I think that the lvl 50 tier is just the beginning, and that some more tiers will be implemented later. Every 10-15 levels would be fine with me. They are probably waiting for certain "magic" number on server population, since they just don't want to create another problem.....not having enough people for matches. But IMO soon or later the tiers will have to be implemented as more people reaches higher levels. Its just no fun fighting with somebody 20-30 levels above you. And from the high level point of view here is no challenge on beating somebody that low.

Neither has to run. Some people don't like the fact that the smuggler needs to take cover before it can use a lot of their moves. In other words.. It's not a character for everybody, think like playing Mass effect or Gears of War. You need to take cover or you could die. Trooper is a more conventional character in the way it plays. You stand around and shoot.

Not exactly.. both are range. But gunslinger uses the cover mechanic, and wears medium armor. Lots of their moves can only be made from cover. Trooper wears heavy armor and can use a regular strafe and shoot attack strategy.

This is what I'm working on. http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#201ZccrbdoMZcrcRsMkM.1 Is a variation of the same hybrid build, but with more emphasis on the madness side. This maximizes CC abilities and still maintaining good lightning based damage. Damage is mainly done by doting with affliction, then death field and force lightning or chain lightning. Same as your built your looking for wrath to proc, but adds the application of death mark to enhance the effect of affliction and any other periodic damage.

Force pools between the specs are very different. Shadow I think stays at the original amount of 100 points, and the Sorcerer if you spec the extra 100 points you end up with a total of 600 force points. Very big difference. I tried playing a Shadow spec, but the small force pool and finding myself still counting on some class spells like shock and force lightning to deal range damage made me understand that it wasn't the class for me. Don't take me wrong, I like the class but I'm more of the sorcerer kind of player.

I think the class might become more popular once people gets tired of running around with light-sabers. I find no problems with the class mechanics. It might be the first time they are implemented on a MMO, but other franchises use cover very successfully and without complaints. IMO there is nothing wrong with taking a few seconds to plan your attack, then taking cover and blasting everything on sight. It makes it more fun, than just going in guns blazing. I play with a friend rolling a trooper, and the difference on play styles is obvious. But when it comes to damage we are on par, and I think my gunslinger has a better chance of survival.