The Black Mage Rotations

So rather than do a ton of trials to weed out RNG, I figured we can just theorycraft this since it's pretty straightforward.
I'm going to ignore the cast time of the initial F3 here, and assume F3 is always cast from UI3
Hardcast F2 = 1.2 GCDs
Hardcast Flare = 1.6 GCDs
Everything else is 1 GCD to cast

Rotation #1: F3 --> Flare --> Transpose --> B2 --> B2
1 + 1 (doubledip) + 0.7 (average time you expect to wait for a mana tick after transpose -- 1/2 GCD + transpose animation delay) + 1 + 1 = 4.7 GCDs
220s * 0.7 + 260 * 1.8 + 0 + 100 + 100 = 154 ST and 668 AE Potency
32.8 ST P/GCD, 142.1 AE P/GCD

Rotation #2: F3 --> F2 x3 (this is what I can always cast) --> Flare --> Transpose --> B2 --> B2
1 + 1 (doubledip) + 1.2 + 1.2 + 1.6 + 0.7 + 1 + 1 = 8.7 GCDs
154s + 180 + 180 + 180 + 468 + 0 + 100 + 100 = 154 STP and 1208 AEP
17.7 ST P/GCD, 138.9 AE P/GCD

Pure Flare seems to be the clear winner, plus you get cooler animations.
Also, for the purposes of WP, rotation #3: F3 --> Flare --> B3
1 + 1 + 0.5 + 1 = 3.5 GCDs (The 0.5 is from the expected time for a mana tick from Mage's Ballad so that you can cast B3)
154s + 468 + 154s = 308 STP, 468 AEP
88 ST P/GCD, 133.7 AE P/GCD

In order for this to be better than Rotation #1, you'd need to have Ballad tick in less than 0.3 GCDs. I don't actually know whether that's realistic or not, would require a LOT of in-game testing with video/stopwatch, since I don't think the Combat Log has enough granularity to tell otherwise (if mana gain is even shown).

Oh ok, it looks like the fundamental mechanic is getting the Flare cast enhanced from UI3, resulting in an overall better cycle.

Ill just post my Rotation.

Single Target
Thunder II > Fire III > Fire I (Fire III on Firestarter) > less than 1k MP Blizzard III repeat

Single Target w/ Flare
Thunder II > Fire III > Fire I (Fire III on Firestarter) > 1k MP fire if (Firestarter proc ignore) > Swiftcast > Flare > (Fire III on the ignored one) Transpose > Blizzard III repeat

Single Target w/ Flare and Convert
Thunder II > Fire III > Fire I (Fire III on Firestarter) > 1k MP fire if (Firestarter proc ignore) > Raging Strikes > Swiftcast > Flare > (Fire III on the ignored one) > Convert > Fire I (Fire III on Firestarter) > Blizzard III repeat

Multi Target
Fire III > Fire II (till drain MP) > Swiftcast > Flare > Transpose > Blizzard III repeat
*Ignore Flare without Swiftcast

Thats my combo if you dont like it, dont use it.

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Rotation #1: F3 --> Flare --> Transpose --> B2 --> B2

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So I guess I have a basic BLM mechanics question: in terms of mana recovery, is the 2x B2 necessary to guarantee a reliable MP tick sufficient to begin casting the F3? Because it seems to be that if Flare blows all your mana, it doesn't matter how much you re-enter Astral with, and could get by with 1 B2 cast as long as you are able to cast F3.

Or is that really to wait for the Transpose cooldown?

Question, why do people cast blizzard III then thunder II then fire III? Does it really result in more DPS then T2 > F3 or F1 spam to start?

I like this thread. I haven't seen many rotations that take the "double-dipping" mechanic into account. Also, I never thought about using Blizzard II in my rotation in order to get more AoE time.

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Originally Posted by EasymodeX

So I guess I have a basic BLM mechanics question: in terms of mana recovery, is the 2x B2 necessary to guarantee a reliable MP tick sufficient to begin casting the F3? Because it seems to be that if Flare blows all your mana, it doesn't matter how much you re-enter Astral with, and could get by with 1 B2 cast as long as you are able to cast F3.

Or is that really to wait for the Transpose cooldown?

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I haven't tried this rotation yet (but I would like to), but I believe the reason is twofold:
1. It gives time for the Transpose CD.
2. It puts you into Umbral Ice 3, which is necessary in order to get the fast cast, which is needed for double dipping. I notice that in UI2, casts take noticeably longer than under UI3.

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Originally Posted by Arale

Question, why do people cast blizzard III then thunder II then fire III? Does it really result in more DPS then T2 > F3 or F1 spam to start?

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This is done in order to take advantage of the fast cast that you get under UI3. Instead of a cast time of 3s, it only takes 1.5s (so I've heard). You still have to wait for GCD, so I believe that this is still effectively 2.5s. Also, it reduces the mana cost of Fire III. It will do the same damage (UI doesn't reduce the damage). However, the damage will be reduced.

In addition, with quick timing and little lag, you can take advantage of the "double-dipping" mechanic that is mentioned in this thread. Double-dipping is where your second cast after UI3 is still a fast cast, because AF3 hasn't been applied yet. i.e. Blizzard III -> Thunder II -> Fire III (fast) -> Fire III (fast). The first Fire III will be under UI3 (regular damage), but the second one will be under AF3 for increased damage. Even better if you can double-dip into Flare, because the cast will be reduced to 2s while still getting the AF3 bonus.

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Originally Posted by EasymodeX

So I guess I have a basic BLM mechanics question: in terms of mana recovery, is the 2x B2 necessary to guarantee a reliable MP tick sufficient to begin casting the F3? Because it seems to be that if Flare blows all your mana, it doesn't matter how much you re-enter Astral with, and could get by with 1 B2 cast as long as you are able to cast F3.

Or is that really to wait for the Transpose cooldown?

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Partially Transpose CD (12s, or ~5 GCDs), but mainly because you only get the cast speed bonus for UI3. If you only Transpose --> B2, you're hardcasting F3 and Flare.

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Originally Posted by O-Deka-K

It will do the same damage (UI doesn't reduce the damage).

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This is not correct. Fire spells deal 70% damage under UI3.

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Originally Posted by PessimiStick

This is not correct. Fire spells deal 70% damage under UI3.

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Oh, I didn't know that. Thanks for the correction. I've corrected my post above. I guess I never read the buff tooltip.

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Originally Posted by PessimiStick

This is not correct. Fire spells deal 70% damage under UI3.

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I thought Fire spells deal 100% Damage under UI3 or no AF/UI. And 130% Damage under AF3.
Can someone confirm that they only deal 70% Damage under UI3?

70% for the opposite element (this applies to both UI3 and AF3). 180% for AF3.