Hey there. I don't play this sith class, but play the mirror class Jedi Sage and can tell you best thing would be to kite mobs if they are too hard. Have your companion in dps mode and dot run, use ur slow run dot. Works like a charm very few mobs u can't beat that way. Gear helps, but it's more of how you use the character and companion. If your dps spec, I leveled up balance, this makes most mobs a easy peasy, if you are heal spec you generally want tank and spank, but kiting works equally well.