i disagree, I kill people just fine gear and specific stats are extremely important to assault,
i have 74% surge and 39% crit and people die. especially healers, under 30% my dots are ticking for about 900-1000. Straight gunnery is superior in burst in damage but your only usefull if you can stay alive, Which as gunnery i get dropped whenever i walk out of the spawn.
Gunnery was amazing for me when i played with guard and a healer your unstoppable, but as assault is the complete opposite i never get targeted and i hardly every die most games i get 3-5 solo kills all healers.
Keep in mind my gear is stacked i feel that assault really needs good gear to shine and alot of surge. Gunnery is best till battle-master after that assault damage finally catches up