SWTOR Saboteur Gunslinger Build Guide
SWTOR Saboteur Gunslinger Build Guide by Hereticita
Table of contents:
1 – Saboteur build explained
1.1 – Why do I have to choose that build?
1.2 – Sab Build vs SS & DF builds
2 – Abilities
2.1 – Key abilities
2.2 – Other useful abilities
2.3 – Sabslinger Skill Tree
3 – PvE like a True Sab!
3.1 – Key bindings
3.2 – PvE explained
3.3 – How to pWn Elite and Champions
3.4 – Flashpoints/Operations
4 – PvPing Your Way To Ownage
4.1 – Useful Skills & Key Bindings
4.2 – PvP explained
4.3 – Civil War
4.4 – Void Star
4.5 – Huttball
4.6 – Ilum & Open World PvP
1.1 – Why do I have to choose that build?
So you’re reading my guide on how to become a Sab Slinger, but you aren’t really convinced about choosing to go Sab? Well, you’re reading the right paragraph.
Sab’s build is one of the three way to go as a Gunslinger, and imho, is the best of the three indeed. I am going to explain why. Basically as a Sab slinger you’re choosing an AoE (Area of Effect) approach to the game. You’re not focusing an enemy, you’re slaughtering everyone that stays in your way, while with other builds, you mainly focus an enemy and try to kill him before focusing another one.
You’ll hear that the Sab build is not effective in PvP, that is a PvE build only, that is not viable in higher levels: don’t hear such things, you’ll be surprised by your damage output.
If I’ve not convinced you with those words above, give me another 2 minutes of your time and read the other paragraphs to hear what this build is meant for, and what it can do for you.
1.2 – Sab Build vs SS & DF builds
If you leveled your way as a Sharpshooter slinger as me, you probably know well the frustration of always being in cover, but you should also know your damage output: it’s pretty nice!
It is different for a Dirty Fighter slinger because in the early levels you’ll not see immediately those freaking numbers above monsters and players, you should focus on DoT (Damage over Time). Later, as you reach higher levels a Dirty Fighter slinger has it’s own advantages and his DoT becomes impressive.
BUT, if you want to have FUN and to deal with mobs and players in a different and more enjoying way you should really try the Sab build. Even in lower levels the damage output is really high, giving the player a really nice experience.
At lower levels you should stay behind your cover to not get owned by mobs, but with your Thermal Grenaade, your Shrap Bomb, your Sabotage Charge and Quickshot you can virtually own everything.
The thing is: if you want an enjoyable, medium/high damage output, and a medium mobility build, then go Sab!
2.1 – Key Abilities
Let’s focus on the key abilites that you get throughout your smugglin’ journey.
The most important skills that keeps you alive are Thermal Grenade and Sabotage Charge. Right from the start of your leveling experience you should use those skills in the right manner.
However your Key abilities are:
– Thermal Grenade: with the reduced cooldown, given from the skill tree, is essential for a Sab Slinger, it can be used as an interrupt, as a killing blow… It’s your bread and butter!
– Sabotage Charge: yes… Oh gosh… It deals a massive amount of damage since the beginning to an enemy. Used in conjunction of Speed Shot and Quick Shot becomes a very nice Burst.
– Shrap Bomb: it is a must! Use it with Vital Shot and then Detonate, when your energy is low to finish the cooldown on Cool Head.
– Cool Head: it simply makes you a war machine. Try to maximize it’s effect by using it when your energy is low, between the first and the second bar. Refreshing it’s cooldown with Detonate is a MUST.
– Pulse Detonator: it keeps melee and mobs away from you, so basically it’s life.
– Speed Shot: using in conjunction with Sabotage Charge and Shrap Bomb gives you a devastating weapon against a “fat” enemy!
– Charged Burst: use it! Even if you’re not a SS Slinger, you need it. Enter in cover, launch to the enemy a Sabotage Charge and then use Charged Burst, you’ll see gigantic numbers floating upon the enemy’s head.
2.2 – Other useful abilities
– Dirty Kick: yes you heard it right! Use it as a disabler.
– Aimed Shot: see hybrid Sab/SS Build.
– Quick Shot: if you used Sabotage Charge you can use Quick shot to activate all the charges.
2.3 – Sabslinger Skill Tree
Below you’ll find my personal Sabslinger build, I named it the “Pure Sabslinger PvE/PvP”
This build is the one I’m using right now for both, PvE and PvP. It uses combos and inflicts a very nice DoT damage to kill the individuals, while with larger groups you can still use your Thermal Grenade to shut them down.
This build is meant to be less active and, usually in cover. It bursts out groups and individuals both, with Thermal Grenades, Quick Shot, Speed Shot and Aimed Shot, while in cover, it has got a very nice damage reduction.
DF/Sabslinger is a different build, more focused on PvP and higher damage.
It has got a pretty nice mobility and a nice defence and even nice interrupts, such as Thermal Grenade and Dirty Kick.
3.1 – Key Bindings
Key bindings is paramount to truly enjoy a Sabslinger.
I’ll post some key bindings in the next few days.
3.2 – PvE explained
You can’t enjoy a Sabslinger until you really understand how to use it properly.
Sab build and the other Hybrid Sab/SS and Sab/DF builds does have a core principle: AoE Damage.
You focus your attention on both, group and individuals, that’s why you should put some effort to learn how and when to use your skills and your companions, but when you finally understand the sinergy between them, you have mastered the Sabslinger.
But let’s go more in depth.
When you’re facing a though enemy, use combos. Yes i said it! Combos.
You have a nice DoT skill that is Shrap bomb, that used in conjunction with Vital shot, Sabotage Charge, Speed Shot and Detonate can do the highest damage you’ll ever see from a slinger in no time. After that combo you’ll have your Cool Head ready and you can fill your energy bar again. Take a look at the mini icons above the picture of the enemy because they tell you if the DoT is still there or if it is gone. In that case you might want to Shrap Bomb/Vital shot em again.
You’ll also see that your Thermal Grenade has a tiny and nice cooldown, so use it in conjunction with your other skills to take mobs that sorrounds the toughest enemy down.
These are only few of the combo that you can learn with a Sabslinger, and you’ll learn them by playing it and having fun!
3.3 – How to pWn Elite and Champions
Stuck on a Class mission because you cannot kill that freaking Elite?
Don’t worry, everyone has experienced that.
To easily defeat an Elite enemy you have to check those three things:
- Have you upgraded your gear recently?
- Have you got your Skill Stim?
- Are you using the right approach to kill him?
If you don’t upgrade your gear on a regular basis you’ll fail! Use the commendation on each planet to buy powerful gear and/or modification or augment or craft them with your crew skills. That’sthe first thing!
If you can’t make it use some Skill stim and Med Packs, and be sure to put a med pack in your hotkey list.
If that doesn’t work, are you sure that you’re using the right approach to kill the Elite/Champion?
Are you using the right Companion, and has he/she got a nice gear?
The general rule, however is to keep the enemy away from you and to use your combos. Try to take out the other mobs near the Elite with your Thermal Grenade and then focus the Elite. Use Bowdar to taunt them while you PwN them. 
3.4 – Flashpoints/Operations
While the SS and the DF builds are pretty good in Flashpoints and Operations, Sabslinger is absolutely AMAZING!
Not only you’ll use your AoE to take down the mobs, but you’ll also support your Allies with your freaking and awesome Scrambling Field, which has also a diminished cooldown due to your skill tree… I will not enter too much into the details but by using combos and reducing the damage taken by you and your allies, you’ll be welcome into every LFG broadcasted in General
Work still in progress
Do you have a link to your skill tree