"enable the secondary movable windows" option solved my problem.

This table is not real : it is a sophisticated calculation made from each class abilities and perefect rotations (with optimal stuff) on one full debuffed target for infinite (or at least very long) combat duration. This length is the way to nullify the crit variations. This model is Bant's one, but many other contributors did checked and pointed improvements for years to achieve this result (http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=847112 if you want to check - 749 replies since the 4.0 version of the model). Of course, as it is a calculation, it should deviate from "real" fights (as if a video game could be real ). And it does not show the DPS on multi target, nor the burst in 10 sec with all the offensive CD up, for example. And the defensive/utility abilities are not considered either. So the pertinence of this table is moderate for PvP considerations. However, it shows that sage/sorcerer global dps potential is quite weak compare to other dps, especially in PvE , were the fights are not based on bursting short-life targets like it is in PvP. Hurting more the sage/sorcerer dps would prevent any of them to reach the end-game-HL-PvE content (if it is not already the case as it is planned to be in next patch).

I disagree ! Especially since the sage force regen nerf. For Nim Ops, one of the heal of my raid group switched from sage to commando heal, because of the heal burst the commando is able to provide at almost anytime. Our previous comp was two sages, now our cassical comp is sage/commado. It is the best overall compromise we found up to now. We tried sage/scoundrel too, but we found that on some fights, the scoundrel lacks burst on the tanks. Having one dead tank while everybody esle were above 90% life was not effective for us . That said, the best for us is not the best overall. All the hardest nim boss got downed with any kind of heal comp. It all depends on the tank and the DPS comp, their skill in damage avoidace, and the performance of the heals on their characters. But for me (us) commando is more than OK for Nim content (and we miss "only" 5 nim bosses since 4.0 patch).

I didn't checked if someone already wrote about this one, so i say it : Damages from fire pits are redirected to Trasher in Nightmare.

I did check on guardian and shadow : I was wrong. No need to taget to spread dots. My bad.

I'm a bit surprised. I'll test this out next time I play my guardian.

I found loooong time ago that for dot spread (on any class), you have to target ("select in your interface") one that has the dot while hitting it with the AOE. Otherwise, no spread.

I can't help for the rotations prior to lvl 65. But my advice for the spec to choose is to play a gunnery commando. Levelling with heal is quite long, since you rely on partners for DPS, and the assault spec is more difficult to play, while not good on mob packs.

I do agree with Adjeyo (the previous post guy). I speak from a PvE point of view. 1- Melee DPS should provide more DPS than ranged ? NO. The multi-target DPS and the target change swiftness have WAY more impact than range on boss fights. 2- Pure DPS class should provide more DPS than the other ones. NO. If you want to play HL DPS, you should play sentinel or sniper only... What a nice idea ! Variety in comps should remain, as it allows each raid group to adapt the strategy to the comp. Or the comp to the stragegy... Much more fun !

I used to play assault spec before 4.x on almost every boss. I was switching to gunnery when burst or zone DPS were needed. At that time, the gap on dummy was around 400 DSP between the two specs (personnal evaluation). Now I only play gunnery, even if I prefer assault gameplay. At best, I do the same DPS (on HM/Nim bosses) with assault, while bothering with ammo management, less mobility, and having no bust nor multi-target DPS. Assault has only troubles to offer compare to gunnery. I hope it changes someday, tho ! ^^

The optimal stat tread bases on theorical calculations. Things like serveur ping and bugs are not considered. Other things like off-cd actions are not considered as well. Thus the "42 apm" is a ballpark figure (google trad, i hope it means sthg oO'). What do high ranked players achieve is better comparation-wise.

Troll ?

The protection value cannot crit. I'm not fully aware of the exact value (depends on the healing bonus, and I don't know the formula). However, whatever the exact value of the shield, it is quite high considering it is a instant ability you can apply "for later", and with a 20 sec cooldown on the target (not the spell). Let's say it is around 7k (my personal evaluation in PvE when lvl 65), it ads roughly 10% of your health every 20 sec. Consider also that it functions on any damage type and protects 100% of a total value, unlike majority of defensive abilities that have a longer CD, that protect from a %damage taken or that function only against a specific damage type. It is a spell that will provide moderate toughness on will, not a godmode button you will use to delay your death by 10 sec. But wait... you have another spell that looks like that

I would prefer a no-stack raid buff, like sages. Otherwise I'll use the instant-10-stacks-ability to increase the DPS or the ammo regen

yeah, sure. That's why I say it is almost useless !