Little Peeves

[Nebu]

The hybrid tax is fuckstupid, old, bad design. All DPS-specced classes (regardless of if they can respec tank/healer) should do comparable damage, period.

I'm saying that there's no point in a pure dps class in this game.  I feel that every class should be able to fill at least two possible group roles.   

Better?

[Fordel]

That's a disappointment from the pre-release hype when DE was showing off Tatooine and the system in place was customization kits that changed the spec of your companion (healer kit/dps kit etc).

Out of curiosity, did they ever say why they changed from that to what they launched with?

This supposedly lets them customize the companion abilities more. Though the only one where that really seems to be different is Dr. Lokton or whatever his name is.

[Mrbloodworth]

Peeve: I am always one planet ahead in terms of level.

[Tyrnan]

That's a disappointment from the pre-release hype when DE was showing off Tatooine and the system in place was customization kits that changed the spec of your companion (healer kit/dps kit etc).

Out of curiosity, did they ever say why they changed from that to what they launched with?

This supposedly lets them customize the companion abilities more. Though the only one where that really seems to be different is Dr. Lokton or whatever his name is.

That seems like a pretty poor exchange from the players perspective 

[Mattemeo]

If I could switch Kira to a healing Sage rather than the... whateverthefuck spec she is now (Shadow-something? But she's officially a 'Jedi Knight' now... so... wat?) I would actually use her. And then the whole relationship thing might actually work, instead of just having weird interludes on my ship or when I'm forced to use her for storyline purposes. Because right now, all things being equal, I ought to be banging T7.

[Nebu]

As a sniper, Dr. Lokken is the only companion that even matters.  Once I hit 40, I never even bothered with the rest.  I see this as a bigger issue with the game.  The only reason for the other companions is to run missions.  Meh.   Give me a reason to use other companions.  Please!

[Zetor]

I wish I could use M1-4X (the robot) on my vanguard, but since I'm a tank I have no choice but to use Elara Dorne 100% of the time. On my sage I'm cool with using the melee companion, but it's really annoying that I got it at the end of Belsavis, so there was only 2 planets' worth of content left. (ilum doesn't count... for anything. Especially daily quests and/or pvp. h8!)

[Fabricated]

As a Vanguard Trooper I hardly ever used anyone other than Jorgan. I used Dorne (the healer) for some odd quest elites/champs who would just stomp me flat for some reason, and when I had heroic groups with no healer. I did notice that even with equivalent gear Jorgan owned Yuun on damage and effectiveness due to the advantage Jorgan has of being able to hit tons of enemies with AOE and instantly acquire new targets.

I'm on Voss now, and I figured I'd try Yuun out for the hell of it and semi-RPish reasons. Voss is an awkward diplomacy battle over a species with an unusual culture, Yuun digs weird/new cultures.

[01101010]

Peeve: I am always one planet ahead in terms of level.

I actually skipped ahead to Nar Shad on my gunslinger, by passing Taris altogether to grab the wookie. It was actually pretty enjoyable - fights were rough, but it felt more meaningful. Of course, getting the wookie and having to go back to Taris is clownshoes now. (And I really dislike the gunslinger anyway, so I don't even play him anymore)

[01101010]

As a Vanguard Trooper I hardly ever used anyone other than Jorgan. I used Dorne (the healer) for some odd quest elites/champs who would just stomp me flat for some reason, and when I had heroic groups with no healer. I did notice that even with equivalent gear Jorgan owned Yuun on damage and effectiveness due to the advantage Jorgan has of being able to hit tons of enemies with AOE and instantly acquire new targets.

I'm on Voss now, and I figured I'd try Yuun out for the hell of it and semi-RPish reasons. Voss is an awkward diplomacy battle over a species with an unusual culture, Yuun digs weird/new cultures.

That should end well... 

[kildorn]

As a sniper, Dr. Lokken is the only companion that even matters.  Once I hit 40, I never even bothered with the rest.  I see this as a bigger issue with the game.  The only reason for the other companions is to run missions.  Meh.   Give me a reason to use other companions.  Please!

Oddly, the only characters I feel I can swap companions out on are.. healers. Because that's the one role that MUST be present. My scoundrel can happily sub in a tank companion, or usually runs with any option of DPS companion (why are there so many DPS companions, but not say a dps/healer hybrid that heals less than the main healer, or something?)

This also makes the companion system seem slightly more flawed in that I can usually only run with one companion regularly, because ::gear::. Sure, I can afford to sub out to my tank or my alternate better fit for the quest line plot DPS, but they're probably going to be about half as effect as Risha because when you get companion quest gear you can only pick it for one companion.

[Ingmar]

Yeah that's a bit of a complaint for me too - I wish they'd just gear the companions all up at the baseline green rate, a la Guild Wars.

[Sky]

Shouldn't even really be an option. You should get the choice off commendation, lockbox PLUS a bit of gear for each companion, though I have no idea how the hell that would work without stuffing your inventory and creating even more inventory issues. I like that you can gear them BETTER than the default quest stuff, but not that it doesn't automagically update the default quest stuff.

[Mrbloodworth]

Peeve: I am always one planet ahead in terms of level.

I actually skipped ahead to Nar Shad on my gunslinger, by passing Taris altogether to grab the wookie. It was actually pretty enjoyable - fights were rough, but it felt more meaningful. Of course, getting the wookie and having to go back to Taris is clownshoes now. (And I really dislike the gunslinger anyway, so I don't even play him anymore)

I have skipped 2 planets with exception of the main storyline already.

[murdoc]

As a sniper, Dr. Lokken is the only companion that even matters.  Once I hit 40, I never even bothered with the rest.  I see this as a bigger issue with the game.  The only reason for the other companions is to run missions.  Meh.   Give me a reason to use other companions.  Please!

Oddly, the only characters I feel I can swap companions out on are.. healers. Because that's the one role that MUST be present. My scoundrel can happily sub in a tank companion, or usually runs with any option of DPS companion (why are there so many DPS companions, but not say a dps/healer hybrid that heals less than the main healer, or something?)

This also makes the companion system seem slightly more flawed in that I can usually only run with one companion regularly, because ::gear::. Sure, I can afford to sub out to my tank or my alternate better fit for the quest line plot DPS, but they're probably going to be about half as effect as Risha because when you get companion quest gear you can only pick it for one companion.

Speaking of companion gear, how do you guys handle loot rolls in FPs? I won't roll need on anything that my char won't use right away, but I have run into a few people that will roll need on gear for their companions. I'm ok with that, but would prefer to know that up front so I can also roll on the things that Mako or Blizz can use.

Guild groups it's no issue, PUGs have been all over the place on it so far.

[Paelos]

I'm fine with rolling need for companions if it's not taking away from the person who is actually running the dungeon. Like, don't shaft your healer by rolling on his healing gear. That's bad form.

[kildorn]

As a sniper, Dr. Lokken is the only companion that even matters.  Once I hit 40, I never even bothered with the rest.  I see this as a bigger issue with the game.  The only reason for the other companions is to run missions.  Meh.   Give me a reason to use other companions.  Please!

Oddly, the only characters I feel I can swap companions out on are.. healers. Because that's the one role that MUST be present. My scoundrel can happily sub in a tank companion, or usually runs with any option of DPS companion (why are there so many DPS companions, but not say a dps/healer hybrid that heals less than the main healer, or something?)

This also makes the companion system seem slightly more flawed in that I can usually only run with one companion regularly, because ::gear::. Sure, I can afford to sub out to my tank or my alternate better fit for the quest line plot DPS, but they're probably going to be about half as effect as Risha because when you get companion quest gear you can only pick it for one companion.

Speaking of companion gear, how do you guys handle loot rolls in FPs? I won't roll need on anything that my char won't use right away, but I have run into a few people that will roll need on gear for their companions. I'm ok with that, but would prefer to know that up front so I can also roll on the things that Mako or Blizz can use.

Guild groups it's no issue, PUGs have been all over the place on it so far.

Oh god, Slap loot rolls are going to time out even more now. "Well, I don't need it much" "I don't really need it either!" "what about your companions?" "Well it's only one more.."*SMASH*

[Raknor]

I'm fine with rolling need for companions if it's not taking away from the person who is actually running the dungeon. Like, don't shaft your healer by rolling on his healing gear. That's bad form.

Same for our guild runs. If no one needs we usually say "companion need" and everyone rolls for it with the unwritten rule that we only try and gear one (your main) companion. I'm sure this will change in a few months when everyone has more opportunity to get more loot. Also a few of the tanks are putting together DPS sets with the expectation that dual spec will be coming. Again though, real person need > companions.

As with some of the conversations on here. Everyone seems to have a favorite companion that they use almost exclusively once they hit 50 for soloing.  The rest seem to ride the bench.

[Sjofn]

Oddly, the only characters I feel I can swap companions out on are.. healers. Because that's the one role that MUST be present. My scoundrel can happily sub in a tank companion, or usually runs with any option of DPS companion (why are there so many DPS companions, but not say a dps/healer hybrid that heals less than the main healer, or something?)

This has totally been the case for me as well. My commando has used all of his companions a fair amount (although I need to upgrade Aric's gear, he's falling too far behind now), because he can heal them fine provided they're not in 100% shit gear. I'm sure the case would've been the same with my sage, had I been soloing her. It makes me regret all the more picking up gunslinger instead of scoundrel, to be honest, because fuck soloing as a gunslinger. And she's level 29 with a high investigation/arms skill (woo selling techblades), so I am reluctant to reroll her. Bleh.

On the other hand, my tank-spec assassin was better than I expected without his healer (the healer shows up on Hoth). It was sort of rough with Khem, but once he got a DPS companion, things picked up considerably.

[Nevermore]

New addition: I currently see no reason (beyond aesthetic pleasure) to play a pure dps class (i.e. sniper/gunslinger or marauder/sentinel).  They don't do any more dps than a more versitile class can in their dps spec.  In many cases, they do less.  WTF is up with that... pure dps classes do lower dps than hybrids.  Nice.

I'm waiting for that epiphany moment playing my Sentinel, where everything falls into place and I actually feel like I'm playing a badass, capable Jedi. Because as fun as it is to play, he is unquestionably my weakest character in any given combat situation. My Trooper Vanguard tank can eradicate groups of mobs around 4x faster. I've yet to face a boss alone with said Trooper (as he's part of a Gunslinger/Vanguard duo) but I suspect he'd have an easier time at that. I got my healer companion (Elarna Dorne) at L22, and things literally became laughably easy. My Sentinel still doesn't have any means of healing the regular unholy beatings he receives besides medpacks at 36. There is no balance. At all.

Supposedly both Knights come into their own in the 40s, and not only because of the healer.  I've heard they're late blooming ACs, even moreso than Shadows.

[Nevermore]

New addition: I currently see no reason (beyond aesthetic pleasure) to play a pure dps class (i.e. sniper/gunslinger or marauder/sentinel).  They don't do any more dps than a more versitile class can in their dps spec.  In many cases, they do less.  WTF is up with that... pure dps classes do lower dps than hybrids.  Nice.

The hybrid tax is fuckstupid, old, bad design. All DPS-specced classes (regardless of if they can respec tank/healer) should do comparable damage, period.

What they should have done was give the pure DPS ACs the most utility stuff, like mezzes and such.  But for some bizarre reason they didn't.  Clearly it's the Sage/Sorcerer that needed the instant 3 mob sleep! 

[Fordel]

Meh, it's only AE on those shitty trash mobs anyways.

[Ingmar]

New addition: I currently see no reason (beyond aesthetic pleasure) to play a pure dps class (i.e. sniper/gunslinger or marauder/sentinel).  They don't do any more dps than a more versitile class can in their dps spec.  In many cases, they do less.  WTF is up with that... pure dps classes do lower dps than hybrids.  Nice.

The hybrid tax is fuckstupid, old, bad design. All DPS-specced classes (regardless of if they can respec tank/healer) should do comparable damage, period.

What they should have done was give the pure DPS ACs the most utility stuff, like mezzes and such.  But for some bizarre reason they didn't.  Clearly it's the Sage/Sorcerer that needed the instant 3 mob sleep! 

I have a (relatively) instant multi mob sleep on my gunslinger?

[tmp]

Oddly, the only characters I feel I can swap companions out on are.. healers. Because that's the one role that MUST be present.

I found that completely not the case when playing the shadow -- granted, i've set her as a mix of tank/dps with a rather unorthodox talent point allocation, but all way to 50 i could (and did) freely swap companions and go through the context with whoever i felt like. My healer was in fact rarely out because it was just faster to roll with more dps heavy pairing.

It seems keeping the companion gear up to date is quite more crucial to effective performance than what role they perform. (and by that i mean just on level greens for the most part. These are on par stats-wise with companion gear quest rewards, which means you can have everyone easily up to date without relying on those rewards)

[Nevermore]

What they should have done was give the pure DPS ACs the most utility stuff, like mezzes and such.  But for some bizarre reason they didn't.  Clearly it's the Sage/Sorcerer that needed the instant 3 mob sleep! 

I have a (relatively) instant multi mob sleep on my gunslinger?

Are you asking me or telling me?  My gunslinger doesn't have that yet.  Of course, I can't really decide between Sharpshooter or Saboteur.  I keep wavering back and forth.

[Ingmar]

I am pretty sure I got flash grenade before I even picked my AC.

[Sjofn]

Flash grenade is baseline, my operative has whatever the equivilent is, has for a while, and he's level 21 or something. Kalah also has it as a gunslinger, and she's 29.

Shadows and assassins get space sap.


EDIT: Oh, and there's the weird droid-only mez smugglers/IAs get.

[Rasix]

I think my scoundrel just got a single target non-droid mez at 20.

[Sjofn]

Yeah, thinking about it, my IA got what I think you're talking about. SLEEP DART. Which is also space sap.

[Rasix]

Yah, but I bet you don't punch stuff as hard as I do. 

[Sjofn]

I almost certainly do not. I prefer knifing people.

[Nevermore]

I am pretty sure I got flash grenade before I even picked my AC.

Oh, that only lasts 8 seconds though.  The talented Sorc/Sage one lasts a full 60.

And for single target, I'm pretty sure everyone but Knights/Warriors gets one of those?  Not sure about Vanguards/PTs.  It was the instant multiple mob one that boggled my mind when I saw it on my Sorc's talent list.  Even if it the extras only affects standard mobs, you don't think that would help a squishy class with no tanking or heal capabilities of its own?

[Sjofn]

The talented sorc/sage one also requires not being a healer, doesn't it? My sage doesn't have the "instant" part, as you would have to be pants crapping insane to not take the top seer talent (as a healer, obvs). The AE part only affects the little shitty dudes, which is nice solo but not exciting in the least in a group as you're either fighting stuff immune to the talent or facerolling the little dudes anyway, so why bother. I took that talent for the shorter cooldown on the stun, personally.  

[Ingmar]

Yeah you have to go 17 points into Madness/Balance to get it to be instant.

[Sky]

I've heard they're late blooming ACs, even moreso than Shadows.

Good to know Shadows bloom later on. I enjoy the gameplay, but it's a little slow. And a lvl 17 Champ was able to kill Qyzenart and get me to half health before I whittled him down (with me at 19).