Quick answer

Do not choose a Zero Company class from a universal tier list. The official Steam description names operative archetypes, custom characters, loadouts, tactical abilities and combat synergies. Choose the role your next mission needs, then test one ability interaction before changing the whole squad. The current store description does not publish a complete class catalogue or permanent ranking.

Start with the mission job

Before selecting an operative, write one sentence describing the job the mission needs:

  • create the first opening;
  • control a dangerous position;
  • protect an exposed teammate;
  • finish a priority target; or
  • enable the next operative’s action.

This keeps “class choice” tied to a real turn. A damage-focused choice may be useful when the problem is a priority target, while a control or support choice may be more useful when the squad cannot hold space. The exact labels and values must be read from the current client.

Use the official archetype boundary

Steam’s launch description refers to roles such as scoundrels, astromechs and a Jedi, alongside custom characters and their loadouts. That is enough to explain why the game has differentiated roles. It is not enough to infer every specialization, unlock condition or best combination.

Treat the description as a map of decisions, not a database. When the client presents a new operative, record its displayed role, ability text, mission context and the result of one controlled test. This makes a later class comparison reproducible instead of repeating a launch-week opinion.

First-squad checklist

  1. Name the mission objective.
  2. Give each selected operative one job.
  3. Choose one ability that should create an observable advantage.
  4. Decide the follow-up if the first action succeeds.
  5. Change one operative or loadout at a time.

For the broader decision sequence, continue to Squad Planning. If your question is how abilities interact, open Tactical Abilities.

What needs a current-client check

This page does not state a full class list, ability damage, cooldowns, specialization tree, squad capacity or mission guarantee. Those are high-risk details and need a dated release-build source. Do not convert a community recommendation into an official default.

Continue with character customization

After choosing the kind of operative job you need, use Character Customization to separate identity choices from combat roles.

Sources

Last verified: September 2, 2026. Recheck class labels and ability text after a balance or content patch.