(OP, note that I understand that the elimination of cover is not your proposal, just the requirement, but the following is simply amusing anecdotal cover-related experience) It's funny. After going all the way to level 50 with my Gunslinger, then rolling a new toon (Trooper), I found that I was still locked into the "cover" mindset. It was around the final volcano dungeon on Ord Mantell where I fought a group that was too difficult to tackle alone (well, at least with a massive amount of lag). Once I knew that there was too many of them shooting me to survive that encounter (or at least figure out a plan of action), my first instinct was to hit 'F', leap to cover, and give me a few seconds to come up with plan 'B'.... Then I went, "OH ****" and died. Honestly, I felt so vulnerable. I've played pretty much every AC to at least 35, and I honestly don't find myself going, "WOW! This is FREEING!". As an Operative I either have to attack from stealth, or get really close to my enemies. As a commando, in order to dish out my gnarly attacks, I have to stand still to let channel, and as a healer I have to stand still to heal (the only difference with Gunslinger, I'd have to click middle-mouse button to roll into cover before unleashing my best abilities). For Jedi Knight, I have to stick close to my enemies like orange on Snookie, as does my Bounty Hunter and Assassin. The point is, removing the cover requirement would be like removing the stealth requirement on a lot of Operative/Scoundrel abilities. Or letting Jedi Knight hack at you with a lightsaber from 30m. We've all got our Achilles heels, but like I said before, our Achilles heel is made of pure adamantine, and we can bludgeon people to death with it.

Depends. If you're trying to solo Heroic 4 quests, Kaliyo has slightly better defenses than a DPS companion. And you'll need it, if you're going to outheal Champion level damage, or a trio of Elites.

Yeah, that happens a lot. Look in general chat, because the ghost Jedi appears in everyone's XS's, even though they can't see anyone else while they're running around (and claim they can't see any furniture or lights either). If you keep a can of Force Insensitive Jedi-B-Gone handy, you can shoo them away. I've also heard that if you hang a mirror near your entry ramp, it will repel them. Apparently they can't stand to look at their own self-absorbed bullcrap in the reflection.

Actually, I find her to be the best possible choice, as a character. She acts as a complete counter-balance to the typical Imperial Agent (loyal, disciplined, discreet). She'll challenge you, just like how Corso (with his moral code) challenges the greedy smuggler.

Kaliyo (Operative companion) is really fun. She actually approves of you flirting with other women. She's dead crazy, unpredictable, but so long as you give in to your Id, you will get her approval.

Every class (or in this case, AC) needs an Achilles heel. In our cases, it's lack of mobility. Jedi Knight have to deal with short range, Scoundrels have to deal with lack of a gap-closer, and DPS troopers can't retreat like classes with either stealth or cover... We're pretty dang effective as it is. Our handicap is a heck of an asset. If you take away the necessity of cover to use most of our abilities, then you're just asking to be whammied with a balance nerf. Consider me the Cover Advocate. It may be our Achilles heel, but it's made of solid steel, and you can bludgeon people to death with it.

If I remember correctly, the AC trainers are capable of bending the laws of physics by hanging out in the cantina/vendor area beneath the senate tower, AND in the Combat Training section of the fleet. Same guys (names, appearances, everything) because originally in Beta the fleet didn't exist, and you got your AC on Coruscant. But REMEMBER that you MUST have the mission first, telling you to go to the AC trainer. Otherwise they won't talk to you. Get that mission by the elevator you exited the first time you entered Carrick station (right off the boat from Ord Mantell). It's by the elevator on the far Western section of the station.

Nah, HK may be a survivor, but he's a killer through and through. That's his job. His programing. His passion. If he had lungs, skin and life, he would live, sweat and breath killing. But he doesn't. Unlike some undesirables he could mention..... I have to say, he's pretty dang good as a DPS companion. The Assassinate ability is pretty handy against Strong opponents, especially at higher levels (they can be nasty in groups). And it's totally HIM. But yes, I'd like to see (hear?) some more dialogue. Half of the fun of his character in KOTOR was how he'd urge you to do terrible things, and berate you for showing mercy. Does anyone know if you can gain ANY affection from any quests other than the small companion dialogues with him? Otherwise it's kind of lame if you have to give him gifts in order for him to like you... Does my murder and mayhem mean NOTHING to you?!?

In actuality, I admittedly spent a good deal on a ship GTN (I bought the full jetpack upgrades months ago for about 4.5 mil, and couldn't bring myself to grind another 5 mil) and HK unlocks on my low-level dark side alts. My Operative and HK are bros.

I believe it's the Taris social gear. Go to the cantina to find it!

I spent all of my cartel coins on Glitterstim, and all I got was this T-Shirt... But I sold it, to buy more Glitterstim.

I'm not very experienced with high level Scrapper, but as a Gunslinger I tend to keep Guss around (both for his witty comments, and his healing ability). If you're trying to go as a damage scrapper, I'd keep a healer companion around, and make sure to always stealth CC something. If you're going as healer-spec, I'd keep either Corso or Bowdaar around and heal them. However, because tank companions tank about as well as a wet tissue, you might be SOL without some decent armor for them. And unfortunately, if your battle strategy is to let your companion do the attacking while you heal them, it'll take a LONG time to kill stuff. I guess the biggest thing, either way, is to make SURE to stealth CC someone at the beginning of combat. In terms of WHICH places to go to for dailies, Illum gives out the most credits per mission (10k), but Black Hole Sector has a nice closed area with quick access to all missions (albeit at 7k). Belsalvis Sector-X might be a bit difficult to handle, but has a decent turn in reward per mission. The standard Belsalvis area is widespread, takes a while, and doesn't give a lot of bang for your buck. But if you're got some decent ship upgrades, you can do some space missions in the unknown regions for some decent daily mission commendations and credits.

Gonna have to go with ...

As much as I hate to say it, Han Solo was a terrible smuggler. He got caught, he can't sneak (see ROTJ), he can't dual wield, he can't heal, and if he were a better smuggler, he wouldn't have gotten caught in the Death Star's tractor beam.... Let the flaming begin!

How do you know the rest of us aren't crazy as well? Heh, I'm just kidding. The robot spiders controlling my thoughts won't allow me to lie. Or buy laundry detergent.

Ayep. That's how I capped my affection on all my companions. I swear, sometimes it's almost like sending them a Hallmark card that says, "Sorry I murdered your entire family and bathed in their blood.... I's been bad, I'm sowwy!!!"

Like the others said, Light Side versus Dark Side isn't always so simple. Bravery can sometimes be Light Side, which she likes, so long as it isn't charity. But cowardice can sometimes be Dark Side, and she HATES cowards. Be brave, and ruthless. Sometimes that's Light, sometimes that's Dark. It's situational.

Not even close.

You sure? I remember mixing and matching with my guns for different combos.

So -that's- why he keeps a Wookie around!

That made me laugh. Yeah. All I could think about were the Amazon women from Futurama. Eeeehhh.... No. Just... No. Guss in mediocre gear do wonders. I've found that David Bowiedaar and Corso Buzzkill Riggs still tank like wet tissue paper even in epic gear. With Guss along, I can use the "set it and forget it" combat style. Basically, I start combat, I go get a beer, I come back still alive. If you stay in cover and keep melee mobs from you, Guss can turn you into a DPS + Tank. I believe Trooper has 4 or 5 companions that use Aim. And it's fantastic because that means you can give them all of your old gear. It's a lot simpler that way. Also, remember that when you're level 50 and getting epic gear, chances are you aren't going to be flush with gear for other classes. Well, without aggravating your group members by rolling on gear for other classes....

As a Gunslinger, I didn't really get much use out of her. As a DPS build without healing, I needs me a fish-faced con-artist who knows a Hutt who's sellin' cheap.

Try clicking on him over and over to get his dialogue lines. There's a few amusing ones. The rarest of them is pretty funny (more because of its unexpectedness) :

Hey, it's okay to talk about your feelings here. We're all friends here! Except for Steve. He's just a jerk.