New Challenge - Playing Star Wars KotOR 2 using BLASTERS ONLY

[VonRayzor]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6KjiD-nhdw

Howdy folks, I am Razor Zelkren Teverek announcing a new challenge: completing Knights of the Old Republic II using BLASTERS ONLY. That means no vibroblades, no lightsabers, and absolutely NO FORCE POWERS. In between my friendly banter, I will offer my experiences and discuss strategy in regards to my favorite videogame. Check out the general description for the series below, as well as the video description – or just simply watch the video!

I will not create spam on this discussion board by posting every single video in this series, I will only post those critical moments, so be sure to subscribe to my channel to get all of the gravy between each of my Steam postings.

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Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords has made a profound impact on my life – shaping how I think and influencing how I view the world. Without a doubt, KotOR II has earned its place as my favorite videogame of all-time, and perhaps more significantly as my favorite work of media of all-time. Now that I own competent hardware and possess effective software, I can share my perspectives, experiences, and knowledge of the wonderful game with you. But I am not going to simply create another KotOR 2 Let’s Play and upload it to YouTube, hundreds have already done that (and some quite horribly). Instead, I extend my hand and invite you to join me in playing this game, at the most challenging difficulty settings, using BLASTERS ONLY. Yes, this means I have placed several limitations on my offensive capabilities: no vibroblades, no grenades, no mines, and absolutely no force powers (offensive and defensive).

The only time these restrictions will be uplifted are those scenarios where a non-blaster utility provides the only means to advance in the story, and in those few cases I will uphold my integrity of adhering to blasters only to the furthest extent of my abilities.

Other than those few and far between instances, all characters in my party will only use blaster pistols, blaster rifles, heavy blasters, and the Ebon Hawk’s blaster cannon.

This will certainly be the most exciting experience on the CotoCompany YouTube Channel to date, and I am pleased to have you all along for the ride!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6KjiD-nhdw

[Lastcampy]

Good Idea, maybe i can try something like this on my next replay game instead of the ame Jedi Guardian xD

[Hassat Hunter]

http://www.lparchive.org/Knights-of-the-Old-Republic-II

[A Really Hoopy Frood]

Oh please, I played KotOR 1 with only blasters and even defeated Darth Malak with two blaster pistols! KotOR 1 didn't even really have the feats to make blaster play all that viable like KotOR 2 did. What on Earth makes this play through at all impressive-

"and absolutely NO FORCE POWERS."

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥. You are a god amongst men if make it all the way.

[VonRayzor]

Originally posted by Hassat Hunter:

http://www.lparchive.org/Knights-of-the-Old-Republic-II

Eh he seems to rely on a lot of force powers which I find boring.

If I wanted to I could run around with a 40 wisdom Sith Lord and just Insanity/Force Lightning/Force Crush everything to death while wearing a speedo and mining laser and call it good too I guess.

Nah, no force powers (or nades, or mines, or flamethrowers) allowed in my adventure.

[[TAW] Derisat Hartfelt]

not really an acheivement
http://steamcommunity.com/app/208580/discussions/0/541906989407782809/

My blaster build uses heavy armor, which limits force powers, and allows you to go solo.

Heavy Armor, Dual blaster, no melee, limited force power use, solo. My favorite build, made it years ago, updated it for this release

[[TAW] Derisat Hartfelt]

Blaster Jedi (Guardian - Watchman/Assassin)- Dual wields blaster pistols (or a blaster rifle)to take down enemies, can wear robes or armor according to your preference, this changes your point allocation and gear, see the above section for different armor for different stats.
MIN STR, HIGH DEX, MED CON, LOW INT, MED/HIGH WIS

This is not an STR character, it doesn't help his hit or dmg at all, you can leave it at 8, or take it to 10 and only swap out for STR gear for any parts wear you're forced to fight unarmed or in melee.
If you're going in robes, you will be grabbing + WIS gear to use with battle precognition, it also improves WILL SAVES. As a guaridna you will have very low skills early on, you have to make do until the perstige class is chosen.

Start as a Jedi Guardian!
Blasters have tons of feats to make them viable and good vs jedi, but the problem is, it's TONS OF FEATS to get, and some are exclusive
Weapon Specialization Blaster Pistol and/or Blaster Rifle
Precise Shot I to V
Close Combat I and II

The specializations are only under the jedi guardian, you need the classes high feat gain to get these, with specialization coming first, close combat, you'll grab the precise shots, then rapid shots (the prestige class does not get Close Combat feats).
This will also get you up to medium armor, if you want to play an armored character, i suggest medium armor for Blaster jedi's not going with robes, Sith Armor properly modded is awesome at 10 Armor, 7 Max Dex, +3 dex, and 5/- physical resist
take a close look at disruptors and sonic weapons, most suck but there are a few that are great, and they bypass shields/dmg reduction. with weapon mods you'll get plenty of energy dmg, so don't be afraid to branch out.

Prestige Class Watchman/Assassin
You'll be getting more skill points, make sure to add some to stealth since you'll be getting force camoflauge, you can stealth with the force. if you want to set up ambushes for solo play, get improved stealth speed as well, NOTE that using force powers de stealths you BUT you can use stims and stay stealthed, the DEX stims add to your movement speed
You'll also get sneak attacks, while the dmg from attacks in stealth mode are few, the damage also procs against paralyzed and Stunned opponents, Force Stasis and Force Wave when successful do either of those, letting all your attacks get the sneak dmg bonus (When master Rapid Shot with 2 pistols/ and Knights Speed, hits a stunned opponent thats 6 attacks that get sneak dmg per hit (8 attacks in a certain light saber form) crazy stuff. the buffs add another attack per weapon, hence the dual wield. a rifle would only get 4/5 attacks fully buffed.
I'd also suggest taking some demolition and awareness. Awareness is used TONS in conversations and for spotting mines, demolitions for recovering or laying mines for stealthed ambushes against large groups/foes.

That's the basics of how to make a solid blaster build. the rest you can figure out for your own style..
In summary
Jedi Guardian >Watchman/Assassin
Starting stats recommended:
ROBES
10 STR, 16 DEX, 14 CON, 12 INT, 14 WIS, 10 CHA
1Security, 1 Awareness, 1 Demolition, 4 Persuade
Weapon Focus: Blaster Pistol

ARMOR (Advanced player)
8STR, 16DEX, 16 CON, 12 INT, 12 WIS, 10 CHA
1Security, 1 Awareness, 1 Demolition, 4 Persuade
Weapon Focus: Blaster Pistol

make sure to grab weapon specialization ASAP followed by Close Combat, then grab precise Shot when ever you can (you may only be able to get precise shot III, since IV needs level 16, and V needs level 20.
Master Rapid Shot will be your default attack since it has no negatives.
Force power suggestion
Force Wave -stuns+dmg
Destroy Droid-stuns +dmg
Force Deflection-reflects blasters without a lightsaber
Force Confusion-Huge range, can delay some bosses to allow you setup mines and stealth, can convert enemies as a distraction
Beast Confusion-Huge range, can delay some bosses to allow you setup mines and stealth, can convert enemies as a distraction

[Daddy Fuzzbottom]

I don't even feel like you need a guide for building a blaster character. Just basic understanding of what affects ranged weapons dmg & hit in the game.

[Kaigen]

If you're going low/no force powers, I recommend a DS Guardian/Marauder build. The bonus damage from DS mastery from those applies to pistols, as does the Marauder's Increased Combat Damage feat. Heavy armor with the right upgrades (Flexible Underlay, Bonded Plates) can get you more base defense than Robes + High Dex alone, or you can go for mitigation (Ballistic Shielding, Armorweave Underlay).

Sneak Attack is more damage overall, but if you aren't using Force Powers, it's going to be tricky to consistently incapacitate enemies for Sneak Attack anyway. Likewise, you can get more defense with robes + Dex + Force Speed/Armor, but without buffs, heavy armor will be better.

[VonRayzor]

A lot of great discussion is happening here! When I get home in a few hours I will respond to each of you --- I just need a little time.

In the meantime, I am going to post a link here, instead of making a new thread for the video, to Part 3: My First Blaster. I'll do that instead of making a new thread just to keep this discussion condensed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDAK4JVvTbs

Video Description:

You always remember your first…

…or so I am told anyway.

Your first blaster that is! Welcome back to the KotOR 2 Blasters Only Playthrough, I am Razor Zelkren Teverek, and after two parts and a prologue, the Jedi Exile finally acquires their first usable weapon.

My first was an advanced mining laser.

Yeah, it’s not that great… but it makes blasting through the mining tunnels of Peragus II a breeze. No four legged droid will dare to stand in my way now!

[/end]

I'll respond to the rest of you when I am next able to.

[Lawsongames]

would be almost impossible without force powers or playing on easy

[VonRayzor]

Originally posted by The Notorious Lawschin.:

would be almost impossible without force powers or playing on easy

Challenge accepted.

[VonRayzor]

Since I am going to be responding to comments in this thread, here are parts four and five of the series!

Part 4: Obtuse HK Droid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmBLLBosduk

Hmm, I have never seen these new HK Protocol Droids before, they sure seem friendly! Not dangerous at all!

But they are certainly invasive and block-headed.

Part 5: Space Walk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uG1cklJk9c

In part five of the Blasters Only Playthrough (#BlastersOnly on Twitter), we venture outside the safe haven of Peragus II into SPAAAAAACE (cue Wheatley whizzing across the screen). In the meantime, we discover Atton does not pay much attention to his surrounding and are introduced to Mr. Sleeps-With-Vibroblades.

[VonRayzor]

Originally posted by Kaigen:

If you're going low/no force powers, I recommend a DS Guardian/Marauder build. The bonus damage from DS mastery from those applies to pistols, as does the Marauder's Increased Combat Damage feat. Heavy armor with the right upgrades (Flexible Underlay, Bonded Plates) can get you more base defense than Robes + High Dex alone, or you can go for mitigation (Ballistic Shielding, Armorweave Underlay).

Sneak Attack is more damage overall, but if you aren't using Force Powers, it's going to be tricky to consistently incapacitate enemies for Sneak Attack anyway. Likewise, you can get more defense with robes + Dex + Force Speed/Armor, but without buffs, heavy armor will be better.

Yeah with this I am taking a slightly unorthodox approach.

Jedi Guardian versus Jedi Sentinel is a good debate for this playthrough, but I decided to roll with Sentinel for one key reason: I believe the immunities (sentinel) are worth more than the +1 attack (guardian).

I thought about going for the Sneak Attack feat through the Jedi Watchman, but I decided that I would not be able to utilize it enough to make it a worthy investment. After all, I cannot force stasis everyone in this playthrough. As such, the additional two-handed fighting perks available through the Jedi Weaponmaster make for the better choice. Going darkside would probably be better for my chances, but I am going to bank on being able to get enough other stats to make up for it.

In regards to armor, I cannot find enough benefits from Heavy Armor to justify its use and feat-point allocation. Dexterity is critical and I cannot afford to be wasting armor mods on making armor feasible, especially when I can get upgrades which will make me immune to energy-sabers.

Great discussion here!

[Kaigen]

For LS, I actually like the Sentinel lead-in better, as you can get specialization from an Advanced Combat Implant, and Guardians and Sentinels have the same number of feats from levels 4-15, when you're taking your ranged combat feats. The extra skills points more than make up for the slight decrease in VP, especially if you can't rely on Force Valor to buff your skill modifiers.

As far as heavy armor goes, the Max Dex on armor only caps its contribution to Defense, not your attack bonus. And while the best Robes in the game supply +2 Dex, with a Flexible Underlay you can get +3 out of heavy armor. Felenar Armor with a Flexible Underlay V has 11 Defense with +7 Max Dex. You'll need quite a lot of Dexterity to get 18 defense out of robes, and you can further improve the armor with Bonded Plates IV for an extra 3 Defense and DR 5/- Physical, or Energy Shielding.

That said, it's a feat-hungry build, and you won't find Felenar Armor until much later in the game (if at all), so it's easily something you can put off until you have your important feats taken. It's a more useful route on the Guardian lead-in, as you start with Medium armor proficiency and have those extra feats at levels 2 and 3 that you can't spend on anything crucial to the build.

[VonRayzor]

Originally posted by Kaigen:

For LS, I actually like the Sentinel lead-in better, as you can get specialization from an Advanced Combat Implant, and Guardians and Sentinels have the same number of feats from levels 4-15, when you're taking your ranged combat feats. The extra skills points more than make up for the slight decrease in VP, especially if you can't rely on Force Valor to buff your skill modifiers.

As far as heavy armor goes, the Max Dex on armor only caps its contribution to Defense, not your attack bonus. And while the best Robes in the game supply +2 Dex, with a Flexible Underlay you can get +3 out of heavy armor. Felenar Armor with a Flexible Underlay V has 11 Defense with +7 Max Dex. You'll need quite a lot of Dexterity to get 18 defense out of robes, and you can further improve the armor with Bonded Plates IV for an extra 3 Defense and DR 5/- Physical, or Energy Shielding.

That said, it's a feat-hungry build, and you won't find Felenar Armor until much later in the game (if at all), so it's easily something you can put off until you have your important feats taken. It's a more useful route on the Guardian lead-in, as you start with Medium armor proficiency and have those extra feats at levels 2 and 3 that you can't spend on anything crucial to the build.

There is for sure some really good heavy armor, but like you said, I probably won't run into it until later in the game. I guess I will just have to wait to see if I want to bother with heavy armor.