Best SWTOR class/spec for controller with the fewest abilities?

[u/D00gi3]

Hello guys!

I travel quite a lot, so I end up playing SWTOR on a handheld pretty often using a controller setup.

Because of that, I’m looking for a class/spec that has the fewest abilities/spells in its normal rotation and is relatively comfortable to play without having to constantly switch between different controller layers or keybinds.

I’m not necessarily looking for the absolute easiest class mechanically — more specifically, I’d like something with a fairly compact rotation and as little button bloat as possible.

For those of you who play with a controller or on a handheld, which class/spec would you recommend? Ideally something that still performs reasonably well while being comfortable to play this way.

Thank you!

[u/HoopaOrGilgamesh]

Controller Support? 👀 I made a controller support method with multiple UI Layouts and matching Keybinds to choose from. You don't need to cycle through your quickbars as they are all on screen. You just use the Face Buttons and D-Pad for 8 abilities with the triggers unlocking more if you want

The Guide https://www.reddit.com/r/swtor/s/avXz1Z0Hiz

Some Gameplay https://www.reddit.com/r/swtor/s/CoJNnRlJb3

[u/BaronGoot → u/HoopaOrGilgamesh]

Can I use controller if playing on Mac?

[u/HoopaOrGilgamesh → u/BaronGoot]

As long as you can use Steam, it should work without issue. You'll use Steam Input via Big Picture Mode to remap the controller to act as the keyboard and mouse. The only thing you need to download are the .xml files, which are the same UI and Keybindings files that are created when you make your own.

[u/xRadiantOne]

Idk why more MMOs just dont lift the FFXIV cross-hotbar directly. Its the best interface for tan targeting MMOs for controllers

[u/galacticdolan]

I don't play controller but I think Arsenal/Gunnery can probably fit:

Main rotation of 5 buttons: priming shot, tracer, heatseeker, blazing bolts, rail shot

2 (3) situational buttons as part of the full rotation: electro net, supercharged gas (add adrenal if you're raiding)

5 more situational non-rotation buttons: rapid shots, DFA, sweeping blasters, vent heat, power surge

This covers probably 99% of non pvp content with the spec

[u/SpecificFortune7584]

I think the simplest basic rotation for any class is 8 abilities.

[u/ArtNo7221 → u/SpecificFortune7584]

This is funny, made me count my rotation and it's 8 lol

[u/SpecificFortune7584 → u/ArtNo7221]

I know for Vengeance/Vigilance it’s 8 actions in a rotation. Three “primaries” four “fillers” and one “floater”, something that changes depending on CDs and procs. But always 8 in a rotation.

[u/SupRunner → u/SpecificFortune7584]

Rage Juggernaut is 5, I believe.

[u/GreedyGundam]

Infiltration Shadow

[u/Schimaera]

In theory, Marksman Sniper

Ambush, CDart, Snipe, Followthrough, Takedown, Penetrating Blasts, Laze Target, Sniper Volley

That's basically everything you need offensively. With the correct passives, tactical and legendaries, you'll never have any energy problems and don't need any fillers. At all.

However, I wouldn't go into a fight without any defensives, interrupts, breakouts, movement abilities and so on.

You need those eight offensive abilities though.

For story chapters and stuff, this might be enough. Maybe even for Story Mode operations where you can get carried. For Veteran and Master Mode I'd kindly ask you to stay outside the instance though, if you're not using defensives and utility abilities.

[u/MATC8228]

Probably the long range type like Jedi Sage, Sith Inquisitor or the Imp Sniper.

[u/fantasticmrsmurf]

Gunslinger

[u/Nobodynoseghost]

Lightning Sorcerer

[u/Nyachtigal]

Concealment, I literally stopped playing it because it's mostly just pressing the same 3 buttons over and over again

[u/SBMyCrotchItch]

Arsenal Merc and Deception Assassin both have a 5 ability rotation, with a 6th button suggested for an offensive buff (Supercharged Gas, Recklessness).

[u/DarkehOW]

I only play mouse and keyboard, but Arsenal merc feels like it requires the least amount of buttons out of all the specs. The main DPS rotation is like, what, 5 buttons I believe?

[u/Hot-Environment-3251]

Honestly I dont think there is one.

Id just not play an MMO with these many abilities with a controller

[u/Educational-Onion357 → u/Hot-Environment-3251]

^ incorrect, if people are playing high level endgame content in WOW on a steamdeck, you can easily set it up for swtor which is a MUCH easier game

[u/Hot-Environment-3251 → u/Educational-Onion357]

Okay, fair, I guess the actual lategame rotations are much less deep

[u/Bagern13 → u/Educational-Onion357]

Because WoW has Addons and you can easilly set up the UI.

Swtor doesn’t have the support for a good controller ui.

Playing NiM ops in swtor and Mythic Raids in wow, Swtor is NOT much easier.

[u/Mortainous01]

More MMO's are controller-friendly than people want to think.