How you can level from 0 to max level Quickly by playing your Storyline and specific key sidequests.

There are many ways to level quickly in SWTOR, from grinding Groupfinder Flashpoints at level 15 to PvP queue. However most players ultimately end up going back to catch up on Story or play so many Sidequests that they become completely overlevelled.

This guide will teach you how to get from Level 0 to Max Level by playing only your Storyline and Major Story and Lore important Quests only with minimum grinding or sitting on Queue for content.

First Steps

After you have created your first character, check your Mailbox to claim any EXP boosts or Giveaway items such as Speeders. Claiming these items now will save time later. If you claim an EXP boost use it immediately.
If you have any EXP Boosting Armor or Character Class EXP Boosts to purchase from your Legacy Window, do so now.
I also suggest joining a Guild for the passive EXP Boost.

Check your Collections window for any Companions, upon Claiming a Companion (if you have any) set them to DPS role. You do not NEED a companion, but it can make the first half of your Starter Planet a few minutes quicker.

Finally, open your Map Filters and check the “Show Exploration Missions”. You should aim to complete at least 3 but no more than 5 Exploration or Side Quests of your choosing whilst on your Starter Planet.

Starter Planets

Stick to the Main Story of your classes Starter Planet. While you follow your Main Story you want to pick up 3-5 Exploration or Sidequests and do them alongside your Main Storyline, complete them at the same time, do not leave them until the end.

Subscribers Only: When you reach Level 10 as a Subscriber, complete the Class Trainer Quest and then train Speeder Piloting 1 before leaving the Planet.

Follow the Main Story until you are given your Legacy Bound/Moddable Weapon, mod it and also complete the Bonus to interact with a Mod Station.
When your Main Storyline tells you to Board a Shuttle to the Fleet do not go. Instead Complete all Heroics for your Starter Planet before going to the Fleet for the EXP and Gear boxes.

You should now be arriving on the Fleet at a minimum level of 12.

Fleet to Coruscant and Dromund Kaas

Upon arriving at the Fleet, pick up the Tutorial Quest: Crafting Trainers and then make sure you speak to all 14 Crew Skill NPCs before choosing a Skill to finish the Quest.
Optional: You can also pick up the PvP Tutorial Quest. Only Queue for PvP Warzones and Arenas once you reach Dromund Kaas or Coruscant.

If your Companion wishes to speak with you, do so now at the Cantina in the middle of Fleet.
Complete the Black Talon or Esseles in Storymode and go to Dromund Kaas / Coruscant.

When you arrive at Coruscant or Dromund Kaas, pick up the Planetary Storyline (Purple) and do it together with your Main Storyline. Once you finish the Quests on the planet and are ready to get your ship and leave, go back near the Spaceport Entry and do ALL Heroics on the Planet.

Once you obtain your Character Ship, complete the Introductory PvE Space Combat Mission and then Fly to Yavin and Rishi. Explore as many areas on these planets as you can.
Subscribers/Pref Only: Also fly to Mek-Sha and Onderon and explore as many areas as you can as well.

You should now be starting Taris (Republic) or Balmorra (Empire) at a minimum level of 17.

Chapter One to Revan

Once you start Balmorra or Taris, also complete the Planetary Storyline (purple quest) and any 2 Exploration or Sidequests of your choice.
Complete your Classes Nar Shaddaa Storyline, now catch up all Companion Conversations even if it means backtracking planets.

Complete Tatooine and it’s Planetary Storyline (purple quest).
If you are not at least Level 26 when you finish Tatooine, go back and Complete all Heroics on Taris (Republic) or Tatooine(Empire).

Republic: Complete your Class Story on Alderaan and complete Planetary Storyline (purple quest). Then complete Balmorra.
Empire: Complete your Class Story on Alderaan and then complete Taris and it’s Planetary Storyline (purple quest).
Catch up all Companion Conversations even if it means backtracking planets.

If you are below level 36, Complete all Heroics of the lowest level Planet.
Now complete the Maelstrom Prison/Foundry Arc and it’s 2 Flashpoints in Storymode.

Reaching Ilum

Complete Quesh and complete its Planetary Storyline (purple quest).
Republic: Complete your Class Story on Hoth and complete Planetary Storyline (purple quest). Then complete Belsavis. If you fall below level 45 do the Nar Shaddaa and Balmorra Bonus Series.
Empire: Complete your Class Story on Hoth and then complete Belsavis and it’s Planetary Storyline (purple quest). If you fall below level 45 do the Nar Shaddaa and Taris Bonus Series.

Complete Voss and complete its Planetary Storyline (purple quest).
Go to Fleet, pick up and complete the Directive 7 Storyquest (Storymode).

If you are level 46 or below when starting Corellia, complete your Story and the Planetary Storyline (purple quest) as well as all Companion Conversations even if it means backtracking planets.
If you are still below level 46 go back an complete the Belsavis Bonus Series or Heroics until you reach 46.

If you are level 47 or above when starting Corellia, just stick to your Story and then complete all Companion Conversations even if it means backtracking planets.

Finish your Class Story then start the Ilum (Malgus) Storyline on Fleet. You should finish the Ilum Storyline and both Storymode Flashpoints at level 50 or higher.

Makeb and Onwards

If you are still not level 50 by now you must have skipped some steps prior. Check that you have completed all Companion Conversations and have completed the Main Story, Ilum as well as the Revan Storyline and Directive 7.

Complete the Makeb Storyline and then do a single round of the CZ-198 Daily Quests and [Weekly]. You should now be level 55 and ready to start the Prelude to Shadow of Revan.
If you are level 57 or higher, skip the Prelude to Shadow of Revan and travel directly to Rishi, speak with the Bird NPC outside of the spaceport to start Shadow of Revan and skip the Prelude.

Congratulations! As long as you made it to level 55 by the time you finished Makeb you are now set to keep playing the expansions at your leisure and you will reach level 80 without any concerns for becoming underlevelled.

If you are playing during a 2x EXP Event, there is one more step:
Launch KOTFE when you reach level 60 and play Chapter 2 on repeat until you reach level 65, then swap to KOTET and play Chapter 3 until you reach 70. From there start Ossus and speed your way through to Kessan’s Landing directly.

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