You're standing on the bridge of the Fury, looking at a crew that honestly shouldn't work. One is a literal monster who eats people. Another is a brainwashed Padawan you probably spent hours corrupting. Then there's the guy who thinks he’s in charge of you despite your lightsaber. The Sith Warrior companions in SWTOR (Star Wars: The Old Republic) aren't just a pack of sidekicks; they're a volatile mix of trauma, ego, and sheer lethality. If you’re playing through the 1-50 class story or jumping into the expansions, knowing who to keep by your side isn’t just about the "meta"—it's about surviving the Emperor’s whims.
Choosing the right partner is weird. In the early days of the game, roles were locked. You had to use Quinn if you wanted heals. You had to use Broonmark if you needed a tank. Nowadays, anyone can do anything, which actually makes the decision harder because it becomes about personality, Influence levels, and hidden combat animations. Let’s get into the weeds of why this crew is arguably the most interesting—and most dysfunctional—family in the galaxy.
Vette: The Heart of the Sith Warrior Experience
Most players start their journey on Korriban thinking they’re going to be a stone-cold killer. Then you meet Vette. She’s a Twi'lek treasure hunter with a sarcastic streak a mile wide. Honestly, she’s the moral compass you didn’t ask for but probably need. If you’re playing a "Light Side" Warrior, she’s your best friend. If you’re "Dark Side," you’re probably spending a lot of time shocking her with that slave collar, which, let’s be real, feels pretty gross in 2026.
Vette is a dual-pistol damage dealer. In the current game state, dual-wielding companions often have a slight edge in damage per second (DPS) output because of how their abilities tick. She’s fantastic for clearing trash mobs while you’re leveling. But the real draw is her dialogue. She has some of the best lines in the game, especially when you’re dealing with stuffy Imperial officers.
One thing people forget? Vette’s backstory with Risha from the Smuggler storyline. It’s one of those cool "connected universe" moments BioWare baked in. If you haven't done her companion missions, you're missing out on some genuine character growth that isn't just "Yes, My Lord" over and over again.
Why Malavai Quinn is Both Necessary and Hated
We have to talk about Quinn. If you’ve played the Sith Warrior story, you know The Incident. If you haven't, I won’t spoil the specifics, but let's just say his loyalty is... complicated. For years, Quinn was the "Heal Bot." You couldn't survive high-level Heroics without him.
Now, even though any companion can heal, Quinn remains a solid choice because his ranged animations are snappy. He stays out of the way. There’s nothing more annoying than a melee healer like Jaesa getting stuck in an AoE (Area of Effect) circle and dying. Quinn stays back, shoots his little blaster, and keeps your health bar green.
But man, is he stiff. He’s the embodiment of the Imperial military machine. Some people love the "loyalty above all" vibe. Others want to throw him out of the airlock. Interestingly, if you’re a female Warrior, the romance path with him is one of the most polarizing in the entire MMO. It’s a slow burn that ends in a bonfire.
Jaesa Willsaam: The Two Sides of the Coin
Jaesa is unique. Depending on your choices during the Act 1 finale on Hutta, she either stays a Light Side Jedi or becomes a raving, bloodthirsty Dark Side apprentice. There is no middle ground.
Dark Side Jaesa is basically a horror movie villain. She’s obsessed with killing, she’s obsessed with you, and she’s genuinely unsettling. She’s a melee DPS powerhouse. Because she uses a double-bladed lightsaber, her animations are flashy, though melee companions often struggle with pathfinding on certain terrain.
Light Side Jaesa is... well, she’s a bit of a bore compared to her Dark counterpart, but she offers a unique "mole inside the Sith" dynamic.
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"I can sense their true nature, Master."
She says this constantly. It’s her whole gimmick. If you’re looking for raw efficiency, Jaesa is great for 1v1 boss fights where her high-damage single-target skills can shine. Just be prepared for the constant "edgelord" comments if you go the Dark route.
The Forgotten Crew: Pierce and Broonmark
Lt. Pierce is the "bro" of the ship. He’s a spec-ops soldier who hates the bureaucracy of the Empire. He’s a tank by design, and honestly, he’s great for immersion if you’re doing planetary missions that feel like a war zone. He doesn't have the complex emotional arc of Vette or the betrayal potential of Quinn, but he’s reliable. He also has a very specific requirement for recruitment in later expansions (the Knights of the Fallen Empire era) involving PvP, which drives some players crazy.
Then there’s Broonmark.
The Talz. The monster.
Most people leave Broonmark on the ship. He’s a melee tank who talks in growls and wants to kill literally everyone. There isn't much nuance here. However, if you are doing a "kill everything" Dark Side run, Broonmark is the only one who won't judge you. In fact, he’ll probably ask for seconds. He’s a niche pick, but his high health pool makes him a decent meat shield if you’re a squishy Marauder.
Making the Choice: Influence and Efficiency
So, who do you actually use?
In 2026, the game is heavily skewed toward Influence levels. A level 50 Influence Vette will always outperform a level 10 Quinn, regardless of their "role."
If you want the absolute smoothest experience:
- Use Vette for general questing. Her dual pistols hit multiple targets quickly.
- Use Quinn for difficult solo bosses. He stays at range and is less likely to stand in fire.
- Use Jaesa if you want to feel like a Sith Master with an apprentice.
One trick many veterans use is the "Companion Gift" grind. You can buy heaps of Grade 1 gifts from the vendor on the Fleet to get your favorite companion to Influence level 20 or 30 very cheaply. After that, the scaling gets expensive. It’s worth dumping those credits into Vette or Quinn early on.
What Most People Get Wrong About Sith Warrior Companions
A common misconception is that you need to match your alignment to your companion. You don't. You can be a Light Side Warrior with a Dark Side Jaesa. It leads to some hilarious dialogue where you're trying to be a diplomat and she’s trying to decapitate everyone in the room. The game doesn't punish you for this; in fact, the "disapproval" points you get from companions no longer lower their effectiveness like they did in the 2011 launch version. It only affects how fast you gain Influence.
Also, don't ignore their gear. While gear stats don't matter for companions anymore (it's all cosmetic), giving them a distinct look helps you keep track of them in busy fights.
Actionable Strategy for Your Next Session
If you’re currently leveling a Warrior, stop swapping between all five companions. You’re spreading your Influence gains too thin.
- Pick One Primary: Choose either Vette (for DPS) or Quinn (for Heals) and stick with them until they hit Influence level 30.
- The Fleet Vendor: Spend about 200,000 credits on the "Cultural Artifact" or "Underworld Goodies" gifts (check what they like first!) to boost them instantly.
- The Ship Droid: Don't forget 2V-R8. He’s annoying, sure, but he can be your healer if you've managed to make every other companion hate you. He's actually surprisingly decent in the current patch.
- Master the Passive Toggle: If your companion (especially melee ones like Jaesa) is standing in a boss's "red circle," hit the passive button (Ctrl+4 by default) to pull them to you, then toggle it off. It’ll save you more than any healing ability ever could.
The Sith Warrior has the most cohesive "team" feel in the game. It’s a power trip, a soap opera, and a tactical puzzle all in one. Whether you’re leaning into the Light or drowning in the Dark, your crew is what makes the journey from an acolyte to a member of the Dark Council actually feel earned.
Next Steps for Players: Check your current Influence levels in the 'N' menu. If your highest companion is under level 20, head to the Galactic Trade Market (GTM) or the Fleet companion gift vendor immediately. A higher Influence level directly boosts their Presence stat, which increases their health, damage, and healing output exponentially. It’s the single biggest upgrade you can get for your solo play.