Bounty Hunter ACs and impressions

So i started a BH and really enjoyed it. I have been doing dark or light side responses purely by whim, not worrying about going all light or all dark. I'm nice to good people and hard on bad guys (not in a good way).

I have to pick an advanced class. My problem is: I love dual pistols (available from healing AC) but I prefer tanking to healing. So I'm looking for feedback on the BH from you who've played it to get an idea of which I would enjoy more. I will likely focus more on dps. I definitely won't be a healer with this toon, but I do enjoy tanking. (mainly I play republic but I want to see what the content on the other side is).

Anyway, input appreciated. I could probably get over not having dual pistols, but I already don't have that for my smuggler scoundrel...

heh. I just realized that there probably aren't many BHs in the guild. :)

BH was actually my first toon that I rolled and is currently my highest. I went Mercenary because I thought I wanted to heal with him. That was until I discovered healing as a sorcerer. So, I respecced for DPS and have loved it so far.

If you're really just wanting to DPS, you can do so either as a Merc or Powertech. The difference is that one tanks better and the other heals. From your post, it already sounds like you've made up your mind about which direction you'd like to go. It's a tough choice, but ultimately one that you'll have to make as you're the one that will have to play the toon. :P

My main is actually a BH Merc. I really like playing him and I find him to be loads of fun. If you think that you will like the option to tank that definitely go powertech. Both specs have viable DPS but also play extremely different. I like the fact personally that I have healing options even though I'm dps (it helps in emergencies) but I am sure that powertech has some "oh no" spells as well.

As Kasper said because it's up to you as your the one who plays it. What I tend to do is look at the progression video on SWTOR and see which play style fits what I like.

Thanks for the feedback!

Quote by kiddkasper

it already sounds like you've made up your mind about which direction you'd like to go

I'm not sure why it sounded like that. What did you think my decision was? cuz I'm baffled lol.

Quote by Justjon

What I tend to do is look at the progression video on SWTOR and see which play style fits what I like.

That sir is a great idea, thanks... will check em out.

Quote by Xcentric

Thanks for the feedback!

Quote by kiddkasper

it already sounds like you've made up your mind about which direction you'd like to go

I'm not sure why it sounded like that. What did you think my decision was? cuz I'm baffled lol.

Quote by Justjon

What I tend to do is look at the progression video on SWTOR and see which play style fits what I like.

That sir is a great idea, thanks... will check em out.

I think it was

Quote by Xcentric

but I prefer tanking to healing. So I'm looking for feedback on the BH from you who've played it to get an idea of which I would enjoy more. I will likely focus more on dps. I

Only one specialization has a tank option.

Sorry if someone already suggested this, but you can plan a DPS build rather than a Healing build with dual pistols. Just because you go Merc doesn't mean you have to specialize as a healer. Two entire trees are devoted specifically to beefing up DPS and only one is for healing.

Same with the tank. If you prefer their armor, but aren't really interested in a tanking role, you can spec DPS.

As BioWare states (thought their actual implementation may be debatable) any one class' build is equal to a similar build from another class. So in theory, a Bounter Hunter healer should be as good a healer as a Jedi Consular Healer. A Bounty Hunter following the same AC, but speccing as DPS should put out as much DPS as an Imperial Sniper for example.

That last part seems to be the biggest complaints I see from Gunslingers and Snipers. That since they are "pure" DPS with no alternative role (e.g. a Mercenary's ability to heal, or a Vanguard's ability to Tank) they should put out more DPS, but BioWare addressed this saying that they have greater variety in DPS over the 'hybrid' classes, but not higher DPS.

The short version is... take your 2-handed Bounty Hunter and spec him how you want. You don't have to be a healer.