Assault could hit hard back then, but that opener was ammo prohibitive and the spec could be taken down easily. After 2.0 railshot/hib, im/ir, and td/ap hit no where near to what they did prior to 2.0. I'm doubtful that you're currently seeing Assault Commandos global anyone from 30m utilizing the same exact opener. AP/Tactics has longer uptime on HTL, a passive in-combat speed increase for closing in and has the damage reduction tools (aoe damage reduction, damage reduction while stunned, reflexive shield) to play its role of a much more melee oriented spec. Granted, blaster augs could use a re-review when in high energy cell and there's still little justification for the dot nerf on gut.

Great discussions concerning tanking and the counter-productiveness of alacrity. I understand the pvp tanking question, but can't say I'm exactly on board with more CC. Even with added CC, it appears Shield Tech would still be second rate for pvp when compared to Guardians. I'd still like an explanation why our AC remains the only Tank/Dps without a force/tech immunity and execute. But, last dev session it appeared that the mighty hammer shot was the reason. There was a reasonable post in the Vanguard section regarding the gap closer issue. It isn't requesting Storm/Jet charge, but instead a return to the range on Plastique and Incendiary Round for Assault. As neither ability hits anywhere close to pre-2.0 levels, I'd argue it's worth a look. It helps pve concerns for target switches and allows the spec to build damage as it closes to optimal range.

Most likely because Lethality was a rarity in pvp. The influx of pyro spec'd players can really be attributed to BW's patchwork in 1.2 and 1.3. Patch 1.2 did a good job at removing any spec diversity, leaving players with only full Shieldtech or Pyro as options. Patch 1.3 destroyed Shieldtech with the nerfs to Stockstrike/Rocket Punch. The only advantage to the Tank spec was its damage potential, it lacked any useful cds and shield/armor were well known to mitigate very few attacks in pvp. I'd love to see the range returned to Pyro, it would make the spec much more interesting to play. I doubt we will ever see such a change.

QFT, it's pretty telling how out of touch the devs are with this class. Granted, I think the Sorcs may have received a harsher response when the devs' answer essentially amounted to "Use LOS, heal, L2P noob".

I recall sage/sorcerers in one of the betas had a lightsaber tree as the shared one. From what I heard, it did not go well...

I'd reserve my question for the next round, but mine would be along the lines of: "Currently, all Tank AC's other than Vanguard/Powertech have an execute. Could you explain your reasoning for this particular design?" I would reference that Vigi/Vengeance specs were recently given a 15% speed buff to bring them into alignment with other middle tree specs, could the lack of an execute for the Vanguard/Powertech be a similar oversight?

Honestly, throwing around a weak dot at a significant cost to your resource pool, a weak aoe in sticky gren and an easily avoided aoe in mortar volley and pulse cannon is going to do little for your team. Between taunts, slow release med packs, and bubbles you'll barely touch a competent team.

Tactics is decent for regular warzone play, but you'll be hard pressed to find a spot in ranked wzs. Sure you can damage, but I find killing blows are a better measure of a dps spec's effectiveness. Being the only non-healing AC without an execute really shows when you are hunting down healers. One one more comment, not trying to be too critical because you did mention that you've been away from the game for a while; but in a game like that, those protection numbers need to be higher. Keep those taunts flying

Dps VG/PTs will have a difficult time finding an invite for 8 man NiM content. Both specs are middle of the road melee dps with zero raid utility. Before the obligatory "Only sent/marauders & gunslinger/snipers bring group utility", here's what I mean: Guardian/Juggs: Armor debuff Shadow/Sins: Viable off-taunt with resil; chance at a stealth rez, cleanse with resil, trash cc Scoundrel/Operative: Chance at a stealth rez, trash cc, self cleanse & cleanse w/dodge If I were a raid leader, my goal would be to limit the number of melee dps as mechanics are often more punishing on them. Prior to the expansion, pyro was viable due to its damage potential. Back then, you could overlook its lack of defensive cds, aggro dump and mobility (force speed/leap). Now it's a mediocre dps that is a raid liability. Tactics/Prototype is the better option as it is sturdier, however, the other melee dps still bring more to the table.

I'd be happy if they would once again allow Ionic Accelerator to work with all cells. At least you'd see a little more spec diversity.

As far as I know, the 30% Armor pen is not additive. It isn't 90% off the target's armor, more like 72%. The talent is taking off 30% of what remains after the 60% penetration.

And this is why I can't blame Bioware for ignoring these boards.

1. The above poster's spec is pretty much the standard spec for PVE. Vanguard remains an effective PVE tank when geared properly. 2. I'm not certain how long you've been gone, but Bioware has essentially killed off the Hybrid specs for Vanguards/Powertechs. Ionic accelerator requires the player to be in plasma cell, so no more parakeet build for the rail shot reset. I really miss that build . I've yet to find a vanguard build that matches the utility and fun I had with the Parakeet, RIP. I was never a fan of the Iron Fist build (in my opinion full shield tech was better given the small difference in dps potential and better ammo management), but the change to the SS bonuses in the shield tree really harmed the damage potential of a spec with points heavily invested in Shield Tech and effectively killed off that "Hybrid" as well. 3. Unfortunately, Shield Tech VG's are probably the worst tanks in pvp. Their damage potential is generally negligible and defensive cool downs are somewhat lackluster. Heavy armor still carries little value in PVP as a wealth of attacks ignore it. Aside from harpoon, peeling guarded healers or dps teammates is often difficult with the lack of an area slow or an effective mezz. If you are still seeking to use Ion cell in pvp, I'd recommend speccing into Tactics. Although the ammo management can be a challenge, your damage output combined with tools like "Hold the Line," make for a more effective guarding partner for healers. These are really my opinion, I hope other will contribute to help in your search for a build. Unfortunately, Bioware in essence killed off the creativity with VG/PT builds. The low activity on the VG/PT forums is a pretty good indicator of this.

I am curious on your ammo regen with both Shield Cycler and Parallactic stims (looks like it might be pretty good). When I ran with the IF ammo at times would be a difficulty. I ended up favoring the CP build over it for Pvp (Dmg potential, free HIB, etc). I am not trying to be critical, but I am not certain where the added dps on the spec would be derived from in the build. Leaving out the 9% Aim increase from Steely Resolve will hurt your dps. In the end, the dps in the spec might be below a 31 Shield Spec (1.2 with energy blast off the gcd). As a poster mentioned, I'd recommend investing in one of the available snares (other than Gut, personally I feel the ammo cost is not worth it given the dmg). The 10 second decrease on harpoon is really up to the user. It is very situational for me, I generally never find myself waiting on its cd so I tend to avoid tactical tools. In the end you really have to play the way you enjoy. I had fun with the IF build (similar, but definitely not the same as your build). I think the ammo regen chance in your spec would allow you to fire off your abilities at a better rate than the traditional IF. But, with regard to the IF, I found the Parakeet gave me the same utility with better damage. Unfortunately that build is gone, I'm left deciding between a 31 Shield spec or biting the Assault Spec bullet and saying good-bye to guarding and storm.

I recently completed Act I with my smuggler and noticed when I selected to give Torchy back to Corso, that my A-300 has a completely model than the revolver like model that people have posted on the forum before (what Torchy appears like). Any else run into this with their A300 Needler?