It become shockstrike if you're plasmatech

Yes. Balance shadow gets project replaced with Squelch, and the other dps spec gets project replaced at like lvl 58. Only one that keeps it is kinetic combat (tank). On imp side, assassin, it'll be shock that gets replaced

I really like the madness sorc/balance sage myself. Good mob control, decent aoe, high single trarget for bosses, and always have ample force available for off-healing should the need arise

I was mostly asking because he looks ******, and seeing as he uses two pistols, would be ranged dps, so I wanted a class that works well with dps companions. Right now I'm a vigilance guardian, and only just got kira and haven't tested a whole lot on coruscant, but we're headed to taris, so should be fun.

I do enjoy the tank spec on guardians and juggernauts, but I've been trying to go dps lately, so I'd go for the Focus spec. In the past it was the easiest dps spec to level in for people new to the class.

I know each type of companion you use is obviously a personal preference, but I hardly end up using a dps companion, either melee or ranged, since I usually tank or heal, so I often use the opposite. Is there any class that you guys seems to work rather well using a ranged or melee dps companion? Asking in light of new expansion being revealed, and since I am sub, I'll get the new companion, and he appears to be ranged dps (assuming cuz 2 pistols), and I wanna use him, so would like a class that could make use of him.

Even better! Thank you. Now I'm sure I made the right AC choice for my return. Played concealment op and immortal jugg for awhile to get back into the swing of things before coming back to my true love. XD

For advanced prototype spec for powertech, with the Power Loader passive (I haven't leveled my powertech high enough yet to test for myself), does that mean shoulder cannon can then have 7 missile, 3 extra missiles are loaded immediately to the normal 4?

Well, if you want to solo stuff and plan on using treek, then assassin is your best bet. a. stealth b. can tank so you have a tank/heal combo Or you could go sorcerer a. ranged, can spec dps and still off heal b. can make good use of treek as well, or use khem for some fun. Personally, I'd choose sorcerer, just because from what I've played, the storyline fits sorcerer better. All the searching for pwoerful artifacts etc.

http://dulfy.net/2014/10/13/swtor-disciplines-calculator-swtor_miner/?link=dGEAAAA8AQAAFwYCAwwLExQA

Ease + humor I would go Bounty Hunter. For mosr humorous, any of the empire classes. The republic mirrors aren't very funny from what I've seen, except the smuggler. Imperial agent and sith warrior are rather funny as well. Any class is easy to play with a little practice.

Idk the final one for sorcerer they showed, but the first 2 for each AC are armor sets around 30-40 iirc. The final one shown for assassin you can get if you have the credits. Ceremonial Mystic or that other Mystic set they've released.

I'm actually really enjoying the concealment spec. I only need to position myself for start of fight, and I enter from stealth anyway for the rotation i use. most groups are dead before i'm done anyway.

I just run to the door while going through hyperspace. xD

Once my concealment operative hit 36, he did develop a nice bursty opening rotation. From stealth: Bakcstab, lasceration 2x, shiv, lasceration, backstab (at 51, then you could throw in sevor tendon (if you get the point to make sevor tendon grant tacical advantage), then 2x lasceration, another shiv, another lasceration.

I've always been a tank or healer when I've played previously, but I took a decent break from game, and came back and wanting to level more dps classes. So for first time dps with PT/VG (tanked as them before though), which spec is the most "noob friendly"?

I recently came back and resubbed, and was wondering, with the extra coms (and 12xp) and way coms work now, will I still be able to keep myself fairly up to date with modded gear just doing story missions with the 12xp?

When it comes to tanking, I far prefer vanguard over PT. It just makes more sense. But healing with a cannon? Lol, merc all the way for me there.

I use her on my merc, because I'm a healer, and wanted a tank companion until I got Blizz, but I've used her heals on my old assassin tank, and he could solo heroic 4s just fine. My vanguard tank could solo heroics 4s fine as well with Elara as well though... so.... Not saying everyone can, or can't, it just depends a lot on levels, gear and skill. Outleveling the planet you're on by 4+ levels helps... lol

I'm a merc healer and love it. Only like lvl 37 now, but I can usually do just fine with my standard attack and kolto missile. Sometimes it can take more work, but if you buff kolto missile/bomb asap with all the talents for it, it's pretty easy.

It's been a couple months since I last played, and was merc healer, just redownloaded game again, anything new I should know about mercs?

Probably the crafted level 50 pvp sets? They require 50/60 valor to use, iirc.

You can either dps and off-heal, or heal and off-dps. You can hardly due both. MErcs put out great off-dps simply because sweeping blasters and dfa have that green targeting circle, and can be targeted on person you're healing. Also why they can dish out decent off-heals when dpsing as well.

Commando/Merc healing is the easiest to learn, and in the end, you have a lot of control over the group. You provide the heals, you are king/queen. Your main focus will always be the tank, at least pre 55, and if your dps are suicidal jump monkeys, you can either be nice and heal them, or let them suicide and learn. Commando healing is easier to learn than merc healing if you lack treek, simply because commandos pick up a tank companion way earlier than mercs. Both get their healers early on, so learning to tank with heals by your side as Vanguard/Powertech is easier as well. You get plenty of aoe and strong attacks to easily hold aggro on single mobs and groups. You get a leap and a pull as well. You only really get 4 defensive skills though, iirc. Energy Blast is a nice absorption rating buff, only lasts 6 sec, but has quick cooldown. Riot gas is very useful, and then you have your energy shield, which gives you 25% damage reduction for 12 secs. And you get adrenaline rush, which I hardly ever used. Shoulder cannon is nice, once you get the ability for it to heal you for 5% max hp each time it attacks, and each shoulder cannon hits 4 times, so, from what i've gathered, you can use a fully charged shoulder cannon for a 20% self heal. It's also one the hardest hitting of the tank classes.

Discharge on republic side is called Breach btw, not discharge.