Sub 50 PvP is awesome. But try PvP on your Scoundrel as an undergeared 50 and tell me how much fun it is then. You will be hitting like a wet noodle until you get your expertise up.

Not sure what class you play, but as a post nerf conceal Operative I'm VERY gear dependent. I was getting facerolled until I got over 450-500 expertise. It was not fun one bit getting to that point either.

True. But at the same time I feel like I'm wasting my time obtaining gear that I will just replace the day 1.2 rolls out. Leveling/PvPing on my sub-50 alts is a lot more fun.

I'm having a hard time doing the PvP grind right now. Why should I work hard for Battlemaster gear when 1.2 will be offering a comparable set without the grind? Is there any point in PvPing before 1.2? Right now I'm just leveling up my alts until 1.2. Help me out, is there something I'm missing?

I can confirm there is one in Outlaws Den on Tatooine (open world PvP area). It's hooked into the same network as the ones on the Imperial Fleet.

Well, I tried concealment spec today for the first time (3/31/7). I'm amazed at how powerful I feel now compared to my 24/17/0 or 18/0/23 builds. Get deep into enemy lines, and take out people farthest back. Pop back into stealth and repeat. It just feels so right for this class. Sure, it feels cheap, but that's what our class is made for. Our Republic counterpart is called the "Scoundrel," after all. I can't imagine what it was like before the "nerf," because this spec is more than just viable. It still rocks. I can't wait until we get dual specs so I can switch between 18/0/23 and 3/31/7 when going between PvE and PvP.

Sookster, pairadox, What you do you guys recommend instead of an 18/0/23 build? I'm currently using this spec and it seems a lot more effective DPS wise than my previous 24/17/0 med/conceal hybrid. Should lethality ops all try the standard 3/31/7 build? I'd hate to lose the utility of healing unless it's worthwhile.

You have a lot of Operatives on your server? Wow, definitely different for mine. On my server, top 3 LEAST played: 1. Powertech 2. Sniper 3. Operative In my guild, Operative is the least played, and I'm the only 50 Op.

I've noticed a decline on my server over the past few weeks (Darth Malak, Imperial side). I knew something had to be up when I was one of TWO people questing on Voss Sunday at noon. At around 5pm Sunday the Fleet had 80-100, which is lower than the 130-150+ it was 2 weeks ago. I've also been checking the server status page, and we no longer exceed "Standard" loads even during peak hours. Previously it was "Heavy" to "Very Heavy".

As an Op healer, this is great to read. I have no trouble being the only healer for our whole group when doing HMs. Energy management is the key.

True story http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/141/644/7nTnr.png

She's a crappy tank, does crappy damage, can't heal, and none of her conversation choices match mine. I've been using Vector ever since he joined up and couldn't be happier. If I wasn't heal spec, I'd probably be using Lokin, though.

I vote that you give us the ability to switch between the 3 UI iterations in our preferences. I would select the option of the original UI. With the current 1.1.2 UI, my Operative utilizing tactical advantage procs is almost unplayable. The only thing that allows me to still play is when using my standard ability rotation that doesn't require looking down. If my tactical advantage procs mid GCD, I need to be able to see it light up instantly. Instead, I have to wait until the GCD blacked-out animation finishes, and then survey my abilities to see what's ready. This is horribly inefficient compared to the previous UI iterations.

I agree that this change is very annoying. You can still have the click to drag -> click to drop functionality but it works a little differently now. 1. Fully click on an ability without moving your mouse. The item should now be "attached" and movable. 2. Click again in the position you want to drop the item at. I wish I could switch back to the old method in my preferences, but I will just have to train myself to the above method I suppose.

My mouth is watering at the thought of which classes get nerfed next. All your whining made my Operative gimped in both PvP and PvE. Payback is a b*tch.

Definitely use Lokin in healing stance instead of Kailyo. It will make all the difference in the world. Still, I've found to have the best luck in PvE using a hybrid healing/conceal spec, and using a geared up Vector. He can tear through mobs very well, and for some reason seems to have even better survivability than Kailyo. Just keep him healed and do enough damage on your own while still keeping energy up for any emergency heals. Great approach for me.

Pre-nerf you would have been dead well before the stun wore off.

Interested to see how this plays out after the patch. Is it confirmed that the "nerfed" Jarring Strike/KO no longer fills resolve 100%? EDIT: Watching this guy play post "nerf" http://www.twitch.tv/th3d0nut Jarring Strike is only filling half resolve. Wow, this is for real, gg. So yeah, bets on how long it takes until BW nerfs Operatives for real. Enjoy it while it lasts, fellow Operatives!!

Thanks for the write up. I support everything you propose. 1.1.1 is the end of Operative/Scoundrel if it's released as is.

I'd also have some concerns with executing Cull, since it requires a Tactical Advantage. You would definitely need Medical Engineering and always have a Kolto Probe running, or else you would be dependent on Shiv. Any thoughts?

Thanks for sharing. This build looks interesting. I'm thinking I would spend the last 2 on Lethal Dose since it would benefit Lethal Purpose so much. I hate the thought of giving up Laceration, though.

Care to share your spec? I've got healing up to Kolto Probe and the rest concealment. Tempted to re-spec for surgical probe but needing to do some research first on others with hybrid builds. Here is something I've been thinking of: http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#401McfbdhMozZMIModzr.1

Thanks for the tips everybody. My keybindings are definitely due for a overhaul, I'm not utilizing anything but 1-6 and Alt + 1-6. Everything else is clicked, which is highly inefficient.

I'm also curious what type of combo chains should be used for a healing OP.

TS, I suggest you keep playing the Operative, things will get better. Most people end up quitting their Snipers mid 20s - early 30s because of Kailyo. With the Operative, she is still perfectly viable, since you will have many CCs and can keep her healed. But I agree, I think we should be able to switch our advanced class. I don't agree that it's like going from Rogue to Mage, it's more like Rogue Type A to Rogue Type B. Not a huge deal.