Decided to make another trooper, think I made the right call. Commando was fun for flavor but I didn't like how the direct damage variant was based around spamming grav round. Not that satisfying, and did not appreciate how poor the tanking AI for companions was. I'd often get shot up a bit before they did their freaking job.
Vanguard is more my speed, similar to the powertech build I'm using with my bounty hunter. Melee focused, trying the DoT variant first (plasma tech). There's more oomf in animations and sound effects, unlike the wimpy flamethrowers, so it clicks for me. Picking the direct damage version for wrist blades just feels too similar, you know. The one big difference is I'm using the energy system the smuggler and agent use instead of the heat system, so I have to pay attention to my energy, but don't have to worry much about building heat causing problems. Will get a pic of this character later when they have proper gear.
I also changed species with this one. Something about the lighting made my previous trooper, who was apart of that one green skin race, look odd, so I went for something way different. You know, those aliens with the big things on the side of their heads and the painted faces. Working for me so far. Also letting myself be more aggressive and showoffish, because being a good soldier all the time gets boring.