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Wednesday 30 September 2009

Recommended Links

There are many great video makers of KOTOR on YouTube. I list a few whom I highly recommend:

padawanmage71

Attention to details, that's what I love about his videos. My utmost favorite is his Dark Side Endings of KOTOR. He is now working on Mass Effect walkthrough, another epic game by Bioware.

TehPrincessJ

If I'm a kitten, she's a true princess! Her ideas are awesome, and I'm sure you'll be entertained endlessly by her videos. You can also watch various TSL cut contents.

Kevinsocal2k6

His KOTOR movies are simply brilliant. After all, playing KOTOR is like a watching extended Star Wars movie. Make sure to subscribe, so you won't miss his next episode!

JediShemL

Do you play on the PC version? Then you should check out his channel - he is a maestro of KOTOR mods. He knows KOTOR inside out, and shows lots of hidden tips of KOTOR.


Thursday 4 June 2009

KOTOR: What's the best order of the planets?


After you find the first Star Map on Dantooine, you are free to go anywhere on the Ebon Hawk and you may wonder which planet you should visit next. The truth is, you can visit any planets you like.

Also you don't have to finish each planet as you visit ('finish' means do everything available and find the Star Map). You can read more about it in "Skip One Star Map" section below.

A. Basic Order

Here, I list the ideal order of the planets to minimize your journey & maximize your XP & outcomes.

(it's the basic order of planets, but if you're doing side quests, you need to revisit the same planet. I explain how you can plan integrating with other quests in "C. Intergalactic Quests" section below)

1. Tatooine

It's a good place to start after Dantooine, because you get Krayt Dragon Pearl for your lightsaber which will help your journey. Also you can finish Bastila's Mother Quest, and start Mission's Brother Quest (read more about NPC Quest here).

You'll receive a secret message from Hulas (Genoharadan Quest) who awaits for you on Manaan. If you start Mission's Brother Quest, you'll have to travel to Kashyyyk. So coming here first will save you at least one or two trips.

2. Kashyyyk

I'd say Kashyyyk next, so you can fetch Jolee before you travel to Manaan, where his Quest awaits.

While you are here, you will also collect Tach Gland for Griff (Mission's Brother Quest).

3. Manaan

If you bring Jolee here, you can trigger Sunry Murder Case Quest. Also you'll meet Hulas of Genoharadan if you received the invitation on other planet.

To finish the game at high Level, you can't afford to miss Genoharadan Quests, which will give you over 7500xp and superior Genoharadan equipment. Each task will give you DS points, but it's a small price to pay (in my LS walkthrough, I did Genoharadan Quest & still finished the game as the Lightest Jedi).

4. Korriban

I recommend Korriban as the last planet. It's the home of the Sith after all, so you want to be at comfortable level as Jedi - there is nothing worse than being humiliated as a weakling by the Sith Students!


B. Skip one Star Map

You'll be taken to the Leviathan after finding 4th Star Maps (including Dantooine's 1st Star Map). But the Leviathan is one of the hardest place in the game, and you want to be as high level as possible.

So if you skip one Star Map, you are still safe from the Leviathan, until you visit all five planets & gain more XP. You can read how to boost your XP here.

You may note that if you take Kashyyyk Star Map after the Leviathan, you'll get a different outcome. Usually, you'll have to take the Evaluation test which will give you LS or DS points.


C. Intergalactic Quests

Some Side-Quests are intergalactic and require you to travel different planets. Namely:

- NPC Quests
- Strange Stowaway
- Trouble with Gizka (unless you poison them)
- Genoharadan (6 tasks)
- Unfinished Business (Mysterious Box)

Strange Stowaway & Genoharadan (Zuulan) must be completed before the Leviathan, because you won't be able to visit Dantooine afterward.

Here is how I planned the order of planets along with Intergalactic Quests, by bundling them as much as possible.

[Light Side]

1) Dantooine (1st Star Map)
[Trigger] Mission's Brother 1 2

2) Tatooine (2nd Star Map)
[Trigger] Strange Stowaway
[Trigger] Trouble with Gizka
[Ongoing] Mission's Brother 1 2 3
[Trigger] Finding Dustil (Carth)

3) Kashyyyk
[Ongoing] Finding Dustil (Carth)
[Ongoing] Mission's Brother

4) Manaan (3rd Star Map)
[Complete] Trouble with Gizka
[Trigger] Genoharadan (finish Lorgal & Ithorak here)
[Trigger] Jagi's Challenge (Canderous)
[Trigger] Threat from Xor (Juhani)

5) Tatooine
[Complete] Jagi's Challenge (Canderous)
[Ongoing] Genoharadan: Vorn
[Complete] Mission's Brother 1 2

6) Dantooine
[Complete] Strange Stowaway
[Ongoing] Genoharadan: Zuulan

7) Kashyyyk
[Ongoing] Genoharadan: Rulan

8) Manaan
[Ongoing] Genoharadan: Hulas
[Complete] Threat from Xor (Juhani)

9) Korriban (4th Star Map)
[Trigger] Unfinished Business 1 2 (Mysterious Box)
[Complete] Finding Dustil (Carth) 1 2

--> Leviathan

10) Tatooine
[Complete] Unfinished Business
[Complete] Genoharadan: Hulas

11) Kashyyyk (5th Star Map) --> Star Forge System

Total Traveling : 11 times (all side quests completed)
[Dark Side]

1) Dantooine (1st Star Map)
[Trigger] Mission's Brother 1 2
[Trigger] Bastila's Mother

2) Tatooine (2nd Star Map)
[Trigger] Strange Stowaway
[Trigger] Trouble with Gizka
[Trigger] Finding Dustil (Carth) 1 2
[Ongoing] Mission's Brother 1 2 3
[Complete] Bastila's Mother 1 2 3 4

3) Kashyyyk (3rd Star Map)
[Ongoing] Mission's Brother

4) Manaan
[Complete] Trouble with Gizka
[Trigger] Genoharadan (finish Lorgal & Ithorak here)
[Trigger] Jagi's Challenge (Canderous)
[Trigger] Threat from Xor (Juhani)
[Ongoing] Strange Stowaway

5) Dantooine
[Complete] Strange Stowaway
[Ongoing] Genoharadan: Zuulan

6) Tatooine
[Complete] Jagi's Challenge (Canderous)
[Ongoing] Genoharadan: Vorn
[Ongoing] Mission's Brother

7) Kashyyyk
[Ongoing] Genoharadan: Rulan

8) Korriban (4th Star Map)
[Trigger] Unfinished Business
[Complete] Finding Dustil (Carth)

--> Leviathan

9) Manaan (5th Star Map)
[Complete] Threat from Xor (Juhani)
[Ongoing] Genoharadan: Hulas

10) Tatooine
[Complete] Mission's Brother
[Complete] Unfinished Business
[Complete] Genoharadan: Hulas

---> Star Forge System

Total Traveling : 10 times (all side-quests completed)

Wednesday 3 June 2009

KOTOR: Where can I find...?

Q: Where can I find Crystal Cave? (Dantooine)

Crystal Cave is located in South East of Sandral Grounds on Dantooine. The easiest way is to take South East Exit of Courtyard. Then keep hugging the East wall towards South and you'll find the entrance to the Cave.

Another landmark is Love Droid, which is attacked by Kath Hounds. From his location, hit the East wall, and hug the wall to the South.

Q: Where can I find Sherruk (Mandalorian Leader, Dantooine)?

After receiving Mandalorian Raiders Quest from Jon in Courtyard, you'll have to kill three groups of Mandalorians in separate occassions. After killing the 3rd Group, you can encounter Sherruk, Mandalorian Leader.

1st Group (Matale Grounds)
2nd Group (Sandral Grounds)
3rd Group & Sherruk (Grove)


Q: Where can I find Dark Jedi Master Robe?

There are two Dark Jedi Master Robes in KOTOR.
1. Dark Jedi Master (Sith Base, Manaan)
2. Sith Master (Temple of the Ancients, Unknown World)

Q: Where can I find Jedi Master Robe?

There are three Jedi Master Robes in KOTOR.
1. Chewed Human Corpse (Cave, Eastern Dune Sea, Tatooine)
2. Remains (Hrakert Station, Manaan)
3. Wicker Locker (Rakatan Settlement, Unknown World)

Q: Where can I find Dark Jedi Master in the Manaan Sith Base?

First, you need to receive 'Missing Selkath Quest' from Shaelas before you enter the Sith Base. You can then enter the Training Annex where you'll find the Dark Jedi Master & his daughter Sasha.

Q: Where can I find lots of computer spikes & parts?

I haven't spent any credits for spikes & parts in my walkthroughs. I only used what I've found, notably on the Leviathan (1 2 3 4) and Unknown World (1 2). If you search all containers there, you'll find tons of them.

Tuesday 2 June 2009

KOTOR: Romance (Bastila, Carth, Juhani)


To trigger romance with Carth, Bastila or Juhani, speak to them often, especially after you finish each planet, until the topic is exhausted. Try to be sympathetic with them, otherwise the romance may end at some point.

You must complete
their Side-Quests for the subplot to continue. 

1) Bastila (Male only)

[Highlights]

Part 1: Kiss with Bastila

Bastila decides to give in to her emotions, and asks you to kiss her

Part 2: Darth Revan Returns

Bastila tempts you to the Dark Side, and professes her love for you

[Watch out for...]
You must trigger the romance before the Leviathan. If you don't have a kiss scene (or her confessing her love for you) by then, the plot will end. 

Once you have a kiss scene, don't speak to her about it! There's a bug which will kill the romance. You can confirm her love on the Temple Summit if you choose the right option as shown in Part 2.

2) Carth (Female only)


[Highlights]

Part 1: Future with Carth

You and Carth talk about the future and love

Part 2: Revan's Final Choice

After you resisted the Dark Side, Carth & you profess love for each other

[Watch out for...]
After the Leviathan, talk to Carth until he opens up about you being Revan. If the scene in
Part 1 doesn't occur, you didn't trigger the romance with him.

If you choose the Dark Side path on the Temple Summit, the scene in Part 2 will be replaced by the Dark Side outcome. If you have already triggered the scene in Part 1, you'll have to kill him on the Star Forge after defeating Malak.


3) Juhani

(This section will be updated once I make videos)

Sunday 31 May 2009

KOTOR: NPC Quests

In KOTOR, most of NPC quests are triggered if you talk to your members enough times. Once you fulfill the condition, you may travel to different planet with NPC. Or you may stay on the same planet, exit the landing pad & transit back with NPC.

In order to fulfill romance with Carth & Bastila, you must complete their quest (in Carth's case, you must save Dustil).

Zaalbar's quest is linear with the plot, so I won't list here. But you will have two choices, side with Freyyr (Light Side) or Chuundar (Dark Side).


1) Mission: Mission's Brother

[Condition] Talk to Mission until she mentions about her brother Griff and his girlfriend Lena.
[People to meet] Meet Lena, then talk to Czerka Officer on Tatooine. Griff will be in Sand People's Enclave.
[Outcome] Depending on how you treated Griff & Mission, you may receive LS or DS points.
Light Side: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9
Dark Side: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8

2) Bastila: Bastila's Mother 

[Condition] Talk to Bastila until she mentions about her parents and how she didn't get on with her mother.
[People to meet] Meet a Twi'lek woman who tells you about Helena's illness. You'll also meet a Duros who complains about Helena. You can find Helena in Cantina on Tatooine.
[Outcome] This quest is neutral.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

3) Canderous: Jagi's Challenge 


[Condition] Talk to Canderous until he talks about Revan twice.
[People to meet] Meet Jagi & accept his challenge on Dune Sea on Tatooine.
[Outcome] You may kill Jagi, or he may take his own life.
Kill Jagi: Part 1 Part 2
Jagi takes his own life: Part 1 Part 2

4) Jolee: Sunry Murder Trial

[Condition]
This quest is automatically triggered if you enter Ahto West on Manaan with Jolee.

[People to meet]
Meet Elora, then apply for an arbiter in High Court.

[Outcome]
You'll decide whether Sunry is guilty or innocent.

Sunry Guilty: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Sunry Innocent: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

5) Carth: Finding Dustil

[Condition]
Talk to Carth until he mentions about his wife and son Dustil.

[People to meet]
Meet Jordo and learn that Dustil has joined the Sith Academy. You'll find him there.

[Outcome]
You can save Dustil from the Sith or kill him.

Save Dustil:
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Kill Dustil:
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

6) Juhani: Threat from Xor


[Condition]
Talk to Juhani until she talks about how her father was killed on Taris.

[People to meet]
Meet Xor, then he will appear again in the private hanger on Manaan or Korriban.

[Outcome] Juhani will stay on the Light Side, or submit to the Dark Side.
Light Side: Part 1 Part 2
Dark Side:
Part 1 Part 2

Saturday 23 May 2009

KOTOR FAQs: Puzzles Solutions

If any puzzles are missing, please let me know so I can add to the list:

Ebon Hawk
1) Mysterious Box (
Cargo Hold)

Taris
1) The Strong Box
(Lower City West Apartments)
2) The Twisted Rancor Trio (Lower City East Apartments)
3) Captured Duros (Sith Base)

Dantooine
1) Jedi Codes
(Jedi Enclave)
2) Murdered Settler Part1 Part2 (Grove)
3) Ancient Terminal (Ruins)

Tatooine

1) Tanis Trapped (
Dune Sea)

Manaan

1) Sith Base Passcards (
Republic Embassy)
2) Interrogating the Prisoner (Republic Embassy)
3) Flow Control Room (Sith Base)
4) Kolto Harvesting Machine (Hrakert Rift)

Korriban
1) Sith Codes (
Sith Academy)
2) Mandalorian Weapon Cache (Sith Academy)
3) Ajunta Pall's Blade (Ajunta Pall's Tomb)
4) Hermit on the Hill Light Side / Dark Side (Tulak Hord's Tomb)
5) Rogue Assassin Droid (Marko Ragnos' Tomb)
6) Naga Sadow's Blade (Energy Pillars) (Naga Sadow's Tomb)

Leviathan

1) Droid Memory Core (
Droid Bay: T3-M4 only)

Unknown World
1) Floor Tiles (
Ancient Temple)

Star Forge

1) Regenerated Droids (
Command Center)

Monday 18 May 2009

KOTOR Tips: Earning XP & Leveling Up Early

In Star Wars KOTOR, the maximum level is set at Level 20. But in order to reach the max Level, you'll need to gain XP (Experience Points) as much as possible.

Some of the best Force Powers become available at Level 18 (i.e. Force Storm), so earlier you level up, you'll have more chance to enjoy them.

Also the level of each enemy is static in KOTOR, so if you level up earlier, you'll have more advantage in battle.

So here is the tip for earning extra XP & leveling up:

1) Complete Side-Quests

It may sound obvious, but there are over 50 side-quests in KOTOR, and you can easily miss some of them. Most of the quests are attached with rewards, such as credits, XP, LS/DS points and/or items, and more you complete them, more you'll gain.

2) Kill Enemies first, then use Console

As you scroll through the security cameras at the Computer Terminal, you may get an option of killing enemies (i.e. overload power conduit). If you come across with the option and see the enemies in the camera, DON'T USE IT.

Go to the room & kill enemies for XP first, then come back to the Console for further XP. Killing enemies from the Console won't give you XP from foes.

Also if you let the high skilled member use the Console, you'll save computer spikes & sometimes earn more XP.

You can watch the example in Taris Sith Base. In this video, I've already finished exploring the base in the previous Episode, so it starts just before I exit the base.

Here, I let T3-M4 use the Console to overload power conduit in the Barracks but is already empty. I've earned 650XP from killing, and further 400XP at the Console, totaling 1050XP, but if you use the Console to kill the enemies, you'd have only earned 400xp.


3) Repair Droids

Repairing droids will give you XP, and if you have enough Parts, fully repair them to boost XP.

Ideally, using T3-M4 is a good idea to save Parts, as he has high Repair skill. But even when he is not available (i.e. Unknown World), you should give it a go with yourself or other members.

You can watch the example with Carth earning 1235xp on the Leviathan & Juhani earning 1300xp in the Temple.

4) Visit all planets before you're taken on the Leviathan

Many guides suggest that the usual order of the planets are something like,

1) Dantooine (1st Star Map)
2) Tatooine (2nd Star Map)
3) Kashyyyk (3rd Star Map)
4) Manaan (4th Star Map)
--> Leviathan (you can't avoid it after the 4th Star Map)
5) Korriban (5th Star Map)

Whichever the order you travel, once you discover the 4th Star Map (don't forget to include Dantooine), you'll be taken to the Leviathan.

But it's worth visiting all five planets BEFORE the Leviathan, as it's one of the hardest sequences in the game, and higher the level you are, the battle will get easier.

Korriban, especially, is a treasure trobe of XP and Crystals, so it'll give you a great advantage on the Leviathan if you've already visited there.


So how will you do it? Just skip one Star Map (whichever you like) so you can visit five planets. Once you reach the last planet, get the 4th Star Map. If you do this (and gain extra XP as mentioned), you should be around Level 18 or 19 by the time you get to the Leviathan.

So here's how I collected Star Maps in my walkthroughs:

[Light Side]
1) Dantooine (1st Star Map)
2) Tatooine (2nd Star Map)
3) Kashyyyk (no Star Map)
4) Manaan (3rd Star Map)
5) Korriban (4th Star Map)
--> Leviathan (After 5 planets)
6) Kashyyyk (5th Star Map)

[Dark Side]
1) Dantooine (1st Star Map)
2) Tatooine (2nd Star Map)
3) Kashyyyk (3rd Star Map)
4) Manaan (No Star Map)
5) Korriban (4th Star Map)
--> Leviathan (after 5 planets)
6) Manaan (5th Star Map)

You can read more about the order of the planets in FAQ: What's the Best Order of the Planets? section.

Wednesday 13 May 2009

KOTOR: Notable Items

This page will be updated constantly.

You can click on the name of the item to watch the related video.

Star Forge Robes (Star Forge Deck 2
)
Def+5, Dex+8, Saves All+2, Wis+5
You can create this special robes if you're very Light. You need 25 computer spikes. I collected tons of spikes (& parts) on the Leviathan by searching all containers.

Darth Revan's Robes (Star Forge Deck 2)
Def+5, Dex+8, Str+4, Regen+1
The same as Star Forge Robes... but it's for the Dark Side only. You and Bastila can wear them, so make sure you bring 50 spikes to make two sets!

CNS Strength Enhancer (Dantooine Jedi Enclave Shop)
Saves: All +2 Strength: +2
Buy it before you leave Dantooine! Forget about Cassus Fett's Battle Armor in Adum Larp's shop for now.

Electrical Capacitance Shield (Kashyyyk Eli's Shop)
Immunity 100% Electrical
It'll make you invincible against Dark Jedi's Force Lightening. Especially useful against the torture of Julak Urn in Tulak Hord's Tomb & Malak fight.

Sith Regenerator
(Korriban Czerka Shop)
Regeneration+2 (Implant Level 3)
If you're bringing non-Jedi member on the Leviathan or Star Forge, give it to them & it'll help your journey tremendously.

Sith Mask (Korriban Uthar's Chamber)
Immunity: Mind-Affecting, Weapon Focus: Lightsaber, Regen FP+1
You need Heavy Armor Profeciency to be able to wear this great mask. The alternative is Stabilizer Mask as below.

Stablizer Mask (Manaan Ahto East Central Shop)
Immunity: Mind-Affecting, Saves All+2
You need Medium Armor Proficiency to be able to wear this mask. A nice alternative to Sith Mask.

FAQ: Do you use mods, glitches and cheats?

The answer is NO. I've used mods, glitches & cheats, unlocked everything possible, beaten them in all difficulties with many games. But when I'm making a guide, they are set aside.

Only exception is that I show the glitches which are incidental with the gameplay & it doesn't require you to repeat the same things at one spot (i.e. infinite XP). Here is the links for the glitches I used in my walkthrough:

[KOTOR]
Keeping Sith Armor on Taris
Duplicating Zaalbar's equipment on Kashyyyk
Duplicating equipment on Manaan


[KOTOR2]
Keeping items from the Prologue

So back to the original question - why don't I use mods, glitches or cheats?

Because it's not a cheat or mod guide. I'm trying to simulate so-called basic strategy guide visually.

Imagine if my walkthrough shows great equipment which are not available in conventional methods. Or if I suddenly become a super Jedi after using glitches or cheats.

I'm here to help people as any guides would, and show how to beat the game as default. You don't see a good guide suggesting 'you must use cheats or glitches to achieve this quest'. It won't make a good guide, and the viewers will be confused and wonder what's in the original game and what's not.

I also don't assume the viewers have played KOTOR before. I'm making videos for anyone who loves Star Wars. I receive many comments from people that they've never played the game before.


Just to add to it, my walkthroughs are played in Normal mode, which is the default difficulty of the game. I've played on Hard mode, but that's for my joy, not suitable for a guide.


Mods to me is like unlocking bonuses after you beat games.

Take Resident Evil series - after you beat the game & fulfill certain criterias, you'll unlock extra costumes, weapons, secrets, mini-games, etc. They are given as 'bonuses', only if you sweat yourself to beat the game and earned them with your hard work. When you see 'the End', you are rewarded & given something special.

KOTOR doesn't have unlockables, but you may still use mods & expand your joy, like you can with other games. But that's for more advanced, experienced players who've beaten the game many times.

If you beat KOTOR once, then you've only seen a glimpse of the game.

Finishing the game with an average character is not too difficult, but seeing everying in the game will take at least a few runs, that's why I make two walkthroughs of each KOTOR game.

But the best joy will come when you build up your own favorite character. To help it, I'm showing how to build a 'powerful' character without using cheats or mods. If you want to find out more, you can read KOTOR Tips: Earning extra XP & Leveling Up early section.

Friday 8 May 2009

FAQ: How do I record & upload vids from XBox?

I use a DVD recorder with 16GB Hard Disk, which is connected with XBox and record the gameplay in High Quality on a blank rewritable DVD disk.

Once it's recorded, I rip the data from a DVD on my computer (Mac OS X) and encode it to DV format so I can edit on iMovieHD. Once the video is edited, I export the file in MOV. file in HD format (Dimention 1280x720).

I use free softwares for ripping & encoding on Mac, and you can download them from the following links:

MacTheRipper (to rip the DVD disk on Mac)
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/22715

MPEG Streamclip (to encode the ripped data)
http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html

If you are PC users, I can't answer the question as I don't make YouTube videos on the PC. I use Mac (which is more reliable... in my case) for KOTOR walkthroughs.

I also can't answer how to record the PC games on Frapps!