This is the answer. If you want a way to effectively cut your XP, just go and do the low level quests. Now, what it sounds like is that you want to level to 50 in the same amount of days/hours/minutes but to always have the content meaningful towards this goal. If that's the case... get over it. =P This thread makes no sense at all. I feel bad that you are frustrated, but your frustration isn't logical.

I have leveled as a full on tank spec since I was able to select guardian. I am level 42 now. I grabbed cybertech to keep my armor up to date. I wear as much orange gear as possible and make the prototype quality (blue) armoring every odd level. I use commendations to get new mods and enhancements. For my companion I use Kira (I am going to be running with Tursk tonight and comparing my kill speed). You have to keep her geared well. I almost prioritize upgrading her saber above mine. She has as much orange gear as I do, and I follow the same rules about armoring and mods. Also, I use the Command Stims and the Drinks from the cantina vendors. That's plus 120 to your Presence stat. Its a HUGE boost in your DPS. I would not change this set up for anything. Following all the above rules has allowed me a rather trouble free leveling experience. Not to say its been super-duper easy... you still have to play like a BA, it's just been a bit more forgiving than what others have been saying about their leveling experiences.

Killed him the first time. At lvl 32 as a fully tank spec'd guardian. Used 2/3 of my def CDs, anf if I remember right (its been over a week) a health stim.

Ferarris out of my price range for a new vehicle. I'll choose the non-working explodingmobile, thank you. I'll be back to pick it up in a year or two.

Both of these posts are spot on. My guild figured out quickly that Bioware designed the "trash mob" dynamic to be this way. I tank the Elites and/or strong mobs and either the a Shadow or a Sent tanks the normal and/or strong mobs (though just about anyone could tank them these two classes have good Def CDs, just in case). This is another type of "AoE" damage mechanic in SWTOR. Much like the few bosses we've run into that have adds that are not tauntable. I think it's also meant to make good on the promise that everyone will feel part of the battle. The whole "we want combat to feel epic" thing that Bioware said they were going for.

I consider having to figure out when best to use CDs, Stims, Kill Order, Companion Tank swapping or whatever tricks are needed to win a fight a challenge. Not saying all of those were used in that fight, but the point is there. I suppose I am getting a bit off track with my arguments, but I see this as a much larger issue - that issue being the difficulty level (or lack there of) of MMOs as of late.

The quest isn't a joke. I rather enjoyed the difficulty. I enjoy having something not handed to me. Skill and Challenge need to take a bigger role in MMOs. The current MMO system is such that you are guaranteed to get what you want with enough time invested. Time invested, that is independent of your abilities to play the game. In my opinion, this needs to stop. MORE CHALLENGES PLEASE!

"TOR is so awesome it doesn't even need a point number 4!!!" Aside from that... I agree with a lot of what you said. I like the smaller group/raid numbers. Much easier to manage that many people to still get stuff done.

I wonder if it has something to do with instancing the server population. Maybe the node is clickable on Coruscant 1 and you are in Coruscant 2. Just a wild theory.

Someone saved up a whole lot of boxes to open all at once. How long did that take you to scrounge up? Be honest now.

I am a level 18 Guardian and I have a set of heavy orange tier Jedi Robes, and they look awesome.

hypocritesayswhat?

Your evidence is anecdotal at best. Get a larger sample size and report back to us. It is well within the realm of possibility that you wouldn't get any loot in an instance run. To help the point, let's say each boss has 1 piece of gear you need out of... 5 possible drops. So a boss has an 80% to drop nothing you'd want. That can happen 6 times in a row fairly often. There is NO way to tell from your sample size if the loot tables are buggy. If you really feel that this is something that should be checked I will gladly send you a PM with a list of drops from each boss when I run the Hammer. If you can get some more people to do the same you'll have your experiment.

I'm just a wayyyyy awesome husband. It's true, just ask me.

Alright my fellow Novemberidians - I need your help. Please use our magical November powers to get them to invite all of December as well. My wife only decided she wanted to quit WoW and move to SWTOR last week. Anyone here whose married or in a serious relationship will understand when I say that I can't play till she does. So please, send our your positive Novemberidian thought beams towards Bioware's HQ.