Some interesting experiences and builds on here. Presently I'm level 21 and going straight up the defense tree, this isn't my first character - so a few things I've learned that might help the leveling experience of others. 1.) Professions make a huge difference during the leveling experience, whether you're DPS, Healer or Tank. My first character was a Shadow (DPS) and I did synthweaving. I found myself in the same boat as a many people - broke and struggling to keep up with mobs of equal level. In my experience, the most beneficial professions while leveling is cybertech, biochem, or artifice. More on this with #2. 2.) Take advantage of adaptive armor. Who cares what you look like, get on the GTN and pick up adaptive/moddable armor pieces for all of your slots. Most of the adaptive gear on the GTN is relatively low cost (it is on Jedi Sentinel). Unless you're crafting and upgrading with purple gear, you can generally get better stats if you use your planetary commendations to buy enhancements, mods and armoring. I'm leveling cybertech on my Guardian and am usually able to stay ahead of the curve with my gathering professions so that by the time I level, I have a full set of prototype armor and mods waiting for me. As a bonus, If you're cybertech you only need to worry about using to buy enhancements and/or hilts with your planetary commendations. 3.) Gear your companion. I can't say this enough, gear your companion just as you would gear yourself. If you have Kira or Doc, again, take advantage of cheap adaptive armor form the GTN. If you have T7 (my preference), Coruscant Commendations and Specialty Goods vendor has moddable Core's and Sensor units that you can use, Nar Shaddaa has moddable shield generators, Tattoine has the moddable motor. It's a while to wait to gear your companion; however, I can't stand Kira and would much rather listen to the occasional beep than constantly listening to.. "I'm about to beat your record boss". Anyways, just my $.02 on this conversation. Cheers!