Same here... Just as I was excited about getting to do the class story on Rishi, i go to Ziost to run into this one. Sigh...

Yup, same here.

I'm a Pyro Merc and I also feel kinda ripped off when comparing my abilities to a Pyro PT. They get a much wider spectrum of PvP utility compared to us, plus the talents they can pick up from other trees synergize much better with Pyro (60% extra armorpen for Rail Shot from the AP tree springs to mind). In addition they get a spammable on demand slow where as ours is completely RNG based. I'd switch AC if that was an option.

Indeed, I'm considering levelling another Bounty Hunter since Pyro Powertechs can output better burst damage and have more PvP-utility than the Merc Pyro. Most of all I'd just like the option to change my current Bounty Hunter though.

Pyro works well in PvP, the Powertech Pyro tree works even better though.

Comparing the 2 pyro trees though, the Powertech one is a lot better. Most notably they get an additional 60% armorpen on railshot from Tier1 AP and they get an on demand slow where as ours rely on RNG. They also tend to proc a lot more railshots since Flame Burst is instant where as mercs rarely have time to chain cast Power Shot. I'm a Pyro Merc and I'm regretting my AC choice, if given the chance I would change it for sure.

As a CE owner I have to agree with the OP. I was very underwhelmed with the in-game "goodies". The STAP is a cool ride but as others have mentioned I wish it would scale with your piloting skill. The VIP area is very underwhelming to say the least, the DD owners and people who pay 1mil to get up there must really feel shafted since they don't even have access to the CE vendor. :/ Don't get me wrong, the game is awesome, but I have to be honest and say the in-game bonus items were disappointing.