This may come off as rude or cocky, but it's the most honest advice I can give. And, if you take it for what it is worth, it will be valuable, I promise. Figure it out yourself. Spend some time, some hours, reading the abilities in the trees. Hit a training dummy for a few hours, parse it, break it down, swap some gear, tweek your spec. Find what works best for YOU. (You're not gonna parse like C-tor. He's prolly an exceptional player, in an exceptional guild that uses teamwork, communication, and repetition to get the results he, and they, do.) I've got Top 2 VG parses in every significant SM OP (3rd in TC and TFB CHK) and too many #1 parses in HM FPs, running an 8-8-30 90% of the time. Every one of these OPs is a PUG, as I am guildless. Meaning, new dynamics, strats, pull spots, etc. every time! (I LOL at the jet charge post...Learn the zones, i.e. Titan 6 spawns at the same damn point, every time!!) I spent several hours learning my rotation, perfecting my ammo management, and practicing moving, simulating add spawns, etc. It's funny, when I moved a few keybinds I was messing up my rotations, as I had it (my rotation) so perfected, my muscle memory had me pressing keys I had moved If you want to be good, you can't expect someone to do it for you. Put in the time and effort, and it will pay off. The one exception to this is gearing questions. Not everyone can afford to swap mods, and 78 gear min/max'ing can take quite some time to acquire. Taking the wrong piece can be heartbreaking So, here's my tip: Practice makes perfect. And if you have any questions, I will be glad to answer them and assist in any way. But, what's the best spec, what rotation should I use, and all other general lazy questions will go unanswered (by me). Don't take this as a direct attack at you. Just a response in general at the lack of effort people want to put in and expect stellar results. Good luck!

I feel this way, also.

YOU!!! you're the #$%$# that is above me in all those SM parses!! you min/max'd with 78 MH? and crit adrenal...hmm. I've always wondered, but never really tried one, even tho I have a reusable crafted. I've got some room for improvement myself. I rarely use recharge cells and keep my ammo above 4 ticks. Just did some quick parsing today to post on server forums Nice parse!

I can't speak for Tactics, but I believe it is the same across the specs: 100% acc. and I have 25% crit as Assault. (70%+ surge) 3k DPS on training dummy, and I'm top 3 in almost all SM OP parses. (VG)

where's the parses? 7-8-31 VG. Missing 78 MH, using matrix cube, and not min/max enhancements, yet. Also, UW ear, Oriconian implants. http://www.torparse.com/a/518670/6/0/Overview Could have prolly broke 3k, didn't blow ammo and use recharge cells on CD...Stayed above 4 ticks until <30%, where I did blow ammo and use recharge cells.

7-8-31 VG. Missing 78 MH, using matrix cube, and not min/max enhancements, yet. Also, UW ear, Oriconian implants. http://www.torparse.com/a/518670/6/0/Overview

You should have a look at some of my older posts concerning rotation and spec Again, I'm only a SM hero, but I'm top 3 VG DPS on almost every OP boss, and a few #1's But, I love the spec, it's simplicity, it's mobility, and how easy it is to position, move, and maintain DPS while actually enjoying the fight! I love the big numbers my sniper puts up, and the fact I can view the whole battlefield, but its mobility bores me. VG DPS....Holla! EDIT: this is w/ 72MH barrel, Ob SA/Matrix cube, 72/72/72 boots/gloves and 78/78/72 rest.

I've been doing pretty well with AOE lately: MV > SG > HiB > ES > PC > IP > IP > HiB > ES Assault is no slouch in AOE fights. And I prefer the 10m MOBILE play style. I'm not stuck in AOE garbage graphics, staring at the boss's feet, and never lose DPS during moving phases. My 1st PvE main was sniper (pre 1.2). Nice seeing big numbers, but it gets boring sitting still. Next, I mained a Merc/Pyro, loved it, but having to move mid powershot is annoying! Switched to VG/Assault as main, cannot even play my Merc now Also, ran my Shadow (inf) through all zones last week. What a workout keeping max DPS, watching procs, and chasing mobs Definitely my PvP toon!! Was very challenging and fun, but I'm so much more productive on my VG. Play style just suits me...and I believe I play it VERY well But, I'm a Story Mode hero...

I agree. I was averaging <200-250 DPS (Tactics) and around <250-300 DPS (Assault). I still believe the top tier talents, TD/AP specifically, are quite underwhelming as a full spec "reward". I have no problem with a hybrid spec being viable, and even top parsing in certain circumstances, but overall superior....No sir, I don't like it.

Very nice. I'm glad I read that...I wasn't going to, as I have no desire to ever play tactics, or tactics hybrid, but I did and it was very well written and informational. Assault/Pyro fo' life. Again, very nice guide.

I will try to be there!! Great event.

And I don't see what the problem is...I use PvP relics for PvE. (SA) While I do disagree w/ a PvE item being BiS for PvP, I do not think it is, or can be considered an exploit or hax. I don't see T-Fett's angle there... I don't recall much complaining when EWH was BiS relic PvE/PvP.

Use the search, and read the forums... Usually, I would be much more helpful, but this has been discussed AT LENGTH recently, with several good informational posts STILL on the first page.

Serendipitous Assault and Matrix Cube... ...'til I get the BiS BA...

Perhaps in PvP. In PvE, we are still >5-10% behind top performing AC's.

Agreed, as usual... But, since I've been doing more SM/HM OPs recently, I truly am amazed at the lack of skill I find in most PuGs. Not sure I should be, nowadays. In a competitive, professional if you will, atmosphere, what Melon (who is one of the top parsing PT's) says really holds true. If you're more like me, more of a casual raider, yet a highly skilled player, you'll do just fine. I get guarded on my VG 90% of the time. Even had a tank tell me to stop taunting! (lol) I assured him I was not, and I was not... All skill and gear the same, what Melon says is 100% accurate.

What dat dude said I also love my VG, altho I spec 8-8-30, and never use SS...so, I'm a 10m spec, which gives me a bit more wiggle room in positioning. I parse quite well (I'd put myself top 5 VG/PT), but, that is still not really competitive versus snipers/'slinger, sentinel/marauder, or merc/'mando. i.e. ~5%. I do very well in OPs and FP's, and being an intelligent player, I do not bring the team down. But, I play VG because I have fun, and really enjoy the class. And that's what the game is for If you're looking to set records, this is not the class for you. But, if you like the play style, have fun, and play smartly, you will do just fine in ANY aspect of the game. I have a hard time playing my Merc/Pyro now because I enjoy the mobility of VG so much!!

All of my best HM FP parses are when my Aussie friend is tanking on his Knight. (and we PuG the rest). We play so well together, and have since SWG way back in 2003. A good tank, as well as good communication, really goes a long way. i.e. A few hundred DPS. And the armor debuff doesn't hurt, either Although, I did break 3k DPS on Chief Zokar in a full PuG, before the power went out last night Also, had a few decent SM parses in DF w/ awesome Harbinger lag, too. 150 ms-30k ms...Garbage a** server. http://www.torparse.com/a/478317 EDIT: Completely lost my train of thought when the phone rang... -Increase/revert GCG damage -Revert CGC proc on FB/IP instead of RP/SS. -Execute ability -Make burnout a raid wide DoT buff, since it is only 3% (gives us utility, reason to bring PT/VG) -DoT immunity of some kind in PvP -Add all SW DCD's to VG/PT Assault/Pyro tree...

I was gonna sign up, 'til I found out our ***** won't touch

I agree with everything you've said, in both this post and the one above. I was just adding my $.02. As far as hybrid or tactics, I guess I'm just stuck in my ways... I love the boring 8-8-30, fully mobile spec. I've been running it pre 2.0, honestly. Once I switched from Merc/PT to VG/Assault. Overall, hybrid will parse higher on average, and has better overall defenses. I just believe it is a bit more difficult to manage properly, thus I find more success in my build. Again, I'm a Regstar, PuG'r. My role in OPs changes every time. So the flexibility really fits me, as well as my expertise in the spec. I do believe I push the most out of it, as my parses usually show. All things equal, skill, groups, etc. Hybrid > Tactics > Assault in 2.4. But, I have no equals (j/k)

http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=658277 You're welcome.

I'm with ya, brotha! The changes to PT/VG Pyro/Assault did nothing to help in PvE. With little to no "utility" in this game, in PvE our survivability is the tanks holding agro, and the healers doing their job. Adrenaline Fueled and Degauss do next to nothing in an OP.

In a straight up comparison versus other top performing DPS classes (Sniper, Marauder, Merc) PT is definitely not ~5%, or what I would call "competitive". However, if you are a good, competent player that knows the fights, is easy to heal, and does his role with little to no delay, that SHOULD go a long way in an OPs group. However, I am aware that this is usually not how classes are chosen. Why take a PT @ 2500 DPS, with little to no utility that other classes already bring to the OP, when you can load up on 3500 DPS classes? Most would not, or would not even give a competent PT a chance. That's a problem.

2/22/22 is the TOP parsing spec right now, in any case...AOE, Dummy, and Single TGT. There is no debate, other than if you (not you, personally) cannot parse high with the spec, you're doing it wrong, or do not know how to manage the heat/rotation. Some, like myself, just prefer a different play style. But, I know better than to say 8-8-30, or any variant or full spec will parse > hybrid. Finally, Assault has some nice DR/DC with Adrenaline Fueled and Degauss, but it's hard to beat Shock Absorbers 60% DR potential. Especially, with Smash/Sweep being so prevalent.

My numbers are posted on Torparse. You too lazy to have a look? Should I post every boss parse here? Doesn't seem like a very good use of time, since they are all a few clicks away. Is it my fault "so few actually upload logs for FPs and SM ops"? IDK how/where you get that "solid" evidence. SM OPs and HM FP's...again, all PuG'd, as I am not guilded. If I were to run HM, nothing would change, other than I might spec hybrid for AOE fights. And I can guarantee my numbers would be competitive. i.e. top 5 (in 72's) And if I'm not mistaken, he didn't specify HM or SM, FP or OP. Dude asked for opinions/advice and I gave it...AND provided a good base of evidence. But, since you're healing OPs, he should probably listen to your expertise. If I need some healing tips, I'll be sure to look you up.