Ok, so I am not 50. Currently 30, and doing a lot of pvp since I don't want to advance the story without a buddy of mine. I started combat spec was happy until pvp then was frustrated. Switched watchman and am better. I average around 25 kills and usually make 5 commendations per map. I believe the best advice is to pick targets. I started by rolling in and usually got stomped, now I look for that 3 set with the one person lagging a little behind. Usually a sorc or med. Force leap in, give them the business, and back up. Sometimes they catch me and it is perma stun **** on 4. But sometimes, I get to interrupt that force lightning, set the burn, slow them down and rage **** the sorc before his buddies figure it out. SO GOOD! I am usually middle of the pack though since I still don't have awe or force camo, and of course no top tier skills. Wow, long rant which = pick your target, don't be distracted, and set some kind of movement reducing hit early. Don't let them run. I think the movement one on cauterize is a watchman one so use leg sweep. Good luck!

I read a lot of forums and I don't feel that I have ever really seen this. I of course am a sent. I started combat and felt I was pretty successful in pve, but pvp not so much. I feel the problem with combat is the length of the chain. You have to string 5 or 6 moves to max damage. Watchman = force leap>overload sabre>leg strike or cauterize> cauterize if not yet, or precision slash (the better focus builder, if not the right name.)> spam favorites.... The difference being that unfortunately there is a huge amount of cc and knockback against you. If i get the first 3 off with watchman I am gonna keep up in damage. With combat, break the chain = start over... You can say that I just didn't understand combat, and that is fine, all i know is i am a lot more effective in pvp now. I have heard that focus is a great damage stat grinderfe, but I have also heard it is difficult as a finisher. Can't say myself, haven't tried it. I miss a few things from combat, extra roots and speed, but I feel I am better at watchman. Is it easier, I don't feel so, but it does have a longer chain, with a better chance for interrupt. Combat however will throw the large damage if you can pull it off.

At 28, I still have not come into my full power. However I do not usually run at this time. Usually if I am close to death I usually try and target a group of 3 or more, force leap>overload sabre>cauterize (if up)>force sweep(spam till dead). You can throw out a lot of damage and get them to break Target a lot of times before they take you out. They switch focus to you, you die, and usually their original target can get the upper hand or escape. So there is my lemming answer to low health. Just jump off the cliff.....

All I have to say about this is take the time to play both. I love the idea of ataru, but it doesn't feel like the acrobatic spec it is supposed to be. Since all the attacks are still the same, visually I don't feel very different between both specs. However, performance in pvp and my damage have been improved by watchman. Now I am no pvp god, and i am not saying I am killing 3 at a time or topping the damage charts, but hell I am not 30 yet and am competitive now. Maybe combat will be more capable for me at 50. No idea, however watchman for the win in the here and now.

I agree that combat spec has some issues. I recently switched from combat to watchman due to an increased interest in pvp and my lackluster performance to start with. I have seen a huge improvement to my game and stats playing watchman. I think the precision idea warrants looking into. So I feel combat was ok for over, but is lacking in pvp.

I am no pro, and am running a combat spec, but.... I would put cauterize earlier in the rotation to get more from the DOT. Otherwise you are hitting the bread and butter....

Not sure about this game, but most rpgs use str as a bonus for to hit rolls in the background. So if that is true here more str equals a bonus to, to hit and dmg. So twice the benefit. If someone can confirm the game mechanics.

I am currently playing sent and running the combat tree, at 16 I am getting ready to pull Ataru as my next skill. I normally travel with another player, a consulor shadow, at same level. We have no troubles with anything except flashpoints and world bosses. However I have complained about sent pvp on other posts, where I don't know if it is just due to lower level or an imbalance but pvp to my sent looks like this. I Attack them, they pushed back, ranged stun, ranged damage, ranged damage, dead..... With only one melee entry method and one stun breaker, we are usually out classed in pvp. My damage is good, I am a tad squishy, but if i don't stay in range, I am stone cold dead fast. Oh and if leap isn't up I am even more impressed when they fall back kiting me the whole time. Good times.

Sadly I do not have a lot of exp in this area, however without more burst dps on this class it does seem to me (lvl 14) that the char are underpowered compare to all of the knockback and stun effects that other classes have. However since there is no level seperator in pvp it also may just be a factor of them having a larger assortment of skills at their disposal. Will not really know till I am the one working the noob. I do not feel this is just the guardian, I feel sent has this issue as well. Basically the flaw of a melee char in a ranged world.