Hey guys

I decided to try this out as a slightly more kiting focused play style.... It's actually the build I originally had except I was trying to keep pulse generator. There's just no synergy there. With both slows, it's amazing. I love it. I think I had good teams so it did shine when I wasn't getting chewed to pieces thanks to our team holding ground well.

Coming to it from 2/31/8, it is a little less sturdy. I don't have damage reduction for stuns so I drop instantly when stunned and focused. Despite that, I'm not yet certain but it feels more punchy. On one hand you're dropping the surge bonuses on your direct attack, losing the cheap fire pulse, but you're gaining better resource efficiency on ion accelerator procs. The free ss is now incidental rather than a rotation thing to follow fire pulse. But I still love throwing maximum slow on my targets, 2 or three damage over time, and unloading with the ion accelerator synergy.

9 out of 10 so far

Screenshot

A couple weeks after swapping back to this spec from Pyro, I'm finally getting properly geared and beginning to put up competetive numbers. This is a duo que with another DPS, and no tanks to speak of on the other team, but I impressed myself with my performance.

Great spec, been playing it for the first time today and did pretty well in a Voidstar

http://i.imgur.com/uw7ug.jpg

Also had 818 DPS

pick this spec up 2 weeks ago and its awesome great for shutting down healers. and will probably be the vaguards healer killer spec if the AS get nerfed to hard. I love the utility of the 30S cd on HTL which is amazing btw. but i do miss the big numbers in AS. this class resurce manageent is really quite something i thought it was gonna be bad even though you said it was good and turns out its pretty good management. its a lot hard to 1v1 anyone now but exccellent in small team fights and healer control with increase speed HTL(AMAZING i don't care if you hate me it really is amazing) and gut slow and decrease cd on interupt. very fun spec though not as affective as AS for actual competative play but great fun for reg WZ.

been really enjoying the spec kinda feels like a ironfist but dps lol if that makes any sense.

Yeah I use it in RWZ's now and I enjoy it MUCH more than pure Pyro. I cant stress how much the added utility of the AP tree contributes to my teams performance. It's amazing how much one notices the reduction in CD on Grapple in those games where you use it whenever its up too.

Recent Huttball vs a mediocre team. Holding mid the whole time padded my numbers sooooooo much. Sadly our healer got the stun bug and was kicked pretty early on =(

Would be fun to try this spec but...

When I follow the link to the spec in the first post it says "This Skill Calculator link was generated prior to the 06/25/2012 skill tree revamp. Please note it may not be accurate."

Is the link in the first post showing the correct build?

When I follow the link in your signature it only gives a "21 point level 30 mumbo jumbo spec".

Would be fun to try this spec but...

 

When I follow the link to the spec in the first post it says "This Skill Calculator link was generated prior to the 06/25/2012 skill tree revamp. Please note it may not be accurate."

Is the link in the first post showing the correct build?

 

When I follow the link in your signature it only gives a "21 point level 30 mumbo jumbo spec".

I got it all fixed. Sometimes torhead links do weird things =P

I got it all fixed. Sometimes torhead links do weird things =P

Thanks a lot!

YEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Guess whats looking to be the primary DPS spec in 2.0? That's right, Terminal Velocity. It will still rock in WZ's, but its looking like it will start to shine in PvE as well, which is awesome to see.

2.0 is going to allow for points in Firebug/Assault Trooper(30% Crit damage on HIB/RS, etc.) and Steely Resolve(+9% Aim). So excited =P

This spec looks very good on paper but the heat consumption is just terribad albeit fun to play.

In practice on current server, while offering more survivability against melee thanks to HTL. It is no match to a regular pyro spec in term of downing a healer because it lacks AP and the 30% crit talent.

Besides, in 2.0 it loses its specificity with HTL being given as a base skill. I am not sure whether the options to take the Aim and 30% crit talents will be enough to offset the lack of AP.

This spec looks very good on paper but the heat consumption is just terribad albeit fun to play.

 

In practice on current server, while offering more survivability against melee thanks to HTL. It is no match to a regular pyro spec in term of downing a healer because it lacks AP and the 30% crit talent.

 

Besides, in 2.0 it loses its specificity with HTL being given as a base skill. I am not sure whether the options to take the Aim and 30% crit talents will be enough to offset the lack of AP.

that is probably the biggest problem with the meta-game though isn't it? Burst damage is almost unparalleled if played properly because the problems with DoT effects or good constant damage is that they can be countered by HoT effects and heals, but hard hitting burst damage is too fast for healers to heal against.

This spec looks very good on paper but the heat consumption is just terribad albeit fun to play.

 

In practice on current server, while offering more survivability against melee thanks to HTL. It is no match to a regular pyro spec in term of downing a healer because it lacks AP and the 30% crit talent.

 

Besides, in 2.0 it loses its specificity with HTL being given as a base skill. I am not sure whether the options to take the Aim and 30% crit talents will be enough to offset the lack of AP.

In practice, the ammo/heat consumption isn't bad at all. After playing it extensively, you kinda get to used to timing out your abilities. Sure, if you're filling every single GCD with an IP/FB, you're gonna run out of steam REALLY fast, but if you know how to utilize the free SS/RP and your IA/PPA procs, you can easily balance yourself around 70-80% of your given resource.

With 2.0, this spec actually get BETTER. 5 extra points allows for you to grab the 30% crit talent(Assault Trooper/Firebug) making those auto-crit HIB/RS hit just as hard as pure AS/Pyro. Then you can spend the other point in either Steely Resolve for extra Aim, or Rain of Fire for extra damage to burning targets(after more testing, this is looking like the better choice if you're stacking Power augs). Then, with HTL/HO being given out for free, you have another point to put in whichever of the above two you picked up. Now depending on personal preference, the final point can be retained in the 6-sec 50% slow talent for Gut/RB, or can be skipped to secure the final level of Steely Resolve or Rain of Fire. Either way, you're looking at a HUGE damage increase with 2.0.

If you take a look over on the PT forums, you'll see several different threads about this being the new OP in the expac. So if you're interested in hearing it from more than just me, get more info over there.

In practice, the ammo/heat consumption isn't bad at all. After playing it extensively, you kinda get to used to timing out your abilities. Sure, if you're filling every single GCD with an IP/FB, you're gonna run out of steam REALLY fast, but if you know how to utilize the free SS/RP and your IA/PPA procs, you can easily balance yourself around 70-80% of your given resource.

 

With 2.0, this spec actually get BETTER. 5 extra points allows for you to grab the 30% crit talent(Assault Trooper/Firebug) making those auto-crit HIB/RS hit just as hard as pure AS/Pyro. Then you can spend the other point in either Steely Resolve for extra Aim, or Rain of Fire for extra damage to burning targets(after more testing, this is looking like the better choice if you're stacking Power augs). Then, with HTL/HO being given out for free, you have another point to put in whichever of the above two you picked up. Now depending on personal preference, the final point can be retained in the 6-sec 50% slow talent for Gut/RB, or can be skipped to secure the final level of Steely Resolve or Rain of Fire. Either way, you're looking at a HUGE damage increase with 2.0.

 

If you take a look over on the PT forums, you'll see several different threads about this being the new OP in the expac. So if you're interested in hearing it from more than just me, get more info over there.

I am basing my point of view on my own experience as I played this spec extensively some months ago when it didn't have a name but was already featured in some movies. I retested it and compared to 7/3/31 that i currently use. The lack of burst was very apparent despite the fact that I really like having HTL and these CD reductions.

My points still stands, ammo management and burst are weaker than other specs. Not sure how it will turn in 2.0 yet. Testing that kind of spec on PTS' warzones is always tricky due to the difference between players' stuff (some have 2k expertise, others 1k and others are in PVE gear).

However, your HIB won't hit as hard because even if you opt for Assault Trooper, you will have 2 points left for either Rain of Fire (+9% HIB dmg for 3 pts), Brutal Impact (+6% HIB dmg for 2 points) or Steely resolve (+9% aim for 3 points) and also you will still be missing AP.

As a reference, i m using the 7/3/36 build: http://pts.swtor-spy.com/skill-tree-calculator/vanguard/237/

Just my thoughts, good luck with this build.

I am basing my point of view on my own experience as I played this spec extensively some months ago when it didn't have a name but was already featured in some movies. I retested it and compared to 7/3/31 that i currently use. The lack of burst was very apparent despite the fact that I really like having HTL and these CD reductions.

 

My points still stands, ammo management and burst are weaker than other specs. Not sure how it will turn in 2.0 yet. Testing that kind of spec on PTS' warzones is always tricky due to the difference between players' stuff (some have 2k expertise, others 1k and others are in PVE gear).

 

However, your HIB won't hit as hard because even if you opt for Assault Trooper, you will have 2 points left for either Rain of Fire (+9% HIB dmg for 3 pts), Brutal Impact (+6% HIB dmg for 2 points) or Steely resolve (+9% aim for 3 points) and also you will still be missing AP.

 

As a reference, i m using the 7/3/36 build: http://pts.swtor-spy.com/skill-tree-calculator/vanguard/237/

 

Just my thoughts, good luck with this build.

Well it's good to see that people other than myself have used, or at least tried out, this spec over the course of the past 10 months. I will definitely concede your point about it lacking REAL burst, but I feel like the sustained damage combined with the low-end burst provided by a double auto-crit RS is still something to be reckoned with.

However, I still disagree on the ammo/heat management portion. I have a much easier time on both my Vanguard and my PT keeping 'out of the red,' so to speak. With free SS/RP procs popping up consistently, the free shots from IA/PPA, and the vent from High Friction Bolts, its a simple task to keep from over-doing it. The thing about this spec is that you don't need to be spending your resource on every single GCD, because you have DoT's ticking constantly. In fact, you get to weave in more Hammer Shots/Rapid Shots for upkeep on your burn and conserving ammo/heat. Again, it may not be the same as the burst that pure AS/Pyro provides, but it gives MUCH more consistent damage and is much more viable(imo) in scenarios involving multiple targets. All of this is only going to get better with 2.0.

Now as for having to choose between those for the hybrid vs easily affording them all in pure AS/Pyro. I guess I was a little hasty saying that it would hit JUST AS HARD, but it will be pretty close. There is a new talent in the Tactics/AP tree that gives +3% damage to bleeding targets which not only affects HIB/RS, but ALL of your other abilities, leading to a nice amp in damage output. 3% may not seem like alot, but its half of what Brutal Impact provides, and BI only helps HIB/RS.

In any case, we'll have to see how it looks when the final changes are put in place and the expansion is actually released. Thanks for the constructive input by the way, I have nothing but respect for your responses. +Karma, good sir.

Well it's good to see that people other than myself have used, or at least tried out, this spec over the course of the past 10 months. I will definitely concede your point about it lacking REAL burst, but I feel like the sustained damage combined with the low-end burst provided by a double auto-crit RS is still something to be reckoned with.

 

However, I still disagree on the ammo/heat management portion. I have a much easier time on both my Vanguard and my PT keeping 'out of the red,' so to speak. With free SS/RP procs popping up consistently, the free shots from IA/PPA, and the vent from High Friction Bolts, its a simple task to keep from over-doing it. The thing about this spec is that you don't need to be spending your resource on every single GCD, because you have DoT's ticking constantly. In fact, you get to weave in more Hammer Shots/Rapid Shots for upkeep on your burn and conserving ammo/heat. Again, it may not be the same as the burst that pure AS/Pyro provides, but it gives MUCH more consistent damage and is much more viable(imo) in scenarios involving multiple targets. All of this is only going to get better with 2.0.

 

Now as for having to choose between those for the hybrid vs easily affording them all in pure AS/Pyro. I guess I was a little hasty saying that it would hit JUST AS HARD, but it will be pretty close. There is a new talent in the Tactics/AP tree that gives +3% damage to bleeding targets which not only affects HIB/RS, but ALL of your other abilities, leading to a nice amp in damage output. 3% may not seem like alot, but its half of what Brutal Impact provides, and BI only helps HIB/RS.

 

In any case, we'll have to see how it looks when the final changes are put in place and the expansion is actually released. Thanks for the constructive input by the way, I have nothing but respect for your responses. +Karma, good sir.

Real interesting discussion. I'm going to run 2 test on a training dummy and capture results with Mox Parser and share them with you. What I will run is 30 sec, 1 minute and 3 minutes DPS test comparing Full out Assault and Terminal Velocity builds to see the difference.

Going in, I suspect that the 30 sec test, the Assault will beat TV but I'm not so certain in the 1 and 3 minute tests. Assault definately has better burst but sustained damage over time, we'll see. Stay tuned will have results up shortly.

Real interesting discussion. I'm going to run 2 test on a training dummy and capture results with Mox Parser and share them with you. What I will run is 30 sec, 1 minute and 3 minutes DPS test comparing Full out Assault and Terminal Velocity builds to see the difference.

 

Going in, I suspect that the 30 sec test, the Assault will beat TV but I'm not so certain in the 1 and 3 minute tests. Assault definately has better burst but sustained damage over time, we'll see. Stay tuned will have results up shortly.

No point in worrying about it until they get done tweaking the trees. The pts saw a decent nerf to tactics and hybrid specs today.

No point in worrying about it until they get done tweaking the trees. The pts saw a decent nerf to tactics and hybrid specs today.

Really? UGH :/

Here are the notes.

Tactics

•Combat Tactics has been redesigned: While High Energy Cell is active, damage dealt by Stockstrike makes the next High Impact Bolt an automatic critical hit. The Vanguard skill tree has been rearranged, making Combat Tactics require Cell Generator instead of Serrated Blades.

•Charged Loaders no longer increases ranged critical chance.

•Blaster Augs now further improves the internal and elemental damage done while High Energy Cell is active by 1% (down from 3%).

•Havoc Training now increases Gut critical damage, but no longer increases Ion Pulse critical damage.

Assault Specialist (Vanguard)

•Assault Plastique has been redesigned. The Trooper now throws a moldable plastic explosive that sticks to the target and detonates after several seconds, exploding for kinetic damage and burning the target for elemental damage over 12 seconds. Standard and weak enemies enter a state of panic when the explosive attaches and are knocked down when it explodes.

•Assault Trooper (Vanguard) no longer increases the critical damage done by Charged Bolts, but now increases the critical damage done by Ion Pulse.

•Rain of Fire (Vanguard) no longer increases Full Auto damage to burning targets.

It is a sad day for those of us who have enjoyed the Hybrid for the past 10 months, seeing as these changes made it impossible to achieve. The nerfs as of the 14th officially gutted(see what I did there?) the Terminal Velocity spec =( Although I guess we shouldn't be too surprised with the numbers it was putting out on the PTS... It was fun while it lasted though, yeah?

However, unless Tactics/AP gets its nerfs rolled-back and receives real buffs(ones tied to High-Energy Cell/Cylinder realistically), I fear that purists(full Tactics/AP) will find themselves using an un-playable spec; not allowed in the competitive scene whatsoever.

Here's to the future; may it be brighter than what is currently on the horizon for VG/PTs.

It is a sad day for those of us who have enjoyed the Hybrid for the past 10 months, seeing as these changes made it impossible to achieve. The nerfs as of the 14th officially gutted(see what I did there?) the Terminal Velocity spec =( Although I guess we shouldn't be too surprised with the numbers it was putting out on the PTS... It was fun while it lasted though, yeah?

 

However, unless Tactics/AP gets its nerfs rolled-back and receives real buffs(ones tied to High-Energy Cell/Cylinder realistically), I fear that purists(full Tactics/AP) will find themselves using an un-playable spec; not allowed in the competitive scene whatsoever.

 

Here's to the future; may it be brighter than what is currently on the horizon for VG/PTs.

It's a shame. The VG's had some great hybrid builds destroyed by BW/EA/QQ-ing. It sucks.

R.I.P. Iron Fist

R.I.P Carolina Parakeet (one of my favs)

R.I.P. Terminal Velocity (I really hope this does not happen and it's still viable in 2.0...there's still hope)