Star Wars The Old Republic Best Characters – Top 10 Ranked by Lore

Star Wars The Old Republic (SWTOR) is an MMORPG set in the Star Wars universe thousands of years before the events of A New Hope, where players explore deep stories involving Jedi, Sith, and opposing factions.

With over a decade of development by BioWare, SWTOR has built a rich world featuring hundreds of diverse characters, from legendary heroes to formidable villains, each contributing to the lore of the Old Republic era.

These characters serve as more than just NPCs for gameplay; they form the core of complex storylines where players face moral choices that impact the entire narrative.

In this article, we rank the top 10 best characters based on the depth of their lore, influence on expansions like Legacy of the Sith, and popularity among fans through discussions on forums and Reddit.

The ranking goes from position 10 down to 1, with detailed analysis of each character’s role, backstory, and reasons for standing out in the broader Star Wars universe.

Top 10 Best Characters in Star Wars The Old Republic – Ranking from 10 to 1

Drawing from official developer blogs and community input, this ranking prioritizes characters with intricate lore, high player interaction through gameplay, and lasting impact on the game’s expansions.

Each entry includes an in-depth look at backstory, role in the storyline, and how they embody core themes like the balance between light and dark in the Force.

10. Vette – Charming Twi’lek Companion

Vette is one of the first companions players encounter as a Sith Warrior, a clever and witty Twi’lek captured as a slave on Korriban before becoming a loyal ally.

Her backstory originates from the harsh world of Ryloth, where she grew up amid criminal gangs, honing her sharpshooting skills and survival instincts that she brings into the Imperial storyline quests.

Vette’s role shines through her humorous dialogues, often mocking her Sith master’s arrogance, which provides emotional balance between darkness and levity, making her a favorite for new players.

In later storylines set during the Eternal Empire conflict, she joins covert missions with the player and their allies, evolving from a street thief into a brave fighter, with optional romance choices adding layers to the relationship.

Vette ranks at 10 because she represents cultural diversity in SWTOR, offering a rare non-Force user perspective in a universe dominated by Jedi and Sith, and she remains one of the most consistently beloved companions thanks to her lively personality and unwavering loyalty.

9. Jaesa Willsaam – Conflicted Force User

Jaesa Willsaam starts as a hidden Jedi Padawan, recruited by the Sith Warrior during the early arc on Balmorra, where players decide whether to turn her to the dark side or preserve her light side ideals.

Her backstory revolves around an internal struggle with Force alignment, stemming from a traditional Jedi family background but pulled into the Sith Empire’s turmoil, leading to quests that explore corruption and redemption.

Jaesa’s role in the Imperial storyline is pivotal, especially in later content where she can become a powerful ally or antagonist based on player choices, creating one of the game’s deepest moral dilemmas.

Her character development unfolds in cinematic cutscenes, with her performance conveying both pain and inner strength, setting her apart from companions focused solely on combat support.

She ranks at 9 for her subtle portrayal of SWTOR’s duality theme, influencing long-term player decisions, and she is frequently cited in fan discussions as one of the most memorable Force-sensitive companions, thanks to her emotionally charged redemption arc that few characters match.

8. Kira Carsen – Haunted Jedi Padawan

Kira Carsen serves as the companion to the Jedi Knight, a young Padawan harboring a dark secret: she is secretly one of the Children of the Emperor, her mind marked by the Sith Emperor’s influence since childhood, which drives her journey of self-discovery through quests on Tython and Coruscant.

Her backstory involves fleeing from Imperial agents, learning to conceal dark side influences, which adds complexity to her place in the Republic storyline.

Kira’s importance grows in later story arcs where she confronts her connection to the Emperor and returns to aid the player against his lingering threat, with romance and loyalty quests deepening the bond.

Her emotional moments, such as confessing the truth about her past in cutscenes, build tension between light side devotion and inner darkness, differing from traditional Jedi archetypes in Star Wars.

She ranks at 8 for her accessibility to new players through humor and combat prowess (dual-wielding lightsabers), while her lore depth enriches the Old Republic universe and keeps her a lasting fan favorite.

7. Darth Malgus – The Betrayer of the Empire

Darth Malgus stands as one of the most iconic Sith Lords, debuting in the 2011 Deceived trailer and serving as the main antagonist through expansions like Onslaught and key Flashpoints on Ilum.

His backstory traces back to the Great Galactic War, where he led the assault on the Coruscant Jedi Temple, with a past involving slavery and love for Eleena Daru adding rare humanity to a ruthless Sith.

Malgus’s role in SWTOR acts as a catalyst for Imperial civil war, particularly in his betrayal arc against the Empire Council, where he forges a New Sith Empire in Wild Space, challenging the Sith hierarchy.

His iconic cutscenes, like the duel with Satele Shan on the Jedi Temple steps, represent cinematic peaks in the game, with his intense delivery capturing both rage and visionary zeal.

He ranks at 7 not just as a powerful villain but for his profound Sith philosophy on evolution, influencing the entire Old Republic lore and tying into Star Wars novels.

Malgus often tops community discussions of favorite villains, sustained by his consistent presence over more than a decade of story content.

6. Satele Shan – Grand Master of the Jedi Order

Satele Shan leads the Jedi Council as Grand Master, granddaughter of Bastila Shan from Knights of the Old Republic, and a central figure in the Treaty of Coruscant arc as well as later expansions like Echoes of Oblivion.

Her backstory begins in her youth during the Great Galactic War, witnessing the Jedi Order’s fall and growing into a symbol of hope, with exceptional lightsaber skills and strong Force insight.

Satele mentors players as a Jedi Consular or Knight, guiding them through moral dilemmas in expansions like Rise of the Hutt Cartel, balancing peace and war.

Her evolution across later cinematics and story updates shows growth from young warrior to wise leader, with hints of a complicated past connection to Darth Malgus that further deepens her character.

She ranks at 6 for embodying Jedi resilience in chaos, with lore linking directly to the prequel era through family ties, enriching the Star Wars timeline.

Satele remains one of the most recognizable figures in the Old Republic era, her legacy resonating strongly among long-time Star Wars fans.

5. Lana Beniko – The Pragmatic Sith Advisor

Lana Beniko operates as a Sith Intelligence agent, first met in Forged Alliances and becoming a key companion in Knights of the Eternal Throne, evolving from loyal Sith to a central Eternal Alliance figure.

Her backstory stems from growing up in Kaas City, navigating Sith politics without full corruption, resulting in balanced diplomacy and deadly Force lightning abilities.

Lana bridges dark and light sides, aiding players in alliance-building choices during expansions like Onslaught, with romance options deepening ties and story branches.

Her standout moments, like the unity speech against Vitiate on Ziost, showcase a calm, analytical demeanor that still allows flashes of vulnerability, something uncommon among Sith leaders.

She ranks at 5 for illustrating redemption and pragmatism, highlighting SWTOR’s flexible companion system unlike the rigid alignments in many Star Wars stories.

Lana is widely regarded as one of the strongest companion characters in SWTOR, especially among players who enjoy morally complex dark-side allies.

4. Theron Shan – The Republic Spy Extraordinaire

Theron Shan, son of Satele Shan and Jace Malcom, excels as an SIS (Strategic Information Service) agent with top hacking and infiltration skills, appearing from Galactic Starfighter and becoming vital in Shadow of Revan.

His backstory includes a Jedi Order childhood but choosing a non-Force path, exploring identity through secret missions on Rishi and Yavin 4.

Theron provides comic relief and strategy, supporting players in espionage quests across expansions, with romance subplots adding emotional depth to Republic storylines.

His humor and loyalty, seen in dialogues with figures like Nico Okarr or Lana Beniko, distinguish him, especially in cinematic fights against Revan cultists.

He ranks at 4 for offering a human (non-Force) view in a Force-heavy universe, with depth from family legacy enriching broader Star Wars connections.

Theron has become a staple favorite among fans of espionage stories in Star Wars games, with many players citing his Nathema arc as a highlight.

3. Valkorion – The Immortal Emperor

Valkorion, truly Vitiate reborn, rules as Zakuul’s Emperor and primary antagonist in the Knights of the Fallen Empire/Eternal Throne duology, with lore centered on immortality and Force manipulation.

His backstory involves the Ziost ritual, sacrificing populations for god-like power, leading to family drama with children Arcann and Vaylin.

Valkorion puppets as a mastermind, invading the player’s mind through visions and choices, crafting an epic saga of empire-building and betrayal in expansions.

His throne room cutscenes represent narrative highs, with the voice performance conveying arrogance and the ancient wisdom of an eternal Sith.

He ranks at 3 for elevating SWTOR to a philosophical tale on power’s corruption, shaping all subsequent storylines.

Valkorion is frequently cited by players as one of SWTOR’s most compelling villains, often praised for his layered and unsettling presence.

2. Darth Marr – The Honorable Sith Lord

Darth Marr sits on the Dark Council as Shadow leader, evolving from ruthless enforcer to unlikely ally against Vitiate in Rise of the Hutt Cartel and Shadow of Revan.

His backstory roots in Sith warrior trials on Dromund Kaas, building a reputation through conquests and a philosophy of Empire unity.

Marr’s role marks a turning point in Imperial storylines, sacrificing to protect the galaxy from greater threats, with iconic duels against Revan and revelations showing rare Sith honor.

His calm, resonant presence adds depth to Marr, making him a symbol of pragmatic evil and earning player respect for the Sith side.

He ranks at 2 for capturing Sith code complexity, delivering strong emotional impact through sacrifice and linking lore to franchise themes.

Marr is often mentioned among players’ favorite non-playable characters, unforgettable in the impact he leaves on the Imperial narrative.

1. Revan – The Legendary Balanced Force User

Revan, the legend from Knights of the Old Republic, returns in SWTOR via Shadow of Revan as a mysterious figure with dual light/dark alignment.

His backstory spans the Mandalorian Wars, shifting from Jedi hero to Sith Lord then redemption, creating a legacy of free will and iconic mask influencing the Old Republic timeline.

Revan’s role drives major plot twists, with Yavin 4 quests exploring his cult and final confrontation offering emotional climaxes, allowing players to shape outcomes through choices.

His cutscenes, like the player duel, earn praise for epic visuals and a performance that conveys both tragedy and power.

Revan tops the ranking as the bridge between KOTOR and SWTOR, symbolizing moral ambiguity that defines the game, with unmatched lore depth.

He continues to be one of the most talked-about figures in the Old Republic era, remaining an icon through his appearances in games, novels, and comics.

What Makes SWTOR Characters So Appealing

The best characters in Star Wars: The Old Republic stand out due to BioWare’s deep writing, high-quality voice acting, and choice systems affecting outcomes, fostering rare personalization in MMORPGs.

Compared to franchise parts like the Visions anthology, SWTOR characters feature long-term arcs across expansions, with many fan discussions praising the way the game leans into moral gray areas, in contrast to more clear-cut heroes in the films.

Recent updates that modernize character models and cinematics help keep figures like Malgus and Revan engaging even years after launch, with tight lore integration into the broader universe.

Overall, they build emotional bonds beyond gameplay, establishing SWTOR as a key chapter in the Star Wars saga.

Cultural Impact of SWTOR Characters on Pop Culture Merch

The standout SWTOR characters extend beyond the game, inspiring fan art, cosplay, and pop culture products, such as the Star Wars graphic t-shirts collection, where motifs from Revan’s duality or Malgus’s mask appear in modern designs, letting fans express their passion for Old Republic lore in daily life.

For instance, lightsaber forms from Satele Shan or Sith symbols from Marr often feature in graphic prints, linking gaming to pop culture while preserving the original story’s essence.

Conclusion

This ranking of the best characters in Star Wars: The Old Republic highlights the game’s enduring lore vitality, from the legendary Revan to the honorable Marr, with legacies continuing to evolve through ongoing updates.

If you’re a fan, dive into the class stories for direct immersion, or find your favorite Star Wars graphic t-shirts here to incorporate these icons into your style.

SWTOR is more than a game; it’s an emotional chapter in the Star Wars universe, worth exploring in depth.