Playing a Cipher Agent in SWTOR is basically like being James Bond, but with a thermal detonator and a much gloomier HR department. You’re navigating a world of double-crosses, mind control, and bureaucratic nightmares. But honestly, the real reason most of us keep rolling new Agents isn’t just the story—it’s the weird, dysfunctional family that follows you around. Star Wars The Old Republic Imperial Agent companions aren’t just stat sticks; they are some of the most morally complex, frustrating, and fascinating characters BioWare ever penned.
It's a strange mix. You've got a literal bug-man, an anarchist with a grudge, and a brainwashed soldier.
If you’re looking for the "standard" BioWare experience where everyone just loves the hero and follows orders, you’re in the wrong class. The Agent's crew is a powder keg. Half of them probably want to kill you, and the other half are hiding secrets that could get you executed by the Sith. This isn't just a list of names; it's a breakdown of how these specific companions change the way you actually play the game.
The Monster in the Room: Kaliyo Djannis
Let's talk about Kaliyo. Most players have a love-hate relationship with her, leaning heavily toward the "hate" side when she starts blowing up your carefully laid plans. She is the first of the Star Wars The Old Republic Imperial Agent companions you meet on Hutta, and she sets the tone perfectly.
She is a rattlesnake.
Kaliyo doesn't care about the Empire. She doesn't care about the Republic. She barely cares about you unless you're making things explode or sticking it to the man. For a professional, cold, and calculated Agent, Kaliyo is a nightmare. She’s an anarchist who delights in chaos.
Why does she work? Because she challenges your character's loyalty. If you play a "Lawful Evil" Imperial loyalist, you will spend the entire game bickering with her. But if you play an Agent who is disillusioned with the Sith, Kaliyo becomes this weird, toxic mirror of your own rebellion. Pro tip: if you're trying to gain influence with her, don't be a suck-up to your superiors. She hates "The Man," even if you are the man.
Vector Hyllus and the Joiner Problem
Then you get Vector.
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Vector is... different. He’s a Joiner. This means he’s part of a Killik hive mind on Alderaan. When he talks, he says "we" instead of "I," which is creepy at first but weirdly charming after a few hours. Vector is the emotional heart of the crew, which is ironic considering he's half-bug.
While Kaliyo is all about destruction, Vector is about diplomacy and connection. He’s one of the few companions who actually seems to care about the Agent as a person. His romance arc is frequently cited by fans as one of the best in the game because it’s so genuinely tender, despite the whole "sharing a brain with millions of insects" thing.
If you need a break from the grit and the grime of Imperial intelligence, Vector is your guy. He brings a level of elegance and weird Bug-Zen to your ship that no one else can match. He also happens to be a beast with a polearm, making him a solid pick for gameplay if you’re a sniper who needs a front-line distraction.
SCORPIO: The Droid Who Might Kill You
SCORPIO is what happens when you give an AI a superiority complex and a chassis made of knives. You find her on Belsavis, and from the jump, she makes it clear that she is only with you because you are an interesting variable in her calculations.
She isn't like T7 or Vette. She doesn't have a "heart of gold."
SCORPIO is an ancient, highly evolved intelligence that views everyone else as primitive. In the broader SWTOR lore, SCORPIO becomes a massive player in the Knights of the Fallen Empire (KOTFE) and Knights of the Eternal Throne (KOTET) expansions. If you haven't played those yet, pay close attention to her dialogue in the base game. The seeds of her eventual evolution are all there.
She’s cold. She’s efficient. She’s terrifying. Using her as your primary companion feels like walking a tightrope. You’re never quite sure if she’s helping you win or just observing how you lose.
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Doctor Lokin: The Grandpa Who Is Also a Werewolf
Every team needs a doctor. Not every team has a doctor who was an Imperial Intelligence legend and can transform into a massive Rakghoul monster when things get hairy.
Doctor Lokin is basically the "Uncle" of the group. He’s seen it all. He knows where the bodies are buried because he’s the one who buried them—and probably performed the autopsy first. His dual nature makes him one of the most versatile Star Wars The Old Republic Imperial Agent companions from a narrative standpoint.
- In his human form, he's a brilliant scientist and spy.
- In his transformed state, he's a tank/DPS hybrid that shreds enemies.
Lokin represents the "Old Guard" of the Empire. He’s pragmatic. He doesn't have the fiery rebellion of Kaliyo or the alien detachment of Vector. He’s a man who has done terrible things for what he believed was the greater good, and now he just wants to survive the fallout. His insights into the Sith and the internal politics of the Empire are invaluable for players who actually care about the lore.
Ensign Temple: The True Believer
Finally, you get Raina Temple. She is the "normal" one, which makes her the weirdest person on your ship.
Temple is a loyalist. She believes in the Empire. She believes in the mission. In a crew full of monsters, bug-men, and anarchists, her straightforward devotion is almost jarring. But even Temple has a secret—she’s Force-sensitive in a society that usually kills or enslaves people like her if they aren't Sith.
She’s a tragic figure. She loves an Empire that would destroy her if it knew the truth. This creates a fascinating dynamic where the Agent has to protect her from the very system she serves. She’s a great companion for "Light Side" Imperial Agents who want to try and fix the system from within.
Making the Most of Your Crew
Choosing between these companions isn't just about who has the highest influence level. It's about who fits your Agent's philosophy. If you're a cutthroat operative who does whatever it takes, SCORPIO and Kaliyo will love you. If you're a secret Republic double-agent, Vector and Temple are your best bets for a moral compass.
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The game has changed a lot since 2011. Nowadays, any companion can fill any role (Tank, Healer, or DPS). This means you aren't forced to use Doctor Lokin just because you need heals. You can pick based on the story.
Actionable Strategy for Raising Influence
If you want to maximize your efficiency with these characters, stop guessing their likes.
- Kaliyo: Feed her Underworld Goods and Weaponry. She loves anything that facilitates a crime or a fight.
- Vector: Give him Cultural Artifacts. He’s a man of taste, even if his taste involves hive-minds.
- Lokin: He likes Luxury Goods and Technology. Think "refined scientist."
- Temple: Imperial Memorabilia is her jam. She’s a patriot.
- SCORPIO: Technology and Droid Parts. Obviously.
Don't forget to use the Legacy unlocks to increase the influence gained from gifts. It saves you a massive amount of credits in the long run. Also, pay attention to the dialogue choices during your class missions. Each companion reacts differently to your decisions. If you're about to make a choice that will upset your current companion, swap them out for someone else before you finish the conversation. It’s a bit of a meta-game trick, but it keeps your influence levels from tanking.
The Imperial Agent story is widely considered the best in SWTOR because it feels like a high-stakes spy thriller. Your companions are the supporting cast that makes that thriller feel real. They aren't perfect, and they aren't always likable, but they are exactly what a Cipher Agent needs: a crew of specialists who can handle the jobs no one else wants to touch.
To get the full experience, make sure you finish all their individual side quests before hitting the expansions. The context you gain from Lokin’s past or SCORPIO’s origins changes how you view the entire Star Wars galaxy. It turns the game from a simple "Good vs. Evil" story into something much more interesting.
The next time you're on your ship, the X-70B Phantom, take a second to actually talk to them. You might be surprised at what you find out.