support us and in return get some useful advice for yourself.

The eBook is available on Amazon right now and can be read on iPad, iPhones, other smartphones, Kindle, Kobo, Nook and other eReaders.

5 Quick Tips for Playing SWTOR

1. Always bind. These stations can be discovered and are used with your Quick Travel skill. Unlike in other MMOs, you are not bound to a specific location. You can use the Quick Travel skill to travel to any of the stations you've found. The icon on your map for these stations looks like the universal power symbol. You can also see the location of these stations by using your Quick Travel skill, pulling up a handy map.

2. Cantinas are your friend. These are rest zones and give you rest xp. You can usually find a binding station inside.

3. You cannot enter story phases in combat. Remember this and it may save you some heartache.

4. There are only benefits to excess light or dark points. I learned the hard way that playing neutral doesn't get you far. Instead, you'll be jealous of all your friends when they get nifty gear and titles when you're stuck at 500 light and dark.

5. Hero story bosses are much easier to solo when you're their level. So don't get frustrated if you're not able to solo them otherwise.

Happy gaming!

SWTOR Jedi Knight Full Companion List and Gifts

To say T7-01 annoyed the crap out of me in Beta in an understatement! He had (it's now gone) this action called grapple that would pull what he was attacking to him. So I would jump to a NPC with force leap, then he would grapple it and I would have to run back after it. Man I wanted to stick my saber through his motorvater! As soon as I was joined by Kira (my second Companion) I never looked back; with my avatar semi tanking and her DPS killing stuff, was a blast! There is something about 2 Jedi out fighting side by side that I love!

Check out our full list of Jedi Knight Companions here:

SWTOR 10 points about getting in game this week!

Hot form Rockjaw Stephen Reid on twitter 

First: Early Game Access officially starts at 4AM PST / 6AM CST / 7AM EST / 12PM GMT / 1PM CET tomorrow. Emails will be sent around then.


Second: emails will go out after that point in in waves. Yes, we'll tell you when the emails will get sent via Forums/Twitter.
16 minutes ago

Third: No, not *everyone* will get in tomorrow. We are strictly allowing people admittance by when they redeemed pre-order code.

Fourth: All server types will be live tomorrow (PvP, PvE, RP-PvE, RP-PvP). All servers available to all (no EU-US or guild restrictions).

Fifth: If you're in a pre-imported guild, no, that doesn't get you priority access- but your guild server will be there when you get in.

Sixth: No, don't ask when you get in. We will let in a *lot* of people tomorrow - but not everyone. If you're not in Day One, don't explode.

Seventh: The Forums will be back up for all who have redeemed a pre-order code just before 7AM EST (AKA, Early Game Access start).

Eighth: Servers you'll see up tomorrow are NOT the final list. We'll be adding more during Early Game Access.

Ninth: I'm afraid I have no further updates on retailers and shipping, but it's moving about at very high levels. More tomorrow on that.


Tenth: As a community, you're the craziest, most passionate, most devoted people I've ever had the pleasure to work for. Thanks.

SWTOR Full Datacron Locations List

This is a list of Datacron location waypoints you can find using your map in SWTOR as you venture through the galaxy. Every planet will have a set number of Datacrons that will add permanent attributes to your avatar like +4 to Strength as seen in this screenshot.

Update: The information int his blog post is being re-posted, planet by planet in a more reader friendly format and including embedded video guides. As we release each of these posts we'll add a link here. Here are the posts available so far for the following planets (more to come):


Tython
Ord Mantell
Korriban
Hutta

If the planet you're looking for information about is not on the above list yet, take a look at the information below.

Credit for the tips in this list goes to the members of the SWTOR Forums. This post was wiped with the forum reset. The original list of waypoints was sent out to beta testers via email. From what i can tell, the waypoints were still correct up until the final days of beta testing.

There are several different types of Datacrons:

Green: +Endurance (secondary stat for all characters)
Orange: +Cunning (Smuggler / Imperial Agent primary stat)
Purple: +Willpower (Jedi Consular / Sith Inquisitor primary stat)
Red: +Strength (Jedi Knight / Sith Warrior primary stat)
White: +Aim (Trooper / Bounty Hunter primary stat)
Yellow: +Presence (secondary stat for all characters)

Shard Datacrons: Shard Datacrons give you a Matrix Shard instead of a stat buff. Matrix Shards can be used to create relic slot items. There are four different colors of Shard Datacrons: Blue, Green, Red, and Yellow.

As seen in this screenshot you can see Datacrons from a distance due to the beam of light emanating from them.

Read on for the full list of Waypoints.

Note (15 Dec 2011): This list is from Beta but having played in the release game for over 24 hours now I can report that they all still seem to be the same.

Tython (Republic only)

1) Datacron (Willpower +4), X: -641 Y:36 Z:-7*, Map area: The ruins of Kaleth.

Description: To get here you need to use a huge tilted pillar that forms a bridge to a hilltop. The Datacron is just to the left of the hilltop at the base of a statue.

2) Datacron (Blue Matrix Shard), X: -91 Y:93 Z:920*, Map area: The Forge Remnants
Description: To get here you have to follow a the path starting at X: -113 Y:88 Z:819 past a few fleshraiders, through a two story ruin and into a small settlement.
The matrix shard is to the right with a kneeling shaman in front of it.
3) Datacron (Endurance +4), X,Y: (600, -85). Map area: Tython (on the road between the Jedi Temple and The runins of Kaleth)
Description: To get here you have to follow the road around the mountain and jump down to an entrance at (620, -25). Take the tunnel, fight the few monsters and there is the datacron!
4)+4 End -if I remember correctly- (-33,-102) You have to go through the mountain pass (entrance -29,13)

Old Mantell (Republic only)

1) Datacron (Red Matrix shard), X: 777 Y:8 Z:199*, Map area: Mannett point.
Description: To get here just follow the beach up north. There is a lvl 8 elite guarding it, and the Datacron is down a little hole in the sand just next to him.

2) Datacron (Presence +4), X: -976 Y:201 Z:8, Map area: Main map (West of volcano).
Description: To get here Simply head along the beach from the Volcano Camp. The Datacron is resting behind some rocks, near a small lake.

3) Datacron (Aim +4), X: -656 Y:44 Z:-574*, Map area: Savrip Island (West of Oradam Village)
Description: To get here head to the group area, it is on a hill there. Use the hill to the west of it to get to it.

Korriban (Empire only)

1) Korriban Red Matrix Shard X: -54 Y:378, Map area: Tomb of Tulak Hord : The Ruined Atrium
Description: To get here you need to run to the end of the southern most catacomb on Korriban. Room full of elites and the Matrix Shard.

2) Datacron (Endurance +4) X: 375 Y:77, Map area: Korriban.
Description: On the way to the offworld transport to the left on a small platform.
The same? : +4 End : 127,77 (near the shuttle)

3)+4 Wis : 529,65 (You have to come from the west side of the cliff)

Hutta (Empire only)

1) Datacron (Aim +4), X: -97 Y:21 Z:861*, Map area: east of Evocii renegade village.
Description: To get here you have to go to the swamps and jump upon a destroyed pipeline to go up on the hill – there you can find it hidden on the right side of the hill underneath
the top.

2) At the NE corner of the map(945,-128) is a little island with a datacron on it. To get there walk along the pipeline leading to that island.
The NE Hutta one it gives +4 presence location x,y. 649,-108

3) Datacron (Blue Matrix Shard), X: -10 Y:-12 Z:324*, Sewer Maintenance System (Group Area)
Description: It is located to the right behind the B3-4T Disposal Droid (Bossmob) – you have to defeat it first. Way is guarded by several elite mobs and other nasty critters.

4)Datacron (Presence +4), X,Y: (650, 13). Map area: Hutta (Island in the norh-west above “The Rusty Yards”) Galactic History 2: Ancient Civilisations
Description: To get here you have to follow the pipeline at X,Y: (496,12).

Coruscant (Republic only)

1) Datacron (Presence+4), X: 2319 Y:472 Z:1051*, Map area: Old Galactic Market.
Description: To get here just go to the highest platform, and you will see it.

2) Datacron (Cunning +4), X: 1022 Y:-1036 Z:-3970*, Map area: Old Galactic Market.
Description: This one is a little tricky. (Begin at X:1034 Y:-1062 Z:3979. To get here First you need to jump on some crates, all the way up to a pipe. Run along the pipe,
and them jump opwards, from pipe to pipe. Then you run to the end of the top pipe, and just on the huge pipe to the left of you. Then jump on the lower pipe and run to the
final platform. The Datacron is ontop of a brown container. (need to revisit to confirm Eretrios cords (“Justicar Territory” map at (X=1289 Y=3969))

3) Datacron (Endurance +4), X: -3626 Y:-1293 Z: 151*, Map area: Black Sun Territory (on a platform left of the Silent Sun Cantina)
Description: This one is a little tricky. (Begin at XYZ –adding in an hr.) First you need to jump up to the first platform on crates, then run to the broken pipes, jump on the first on,
run to the balcony on the right, then take the second pipe back to the platform, then jump onto the top of the sign (careful not to get stuck), then jump down to the next platform and
there is your datacron!

4) Datacron (Strength +4)
Map area: Jedi Temple – Mezzanine (X: -3005 Y:3030)
Description: Just access the mezzanine area using the broken giant column. Then follow the wall unclockwise till you get to Darth Sith Anev Xydes. Then jump down to the broken arch where the holocron is.

5)Datacron (Yellow Shard), X,Y: (3744, -4473). Map area: Coruscant : Worker (cursor coord)
Start : 1341 4415 (cursor coord)

Dromund Kaas (Empire only)

1) Dromund Kaas Yellow Matrix Shard X: 609 Y:1729, Map area: Top of Waterfall.
Description: You have to enter a hidden path from X: 780 Y:1700

2) After leaving the starport keep huging the left wall, you should arrive at a narrow passage through the mountains. Follow it to the end and a + stat datacron awaits.

3) In the area where the crazy droid researching sith, search the north eastern part of the compound, you should find a passage through the mountains. Don’t remember what datacron it was.

4) Southeast of the above area, there is an area with a lot of wild beasts. In the southwestern part, there is 2 pens with bosses in them and a beast handler. Near that spot is a path through the mountain that leads to another boss and a datacron

5) Before entering the tunnel leading to the camp in front of the dark temple, turn arround and follow the road. Keep an eye on the left side, there should be a datacron on a rock.

Taris (Republic)
1) Datacron (Aim +4 ) X: -1513 Y:-272 Z:-255*, Map area: Republic Resettlement Zone
Description: This one is a little tricky: (Start cords: X: -1365 Y:-195 Z:-215*). Follow the narrow path along the wall on your right passed first platform passed second platform, and jump down on the ship (the orange area), jump down on the pipe on the other side. Run to the end of this one and jump down on the platform underneath. Now run around with the wall on your left, until you can see the Datacron behead you to the left though at hole in the structure. Jump down. At this point just head down to the datacron.

2) Map : The Sinking City (X: 4, Y: -200)
Accessed is from Ruins of Dynamet General (X: -77, Y: -376). An emergency exit is hidden behind some crates.

3)Datacron RED GLOW Gal History entry 24(Cunning +4), X:1048 Y:-189 Z:453 . Planet Taris Map area: The Tularan Marsh Seen from Brejiks Run outpost. Republic.
Description: A bit of running and jumping to get here:P Start Loc is X:1042 Y:-190 Z:453
Jump up on the big oranage pipe behind scavanger base. Run on the brown part untill the end, here is a little tricky jump on to the thicker grey bit. Now walk off to the very end of pipe and you should see a little area where you can squzze up. Just Nudge yourself up there. Jump on to the Platform over the pipe and go around the wall’s corner to the next platform. You should now see the red glow from the datacron. Walk to the edge next to you so you almost face the water tower and jump down on the platform before you… if you look at it you will see its kind of U shaped run now, just follow all the way to datacron.  Enjoy your New Galactic history entry 24 and +4 cunning.

Taris (Empire)

1)Datacron (Cunning +4, to be verified)

Map: The Tularan Marsh (x: 1440, Y: 445)

Starting point is X: 1570, Y: 250, climb up the giant pipe to the higher level. Head left on the platforms path. Follow the wall in front of you, heading right. You should soon see the red holocron on your right. But to get it, you will have to do a big circle. Keep following the path along the wall, till you can jump down to another giant beam on your right. Rest of the journey should be obvious

Nar Shaddaar

1)Nikto Sector Position -3361/-3313 way starts -3305/-3399

2) Datacron (Presence +6)
Map : Red Light Sector (Nar Shada) X: 3520, Y: -3290 (look up on the hanging platformsfor the green datacron) Access to this one is inside the G4 quest Nar Shada Blood Sport map. I’ll have to return there to note the cords of the starting point (It’s where you can hear the well known holocron sound). You have then to climp up a box, then go up on the curtain. You can now exit the instance with a special elevator which leads to the upper part of the starting zone where the holocron is.

3)industrial sector->upper office atrium->lower office atrium->network security / 1795 / -1577 / 3108

4)Strength +6 X: 2364 Y: 3105, Map area: Shadow Town (You can see it though a gate).
Description : Starting point is X: 2395, Y: 3056, in front of a tank. Goal is to access an elevator which is on a upper platform on your left, across the street. From the tank, jump to the beam, then a small tank, than another beam. Follow the beam along the wall. Jump to the pipe and follow another pipe to cross the street.
Head back on another pipe to finally access the platform where the elevator is.

5)Datacron Green GLOW (pressece +6), X:- Y:- Z:- . Planet Nar Shaddar Map area: Redlight District. Republic. Description The entry to this one is in a totally different place its actually located in a area called Gauntlet Gang Area you go here to do the 4man quest Blood sports. When you hit Cords X:3685 Y:-1521 Z:1341 You jump on the railing then up on a container. from container you jump up some cloth and run up on it to the walkway as you are there there should be some elevator looking door and one of them you can actually use. Get to Stripwalk i think it was called and when you exit the doors you should see the green glowing Datacron infront of you pick up and enjoy thanx to Jimmy/Indoria for tips.

6)Start in Duros Slum on Nar Shaddaar (Empire) at X:1618 Y:-3176 Z:-2682 Jump on the crates to the top then on the girders to the first platform. Then on the thing which looks like a roof to the 2nd platform. You’ll find an elevator, take it. Then on your left, close to the wall, jump on the edge and follow it, you should see the Datacron from here. Small jump to pass the corner. Jump on the other girder when you are above it.And finally, the hard jump to the final girder to the Datacron. Datacron Presence +6

Tatooine

1) Datacron (Aim +6), (Map cords broken at datacron actual location, but it is in The Dune Sea)

(Start cords: X,Y: (-726,862), Map: Jundland). Follow the path up though the Transport ship Crash site (Group Area). Hug the wall to your left until you get to an overview point of The Dune Sea. You will see some broken parts next to the edge (-1083,707). Looking over the edge you will see the datacron laying on rubble halfway down the mountain. Jump down and grab it.

2+3) Two Datacrons (+X stat and +X stat) X,Y (-3200, -637) – This is by fare the most time consuming one I have found. Have you seen the Jawa balloon flying around The Dune Sea? Jup, you need to board it fly to all the way around the map until you finally are above the Sand crawler with the datacron.

Then you just jump down and grab them! You board the Jawa Balloon at (-3168,774) the roof of another sand crawler. Then you just sit back and enjoy the ride and the scenery. It takes a while. 5 minutes to be exact. Enjoy!


4) Anchorhead, veritying now (Rep only)

5) Datacron (+6 Cunning) X:-403, Y:-3910 (on a roof). Description: To get up on the roof tops you started out at X:-684, Y:3877.

6) Tatooine

1480 ; 33
-1901 ; -634 (*2)
7)Tatooine: 624, 199 (Map area: Jundland?) To get there, jump of the cliffs at: 625,349 and take a long walk through the dungeon. Should give +6 Willpower I think.

Alderaan

1) In the northern part of alderaan(first empire area) there is a dam(ENE partof the map). You should be able to see the datacron really easy in the middle of the damn, just walk arround the damn and drop down from top. Was + str i think. (suspect this is empire only)

2) Middle map of alderaan(i.e. east of the palace with the endboss). In the middle of this map is a lake, and in this lake is an island with a +10 aim datacron. To get there you need to take the broken lift going there form the mountains. The jump to get on the lift can be tricky.

3)+6 presence loc : 1537 ; -280 You need to ride a Thranta, she will fly to her lair, where you find the holocron.

Thranta loc : 1187 ; -220 Maybe imp only because all thranta are tagged imp

4)Alderaan, Map: Kaamos Territory, Map Location: 2192, 380, -2019, Strength +10 Description: Jump down the damn from the top.

Balmorra (Republic)

1)Rep side, on Balmorra, there’s a datacron in the Colicoid Queen’s nest, behind the big Colicoid Sapper. I have no idea how to reach it as it’s behind a ledge.

I managed to pass the ledge and I got to the Datacron. I entered an area called The Maintenance Tunnels, the datacron itself gives +3 endurence.

It’s located: Cursor (over it) = -410, -292 / Player (next to it) = -446, -292 (height:-43).


Balmorra (Empire)

1) Southern map, in the SW is a warehouse. In the basement is a forcefield with 2 switches. Get 2 players to use the switches at the same time and you can reach the matrix

shard datacron behind it. Matrix shard: Gorinth Canyon, Neebray Warehouse

Coords: (-500, 2038), in the basement needs 2 players,…

2) Northern Area, the one with all the bugs. Leave the imperial camp heading east, crossing that lake. You should find a path leading into the mountains.

You will find a junk trader, buy the 5k credit key item form him. Head back to the imperial camp, go north and search the bridges there for a chest. With the key you can open it.

NOTE: It might be enough if one person buys the key. If you want to buy my key, send me a tell/mail.

3)Balmorran arms factory – Power center: (190,183)

It’s under the bridge with the shuttle on it. gives +4 cunning.

4)+ 4 Stat Bonus: Bugtown

Coords: chest(448,-335), vendor with key(736,-161)

Quesh

1) +10 end (1121,775), in a cave, entrance at (1346, 790)

2) +10 pre (1300, -135), to get there find the hole in the fence on the northern side

3)Datacron (Cunning +10), (X;Y): (1317;-140). Map area: Quesh (It is located within a fenced off area, and the entrance can be found on the northern side)

4) 555,163 Strength +4  get up and follow the wall round start at 461,147 (in live)
Hoth

1)On Hoth, on the far right side of Hoth, at one point Republic players will have to go to the wreck of the Star of Coruscant. In the area “Fore Section”, at the end of the big hangar you will find a very slow elevator that lifts you up to the highest level of the room where there are lots of containers, including some moving ones hanging from the ceiling.

You gotta jump from one moving container to another in a pretty hard path (if you miss a jump you gotta start again) and the containers move VERY slowly.

The Datacron itself gives +10 Cunning. It glows orange.There is no location there, the X/Y aren’t working. I can only give my personal location: X:3144, Y:-12, Z:475. EDIT: the upper level is considered to be in the general map of Hoth, I can give the location from the lower level. It’s cursor: 3214, 475. But very high up when you enter the room.

You hear the specific datacron sound when you enter the big hangar anyway.

Belsavis

1)Found one on Belsavis, Area The Tomb. Position(-1691;-2234), +10 Aim

Description: This on is inside a volcano. To the east of the volcano you can climb up onto the edge. From there you should be able to see a small transparent walkway running to the island with the datacron. If you want to exit without teleporting/dieing, there is a teleporter on the island that leads to a cave north of the imperial camp in the SW. So activate that one before you go there. Note that you need to finish the a quest to unlock the teleporters.

Voss

1) Near Voss-KA +10 WP. Very easy to reach. When you fly back from the east of the map to Voss-ka, the fly crosses a tunnel. If you are not AFK, at the end of the tunnel you can quickly see a vry bright light that seems to be a Datachron. And it’s one !

So once landed. Step back and try to get down jumping on the cliff rocks without dying. I’m not a mario hardcore and i did it ok on 1st trial.

If you have any edits or extra information please post it in our comments ad we will add it to this post! 

SWTOR Sith Warrior Full Companion List and Gifts

Sith Warriors will have to wait for their second companion to get a healer. Don't let this discourage you though! The first companion Vette, is at least mildly entertaining and brings decent ranged dps, making her a nice balance to a juggernaut specialization. While at first, I found myself disappointed I had a crazy blue chick following me around, I found myself loving how fast each enemy went down with her added dps next to my marauder. Looking ahead, I can't wait to play with Broonmark the Talz tank!

Check out the full list of Sith Warrior companions, including their gift preferences,here:

SWTOR Guilds Servers Are Out!

From SWTOR.com:

Member Of: Squad

Assigned to Server The Harbinger

Thank you for your participation in the Pre-Launch Guild Program. At this time, guilds can no longer be created or modified on the website.

If your guild qualified for deployment, it has already been imported into the game. Server assignments can be found by visiting your guild's homepage. If your guild did not meet the deployment requirements, your guild was not imported into the game. Guilds can be created in-game at the Imperial and Republic fleets.

All web support for guilds will be removed by 01.03.12, and we encourage you to save any important data you wish to keep before that time.

For more information, check the Guilds FAQ.

See you at launch!

The Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ Team

So if you looking for us in game please say hi! We will be taking new members in game too!

SWTOR Companion Gifts: An Explanation

From Swtorface: It's getting close to Christmas, the time of gift-giving. In SWTOR, the benefits reaped from giving gifts to your companions are immense. Not only do gifts grant extra reputation with your companions, and possibly unlock romantic interludes, but every new level you reach with your companion unlocks a series of very simple quests which are often just a conversation. These conversations can grant massive amounts of experience really fast. I found myself jumping through half a level in five minutes when unlocking a series of companion quests. There are multiple levels of gifts which grant multiple levels of companion reputation and you can either purchase these companion gifts from vendors in major cities or you can acquire them through crew missions from professions like Treasure Hunting. Make sure you give your companions the rights gifts though. Every companion has particular preferences. Some gifts will grant lots of reputation and others will grant no reputation at all. You will waste a gift if you give it to the wrong companion.

Read on