You're standing on the bridge of the Harbinger. It's quiet. Too quiet. If you’ve played Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, you know that feeling of dread. It isn't just the Sith Assassins lurking in the shadows; it’s the crushing weight of your own choices. Most people looking for a Knights of the Old Republic 2 walkthrough just want to know how to get off Peragus without losing their mind or which lightsaber crystal does the most damage. But they're missing the point. This game is a broken masterpiece, literally. Released in a rushed state back in 2004 by Obsidian Entertainment, it’s a philosophical deconstruction of the Force that requires more than just a map to navigate. You need to understand the "Influence" system, or you're barely playing half the game.
Seriously.
If you don't talk to Kreia the right way, or if you ignore Atton’s shady past, you’re locking yourself out of the best narrative content in RPG history. Most guides tell you to go to Nar Shaddaa first. That’s fine. It's solid advice because you get your lightsaber parts faster there. But honestly? If you go to Dantooine first, the story beats feel more cohesive for a Light Side run. It’s about the flow.
The Peragus Problem and How to Survive It
Peragus is the "tutorial" level that everyone hates. It’s lonely, clinical, and goes on for about an hour too long. If you’re following a Knights of the Old Republic 2 walkthrough specifically to escape this mining facility, focus on the droids. Use your "Destroy Droid" powers early if you’re a Consular. If you're a Guardian, just bash things. But the real trick to Peragus isn't the combat; it's the computer consoles.
Invest in Skills.
In the first game, skills like Repair and Computer Use were kinda secondary to hitting things with a glowing stick. In KOTOR 2, they are everything. You can fix droids to fight for you, download area maps, and—most importantly—unlock dialogue options that change how the crew views you. Don't sleep on the "Skills over Combat" build in the early game. You’ll thank me when you’re crafting the best upgrades at a workbench later on.
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Why Your Influence With Companions Actually Matters
This is where most players mess up. They treat their crew like pack mules. In KOTOR 2, your companions are the key to your power. Through the Influence system, you can actually train most of your crew—Atton, Bao-Dur, Mira, even Handmaiden or Disciple—to become Jedi or Sith.
Think about that.
A full party of Force users. But you can’t just give them a gift and call it a day like in Dragon Age. You have to watch your actions. If you have Kreia in your party and you do something "nice" like giving a beggar credits, she will verbally dismantle your worldview. She’ll explain how that one act of kindness might lead to that man being murdered for those credits, creating a ripple of suffering. To gain Influence with her, you don't have to be evil; you have to be pragmatic.
If you want to turn Atton into a Sentinel, you need to gain enough Influence by being "street smart" and then take him to the Refugee Sector on Nar Shaddaa. There’s a specific trigger involving two NPCs who recognize him. If you haven't talked to him enough on the Ebon Hawk before this, the quest won't fire. It's finicky. It's annoying. It's brilliant.
The Best Planet Order for a Smooth Run
- Peragus/Telos: You don't have a choice here. Just get through it.
- Nar Shaddaa: Do this first. You need your lightsaber. The "Fassa’s Freighters" puzzle is a pain, but the rewards are worth it. Plus, you pick up Mira (or Hanharr if you're edgy) and G0-T0.
- Dantooine: Finish your lightsaber here if you didn't on the moon. The Kinrath cave has crystals that bond to you. These crystals level up as you do. They are, hands down, the best items in the game.
- Onderon/Dxun: This is a two-part mission. You’ll do the first half, get kicked off, and have to come back later.
- Korriban: Save this for last. It’s short, spooky, and has a level-scaling cave that will wreck you if you're under-leveled.
The Restored Content Mod: A Non-Negotiable Requirement
If you are playing on PC or mobile and you aren't using The Sith Lords Restored Content Mod (TSLRCM), stop. Seriously. Close the game.
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Obsidian was forced to cut a massive chunk of the ending to meet a holiday release deadline. This resulted in a finale that originally felt like a confusing, disjointed mess. The modders at DeadlyStream spent years digging through the game files to find the voice lines and scripts that were left on the cutting room floor. They restored the HK-47 factory mission, the proper ending sequences for your companions on Malachor V, and countless bug fixes. Without it, your Knights of the Old Republic 2 walkthrough ends in a way that feels like a slap in the face. With it, the game becomes a 10/10 masterpiece.
On the Nintendo Switch version, this was famously promised and then cancelled, leading to a lot of heartbreak. If you're on console, you're playing the "vanilla" version. It’s still good, but you’ll notice the cracks in the final act.
Combat Mechanics: Breaking the Game With Math
Want to feel like a god? Go Weapon Master or Marauder for your Prestige Class at level 15.
The feat "Master Speed" combined with "Master Power Attack" or "Master Flurry" is essentially a "delete" button for enemies. Because of how the game calculates extra attacks, you can end up swinging your lightsaber four or five times in a single round. If you have a high Strength or Dexterity (with the Finesse feat), nothing—not even Darth Nihilus—will stand in your way for more than two rounds.
For the Force-focused players, Force Storm is the king. It’s the ultimate "I win" button for room clearance. Even if you're a Light Side Jedi, the penalty for using Dark Side powers is negligible once you have a high enough Charisma stat. Charisma reduces the "alignment penalty" for using powers of the opposite alignment. So, feel free to drop some lightning as a Jedi Master. No one is judging. Well, Kreia is, but she judges everything.
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Essential Workbench Upgrades
The workbench is where the real power is hidden. Don't just slap a "plus 1 damage" lens on your saber. You want to aim for:
- Ultimate Diatium Cell: Massive damage boost.
- Expert Fencing Lens: Better defense and attack.
- Pontite Crystal: This is rare, but if you find it, it’s the gold standard for damage.
You need a high Repair skill to get the best components when breaking down items. I usually keep Bao-Dur or T3-M4 around just for this. They are your mobile crafting stations.
The Philosophy of the Exile
Unlike the first game, which was a classic "Good vs. Evil" Star Wars romp, KOTOR 2 is about the gray areas. Your character, the Exile, was the only person to walk away from the Jedi Civil War and give up their connection to the Force.
The game asks: Are you a monster for leaving, or are you the only sane person in a galaxy of addicts?
Every time you follow a Knights of the Old Republic 2 walkthrough, keep that in mind. The "correct" answer in dialogue isn't always the one that gives you Light Side points. Sometimes, the most "Jedi" thing to do is to walk away. The game rewards you for being consistent in your philosophy. If you flip-flop, you’ll never reach the maximum or minimum Influence levels needed to unlock your companions' secret backstories.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Playthrough
- Download TSLRCM: If you’re on a platform that supports it, do not play without the Restored Content Mod.
- Prioritize Skills Early: Get your Intelligence to 14 or 16 at character creation. Skills are more important than raw combat stats in the first 10 hours.
- Talk to Everyone: After every major plot point, do a lap around the Ebon Hawk. Talk to your crew. T3-M4 has upgrades hidden behind Repair/Computer checks. Atton has a past you need to uncover.
- Watch Your Alignment: Pick a side (Light or Dark) and stick to it until you hit your Prestige Class at level 15. You need to be heavily aligned one way or the other for the game to offer you the advanced classes from Kreia.
- Save Often: This is an old game. It crashes. It glitches. Keep multiple save slots. Don't rely on autosave.
The beauty of this game isn't in the destination—it’s in the messy, complicated, and often frustrating journey through the ruins of the Old Republic. Whether you're hunting down the last of the Jedi Masters or trying to rebuild the Order, the choices you make on the Ebon Hawk will resonate long after the credits roll.
Key Milestones to Track
- Level 15: Talk to Kreia immediately to pick your Prestige Class.
- Lightsaber: You need a Color Crystal, a Cell, a Lens, and an Emitter. Once you have one of each, talk to Bao-Dur.
- The Cave on Dantooine: Do not skip the "Vision" quest in the back of the Enclave sub-level. It’s one of the most important narrative moments in the game.
By focusing on these specific mechanics and narrative triggers, you'll find that Knights of the Old Republic 2 is a much deeper experience than its predecessor, even if it is a bit rough around the edges. Prepare for a story that doesn't just want you to play it, but wants you to think about why you're playing it in the first place.