I think we are both a little confused. In the build you linked as your current, you have 3 points into bursting flame, granting flame burst 100% chance to proc CGC, when you could just move those points to get 3% endurance (same tier) and they are not 'wasted' you're getting more health and still able to move up the tree. Not sure if that was just an over site when putting the points into the build? or if that is really the way you have it. I dont want to use CGC, and it sounds like your not either, so why not just take the free 3% endurance over a talent that is getting you nothing? not trying to flame, or sound like I am yelling just trying to clear confusion. As far as infrared over Degauss I am in the same boat as you. I dont see either really doing much for PvE tanking, so it comes down to Huttball vs. Other BG's. Degauss seems like it would work better in huttball, but is it necessary with jet charge. In other BG's infrared seems better to catch those stealth bastards sneaking around. Does the 2% to range really help at all, seems to me to be too minor to even consider?

chainsawsamurai can you please explain to me why you take busting flames over integrated cardio package in tier 1? If your never using CGC why would you not take the extra 3% endurance, and if you are using CGC in some situations do you really not want the snare? Otherwise i really like your build, might make a few minor personal adjustments.

i would agree that it will be hard to tell till we get someway to extract the exact numbers. On flame sweep, i am a lower lvl and just got this ability, and heat to dmg ratio didnt seem very good, even for an AOE, but i haven't had much time to play with it. I tend to try and use flame thrower or rain from above for AOE dmg.

I could see a very good argument for moving out of the armor talent into the Koloto/absorption, just note that this is the only place to move those armor points as i would be short of 15 points in the first 3 tiers by trying to move those points to the crit damage. What is absorption exactly? does it only apply when shielding an attack? That was my biggest issue, missing the 30% crit dmg... Where can we get the other 2 points from to get it? It would have to come from armor pen on rail shot (adv proto tree), do we give up 40% armor pen on rail shot for 30% more crit dmg? I am not the best at theory crafting but this seems like it is very close. RP has a shorter cooldown and a good crit chance with the flame shield talent, but you still are only get that 30% on a crit. Where the armor pen on rail shot applies every time you use it, even though rail shot is on a longer cooldown you have to consider there is a chance to reset the CD on every RP and Flame Burst, not to mention Rail shot has great range. The last thing to consider is that Rail Shot would still have 30% armor pen from the pyro tree... Gosh this is the only thing i can't settle on! Great suggestions! Thanks for the feedback! lets keep this discussion going!

Ok so i have been reading this thread for the last couple days, and I just don't like any of the proposed builds... but maybe I'm just stupid. Also i am only 25 atm so my input probably doesn't count for much, but at least hear me out! My main goal is to be able to tank in both PVE and PVP, while being able to contribute in PVP matches other than Huttball (where tanking isnt AS important), so a little extra DPS. I just can't convince myself to give up Jet Charge, just seems too nice for every scenario. So here is my 21/2/18 hybrid build: http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#301hRGr0RboZ0MZfhrbzh.1 Comments: Shield Tech Tree: I think this is pretty standard, gives me the good tanking talents, Jet Charge, Grapple Immobilize (not affected by resolve? so if target has full resolve i wont pull but they cant move for 3 seconds? if is affected by resolve i would be tempted to take Ion Screen), Shield Vent, and Rocket Punch CD refresh chance on Shield (amazing). Adv. Proto Tree: Just improved Rail Shot, 40% (60% max) armor pen is just to nice to pass up, even more so when you take Prototype Particle Accelerator and Super heated Rail in the Pyro tree. My debate here is 3 points here and 2 in pyro, or how i have it? I feel the chance for a CD reset and no cost is better than the extra 20% armor pen when you already have 70%. Also is this better than Flame Surge in ST line (i feel like it is as it seems to be more consistent for dmg)? Pyro Tree: Taking bursting flame, sweltering heat, and superheated gas gives the option to use CGC those times you don't need to tank (or just want to melt someones face). You get Incendiary missiles, nice DOT (from what i read), and the kicker Prototype Particle Accelerator for free Rail Shots, combined with superheated gas for 70% armor pen (or 90% if you switch 1 point around)! What i was wondering is if anything in the Pyro tree is specific to having CGC active (other than venting heat on Rail Shot), like we have for Guard and IGC? Feel free to tell me how stupid I am and why this build will totally suck, but please include a decent explanation! Thanks for the feedback!