I wont be able to post in a few hours and id like to make my review post here. I will be mainly posting from a perspective of someone that enjoys PvE, and PvP very, very much in any game i play. I was very, very excited for this game. Given my experience with previous games i would like to say that with MMORPGs a game has it or it doesnt. Im not talking about whos overpowered, or which faction is imbalanced, or how boring endgame is. Im talking about fluid, crisp, combat. When you use a skill it works. When you are within range of something you are within range of something. My FPS and my ping and my rig are all at acceptable levels and fine. It just feels like im running in 2 feet of mud. Sometimes things work. Sometimes things are delayed. And then sometimes things are REALLY DELAYED and then... sometimes.. things dont even work at all. Then, there is an issue of when around 10-12 players are onscreen, or, im involved in heavy melee (95% of the time) there seems to be the problem i stated above, and something else funky going on, that im not technically gifted enough to describe. The above problems i have listed, every single player has to deal with. Its not a pvp or a pve or a factional problem. Its a fundamental game problem. Needs top priority over anything else. Zip, zilch, zero. Content. Balancing. Nothing. Its needed for the survival of the game. Unfortunately, having seen this exact problem before in a few select other games, i am not as optimistic as many players here believing there will *ever* be a fix to what we are calling "Ability Delay". Its in the engine. The foundation, if you will. Unfortunately, due to decisions made before i even logged into the game world on December 18th? i would encounter numerous, sometimes embarassing, almost offensive other issues and problems. I wasnt fortunate, i actually chose "The Republic" for my experience. For example; 1. Uneven/Unfair Mirroring -Video proof. Multiple 100+ page threads. In every single instance (and there are many) it benefits one side; the imperials. I will not list every example here, Google it for yourself if you arent already enlightened. I wonder how in yet every single example that can be proven, it only benefits one side. Murphys law? Coincidence? Favortism? Who the hell knows, as a member of "The Republic" with no comment from BioWare, you can only guess at best. The real part that stings, is pure admission from *beta* players that this was mentioned and complained about numerous times long, long, long ago in beta.............. 2. Unfair either deliberate or accidental Warzone Scoring System -Although a friend said its fixed now, i cannot confirm, for the majority of my "experience" the last month in the best Warzone in the game, we have had to deal with constant scoring "bugs". While some will will say it didnt really matter, although i feel it does, it just added more fuel to the fire of feeling like the enemy has it easier, or more of that "uneven" unfairness. 3. Absolutely awful factional balance -Everyone says the game is built on story. "The story experience". Again, im not going to list specific examples, but just compare Smuggler to Agent, or Jedi to Sith. Its just not even comparable. When compared, the Republic story is quite boring and too "do goody". Breaking up romances and being a taddle tail............fun. Compared to playing a sith lord? Once again, Republic loses if play for story and cinematic, in my honest opinion. With zero action from BioWare, and a whole 22 rebels on the fleet last night at midnight in my server, id say this has an effect as well. Give any republic class a few hours and any imperial class a few hours and i think you might agree. A boring story, mixed with multiple experienced beta level 50 sith within ONLY DAY(S) of live servers, unfair mirroring right out of the game... just starting to turn into not so fun experience. At the very minimum, Imperial character creation should start being limited where needed, untill there is a slight, slight resemblance of balance. Normally this would "balance out" because Imperials would get bored and naturally roll republic for faster queue times and more PvP just like in every other single game ever released. However, in *this* game, they can just farm each other in Huttball, trading wins the first few weeks due to secrets learned in beta, and absolutely outlevel and out gear any competition for the first 30+ days. This doesnt only suck because we are outnumbered. This also sucks because there just arent very many republic to even play or group up with. Its a severe problem that is going to also hurt this game, that in my opinion, is 100% ignored by developers. 4. Skill/Ability/Resting Animations and Item Graphics -While another not so important to some, extremely, over the top, very important to a player like myself. Just because i chose one side, i do feel as a paying member i have access to the same amount of fine tuning, polish, and imagination. 5. Clear *Constructive* player advice on Test Server forum ignored (beta and patch 1.1) The exact problem that has taken place the last few days has lead to quite a conundrum. We all know im speaking of Ilum and the unfairness that has taken place, once again, accidentally benefiting the Empire once again. Multiple threads from many players described exactly to the "T" what would happen if patch was released and guess what? Anyone noticing a problem? Oops? The vast, vast (of the few) majority of "The Republic" will grind for months of PvP before they will even be anywhere near close to the type of gear that a very large portion of Imps/sith are wearing now. An absolute *huge* disparity in gear and valor rank due to straight up being outnumbered. Once again, noticing a pattern, the final nail in the coffin (for myself) to just not subscribe. A 2 faction PvP game (like it or not) will not live with 1 faction. Especially when it is riddled with unfairness, bias, and just odd issues throughout the majority of gameplay. This is my honest review of this game at this point, and im not ashamed to say that i will not be paying a subscription at this time. Good Luck to the players that are enjoying themselves and i really hope in the very near future important issues are fixed because i have money im willing to pay for a good game, if it can be provided. My advice to BioWare, if they would take it, is definitely to listen to some of the players on this forum. There are some very smart players here if you are willing to weed through the muck. If not, hire someone to steer the ship in a different direction because i believe the impending cliff isnt as far away as some might think. Final Grade; 5.5/10 (will check once more in the future, probably not again)

I keep hearing this exact phrase on so many issues. Interesting.

Am i the only one that almost gags every time i read an Imperial response like this? Does this nimwit understand this game will crash and burn with only one faction? Of all of the advantages the Imperials have, clear advantages, undisputable documented proof... ....and they still enter threads with this type of attitude. I cannot imagine how obnoxious the majority of them are in RL. It makes me cringe.

Back when this thread was created i actually cared. This game has much bigger problems than shield/absorption being useless in 99.5% of PvP. (which it is)

Edited.

So sad, but so true. Every single person i know that started has already quit. I wonder if its coincidence we were all Republic. Heads will roll over this game, im all but certain. I bet its one of the last ones to be released way too early, at least. (i hope) I really wanted the game to succeed because im a star wars NUT however this game just plain and simply isnt what was advertised as far as PvP goes...and the PvE isnt anything to brag on either.......not even close lol. I hope Bioware wakes up soon and address certain issues (that really dont need to be listed...again) but im sure some happy Imperial will chime in and tell us all how wonderful the game is... To be clear i didnt cancel my account because of yesterdays exploit alone, it was that and all of the other total B.S. that comes along with choosing the Republic in this game. I dont want to be rude to Bioware but ill kindly just say no thanks and watch the house of cards start to fall. And they are falling, dont fool yourself.

Ive already cancelled, but this post gives me goosebumps none the less.

Im not exactly sure what you mean, but if you mean all of the actual developers have admitted to playing Empire only i can only say im not suprised in the slightest. I stayed away from this game. Deleted my beta invite. I wanted it to be fresh and fun. Out of all of the excrement i have purchased in the last few years that were labled as an "mmo" this one has to be one of the sloppiest most expensive turds ive ever seen in my life.

I canceled as well. Todays debacle isnt the only reason im not going to subscribe. Playing as a Republic isnt fun. From one end of this game to the other. From faction imbalance to unequal mirrors to every single "accident" benefiting the Empire and not the Republic. Honestly, what kind of schmuck would pay monthly for this? I hope the Empire are enjoying themselves. The majority of the republic has been ***farmed*** for weeks. Repeatedly by BETA players that all rolled sith in live because they knew of the obvious imbalances that had yet to reach the masses. From class polish to actual faction balance, its total bull ****. Republic players (the few of us left) stayed, and still queued because we have (had) hopes that this was just an amateur oversight that would be quickly remedied by any dev with common sense and a pulse... So, while we are being farmed for weeks, with **zero** comment on faction imbalance or even factional mirror imbalance (that only benefits one side mind you) as soon as this patch is released the Empire gets even more handouts... max valor.. in 1 day.... while the republic has been farmed for weeks earning every single point of valor. Rollback or no rollback, who would pay for this? Once again, hope the Empire enjoys their MMO because within 90 days there will only be 1 faction left anyways. Every single person i know in RL that purchased this game has already quit. 100% dissapointment. and one final note; i was spamming space bar by level 40. The story is quite frankly, boring. Although believe it or not, i hear the Empire story is quite interesting. Im shocked.. to say the least.

As if the Empire needed even more advantages in a game that is designed from the ground up in their favor... now they can max Valor as well....in one day....? While the Republic has been literally *farmed* for weeks? Earning every single point and now this? Cancelled Subscription. Couldnt care less if they rollback or not. Whoever is managing this game is completely amateur and hasnt the slightest clue on what they are doing. And trust me, this was just one more reason to throw on the pile of why i will NOT subscribe to a game in this state. In the future, possibly, but as of right now? Hell i read the forums more than i play the damn game. As a Republic player, its just not fun. At all. From gear graphics to uneven mirrors to uneven skills to cheating warzone score keeping to this debacle of a patch today giving the Empire yet another free ride to fun and victory. Whoever beta tested this game should be ashamed with what we have here. Everyone said SWTOR would change the market forever and they are actually right. However, its not gonna be anywhere near the kind of change they were thinking. Who in the hell would pay for this? Only the brain dead will just zzzzzz reroll imperial. No ty.

As if the Empire needed even more advantages in a game that is designed from the ground up in their favor... now they can max Valor as well....in one day....? While the Republic has been literally *farmed* for weeks? Earning every single point and now this? Cancelled Subscription. Couldnt care less if they rollback or not. Whoever is managing this game is completely amateur and hasnt the slightest clue on what they are doing. And trust me, this was just one more reason to throw on the pile of why i will NOT subscribe to a game in this state. In the future, possibly, but as of right now? Hell i read the forums more than i play the damn game. As a Republic player, its just not fun. At all. From gear graphics to uneven mirrors to uneven skills to cheating warzone score keeping to this debacle of a patch today giving the Empire yet another free ride to fun and victory. Whoever beta tested this game should be ashamed with what we have here. Everyone said SWTOR would change the market forever and they are actually right. However, its not gonna be anywhere near the kind of change they were thinking. Who in the hell would pay for this? Only the brain dead will just zzzzzz reroll imperial. No ty.

I am a SHIELD SPECIALIST. Im not just a shield user! Im a shield ***SPECIALIST***. So special in fact, they dont even WORK in pvp... At least the other guys get lightsabers..... Give me some working shields please!!!! Nerf my mitigation 6-9%. Which, btw, is a fair number. In return, have my shields play a much greater role. My tree is built around it. My gear is utilized for it. It baffles me it doesnt have any substantial effect in PvP whatsoever.

Why? The class is golden, except for this issue. The utility we have is monstrous. Im speaking from a SS Vanguard point of view for PvP. 1. Harpoon 2. Storm (learn it, live it, love it) 3. Interrupt (riot strike or shot or something, im bad with names) 4. Stun (once again, bad with names, grenade, 1 min CD (50 talented) 5. Guard (Fun, but just plain dangerous right now without a healer stuck to you) 6. Taunt (extremely valuable) 7. Area Taunt (completely utterly almost magically valuable) Like said, utility and fun is there. I dont go around 2-3 shotting people... i *crit* for around 1.5-3k usually.. and it has a cooldown. Of course we have rare crit spikes but its not quite so often in full defense gear with zero crit stats.... However, the tradeoff for having low-medium damage as a SS is that im a walking meat house that is designed to suck in damage for whoever im guarding and be able to survive, just survive and put out low medium dps in self defense. I said it in another post and say it again, i see where whoever designed this class was going with it, and its almost there and completely awesome... but... something isnt right. (shields/absorption imo)

Edit, nevermind.

I dont think you will like my answer but.. here goes. Short and sweet? I wouldnt even try to PvP on the van before 30-35 at minimum. If you do, might be frustrating. Its always frustrating imo, but nowhere near as bad as sub 35ish. At your level the damage you're looking for just isnt there. Dunno, just my opinion. If you would really like to at least test the waters, dont try to be a damage dealer. Of course defend yourself and others.. dont just stand around and let people pound on you or nothing. But instead put at least the majority of your attention at; 1. Guarding focus targets. Yes, constantly change your guarded target. Soon, you will only have to hit the key once,(next patch!!) however, for right now, you must hit the key once to actually take it off the last player you put it on (which more than likely is out of range, fighting a 1v1 somewhere) and then you hit the key again to put it on the target currently being focused. Of course you will take lots of damage from this and mitigate some, but shield absolutely zero of it *which a few players are lobbying to be fixed atm* and 2. Immediately after you guard the target that is currently getting beat on, taunt the highest damage dealer within range targeting that target. If there are more than 2, use your area taunt. Keep both of those skills on easily accessed hotkeys, permanently. If you are going to commit to the class, regardless of if you tank or dps. Its very important imo. 3. Stockstrike and High Impact Bolt are going to be your main bread and butter. Examine your talent trees (id go SS, even at your level, but up to you) 4. You said you are level 20, so i expect you have full PvP gear before you came looking for help. If not, go to fleet command and equip yourself. It might appear to be daunting at first, but you can completely gear the level 20 stuff in just one evening with a few decent wins provided you can at least earn 75+ per match (come on, not THAT hard) 5. Biochem, and not only for the "super buffs" you're soon going to learn about (which will be nerfed) Regardless, you have little to zero healing as a Vanguard, get it regardless of possible incoming changes. 6. Im running out of advice, i just know i was level 20 as well and absolutely hated the class. Im still not sold on the class, but it gets a lot better than where you're at now.