celtichooligan Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 (edited) Hey guys, new to trooper, went vanguard route and was curious on what you guys prefer for a leveling spec and why? Still not sure how I should go, I like to mix in a fair amount of PvP while leveling, what do you guys think? Edited February 27, 2012 by celtichooligan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anacoluthe Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I like it as a tank, a bit slow but quite reliable, with Aric Jorgan to help on the DPS'ing or Elara to make sure I don't die (but then it's not just slow, it's SNAIL slow). I tried very briefly to do it as a DPS but didn't like it, felt it was a bit too stressful, but I might just suck with Tactics and Assault. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hethroin Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I leveled as assault with Elara. I did die to a couple of champ mobs that my tank shadow soloed with her healer. Overall the kill speed was good enough to stay DPS. I leveled as BioChem so I had access to stims adrenals and medpacks of equal level at all times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All_Under_Heaven Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 (edited) I would say to level as Shield spec until 20-25, and then try out all three specs for the next few levels. Shield Specialist is, of course, the tanking tree. But it also adds some considerable damage to Ion Cell, Ion Pulse, and Stock Strike. It's moderate-to-high damage and reliable damage and defensive abilities make it one of the better leveling choices. You won't be steamrolling mob packs like a Commando, but it actually takes effort to die in Shield Spec, and you can put out solid damage. The level 30 skill, Storm is one of the best abilities in the game, and makes both leveling and PVP quite a bit easier. Companion-wise, Elara is a good choice; her heals make you nigh-unstoppable, she can take quite a few punches, and shoots things as well. If you can hold threat like a boss, Aric might be more favorable, since with optimal gear he can be your steamroller. Tactics is a mixed bag, and many Vanguards denounce this spec, for both good and bad reasons. It focuses on the application of several Damage-Over-Time (DoTs) abilities, and ways to make those DoTs hit incredibly hard. Gut is your shiny quintessential DoT-attack for this tree, and the spec revolves around it's usage. And when properly used, it can buff your Pulse Cannon to do devastating AoE-cone damage. This is however, where the spec falls off as a leveling option. Most of your standard quest mobs die quickly, and having a spec revolve around the ticking of DoTs becomes difficult to manage when your enemies die after only a few ticks. If you intend to level through heavy PVPing, then Tactics isn't a bad choice. Getting a few of your big DoTs on an enemy can cause some horrifying damage, while you just hit them with regular attacks. Tactics currently has some major issues with it's preferred stance, High Energy Cell, not synchronizing well with the spec as a whole. Assault Specialist is the "go-to" damage/leveing Vanguard spec. It also has high emphasis on DoTs, but moreso focuses on chunky crits from High Impact Bolt and your various explosives. It would be my top choice for leveling, but it currently has some issues with it's high-tier skills, and the numerous skills that buff High Impact Bolt only really become useful when you get to level 30+ gear. Regardless, it's a solid choice for straight damage output and the necessities of efficient leveling. Elara is your best option for companions, as your combined DPS and her heals can reduce your downtime to almost zero. Leveling a Vanguard in itself is a very mixed bag. Some players report it being the most enjoyable class in the game, while others return that it's almost pure boredom. My experience tended to lean towards the latter; I leveled as Shield spec until 24, respeced Assault until 30, then Shield again. I felt like combat had little dynamic to it; I would Storm in, and then Stockstrike/Ion Pulse, and wait until things were dead. Currently sitting at 32 as Shield spec, will probably give it another few levels and respec Assault. But that's just my opinion. Stick with your Vanguard if you're enjoying it man. -A Edited February 28, 2012 by All_Under_Heaven Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celtichooligan Posted February 27, 2012 Author Share Posted February 27, 2012 (edited) I would say to level as Shield spec until 20-25, and then try out all three specs for the next few levels. Shield Specialist is, of course, the tanking tree. But it also adds some considerable damage to Ion Cell, Ion Pulse, and Stock Strike. It's moderate-to-high damage and reliable damage and defensive abilities make it one of the better leveling choices. You won't be steamrolling mob packs like a Commando, but it actually takes effort to die in Shield Spec, and you can put out solid damage. The level 30 skill, Storm is one of the best abilities in the game, and makes both leveling and PVP quite a bit easier. Companion-wise, Elara is a good choice; her heals make you nigh-unstoppable, she can take quite a few punches, and shoots things as well. If you can hold threat like a boss, Aric might be more favorable, since with optimal gear he can be your steamroller. Tactics is a mixed bag, and many Vanguards denounce this spec, for both good and bad reasons. It focuses on the application of several Damage-Over-Time (DoTs) abilities, and ways to make those DoTs hit incredibly hard. Gut is your shiny quintessential DoT-attack for this tree, and the spec revolves around it's usage. And when properly used, it can buff your Pulse Cannon to do devastating AoE-cone damage. This is however, where the spec falls off as a leveling option. Most of your standard quest mobs die quickly, and having a spec revolve around the ticking of DoTs becomes difficult to manage when your enemies die after only a few ticks. If you intend to level through heavy PVPing, then Tactics isn't a bad choice. Getting a few of your big DoTs on an enemy can cause some horrifying damage, while you just hit them with regular attacks. Tactics currently has some major issues with it's preferred stance, High Energy Cell, not synchronizing well with the spec as a whole. Assault Specialist is the "go-to" damage/leveing Vanguard spec. It focuses on chunky crits from High Impact Bolt and your various explosives. It would be my top choice for leveling, but it currently has some issues with it's high-tier skills, and the numerous skills that buff High Impact Bolt only really become useful when you get to level 30+ gear. Regardless, it's a solid choice for straight damage output and the necessities of efficient leveling. Elara is your best option for companions, as your combined DPS and her heals can reduce your downtime to almost zero. Leveling a Vanguard in itself is a very mixed bag. Some players report it being the most enjoyable class in the game, while others return that it's almost pure boredom. My experience tended to lean towards the latter; I leveled as Shield spec until 24, respeced Assault until 30, then Shield again. I felt like combat had little dynamic to it; I would Storm in, and then Stockstrike/Ion Pulse, and wait until things were dead. Currently sitting at 32 as Shield spec, will probably give it another few levels and respec Assault. But that's just my opinion. Stick with your Vanguard if you're enjoying it man. -A A lot of good info here thanks man. I started as assault and felt i was missing something for some reason. I am sitting at 15 now and went into shield as you mentioned, I do decent damage and have good survivability, so far I like it, never played as a tank spec in any other mmo before but so far so good, however I am interested in tactics, I think because it seems to be the "underdog" spec of the 3 and that in itself makes we want to lean towards it later on lol don't ask me why but i like to go for what seems to be played the least by other players. Edited February 27, 2012 by celtichooligan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KoshrBacon Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Shield spec all the way through till 50, you will never have problems with golds or 2 silvers + trash w/ Elara at your back. Regular trash groups can be mopped up with a dps companion with ease and you will barely have to stop between groups. I tried tactics and assault numerous times and although things died faster, my health was always low at the end of a fight and I would have to rest... Its kind of like: Would you rather take the highway @ 100mph but with frequent accidents, or the HUV lane at a rock solid 75mph and no traffic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramsuz Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I'm lvl 43 right now and have lvled Assault the whole way. It SUCKED until I got Elara but has been great ever since. I never have any problems or downtime and can still take down champ mobs by just using Ion Cell and a shield generator. Just make sure you keep Elara's gear up to snuff. On a side note. I lvled my Juggernaut to 50 fully tank specced using DPS companions. Kill times and down time are fairly close but probably slightly behind the DPS w/healer companion. Basically...play the way you have the most fun playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ururururu Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 (edited) I'd go ion cell -- 8 points into the left tree for the reliable snare. Then I'd add 3 points into steely resolve for aim boost. If you are pve leveling a lot consider rebraced armor, it's REALLY good for pve leveling.. not nearly as good in pvp but not bad. If you pvp a lot strongly consider 3/3 into improving high impact bolt armor penetration (middle tree). From there the best abilities in my opinion are :: storm (21 points into shield), ionic accelerator (18 points into assault). you can have both at 48, this is called the parakeet build. Probably the worst tree is tactics (middle). Up to you, but I personally felt it was bad especially in PVP. Respec costs get reset on tuesday. It will claim the old # for $ needed. You need to have that money in your inventory. But it won't take it. So, respec & try all the specs so you find the spec that makes you happy. Edited February 27, 2012 by ururururu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeseblaster Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 (edited) I second the notion of Shield Spec until at least 30. Once you get Elara as a shield spec you are basically untouchable as long as you play right. PVP is how I did a lot of leveling. Great way to get better gear too. I'm Lvl 41 SS (at the moment, I switch between Yojack's SS and Carolina Parakeet depending on my mood). And honestly found that the damage I do w/ion cell is not that far behind DPS builds. And in PVP with my survivabilty I find I often do more damage than some DPS classes. But I like playing the Tank/Decoy role as opposed to a more offensive style. I can keep 3-4 Imps occupied while my teamates score in huttball, cap a node, or blast a door. All up to your playstyle. But what I like with Vangaurd is there is so much variety out there that can all work well. It's a very flexible class. Edited February 27, 2012 by Cheeseblaster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenk Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I second the notion of Shield Spec until at least 30. Once you get Elara as a shield spec you are basically untouchable as long as you play right. PVP is how I did a lot of leveling. Great way to get better gear too. I'm Lvl 41 SS (at the moment, I switch between Yojack's SS and Carolina Parakeet depending on my mood). And honestly found that the damage I do w/ion cell is not that far behind DPS builds. And in PVP with my survivabilty I find I often do more damage than some DPS classes. But I like playing the Tank/Decoy role as opposed to a more offensive style. I can keep 3-4 Imps occupied while my teamates score in huttball, cap a node, or blast a door. All up to your playstyle. But what I like with Vangaurd is there is so much variety out there that can all work well. It's a very flexible class. Can you link those builds? I have been reading about those builds but cant seem to find them. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightia Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 I loved assualt, I did great damage and mobs didn't last long at all. In fact, it was nearly amazing how fast mobs went down. With elara things did go better and dps and healer was great. However... I went shield at later levels and felt i had more flexibility. With normal mobs i could kill them very fast with myself and a DPS companion. Though, when I ran into a tough boss fight, or a champion I could pull out a healer and own them. This is just a noobs point of view and a pve only... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
va_wanderer Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 45 Assault Vanguard here. Been with Aric the entire time. Double DPS plays like a tag-team wrestling match. Sometimes you'll do more damage. Sometimes Aric will. Sometimes you'll double-team the target. You always look for the hard cover. You keep moving. You kite the big mobs while keeping aggro. It's fun stuff, but it's probably the least "stand and shoot" I've played in an MMORPG. And weaker groups just fold up and die under the combined firepower- it's usually the elites/heroics that I get creative on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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