Darth Hater

I think that the cover system is really a cool and unique idea but, I hope that it is only a skill that you use when needed.  If I'm out numbered and there are 10 mobs and I need to be sneaky then yes I will cover before attacking.  Personally I want to go in guns-a-blazin and duel wield my blasters and move around and use my skills and gadgets.

I know there is going to be some kind of healing tree and I'm hoping that if someone chooses to heal then he would need to use more cover and that would make more sense.  I'm praying that the gunslinger tree is more of a move around and use some stealth and blast away option.   If the Smuggler always has to run for cover when someone or thing is attacking him then I think that could get boring and weak.

The other thing I'm wondering is when we have a companion since we are 1 of 2 cover classes, do you think our companions must cover as well.  If I need to hide or sneak up on someone don't you think my companion would have to cover as well?  Just a thought.

Eh. Cover seems to be a core mechanics of the class. "Guns-a-blazin" is more Trooper/Bounty Hunter, in fact I believe they have both been described that way. According to DH, "He focused first on the Gunslinger path, explaining that a Smuggler following this path will focus on dual blasters and will be using the cover mechanic frequently". Sounds like Trooper/BH might be more what you are looking for in terms of gameplay.

The Smuggler does have cover and non-cover abilities, so I wouldn't be surprised if the Smuggler is going to be a good non-cover class also.

And if you look at some of the planets (like Tatooine) and PvP (where you have to be more on the move than just sit still), I think the Smuggler will do fine.

Quote from Posiden
Eh. Cover seems to be a core mechanics of the class. "Guns-a-blazin" is more Trooper/Bounty Hunter, in fact I believe they have both been described that way. According to DH, "He focused first on the Gunslinger path, explaining that a Smuggler following this path will focus on dual blasters and will be using the cover mechanic frequently". Sounds like Trooper/BH might be more what you are looking for in terms of gameplay.

I know they want to focus on the cover system or atleast make us believe that is what they want us to do.  I'm not a big gun type of guy, I like the idea of having two smaller blasters that uses CC/snags/traps and blasts the hell out of things.  I just think ALWAYS having to hide doesn't sound epic.  I think covering when needed is a better way to go about it.  Hey, I love the whole idea of the Smuggler, my favorite character was Han Solo and I'm just hoping that it isn't all cover all the time.

While a bad comparison think of it like a rouge in stealth, or warrior stances, different stances (Or in this case being in cover or not) will give you different abilities and bonuses.  We know that Smugglers will get a defensive bonus while in cover, but the abilities do change.  Does that mean he has to always be in cover?  No.  Though it might help when trying to fight mobs, but in PvP other classes have CC as well to flush you out.

Let me explain myself a little better.  I know we won't always have to be in cover but, I fear that they will make it the most important part of being a Smuggler.  I would like a choice to be a smuggler that can cover but, is a better damage dealer out of cover.  The other tree could be more of a cover Smuggler and get a defense bonus and concentrate on healing.  I was a Warrior in WoW and when I was tanking I could use some of my dps abilities but, it really wasn't that important or neccesary.   Also I'm really just talking about PVE.  From my OP I asked about our companions being able to cover, does anyone else think this is almost a given since we will be in cover?

Remember the smuggler also has the ability to shoot while running, even over his shoulder. In all likelihood, running from cover to cover will be essential, especially in PVP, so it's not like you'll never move in combat. However, it doesn't make much sense for a lightly-armored smuggler to stand in the open and blast away. That style of combat more accurately describes the bounty hunter, who also uses dual pistols. A smuggler spec that was just as useful without cover would remove all the specialness of the class.

Quote from Sinic
Let me explain myself a little better.  I know we won't always have to be in cover but, I fear that they will make it the most important part of being a Smuggler.  I would like a choice to be a smuggler that can cover but, is a better damage dealer out of cover.  The other tree could be more of a cover Smuggler and get a defense bonus and concentrate on healing.  I was a Warrior in WoW and when I was tanking I could use some of my dps abilities but, it really wasn't that important or neccesary.   Also I'm really just talking about PVE.  From my OP I asked about our companions being able to cover, does anyone else think this is almost a given since we will be in cover? 

Not saying its impossible, just doesn't seem likely.

Hopefully this isn't too much of a tangent, but I'm actually quite interested to see what they do with boss-type fights in the flashpoints.  I.e. will there be specific cover locations built into the rooms. And if so, will this limit the number of smugglers you can have in your party: if there is only one cover element.  Not that I really have an opinion about what is good/bad about this, but I'm interested to see what they do.

If you look at the flashpoint from the developer walkthrough last year, you can see scattered cover spots throughout the area, generally positioned wherever mobs would appear. It looks like there are at least two in each spot, but rarely many more than that. Now this is an Imperial flashpoint, so the cover is presumably intended for agents. Agents have their "portable cover" ability, so the level designers might deliberately put in fewer spots than they would if they were designing for smugglers. However, if that's not the case, it seems like it would be unwise to have more than two smugglers grouped together for a flashpoint.

I think the Scoundrel will have some melee abilities, which obviously can't be used in cover.

This has probably been changed or proven wrong by now, but early on didn't they say Troopers could use cover too, but only Smugglers would have abilities that require cover? If it's true, maybe Trooper is more what Sinic's looking for in a class.

Quote from RogueJedi86
This has probably been changed or proven wrong by now, but early on didn't they say Troopers could use cover too, but only Smugglers would have abilities that require cover? If it's true, maybe Trooper is more what Sinic's looking for in a class.

One thing about the Trooper I found out was that while they are not a "cover class" like, say, the Smuggler. While players can use some pieces of cover no matter what class they play, some are better at it than others. In another fight, I was able to run behind a pillar and hide from laser fire.

Now whether he is actually using the cover system or simply LOS'ing behind a pillar is unclear.

Based on Gamespot's most recent hands on, it seems like the cover mechanic may leave the Smuggler a little vulnerable in PvP. I'm trying to keep an open mind about it, but if the mechanic really frustrates me in PvP, I'll only use the Smuggler PvE and roll another character more suited to my PvP play style.

I agree totally Xavier, the cover system leaves us vulnerable. Of course we can use our stun grenades, etc that we obtain. I also see that if we become a Scoundrel it might give us  more stealth like abilities (of what I have read off of SWTOR Official Forums). I am not a hundred percent certain that will help us all time. I hope they can show us the Smuggler class can hold its own in PvP. Like you, I plan to role a different class for PvP.