So here is my situation: I originally rolled a Combat Medic Commando, but guild requirements demanded that I re-spec to Gunnery. Now, I've got some new friends coming to the game and I'm wondering if it would be worthwhile to level a Gunsliner as an alt and go back to healing with the Commando. What are some of the major differences between the two classes?

yaaaaay!

Yes. Please fix.

Ilum needs to be instanced like AV. Basically like a no time limit, persistant warzone with raidable bases to end instances that are/become imbalanced. You queue up just like a warzone and you're transported to the zone when the sides are balanced. No new players can enter the zone unless someone else leaves. New zones are created as the appropriate number of queued players are attained. Open world PvP (like on Hoth, for example) should not/does not need to be balanced as there is no major incentive to zerg there except for fun, which is a good thing.

I agree. Yes, this game does have some late term PvP problems. Those problems are major, but I've seen many posts (and made some of my own) that could go towards addressing the issue. They're also going to have a meeting with guild leaders and community members to address some issues with the game's direction. If you think this means not caring, go see if any other game besides Eve pays that much attention to their community. This game has been out of what, a month and some change? PvE is great. Open world PvP can be lots of fun. Keep in mind warzones were garbage until Bioware FIXED THEM by brackting 50's out. Ilum is crap, but it's been fiddled with 3 times since release (and that's just since 12/20). They haven't got it right yet, but give it some time. WoW has been out for EIGHT+ YEARS. Expecting this game to have the same level of content and polish is just ludicrous. If you're like me and you really want to like this game, then SUPPORT it.

Please, please, PLEASE add premades. Huttball premades = actual Huttball teams/leagues. That's a concept so awesome I almost can't stand it. Also, addressing the titular issue of this thread: I play on Fatman and the warzone PvP there is very enjoyable.

I also think these are very good ideas. Combining this with a more competitive queue system would be very entertaining.

I've been talking with my compatriots for a while about this and our consensus has been that for Ilum to be salvaged, it should be modified into a phased instance. This would take the idea that others have tossed around and bring it to the next logical step; you go to fleet, queue up at a shuttle/dropship/warroom, etc. and when an appropriate (read as: "balanced") number of players join the queue from both sides, a new, persistant instance of the Ilum battleground is created. This would be different from a warzone in that the instance would stick around until one side or the other is victorious. Players would be able to leave and join this same instance, so long as the proper Rep/Imp ratio is maintained. On victory: the North and South camps should be raidable (perhaps with a zone boss w/drop). This would allow for powerful/unbalanced instances to be ended and reorganized by allowing more powerful forces to end the zone and start anew. The aforementioned boss drop is the motivation for dominating forces to end their farming. Middle ground points should provide a bonus to defeating the opposing factions camp. This would help rationalize the excessive (but meaningless) pew-pew that is going on at all times; i.e. the more points you control, the more fire is directed at the enemy's camp. Maybe even a shield generator/defense turret HP system that is reduced/reparied by controlling points. Keep in mind that this does not necessitate that the "real" Ilum instance be done away with, only that if you queue from fleet, you go to a balanced Ilum instance. Open-world PvP Ilum can still exist in its current form.

/sign However, I would be shocked if EA/Bioware actually implemented these changes (even though I really do like the ideas you've put forward). By showing some true vison and commitment to the franchise, the game you've proposed could excel a good game into something really great. Thank you for all your hard work.

I've been talking with my compatriots for a while about this and our consensus has been that for Ilum to be salvaged, it should be modified into a phased instance. This would take the idea that others have tossed around and bring it to the next logical step; you go to fleet, queue up at a shuttle/dropship/warroom, etc. and when an appropriate (read as: "balanced") number of players join the queue from both sides, a new, persistant instance of the Ilum battleground is created. This would be different from a warzone in that the instance would stick around until one side or the other is victorious. Players would be able to leave and join this same instance, so long as the proper Rep/Imp ratio is maintained. On victory: the North and South camps should be raidable (perhaps with a zone boss w/drop). This would allow for powerful/unbalanced instances to be ended and reorganized by allowing more powerful forces to end the zone and start anew. The aforementioned boss drop is the motivation for dominating forces to end their farming. Middle ground points should provide a bonus to defeating the opposing factions camp. This would help rationalize the excessive (but meaningless) pew-pew that is going on at all times; i.e. the more points you control, the more fire is directed at the enemy's camp. Maybe even a shield generator/defense turret HP system that is reduced/reparied by controlling points. Keep in mind that this does not necessitate that the "real" Ilum instance be done away with, only that if you queue from fleet, you go to a balanced Ilum instance. Open-world PvP Ilum can still exist in its current form.

Let the game develop a bit. Players that are "no good" at PvP will eventually tire of being beaten about the head and shoulders by players who are. This will either force them to learn from better players/guilds. In the meantime, enjoy being a hornet among the flies.