Combat Style Tier List
This list is based on parses and personal experience, taking into account only PVE DPS viability. Debate is welcome.
S Tier
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Sentinel / Maurader -- Concentraion/Fury is the current top DPS spec in the game, by quite a large margin. Watchman/Annihilation is top 4. I'm choosing not to hold Combat/Carnage against the Combat Style, as they have 3 DPS specs, so comparing only the top 2 against the other styles. Combined with above-average survivability, this is simply the best PVE DPS style in the game.
A Tier
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Shadow / Assassin -- Serenity/Hatred remains an AOE beast, but is now also the second-highest single target damage spec in PVE. Infilttration/Deception, meanwhile, has fallen off extremely hard, coming in below-average single target (and still having no AOE to speak of), preventing this style from reaching S-Tier. However, while lacking the versatility of two viable specs, this style remains the most survivable of the DPS specs.
Vanguard / Powertech -- Both DPS specs for this style are roughly equal, both well above average. Reasonably tanky, and now with better resource management, this style provides versatile, all around DPS.
B Tier
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Gunslinger / Sniper -- Dirty Fighting/Virulence is the top ranged DPS spec in the game, and top-4 overall. Hurting this style is the turret nature of this build, combined with the lack of good options outside Dirty Fighting/Virulence. Saboteur/Engineering provides mobility and considerable AOE, but is in the bottom 4 in terms of single target damage. Similar to Sent/Mar, not holding the third DPS spec (which is hot garbage) against this style.
C Tier
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Guardian / Juggernaut -- Both DPS specs hover right around the average. This, combined with easy resource management and decent survivability add up to make this perhaps the best balanced Combat Style in the game right now.
Sage / Sorcerer -- Telekenetics/Lightning single-target DPS is almost exactly the average across all classes. However, it combines this with considerable AOE and mindlessly simple resource management. Balance/Madness single target is roughly equal, but trades the AOE for a bit more mobility and survivability. A perfectly decent all-around choice of Combat Style.
D Tier
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Scoundrel / Operative -- Yikes. Both DPS specs are now below average in terms of single-target DPS. Lethality/Ruffian has limited AOE capabilities, while Scrapper/Concealment lacks even that. Combined with the fact that this is the squishiest of the melee/short range Combat Styles makes this class near useless in high-end PVE content.
F Tier
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Commando / Mercenary -- The worst DPS Combat Style in the game at the moment. They excel at absolutely nothing, if you've got one, you may as well just switch to healer and use your secondary Combat Style for DPS. It's really that bad, both DPS specs are further below the average DPS than the top specs of Sent/Mara are above it. Tough resource management remains, while survivability took some considerable losses. Cut and run.
New player recommendations:
Looking for what style to use for your first/next character? The best recommendation is always to play what you enjoy the most. However, if you're just not sure what you might enjoy, try these combinations (subscribers can choose 2 styles, the first listed is recommended starting style).
Jedi/Sith
Shadow/Assassin and Sentinel/Marauder -- If you've got the appropriate Light/Dark points, you can combine these however you want. Shadow/Assassin gives easy levelling with stealth and Serenity/Hatred's considerable AOE clearance. Later, using Conc/Fury or Watchman/Anni from Sent/Mara will tear through content as stealth becomes less viable. You also have access to Kinetic Combat/Darkness from Shadow/Assassin, the best Tank spec in the game.
If you'd prefer the option for healing instead, replace Shadow/Assassin with Sage/Sorcerer. You lose stealth, but gain ranged DPS and the easiest heal spec in the game. The early AOE of Tele/Lightning can carry you through the levelling process until Sent/Mara comes into its own.
Tech Classes
Gunslinger and Powertech -- These mesh up well due to both being pistol classes, keeping visual fidelity and making so you only have to swap offhands. Gunslinger gives you ranged damage, as well considerable early AOE for levelling. Powertech gives you well rounded melee/short range damage, but takes longer the blossom.
Sniper and Vanguard -- Exactly the same principle as above, only with rifles instead of pistols. All Sniper abilities can be used with a normal blaster rifle, they do not require a sniper rifle, meaning visually, no change when swapping specs, just switch offhands.
If you'd prefer the option to heal instead of (or in addition to) Van/PT's tank spec, replace Slinger or PT with Merc or Scoundrel, or Sniper or Vanguard with Operative if you wish to maintain fidelity in appearance (Commando's weapon is, unfortunately, a unique eyesore). Merc/Commando are the easier healer, while Scoundrel/Op has the higher ceiling. Just bear in mind that these Combat Styles offer little in terms of DPS.
