I played a Shadow to level 21 and Nar Shaddaa. got tired of dying. rolled a Sage and played to level 20 (in half the time) I have died a TOTAL of 4 times in 20 levels. Having a heal for you and your companion, having Biochem to heal both also, is the bomb. I specced DPS on my Sage, but the heals just keep coming. I dont PvP, so cant answer those questions.