As someone who does not PVP at all, and runs HM FPs from Group Finder daily, I think this is a great idea. I've seen many players instantly decline the FP group finder, and have come to realize that most of this is due to them being in a WZ. And if you are having to wait a long time for a PVE group finder, you may want to look at the reason why (ignore list?). On my dps I usually only have to wait between 5 and 15 minutes.

Taral V is by far the easiest for the Republic side. Most runs I go on people skip all but 2 of the bosses, but I bet if you asked nicely and explained you needed gear it wouldn't be a problem for most groups to stop and do another boss or two for Tionese crystals. Here is a rough order of the Republic side HM FP's: 1. Taral V 2. Maelsrom Prison 3. The Esseles 4. Battle for Ilum 5. False Emporer 6. Directive 7 7. Kaon under Siege 8. Lost Island

I'd say full Orange with purple 50s would be a good start point to get into the easier ones (Taral V, MP). Run some dailies for a couple weeks, and try to do several Darkness on Ilum and Lesson Learned for the Ehancements and Mods. Once you start doing the easier HM's regularly, you will start to get Tionese level gear from crystals and comms very quickly. You will also probably get some unassembled drops as well.

I had it drop first time through Lost Island HM. Have yet to see it drop again.

I've been running HM FPs in group finder on two toons pretty much every day for the past couple months on the Shadowland server. My dps can take up to 45 minutes on a slow day, but usually pops between 20-30 minutes. My tank usually pops the instant I que, but have waited as long as ten minutes. I'm not sure about the normal mode FP's, haven't had a low level toon since early spring.

I've never been kicked, but have been in groups that have kicked players for what I would deem petty and impatient reasons (not knowing the FP, accidentally agro, and not hitting space bar, etc.). If that happens while I'm on my DPS, I just stick with the group and try to make it through to the end., write the names down and add them to my Tank's ignore list. If it happens while I'm rolling my Tank, I will leave the group, and add the 2 members to my ignore list. It gives me time to take a 10 minute break (while waiting out the penalty), and then I'm back in que and back into a FP in seconds. Actions do have consequences.

I have both a Gunnery Spec Commando, and a Shield Spec Vanguard. I started the Commando first, so would say leveling was more fun the first time through the Trooper story arc. Things also went much faster leveling a DPS than a Tank. Now I play both about the same, and it really depends on what kind of mood I am in. It is much easier getting into a Group Finder for HM with the Tank, I usually pop the second I enter the queue. The DPS can take up to 30 minutes on a slow day, but I don't have to work as hard when I'm actually in the Flashpoints. I have recently completed a set of DPS gear for the Vanguard, and have just started playing around with Assault Spec, so we'll have to see how that goes.

Sorry, meant Demo Round.

I have started putting Changed Bolts back into my rotation. I don't use it a lot, but it does fit my rotation now and then. Charged Bolts has a chance to proc Curtain of Fire. If I find myself with HIB, Full Auto, and Demo Round all in CD, then I might throw in a Charged Bolt to get Curtain of Fire to finish the CD for Full Auto.

Just finish the couple quests after the end of act 2, and Dorne will be all healed up.

Is the Diminishing Return on Absorption 30%?

Ya guys, quit wasting paper!

I'm a newly 50 Shield Spec Vanguard, and starting to put together my daily level armor set for PVE. My primary purpose will be to tank for FPs, and eventually HM and Ops. I remember reading a couple months ago that for a Tech based tank, Defense Rating in third behind Shield Rating, and Absorption. Is this true? I guess I'm trying to find out if there is a proper ratio that I should be aiming for. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Thanks for the input all. After a little experience, I've come to the same conclusion: Aim/Power stims for normal day to day stuff, and Endurance for the tougher stuff.

Wanted to get some advice on which Stims to use. My Vanguard is a pure Shield Spec Tank, and I have either Aim and Power, or Endurance and Defense to choose from. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

For my Gunnery DPS Commando my theme song is Tool Vicarious. The line "I need to watch things die, from a good safe distance" pretty much sums it up. For my Shield Spec Vanguard my theme song is Tank! from The Seatbelts (the Cowboy Bebop intro theme).

When I saw all the posts complaining about the "nerf" I was a bit nervous about logging in. From a purely PVE standpoint I really don't see that much of a nerf. DPS is down a little, but I was still able to solo both the Ilum and Belsavis +2 heroics. The fight against the first "boss" on Belsavis was a little tougher, but hardly what I would call an epic nerf.

My first character is a level 50 gunnery dps Commando, and I have a level 32 shield spec Vanguard. For PVE it is very hard to beat gunnery Commando. I solo the +2 daily Heroics quickly, and with ease. My experience so far with a Vanguard tank is that everything takes so much longer to kill, but the amount of damage I can take is amazing. Will probably roll a third Trooper as a Assault Vanguard for just PVP.

Are there any plans to make modable versions of Tech Blades and Tech Staffs? I know there is a issue with Aim not being on current in game hilts, but as a Trooper I would very much like to see this fixed. Right now two of the Trooper companions (Tanno Vik and Yuun) lack a modable weapon, and I know the Jedi Counsular's Tank has the same problem.

I have just started using 4X more to run level 45-50 Heroic +4s with a friend. It does take a bit more micro-managing things like Flame Guard and Shields, and you need to gear him up. I am almost done upgrading his armor to the Dailies Comm level, and have blue and purple mods/enhance with a mix of shield, absorption and defense rating (in that order). Logically 4X is the best choice for tanking, because you can pretty easily get all modable gear for him, including the belt and bracer slot (it is going to take a long while before Vik gets a modable belt and bracers). 4X is also a lot easier to raise affection than Vik, from my experiences.

I originally had some Alaccrity in her gear, but read a few places that Alacrity is helpful for casting, not tech based abilities.

After Aim, I stack Critical, Surge, and Power.

The Modable E-403 Heavy Cannon is a world drop on Belsavis. I got my first one from a guildmate running Belsavis dailies, and about a week and a half later I looted one from the Gold/Elite Commando back behind the Rattataki leaders (kill 3 for the daily). It looks like a water cannon, and sounds like a 80's electric snare drum.

Have only seen modable versions with color stripes.