Saw someone post on the PTS forums about Covered Escape and Jump not working as intended. Checked it out for myself and confirmed on both my Sniper and Slinger. The Devs stipulated in the patch notes that there are no upcoming changes in 2.9 to ANY class. However they have stealthed patched the covered escape glitch which unless they plan on overhauling the entire broken Engi tree we will lose a significant portion of damage. I know this is still early days in the PTS and this might change before go-live, but thought I would let you all know that "Roll Bang" as it stands is dead and I for one am not happy about that unless they actually re-work the Engi tree to make it viable for end game and PVP content.

Yes and no - When you hit 55 and train your new skills. You will likely fail a lot in 55 WZ's - This class takes serious skill to be an ultimate contender. When you have 36 skill points, then this build will get you started http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/skills/sniper#0-13221221220121022023302-0 as you level, distribute your points into Lethality and Steady Shots. This will give you buffs to Frag Grenade (Use as much as possible on groups, does way more damage than orbital) Scatter Bombs, Plasma Probe, reduced CD on Flash Bang and Frag Grenade, Damage reduction in cover (meh) and a small HOT while in cover. When I go for someone, I setup with Shatter Shot (If they are a healer or heavy Armor class as I run to them I use Interrogation Probe and drop Plasma Probe at their feet (Combination of the 2 probes will stun the target) as soon as I am 0.8 Meters away, Jump Roll, EMP Discharge (Resets Roll), Jump Roll. 9 times out of 10 the target will be dead and if not then a takedown or frag grenade will finish the job. If Plasma probe is not available, then I still use Interrogation probe and then when in range Debilitate (Flash Bang if that is also on CD) - Trick to this is positioning, ideally you will always want to work on a stunned target before jump rolling. Good players will pick up what you are doing really quickly and try running around in circles, so stunning them is key. As for the actual damage of Jump roll, if you pull it off and the crit gods are on your side and you are 2018 expertise and you are suitably geared (optimal Cunning, Crit, Power and Surge stats) and the target has no CDs up then you can potentially dish out up to 25K damage with a single jump roll alone! (Assuming all 5 bombs crit and land on the target) - I am working on some funny videos of my slinger in action and will link here when they are done Yes, Engineering is so broken it is not funny. Complete opposite of what a Sniper class should be. Agree, it is crap. But for the moment, that is all we have. Just have to work around our strengths and weaknesses Evasion does cleanse, so still very useful against a few specs. (Especially lethality snipers)

Oh and one last point. Some people think that snipers are fine and that no buffs or defensives are required. Some people will just respond to legitimate concerns with "L2P" crap responses. Well the fact is that those people are generally exceptional players and have mastered the class strengths and weaknesses. Those "some people" are the exception to the norm.

To the OP. Mate, totally agree with you on all points, I have pvp'd on my sniper since day 1 and have experienced the highs and lows of each patch change. I honestly encourage you to try out roll bang as I am having a ton of fun with this spec. Roll bang is an ultimate troll spec and you will be pissing yourself in laughter when a smash monkey (or 2 as generally speaking you are considered an easy kill and peeps will double up on you) jumps to you and you stun them and double jump roll (in place by hitting roll and jump a split second apart (roll first)) and either nuking them or taking a massive portion of their health. It is an art form to master and you will generally get less overall damage but way way more kills. With the amount of aoe you have at your disposal you can make a massive difference to the playfield. You have a great ability called "don't stand there you free casting healer jerk" (plasma probe) which can make or break a fight as you force people to move around and interrupt their role. It is unfortunate that we are not the ultimate ranged class, but I have accepted that and totally switched my playstyle, I do not operate like a sniper and frankly I love it. I am chaos on the battlefield, great example was during a civil war on my slinger (Yes, I play both sides) we were winning just barely and a call was made for inc at snow. I had just respawned and took a peek at grass, no one there. Ran over and started capping, sure enough an assasin popped out of stealth. Normally in MM, Leth or hybrid I would have thought "Damn, that's was pretty fricken dumb" but I stunned him, jump rolled, reset roll, jump rolled and the dude melted, capped and then defended against a merc and a jugg who came to re-cap (killed the jug and cc'd the merc until reinforcements arrived)

"Dread Guard Bulwarks now deal the correct amount of damage in 16-Player Nightmare Dread Fortress" WTH does that mean anyway, are they going to be doing more or less damage?

Item [Dread Forged Combat Tech's MK-V Package] Stats 189 AIM 203 Endurance 94 Accuracy 130 Power Crafter AgentSith-MDN\Imperial

Reserved

Seriously - Yellow response is required for this. No response in the other threads. C'mon Bioware

Just wondering where we stand with our account security and the recently published heartbleed OpenSSL issue. Can we get verification that origin and swtor accounts are ok and that we do not need to change our account passwords please.

So now that Arsenal has been buffed a little, what is the general opinion on the best End-Game Raiding spec now (Taking into account Utility and DPS) Currently play Pyro, but want to find out if it is worth spending the time\energy into learning Arsenal

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Have to say that for some reason the merc forum seem to be the most helpful out of all the class forums! Yes, the full log I posted was using 100.43% accuracy so yes I did not have any MH misses. The initial posting was using 99.27% so that explains the MH misses. So basically it is expected that OH hits will miss occasionally, so that is fine. Just wanted to confirm if that was the case

http://www.torparse.com/a/618560

12:40:59.758 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 0 (dodge) damage (1 threat) 12:40:59.759 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 196 energy damage (196 threat) 12:41:01.604 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 5,567* energy damage (5,567 threat) 12:41:01.604 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 515* energy damage (515 threat) That is a mainhand miss

Need a bit of help on this one My merc is pretty well geared but I am constantly missing attacks. Just did a parse on my ship dummy with the armor debuff active and my miss rates were as follows Power Shot 15.1% Rail Shot 14.6% Unload 10.0% In my character sheet I have 100.43% ranged and 110.43% tech accuracy (470 rating, 1% companion and 3% from skills) I am using the standard Pyro build from the dulfy site and have tested out different combos of accuracy enhancements but I am constantly missing....... Below is part of my combat log filtered for just power shot 12:40:17.657 You activate Power Shot 12:40:17.941 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 6,057* energy damage (6,057 threat) 12:40:17.941 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 150 energy damage (150 threat) 12:40:19.487 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 2,552 energy damage (2,552 threat) 12:40:19.487 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 0 (miss) damage (1 threat) 12:40:25.421 You activate Power Shot 12:40:27.407 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 6,205* energy damage (6,205 threat) 12:40:27.407 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 395* energy damage (395 threat) 12:40:27.721 You activate Power Shot 12:40:29.608 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 0 (dodge) damage (1 threat) 12:40:29.608 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 159 energy damage (159 threat) 12:40:36.125 You activate Power Shot 12:40:37.791 You activate Power Shot 12:40:38.074 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 2,799 energy damage (2,799 threat) 12:40:38.075 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 527* energy damage (527 threat) 12:40:39.440 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 5,695* energy damage (5,695 threat) 12:40:39.441 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 390* energy damage (390 threat) 12:40:41.158 You activate Power Shot 12:40:42.840 You activate Power Shot 12:40:43.089 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 2,609 energy damage (2,609 threat) 12:40:43.089 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 0 (miss) damage (1 threat) 12:40:44.675 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 2,666 energy damage (2,666 threat) 12:40:44.675 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 0 (miss) damage (1 threat) 12:40:50.158 You activate Power Shot 12:40:51.791 You activate Power Shot 12:40:52.094 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 2,739 energy damage (2,739 threat) 12:40:52.095 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 0 (dodge) damage (1 threat) 12:40:53.672 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 2,483 energy damage (2,483 threat) 12:40:53.673 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 157 energy damage (157 threat) 12:40:57.821 You activate Power Shot 12:40:59.624 You activate Power Shot 12:40:59.758 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 0 (dodge) damage (1 threat) 12:40:59.759 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 196 energy damage (196 threat) 12:41:01.604 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 5,567* energy damage (5,567 threat) 12:41:01.604 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 515* energy damage (515 threat) 12:41:07.424 You activate Power Shot 12:41:09.023 You activate Power Shot 12:41:09.288 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 2,742 energy damage (2,742 threat) 12:41:09.289 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 336* energy damage (336 threat) 12:41:10.906 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 5,496* energy damage (5,496 threat) 12:41:10.906 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 264 energy damage (264 threat) 12:41:12.636 You activate Power Shot 12:41:14.488 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 5,443* energy damage (5,443 threat) 12:41:14.489 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 0 (miss) damage (1 threat) 12:41:14.554 You activate Power Shot 12:41:16.439 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 5,407* energy damage (5,407 threat) 12:41:16.439 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 303* energy damage (303 threat) 12:41:23.819 You activate Power Shot 12:41:25.758 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 2,477 energy damage (2,477 threat) 12:41:25.758 You hit Operations Training Dummy with Power Shot for 0 (miss) damage (1 threat)

Thanks for the reply, very helpful I was making a few mistakes in the rotation then, I was pretty much trying to follow your pattern with the exception of using IM and TD together on CD (which was hurting my heat management) Still learning the rotation and honestly have only spent a few hours on it in total (got this toon to level 55 as a pure healer only) Any comment on my gearing stats?

A slightly better parse http://www.torparse.com/a/609295

Hello Everyone Since my main is constantly getting the nerf hammer. I thought I would gear up my Merc for operations. I just need a little advice on gearing and rotation. Current Stats (Buffed and Stimmed) Type\Stat----------------------Amount------Rating Ranged\Strength------------66 Ranged\Presence-----------824 Ranged\Aim------------------3491 Ranged\Cunning------------124 Ranged\Endurance---------3235 Ranged\Willpower----------64 Ranged\Expetise-----------109 Ranged\Damage (Pri)-----1526-1903 Ranged\Damage (Sec)---151-281 Ranged\Bonus Damage--1085 Ranged\Accuracy----------100.43%----470 Ranged\Crit Chance-------30.38%-----124 Ranged\Crit Multiplier-----71.70%-----418 Tech\Bonus Damage-----1632.6 Tech\Bonus Healing------1158.8 Tech\Accuracy -------------110.43%----470 Tech\Crit Chance----------27.79%-----124 Tech\Crit Multiplier--------71.70%-----418 Tech\Heat Dissipation----5.1 Tech\Alacrity----------------2%-----------0 Very quick and dirty parse on the dummy http://www.torparse.com/a/609220 I am still learning the rotation and I have researched the fundamentals, but just not getting anywhere near the top 50 parsers on torparse (by like a 1/3rd) and I am trying to figure out why. Most of my gear is 78 and not comms gear, I know my Ear\Implants and 1 relic are holding me back a little, but just cannot figure out why the gap is so big with my damage. Also, tooltip damage is really annoying me, for example ToolTip (when hovering over an ability) and Avg dealt hit taken from parse Action------------------Avg Hit-----ToolTip Min--ToolTip Max Incendiary Missile--1208.6-------992------------1106 Fusion Missile-------1805.5-------2492-----------2644 Power Shot-----------1997.61-----3214-----------3849 Rail Shot---------------2274.19----3460-----------4000

Reserved

Wow, just gotta say. This was a great success - we ended up expanding to over 300 (up from 254) characters since this was posted. Welcome to everyone that jumped on board!

So Community call I feel like we should help write the wedding vows here. I am going to kick things off Him I promise to keep you alive through Agro and always use Taunt I promise to guard you and intercede to you in good times and bad I will out of combat res you when you are down And class buff you when you are up My repair droid is yours for now and forever Her I promise to bubble you through the bad times To heal and protect you, you are my tank and my rock (Titan-6 reference) If you fall I will raise you and heal you to full My buffs are yours as yours are mine For now and forever, until the boss hits enrage

Massive congrats guys. I wish you all the best

So I have been getting a few comments lately about my latest pet project. Project Title = Sweep'er Class = Jedi Knight Goal = Level to 55 without picking an advanced class Rules:- The following content has to be completed Every Class quest Every Flashpoint At least 2 PVP matches per day At least 2 GSF matches per day Now, some peeps have been calling me out for being a troll or an idiot for not knowing how to pick an AC at the level I am (Currently 34) but I have to say, this is one of the most challenging things I have done in SWTOR since starting up 2 years ago. I found it too easy to reach 55 on 10 toons and clear hard mode content on at least 2 of them. So I wanted something fun and unique to do. Hence this project. It is challenging to say the least and also presents health risks (RSI from spamming all of my limited attack abilities) but the reward of completing a class mission where the mobs are 4 levels higher than me and making clever use of my companion and legacy abilities to defeat them is well worth it in my opinion) Been having a lot of fun too, especially in warzones, where I get called out for "DUDE, ***. You know you can pick an AC right" and I end up topping that person in damage for the match! - Also gonna say that I have never lost in a 4v4 arena on this toon which cracks me up too. I kinda feel bad for the peeps that have been 1v1'd against a Knight I admit this is a bit of a glory\troll post, but also I encourage others to give this a try. As it is not easy soloing content with 1/3 of the abilities that you would normally get and you really have to play smart. I know I could just play GSF all the way to 55 but that's not the point. Anyway, if you see me around and you read this, then it saves me from lengthy PSTs to explain that I know what I am doing.

Sorry I liEd This is totally a Guild recruitment Post. Ask yourself a few questions before hItting the back button on your browser... Are you baseD in thE APAC region? Do you like raiding? Can you cop a joke and dish out as good as you get? Do you like playing SWTOR with Mates? Do you want to master your class? Do you want to progress on new content and achIeve server firsts? Are you an evil force to be reckoned with and loyal to the Emperor? If you answered yes to the above, then we CaN bE thE guild for you. We have full Reputaion and Experience boost, TeamSpeak (and backup Mumble and Vent) Guild Facebook page, many of us have 78 geareD altS for Pugs or Raid group Fill-Ins (IMP and PUB side) and can prettY much craft most RE-able end game gear. We are a great bunch to raid with and all humour aside (outside of raids mOstly) we knuckle down and get the job done. We are very active with planetary conquests and as a result of a massive recruitment drive we now have enough players to setup a 5th and possible 6th Full time EndGame raid team. We are mainly after Raid leaders who will take ownership of a team but we welcome players of any kind that will contribute to conquest and HM\NiM raid content. We also welcome complete teams (don't worry, your team will remain intact and the current team leader will retain control) individUals and alts. We generally raid Mon\Wed\Fri with Alt and PUB side runs on Thursdays between 5-10pm AEST mostly. I left a not really subtle clue to the guild name in the post, so hit me up on my main toon below AGENTSITH-MDN

My Main is a sniper and very successful in PVE and PVP. I saw this change coming, so I am fortunate that I switched to hybrid Leth\Eng a month ago and nearly got that rotation down pat, so the OrbiNerf tm does not affect me so much. However I will make 2 points, this is a fkd nerf that kills our AOE to adds utility and as other posters have stated it is an "Orbital Strike" the shear kinetic energy of hurling an attack from space should be massive and 65% reduction in base damage is totally BS 2nd point, we are snipers. We shoot stuff with guns, so we should have a buff or modification to a shooting ability (Not another shtty overload buff) but something akin to other suggestions like make Laze Target affect the crit chance of the next range ability and not just snipe. I would be really happy with the OrbiNerf tm if that was the case