Bonds and Cross Training Guide

Cross Training starts when a pair reaches Despised at 50 Bond XP. Each later tier through Partners grants Focus Points and one General choice. Inseparable at 350 XP grants 7 Focus Points and one Specialization choice instead. The selected upgrade goes to both Operators, remains permanent, and stacks when its selection cap allows another pick.

Read the Bond ladder

The ladder has nine tiers. Reviled is the floor, so it has no reward. Every tier after it awards Focus and one Cross Training choice.

A pair can earn eight choices across the ladder. The reward is not a choice between Focus and training; the tier gives both.

Check the next reward

Use the XP shown in Personnel. Find the first threshold above it, subtract the current value, and read that row’s reward. These examples are calculated from the same progression rule as the ladder:

At 124 XP, the pair is Neutral and needs 1 XP for Comrades. At 300 XP, it needs 50 XP for Inseparable. That 50-point gap is larger than any single configured event value, so one event cannot be promised to finish it. At 350 XP, the current ladder is complete.

Use this branch before committing a pair to the next deployment:

1. Stay together: choose this when both Operators fit the mission and the next reward solves a current need. The benefit is faster shared progress. The cost is delaying another pair. This fails when Bond chasing leaves the mission short of the right action or sends an injured Operator into danger. Check Personnel again after the next genuine Bond event.
2. Rotate one Operator: choose this when mission fit or recovery matters more than the next threshold. The benefit is a safer deployment or progress on another relationship. The cost is delaying this pair’s reward. This fails when constant rotation leaves every pair far from a useful tier. Check the same pair again before its next shared mission.

Know what changes a Bond

The game records three event values: Minor 5, Medium 25, Major 30. They are not mapped one-to-one to every visible event description, so a heal, Assist, Rally, or Backup cannot be assigned an exact gain from these records alone.

Bond changes can come from useful combat actions, fighting together, Operations, Lounge time, dialogue and dilemma results, injuries, friendly fire, and character-specific help or refusal. Some descriptions say only that the relationship was affected, not whether it improved. Do not assume every listed event is positive.

Show all 23 current relationship descriptions

• Awarded for actions taken in combat that benefitted a teammate
• Completing Operations across the galaxy creates a lasting connection
• Awarded when an Operator heals another Operator
• Awarded when Operators call one another for Backup
• Operators spent time in the Den Lounge together
• Fighting together has built a stronger relationship
• Provided by a conversation choice made by the player
• Both Operators selected A Friendly GameGeneral · Bond XPA Friendly GameBoth Operators enjoy some friendly games and gain +40 Bond XP.Bond windowNeutral through PartnersMaximum selections99 training
• Both Operators selected the Conflict ResolutionGeneral · Bond XPConflict ResolutionBoth Operators work through some of their differences and gain +40 Bond XP.Bond windowNegative Bond tiersMaximum selections99 training
• The death of a teammate in combat has brought these Operators closer
• A near death experience has strengthened this relationship
• Very strongly disagreed with each other during a Dilemma
• Disagreed with how HawksAuthored OperatorHawksThe customizable former Republic officer who leads Zero Company and deploys on required story missions.Starting pathPlayer selectedUnique TalentFearless LeaderTalent progression6 tiers chose to resolve a Dilemma facing Zero Company
• Agreed with how HawksAuthored OperatorHawksThe customizable former Republic officer who leads Zero Company and deploys on required story missions.Starting pathPlayer selectedUnique TalentFearless LeaderTalent progression6 tiers chose to resolve a Dilemma facing Zero Company
• Disagreed with each other on how to resolve a Dilemma facing Zero Company
• Agreed with each other on how to resolve a Dilemma facing Zero Company
• Resolving a dilemma has altered the relationship between Operators
• Downed one of your squad mates with friendly fire.
• Damaged one of your squad mates with friendly fire.
• Assigning an injured Operator to a dangerous task has affected opinions
• Rallied an Operator who was downed in combat
• HawksAuthored OperatorHawksThe customizable former Republic officer who leads Zero Company and deploys on required story missions.Starting pathPlayer selectedUnique TalentFearless LeaderTalent progression6 tiers refused to help this Operator in a time of need
• HawksAuthored OperatorHawksThe customizable former Republic officer who leads Zero Company and deploys on required story missions.Starting pathPlayer selectedUnique TalentFearless LeaderTalent progression6 tiers agreed to help this Operator in a time of need

Take actions because they help the objective, then verify the result in Personnel. Repeating a harmless action to farm Bond XP is not supported by the current descriptions, and the records do not establish repeat limits for each event.

Understand the choice rules

The current game rule states: When two Operators Cross Train both Operators receive the selected ability as a permanent upgrade. Cross training upgrades are never lost, and stack if selected multiple times. A selection therefore affects both Operators. It is not removed if their Bond later changes.

There are 20 General choices and 32 Specialization choices in the current pools. General options cover stats, Focus, and Bond XP. They have different Bond windows, eligibility rules, and caps. Every current Specialization choice has a selection cap of 1 and appears only at Inseparable.

The cap is part of the decision. Freeform TrainingGeneral · Focus PointsFreeform TrainingBoth Operators gain an additional +2 Focus Points.Bond windowBefore InseparableMaximum selections99: Both Operators gain an additional +2 Focus Points. Eligibility: Any Operator type. Cap: 99; Ranged Combat DrillsGeneral · Ranged DamageRanged Combat DrillsIncreases Ranged Damage by +1 for both Operators.Bond windowBefore InseparableMaximum selections6: Increases Ranged Damage by +1 for both Operators. Eligibility: Non-AstromechDroid Focus TreeAstromechThe Astromech is everyone’s closest companion. These loyal droids carry useful equipment in the field, allowing tremendous versatility in combat and providing valuable support functions to its team.AvailabilityPrimary path for custom Astromech Operators.BranchesExtended Storage · Improved Motors · Hardened Frame · Storage Optimization · Enhanced Scanners · Coordinated Support. Cap: 6; A Friendly GameGeneral · Bond XPA Friendly GameBoth Operators enjoy some friendly games and gain +40 Bond XP.Bond windowNeutral through PartnersMaximum selections99: Both Operators enjoy some friendly games and gain +40 Bond XP. Eligibility: Any Operator type. Cap: 99; Conflict ResolutionGeneral · Bond XPConflict ResolutionBoth Operators work through some of their differences and gain +40 Bond XP.Bond windowNegative Bond tiersMaximum selections99: Both Operators work through some of their differences and gain +40 Bond XP. Eligibility: Any Operator type. Cap: 99; Flow Of The DuelistSpecialization · OffenseFlow Of The DuelistThis Operator's Melee Attacks now remove 1 stack of Resonance when damaging an enemy.Bond windowInseparable onlyMaximum selections1: This Operator's Melee Attacks now remove 1 stack of ResonanceMixed · PlagueResonanceWhen this unit's Resonance reaches 3 stacks, the Plague within it will Surge and grow much stronger. When defeated, this unit's Resonance is transferred to the nearest Infected unit.AffectsEnemyStack wordingNamed in the current rule when damaging an enemy. Eligibility: PadawanStory Focus TreePadawanThe Padawan is an all-around powerful Operator with strong melee capabilities, strong defensive capability through the Force, and tactical control abilities using telekinetic applications of the Force.AvailabilityFixed primary path for Tel-Rea Vokoss.BranchesPadawan Training · Push · Shockwave. Cap: 1.

Use the Bonds and Cross Training database to check the complete effect text, Bond window, eligible Operator type, and selection cap before confirming a reward.

Choose a reward

Pick the branch that matches the pair’s next real need. A permanent benefit that never triggers is still a wasted tier choice.

Verify the upgrade

After choosing, reopen both Operator records. The effect should appear on both with the source label Granted by Cross Training. Confirm the exact description and selection count before launching the next mission.

If the pair’s XP did not change after an event, do not assume the event bugged out or repeat it at the objective’s expense. Continue the mission, then check again after another genuine relationship event. If the chosen upgrade is missing from either record, return to Personnel and verify that the reward was confirmed rather than left pending.

REFERENCES

References

1. Bond thresholds, rewards, relationship descriptions, Personnel prompts, Cross Training effects, requirements, and selection caps come from the current English game records.

   Current game text

2. Explains Cycles, Operations, Bonds, and strategic choices; published August 27, 2026.

   Official StarWars.com guide

3. Describes Bond rewards, mutual stat improvements, Focus, and Specialization Cross Training.

   Official EA gameplay overview

4. Official launch guidance for Operations, Tactical Missions, and relationship outcomes; published August 27, 2026.

   Steam launch FAQ