Why do you think Merc/Commando is 3x more popular than Powertech/Vanguard?

Lies.

I don't know the numbers but I do have 2 mercenaries and 2 commandos, 3 of which are level 55. I have one powertech stuck at level 20 or so and no vanguard. That class just doesn't appeal to me somehow. Can't really say why but there it is.

Agreed.

One can fall asleep and still succeed as long as the Grav Round / Tracer Missile spam procedes.

They look so silly that you forget to raise your lightsaber to defend yourself before we blast you into oblivion.

Another four,

Heatseeker missiles / Demolition Round.

Another four,

Pyro doesn't have that.

true if you define success as lower dpsdoesnt have it, yet higher dps...hmmmmm

But ... people also say about Commandos : "If you are playing it with a rifle, then you are wrong".

Dammned if I do, damned if I don't.

You can heal on a Commando with a rifle.

You can also dps as a Gunnery Commando if you really wanted to, though it does lower your damage output.

However, running an Assault Specialist Commando with a rifle is an exercise in futility -- Charged Bolts is a cornerstone of that spec and requires an assault cannon.

Yes, that is what I wanted to point out to : They can actually use rifles - BUT most better abilities actually require their assault cannon ...

Same with Vanguards : They can actually use rifles - BUT their better abilities are all close range combat, as far as I know ... (My own Vanguard is level 18 right now, so I'm not 100 % sure about that.)

may I point out the parts in my reply that you have apparently missed?

specifically "unless you are a tank"

and "they should made tank's charge baseline instead of talent for tanking tree only"

vanguard/powertech TANKS have a ton of utility. after sins, they are my fave tanks to play, especially since they are the ONLY tank with ranged AoE taunt. but tanks in general are played rarely. and DPS vanguards do NOT have a gap closer outside of hydraulic overrides (no, pull doesn't count, unless you are pulling TO the group, instead of away from it - one is helpful, the other is a jerk move). and hydraulic overrides are also pretty slow.

and sure you shoot as you run... kinda, but its just so weak. especially as powertech where your best abilities are flames and more flames = awesome, but you have to be in melee range to use them.