Pistoleer Archive

I'm considering taking Pistoleer on my character and need some advice on whether or not it would be a good choice.

Let me start by saying, at heart I'm a crafter. I like crafting, I'm not much into combat. I like the good round of hunting as much as the next guy, and I'd probably be more into combat except for 2 things.
1. PvE always seems to get boring, dull, and repetitive after awhile.
2. I HATE PvP with every fiber of my being. Ok, well, I shouldn't say I hate PvP. What I hate is the utter laughable abomination PvP gets turned into by what seems to be the majority of those who engage in PvP. Exploits, trash talking, griefing, etc. Yes I came from UO.

Now, that being said, let me explain why I'm looking at a combat profession, since right now you're probably wondering what kind of wonderful drugs I'm on. =)

I was originally going to take Master Artisan, Master Weaponsmith, Master Architect, and then some Marksman (ranged support 1-4 and pistols 1-4) for some defense and light hunting ability.

Then I went hunting with a couple friends the other night, and we did ok but I thought about how I (Obviously) sucked in combat with Pistols 3 and ranged support 2, and realized that pistols 4 and ranged support 4 wouldn't be enough. Most (or all) of the cool stuff in the game, the content, the theme parks, the corvette missions and other such quests... they're all geared for combat. Unless I'm missing something, there aren't theme parks and such for crafters. These things are a big part of the game for me, the Star Wars experience. I could always try to find a group to go with on these things that would keep my weakling crafter safe, but there's 2 problems with that.

1. Most groups have a hard enough time keeping themselves safe and completing the missions or whatnot to worry about a helpless crafter (or they're power playing their way through the content for loot and a crafter would just slow them down).
2. I don't want to experience almost all the content in the game as an observer. I want the thrill of blasting through a corridor of Storm Troopers, or Rebels, as the case may be... of helping to take down a Krayt Dragon... etc.

So this leaves me, a mostly helpless crafter, with the dilemma of needing combat ability without having to go full combat and not being able to do the crafting that I enjoy... some sacrifices must be made.

The next thing I considered was dropping Master Architect altogether, and picking up Master Pistoleer in it's place, leaving me with Master Artisan, Master Weaponsmith, Pistols 1-4, Ranged Support 1-4, and Master Pistoleer. However, not really knowing anything about the high level content and anything above basic combat in the game, I'm not sure how viable of an option this would be.

Would this be a viable option for being able to participate in the high level content of the game (obviously within groups), or would someone be able to suggest a more viable option that won't leave me without my ability to craft? Maybe not quite master pistoleer with a little medic ability (although I wouldn't begin to know where to balance how much on each on that)? I don't want to give up master Artisan or Master Weaponsmith, because I would like to be able to make weapons and vehicles. The Master Architect I can obviously live without, since I've already decided to drop it for some more working room?

Thanks in advance for any advice, insights, etc. anyone can provide.

anyone?

Think about smuggler/pistoleer too... it's a point expense, but you can justify the slicing line for your weaponry, and the dirty-fighting line is worth your time. If you're at all into RP, I greatly prefer smuggler to all other classes for such range in role choices. You can always feign death if your hunt goes south too, and be the one guy that can accurately recount the story in the bar afterwards.

Thanks for the replies... the only problem with pistoleer/smuggler would be I'd have to give up my crafting to do it... Unless I miscalculated, Master Artisan, Master Weaponsmith, Pistols 1-4, Ranged support 1-4, and Master Pistoleer would leave me with 3 skill points =)

I was partial to Pistoleer mainly because pistols are a fast firing weapon, and when I played in Beta I remember I loved the scout blaster =)
I've given early rifle a bit of a try, and don't like it too much... I'm sure it gets better, but at low levels it sucks IMO... low level mobs are a pain because they move at you so freakin' fast, closing your range, and you can't hit worth a bleep while moving, so you can't run away it seems.

Almost all the info I've been able to find about Pistoleer seems to be from a PvP perspective rather than a PvE perspective, which is why I'm looking for input. I really won't be doing any PvP, or if I do, it will be extremely limited.

I appreciate the input so far. If Pistoleer is so borked it's not even funny, and just to give me enough info to try to make an educated decision, anyone have any thoughts on Carbiner for my combat to go with my crafting?