The Beast Master Expertise System is an exciting feature new to Star Wars Galaxies in Chapter 6: Masters of the Wild. These are creature-centric abilities available to all players, regardless of profession or level, through a third expertise tree.

As beasts grow and join their master in hard-fought battles, they become increasingly fond of the Beast Master. But the relationship goes both ways -- the master must keep the creature happy so it can live up to its full potential. Learn the ins and outs of beast loyalty and happiness to get the most out of your trusty companion.

Loyalty

Beast Masters who study creatures in the wild can pass on the abilities that wild animals use to their beast. Beasts can spend a certain amount of training points on abilities in order to learn them. The maximum points allotted to the beast are determined by the beast's level and the beast's loyalty.

The beast's loyalty can be seen in the Personal Companion Device in the datapad.

Loyalty is earned as the beast gains experience through hunting. When the creature first sets out with its master, no trust has been earned and it begins as a Wild creature. As time passes and the bond is formed with its master, the beast becomes Disobedient, Trained, and then Loyal. A beast that is completely loyal to its master becomes a Best Friend Forever, sticking with the master through thick and thin.

The happier the beast is, the more loyalty it gains, so keeping a creature content is one of the most important aspects of Beast Mastery.

Happiness

The beast's happiness is monitored by the buff icon under the beast's name and the Beast Control Device in the datapad.

Like loyalty, there are different levels of happiness that can influence your beast. The creature's happiness can range from unsatisfied states (furious, angry, miserable, unhappy, and annoyed), to satisfied ones (content, joyous, happy, very happy, and ecstatic.)

Happiness can be affected by factors such as food, activities, and locations. The beast has a predilection for particular foods, activities, and planets, as well as a specific aversion to others. The beast's tastes are determined randomly when it is hatched. A message will let you know when the creature approves or disapproves of a certain food, activity, or location.

As the Beast Master explores the galaxy, the creature will let its master know how it feels about the planet they are visiting. Beasts can lose five points of happiness if brought to a planet they dislike, or can gain five points upon arriving at their favorite planet.

Beasts also enjoy certain activities more than others. Activities can include performing tricks, joining other players in a group, and more. The creature loses ten points of happiness for an activity it doesn't enjoy and gains five points for its preferred pastime.

Pet food is created by domestic traders and it also has a direct effect on the beast's happiness. When the Beast Master feeds the creature, it will let the master know if it has a taste for the meal. Its favorite food will give it ten points of happiness but if it dislikes the food, 5 points of happiness will be taken away. A beast will also lose ten points when it is hungry and unfed, so remember to keep regular mealtimes!

Always keep your beast's tastes in mind and use them to your advantage. For example, if you have to spend time on a planet your creature dislikes, ask it to do a trick if that's a favorite activity! Skilled Beast Masters are experts at finding the right balance of happiness and loyalty to make their creature a companion for life.