After watching some videos people posted in the feedback thread. People are making little mistakes that are making this much harder for them to do.

 

First of all when you zone into the flashpoint and drop down the duct there will be a glowing console on the left side of this room. You click this to get buffs that will help you do the flashpoint. If you do NOT click this you are doing HARD MODE. If you are doing hard mode you are suppose to die and have difficulty doing it because that is the point.

 

When you are near the end with the platforms that have 2 golds and other adds that come. DO NOT focus on looting items or using them on the boss. People are looting items and channeling them on the boss while they are getting overwhelmed with mobs and getting tore up. There is NO NEED to loot or use the item right away. There is no rush or timer. Simply KILL EVERYTHING FIRST priority being aoeing the group of 4 adds once they come. Once you have all the mobs dead then loot and channel on the boss.

 

If you are playing a healer then set your companion role to DPS. You don't need a tank to take a beating you need DPS to get things killed as quickly as possible especially for the platform area where you can get overwhelmed.

I haven't gotten to this point in the storyline yet, but if I had and were trying this, I would be thanking you. This is the first constructive, helpful post I have seen since the patch.

 

Kudos to you for trying to help folks!

I have a tip for the reactors.

 

When you get to the first reactor, run in and disable the reactor. Proceed to kill the 2 elite droids.

 

When you get to the second reactor, if you can disable one of the elite droids - do so. Start beating up second droid.

Start beating up activated C2N2 lookalike, kill mobs that run it, finish C2N2 lookalike - don't loot. Finish off droid you first started beating up. Go to next activated C2N2 lookalike and beat him up, wipe out spawned mobs, finish C2N2 lookalike - don't loot. Start beating up the first elite droid you may or may not of cc'd - start beating up activated C2N2 lookalike, wipe out spawned mobs, finish off C2N2 lookalike - don't loot. Exarch starts channeling the reactor computer - disable the reactor. Exarch runs, finish off the elite droid. Loot - there, you have all the quest items for the third reactor.

 

Got to third reactor, channel quest item to exarch. Run around and avoid red stuff on ground - channel quest item to exarch again. If you need a third one, run around avoiding red stuff - channel quest item exarch, disable reactor. Beat up the 2 elite droids.

Edited November 20, 2015 by Avalyssia

After I adjusted my gameplay to compensate for the change to the companions, I have been able to solo every Heroic Star Fortress. Granted, I am a 208 assassin tank, so I can avoid a lot of trash, but the trash isn't the problem for most people, it is the Paladins and Exarch... and the pre-Exarch groups of course.

 

Do you have the ability to get all the alliance buffs? Get them. Use them Wait for them to come off cooldown if you are heading into a big fight.

 

Are you using your heroic moment? Use it. Again, wait for it to come off cooldown if needed.

 

Are you using medpacks? The artifact medpacks heal upwards of 10k. Useful in a pinch.

 

Use all your abilities.. Interrupts especially. Use your damage reduction cooldowns if you have them.

 

The HSF 2+ are meant to be a a severe challenge to solo. They were not that before the nerf. They are now...

 

All that said I still think the nerf went too far to make it close to impossible for some DPS or healer classes.

After watching some videos people posted in the feedback thread. People are making little mistakes that are making this much harder for them to do.

 

Yes, the mistake was not doing it before the nerf...

 

Return to the pre-nerf companions and all these problems go away...

People think that 'being able to solo it in Operations gear' makes it okay, even though the people complaining were solo players, and it's a solo-based achievement, that now requires a gear level you can only get through tedious, large grouping.

People think that 'being able to solo it in Operations gear' makes it okay, even though the people complaining were solo players, and it's a solo-based achievement, that now requires a gear level you can only get through tedious, large grouping.

 

I did it in 208 PvP gear. Although that gear requires grouping obviously, the PvE item level is the same as token gear. It's not the gear. Gearing just requires time. I know a lot of people who don't augment or use stims. They are just giving up free damage and mitigation that way. None of those things require a Operation. They just require spending some time getting ready for what is intended to be a very difficult challenge.

There is 216 and 220 gear available from the crystal vendors on the fleet that perform decently well such that you need not do operations. The change in crit importance made the vendor stuff more viable. Does it take time to earn the crystals for a full set? Yes it does, but usually worth it for the increased damage, etc., etc.

 

And yes, augments and stims come in very handy.

Edited November 20, 2015 by iacon

After I adjusted my gameplay to compensate for the change to the companions, I have been able to solo every Heroic Star Fortress. Granted, I am a 208 assassin tank, so I can avoid a lot of trash, but the trash isn't the problem for most people, it is the Paladins and Exarch... and the pre-Exarch groups of course.

 

Do you have the ability to get all the alliance buffs? Get them. Use them Wait for them to come off cooldown if you are heading into a big fight.

 

Are you using your heroic moment? Use it. Again, wait for it to come off cooldown if needed.

 

Are you using medpacks? The artifact medpacks heal upwards of 10k. Useful in a pinch.

 

Use all your abilities.. Interrupts especially. Use your damage reduction cooldowns if you have them.

 

The HSF 2+ are meant to be a a severe challenge to solo. They were not that before the nerf. They are now...

 

All that said I still think the nerf went too far to make it close to impossible for some DPS or healer classes.

 

And that's all nice... but so what? It isn't fun anymore, the above is a slugfest... it is slow, painful, grindy...

 

Yea, yea, I know, EQ and UO were grindy, this isn't the same thing, but you know what? Those games never had a chance of a decent population, they were niche MMOs. SWTOR is trying to appeal to the masses.

People think that 'being able to solo it in Operations gear' makes it okay, even though the people complaining were solo players, and it's a solo-based achievement, that now requires a gear level you can only get through tedious, large grouping.

 

Look I'm one of those that saw both sides to the nerf, I've never done a Operation or even a tactical fp or anything that requires a group - I'm not even in a guild. I solo it with a Combat Sentinel with a rank 30 companion - beyond 30 is too tedious of a grind for me. I've gotten all my gear from the weeklies (Yavin, Ziost, and planetary heroics - granted I don't do all the planetary heroics).

People think that 'being able to solo it in Operations gear' makes it okay, even though the people complaining were solo players, and it's a solo-based achievement, that now requires a gear level you can only get through tedious, large grouping.

 

I have a full 208 DPS set and a full 216 tank set on my assassin and I haven't stepped foot inside a single flashpoint or operation. I can also solo the H2+ Star Fortresses as Hatred in that same DPS set. I bought that gear with the comms I had when I hit 65 + the veritable snowstorm of comms you get by doing the planetary heroics, all of it completely solo.

 

My PT has similar gear for both roles from doing the exact same stuff. Quit making excuses and go get the comms.

Besides this thread was suppose to be about tips rather than companion nerfs.

And that's all nice... but so what? It isn't fun anymore, the above is a slugfest... it is slow, painful, grindy...

 

How do you get slow, painful, grindy from actually using your abilities and paying attention in game? I clear things just as quick as I did before the nerf. Are people really freaking out over possibly taking an extra few mins to complete an H2 SF? I'll bet you are one of the ones doing something mind boggling that is making something painful when its not.

So I find everything up to the Exarch to be pretty faceroll as a sage healer, and I can pretty much keep a companion up indefinitely in the exarch fight, even though comps are giant heal sponges, but the comp DPS (lvl 30 comp) plus what DPS I can toss in while keeping us both alive hasn't been able to drop the Exarch below about 70% through the Exarch's self healing.

 

I'm wondering if I have to switch some of my interrupts from the attacks to the self heals, though I'm not sure I have the spike healing to keep the companion alive in that case.

 

I've got more gearing and datacrons I can do, but the jump in difficulty from everything else to the exarch has me wondering if there's something obvious in terms of mechanics that I'm missing.

 

Or are the Exarchs all just carrying the same kind of wallet that Samuel Jackson has in Pulp Fiction?

Edited November 20, 2015 by Ramalina

Another tip in especially for the reactor room. For one of the two droids, the room where the two droids are positioned by each side of the door (not the room where they are on the sides of the exarch) knockback the droid on the right towards the exarch before you disable it. This way you can aoe the adds without breaking the CC. If CC happens to break, reapply it as soon as its off cooldown if necessary.

 

Some people are advising that you don't loot, this is good, but loot the C2N2 look a like if it looks like things are going bad. That way I have the testtube already for when I respawn and try again. If I have the testtubes already I channel right away. If everything is under control, then don't loot.

 

For the exarch, use a ranged healer. Or a ranged dps depending on your class or preference. It doesn't have to be a high influence one either, I just completed this with a rank 13 Lokin in heals stance. Once you get to the exarch its gravy. Just kite him around and stay out of the red. If you have any dampeners left you can use them if you have a little trouble avoiding the red. Interrupts are handy but if you aren't used to using them don't stress about it. I do advise you learn about using them though, it will help in many fights, not just SF. Just continue kiting and wear him/her down. This can take a while depending on your class, turret is especially great in this fight and if its taking you a while you can place it a second time.

 

It is definitely easier with certain classes but it is doable will all of them. Some attempts will be more painful than others. Also, if you are going in and someone happens to mention in chat that they are LFG for the one you plan on doing, go for it! Its super easy with 2 players.

I typically try to interrupt the channeled attacks, but there is a lot of moving as well since some of the attacks are directional rather than strict aoe. Running straight through the boss to the other side is the fastest way to get out of the blast.

So I find everything up to the Exarch to be pretty faceroll as a sage healer, and I can pretty much keep a companion up indefinitely in the exarch fight, even though comps are giant heal sponges, but the comp DPS (lvl 30 comp) plus what DPS I can toss in while keeping us both alive hasn't been able to drop the Exarch below about 70% through the Exarch's self healing.

 

I'm wondering if I have to switch some of my interrupts from the attacks to the self heals, though I'm not sure I have the spike healing to keep the companion alive in that case.

 

I've got more gearing and datacrons I can do, but the jump in difficulty from everything else to the exarch has me wondering if there's something obvious in terms of mechanics that I'm missing.

 

Or are the Exarchs all just carrying the same kind of wallet that Samuel Jackson has in Pulp Fiction?

 

Not really, the Voss Exarch (healing guy) is definitely the tedious one. Even if you interrupt he just casts again a few seconds later and I think sages only have one interrupt that can be used on them. I find it better to save the interupt for impaling strikes especially if the companion is tanking. If you're finding that he's healing for more than the damage you are dishing out you might want to get some help. (I normally help out on BC as long as it's not 15 mins before meals lol).

 

I did it as a TK sage and honestly I'd much rather smack my head against a brick wall than run through SF heroic on her again - especially the Voss one.

Edited November 20, 2015 by Avalyssia

Unfortunately the helpful advice in this thread comes after far too much abuse a lot of the community has had to endure at the hands of the hardcore elitists. Post after post has been nothing but condescending, arrogant insults. If helpful advice posts HAD BEEN more prevalent prior to recent patch the community would not be so fractured. Kudos, for at least trying, but it's a little too late.

So I find everything up to the Exarch to be pretty faceroll as a sage healer, and I can pretty much keep a companion up indefinitely in the exarch fight, even though comps are giant heal sponges, but the comp DPS (lvl 30 comp) plus what DPS I can toss in while keeping us both alive hasn't been able to drop the Exarch below about 70% through the Exarch's self healing.

 

I'm wondering if I have to switch some of my interrupts from the attacks to the self heals, though I'm not sure I have the spike healing to keep the companion alive in that case.

 

I've got more gearing and datacrons I can do, but the jump in difficulty from everything else to the exarch has me wondering if there's something obvious in terms of mechanics that I'm missing.

 

Or are the Exarchs all just carrying the same kind of wallet that Samuel Jackson has in Pulp Fiction?

 

If its a choice between living and interrupting, choose the living . Or the interrupting if not interrupting is going to kill you. Depends on your health pool at the time.

 

On my sage healer I often let my companion die only IF it becomes too troublesome to be constantly babysitting them. It will take a lot longer but it allows me to concentrate on myself and the boss. Its very time consuming but you will wear the exarch down. You can also kite him into the red by the windows and burn him down that way, use bubble and barrier and the dampeners because it will damage you too. If you are lucky you can also get the playing with fire achievement too.

Ah, ok. I'll give the turret a try, and then see if I can stand them in the fire if the turret is enough to get them down to 49%. Additional DPS sources was really all I needed and I was neglecting two apparently.

One thing about the turret is that it grabs the Exarch's attention and keeps it until destroyed so it will give you some breathing room. When I used it, I dropped it at the beginning of the fight and did as much damage as I could while it was up (including using attack adrenals, relic buffs if you use the clicky ones over the proc ones, etc.)

Yeah, use the turret right away. As a sage healer the fight can last a long time, and you might be able to place it a second time. On my healer I will also use my heroic right away as well, since I sometimes let my companion die.

 

An exception to letting my companion die is the voss fight. I need the extra dps for that one. Having said that, now that ive finished the heroics on my healer, I will never do them again, unless I'm helping someone out.

Edited November 20, 2015 by Perihelion

Oh, and definitely use Sana-Rae's unlock ... that relic does some good AOE damage. Oggurobb's healing is quite helpful and Hylo's grenade is useful, too. Heck, it's worth it to get all those crates (there are 2 per level). I've had to search every nook and cranny sometimes after clearing the area to find it. Edited November 20, 2015 by iacon

After watching some videos people posted in the feedback thread. People are making little mistakes that are making this much harder for them to do.

 

First of all when you zone into the flashpoint and drop down the duct there will be a glowing console on the left side of this room. You click this to get buffs that will help you do the flashpoint. If you do NOT click this you are doing HARD MODE. If you are doing hard mode you are suppose to die and have difficulty doing it because that is the point.

 

When you are near the end with the platforms that have 2 golds and other adds that come. DO NOT focus on looting items or using them on the boss. People are looting items and channeling them on the boss while they are getting overwhelmed with mobs and getting tore up. There is NO NEED to loot or use the item right away. There is no rush or timer. Simply KILL EVERYTHING FIRST priority being aoeing the group of 4 adds once they come. Once you have all the mobs dead then loot and channel on the boss.

 

If you are playing a healer then set your companion role to DPS. You don't need a tank to take a beating you need DPS to get things killed as quickly as possible especially for the platform area where you can get overwhelmed.

The problem with doing it the way you say that is highlighted in red is that 90% of the time if you kill all adds first before destroying the console it glitches out at the last console and the boss doesn't take off, and your stuck in there, trust me we had to redo the SF 2 or 3 times till we figured out how it glitch's, but try it and see for yourself...

The most valuable tip I can give is level your Alliance specialists to 10 so you can get the turret, grenade, datacron, and healing buff in Star Fortresses. The turret and datacron, in particular, can take big chunks out of boss HP. Combine those buffs with Heroic Moment legacy skills, a DPS companion, and your own all-out DPS (with CDs popped and whatnot), Exarchs will melt.

 

Still, don't forget to interrupt Impaling Strikes. Oh, and speaking of Impaling Strikes, if you're melee or are unlucky enough to be in melee range, you can run away while the Exarch performs the move instead of interrupting. It can be risky, but this was helpful on the Voss Exarch who also casts heal (which was a bigger priority in my book).