That was 7.0.1, a very different update. 7.1 is the next big content patch, with the new Operation and stuff.

7.1 is not out yet. Maybe your problem is because you're trying to connect to the future.

You do still get the upgrade materials, so there is some value to doing story ops. You get more from HM, of course, but they only have daily lockouts, 3x weeklies, and they are faster and easier. But yes, there's no point in, for example, doing MMFPs for gear if you're at full 326 or above (like I am now).

You may well have hit the maximum item ratings for those types of content. Vet FP (Elite Decurion) gear can only go up to 324, and Story Ops (Tionese) gear can only reach 322. PvP (Thyrsian) can go up to 326, as can MMFP (Supreme Dec.), VM Op (Columi) and Conquest (Noble Dec.) gear.

That is not correct at all. Death Brand can be disabled, returning Death Field, by selecting one of the other two level 23 skills (Sustained Corruption or Unrelenting Affliction). Death Brand is an option that you can use for single-target fights where the DoT-spread is irrelevant, but it is entirely optional.

High endurance low offensive PvP gear sounds horrible. That'd just lead to people flailing at each other for an eternity.

It's a reward for doing it all. It's to be expected that you have to do it all to get it.

It's for completing all the Galactic Seasons achievements, in the Legacy category. You need to fully complete the second season, including the reputation, while it's still active (seasons level 100, max rep, 100 weekly objectives).

Only Rakata gear can be upgraded above 326, and that's Nightmare Ops gear. Rakata Earpieces, Implants and Relics can drop in Vet Ops, but not in any kind of Flashpoint.

Disney canon doesn't matter. This is an expanded universe game set millenia before that nonsense.

Create some loadouts and use those to switch disciplines and combat styles. That'll save the placement of abilities.

Weapons will also be added to the Outfitter, hopefully with 7.1. It was meant to be included in 7.0 but they couldn't get it to work in time.

I don't think there's an M1911, but the Browning Hi-Power is in (Rascal's Way).

Achievements > Legacy > Advancement > Group Finder It's no longer a character-specific rank, but a Legacy-wide achievement based system.

I can now confirm that the Legendary Implants' class requirements go for the active Combat Style's base class. On my Operative (Agent base/story), when I switch to Vanguard, I can equip the Supercommando Package which requires Trooper or Bounty Hunter. I can also equip the Thermal Screen Tactical, which has the same class requirement.

Sorcs/Sages have been doing that for a while.

You do realize that your beloved pre-CU SWG was so unsuccessful that it was on the verge of being closed, right? That's why the NGE was implemented, to try to appeal to more than a too-tiny niche of people who actually like playing in a sandbox with barely any game in it. And it worked, and the game was better off for it. That's the first error you people make when you make this silly comparison. 7.0 is just a new expansion, not a last-ditch effort to get more than two dozen subscribers. And if anything, the game's more complex than during Onslaught, where you were just handed everything on a platter. Quite the opposite from the NGE, no?

I don't think OP is right. My main is an Operative, much older than 7.0 so also a base Agent class/story, with Vanguard as the second Combat Style. When I switch to Vanguard, I cannot equip my Agent/Smuggler Legendary Implants, despite having the Agent base class/story. Logically, that means it goes by the active Combat Style's base class rather than the story.

Backstab can be used as a Frontstab after every detonation of Volatile Substance. This is the main way to use the ability, other than as your opening attack. It also does not require stealth, only that you do it from behind, it merely gets stronger from stealth. Fortunately that Volatile Substance trick also makes it count as stealth. Your main attacks when facing the enemy from the front, especially at lower levels where you do not yet have the abovementioned function, are Laceration and Veiled Strike. And use Volatile Substance as soon as it's off cooldown, and keep your Corrosive Dart up. In general Concealment is a strong single-target burst damage spec, excelling at tearing down one enemy at a time, so Lethality's AOEs and DoT-spreading may be better for solo content. I am very fond of Concealment, though. It's my main spec. Concealment hasn't changed substantially with 7.0, so any older guides are still applicable for the core attacks at least.

Roll back to 1.0.

People have been saying that for a while, but I think it's mostly paranoia. It's not like anybody got kicked for having chosen Gunslinger/Sniper or Sage/Sorcerer instead of their base class's stealth option previously. And any remotely intelligent player knows that different classes can bring many wonderful things to a group. Maybe it'd be a problem if you end up with three Spammer Station fanatics in group finder, but otherwise I very much doubt it.

Legacy > Advancement > Group Finder

As I understand it, the main story part of Manaan will be available, but not the full daily mission area. Probably a lot of the actual area will be there, but without the full set of daily and weekly missions and at a guess, phased heroic areas and such. And this was apparently always the plan, to let people gear up before getting to it.

Why can't people just stay dead when we kill them? Especially ones from storylines that really ought to be concluded by now.

git gud