SWTOR has tons of gear, and it’s easy to get lost figuring out what is the most beneficial. Since we’re all limited on time and resources (and tech fragments), here’s a quick guide to the current best in slot (BiS) tactical to get you started.
This article has been updated for 7.1
Impact of Tacticals #
It’s important to note that many tacticals have an impact on rotation. For most disciplines, which tactical is best is situational and relies upon your skill with your class, the content you’re doing, how many enemies you’re dealing with, and the kind of damage you’re liable to take. Not all disciplines have a single target and AoE tactical. The tacticals listed below are considered the overall best in class.
For detailed discussions on how these tacticals impact rotation and what situations they are ideal in, refer to class guides.
A Note on Tanks #
Unlike most roles and disciplines, tanks, more than any other role, will find use for swapping between tacticals from fight to fight to deal with the unique mechanics of a given encounter. This is particularly more so relevant to Assassin/Shadow tanks, but has some viability with Guardian/Juggernaut and Vanguard/Powertech tanks. Be sure to understand the damage profile of a given encounter when you modify your gear setup.
Guardian / Juggernaut #
| Role | Discipline | Tactical |
|---|---|---|
| Tank | Defense / Immortal | Preferred General Purpose: 1. Grit Teeth (Craft with Biochem) Alternative General Purpose: 2. Hord’s Makashi Strike AoE/Adds: 1. Leviathan’s Hide |
| DPS | Vigilance / Vengeance | Single-Target: 1. Hemophilic Slash AoE: 1. Cut to Pieces |
| DPS | Focus / Rage | General Purpose: 1. Cauterized Coronary |
Sentinel / Marauder #
| Role | Discipline | Tactical |
|---|---|---|
| DPS | Combat / Carnage | Single-Target: 1. Shard of Mortis |
| DPS | Watchman / Annihilation | General Purpose: 1. Spiteful Saber Possible AoE Alternative: 1. Malmourral Mask |
| DPS | Concentration / Fury | Single-Target: 1. Cauterized Coronary Possible AoE Alternative: 1. Enrage Crush |
Sage / Sorcerer #
| Role | Discipline | Tactical |
|---|---|---|
| Heal | Seer / Corruption | General Purpose: 1. One for All Single-Target Smart Heal (Requires Volt Rush): 1. Metaphysical Mender AoE (Option for large groups): 1. All for One |
| DPS | Telekinetics / Lightning | Single-Target: 1. Stormwatch AoE: 1. Elemental Convection Alternative (PVP): 1. Eyrin’s Haste |
| DPS | Balance / Madness | Single-Target: 1. Tempest of Rho |
Shadow / Assassin #
| Role | Discipline | Tactical |
|---|---|---|
| Tank | Kinetic Combat / Darkness | General Purpose: 1. Shroud of a Shadow 2. Life Warden Utility: 1. Two Cloaks Raid Protection: 1. Friend of the Force |
| DPS | Infiltration / Deception | Single-Target: 1. The Awakened Flame (for traditional build) 2. Blade of the Elements (if prioritizing Reaping Slash; less popular as of 7.1.1) AoE: 1. May Cause Injury |
| DPS | Serenity / Hatred | General Purpose: 1. Two Time Trouble 2. Quick Escalation (expect minor DPS loss for survivability) |
Scoundrel / Operative #
| Role | Discipline | Tactical |
|---|---|---|
| Heal | Sawbones / Medicine | Single-Target: 1. Diagnostics Probe 2. Critical Surgery AoE: 1. Regenerative Waves |
| DPS | Scrapper / Concealment | Single-Target: 1. Acid Lash AoE (if absolutely required): 1. Explosive Cells |
| DPS | Ruffian / Lethality | Single-Target: 1. Synox Shots AoE (if absolutely required): 1. Viral Elements |
Gunslinger / Sniper #
| Role | Discipline | Tactical |
|---|---|---|
| DPS | Sharpshooter / Marksmanship | Single-Target: 1. Agitating Energies AoE: 1. Refraction Point |
| DPS | Saboteur / Engineering | Single-Target: 1. Ruthless Interrogation AoE: 1. MG-2 Polygrade Dispersal Caps Alternative (PVP): 1. TO-RO Ionic Discharge |
| DPS | Dirty Fighting / Virulence | Single-Target: 1. Exploited Weakness AoE (if absolutely required): 1. Airborne Agents |
Commando / Mercenary #
| Role | Discipline | Tactical |
|---|---|---|
| Heal | Combat Medic / Bodyguard | Single-Target: 1. SC-4 Treatment Scanner Alternative: 1. Running Restoration |
| DPS | Gunnery / Arsenal | Single-Target: 1. Primed Ignition |
| DPS | Assault Specialist / Innovative Ordinance | Single-Target: 1. Energized Charges AoE: 1. Continuous Fire |
Vanguard / Powertech #
| Role | Discipline | Tactical |
|---|---|---|
| Tank | Shield Specialist / Shield Tech | General: 1. Thermal Screen AoE/Adds (to increase DPS): 1. Superheated Fuel Alternative (Adds only): 1. Oil Fire |
| DPS | Tactics / Advanced Prototype | Single-Target: Slightly contentious, but Overwhelming Offense may stand in. Else, any tactical that helps with heat management. The tactical released with 7.1.1 is not recommended. AoE: 1. Flame Detonation |
| DPS | Plasmatech / Pyrotech | General Purpose: 1. Superheated Fuel |
