This class feels so limited now =/

[Tenacity]

I played a powertech BH back at launch/early access, and was the first level 50 imperial on the namadii corridor server. Back then, I recall the class feeling powerful and functional, able to tackle just about anything as a shieldtech/tank focused character.

 

Now, after being gone from the game since GSF's release, I've come back and leveled a juggernaut and scoundrel so far through their class stories to 50+, and now I'm starting a vanguard. My damage potential, even as a tank, seems particularly poor, and resource management is much more tedious than I recall it being back at launch with my powertech. Not having access to a good 'filler' attack like unload/full auto makes the AC feel like it's missing core power.

 

What do other Vanguards/powertechs do to mitigate this nowdays? Unload/full auto wasnt great back in the day, but at least it was something to use between cooldowns for some respectable single target damage. Without it, I find I'm having to use ion burst/flame burst as my primary attack (other than basic gunfire) which rapidly depletes my resource pool and does a pitiful amount of damage. It almost seems like I get more out of that basic gunfire than I do out of ion burst.

 

Shouldnt we at least have some kind of charged shot/power shot or burst shot that can be used as a no-cooldown filler for single target? Without anything to fill that gap the class feels extremely slow and clunky.

Edited August 24, 2015 by Tenacity

[Arehonn]

Once you get the hang of the current state of Vanguard tank, you'll realize just how great they are. It's not hard to put up high protection ( 800k or more ) and match it with the same DPS numbers.

[OMGITSJAD]

pt/vg has the highest DPS potential out of all the tanks as well as really easy energy management. not sure what you're talking about.

[Tenacity]

Well can anyone suggest or relay how they go about soloing pve content as a shieldtech these days? What filler attacks do you use? Obviously spamming ion burst is not a good idea, but that seems to be my only option.

[OMGITSJAD]

Well can anyone suggest or relay how they go about soloing pve content as a shieldtech these days? What filler attacks do you use? Obviously spamming ion burst is not a good idea, but that seems to be my only option.

 

ion storm, shockstrike, energy blast, and high impact bolt on cd. otherwise it's ion pulse/explosive surge or hammer shot depending on energy. soloing pve content i dunno much about. just telling you that vg's have the highest tanking DPS when played correctly, and especially when you have multiple enemies to attack.

 

edit: another way to ramp down your ammo beside basic attack is to spend your reserve powercell charge on mortar volley.

Edited August 24, 2015 by OMGITSJAD

[Faardor]

Well can anyone suggest or relay how they go about soloing pve content as a shieldtech these days? What filler attacks do you use? Obviously spamming ion burst is not a good idea, but that seems to be my only option.

 

actually spamming ion burst (pulse? eh, the single target one) is something I do as filler, be it solo content, flashpoints or operations. I do however make sure that I don't ruin my heat too much, ill put in a basic attack here and there if heat is becoming a problem, either that or I burst to like 60-70 and vent heat. Use thermal sensor override where necessary.

 

im not sure about the terminology for vanguards but basically

 

Firestorm, rocket punch, rail shot, heat blast, flame burst are my rotation abilities. WIth rapid shots on a heat management basis.

 

Things like death from above, explosive dart, missile blast, flame blast are for any AOE situations.

Edited August 24, 2015 by Faardor

[Tenacity]

I guess after playing a tank juggernaut I'm just too used to having unlimited resources.

[Tenacity]

I've been trying out tactics instead of shield tech for soloing, and things have gotten a lot better. Resource management is easier, and tactical surge makes a great filler attack

[Lalainnia]

I've been trying out tactics instead of shield tech for soloing, and things have gotten a lot better. Resource management is easier, and tactical surge makes a great filler attack

 

Yep dps specs tend to do that.

[Albertwang]

I just started my tactics vanguard and well she is way too fun in PVP and hopefully I will test her on ops soon.

[Keypek]

I've been trying out tactics instead of shield tech for soloing, and things have gotten a lot better. Resource management is easier, and tactical surge makes a great filler attack

 

Yeah soloing as a tank became pretty dull and slow going when they nerfed a lot of the hybrids and eventually, with 3.0, completely got rid of hybrids. No more days of running Iron Fist spec as a tank/dps hybrid like when the game first came out. Just easier to go tactics and pwn junk with ease.

[Iffyluse]

Tank specs are slow and boring for soloing content. Even the chars I main as tanks I lvl as dps. DPS + Healer companion is the way to go through story. Then to learn the class you stare at the char progression screen until you understand how abilities synergize with each other, spend a few mins reading up a guide on dulfy then start with some classic flashpoints/operations, then move up to HM FP and SM ops. Not that big of a deal, 1-50 content doesn't teach you **** about tanking anyway.

 

All that being said, Shield Specialist is great for PvE, has decent AoE with explosive surge, mortar volley and the high impact bolt jumping between targets. Never had DPS problems doing dailies. Tactics is even better: amazing DPS and really easy to play, basically a 5 button rotation. Vanguards are amazing in general.

Edited October 6, 2015 by Iffyluse