Engies should be able to make "Engineering Assistant Bots" that add to their tradeskills while the bots are up. There could be, say 4 Levels for Assistant bots. The first 2 could be in stores, 3rd in say team missions only, 4th could mabie be a quest or something.
What do u think......ideas?
EDIT: It seems logical, RL engineers have assistants that help them in their tasks, why sshouldnt engies be able to have some helpers? It could also be thought of a creative alternative to just giving engies their own buffs.