What spec are you playing in PvP at the moment?

[Valistrix]

I've recently come back to SWTOR after a long break (two years!) and picked up Vanguard. I'm level 53 and very quickly closing on 55. I've spent the majority of my time leveling in warzones and I absolutely intend to continue to PvP at 55.

 

I can't find much information of PvPing in 2.6. I've been playing Shield Specialist, having been a tank in most every MMO I've played. I love the concept of it applied to PvP, the focus on keeping other players alive and mitigating enemy damage.

 

Now I've theory-crafted before but I was playing about with a talent calculator and came up with this build. I have no clue whether it's good or not but I like the idea of keeping Storm and Ion Cell yet enjoy some of the benefits of Tactics, namely Gut and the reduced cooldown on Cryo Grenade on Harpoon. I guess I'm thinking about battlefield control.

 

Which brings me onto what I'd like to talk about. How do you play your Vanguard in PvP at the moment and how, if at all did you adapt to the changes in 2.6?

[julienfs]

Hi I'd go full assault, it's really the most efficient pvp spec imo. You get a up to 1min 30% dmg reduction from adrenaline rush which is big,+ the best burst spec for the class.

 

I'm using this atm http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#801GMZ0cZrIrrdobfcdz.3

Edited February 16, 2014 by julienfs

[Mastershroom]

When I'm queuing for ranked (or generally trying to be serious), I go full Assault. But just for fun, I queue up with this spec: http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#801GRhMdMboZMsMZfhdbdo.3

 

Just enough points in the tank tree to get Storm, and then Assault up to Ionic Accelerator, running with Plasma Cell. It does waste a couple skills on stuff like shield chance, because there's no other way to get Storm, but it's a fun build. Basically plays like Assault plus you get the leap. You won't usually top the damage list with this, but it's fun as hell, and the leap is actually quite useful in a lot of situations, especially in Huttball.

[AmagonofBloodfin]

I personally feel assault does less damage, this is the spec I play (tactics). I would say i like the bleed, slow and 30% less damage while stunned. especially right now with all the ops/scounds out there, this really helps. The other thing I love is the instant burst from charged loaders.

 

http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#801hMZrsMMRrRokGGzZbc.3

 

I know some people take pulse generator but honestly in pvp you stand somewhere for three seconds with no escape tools like the sage/scoundrels have you will be dead 9/10. therefor I do not take that except when in pve and i know i have healers who are watching me.

[TACeMossie]

I tend to use this version of assault:

http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#801bMZMsZfhrrdRbfcdz.3

 

Reasonings behind changes from the PvE Version: http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#801hzZMsZfhbrzRrffdz.3

 

TALENT CHANGES:

Steely Resolve 2/3 from 3/3, while Brutal impact 2/2 from 1/2

This difference means you get a little more burst for a little less sustained, which is always good in PvP

 

Hyper Assault Cell + Rapid Recharge for Nightvision Scope + Sweltering Heat

Slows tend to not work on bosses, and you can't use stealth scan on most mobs in PvE. Also you tend to not really need the extra 2% defense in PvE. These are very helpful in PvP. The reasons for dropping Hyper Assault Cell + Rapid Recharge:

Hyper Assault Cell tends to be more frustrating than its worth in PvP due to it messing with soft CCs that get put on afterwards

Rapid Recharge interferes with Ionic Accelerator due to its alacrity boost, and the energy returns from faster recharge skills are barely used in PvP.

[choigreywolf]

I am currently using full tank tree atm. I so enjoy using specs not as popular plus its fun defending a node with a pocket healer againsed the whole enemy team. Plus tank spec I am hard as heck to kill.

[Pistols]

I personally feel assault does less damage, this is the spec I play (tactics). I would say i like the bleed, slow and 30% less damage while stunned. especially right now with all the ops/scounds out there, this really helps. The other thing I love is the instant burst from charged loaders.

 

http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#801hMZrsMMRrRokGGzZbc.3

 

I know some people take pulse generator but honestly in pvp you stand somewhere for three seconds with no escape tools like the sage/scoundrels have you will be dead 9/10. therefor I do not take that except when in pve and i know i have healers who are watching me.

 

You're missing out Amagon on the P.G. While there have been times I get stunned/burned down before the channeled pulse goes off, it's nothing compared to the amount of times I get it off on 3-4 peeps with 7K+ hits. Obviously it's nice when white-barred, cause BAM! =)

[Keypek]

I personally feel assault does less damage, this is the spec I play (tactics). I would say i like the bleed, slow and 30% less damage while stunned. especially right now with all the ops/scounds out there, this really helps. The other thing I love is the instant burst from charged loaders.

 

http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#801hMZrsMMRrRokGGzZbc.3

 

I know some people take pulse generator but honestly in pvp you stand somewhere for three seconds with no escape tools like the sage/scoundrels have you will be dead 9/10. therefor I do not take that except when in pve and i know i have healers who are watching me.

 

Wow this is awful, PG is the only reason you go past tier 2 in tactics if going dps. The other stuff around and above it is just nice bonuses. Power Armor and Soldiers endurance really aren't needed and missing out on a 6 second interupt in pvp from frontline defense makes me cry. If you aren't going PG in tactics you would be doing about 50% more damage going assault instead.

[Zenislav]

Ion Pulse becomes beast vs single target as well when going Tactics and 2 sec reduced cooldown is a must for interrupt.

 

http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#801hMhZMsMrorRRkGGzZb.3

 

i am thinking about trying to get 10 sec reduced cd on Cyro Grenade but will see.

[AmagonofBloodfin]

You're missing out Amagon on the P.G. While there have been times I get stunned/burned down before the channeled pulse goes off, it's nothing compared to the amount of times I get it off on 3-4 peeps with 7K+ hits. Obviously it's nice when white-barred, cause BAM! =)

 

I have started taking those points but I really feel like as soon as i go into that i am immediately stunned or knocked back 80% of the time. I think it's kind of a ******** gimmick talent but the damage in theory is nice if they would just give it stun immunity and immunity from knock backs because really the intent is for it to do more damage and if you just get it interrupted anyways what's the real point of giving it immunity from interrupts when every class has 2-3 technical interrupt abilities that bypass that immunity clause.

 

Wow this is awful, PG is the only reason you go past tier 2 in tactics if going dps. The other stuff around and above it is just nice bonuses. Power Armor and Soldiers endurance really aren't needed and missing out on a 6 second interupt in pvp from frontline defense makes me cry. If you aren't going PG in tactics you would be doing about 50% more damage going assault instead.

 

if this was pve, sure. but people don't stand still number one. number two, you are not immune from KB or stuns which is what happens a lot which means your applied damage is actually not that much better with this skill rather then without it. It's not as bad as you make it out to be honestly. In any regards I have started taking it and I still think it's 50% useless talent. Also Charged loaders is the reason to go above tier 2, pre-loaded three 2.5k hits with no GCD with another 4 in succession, dat burst.

Edited February 26, 2014 by AmagonofBloodfin

[Keypek]

if this was pve, sure. but people don't stand still number one. number two, you are not immune from KB or stuns which is what happens a lot which means your applied damage is actually not that much better with this skill rather then without it. It's not as bad as you make it out to be honestly. In any regards I have started taking it and I still think it's 50% useless talent. Also Charged loaders is the reason to go above tier 2, pre-loaded three 2.5k hits with no GCD with another 4 in succession, dat burst.

 

Sure you aren't going to get a full PC off every time. But learn to use HTL in conjunction with a 3 stack PC and you eliminate all but stuns from interupting it. But even in a well interupted match you're still gonna get a lot of ticks off on a fully charged PC and some times even a full one. People can't have stuns up all the time.

 

And charged loaders really? It's a nice bonus in tactics. But those three extra missiles will generously do 8k damage if they all crit. That's one extra HiB crit from ionic accelerator. Not to mention the other dozen extra HiBs you'll get off in the time it takes shoulder cannon to come back off CD thanks to IA.

 

I mean play what you want. If you like the restrictive nature of that spec more power to ya but you could be doing a whole lot more damage potential if you had PG or just went assault. Just would hate for new people to the specs to gimp themselves.

Edited February 26, 2014 by Keypek

[Ayakin_Solaris]

I have started taking those points but I really feel like as soon as i go into that i am immediately stunned or knocked back 80% of the time. I think it's kind of a ******** gimmick talent but the damage in theory is nice if they would just give it stun immunity and immunity from knock backs because really the intent is for it to do more damage and if you just get it interrupted anyways what's the real point of giving it immunity from interrupts when every class has 2-3 technical interrupt abilities that bypass that immunity clause..

 

Erm . . . .that's what you have Hold the Line for - if you are going to use your 3 stacks on a mob that includes classes with a knockback, you pop Hold the Line first, then a knockback won't interrupt you. It's not rocket science

 

And charged loaders really? It's a nice bonus in tactics. But those three extra missiles will generously do 8k damage if they all crit. That's one extra HiB crit from ionic accelerator. Not to mention the other dozen extra HiBs you'll get off in the time it takes shoulder cannon to come back off CD thanks to IA.

 

Yeah, but the Shoulder Cannons can be used when stunned and also don't respect the GCD. If you time it properly with Immolate (can't remember the name of the Trooper ability, that gives you the 15 second crit chance boost), then it's excellent for burst, especially if you get them down to the last bit of health and they stun you and your breaker is on CD. I'm not defending that build, but the two points in charged loaders are useful in Tactics.

Edited February 26, 2014 by Ayakin_Solaris

[AmagonofBloodfin]

Erm . . . .that's what you have Hold the Line for - if you are going to use your 3 stacks on a mob that includes classes with a knockback, you pop Hold the Line first, then a knockback won't interrupt you. It's not rocket science

 

so that solves it every 30 seconds but that means devoting an anti-movement impairing ability to only be used to help another ability not suck. when pulse cannon is up every 18 seconds it just isn't feasible imo to rely on that to save you and only save you when using PC.

[Ayakin_Solaris]

so that solves it every 30 seconds but that means devoting an anti-movement impairing ability to only be used to help another ability not suck. when pulse cannon is up every 18 seconds it just isn't feasible imo to rely on that to save you and only save you when using PC.

 

It's no different to abilities from other classes, e.g. Master Strike on the Sentinel/Guardian can be interrupted by knockbacks and stuns, or by running away if they don't have the root.

 

You don't just have Hold the Line, you also have your AoE stun (on PT it's Carbonise, can't remember the name for Vanguard) that can be used to lock enemies in place while you get the full cast off (the AoE stun should be used to either set-up for the 3 stacks or a Mortar Volley).

 

The ability doesn't suck, with 3 stacks it is frigging epic, but if you're so set in you mind that you think it does suck, don't use it. Games are about having fun, so you should go with whatever spec/abilities you feel most comfortable with and work for you.

[Zakmonster]

I tried Tactics when I hit 55, about a month ago. I enjoyed the spec and the stability it brings to my gameplay, but I found it hard to 'finish' someone off. You have to use Pulse Generator to effectively kill someone, but I could never get the ducks to line up nice - I might have 3 stacks, but HtL is on cooldown, or I'm whitebarred but so is my target, so I can't stun them to keep them in place, etc etc.

 

So I went back to Assault and I much prefer this spec. While ammo management is harder and you're generally squishier, you do have better defensive cooldowns and the burst you bring to the table is insane. I'm getting better at making the Assault Plastique explosion and High Impact Bolt to go off at the same time, which is theoretically 15k damage in a split second that very few healers can cope with.

[ShadessaWayland]

now i try for the first time a vanguard tank build i must say ad pvp am doing very well

ok am just lvl 26 but as far i see its a very solid class in pvp

 

http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q574/Genlog76/Screenshot_2014-04-07_16_11_21_587796_zps55c40105.jpg

 

but i cant tell how good they are ad 55 but i wil see but atm i rely enjoy this class

and the harpoon skill is just epic funny when a enemy have low hp and run away i just pull him back

freez him with my bom and kill him

[Kaos_KidSWTOR]

I'm trying to play tactics right now, and it's working so-so. though, i am running out of keybinds to place skills... dear god is Vanguard heavy on the extra keybinds... still need to get that full Oberon, then on to Berserker Gear...

 

Edit: would Serendip Assault be better than Devestanting Vengeance? or is the crit from Dev Vengeance better, because of Havoc Training?

Edited April 8, 2014 by Kaos_KidSWTOR

[Zakmonster]

I'm trying to play tactics right now, and it's working so-so. though, i am running out of keybinds to place skills... dear god is Vanguard heavy on the extra keybinds... still need to get that full Oberon, then on to Berserker Gear...

 

Edit: would Serendip Assault be better than Devestanting Vengeance? or is the crit from Dev Vengeance better, because of Havoc Training?

 

Eh, I find them to have less keybinds than a Guardian or a Commando, even.

 

About relics: go for the mainstat relic and the power relic.

[Kaos_KidSWTOR]

Eh, I find them to have less keybinds than a Guardian or a Commando, even.

 

About relics: go for the mainstat relic and the power relic.

 

I have on my Tactics Vanguard, atleast 7 extra keybinds. 3 of them for DCD's (Adrenaline Rush, Reactive Shield, and HtL) one for Full Auto (for when things get out of range or i need filler for my rotation.) one for Grapple (Obvious) one for Cryo Grenade (PvP mainly, should also add one for Neural Surge... but the space limitations are rediculous... need a mouse with more buttonz...) and one for Battle Focus (for opening burst when i use Shoulder Cannon, and dammit Shoulder Cannon NEEDS to be off the GCD and useable when you are channeling something like Pulse Cannon or Full Auto, both of those would be a MAJOR DPS upgrade for Tactics, and a minor one for Assault/Shield and put it on a 1 minute CD for Tactics, would put the Single Target Burst for Tactics up by a bit).

 

my level 45 Guardian only has 4, 2 DCD's (Enure and Focused Defence) Combat Focus, Saber Throw.

 

my 55 Merc has 2, Electro Net, and Energy Shield. Though it IS a heals merc.

[Zakmonster]

I have on my Tactics Vanguard, atleast 7 extra keybinds. 3 of them for DCD's (Adrenaline Rush, Reactive Shield, and HtL) one for Full Auto (for when things get out of range or i need filler for my rotation.) one for Grapple (Obvious) one for Cryo Grenade (PvP mainly, should also add one for Neural Surge... but the space limitations are rediculous... need a mouse with more buttonz...) and one for Battle Focus (for opening burst when i use Shoulder Cannon, and dammit Shoulder Cannon NEEDS to be off the GCD and useable when you are channeling something like Pulse Cannon or Full Auto, both of those would be a MAJOR DPS upgrade for Tactics, and a minor one for Assault/Shield and put it on a 1 minute CD for Tactics, would put the Single Target Burst for Tactics up by a bit).

 

my level 45 Guardian only has 4, 2 DCD's (Enure and Focused Defence) Combat Focus, Saber Throw.

 

my 55 Merc has 2, Electro Net, and Energy Shield. Though it IS a heals merc.

 

 

You're forgetting Concussive Round, Concussion Charge, Tech Override, Hail of Bolts, and lets not forget all the heals (3 baseline, more if you spec healer). Add Cryo Grenade, Adrenaline Rush and HtL ,which Commandos also have, and the two you outlined above, that's 11 extra buttons.

 

Guardians also have Saber Ward, Force Push, Guardian's Leap, Saber Reflect, Freezing Force (maybe only if you're specced tank), Dispatch, Awe, Cyclone Slash (maybe only tank-specced), and Force Stasis. And they all have a couple of extra abilities, based on spec. Overhead Slash and Plasma Brand for Vengeance, Hilt Strike and Warding Call for Defense, Force Exhaustion and Zealous Leap for Focus. Including what you outlined above, that's 15 extra buttons.

 

Like I said Vanguards have it easy.

Edited April 10, 2014 by Zakmonster

[Kaos_KidSWTOR]

You're forgetting Concussive Round, Concussion Charge, Tech Override, Hail of Bolts, and lets not forget all the heals (3 baseline, more if you spec healer). Add Cryo Grenade, Adrenaline Rush and HtL ,which Commandos also have, and the two you outlined above, that's 11 extra buttons.

 

Concussive Round is so rarely used, it's almost a pointless ability... Concussion Charge stays on my main Hotbar when playing healer, Never in my life needed to use Tech Override, and never used Hail of Bolts. All of my healing abilities are on my hotbar. Never need Cryo Grenade. rarely need Adrenaline Rush, and HtL is already keybound.

 

Guardians also have Saber Ward, Force Push, Guardian's Leap, Saber Reflect, Freezing Force (maybe only if you're specced tank), Dispatch, Awe, Cyclone Slash (maybe only tank-specced), and Force Stasis. And they all have a couple of extra abilities, based on spec. Overhead Slash and Plasma Brand for Vengeance, Hilt Strike and Warding Call for Defense, Force Exhaustion and Zealous Leap for Focus. Including what you outlined above, that's 15 extra buttons.

 

I intend to add Guardian Leap when i hit 50, and maybe Saber Reflect. But for Overhead Slash and Plasma Brand for Vigi, those are on my main hotbar.

 

Like I said Vanguards have it easy.

 

If you consider that for PvP i dont even have my Taunts on keys, and i dont have Neural Surge on a key (Yet) that's 10 keys i could have in extra, Along with if i put Explosive Round, and Reserve Energy Cell on keybinds, that's 12 right there.

 

So, for extra keybinds for ME personally, Vanguard is VERY keybind heavy.

[TACeMossie]

So you say its tactics is what you play:

 

Keybinds that are important:

 

OFFENSIVE:

 

Gut

Pulse Cannon

Fire Pulse

Ion Pulse

Shoulder Cannon

Stockstrike

Hammer Shots

High Impact Bolt

Explosive Fuel

Sticky Grenade (>10 meters)

Explosive Surge (for when sitting around doing nothing)

 

DEFENSIVE:

 

Adrenaline Rush

Energy Shield

Hold the Line

CC Breaker

 

UTILITY:

 

Neural Surge

Cryo Grenade

Single-target taunt

AoE Taunt

Interrupt

Stealth Scan

 

Thats 21 keybinds (23 in PvE due to adding threat drop and attack adrenal), where any more is a bad choice (stop adding unload! Its designed for specs with tons of armor pen, which don't include vanguards!).

Now compare it to my Guardian...

 

DAMAGE:

 

Strike

Sundering Strike

Overhead Slash

Plasma Brand

Blade Storm

Dispatch

Master Strike

Force Leap

Force Push

Force Sweep

Cyclone Slash (stealthbreaker)

Combat Focus

Riposte (situational)

 

Defensive:

 

Saber Reflect

Enure

Focused Defense

Saber Ward

CC breaker

 

Utility:

 

Single Target Taunt

AoE Taunt

AoE Mezz

Freezing Force

Interrupt

Stasis

Guardian Leap

 

So thats 24 buttons for guardians to 21 for vanguards. "But you gave guardians Combat Focus and didn't give Vanguards emergency powercell!" Your chosen tree of tactics let me do this. Tactics is almost anti-resource-intensive. You can ignore both energy return functions and your dps will pretty much never go down in PvP and rarely in PvE

 

Oh and this gets even worse with Commandos, Shadows, Snipers and other specs like those.

Edited April 10, 2014 by TACeMossie

[Kaos_KidSWTOR]

So you say its tactics is what you play:

 

Keybinds that are important:

 

OFFENSIVE:

 

Gut

Pulse Cannon

Fire Pulse

Ion Pulse

Shoulder Cannon

Stockstrike

Hammer Shots

High Impact Bolt

Explosive Fuel

Sticky Grenade (>10 meters)

Explosive Surge (for when sitting around doing nothing)

 

DEFENSIVE:

 

Adrenaline Rush

Energy Shield

Hold the Line

CC Breaker

 

UTILITY:

 

Neural Surge

Cryo Grenade

Single-target taunt

AoE Taunt

Interrupt

Stealth Scan

 

Thats 21 keybinds (23 in PvE due to adding threat drop and attack adrenal), where any more is a bad choice (stop adding unload! Its designed for specs with tons of armor pen, which don't include vanguards!).

Now compare it to my Guardian...

 

DAMAGE:

 

Strike

Sundering Strike

Overhead Slash

Plasma Brand

Blade Storm

Dispatch

Master Strike

Force Leap

Force Push

Force Sweep

Cyclone Slash (stealthbreaker)

Combat Focus

Riposte (situational)

 

Defensive:

 

Saber Reflect

Enure

Focused Defense

Saber Ward

CC breaker

 

Utility:

 

Single Target Taunt

AoE Taunt

AoE Mezz

Freezing Force

Interrupt

Stasis

Guardian Leap

 

So thats 24 buttons for guardians to 21 for vanguards. "But you gave guardians Combat Focus and didn't give Vanguards emergency powercell!" Your chosen tree of tactics let me do this. Tactics is almost anti-resource-intensive. You can ignore both energy return functions and your dps will pretty much never go down in PvP and rarely in PvE

 

Oh and this gets even worse with Commandos, Shadows, Snipers and other specs like those.

 

you arent supposed to count skills that are on your main hotbar. those are a given that you have them keyed unless your a very big retard...

[Zakmonster]

you arent supposed to count skills that are on your main hotbar. those are a given that you have them keyed unless your a very big retard...

 

Full disclosure, I have a Razer Naga, so I have a couple of extra buttons I can use. I bought one specifically to play this game, because every class has too many buttons.

 

For Tactics Vanguard, these are the following skills on my main hotbar (12 in total):

 

1- Sticky Grenade

2 - Ion Pulse

3 - Stockstrike

4 - Flame Pulse

Q - Riot Strike

E - High Impact Bolt

R - Hold The Line

F - Pulse Cannon

S - Gut

T - Battle Focus

Mouse Wheel Up - Shoulder Cannon

Mouse Wheel Down - Hammer Shots

 

Extra keybinds not on the main hotbar (19 in total):

 

C - Mortar Volley

Z - Neural Surge

X - Cryo Grenade

Alt + 1 - Chaff Flare

Alt + 2 - Warzone Adrenal

Alt + 3 - Stealth Scan

H - Warzone Medpac

F1 - Taunt

F2 - AoE Taunt

F3 - Full Auto

Alt + W - Energy Shield

Alt + Q - Adrenaline Rush

Alt + E - CC Breaker

Alt + S - Reserve Powercell

V - Rapid Reload

~ - Explosive Surge

Numpad 1 - Harpoon

Numpad 2 - Cybertech Grenade

G - Guard

 

 

Abilities on Main Hotbar for a Vigilance Guardian (12 in total):

 

1 - Slash

2 - Sundering Strike

3 - Master Strike

4 - Bladestorm

Q - Kick

E - Dispatch

F - Plasma Brand

R - Force Leap

S - Overhead Slash

T - Guardian Leap

Mousewheel Up - Saber Throw

Mousewheel Down - Strike

 

Abilities not on the main hotbar (19 in total):

 

Z - Awe

X - Force Stasis

C - Force Sweep

V - Combat Focus

~ - Cyclone Strike

Alt + 1 - Focused Defense

Alt + 2 - Warzone Adrenal

Alt + 3 - Freezing Force

H - Warzone Medpac

F1 - Taunt

F2 - AoE Taunt

F3 - Riposte

Alt + W - Enure

Alt + Q - Saber Ward

Alt + S - Saber Reflect

Alt + E - CC Breaker

Numpad 1 - Force Push

Numpad 2 - Cybertech Grenade

G - Guard

 

 

 

 

Well... actually now that I look at it, they have the exact same number of keybinds.

[stingreddog]

Mouse wheel down for hammer shots - omg i can't believe i never thought of that.

 

Thanks!!