RELATED: What To Expect In Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic 2’S Restored Content DLC On Switch
KOTOR 2 crafts another party made of new and returning faces. While these guys aren’t as memorable on a surface level, they ultimately prove more nuanced than their predecessors. This is largely thanks to the stronger writing, but it also comes down to the deeper development. Many of these new party members can train in the Force to become Jedi or Sith. Considering where each of them starts out, this creates character arcs more radical and engaging than most in the role-playing market.
Updated on August 9th, 2022 by Hodey Johns: “Best” is always going to be somewhat subjective. For example, nobody is lukewarm on HK-47. They either love his hilarious sarcasm and proclivity to start fights or find him one-dimensional and evil. Therefore, opinion will play a large role in how this list shakes out. But it is not the only factor. KOTOR 2, after all, involves fighting and combat. Those are practical and can be measured. Once again, opinion does play a small part as some characters will have different demands. Each character’s section has a detailed chart that lays out the statistical advantages of using the companion in a fight.
12 T3-M4
This little R2-D2 knockoff fulfills the same function he did in the first game. Specifically, he splices into security systems and gets the group through locked doors. This also means he has the same weaknesses in combat as blasters are not particularly effective
The script admirably tries to compensate for this through narrative intervals. Certain solo sections give T3 a chance to come through for the rest of the crew, but these don’t have the intended impact due to his continued shortage of personality. It’s odd he was kept in the sequel as he’s part of the games that haven’t aged well.
11 Hanharr
This bounty hunter only joins players who align with the Dark Side. Not to say all Wookiees look alike, but Hanharr is basically Zaalbar from the first game but without the honor or depth. The developers must have taken his Dark Side allegiance as an excuse to make him a one-note beast.
On the upside, this walking carpet does come in handy as a fighter. In fact, he’s about as sturdy as his predecessor, but that toughness is undermined by the story here. Unless one of the many outstanding mods can give him force abilities, he’s nothing compared to force-wielding tanks.
10 Mira
Hanharr’s rival joins the Light Side players. Mira’s demolition skills make her similar to Mission Vao of the previous title. She can navigate minefields and rain down widespread destruction on enemies, and she does it arguably better than her predecessor. What’s more, is that her training as a Jedi later makes her equally enticing as a melee fighter. It’s just a shame she’s not as engaging as Mission.
Mira’s character seems recycled from other Star Wars archetypes. She’s a bounty hunter with seemingly no scruples about turning people in for a quick buck; fans have seen it countless times. Over the course of this long game, she becomes a bit predictable.
9 G0-T0
He may look like an Imperial interrogation droid, but G0-T0 is actually a crime lord. He’s the mind behind the shadowy Exchange, and he reluctantly helps the heroes here. That’s tricky when he doesn’t believe in the Republic as a system. He prizes efficiency above all and doesn’t let little things like ethics get in the way. That’s why it’s so amusing to see him bother others on the Ebon Hawk.
RELATED: KOTOR 2’s Sith Triumvirate Better Reflects the Dark Side Than the Skywalker Saga’s Rule of Two
It’s also why it’s no surprise that he prefers machines to organics. G0-T0’s specialty is scrambling droids. However, that only comes into play during certain situations. When fighting non-mechanized opponents, his utility is limited. He’s a throwback from another Star Wars era and that may make players sentimental, but games aren’t won based on sentimentality.
8 Mandalore
Another familiar face returns, but this one hides behind a helmet. Fans, though, will recognize the voice of Mandalorian merc Canderous Ordo. Thankfully, he’s a bit more interesting here due to the mystery and his goal of restoring his people. Perhaps the player’s noble leadership rubbed off on him in the last game.
He couples this with the same prowess with heavy weaponry and stat battle boosts. Fans who are worried that the years have made him soft can rest easy, as they’ll need him for some of the tougher melee foes this time around. Basically, he’s improved where needed and maintains what wasn’t broken. While others are breaking new ground with the force, Mandalore is sticking to the lifestyle he’s always known.
7 Bao-Dur
This bionic boy has some novelty right off the bat: he’s a Tech Specialist, a class new to the sequel. His little droid friend can misdirect, sabotage, or outflank enemies, and his mechanical expertise is a great help in crafting and customization. His physical strength, on the other hand, leaves much to be desired. Bao-Dur endures little damage before going down and taking his toys with him. The Jedi training amends this somewhat, but it’s tough to justify his presence in the field before that.
Usually, when he’s in a party, it’s because he has access to some of the best skills in the game. That counts for something regardless of his weaker combat capabilities.
6 HK-47
The final returning character is another droid. Like with T3, HK-47 sports the same pluses and minuses he did originally. The additional downside, though, is that players won’t require his translation skills like before, so they likely won’t add him to their party often.
The game tries to build some mystery regarding his memory banks and what happened to his previous master, but it feels superfluous since players already know he was Revan’s droid. Even so, if players absolutely insist on bringing along a droid, he’s one of the strongest droids in the Star Wars universe.
5 Mical
This party member is exclusive to the female protagonist, latching onto her like a lost puppy. Mical began his Jedi learning but never made it to apprenticeship due to the war. His book smarts make him a valuable source of info and mean he’s the easiest to train as a Jedi.
RELATED: Star Wars Video Game Characters Who Could Take Darth Vader in a Fight
Meeting the player gives him newfound confidence. Throughout the journey, he organically displays an increasing initiative. You can’t help but root for the guy to fulfill his ambition. It’s a good thing, too, since his combat skills otherwise are nothing to speak of. Like other characters that fall to the dark side, his reasons have lots to do with leadership.
4 Brianna
The other Jedi novice only joins up with the male protagonist. Players meet her at the rundown Jedi Academy. Despite the place’s sorry state, she and the other handmaidens are fiercely loyal to their master, Atris. It borders on indoctrination, giving her a naivete that you can’t help but pity. The best thing for her is to see the galaxy and interact with the player and the other denizens. Confronting Atris later creates a worthwhile yet tragic arc, as Brianna must face the fact that her master has lost her way.
Another benefit to the handmaiden’s company is the combat training she imparts to players. Brianna wields her staff with skill and grace worthy of a warrior. She’s definitely among the more capable melee fighters early on, a strength amplified by Jedi training. Like Mical, prior knowledge gives her a leg up in this area. It’s arguably more impactful here since she and the player teach each other. She’s definitely one of the best companions available.
3 Visas Marr
Visas suffers a similar upbringing to Brianna, but it’s taken to a greater extreme. She’s enthralled by Darth Nihilus, one of the most intimidating and intriguing villains in the Star Wars saga. Through their interactions with Marr, players learn the depths of terror that he instills. However, Visas also learns of a life beyond servitude. Her fear never goes away, but journeying with you gives her new courage. Confronting her master thus feels like a rite of passage akin to Brianna and Atris’ battle. The light and dark side struggle in the game impacts her as much as any other companion.
Of course, it’s easy to see why Nihilus picked her as his assassin. Her lightsaber skills make her deadly close-up, and she can use the Force to extend her range through guided throws. That’s not all, though. On top of seeing through walls, she has access to countless Dark Side moves. Chief among these is draining one’s life force. It’s the same suffering that Nihilus regularly inflicts on her. You can bet he’s regretting that.
2 Atton Rand
Atton might seem like the discount Carth Onasi at first glance. His smart-aleck attitude and penchant for blasters only cement that impression. Granted, that’s no bad thing during shootouts, but the past eventually comes out. Rand soon reveals he’s a much darker character than meets the eye. What’s more striking is that he wants to redeem himself. He initially seems like a one-dimensional goof, but the journey from cold-blooded killer to loyal Jedi is the most fleshed-out in the game.
The fact that he’s a strong ally both before and after this training would be enough, but he has other talents, too. His unscrupulous past means he can splice into computers nearly as well as a droid. Most beneficial is his resistance to mind-melting moves like Force Fear and Force Stun. He’s not the strongest Jedi ever, but he’s a powerful ally.
1 Kreia
The player’s mysterious mentor defies the traditional binary nature of Star Wars, even more than a Gray Jedi. Kreia remains strictly in the middle of the moral spectrum throughout the whole game. She can master both Light and Dark Side powers, making her more widely useful than most other Jedi. True, some characters can be better fighters or more adept at certain abilities, but Kreia’s malleability is just too good to pass up.
That malleability is matched only by her enigmatic nature. Conversations with her turn the entire saga on its head. She’s always the wisest in the room, but that wisdom doesn’t always translate to the traditional definition of “good.” As a result, players always feel uneasy yet oddly drawn to her.
The only thing more impactful than the mystery is her eventual reveal. Kreia hates the Force. It has a will of its own and controls the galaxy as it sees fit, not caring about those who die in the process. Thus, her Machiavellian plan is to destroy it. On top of the thematic resonance of rebelling against divine influence, this is such a breath of fresh air in what’s often a morally simple series. She’s one of the most powerful Sith Lords, though she’d hate being labeled that way.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 is available now for PC, macOS, Linux, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.
MORE: How the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Games Fit on the Timeline
