You finally made it past the Bilemaw. Your stims are low, Cal Kestis looks like he hasn't slept in three standard rotations, and then you see it. The Forest Array. It’s easily one of the most striking locations in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, but man, it’s a headache if you don’t know how the Koboh dust works. Most players expect a straightforward platforming section. Instead, Respawn gives us a giant, lethal puzzle box that basically demands you master the "Koboh Grinder" mechanic before you're actually ready for it.
The Forest Array isn't just a level. It's a gatekeeper.
Honestly, the first time I set foot in the Basalt Forest, I spent twenty minutes just trying to figure out why the floor was literally eating me. It’s that purple stuff—the Koboh Matter. If you touch it, you're dead. Well, not dead instantly, but your health bar melts faster than a snowball on Tatooine. The whole point of this zone is to reach the top of the central tower to find Dagan Gera, but the pathing is anything but linear. You've gotta manipulate these giant orb-projecting beams to burn away the gunk, and if you miss one small turn, you’ll end up looping back to the Meditation Point feeling like a total amateur.
Finding Your Way Through the Forest Array Without Losing Your Mind
The layout here is circular. That’s the first thing you need to realize. It’s designed to make you feel lost. You’ll start at the Forest Array Meditation Point, and your immediate goal is to get that first beam of light hitting the right spot. This isn't just "go here, kill that." It's about environmental manipulation. You’ll find these spheres—orbs—that you can Force Pull and throw into pedestals. When the beam fires, it clears a path through the Koboh Matter.
But here’s the kicker: the beam only clears a narrow straight line.
If you step six inches to the left, you’re back in the soup. You have to follow the "cleared" path exactly. It feels restrictive because it is. Respawn is teaching you a lesson here about precision that the rest of the game will eventually take for granted. You’ll encounter Mogu—those giant, terrifying space bears—and a whole lot of Rawka (the birds that charge at you like feathered missiles). Pro tip: Parry the Rawka. Don't try to dodge. If you dodge, they just circle back and hit you from the side.
The Problem With the Orb Puzzles
A lot of people get stuck at the section where you have to move the orb between two different pedestals to cross a gap. You’ll see a bridge that isn't fully formed. You have to grab the orb from the first pedestal, but as soon as you do, the beam turns off and the Matter starts closing back in. It’s a race.
You’ve got to be fast.
Throw the orb into the next pedestal across the way. If you’re too slow, Cal starts coughing, the screen goes grey, and you’re back at the start. It's frustrating. It’s meant to be. This area is the bridge between the "tutorial" feel of Coruscant and the "real" game that Jedi: Survivor becomes once the world opens up.
Dealing With the Mogu and Other Threats
Let’s talk about the Mogu. These things are absolute tanks. If you’re playing on Jedi Grandmaster difficulty, a Mogu in the Forest Array can one-shot you if you aren't careful with your parry timing. They have a grab attack that is notoriously difficult to dodge because the hitbox is slightly larger than the visual model suggests.
Wait for the red glow.
When they turn red, they’re doing an unblockable. Jump. Don't just dash—jump and air dash away. Using the Dual Blade stance here is actually pretty helpful because of the parry speed, though many players swear by the Crossguard stance for the raw damage. Honestly? Use whatever you’re comfortable with, but don't get greedy. Hit once or twice, then back off. The Forest Array doesn't have a lot of room for error when it comes to combat encounters because the terrain itself is trying to kill you.
The Rawkas are the real annoyance, though. You'll be trying to line up a jump over some Koboh Matter and—BAM—a space chicken hits you mid-air. It’s hilarious the first time. It’s infuriating the tenth time.
The High Republic Connection
Why is this place even here? If you pay attention to the Force Echoes and the Databank entries, the Forest Array is a remnant of the High Republic era. It was a research facility. Santari Khri and Dagan Gera were working on a way to cross the Abyss to reach Tanalorr. This isn't just fluff; it's the core of the entire plot.
The architecture is beautiful. White and gold everywhere, now overgrown with moss and choked by the purple dust. It’s a visual representation of Dagan’s fallen state. Pristine ambition turned into a literal toxic environment. When you finally reach the top and face Dagan Gera for the first time, the cinematic shift is incredible. You see a man who has been in stasis for centuries, and his immediate reaction isn't "thanks for saving me," it’s "where is my planet?"
Dagan is a mirror to Cal. Both are survivors. Both are obsessed with a goal. But Dagan let his obsession turn into a literal rot, much like the Koboh Matter choking the array.
Breaking Down the Dagan Gera Boss Fight
This is the first "real" lightsaber duel in the game. Dagan only has one arm, but don't let that fool you. He’s faster than he looks. He uses the Force to manipulate his saber in ways that defy standard combat patterns.
- Phase One: He's testing you. Keep the pressure on.
- The Red Attacks: He has a sweeping overhead strike that you need to side-step.
- Force Push: He’ll try to create distance. Use your dash to close it immediately.
You won't "win" this fight in the traditional sense. It's a story beat. But you need to survive long enough to trigger the cutscene. It sets the stakes for the rest of your journey across Koboh and Jedha.
Hidden Secrets You Probably Missed
Most people just rush through the Array to get to the boss, but there is a ton of loot hidden in the corners. There’s a specific Essence Crystal that increases your Max Force located off a side path near the giant "wing" of the array. You have to use the orb-beam to clear a path to a small climbing wall that looks like it leads nowhere.
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There's also a lot of Priorite Shards scattered around. If you’re trying to unlock all the hair styles or outfits from Doma’s shop, you need these. Check under the gratings. Check behind the fallen pillars. The Forest Array is dense.
Moving Forward After the Array
Once you finish the Forest Array, the game finally gives you the ability to use the winged creatures (Nekkos and Relters) more effectively, and you'll eventually get the Koboh Grinder upgrade for BD-1. Ironically, the Grinder makes the Array puzzles look like child's play, but you don't get it until after you’ve already struggled through the main climb.
That's classic Metroidvania design. Give the player a problem, make them suffer through it, then give them the tool that makes that problem irrelevant later on.
Actionable Steps for Your Playthrough
If you’re currently stuck or about to head into the Forest Array, do these things first:
- Rest at the Basalt Rift: Make sure your stims are upgraded. You should have at least 5 or 6 by this point if you've been exploring.
- Equip the Dexterity Perk: If you have it, it helps with the aerial movement which is constant in this zone.
- Focus on the Beams: Don't try to "platform" over the Koboh Matter. If there is purple gunk on the floor, there is a beam nearby that needs to be moved. Find the orb, find the pedestal.
- Mind the Birds: Seriously. Keep your block up when you hear that high-pitched screech.
- Look Up: The verticality is the key. If you can't find a path forward, look for a grapple point or a vine wall that you missed because you were too busy staring at the floor.
The Forest Array is a test of patience as much as it is a test of skill. Once you clear it, the world of Koboh opens up significantly, and you’ll find yourself coming back here later with new abilities to reach the chests you couldn't get to the first time. Take your time, enjoy the High Republic aesthetics, and don't let the Mogu catch you off guard. If you can handle the Array, you’re ready for the rest of what Jedi: Survivor has to throw at you.