Poll: Mercenary vs. Powertech

[Jaro]

Might as well start this one up and not be showed up by the IA's. First impressions only, which one suits you better?


Powertech


Flamethrower
Defense / Energy Shields
Tank


Mercenary

Dual Wield Guns
Missiles
Ranged DPS



I'm going Merc for sure, I like explodey things

[Osyrix]

lol Shouldn't we make a poll? I'm definitely going Merc. PEW PEW!

[Jaro]

lol Shouldn't we make a poll? I'm definitely going Merc. PEW PEW!

lol you posted too quickly! It's there now

[Aljebra]

I'm needing more info atm, knowing only a little of each tree, without seeing the overall effect over everything.

[Draecor Ralkor]

If Mercenary is pure pistols, i will QQ so much that they will ban me from the forums.

[Akoti]

Going Powertech as of right now.

[Assiel]

I am not likely to make a BH alt, but if I did I would probably make a Mercenary.

[Draykon]

My alt BH will be all pew pew.

[Halkis]

I'm a fan of fire and flamey things so I'd probably go powertech for my BH alt.

[Sagiti Wu]

Still, undecided for now, but will probably decide based on the guilds pve needs. Though, I may go merc for leveling early on.

[Mordre]

I really don't know, I haven't seen enough info on the two to really make a decision yet. Heck I didn't even know they had explained the BH ACs yet...anyone have a link?

[Akoti]

I really don't know, I haven't seen enough info on the two to really make a decision yet. Heck I didn't even know they had explained the BH ACs yet...anyone have a link?

only thing they put out is what was said in initial thread post.

[Terask]

Powertech for me also, it's most likely going to be the heavy weapons user for the empire (at least i hope). I just hope they do not focus the dynamic of weapons by trying to make each class have a unique one cause that just outright annoys the heck out of me that the republic would be the only faction to get heavies.

[Sashi]

Mercenary here.

[Aeetos]

merc definitely, why i chose bh over ia - duel pistols. if i make an alt it'll be for whatever the guild needs - im betting healers so an si healer build most likely

[Nyght]

I plan on making a BH alt, but I am still uncertain as to what AC I will go with. I think I need to see more of what they can do before I make that decision and what the noticeable differences will be in type of play.

Until then i will just stick with the SI Assassin sneaking up on people and running my LS through their throats :)

[Akoti]

Are other people besides BHs voting in this? I thought it was a poll to see the rough #'s for BH ACs.

[Sashi]

Are other people besides BHs voting in this? I thought it was a poll to see the rough #'s for BH ACs.

It seems that way, should of allowed the votes to be visible in the polling setup.

[Jaro]

Are other people besides BHs voting in this? I thought it was a poll to see the rough #'s for BH ACs.

Well that was the intention of the IA post but it didn't work out that way. So I knew it wassnt only going to be BHs. Plus there's not really a whole lot of info out there so I didn't want to be restrictive. Just first impressions.

My hope is for all the BHs to vote/post but I didn't want to limit it.

[Akoti]

Yeh, we should have made the poll obvious that it was just for BHs and not someone going with a BH as an alt. We can always repoll again now or wait a little down the road.

Edit: I always assume that these AC polls are for mains not alt's so I will only participate in the BH ones unless it is specifically labeled as an Alt poll.

[Archer]

Might as well start this one up and not be showed up by the IA's. First impressions only, which one suits you better?



Mercenary

Dual Wield Guns
Missiles
Ranged DPS



I'm going Merc for sure, I like explodey things

I heard that the merc is going to be more like a nuke than anything.

[Asai]

It seems that way, should of allowed the votes to be visible in the polling setup.
yea thats why i did it that way for my IA poll, i can just look at names and count the votes that way disregarding the wannabes. my advice for a future poll though would be to add the option "I'll reroll IA once i see how much better they are than BH's!"

[Akoti]

yea thats why i did it that way for my IA poll, i can just look at names and count the votes that way disregarding the wannabes. my advice for a future poll though would be to add the option "I'll reroll IA once i see how much better they are than BH's!"

LOL.

1. your talking that nonsense and I can't follow your logic
2. we (nfs) are a minority and don't need to fight each other so go flame the FS ppl
3. not everyone can roll an IA, someone has to take the damage for you guys to get a shot off or two before your wasted

[Jaro]

Yeh, we should have made the poll obvious that it was just for BHs and not someone going with a BH as an alt. We can always repoll again now or wait a little down the road.

Edit: I always assume that these AC polls are for mains not alt's so I will only participate in the BH ones unless it is specifically labeled as an Alt poll.

I think that once more information comes out about the ACs then we can post an exclusive post.

And Sashi you're right, it would have been better to make the answers public, but there's no edit for that. We'll do that once more info comes out. Right now it's just first impressions.

[Draecor Ralkor]

LOL.

1. your talking that nonsense and I can't follow your logic
2. we (nfs) are a minority and don't need to fight each other so go flame the FS ppl
3. not everyone can roll an IA, someone has to take the damage for you guys to get a shot off or two before your wasted

NFS = 2 Officers, FS = 1 Officer and a Guild leader.

Its pretty close...

[Archer]

I heard that the merc is going to be more like a nuke than anything.

^ ehem? thoughts? I heard the merc is going to be all about the burst damage. Perfect for PVP.

[Jaro]

^ ehem? thoughts? I heard the merc is going to be all about the burst damage. Perfect for PVP.

If you quote yourself again I'll smak u!

nah but I think they're gonna have some dope ass damage and cc. I don't know about a nuker, I think the IA is going to play that role.

[Sashi]

Well, hopefully there will be some DPS mods so we can put the claims to the test.

On a mass pvp scale though I fear the IA's will be so soft that they'll get ganked from all sides. I hope that's not the case, but they'll probably be better suited in a protected PvE role. I think I'll see alot of IA ghosts running around the BG. :gun:

I know we're after Jedi but it's good to have some healthy inter-guild competition between the classes. NFU's should compete, since we can't expect too much from the FU's playing with the pinata blindfolded. :D

[Xenith]

Well, hopefully there will be some DPS mods so we can put the claims to the test.

On a mass pvp scale though I fear the IA's will be so soft that they'll get ganked from all sides. I hope that's not the case, but they'll probably be better suited in a prtected PvE role. I think I'll see alot of IA ghosts running around the BG. :gun:

I know we're after Jedi but it's good to have some healthy inter-guild competition between the classes. NFU's should compete, since we can't expect too much from the FU's playing with the pinata blindfolded. :D

You wish I'd play with your pinata.

[Xenith]

NFS = 2 Officers, FS = 1 Officer and a Guild leader.

Its pretty close...

The GL is worth 2 1/2 Officers. Not equal. Plus, being FS it rounds my half up to a whole making my street cred 3 instead of 1 individual. :gun:

[Sashi]

The GL is worth 2 1/2 Officers. Not equal. Plus, being FS it rounds my half up to a whole making my street cred 3 instead of 1 individual. :gun:


Xen, by FS you me FU right? or is that not politically correct. :gun:

I'd hate to hurt the feelings of any of our more sensitive members.

[Jaro]

xen's a softy at heart, that's why he's force sensitive. :furry:

[Jestik Falco]

As of this writing, and of this post, I plan on being a power tech. I will get the extra DPS when I am still alive and the merc is dead :hunter:

[Jin]

As of this writing, and of this post, I plan on being a power tech. I will get the extra DPS when I am still alive and the merc is dead :hunter:

Jestik, I keep seeing your name pop up. It would seem that you and I share similar priorities. Although the DPS potential of Mercs seems very overpowered, the Powertech class screams PvP king.
Although the Heat-seeking missiles do look super overpowered with 'Lightem Up,' The Power tech class reminds me of Paladins right after the BC ret nerf. (If anyone remembers...) **Basically, in an attempt to make the retribution class a viable dps, they over buffed it. This gave retribution paladins insane armor, a sufficient mana pool, and an unruly dps. (10k was unheard of at the time for heroics.)
In conclusion - I agree with Jestik:
"I will get the extra DPS when I am still alive and the merc is dead."
+
I get extra DoT cause I have epic flamethrowers...

You try fighting anyone while constantly taking massive DoT. It sucks. It's like they took a warlock pew pew and gave it to a prot paly?
official decision: Powertech.

[Samael]

This shouldn't be about which is better but what your play style is. One is a tank and the other is DPS, the difference are huge!

But i've always played range dps which is why I'm going merc. But if i make a Tank alt, Is going to be a sith juggernaut.

[Jin]

This shouldn't be about which is better but what your play style is. One is a tank and the other is DPS, the difference are huge!

But i've always played range dps which is why I'm going merc. But if i make a Tank alt, Is going to be a sith juggernaut.

wait wait wait, If it comes down to Powertechs being Tanks in the old-fashioned sense, then Merc's are the way to go, but from my understanding each class will have multiple roles, if so, I think a Tank/DPS would be a better combination than heavy armor/dps+. A comparison that comes to mind is Dark Knights from FFXI and Rangers. Rangers had amazing ranged dps but if their target ever got to them it made for a sad panda(ranger). The Dark Knight is a dps powerhouse (both ranged and melee) with heavy armor.
If the rumors circulating that Powertech's will be the heavy weapon specialists of the Sith then how exactly would that make him(or her) a tank? I just can't see a heavy armor ranged TANK. It doesn't make sense to me...
For those of you that are WoW fanatics, Powertechs look like shammies with heavy armor while Mercs are Hunters with heavy armor. (Physical vs elemental dmg)

[Samael]

wait wait wait, If it comes down to Powertechs being Tanks in the old-fashioned sense, then Merc's are the way to go, but from my understanding each class will have multiple roles, if so, I think a Tank/DPS would be a better combination than heavy armor/dps+. A comparison that comes to mind is Dark Knights from FFXI and Rangers. Rangers had amazing ranged dps but if their target ever got to them it made for a sad panda(ranger). The Dark Knight is a dps powerhouse (both ranged and melee) with heavy armor.
If the rumors circulating that Powertech's will be the heavy weapon specialists of the Sith then how exactly would that make him(or her) a tank? I just can't see a heavy armor ranged TANK. It doesn't make sense to me...
For those of you that are WoW fanatics, Powertechs look like shammies with heavy armor while Mercs are Hunters with heavy armor. (Physical vs elemental dmg)

There was a video a while back where they showed a trooper tanking a boss and he's also ranged. So yes, Bounty Hunters are meant to be tanks! But honestly it still comes down to been specialized, if you take the power tech class for a little of extra defense and then pick the dps tree. You'll neither be a great tank or a great dps, you'll be mediocre, and no one wants to be that guy right?

[Jin]

There was a video a while back where they showed a trooper tanking a boss and he's also ranged. So yes, Bounty Hunters are meant to be tanks! But honestly it still comes down to been specialized, if you take the power tech class for a little of extra defense and then pick the dps tree. You'll neither be a great tank or a great dps, you'll be mediocre, and no one wants to be that guy right?

After researching the crafting system i think I will go Merc. The ability to craft the best ranged weapons coupled with ranged dual wield could make for an unparallelled dps class.

[Matthias]

Though I really like the survivability of the tanking side of the BH, I'll be going as a merc as well. It just looks like a ton of fun!

Oh, and it's more in line with the RP of my character anyways.

[Jestik Falco]

So everyone seems to be going Merc all of a sudden. Is there a special reason for this, or am I missing something.

Also, do you guys know if we can switch/change our minds in the future? I am not tied to be a Powetech, and I could just as easily go Merc if we think that is the way to go. My fear was being too squishy.

[Samael]

If you pick merc or powertech your stuck with that choice for the rest of the game, i heard them mention somewhere that they're thinking about letting people change that. But it was going to be really expensive, and their not sure when they were going to implement that... so for now your stuck with the choice unless they say otherwise, anybody feel free to correct me on that.

[Jin]

So everyone seems to be going Merc all of a sudden. Is there a special reason for this, or am I missing something.

Also, do you guys know if we can switch/change our minds in the future? I am not tied to be a Powetech, and I could just as easily go Merc if we think that is the way to go. My fear was being too squishy.

I think the dual wield ranged weapons are a game changer for the mercs. And personally, I plan on being a crafting God. Which, after researching the crafting system, makes me want to be a Merc. (you can craft all the best blasters supposedly)

I'm sure that as the game develops Powertechs will be in higher demand but just like in Vanilla Wow all the noobs went Huntard I have a feeling the same will be the case with Mercs. Just a theory though.

On the point of being squishy, I'm pretty sure Bounty Hunters won't be squishy. after reading into Bounty Hunter Lore/info I find it hard to believe bounty hunters will lack in defensive or offensive capabilities. Powertechs will add to defense and Merc will add to offense. As a member on the official forums put it:
"Power Techs are Tanks with mid-range damage capabilities. Mercenaries are ranged dps with self heal capabilities."

I too am wondering if they will implement a system in which you can change classes. (I loved the ffxi system!)

[Jestik Falco]

If you pick merc or powertech your stuck with that choice for the rest of the game, i heard them mention somewhere that they're thinking about letting people change that. But it was going to be really expensive, and their not sure when they were going to implement that... so for now your stuck with the choice unless they say otherwise, anybody feel free to correct me on that.

OMG I hope that is a joke...seriously....making a decision and having it stay the same for the rest of your character's life?

[Jin]

OMG I hope that is a joke...seriously....making a decision and having it stay the same for the rest of your character's life?

Look into the Legacy system. I think this gives us an answer to your question. I don't know how exactly it works yet.
To answer your question more accurately:
No your character will not make a class decision that will stay with them for the rest of their life.

My understanding is that you will be able to progress through a class that is 'native' to your race. Then you will be able to pursue other classes and class options while also passing down, and I quote, a 'special ability.'
That's all I know.

[Aljebra]

So everyone seems to be going Merc all of a sudden. Is there a special reason for this, or am I missing something.

Also, do you guys know if we can switch/change our minds in the future? I am not tied to be a Powetech, and I could just as easily go Merc if we think that is the way to go. My fear was being too squishy.

I think a lot of people will go merc, not for the dps but for the addition healing. Especially for the PvE set. On our server, going for merc is a good choice as well. If you are out and about, perhaps that heal will get you out underneath the surprise attack from a pvp encounter, or also help heal others in the group. It has its uses.

I plan on merc.

[Matthias]

If you are out and about, perhaps that heal will get you out underneath the surprise attack from a pvp encounter, or also help heal others in the group. It has its uses.



That's the main reason why I will be going as a merc as well even though I still have little knowledge about the class as do some of other guild members. They appear, from what I've seen, to be a class/spec that is well suited for solo combat regardless of PvE or PvP. Course, the ability to survive the initial blow from a PvP encounter and then quickly recover enough to gain control over the situation makes this healing aspect a central reason to consider them.

[Jestik Falco]

Perhaps I should go Powertech just to let everyone else know what it is like? And Powertech does have better armor, correct? I gleaned from reading the class description.

[Innuit]

I'm very interested to see how the Merc class can be played. With either Pure DPS or DPS/Support, it seems like there will be a lot of variety between different player's Mercs. Personally, I'm looking at the DPS/Support version myself...useful for PvP and PvE...kind of reminds me of the Shaman. I have to admit tho, the Powertech looks awesome, and durable, sustainable DPS is a nice to have in MMO PvP. Definitely won't be a glass cannon.

[Jin]

I'm very interested to see how the Merc class can be played. With either Pure DPS or DPS/Support, it seems like there will be a lot of variety between different player's Mercs. Personally, I'm looking at the DPS/Support version myself...useful for PvP and PvE...kind of reminds me of the Shaman. I have to admit tho, the Powertech looks awesome, and durable, sustainable DPS is a nice to have in MMO PvP. Definitely won't be a glass cannon.

Shaman^. agreed. Maybe I should just change my name to ShamWOW and roll Merc?

[Innuit]

Shaman^. agreed. Maybe I should just change my name to ShamWOW and roll Merc?

Do it! Very witty, I approve! The ShamWOW is quite versatile.

[Matthias]

Do it! Very witty, I approve! The ShamWOW is quite versatile.


Ugh... I hate the guy that does those commercials.

[Jin]

Ugh... I hate the guy that does those commercials.

Then you'll like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm03Dgu_yXA

Viewer Discretion is advised?

[Matthias]

Then you'll like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm03Dgu_yXA

Viewer Discretion is advised?

Oh wow... that was just too funny. Warn me next time though - I look like a freaking idiot laughing at work.

[Innuit]

The more I read about Mercenary Bodyguard specs the more I find myself intrigued by the possibilities. I'm unlikely to go full out spec into Bodyguard, but I'd probably do a split DPS and healing/support. I played a Shaman in WAR and I didn't like it because its was mainly DoTs for damage and it was fragile as all getout. The BH Merc seems to be a bit more durable and versatile.

I'm envisioning most groups of 4 are going to be tank, pure heal, and dps as the foundation. That 4th position, whether you're looking for PvE or PvP, would do well to have kind of a jack of all trades character, someone above average in all areas. Especially with most encounters included multiple mobs per pull, durability will be key. Additionally, as someone who is support, you're unlikely to be the primary target in PvP, as healers and glass-cannon DPS'ers typically get targeted first. In more strategic settings for PvP, the Merc Bodyguard could be useful supporting a team of snipers, providing support, heals and some CC to defend objectives. Offensively, it's durability makes it a likely fit in roaming groups.

Anyone else having similar thoughts about the Mercenary and Bodyguard tree?

[Jestik Falco]

I do not have much insight onto the bodyguard/mercenary tree, but I think that the smallest group activities will be at least eight people. From what I have seen thus far, heard, and read on these forums and others, eight is the smallest group and it goes up from there.

With that said, I think that the makeup of groups in general will be highly varied because there is not a dedicated class for each role....each class can have different facets depending on the spec.

[Educis]

The more I hear/read/play on the Bounty Hunter, the more certain I am that I'm going to switch my main over to a healing/support spec'd Mercenary. I loooved armored Healing in WoW, and with such a great group to level with, most of the DPS spots will be filled.

So... yeah! Bring on the Merc :jango:

[Innuit]

I agree Vanitas. Most of the gameplay footage I've seen makes it look like even boss fights might have 2 bosses or 1 boss with multiple henchmen mobs. Having constant durability (armor protection) and dynamic durability (support powers) should give you enough time for tanks to pull taunt, dps to finish them off, or CC to give you a breather.

Also, you always have the option to respec your skill points to go full on healing, full on DPS, or some middle ground between the two.

Ugh, can't wait for more information to come out on the specific calls abilities and skill trees!

[Jestik Falco]

I agree Vanitas. Most of the gameplay footage I've seen makes it look like even boss fights might have 2 bosses or 1 boss with multiple henchmen mobs. Having constant durability (armor protection) and dynamic durability (support powers) should give you enough time for tanks to pull taunt, dps to finish them off, or CC to give you a breather.

Also, you always have the option to respec your skill points to go full on healing, full on DPS, or some middle ground between the two.

Ugh, can't wait for more information to come out on the specific calls abilities and skill trees!

I think that the guild would need a mixture of different bounty hunter classes. If we all go Mercenary, then wouldn't we be deficient in one area? I think that it is really good that we have a mixture of Mercenary and Powertech.

[Matthias]

The more I hear/read/play on the Bounty Hunter, the more certain I am that I'm going to switch my main over to a healing/support spec'd Mercenary. I loooved armored Healing in WoW, and with such a great group to level with, most of the DPS spots will be filled.

So... yeah! Bring on the Merc :jango:

Even with a full healing/support build for the Merc, they should still be able to put out a reasonable amount of DPS to make the enemy think twice about going against one solo. I suppose I'm comparing them to a holy pally or one of those shockadin spec pallies before they got wacked. The question I have though is how exactly they would work out for solo PvP or questing as they would still have the core damage abilities as a merc with a more DPS spec.

[Innuit]

I agree Rayne. One just has to hope that jack-of-all-trades type characters are still competitive. It's a delicate balance to make them viable, when typically highly specialized characters can be so much better at one particular aspect.

The key to the blended DPS/Support Mercenary build is to find the utility curves in the different skill trees. Inherently in any skill tree, there's usually some low hanging fruit and then some nice middle tier abilties. However, as you invest more and more points, you usually get less back for each point invested.

Finding that right balance is always the key. Plus, they're will probably be different spec's for leveling and then for high end content.

[Jestik Falco]

Plus, none of us really know what the end-game content is going to be like regarding our characters and our profession. It would nice to have some sort of amalgamation where different specs are both able to exist side-by-side rather than having one spec reign over all. I know that this is a lot to ask.

[Akitos]

Being a gun for hire just is to cool to pass up! Everyone loves a merc lol

[Nero]

I liked the powertech more they had so many good adv especially with the grappling hook and the jet charge are awesome.

[Kyalur]

I plan on going PowerTech.

Two Main Reasons:

(1) I am not really a DPS person, preferring to be a tank or healer instead. Bodyguard may have healing aspects but I like the idea of being able to fill a primary tank roll for groups.

(2) I LOVE FLAMETHROWERS!!!!! :evil:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_w9P_KjaKE7c/S2WbE2VnHmI/AAAAAAAABD8/l0emuEiVvdU/s400/aliens-flamethrower+photobucket.com.jpg

[Hiderplo]

Powertech, I'mma go with the non-traditional tank since most tanks are going to roll straight into sith juggernaut.

[Sansa]

I'm going powertech. I want to take a swing at tanking.

[Voidheart Muramasa]

Can I vote if I make a BH banking toon?

[Sashi]

Can I vote if I make a BH banking toon?

No. :D

This poll is pretty much worthless at this point. I should probably just close it down, and somebody can start a new one.