SWTOR Character Transfer Dilema

My guild is on a server that has just been designated as an origin server for SWTOR character transfers, so everyone is moving. I have 2 characters on the server that I have played past level 10, but neither of which has made maximum level, or even close.

18th level Sith Sorcerer

My Sith Sorcerer is level 18 and my Bounty Hunter Powertech is level 14. As you can see from my recent gaming statistics, I have not played SWTOR since I started this blog a month and a half ago. This is not because I do not like the game, but more because I have lost the story arcs of my characters and I have followed new games as they have come along. So I feel that I am faced with a dilema – SWTOR has a very rich story line for each of the character types and while I could jump back in and try to catch back up to the story, I am wondering if I should reroll on the new server rather than transfer.

14th level Bounty Hunter Powertech

Basically, I see three choices:

Transfer to the new server:

1. I already have leveled to 18 and 14 so I can skip past the starter zones and even the first planet or two
2. I would get to keep all my gear – not really positive or negative since I have nothing of real value
3. I would get to keep my professions leveled up – not significant since I chose them based on making money rather than synergy with the character class
4. Fewer levels to go to get to max level

Reroll new characters on the new server:

1. Restart the characters’ stories so I know where I am at without straining my memory
2. I can re-direct my characters to be a pure evil Sith or a Bounty Hunter with a heart of gold
3. The population of restarters may be greater than the population of mid-level transfers
4. Most of my guildmates have out leveled me and I might be able to persuade them to roll new alts
5. Hand-me-downs from guildmates and help in leveling if needed
6. Would give me a good perspective of the game and where it is now (as opposed to where it was)

Leave the game altogether:

1. I would get to save the money (although I have 2 more months on my subscription)
2. I really liked the game and the story and I love Star Wars, I just did my usual push to mid-level and then stagnate
3. I would like to get to max level and that is part of what I wanted to work on with this blog

I asked my guildmates if I should reroll and the consensus was to transfer, but I did not explain that I hadn’t played in two months. I’m leaning towards a reroll, at least to play out my subscription. I’ll decide on Saturday. Who knows, if I level past where I am now, maybe I’ll extend my subscription. At least I will follow along with posts.

[UPDATE 6/18/2012 – I decided to go ahead and move my characters over to the new server, Jedi Covenant has a couple of new inhabitants.  I am also considering rolling a new character or two so I can experience the early game content in a more cohesive manner.  Time did not present itself to roll anything this weekend though.]