IRL I am a conceal and carry certified competitive marksman that teaches self defense. Ive trained in multiple martial arts and weapons training around the world, including basic knife fighting but also rattans, bow staff, chain dagger, kama's, throwing blades, and longest kendo/kumdo with specializing after traditional school to nito-ryu (most common way ive found to refer to it, but a style of using two katanas at once in each hand originating from the Japanese samurai Miyamoto Musashi's Hyoho Niten Ichi-Ryu.) Only bring up my background as a resume of sorts, but the common concept of a knife to a gun fight perception putting guns as the hands down Victor is highly inaccurate, without the clarification on distance. Distance being a large factor in swtor ability use limitation for the ranged tech classes. A study done by the FBI and NGO third-party studies found that two opponents, armed with gun and the other knife, the knife weilder has the advantage in most circumstances. Drawing a weapon, or even lining up a effective shot on target without high levels of training and the capacity to move backwards, environmental awareness to use obstacles, and place a shot requires an incredible amount of training and mental ability that is uncommon. Within 30 ft or just under a person can close the distance and strike a major arterial point rapidly and even if the shot lands (usually in a spot that isn't critical) the momentum of a blade wielder is still able to provide a lethal strike. It is easier to hit critical points like inner upper arm, inner thigh, chest, neck, or head with a blade than it is to get a shot placed above the waist and even lower body shots are not commonly able to penetrate to the femoral artery. This is varied by caliper, but the use of a .50 cal semi-auto pistol isn't a very common caliper is uncommon standard use. Also, custom loaded or specialized ammo types made are not commonly carried outside a private homeowners defensive stored firearm, so a typical 9mm round may penetrate enough to give a fatal shot, it is fatal factor isn't immediate. Despite expectations having a knife in most scenarios with a less than 30 ft distance, a knife has the advantage. Simular situations even put the statistical advantage on the side of someone with a flashlight that has strobe, which is why my daughter has a tactical flashlight with that function and it has a design that within striking distance can be used to do damage by the metal edge around the light lense by just hammer fist strikes. A firearm in a house where the occupant is trained, knows the layout, and has the weapon drawn puts the firearm at a greater advantage. This is also benefited by a defensive ammo type, certain optic or sight options, as well as a strobe attached light connected to pistols with lower rails, but knowing how to defend against a blade can be the most beneficial. It's why in women self defense and empowerment we teach, that two of the best defensive items a college student should carry are a proper flashlight and a whistle (not to mention self defense courses provide a large increase in the outcomes having a positive outcome with just limited training vs untrained situational outcomes.) Now throw in a blade with the even longer length and I cant imagine what the statistical increase would be.) My biggest SWTOR melee weapon options for tech classes are; Primary- the Mandalorian crew member uses a melee electrostaff, not to mention the cartel market has the Beskar spear unusable by Mandalorian characters, these two things make me question why a Mando character wouldn't have access to their use, even just a couple abilities and made visable on gear. The fact that one of the pre-lightsaber type weapons was the Mandalorian dark-saber, which is such an important item that having it is considered enough to be declared Mandalorian leader. It's creation as with vibroswords in general started as a weapon for Mandalorians in clan wars to cut through Beskar armor. It wasn't until later that the original light and dark force users began wielding them, and eventually built on the dark Saber type designs to make Lightsabers. Second, why does the use require strength stat force users? I mean they are basically just more advanced swords and staffs, which can be weilded by everyday humans in our world, so what is it besides like many weapons the risk of untrained users shocking themselves, like numchuck users starting out hitting themselves in the head or sensitive areas? Its a matter of self harm until trained & all the classes are based on highly skilled wielders of their weapons, and even more unfamiliar weapons like weapons for missions they use as a one off? The limitation of use arguments is just illogical, and restricts some cool class options. It makes more sense for limitation of a small few abilities but completely unusable seems poorly decided. Even the traditional knives used by Heta and Shae are available in the CM but not usable by the classes they are most linked around. The use by the tech classes is something users have pushed for over years and with Mandalorian (the show) items being added, and storyline that both have items available and display use by major representatives for those type of characters, the past arguments are being used as a demonstration that shows past and present tech class type players using them. That is a clear indication even developers consider those classes are at least limited users of these weapons. So you market payed item designs for these classes, put in story displays of them being used, and they are something IRL can be used by nearly anyone. So what is the logic behind the restricted use? I mean I get no Lightsaber use without force users, but a spear or blade. ..

I'm pretty positive I'm broken or something, because I have been lost for a few days trying to figure out how to enter the dread fortress & Iokath operations. They arent displayed under my operations activities listed in group finder and even though I've read some older posts that say they can be done solo, I'm not seeing that as optional anymore either. I completed a the Iokath story besides the Operation and completed all the daily and weekly activities (except the colossus) Appreciate anyone that can clarify the points I have been failing to catch the details, that are probably obvious, it would be appreciated. The only thing I think is a possible cause is that I haven't done an operation yet, like a prerequisite to adding them to activities list, but havent had a chance to verify.

I'm new too, but have a few too toons that I've reached points with most that is post class story. I look at what I have thats unbound and what crafting that resembles that look and let you know. Help out another newcomer, since currently I don't have a lot of chances to aid others. I may have something from a loot box obtained from the galactic rewards progression possibly not used. I was able to get a couple of my fav lightsaber designs from ppl helping me out when getting started, so if I can pay it forward I will.

First, my opinion as a newcomer holds little weight, but im glad someone else gave a example of both Game and RL martial art comparison. One of the things video games provide for me is the chance to connect to a character unreachable in RL. For example I rarely will play as human, I can be human everyday. So, having trained in martial arts I can still say, I have absolutely no chance in moving like the examples, and I still remember watching Yoda fight that first time at the midnight release with a sense of "Now that is how a Jedi fight should look." Even in game the Consular class story facing one of the early bosses, their animations where on point with the idea of a force user in combat. During that encounter boss using flashy animations and I my characters movements are predominantly comparable to a janitor sweeping the floor. I guess it would be significant impact on resources to have all the characters on a server doing Yoda level wall vaulting into a lightsaber flip style attacks. The OP is right about the overall sentiment combined with its representation of StarWars that is within reach but not being met.

I'm still new to the game, started right around the newest update into stream from devs took place, so sorry for stupid question. With the info players have been given +PTS feedback, does anyone know if marauder/sentinal future is potentially going to give the class more pre-7.0 compromises or improvements or relative improvements? Since starting ive always liked the dual-wielding & double-bladed lightsaber geared force users, a mix of training in a style of Nito-Ryu (Japanese style of kendo using two blades over the common single) & its a lightsaber! Who wouldn't want two. After getting further into the game I started seeing how the variants of the class penalized & I missed getting to see them in their peak state.