From what I understand, Valkorion takes control automatically if you submitted to his powers when previously offered the choice. I may be wrong though!

Well, my computer is almost identical to yours - Nvidia GTX 970 and AMD 8350 with 16GB DDR3. SWTOR runs perfectly on my computer with maximum graphics, so I'm not certain it's a hardware issue you are experiencing. If you have installed windows 10 recently, that may be to blame. When I tried it, SWTOR was laggy and crashed with incredible frequency. The only other thing I could think of is your internet connection (especially if you live in EU and play on US servers or vice versa), as others have suggested. Hope I've helped in some way! (EDIT: It also looks like some servers are having lag issues and disconnects currently. That may be the issue depending on your server)

I usually stick to playing through the story to level. I do occasionally run side quests and Flashpoints to supplement my progress though. If I don't feel like grouping, there are a fair few solo mode Flashpoints now too. They are usually good for boosting my characters a level or two. Since I'm not keen on side quests either though I tend to use xp boost items and buy the xp boost perks through legacy to avoid having to do them.

Unfortunately, Darth Talon has not been born in this era. The Twi'lek Sith in the Knights of the Fallen Empire trailer is simply a tattooed red Twi'lek Sith. If you look closely, her tattoos are also rather different to Darth Talon's. Also, Darth Talon's story wouldn't make sense if she were alive 3000 or so years before the Legacy comics which she appears in. And by the way, I don't mind but a lot of people frown upon reposting to threads which have been inactive for a long time.

Perhaps not all careers and life circumstances afford people the same amount of free time? It is a tad disrespectful to say that people need to learn better time management skills.

I am annoyed at the nerf and lack of communication rather than upset but I understand why others are upset about these things. I don't expect the issues to actually be solved in 48 hours but a simple, 'We're looking into feedback', would be an expected courtesy from a company who we pay for a service. I do agree that there are far bigger problems in the world - I enjoy debating then also! However, sometimes it is a nice distraction to complain and express concerns over an MMO (the point of which is also to distract from real life). And, just because there are large issues in the world, we can't completely ignore the small ones either!

Well, it is more like we are in a diner and they have taken the food we paid for away and given us something we don't like. Regardless of the product, companies like Bioware should really keep customers updated. They might mitigate upset by stating they are looking into the complaints. However, it might have been beneficial if they had asked if players supported the nerfs in the first place. Edit - you replied to another poster while I wrote the above. People cannot assume that Bioware are working on the issue because they have ignored other issues in the past - plus they care about the game and it may be a big source of recreation for some, increasing its importance to them.

I agree - the Devs have communicated poorly. They implemented the nerf with minimal (I.e. Basically no) feedback from the community. And now they are not responding to the outrage of the community. I think even those who are indifferent to or agree with the nerf should be annoyed at Bioware's lack of communication. (FYI I think that a slight nerf was justifiable - perhaps 10-20% but 75% has obliterated the game for casual players)

I am sure you can post if you have cancelled but still have time left before what you have already paid for runs out?

If I'm honest... I think the vast number of threads regarding the companion nerf I have sifted through show that the majority are against the nerf. Or at least, the extent of the nerf. And I think it is definitely fair to say that Bioware's relative lack of communication regarding the nerf (and so many other issues in the past) has annoyed even some people who were in favour of the nerf or were indifferent towards it.

Not often I post on the forums but I feel I must voice my opinion on the companion changes. I am a 'Founder' and have played on and off since Beta. One of the reasons I have tended to play for a month or so then break for two or three was that there was no solo content worth repeating. That changed with KoTFE. I had a reason to run Heroics - to level my Alliance. Combat was fairly easy but I found it fun and could complete the quests quickly enough that I could enjoy the limited amount of time I am afforded as a result of real life commitments. Now, after patch 4.0.2, I can still run normal heroics. However, it takes a more time than before 4.0.2. Thus, I am left with less time to participate in Flashpoints and PvP (or have to choose between them, if I want to play Heroics). Furthermore, while I believe a nerf was called for, 20% or a similar figure may have been better. I don't think HM FPs or more difficult content should be possible solo. However, Star Fortress Heroics were challenging enough before the patch but now they are incredibly difficult to all but the best-geared players when solo. Finally, I think that one of the reasons for the nerf may have been that healing companions had become preferable to actual players in Flashpoints and apparently players were being kicked in favour of companions (though I did not see it personally). However, I do not think that this was a companion issue; the Flashpoints are currently unbalanced and frustrating to play through with pug groups. At least, in my experience and from what I have read elsewhere. And for those who would say, 'Join a guild.', I and many other casual players may not feel that they have the time to commit to a guild - hence the popularity of group finding mechanisms in MMOs. TL;DR - Anyway, the bottom line of my rant is that the companion nerf was absolutely excessive. Elitist players who advocate the nerf and the developers who agree with them may consider that players do not want powerful companions because they lack skill but because it suits particular playstyles (particularly that of the casual player). Players who seek challenge should look to HM FPs and Ops.

1. Mon Calamari 2. Kel Dor 3. Bothan

http://www.swtor.com/user/ce/5zvbc

http://www.swtor.com/user/ce/5zvbc

http://www.swtor.com/user/ce/5zvba