Firstly the difference between tiers is quite small and really is just ore of an epeen boost nothing really to worry about, your concern is that this is putting a recently dinged 50 at a huge disadvantage when in reality the disadvantage is quite small, there is a whole pvp set exactly for entry to pvp it doesnt require mercenary commendations it doesnt require luck for drops and it gives a lot of expertise. While this wont bring you into the exact same amount of gear as a battlemaster fully geared (which Im not sure exists yet anyway) you will be in a very competative position regardless. The best part is this gear can be bought before level 50 and is available near your class trainer on courascant, allowing you to flaunt the skills you picked up in your vast mmo experience. MMO's tend to be about the long haul and really for most of them you should be planning for max level early enough that is really the key difference to an fps in an fps you start ready for killing but an MMO you have to ramp up to the competative fighting (via leveling and whatnot)