Star Wars Zero Company Best Build & Focus Order
This guide answers the best build and focus order for every class in Star Wars: Zero Company, a fan-made tabletop role-playing game. For each of the game’s core classes—Commando, Engineer, Operative, and Sentinel—you’ll find the optimal stat priority, key talents, and a recommended leveling sequence to maximize combat effectiveness and party utility.
Background: What is Zero Company?
Zero Company is a community-created Star Wars TTRPG that uses a d100 (percentile) skill system, distinct from the official Star Wars RPGs. It emphasizes gritty, tactical combat and class-based progression. The game defines four base classes, each with a unique role: Commando (frontline damage), Engineer (tech and support), Operative (stealth and precision), and Sentinel (defense and control). Understanding the core mechanics—specifically that skills are rolled as percentages and improve through skill points earned per level—is essential before choosing a build.
How Character Progression Works
Each character gains experience points (XP) from missions, which are spent to increase skills and acquire talents. At each level, you receive a set number of skill points (typically 10-15, depending on the GM’s rules) and one talent point. Talents are passive or active abilities that define your specialization. The focus order refers to the sequence in which you invest these points—both skill points and talents—to unlock the most impactful abilities early.
Best Build for Commando
The Commando is the direct combat specialist, excelling with blasters, melee weapons, and heavy armor. The optimal build emphasizes raw damage output and survivability.
- Primary Attributes: Strength (for melee) or Agility (for ranged), Constitution for HP.
- Core Talents: Focused Fire (bonus damage on consecutive hits), Adrenaline Rush (temporary HP when below 50%), and Heavy Weapons Proficiency (reduce recoil penalties).
- Focus Order: 1) Max your weapon skill (e.g., Blaster Rifles) to 50% by level 3. 2) Take Focused Fire at level 2. 3) Invest in Constitution to 40% by level 5. 4) Pick Adrenaline Rush at level 5. 5) Then diversify into Athletics and Intimidation for utility.
This order ensures you hit reliably early, then become durable enough to survive sustained fire.
Best Build for Engineer
The Engineer brings tech gadgets, turrets, and repair abilities. The build focuses on maximizing tech skill and support output.
- Primary Attributes: Intelligence (tech skill), Dexterity (for crafting and piloting).
- Core Talents: Turret Deployment (place a turret that fires for 2 rounds), Field Repair (heal allies’ HP or repair droids), Tech Overcharge (boost a weapon’s damage for one encounter).
- Focus Order: 1) Raise Tech to 50% by level 3. 2) Take Turret Deployment at level 2. 3) Increase Repair to 40% by level 4. 4) Pick Field Repair at level 5. 5) Then invest in Perception and Pilot for scouting.
Early turret placement gives the party a damage buffer, while repair keeps allies alive between rests.
Best Build for Operative
The Operative is a stealthy skirmisher who excels at critical hits and disabling enemies. This build prioritizes agility and cunning.
- Primary Attributes: Agility (ranged and stealth), Cunning (for deception and traps).
- Core Talents: Deadly Strike (extra damage on surprise attacks), Escape Artist (bonus to dodge and escape grapples), Infiltrator (reduce stealth check penalties).
- Focus Order: 1) Max Stealth to 50% by level 3. 2) Take Deadly Strike at level 2. 3) Raise a weapon skill (e.g., Pistols) to 40% by level 4. 4) Pick Infiltrator at level 5. 5) Then diversify into Security and Deception.
This makes you a reliable scout and assassin, able to eliminate high-value targets before combat starts.
Best Build for Sentinel
The Sentinel is the party’s protector, using force abilities (in Force-sensitive campaigns) or advanced shielding tech to control the battlefield.
- Primary Attributes: Willpower (force abilities) or Strength (for shield carrying), Perception.
- Core Talents: Guardian’s Ward (reduce damage to allies within 5m), Force Push (knockback and stun), Shield Overcharge (boost your shield’s capacity).
- Focus Order: 1) Raise Willpower to 50% by level 3. 2) Take Guardian’s Ward at level 2. 3) Increase Force skill to 40% by level 4. 4) Pick Force Push at level 5. 5) Then invest in Leadership and First Aid.
This build turns you into a frontline anchor, keeping squishier allies alive while disrupting enemy formations.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
A frequent error is ignoring the game’s “skill point economy.” Many players spread points too thinly across many skills, resulting in no skill above 30%—which means you fail most checks. Instead, focus on one or two primary skills to 50% before diversifying. Another misconception is that talents are more important than skills; in Zero Company, skills are rolled constantly, while talents are situational. Thus, skills should always be prioritized early. Also, don’t neglect defensive skills like Dodge or Parry; a dead character contributes nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best class for a beginner?
The Commando is the most straightforward, as its abilities are simple and direct. You don’t need to manage complex tech or stealth mechanics, so you can focus on learning the d100 system.
Can you multiclass in Zero Company?
Yes, but it’s generally not recommended until level 5 or later. Multiclassing costs a talent point to switch, and you lose access to higher-tier abilities. If you do, pick a class that complements your primary (e.g., Operative + Sentinel for stealthy support).
How important are attributes vs. skills?
Attributes are used as the base for skill checks (e.g., Strength + Melee = your Melee skill). Raising attributes is essential, but skills are what you actually roll. A balanced approach is to increase your primary attribute to 40% by level 3, then focus on skills.
What is the best race for each class?
Race bonuses are minor in Zero Company. For Commando, a race with a Strength bonus (like a Wookiee) helps. For Engineer, a race with Intelligence (like a Droid) is ideal. But any race works with the right build.
Do I need to min-max to be effective?
No, but focusing your skill points as described above will make you significantly more effective. The game is balanced for groups that have a clear plan, but you can still succeed with a more generalist build if your party covers your weaknesses.