My Shadow is Serenity spec and currently level 28 and I keep my companion set to passive mode. I figured the aoe lifesteal ability would make Serenity ideal but my health drops so damn fast. I can handle the really weak mobs even with a silver enemy but when there's two or more silver with regular mob back up, I have to pop My CDs just to stay in the fight. My gear is pretty alright I would guess. Rewards from class missions and conquest missions. I haven't tried the tank spec but I am going to, it will have to be done with dps gear at least for a while.

Is Shadow just a poor class to do this type of challenge run with? I have a level 16 Vanguard Trooper and I enjoy that class a lot, it right off the bat seems better at surviving but I want to complete a Jedi Knight first.