Another successful 50 gunslinger here. Generally, I top the damage and kills in PvP---and if I don't it's usually goes to another gunslinger or sentinel. With accuracy at 97%, crit at 37 (40 with relic), and surge at 90%, there is actually little reason to be behind the other two ranged DPS. Your attacks may miss at odd moments, but each hit is devastating. In fact, most of my attacks hit...

Indeed, DF or Lethality should only be take at level 40. That's when the "key" ability for each is unlocked. Without it, you're fighting with one hand behind your back. Afterwards though, you are amazing.

The thing is I'm not even packing PvP Champ gear (save for an earpiece). Just PvE Columi--aka I have only a tiny expertise boost on me. With that I can still bleed out a Jugg or Powertech in their PvP gear or watch and laugh as my sludge grenade reduces 6 of the 8 enemy players' speed by 70% on voidstar. Full Champion or Battlemaster Sentinel/Marauders on my server though...their whole 500k damage average per match is indeed intense.

50. Dirty Fighter Gunslinger here. I'm pretty sure there's a "my class is broken" topic on every class. But seriously, we get off pretty well. I can generally top the damage and kills of the PvP charts and have consistent one-on-one victories with pretty much every class. More importantly, in group situations, I can do further damage, quite frankly because a lot of people dismiss blaster fire as non-threatening---that is compared to visually overwhelming lightning, waving lightsabers, and GIANT FLYING DEBRIS. 1. Yes, as a DF/Lethality, a healer's cleanse spell somewhat dilutes your effectiveness. That's why: a) you have teammates b) you can EASILY kill the healer with burst damage c) You have 3 whole interrupts/stuns at your disposal.....and finally d) you use your DoTs tax the healer's attention and resources. Tagging all enemy players you see with even 1 DoT = hilarity ensues. 2. As a DF/Lethality, you can kite like no other. Again, you have 2 stuns + 1 snare at your disposal---not to mention slow effects of DF/Lethality 3. Your AoE output + cybertech grenades are amazing. Whether it's a variation of XS Freighter Flyby, a gas/shrap grenade, thermal detonator, and all manner of high damage AoE, you rock this. Does it help that I'm decked out in all endgame gear? Probably. Does it help that everyone dismisses sniper/slinger as no threat? Also probably true. Hmmm, perhaps we should keep it that way for our benefit...

As other have already answered most of your complaint and I'm tired at the moment, I'll only reply to one: Have you seen wounding shot? It's the best. Dirty fighting tree. Check it.

Have you tried a Dirty Fighter Build (at least lvl 40)? Behold no cover. Behold ridiculous DPS. Enjoy.

To even it out, the offhand pistol can be used as a stat booster in addition to your main pistol, whereas the sniper only has the one weapon to boost with.

I gotta say, it's impressive you got this far as level 13! The Black Sun groups could my *** at level 13--and taking on the bosses there was no easy task. Match Fab's level, and you'll be fine.

Smuggler has a romance on pretty much every planet. Seriously. Who says you have to romance your companions only? The smuggler sure doesn't!

I've been mostly light, but sometimes you have to do "bad" things that affect thousands and thousands of people, such as...

From what I understand, the gunglinger's max DPS potentially outdoes that of everyone else.

Sharpshooter is focused on single-target DPS. Cover is very important here, because a lot of your abilities are unavailable without out. The other two are more...mobile. Saboteur is more about AoE effects. Dirty Fighting relies on armor-penetrating damage over time.

Early on (on its own) it's not great---but the abilities at the top of the tree significantly enhance the dirty fighter. It's less icing on the cake and more "you must take this or be useless." The prevailing plan is for people to train up another spec until they reach a high level, THEN respec to dirty fighter.