Just starting the Trooper story and have 1 major reservation, I hate the way assault cannons look, to me they are just stupidly big. Personal taste I know but to me things like that matter. I think This means two things:

 

1) My character has to go Vanguard as Commando is committed to the cannon

2) Aric Jorgan has to use a blaster rifle rather than a cannon

 

I know he has the skill but how much does it hurt his firepower if I give him a rifle?

Alternatively is there a really small cannon available on the GTN?

 

Thanks

The damage your companions do is, in the grand scheme of things, rather trivial. I'm sure there's a measurable difference at level cap when your companion is in your Underworld hand me downs, but at low levels you won't notice either way. Besides, as a Vanguard you'll dump Aric as soon as you come across Dorne anyway so it's even less important of a difference.

My Vanguard is only on Coruscant, but thus far Jorgan is doing fine with only a rifle.

You do lose some dps with using a rifle over a assault cannon. But as was said companions dps isn't going to make or break you. But beyond all that, how can you not like the assault cannons. lol

I specifically went Commando for the assault cannon! There was no other possible alternative.

The damage your companions do is, in the grand scheme of things, rather trivial. I'm sure there's a measurable difference at level cap when your companion is in your Underworld hand me downs, but at low levels you won't notice either way. Besides, as a Vanguard you'll dump Aric as soon as you come across Dorne anyway so it's even less important of a difference.

 

This is not true, as a tank specced Vanguard, Jorgan does approximately 45% of our total DPS output. HK-51 does even more. I only use HK-51 for DPS and Dorne for rough spots where I need healing. HK-51 replaced Jorgo when I got him. Myself and all companions geared with purple 66 mods.

I feel the same way about Assault Cannons. I created a Commando hoping that someday, they will include one that is either small enough to look like it wasn't ripped off of a tank or is a revolving cannon that doesn't look like it doubles as a vacuum.

 

I geared Jorgan with a long rifle available from the PVP weapons vendor, looks great, and it's been working really well since I did. I really wish he could equip sniper rifles, as he always mentions his old squad of snipers, and how they were some of the best.

The Bunker Busters are my personal favorite Assault Cannon. They are aot more compact-looking compared to the other ones. Havoc's Fist doesn't look bad at all, either, but its BoE and you can't use it at level 10.

Yes story-wise Jorgo was actually a sniper, it's odd that uses an assault cannon. Ah well.