How to Get Your Lightsaber from Atris in Star Wars™: KOTOR II

In the unmodded base release of Star Wars™: KOTOR II, you cannot recover your lightsaber from Jedi Master Atris. In vanilla gameplay, Atris keeps the weapon you surrendered during your exile, forcing you to use vibroblades and blasters until you gather three components across later planets for Bao-Dur to assemble a new one.

To retrieve your weapon during the Telos Secret Academy encounter, you must install a community dialogue restoration mod on PC before entering the polar facility, then choose specific dialogue choices during your confrontation with Atris.

How to Install the Retrieval Mod on PC

The mod restores cut dialogue scripts (atris.dlg) and inventory triggers that recognize your claim to the surrendered lightsaber. You must install these files before the Academy interior loads.

Download the Atris lightsaber retrieval mod package from a community repository such as Deadly Stream or Nexus Mods.
If you use the Sith Lords Restored Content Mod (TSLRCM), ensure the specific Atris mod version states compatibility with your TSLRCM installation to avoid script errors.
Open your game's installation folder (for Steam, this defaults to Steam\steamapps\common\Knights of the Old Republic II).
Locate or create the Override folder inside the main directory.
Extract the downloaded .dlg, .utc, and script files directly into the Override folder.
Load a save file created before boarding the shuttle on the Telos Surface or before passing through the Academy entrance. Loading a save made after Atris's cutscenes have already triggered will leave the vanilla dialogue trees in place.

Dialogue Steps to Reclaim the Weapon

Once inside the meditation chamber at the Telos Polar Academy, speak to Atris about your trial before the Jedi Council on Coruscant:

Bring up your confiscated gear when the conversation turns to your past judgment.
Inquire directly about the lightsaber you surrendered.
When Atris questions your motives or fitness to wield the weapon, avoid hostile Dark Side insults that break off the discussion.
Press your claim by demanding the return of your property or stating that your mission against the Sith requires your weapon.

Choosing either firm assertion or diplomatic reasoning unlocks the restored script trigger. Atris yields the lightsaber, placing a single-bladed weapon with standard base-tier components into your inventory alongside an updated journal entry.

Base Game vs. Modded Progression

Feature	Base Game Progression	Modded Atris Encounter
Acquisition Timing	Mid-game (first or second planet after Telos)	Early-game (Telos Polar Academy)
Prerequisites	Collect an energy cell, emitter, and lens	Install PC mod files before entering Academy
Bao-Dur's Quest	Constructs your character's first lightsaber	Builds a second lightsaber, enabling dual-wielding or companion arming
Early Combat Impact	Relies on vibroblades, blasters, and Force powers	Grants early access to saber forms, crystals, and energy damage

Receiving your lightsaber early does not break Bao-Dur's crafting mechanics. When you locate the three standard lightsaber parts on subsequent worlds, Bao-Dur will still complete his construction dialogue. Instead of crafting your initial weapon, he will build an additional lightsaber, allowing you to dual-wield or equip Jedi-converted companions earlier in the campaign.