Question about Star Wars: The Old Republic F2P

[Johnny Novgorod]

I've recently started playing SWTOR the F2P way on a recommendation. Before I get any more hooked on the game I wanted to ask The Escapist crowd exactly how are F2P gamers "impaired" by a lack of subscription. So far the game's pop-up tutorials have been clear about how you don't get access to Cartel Coins, you can't use the mail system, there's a cooldown to messaging, you gain EXP really slowly Lvl 10+... I'm cool with all of these. I wanted to know, are there more significant impairments that might pop up later in the game? Something that might render the game "impossible"? What's the level cap? Is it possible to at least finish the main storyline on F2P?

Captcha: cold turkey.

Oh boy...

 

[BigOrteil]

F2P players have a credit cap (I don't remember exactly but around 200k). They can't go in flashpoint (dungeon) and Warzones (Battleground) without ticket bought from the cartel market. They can't equip a purple item without an authorization. They have limitations on professions and companions if I remember correctly...

I highly suggest to consider the F2P as a trial and buy yourself a subscription if you like the game.

 

[Sixcess]

The level cap is 50, soon to be 55 when the expansion comes out, and you can finish the main story on F2P. If you're playing casually, for the story, then you shouldn't feel too restricted.

The only downside I've noticed is that the reduced rate of XP gain means you really can't afford to skip any of the non-story missions, including the bonus "defeat 10..." ones. If you do you'll quickly find yourself underlevel for later worlds. Related to that, if you're playing through more than one class per faction you're going to be doing a lot of the same missions over on each character, as about 75% of the missions are not part of the individual class storylines.

 

[Karoshi]

you gain EXP really slowly Lvl 10+... I'm cool with all of these. I wanted to know, are there more significant impairments that might pop up later in the game? Something that might render the game "impossible"?

It fully possible to complete the story lines without paying a dime. A big warning though: Don't take the slow experience gain lightly.

You will always be lagging behind the quests experience wise and sometimes it's gonna be absolutely impossible or frustrating to progress because you are a couple levels too low. I highly recommend doing ALL the group quests and sometimes grinding dungeons. Otherwise, you will fall behind.

They can't go in flashpoint (dungeon) and Warzones (Battleground) without ticket bought from the cartel market.

These limitations only apply at level cap, don't they? I used to be able to do as many dungeons as I liked and had the possibility of doing 5 warzones per week.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

I've recently started playing SWTOR the F2P way on a recommendation. Before I get any more hooked on the game I wanted to ask The Escapist crowd exactly how are F2P gamers "impaired" by a lack of subscription. So far the game's pop-up tutorials have been clear about how you don't get access to Cartel Coins, you can't use the mail system, there's a cooldown to messaging, you gain EXP really slowly Lvl 10+... I'm cool with all of these. I wanted to know, are there more significant impairments that might pop up later in the game? Something that might render the game "impossible"? What's the level cap? Is it possible to at least finish the main storyline on F2P?

Captcha: cold turkey.

Oh boy...

I believe loot from quest rewards is also reduced, along with experience. I recall something along the lines of "This is the loot you COULD be enjoying, with a purchase of Cartel Coins!".

Fewer hot bars as well.

Seriously the most odious FTP model of all time.

 

[Bertylicious]

There's also the travel; sub payers get to fast travel once every 30 mins rather than 2 hours, get a fleet pass that allows fast travel to fleet station every 12 hours and get "sprint" from level 1.

It was that last one that really clinched it for me, though the craft skills thing was also pretty important as only having 1 skill means you basically cannot craft.

All that said though; the xp penalty (which concerned me tremndously initially) may not have been that big of a deal as I now find myself overleveled when I reach a new planet. Then again I keep loads of characters and swap between them to make the most of rested XP and crafting.

Also F2P don't get rested XP, forgot that one.

 

[Peleandros]

Yeah the crafting thing was the "nope" issue for me. I have a lot of time invested in crafting and leveling crafting skills. I wasn't going to dump a skill from each of my minions just so I didn't have to pay a subscription fee.

I may come back to SWTOR someday, but if I do it will be as a paying subscriber, unless they change their methods.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

The level cap is 50, soon to be 55 when the expansion comes out, and you can finish the main story on F2P. If you're playing casually, for the story, then you shouldn't feel too restricted.

The only downside I've noticed is that the reduced rate of XP gain means you really can't afford to skip any of the non-story missions, including the bonus "defeat 10..." ones. If you do you'll quickly find yourself underlevel for later worlds. Related to that, if you're playing through more than one class per faction you're going to be doing a lot of the same missions over on each character, as about 75% of the missions are not part of the individual class storylines.

So what you're saying is it is possible to reach the endgame with a Lvl 50 character? I'm OK with the reduced XP rate, I like grinding.

F2P Players have a credit cap, and a weekly limit to Flashpoint and Warzone Access (No Operation Access) that can be extended with weekly passes. Purple-Quality items cannot be equipped without a purchased authorization, 2 character limit (like many F2O MMO's), limited access to the "Revive right where you died" function, and some have said reduced experience.

I will give them this, though. At least the things you are offered to buy off the Cartel Market actually DO something. One thing I always found obnoxious is when a game thinks I'm stupid enough to buy skin packs and vanity items for real money.

Then again, it's all a moot point for me. I've had a free subscription since launch.

Hmm well I was mostly worried that I wouldn't be able to finish the game, or that at some point storyline missions would be for paying clients only. I don't mind if I don't get to enjoy some bonus aspects, so long as they remain bonus aspects.

 

[DazZ.]

Best F2P model for an MMO I've seen yet is Tera, all you're really locked out of from that is cosmetics, a crate system like TF2 and extra character slots and bank tabs.

The Old Republic seems too limiting for me, whereas I've happily given money to LoL and plan to with Tera if it holds my attention long enough.

 

[Coffeejack]

The F2P model of this particular MMO has been described as "miserly". There are about 7 or so races to choose from with each start, but you are locked down to 1 or 2 as a non-paying player. Flashpoint events are apparently limited to 1 a day, there is an XP limit, a credit limit, you are actually given mission rewards you cannot use unless you pay for them (pick 1 of 3 rewards, but it doesn't matter, you can't use any of them). Everything seems to stink of corporate greed and desperation.

 

[Irridium]

Personally, I'd recommend buying some cartel coins (like $5 worth) and buying something off the market. That way you become a preferred member. Not a bad place to be. Get a bit more stuff than a F2P player.

Here's a list [http://www.swtor.com/support/helpcenter/6817] of what they get. If it seems like stuff you'd like, go for it. If not, then just keep enjoying yourself.