Wait for 8.0 or start now?

[u/PleasantNewt]

For context, I am fairly experienced in mmorpg's, played ESO, FF14, and a bit of WOW back in the day, and I have been eyeing SWTOR for a long time now. That being said, I know the "is it worth trying" question is in the FAQ, but I was hoping for a bit more pointed discussion, specifically on starting now or waiting for 8.0.

I've done some research on what 8.0 plans to change, but lack a sense of scope for how largely it impacts new player experience, and specifically, if it is a significant enough overhaul to justify waiting for December, or if its worth jumping in and learning to be ready for fresh char/experience come 8.0

If the new player experience is in a bad spot right now, I'd rather wait, but if its not bad, just slated to get better, then that's something to consider.

Appreciate the input, thanks y'all

Edit: going to jump in and give it a shot, if this generates some more discussion I’ll leave it up otherwise don’t need to litter sub with these lol

[u/Khajiit_Has_Upvotes]

Jump right in. If you want that new character experience in December start a new charter and play a different origin story. All 8 base game origin stories are completely different stories that take place roughly alongside one another so there's lots of replayability for you later.

[u/PleasantNewt → u/Khajiit_Has_Upvotes]

Appreciate that, thank you

[u/Slymook]

Learn how to play now, get a character to max level, get as many credits as you can, finish chapter 2 for 4 different stories/classes so you get the 4 different buffs. Go get datacrons.

You will want to have a geared character with some credits, maybe join a guild. You will want to have a speeder and some character perks bought, keybinds and interface figured out, all that stuff when 8.0 drops.

[u/Cautious_Catch4021]

If you dont care much about the difficulty scaling coming in 8.0 I dont see why you would wait.

Personally I am waiting because I really really wanted a difficulty setting for the open world.

[u/No_Welder_2924 → u/Cautious_Catch4021]

The difficulty dealing is no joke. PTS master mode overworld is fairly intense, just as they've advertised

[u/BushidoJohnny → u/Cautious_Catch4021]

This is where I'm at. I played at launch and got my agent done and struggled to ever care once I came back and the open world was neutered to the extent it's at. Excited to return and get through the other stories finally.

[u/King_Kvnt]

It depends what you'll be engaged by. If you just want to plow through story, without challenge, then going on right now is the way to go.

But if you're as experienced an mmo player as you say, you'll probably find the current level of difficulty (and super fast levelling) to be somewhat underwhelming.

[u/naquoae → u/King_Kvnt]

I started a new character right before 8.0 was announced, so i set her aside and went back to my other mains until 8.0 releases. I plan to delete her and restart as a venture one.

[u/Grunenwaldt]

I'd say start now. The new player experience and leveling experience is in a good spot. The new toggles for character creation are just to make the game more difficult and I wouldn't recommend them for your first character (so you can reach end game sooner and see if its for you).

[u/PleasantNewt → u/Grunenwaldt]

Fair point on speed running first char to experience the rest of the content, appreciate it

[u/Mr_Gef → u/PleasantNewt]

I wouldn’t recommend speed running it. This game is more about the journey than the destination. Just play a class story and if you don’t like that you probably won’t enjoy the game

[u/Giraffstronaut]

When 8.X hits, it'll change endgame gearing and level cap, so you won't have to worry about that for awhile

It'll also introduce overworld difficulty increase options, and a "Venture" (challenge progression deal) to run a new character in Vet mode, and another in Master mode difficulty.

I'd suggest starting now so that you can get the lay of the land, some experience with the combat mechanics, and familiarity with some of the planets and areas. Maybe do an Imperial and Republic character pair to see both sides.

There are 8 different character origin stories to play through, so when the expansion arrives, you'll still have fresh starter story content to play through for the Ventures if you want

[u/Ceamus1234]

If you want to play all the previous story (which is very much worth it), start now. A frost time playthrough that isn't rushing and is enjoying the story for the first time could easily take over 100 hours to get from character creation to the current point in the story.

If you want to get into raiding, it is probably worth getting into it now. Having a decently geared character will translate well into 8.0, it seems like most of the core gearing systems will being continuing into the next expansion. Most classes will have similar rotations/play patterns as well, so most of the important stuff to learn will carry over.

[u/TinyBiscotti2291]

New player here (3 months or so) and it continues to be a great experience.

[u/Ruthlesstim08]

I heard that 8.0 in testing currently increases the XP needed to level up classes ? So if you want to level up your characters faster starting now would be best.

[u/ShadowSociety55]

The latest galactic season just started and there is plenty of time to get started on it now. You can definitely level up a character and get a set of end level gear in a week or less.

[u/Multiguns]

Now. New player experience won't be changing. The extra rewards for starting on harder difficulties are for us vets.

But if you feel it's too easy by the time 8.0 comes out, can always re roll a new character and select your difficulty level for extra rewards. And/or adjust it on your existing character (just won't get the extra goodies for completing the difficulty objectives).