I watched aoe taunted 4 smash monkeys jump a full conquerer sorc healer (who was guarded, and interceded, and had the aoe taunt shield) and put them down from full hp in 2 GCDs last night. Was hillarious. Dat auto-crit. No other spec can do that. We still won though, because objectives. Come arenas...

While sound advice, Im going to counter this with: I got way more medals guarding, healing through focused defense, and putting out some damage during lower levels. While I did more damage in Vigil and and Focus trees, I was able to score more medals through diversity. The damage difference really was not that large till I got closer to 50.

So Gond, going with your ideas I tried both of these in Ranked and Regs (even 3 solo regz). I'd guess close to 35 games, with 8 of them being ranked. http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/skills/guardian#13021221222212120122230-3-200023 http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/skills/guardian#13221221222212120122230-0-200023 (I moved the 1 point between swift slash, single saber mastery, stagger, ISS, Master Focus, and Daunting presence) I actually liked the first one the best. I thought I was going to miss the extra 2 seconds on Reflect and I did not. 6 of my ranked was in this spec - it worked well. I did the other two with the second build with swift slash. I also noticed only some difference with Swift Slash spec'ed in the second one - you were right, I belted out a few nasty dispatches that counted well. I freakin love the reduced CD on Force Stasis and am kinda embarrassed to admit I missed this before. I think Reflect with 2 more seconds will count for more in Arenas though, so Im kinda in the drawing board about a spec for that now that you've changed my spec thinking. I'm also wondering if Ill get more bang out of my buck for 2 seconds more reflect vs 3% overall. It's rare that 2 seconds of reflect will make or break something though, but 1% defensive vs that swift slash may be worth it. Intended or not, thank you for the ideas again.

Welcome to pre-51 guardian I love PvP. On multiple ACs. But tank guardian really sucked imo until 51 when I had enough talent points to really fill out the class. It gets better after 30 but only marginally. TBH, just do a build that gives lots of rage and does damage, and just guard people and concentrate on DPS. I assure you, it gets night and day better 45+, and AMAZING 51+. Right now do a: http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#5000MZcMz.3 And work towards: http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#5000MZcMMZb.3 http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#500RMkZcMMZb.3 http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#500RrR0zZcMMZb.3 And just shoot up the defense tree from there. Later on at 45 when you can fill out the tree, respec.

If you're equally skilled, focus/rage. Combat/Carnage will have its place if you are running a DD squad with two smashers already. But at this time 2-3 smashers can take most classes from 100% to nothing in a few GCDs - and multiple of them at one time if people are grouped up. Combat/Carnage is preferred for Huttball, but Rage/Focus will do alright there. Pugging, both well played is welcome easily. Honestly, learn both and see which you like playing.

Okay this is weird. In Rage and Carnage in PvP, the thing procs every 20-21/22 seconds - 9/10 times. In Anni or Carnage in PvE, the thing procs every 20-21/22 seconds - 9/10 times consistently. The 1/10 times is usually from being dead, or some other weird RNG issue (no longer than 30 seconds though). I play all three specs at about the same skill level. Something really weird went on with your phases I think, are you willing to take the SA off and test again? That variance I imagine would account for the damage difference - if not greater. The fact that you had almost a 6% uptick in dps with a 3.25% increase in SA procs may not actually look good for anni, I'd expect a bigger DPS increase out of that much power - but I'm not a theorycrafting expert with that so I could be wrong.

Have you ever played a tank guardian or jugg in PvP? Serious question. Your comments quoted lead me to believe "No" but I want to find out for sure.

#1 in the amount of stuck issues too. (I never saw any of the WoW or EQ2 servers get this bad. And I played on PvP servers in WoW)

Oddly, I havent seen it nor heard of anyone getting it at all on either server.

Kinda funny. I think I opened like 40 packs. First pack had the lizard mount everyone wants. (I could care less about my mount as long as it goes fast) One of the last few packs had double trenches. All I wanted was the cyborg armor and all I got was cyborg hands and feet. Everything else everyone is chasing except the Mandalorian helm...I got. I have the feeling the 15 or so pets I got are all going to end up in the abortion dumpster. I think it's fate being all "You're not going to get what you want".

Yea I definitely saw the value in the stasis CD decrease. I still like Purifying sweep even for ranked, I think its more of I have the right smasher team to work with for it.

I may need to try this, or similar, for regs as 3% aint that big of a deal at our level of defenses. I have a hard time living without Purifying sweep as I run with a lot of smashers who love me for it. Debating: http://swtor.askmrrobot.com/skills/guardian#13221221222212120122230-1-200023

I run this while doing pure defense in 8v8s (Of note, it sucks for arenas) http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#500hrRbddrRrdGzZcMbZo.3 At times I will take one out of Defiance and put it it into Swelling winds (Less Focus for Focused defense, but quicker return to use sweep). I really don't notice a difference in Focus levels, but its more of a feel depending on if the DDs are being attentive and I need sweep faster. Concept is no focus on damage, just tanking, interrupting, and CCing. Arenas I've moved to: http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#500GMRbddrRrdGzZcMMZo.3 The increase in damage is a big deal in arenas as you are expected to provide some DD - and the fights don't go long enough for other things to be of benefit. I'm still not sure if Dust storm is worth it or not. Regs I play: http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#500RrRbddrRrdGzZcMMZo.3 Not much different from Arenas, mostly just more damage to put down scrubs while still keeping tankability.

I agree that Rage/Focus management from Carnage/Combat is not an issue - but your sources nailed it, its close. Where the complaints are if you aren't mindful of your Rage/Focus, you can screw yourself out of rage needed during a gore window. A lot of people don't realize you need/have to use just regular Assault in this spec - whereas in Anni/Watchman, its rare I need to use it. PvP wise, it is the most rage starved spec. I don't even run enraged slash in smash spec and I can't remember the last time I used assault in smash, but Combat/Carnage I have to. If anything, if they added the rage bonus like we have in smash spec from berserk, I think it would clear it up nicely in both PvP and PvE.

Wow. You really need to get out and play some more competitive PvP man. You're missing like, 90% of the world the rest of us who do, get nightly.

Either. With the way arenas are going, decide if you want to be a babysitter and CCer (Jugg) or a melee damage dealer survivalists (Mara). Both will be wanted/preferred until nerfs come around.

Because objective based is: -More fun for some people -More challenging for some people (should be for all, but that varies from server to server) -Different than a TDM, which all games have access to in one way or another -Make more specs viable -Offer a different way of winning than who can kill who the fastest -Takes into consideration more tactics than TDM does If you don't understand or get the above, I encourage you to play some more of this game and other games with healthy PvP communities. TDM gets boring and simple faster than you'll realize. The only bonus of the change they made was making it easier to fill out teams for ranked play.

I don't think any of the three are viable with other classes available. TBH the only thing balanced between the three specs is they all have pros and cons that make em about even. I do agree the combo you spoke of works...but a sniper does it better sadly. Were OT into a QQ fest about the failures of the class, but I'm praying that between the questions proposed and the arena evidence something is FINALLY done. At this point I've accepted the sorc collecting dust and enjoying easy kills vs Sorcs/Sages on my other toons.

I think (know) you're jumping the gun on trying to get questions cemented right now. Wait a few weeks, 2 weeks out should be when the questions should be debated. Also, 8v8 question is a waste. They would have responded by now if they cared to or knew how to address the concerns/outrage. They're removing 8v8 ranked. We have to just deal with it. (And I'd expect a BW level response of "This is not a Mara question" answer or denial of submitting the question too)

The point is madness is just not in an ideal place for 8v8s...and apparently not in Arenas either. I found the spec great at getting cool numbers and soloing people, but horrid at peeling and putting enough pressure on healers/etc to take nodes. IE the stuff you need to win warzones I dunno about you guys, but playing madness was rather different than hybrid or full lit strategically - so its kinda like practicing skiing while wanting to get better at snowboarding. Not sure Id count it as practice.

Hi Megatfx! I'm sorry you or your friend were not elected in the who can get the most friends to vote for them contest run recently. Hell, I voted for Oof and I wanted to see him win. But, the timing for the questions is SIX WEEKS AWAY. It's actually, if anything, really really really foolish to try and get the questions together so soon given the things that can change - especially with the arena class balancing that may be done further. Lastly? THEY'RE A REPRESENTATIVE. Just talk if you feel the need to jump the gun by 4+ weeks. It's a forum man. It'll still be there when the rep comes around at an appropriate time. Really, even if the class rep was replaced - the new one would have to be absolutely dumb to start any conversation on the class questions right now. So settle down Beavis - be productive like help out a newbie or write a guide or something.

You seem like a nice guy...so Ill say this the nice way. Total damage is for scoreboard heroes. Start looking at the actual way you affect the field, not your numbers.

Given your comments in these and other threads, I have just one question which may lead to others: Did you live under power lines when you were a kid?

Beat any Sorc DPS in what?

http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#500RrRbddrordGzZcRMZb.3 You could take two out of expeditious protector and put it in guard and thrust...but I don't know why you'd want to. Whys: -Battlefield command is useful during fights like Styrak and anything where leaping to another target in sooner succession is useful. -Guard and Thrust is not useful. Lowering the CD on that skill during only saber ward is kinda...well not helpful if its a survival time problem. Usually means you have aggro, a tiny bit more damage isn't going to help. -Expeditious Protector is useful for the speed increase when chasing stuff down, or keeping ahead of bosses like with Cartel Warlord kiting. -Perseverance helps with threat generation. -Swelling winds helps with threat generation, especially AOE. -Master focus is more helpful than Dust Storm. At the same time you could switch those back, as often I don't find reason/need/time to use master strike over other abilities in the rotation. -Last point in accuracy is pretty much "just because" - 1%, even 3% isn't a huge jump while tanking. Could put it in dust storm if you feel the skill is really important to your group.