Picking a republic class

[batswarm]

So I just started the game about 4 days ago and have been making a few characters trying to decide which one I like. My focus in the game will most likely be strictly PvE and I like to raid eventually. So far I've tried making a Jedi Sentinel (level 13) , a Jedi Sage (level 16), and a Trooper Vanguard who is level 11.

 

I thought I'd like the Jedi Sage but I hate healing and I'm afraid that down the road I'll be asked to heal even though I love dps classes.

 

So I know that I want to stay on the Republic side this go round, so I'm trying to decide on a dps class that can solo decently as well as be wanted in raids at end game.

 

Should I continue to play my Sentinel or go Smuggler or Trooper? I know that I made a Vanguard which is a tank which I admit was a mistake as I meant to go Commando.

 

Which dps class would you do?

[Nythain]

Go with what you want to play/feel comfortable and are best at playing. No guild worth being in will try to force you into a role you aren't comfortable with. That kind of behavior just pisses off members and leads to fail runs because the player isn't as good at the new role.

 

Based on a desire for solo leveling survivability, and end game viability I'd personally suggest, well... whichever one you are most comfortable playing. They're all perfectly viable in most/all situations. Consular Sage will get some nice solo survivability with off heals, a bubble, and starting with a decent tank companion. Trooper will have it's own advantages, including heavier armor and a pretty early aoe. The smuggler isn't quite as easy mode to solo with as the others, but has pretty decent demand later due to some pretty crazy single target burst and sustain dps.

 

Moral of the story is, pick what you like so far and run with it!

[Adaliaya]

Jedi Sentinel is very good DPS class, and so is Sage. Sentinel is good at raiding, and decent when soloing tough for soloing I would go Sage. Sage is ranged DPS. Both are viable when raiding, pretty far every class in teh game are viable

Vanguard is melee-midrange.

I would recommed Sentinel, it has 2-3 viable raiding specs and mastering them will be interesting if you like DPSing

[chillshock]

I haven't even met anyone asking me to tank with my juggernaut or powertech... I doubt you'll ever be asked to heal. I'd rather see the oportunities: If it shouls matter at any time (questing, soloing, pvp, ...) you CAN throw a helping heal, if that's worth more than the extra dmg at that time. You don't have to, though.

 

If you really do like the sage (if that is the character that gripped you) play him/her! Swtor is VERY good in regards to keeping classes viable.

[Cuiwe]

First off, you will not be asked to do anything. Well, unless you play slinger/Sentinel. They can only DPS. Both Sage and Vanguard can DPS and rather nicely at that. Assault Vanguard has some crazy single target DPS while Tactics has good AoE. They both mix it with innate tankyness. Oh, you're very mobile as well(lots and lots of instant casts!). A very fun class. Sage is...well I can't stand playing one for some reason. Still, his DoT tree is ace(for me) and AoE tree can and will faceroll mobs(while levelling) and trash(OPs). This one isn't nearly as tanky as Vang. A Sentinel will require some mastery therefore I don't recommend it as a 1st character. Especially not while doing OPs(Raiding). There's a reason why sentinels are ridiculed in swtor. For a nice and relaxed tree, I'd go to focus. But I am not sure how useful it'd be in OPs. The other two are fairly difficult(Juyo) and very difficult(Ataru). Both are good in OPs, but then you virtually don't have any AoE!

 

I'd suggest starting with a Vanguard(of the ones listed). If you're willing to expand your characters to add a smuggler(so worth it!), Scoundrel would be even more recommended.

[mastervalkar]

Having everyone of the classes you have started playing here is my thoughts...

 

Vanguard (Trooper): As a melee/ranged hybrid, this class takes some getting used to, but once you get the hang of staying with 10 meters of your targets at all time, this is will one of the funnest playstyles you can find. Both the Tactics and Assault Specialist DPS trees are very viable in end-game content, with Assault taking a rather commanding lead after a very recent patch. You wear heavy armor, your companions where the same exact armor as you with same stats (Aim), and Vanguard have a bunch of utility abilities, and even the ability to off-tank as needed.

 

The Trooper stroy is good, and a has my favorite companion in the game (Elara; no spoilers from me). Out of the three you chose, this would by far get my vote.

 

Sentinel (Jedi Knight): Sentinels are a very over-played class to me, but there is reasons behind that. As one of two Advanced classes that focus strictly on DPS (other would be Smuggler's Gunslinger for the Republic), you are made to be an monster melee damaging machine. While everyone swears by leveling in Focus, I believe every Sentinel played would be made to level in Combat. Combat has the best burst DPS of any spec in the game, but also has a huge skill imbalance due to it's heavy need of using it's procs and Precision Slash window right. Not utilizing the procs and windows correctly can cost you in massive losses of DPS, but in the hands of a Master, Combat has no equal. Leveling up in the spec from 10-55 teaches you the spec and give you time to learn it before you go try it in Operations (Raids) and high-level Flashpoints (Dungeons). Watchmen is also a great spec, and has the best single target sustained damage in the game currently (Assault Spec Vanguards are a close 2nd). It focuses on burns and great for heavy movement fights. Focus is AoE focused and is only great in fights where packs of mobs are needed to die quickly.

 

As for the story, the Jedi Knight storyline was my favorite by far. If you are looking for a challenge, this is your class

 

Sage (Jedi Consular): If you have played any caster class in games like WoW, Rift, etc, then you will find the Sage roughly the same. The Sage has two extras that make it better then any straight caster DPS from other games: ability to heal and Bubbles!. Nothing is more awesome then being able to sit back, unload endless amount of damage into a a pack of mob or a boss, AND be able to heal yourself, or not even take damage because your Force Armor bubble just absorbs it all. If you go Telekinetic, right around level 26-30, you will start to notice you have a also unlimited amount of Force to cast with, allowing you to basically sit there and kill stuff until everything is dead or you get bored. Add to that, massive AoE damage (best in the game), and heavy single-target damage, a Telekinetic Sage is a great "jack of all trades" character. However, due to the high predictability of the rotation, Telekinetic can get boring really fast, and as such, my Sage is been sitting for two months not being played much, because other classes have my attention right now. I've never personally tried Balance, as I hate casting DoT specs, but I've heard great things.

 

The Consular story is quite dry, with only a few good moment (in my experience).

 

Sorry for the long-winded responses, but wanted to give you my experience as clearly as possible. At the end of the day, whatever is the most comfortable and fun for YOU to play will win. Hope this helps

[Kazekamiha]

With Sages I would still recommend slipping some skill points into healing. Even if you don't become a main healer, being able to off-heal will be a big boon.

[StormTerminus]

My main is a sage and no one bugs me to heal. She puts out great DPS and I love my sage.