Vanguard doesn't feel very Soldier like.

[ShawnyBoi]

Has Bioware mentioned anything about adding a sort of Advanced Class change at all? I'm currently a level 39 Vanguard DPS and I have to say I'm very unimpressed. The overall feel of the class is clunky and it just feels weak. I personally dont feel as though a soldier should be up in the enemies face but rather more of a ranged DPS class. Unfortunately I don't have very much time to sit and level a Commando (I really don't want to because I've spent so much time maxing out, yes 450, Scavenging and Armstech on this character that I've had such high hopes for.) Does it get any better? I see the Commando's use abilities like Full auto, which is my absolute favorite trooper skill, all the time and theirs isn't as easily interrupt-able and does a -lot- more damage. The only reason I didn't select commando from the start is the whole Blaster Cannon thing, I mean, that thing is ridiculous. Unless you're some meatheaded grunt I don't see you toting one of those things around let alone a medic using one. Just my two cents, Bioware, an AC change option would be very nice for a misleading class.

[Dacce]

stick with the Vanguard, they are very good fun to play. you might want to wait until you can get your top tier talent before complaining too much, both of the DPS trees have excellent top tier talents which give you the feel of soldier and will also round out your rotation so it doesn't feel clunky.

 

But yeah, level up to at least 45 before you scrap your Vanguard, because there is no advanced class change.

[GlenFletcher]

I played a Vanguard on release to 50. I just came back to the game after more than a year away and after dabbling with other classes I'm back to leveling a new Vanguard.

I think they have the perfect mix between range and close quarters that no other class I have played gave me.

I like the sith Jug but the almost complete lack of range makes it so repetative in PVE

With the vanguard you can toss a grenade duck behind a wall untill the whole group arrives them toast them all with pulse cannon.

Or you got the option of kicking down the door and charging in setting light to the nearest guy and smashing him over the head with the rifle but and finishing him off with an impact bolt.

The only other class that tempts me is the scoundrel witch I have not yet tried.

[sensiblepoast]

if you want range, drop it. And don't go commando either. Go gunslinger, which is a Properly Worknig gunnery commando. Or a dps sage if you prefer a bit more of maneouverability... just think as the pebble throws as full auto.

[sensiblepoast]

stick with the Vanguard, they are very good fun to play. you might want to wait until you can get your top tier talent before complaining too much, both of the DPS trees have excellent top tier talents which give you the feel of soldier and will also round out your rotation so it doesn't feel clunky.

 

And then the smashtard comes and laughs at your damage as he proceeds to autocrit for your "top tier" damage but to everyone around. With a shorter CD than you.

[TylerAcalan]

If you like Full Auto then yes. Clearly you need to re roll a Commando.

 

I will however tell you that like everyone else. Stick to it and give the Vanguard a shot.

 

Yes most of the Vanguard's abilities are short ranged. That's because the Vanguard has a very "in your face" playstyle. The ideal range you should be playing your Vanguard at is 10-4 meters from your target.

 

Make liberal use of your other abilities, Ion Pulse and Pulse Cannon are your major players. Vanguards have more elemental abilities then Commando meaning their heavy hitter is High Impact Bolt which needs a target to be dotted or otherwise vulnerable (such as being knocked over by a Explosive shot, have a sticky grenade stuck to them, or if your fast enough on the trigger nail them at the very last tick of Full Auto.)

 

Harpoons are designed to be your gap closer though they work the opposite. Instead of going to the target, they bring the target to you MK Scorpion style (GET OVER HERE!).

 

The Vanguard has a bizarre class passive in which they HEAL when they're hit with AOE. (Healing is separate from taking damage through so you'll take damage first and maybe heal tick latter.)

 

In short. The Vanguard is a berserk rusher designed to run face first into the enemy and grapple him to death. They are the Marines of Star Wars.

 

If you really wanted to hang back and burn someone from a distance, Commando or Gunslinger is a better choice for you.

[TACeMossie]

And then the smashtard comes and laughs at your damage as he proceeds to autocrit for your "top tier" damage but to everyone around. With a shorter CD than you.

 

And then you realise you're playing tactics, so the smashtard does pretty much nothing, and can't escape because of your +3 Pulse Cannon

[venomlash]

And then you realise you're playing tactics, so the smashtard does pretty much nothing, and can't escape because of your +3 Pulse Cannon

 

Pretty much. Tactics Vanguards are a good counter to LOLSMASH; they take 30% less damage from AoEs, bypass armor with most of their attacks, and have a nice toolkit (Stealth Scan, Harpoon, lingering DoT from Gut) to prevent enemies from escaping.

[Kaos_KidSWTOR]

Pretty much. Tactics Vanguards are a good counter to LOLSMASH; they take 30% less damage from AoEs, bypass armor with most of their attacks, and have a nice toolkit (Stealth Scan, Harpoon, lingering DoT from Gut) to prevent enemies from escaping.

 

All Vanguards also get a 2% heal AND 2 Energy Cells when they take AOE damage, so Tactics takes those hits like they were only 5k instead of 8K+ also Taunts when you get a smashtard on your allies, reduces their damage by 30%. Currently Tank VG is one of the more OP classes in the game for PvP with Smash being a close second.

[LanceCorporalDan]

Pretty much. Tactics Vanguards are a good counter to LOLSMASH; they take 30% less damage from AoEs, bypass armor with most of their attacks, and have a nice toolkit (Stealth Scan, Harpoon, lingering DoT from Gut) to prevent enemies from escaping.

 

Tactics is my favorite spec as a Vanguard.

 

But to the OP, the vanguard is a more special forces oriented class to me. CQB, hand to hand, explosives, etc. Finishing some glowbat swinger with a good stockstrike is one of the best feelings I have in PvP.

 

If you want more *pew pew* the commando is the way to go. Gunslingers are good as well but not as mobile with their dps.

[Face]

I don't mean to be rude but posts like this should be held off until the level cap. Classes really shine at 50-55. There are too many complaints before you even have all your skills or have a proper handle on how the class works. Stick with it and I wish you the best!

[Shaakrah]

The argument about the class shining at higher levels may be validated by figures, and yes it is possible that the vang is a good mechanic.

 

... but it is the continuous patchwork look and feel of the vanguard that is the main block to enjoy this class fully. I get too often the impression that you are sacrificing yourself to fill in a functional role pressing functional keys that could be called or do anything else so remote are they from a logical role. that is why Vang has to be the least enjoyable tank class I played so far.

 

The visual look of the class is underwhelming, the vang was the last guy on the bench when they called for a tank. A big armor was a given, but with all the big guns given to novelty classes, well, only remained my son's air-rifle (and not even a Nerf-gun). I start target pulls feeling that the target does me a favour to notice my char; it is not in anyway more threatening than the lightsticks wavers or the big guns of any of the other classes.

 

Skills feel slapped on random available functions, and sometimes downright forced randomly to fill in required roles (taunt ....). They too add to this un-natural or awkward choices, sometimes downright bizarre. You have to constantly remind yourself of the proxy used for taunt, that your air-rifle can shoot a energy bolt, etc.. At no point does the class "comes to life" if not in an outright contrived way.

 

As a lorebreaking suggestion, a stormbolter, or, less lore breaking, an MG34 or a JackHammer, would be a start to make this class more than a contrived function.

 

Credentials: 15y MMO player, Guardian and Warden Lotro, Black Guard and Swordmaster WarHammer, Warrior WoW og, etc, etc....

Edited February 12, 2014 by Shaakrah
spelling

[TylerAcalan]

The argument about the class shining at higher levels may be validated by figures, and yes it is possible that the vang is a good mechanic.

 

... but it is the continuous patchwork look and feel of the vanguard that is the main block to enjoy this class fully. I get too often the impression that you are sacrificing yourself to fill in a functional role pressing functional keys that could be called or do anything else so remote are they from a logical role. that is why Vang has to be the least enjoyable tank class I played so far.

 

The visual look of the class is underwhelming, the vang was the last guy on the bench when they called for a tank. A big armor was a given, but with all the big guns given to novelty classes, well, only remained my son's air-rifle (and not even a Nerf-gun). I start target pulls feeling that the target does me a favour to notice my char; it is not in anyway more threatening than the lightsticks wavers or the big guns of any of the other classes.

 

Skills feel slapped on random available functions, and sometimes downright forced randomly to fill in required roles (taunt ....). They too add to this un-natural or awkward choices, sometimes downright bizarre. You have to constantly remind yourself of the proxy used for taunt, that your air-rifle can shoot a energy bolt, etc.. At no point does the class "comes to life" if not in an outright contrived way.

 

As a lorebreaking suggestion, a stormbolter, or, less lore breaking, an MG34 or a JackHammer, would be a start to make this class more than a contrived function.

 

Sounds to me like you're too scared to mix it up in melee range when they give you a weapon that lets you hang back.

 

If your mental block is the look and feel of the gear, invest in some from an armormech and an armstech if a Cartel Market look isn't your thing.

 

Why should they pay attention to you? Which should you deal with first? The people crouched behind cover taking potshots at you or the halfcrazed fully armored freight train barreling down on your bellowing at the top of their lungs who will knock you the **** out like Rocky if you let him close on you?

 

Don't believe me? Go watch the Hope Trailer again and tell me which one Malgus was concerned with more, Satele who was just standing there cool and calm or the crazy son of a ***** Malcom who kept tackling him and trying to punch him out only to blow both of them up with a grenade? Malcom in that trailer against Malgus is how how the Vanguard should be played. Close, personal, like a charging freight train.

[GOLANX]

Sounds to me like you're too scared to mix it up in melee range when they give you a weapon that lets you hang back.

 

If your mental block is the look and feel of the gear, invest in some from an armormech and an armstech if a Cartel Market look isn't your thing.

 

Why should they pay attention to you? Which should you deal with first? The people crouched behind cover taking potshots at you or the halfcrazed fully armored freight train barreling down on your bellowing at the top of their lungs who will knock you the **** out like Rocky if you let him close on you?

 

Don't believe me? Go watch the Hope Trailer again and tell me which one Malgus was concerned with more, Satele who was just standing there cool and calm or the crazy son of a ***** Malcom who kept tackling him and trying to punch him out only to blow both of them up with a grenade? Malcom in that trailer against Malgus is how how the Vanguard should be played. Close, personal, like a charging freight train.

 

I see A melee a opponent and shout "BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

 

my Armor makes me look like i'm the type to bathe in the blood of my enemies

 

what is the fun in tanking if you cant be a Drama Queen, if nobody is looking at me im not doing my job and i feel unfulfilled. and yes My vanguard is female and yes when its that time of the month, i wont just bash you with the butt of my rifle, i will crack your skull open, and when i kick you in the A** you will be breathing through that A** and pooping through your mouth. and if you aren't scared enough yet, then try to ignore me and see what happens. (see Drama Queen)

 

and personally, I make Malcolm look like a chicken, i'm at 25% health, big whoop i'll still Kick you A** and ive got the tanking skill to back it up, heck i took on Kilran solo SM at level 43, id like to see a Sentinel take on them odds.

seriously though Seeing Malcom charge into a Powerful Sith with the force of a freight train fills me with pride.

[SpectreDC]

I'll say as someone who greatly enjoys Powertech that I can't enjoy Vanguard nearly as much.

 

The animations are underwhelming and often non-existent/different colored particles shooting out of your gun.

 

Mortar volley has no oomph to it like death from above does.

 

Our charge feels like it has a lot more force behind it.

 

We have mother****ing SHORYUUUUKEEEEN whereas Vanguards slap people with their butts (of their guns lol)

 

Not to mention random pistol syndrome in cutscenes, whereas I'm quite familiar with the pistol showing up in my powertech scenes, considering it's my weapon that I always use.

 

While the class is certainly mechanically enjoyable, aesthetically it's incredibly lackluster.

[Luckeyduckey]

I'll say as someone who greatly enjoys Powertech that I can't enjoy Vanguard nearly as much.

 

The animations are underwhelming and often non-existent/different colored particles shooting out of your gun.

 

Mortar volley has no oomph to it like death from above does.

 

Our charge feels like it has a lot more force behind it.

 

We have mother****ing SHORYUUUUKEEEEN whereas Vanguards slap people with their butts (of their guns lol)

 

Not to mention random pistol syndrome in cutscenes, whereas I'm quite familiar with the pistol showing up in my powertech scenes, considering it's my weapon that I always use.

 

While the class is certainly mechanically enjoyable, aesthetically it's incredibly lackluster.

 

Seriously? I main a PT, but if I could, I would totally play a VG. Blaster Rifle, Knives, ****** armor. A Tactics VG just seems so much more intimidating to me.

[Zakmonster]

Seriously? I main a PT, but if I could, I would totally play a VG. Blaster Rifle, Knives, ****** armor. A Tactics VG just seems so much more intimidating to me.

 

A BH has a Blaster Pistol, Knives, *****in' armor and a jetpack (which he uses every 9 seconds, with Rocket Punch), a flamethrower and several missiles.

 

And let's be honest, here. Rocket Punch looks so much cooler than Stockstrike that it's not fair. Railshot and High Impact Bolt have similar graphics, but the sound for Railshot is just so much more satisfying.

[SgtJeremy]

The class doesn't feel very Soldier like and is very much weird to play. I think it needs a damaging range attack that isn't stationary to use while charging an opponent. Can't exactly spam harpoon and the rapid shot is pitiful. The missile/grenade (Whatever it's called) attack is weak and consumes too much ammo. I'm not MMO expert but this is just something I would like.

[JnEricsonx]

Good to see I'm not alone in this view. I mean, Powertech is all about tech attacks, etc, the Vanguard, I dunno, if it was some kind of shotgun+melee look, I could get behind it a bit more. It works in numbers, but visually feels a bit clunky.

[wjrasmussen]

Has Bioware mentioned anything about adding a sort of Advanced Class change at all? I'm currently a level 39 Vanguard DPS and I have to say I'm very unimpressed. The overall feel of the class is clunky and it just feels weak. I personally dont feel as though a soldier should be up in the enemies face but rather more of a ranged DPS class. Unfortunately I don't have very much time to sit and level a Commando (I really don't want to because I've spent so much time maxing out, yes 450, Scavenging and Armstech on this character that I've had such high hopes for.) Does it get any better? I see the Commando's use abilities like Full auto, which is my absolute favorite trooper skill, all the time and theirs isn't as easily interrupt-able and does a -lot- more damage. The only reason I didn't select commando from the start is the whole Blaster Cannon thing, I mean, that thing is ridiculous. Unless you're some meatheaded grunt I don't see you toting one of those things around let alone a medic using one. Just my two cents, Bioware, an AC change option would be very nice for a misleading class.

 

Why are you playing it if you don't like it? Find something that matches your play style rather than demand game changes.

[mastervalkar]

Personally, I like the Vanguard play style. Tactics is very fun. With it mix of high burst AoE, decent single-target damage, and great passive defenses, you feel like you can handle anything the game throws at you. Plus Vanguard tanks are just beast-mode. Their passive defenses are the best in the game; its like running around as a titanium wall that can shoot.

 

While I know a ton of players hate on Vanguards now that the Assault Specialist hybrid was taken out, and Tactics still needs some work with single target damage, I feel they are more then viable in the hands of committed and knowledgeable players.

 

I have both a Vanguard and Commando at 55, and a Merc bounty hunter in the 30s. Only thing that turns me off about both sub-classes is the general lack of resources. Ammo/Heat seem to just not last enough when you try to go crazy, making you think about what your doing. As such, I favor my Sage or Guardian DPS as they have no resource issues. That said, if you put a small amount of thought into it, you do just fine.

 

End of the day though, its all about choice and preferred playing style. If you like sitting back and shooting stuff without much if at all movement, go Commando. If you don't mind being in your target's face 90% of the time, then Vanguard is for you.