A few months ago, we mentioned that gamers tired of playing generic RPG hero archetypes in MMORPGs would be pleased to discover that Bioware had announced that the Bounty Hunter will be a playable character class in their upcoming MMORPG that is to be set in the Star Wars universe.
The latest new class to be announced by Bioware is the Trooper class.
Bioware Press Release:
“Honor, Duty, Defense of the Republic
Not all heroes carry Lightsabers. Some just have the will to fight.
For decades, the armed forces of the Galactic Republic defended their civilization against the seemingly unstoppable Sith Empire. Despite countless setbacks, the men and women of the Republic military never backed down until the Senate ordered them to do so. These brave souls remain ready and willing to lay their lives on the line today.
In the wake of the Treaty of Coruscant, the Republic military has begun recruiting from within its own ranks, creating cutting-edge Special Forces squads for the inevitable day when the war with the Sith Empire begins anew. These advanced strike teams are comprised of only the most talented and disciplined soldiers—a new breed of elite Republic Troopers.
These Troopers are the embodiment of the Republic military’s highest aspirations—the most advanced fighting force in the galaxy. They are equipped to face any foe in any environment, but it’s not their gear that makes them tough—it’s their guts. The Troopers’ greatest weapons are their indomitable spirit, their unwavering sense of duty and their undying loyalty to each other and to the ideals that the Republic represents. In this age, the stakes have never been higher. The Republic must win or face extinction. The fate of the galaxy rests upon ordinary men becoming extraordinary heroes. This is the path of the Republic Trooper.
Relations with the Jedi
The Knights of the Jedi Order have defended the Republic for generations, but they have not fought alone. A host of unsung heroes have marched at the Jedi’s side—common men courageous enough to enlist and face the same risks as their Jedi comrades despite not having access to the Jedi powers of protection. These heroes have not gone unappreciated by the Jedi. The men and women of the Republic military are accorded complete respect and admiration by the Order and by the Republic’s political leaders.
In the years since the Treaty of Coruscant, the Jedi have withdrawn in significant numbers to their homeworld of Tython. Their presence in the Republic military, though still significant, is not what it was during the war. In many ways, the Republic’s newly-trained elite Troopers have stepped up to take charge of the Republic’s defenses. When Troopers are partnered with the Jedi, they are a force to be reckoned with on any battlefield.”
The Trooper is a member of the Republic’s military forces, and is traditionally known to work in small squads. However, for the sake of the MMO, the Trooper will be adapted so that solo venturing is viable. Troopers will use armor, explosives and ranged weapons.
We can’t wait to see how Troopers match up against Jedis in SW:TOR, if its anything like the movies then the Trooper class is not likely to be a particularly popular one.



