I run 8-8-30, NEVER use SS, and have pretty good results. In 72's, 78OH. NO set bonus 11 #1 VG parses in HM FP's and SM OP's. Just started running OP's again, SnV and DF for the first time, and posted very respectable numbers (mostly top 5) in my first time in the zones. EVERY zone has been a PuG, as I am currently guildless. Hybrid will parse > 36 in almost all instances. I just prefer the 10m play style of 8-8-30. Full 36 parses a bit higher than 8-8-30 on a dummy, but in an actual FP/OP scenario you will never be able to just sit and perform flawless rotations. Again, my 8-8-30 is simple, reliable, consistent DPS. The only real management you need to be concerned with is IR DoT uptime. Other than that, it is a fluid IP-HS-IP filler between HiB's. I can maintain mobility, swap targets, etc. without losing any DPS. Only Azurlight and Stryvah (both PT's) outperform me in FP's. And once I find a guild that suits me, and can parse some HM OP's, I'll be top 5 there as well. 8-8-30. But, play what you like, what you are comfortable with. I have FUN and parse like a boss. EDIT: I might be tempted to go 2/22/22 for OPs with AOE...i.e. C-tor's excellent DF/DP parses.

Probably. Unless they pull their heads outta their arse and actually make TD/AP worth taking. Still rocking 8-8-30, and setting VG DPS records every time I run a OP or FP in 72's and all PuGs. And I could easily up my DPS by 200 running 2/22/22, I just dislike the play style.

I gotta be honest when I say I never really looked at the Damage Dealt Broken Down by Action. I've always looked at the Damage Dealt Broken Down by Target. Got my Acc to 100, and never really gave it much thought after that

Both specs are viable. As far as gear, it's not necessarily WHAT pieces, it's final stats... Acc 100% < Aim < Power < Surge < Crit (275ish is good) < Cunning So, implants and earpiece are going to depend on where those other stats are distributed throughout your gear. Also, depends on your spec and what your rotation is. If you have PS set bonus, power has more weight than crit. Just have to parse it out, at that point.

I think he means in general, which I agree with. I've PvP'd a tad bit more on my Merc/Pyro than on my VG/Assault, and I find I have greater success on my VG. I can challenge almost any class on my VG, whether it is straight DPS or kiting/LoS. I can as well on my Merc, but I can be shut down, or DPS drastically reduced if kiting, if attacked by >1 class (especially melee). On VG, I can kite away <10m and still produce MAXIMUM DPS. That is not the case as a Mercenary. Sure, Merc has some great survival and utility, under the right circumstances. But, I'm sure any competitive PvP'r understands under those circumstances, as a DPS class, what you want to do is DPS!! Not be interrupted or have to abandon your "rotation" because you have no immunity (sniper) or ability to "cast" on the run (VG/PT). I have to be a bit more wily on my Merc to be successful versus opponents with skills. I can stick to my IPx3 HiB under any circumstance on my VG. EDIT: And a good (I repeat good) DoT class is very challenging on my VG. Rock to my scissors, if you will. EDIT x2: Allowing the ability to cast Power Sot on the run fixes this. (NOT Unload) Can still be interrupted, but DPS is not neutered if forced to kite or pressured.

I wonder how much higher that parse would be if ACC was 100%...Or, are the misses on PS and RS worth the power and surge? I can tell a few things from this parse. First, dude's in pretty sweet gear w/ set bonus. Also, looks like a power stack with RS 8988 Crit. Personally, I would love to see that parse w/ 1 use of Unload (1st RS proc)...and PS > PS > PS as filler. Nice parse.

Tru dat. I've played Pyro Merc since it was Firebug. I've tried Arsenal for about 2 days, just didn't care for it. I do quite well on my Merc/Pyro and VG/Assault, in both PvE and PvP. Which doesn't mean the classes do not have issues (PvP), I'm just very experienced, as well as a very good player. Play what you like...This is supposed to be entertainment.

Static relics is the most logical way to handle this. And, tbh, I truly hate RNG in this game. It really is Random Was never a fan of D&D, or 20-sided dice. Some of the things that make it to live is maddening. People don't play on PTS, because BW won't listen anyway. Bugs reported, feedback given, and stuff like these relics still make it to live...and last WEEKS! This relic bug is ridiculous. And it is obvious when I encounter someone using it. Thus, I have not 55 PvP'd while this bullschizer is going on. QA department needs drastic improvement.

Not I. I have never liked AP or Arsenal specs. I don't care if the spec can parse 3 million, I'll never play the spec. I was merely attempting to be humorous. Which I should know better by now.

I've been around here for quite some time, and contributed quite a bit, as have you and a few others I still recognize. Server 1st BM, as well as several #1 parses, I'm pretty confident I know what I'm talking about. Everybody has an opinion, and is entitled to it. It doesn't bother me, and don't let it bother you. I let my skills and numbers do my talking. P.S. DoTing up everybody in a WZ is FLUFF damage, and does little to contribute victory. Sure, makes the e-peen look huge, and if that's what you want, do it.

Sums it up nicely. PvE Merc Pyro is pretty bad arse. PvP Merc Pyro blows.

PvP - sucks PvE - Slightly reduced DPS...still really good if u can maintain rotation. I'm STILL rockin 8-8-30 and pretty much fook up HM FP's. But, I'm crazy.

Or...or... You could go Pyro/Assault and be a man

Nice list. I knew this thread would get interesting and/or funny after I read the 1/3 dmg 1/2 health comment...

I also play both Merc and VG. Personally, after MANY, MANY parses, in identical gear (I swap legacy gear between the 2) I find that in similar gear, they parse almost identical. What's going on is comparing apples to oranges. PvE and PvP. Which as any Merc knows has it's strengths and weaknesses, just as VG. What the difference is, and the explanation on PtH's sexy parse is gear and the pretty nice set bonus (15% crit on PS, which is quite substantial). Again, I run a little different spec than most...I'm not raiding, or even in a guild, but 6 #1 VG parses, 1 #2's, and 5 #3's in HM FP's leads me to believe I'm doing something right...in 72/72/66 gear, no set bonuses Just started playing my Merc in FP's, so I expect to very competitive, as well. In Ops and BiS gear, I'd wager they are quite similar. P.S. Mercs do need some jump immunity or cast on the move in PvP!!

Agreed. Heat is not an issue, on either spec. PT and/or Merc. (I play both VG assault and Merc Pyro)... Or is it??? I did some thinking, and comparing. PtH parse...have a look at the "spammable" Power Shot: 35.4% 320 Power Shot 657763 1204.27 2055.51 44.38% Have a look at the AVG DMG done...The rest of the parse is almost identical to the higher performing Pyros/Assault...His Rail Shot is a little higher, too (80-100 DPS) I'm gonna say that is gear. Burning (Tech), Rapid Shots, even electronet vs. shoulder cannon is close. So, PT/VG cannot "spam" IP/FB like a Merc can spam Power Shot...and with Power Shot being roughly 700+ DPS higher than those that I compared versus IP/FB...that's the difference, I believe. I'll do some testing on my VG and Merc with identical gear, and see what I get for results. So, the extra heat reduction actually could be the difference, as a 1200 DPS Power Shot can be used w/out ANY need for a Rapid Shot filler. EDIT: My guess is, after a bunch of parses on VG vs. Merc (nearly identical stats, except tree crit%), it looks like gear and set bonus makes quite a significant difference, as well as never having to use Rapid Shots due to heat issues.

I have noticed this as well, not in Ops, but in HMs (we talking 'bout practice, man) with an armor debuff, I've gotten some very nice parses. Maybe one day i'll try getting in a guild and running some Ops...

AFAIK, Assault VG and Pyro PT are the EXACT same. Not sure where you're getting your info.

the interwebz doesn't make me mad like it used to...I'm older, wiser, and DGAF...and I know I'm pretty fukken awesome my best parses came from 4/6/36....BUT, that was when all the stars lined up and my crits were on point. (and not better by much) on average, 8-8-30 parses higher for me.

Well, I'd like to disagree. It is all relative. I only FP because I do not wish to have to be accountable for "scheduled gaming". If I wanna go drink beer or ride my 4-wheeler, I'm not gonna miss that for an Op. Regardless, i'm still not seeing many VG/PT's on the leaderboards, so I was just asking for some evidence to support these AP>Pyro claims. So, I guess 8-8-30 is pretty kick *** for practice. And I'd wager I would do just as well at "game time".

Top parses still have Assault/Pyro hundreds, sometimes thousands, of DPS behind snipers, 'slingers, marauders, sentinels, and 'mando/mercs. While I respect KBN's math, the proof is there. No need for theory crafting, napkin math, etc. Parse it! Go to DPS leaderboards, HM parses. You will see a LARGE disparity in DPS. Usually, very few VG/PT's on those lists. I have 5 #1 VG parses, and they are well below that of the above mentioned classes. Or, not within ~5%, or competitive. 2.0 PT/VG was 2.4 sniper/marauder. If the class was restored to it's former glory, it would not be OP, and I bet it would be quite competitive in DPS, within ~5%. To argue this is just plain ignoring documented, factual information (parses).

I'm 8-8-30 putting up those numbers in HM FP's. Are you talking overall, or zone wide DPS being superior in PvE as AP? On trash, adds, and AOE's I can see it. but, I don't see any higher numbers (than mine as 8-8-30)on parses since 2.4. I would really like to see some parses from AP's that would back up what i'm hearing, that AP > Pyro...I don't care for AP, or I would be more inclined to try it out. and again, all my parses are from random GF q's.

4/6 #1 VG parses in Czerka zones. #2 on those i'm not on top. All PuG'd. I must be doing something right in 69/69/66 gear.

Being funny and being nice do not usually go hand in hand. Damn people are too sensitive these days.

Oh trust me, even the casual PvE/PvP'r hates RNG as well. One 7 minute parse has my HiB @ 3786 avg dmg 15% crit...the next (7min) has HiB @ 4521 avg dmg 34.92% crit. Of course, when I get poor HiB crits, my IP crits 40+%, and when I get 35% HiB crits, my IP crit is 32%. It's a conspiracy I tell ya!!!