Thanks for breaking this down for me gentlemen. I figured you would have the answer and show me the reasons behind it. I'll be respeccing next time I log on.

Hello all, in the past week or so I have switched from a hybrid madness spec to full lightning. I have looked at all the posted specs out there and I have taken a lot of information from Nibbon. Now, the question I have. This is the lightning spec posted by Nibbon. http://www.swtor-spy.com/skill-tree-calculator/sorcerer/12/?build=210000000000000000000000000000000323022202120210023001020230001003020002000000000000000000000000&ver=20 Who has done the leg work for the rest of us. This is the current spec I am using. http://www.swtor-spy.com/skill-tree-calculator/sorcerer/12/?build=000000000000000000000000000000000323022202120010023201020230001003020302000000000000000000000000&ver=20 There are a few differences that I would like to talk about. The first being: Suppression vs Lightning Swarm This I feel is a matter of playstyle and has really no impact on dps. The second and my main question is: His points in Force Weaver and Sweeping Darkness compared to my points in Force Horrors. We don't really gear for crit at all until later in the tier sets and even then it's not many. (taken from Nibbon's Sage guide that is updated more than his Sorc guide.) So why put points in to Sweeping Darkness? We also don't gear for alacrity except a few enhancements to balance stats. So in my opinion ( and that is my opinion. I haven't crunched the numbers) It seems 9% damage to our dots would be better. Since we cast crushing darkness on cd and keep affliction up at all times. If I am flat out wrong I apologize. However I am not sure. So I bring the question to you.

I have learned to line of sight a lot as a tankasin. Once you get this down and you have semi-patient dps this problem pretty much goes away. Also, you don't necessarily have to get threat on normal mobs. The dps should be blowing them up first and quickly. So Usually you can cc and just focus on one or two mobs.

I leveled a sorc to 50 as my first toon and an assassin right after that. I actually found the assassin much easier to level. Partially due to i knew what was coming, but mainly due to being unkillable as a tank.

Leveling as a Tank is fully viable and probably the easiest way to go. Fill out darkness first then in to madness. I played around with a few specs while leveling. I used the death field spec for a bit, but after wither got a buff, went back to it. It hits more mobs and has a shorter cooldown.

Leveling my tankasin I used Khem in dps stance, then andro when I got him, Then used Ashara from the time I got her until 50. I used talos for the final battle. I mainly use talos while doing dailes just to help with down time, but still pull out Ashara for fun sometimes. Hell I'm even gearing up Khem now for funsies and he is fine.

I don't pvp, but if you wait until three stacks that's 75% more damage and the heal. I know the heal is very useful in pve, and I can only imagine it is just as useful in pvp. and you only need to wait another 2-3 seconds for wither to come back off cd to get the 3rd stack.

It puts a debuff on all three targets. that has 10 stacks.

I've seen it around these forums many times, and I believe in the stickies in this forum. Also Check sithwarrior.com I believe it's discussed there.

I think you need 8% accuracy to hit boss mobs, any thing over that reduces their chance to dodge and parry you.

I leveled as darkness. I used khem in dps stance until I got Andro. Used him until I got Ashara. Used Ashara from the time I had her until 50. I used talos in the final fight, and usually use him doing dailes just so I don't have to regen after each battle. However Ashara is more then viable as long as you keep her geared.

You should be using force lightning. Not only does 3 stacks of harnessed darkness heal you, but it also causes FL to to do 75% more damage. Also it's a good way to get some breathing room. Use your knock back and then FL.

You should be weaving saber strike in between attacks. If you have a second before shock comes off cd. Hit saber strike instead of thrash. That will generally mean you have enough force to shock as soon as it's up. If you do completely deplete your force hit a saber strike or two. and you will be gold to start hitting your other abilities again. All the classes have this mechanic built in. It slows down burst. If you know you have a burst scenario coming up poll a bit and then launch in to an assault. You will never be able to take it off your bar. Especially since there is no auto attack. Also if you are a dps assassin, don't spam maul. I believe you should only be using it when you have the buff up.

Roll madness, Then you have one lightning attack. two if you use shock, but that's a spark.

So for madness, I can't see alacrity being any good. You have 1 channel time, FL. Every once in awhile if you get unlucky and have to cast crushing darkness. So if it doesn't affect dots and we have 1 channel time. I surmise that Madness should be stacking crit and surge and forgoing alacrity. Which really blows because it looks like most of our tier gear has alacrity. I suppose we can switch out mods.