Why the proposed 1.2 Pyrotech changes are poorly thought out

So they are doing something to fix an obvious flaw in burst damage, which when you factor in adrenals and relics was giving LARGE crits back to back. Lets hope this is actually enough.

Your post confirmed my fears... I just switched my Powertech to Advanced Prototype last night.

Every tree on my Mercenary is getting destroyed come 1.2.

Those are the only characters I play, give me a reason to keep my subscription?

There isn't one unless you want to reroll Sent/Mara.

On my server everyone already plays that class, its a complete joke.

GG Bioware.

Burst damage won't change much.....

Heat management becomes an issue though in a sustained battle. (Having a more adverse effect on PvE than it does on PvP)

The ability to cycle that burst so quickly was an issue as well as the burst numbers themselves. I still think they need to look at the actual burst numbers, but at least this will help with a step in the right direction.

Agreed with the OP ...
No it's not going in the right direction as the nerf is going to break the whole heating mechanic. Less dps...ok , less fun...no

Following post contains my personal opinions, these are not hard facts and you are free to disagree with me.

Pyro powertech had possibility, with great deal of luck, deal some enormous damage in vry short period of time. It had to be changed. Looks like BW thinks that overall damage of this spec was to high, so overall damage was nerfed too.

Before change, powertech could be played in 90% with 1 button - macro on gaming mouse or 3rd party program, activating without substantial delay 3 abilities in following order:

1. Rail shot
2. Rocket punch
3. Flame strike

If you have rail shot up and target is burning/incap, it fires. If not, it tries to do rocket punch, if on CD or target too far away, flame strike to reset rail shot and apply dot.

Doing basicaly anything else was unnecesary (from damage standpoint, I am not talking about CC, pull, defensive CD, taunt etc).

You had no choices to make, no tactic involved. Just 1 button and pray to RNG gods.

Now, how it will work in 1.2?

Lets say you fight someone and you get rail shot proc. You use it, and now you have 4,5 sec (3 GCD) before you can try to get another proc.

What are your options?

1. Target is pretty low and I think I can kill him before overheating. You go all out with stockstrickes, thermal detonators, flame strikes and whatever you wish. If made a good call, taget is dead. If not, you are screwed.

2. Target in your opinion cannot be bursted down in following 4,5 sec. You have unload, flame thrower (2 very heat efficient skills, 8heat/gcd) or hammer shots (free damage is better than no damage). If you made a wrong decision, you can be killed before you will be able to kill your target.

My point is, currently you dont have to make a choice. Ability to choose correct approach in every situation will differ good player from bad player. And this is good.

Will this decrease overall pyro damage? Yes. You will get proc on average every 9 sec, instead on average every 4,5 sec. Was it intended? Looks like it was, I dont think that dev team is consisted of morons unable to do basic math. Is it gamebreaking, destroying spec? Of course not, overall damage should be still good, risk of overheating in normal fight will be lower and burst will still be there.

TL DR

Nerf is not so bad, pyro powertech/vanguard will be still vaible and strong spec, but now will require something more than 1 button spam.

lol @ a step in the right direction

Once these changes go into effect, if you can't beat a Pyro Powertech, you're bad.

With the PvP buffs AP is getting I think many may do this also (myself being one of them).

Main is a pyrotech. These changes go live I have zero reason to continue playing. Guess that's what I get for playing a tech user. I hope SWTOR bombs with their terrible business practice of oppressing the lesser played classes. Ever think the reason they're less played is because YOU DO **** LIKE THIS?