Direct DoTs vs. Cone AoE Damage in Lower Dungeons (BARD)

So, I was in a low level dungeon (Qarn) on my Bard. I normally use my cone attack (Quick Nock) when we have a group of 3 or more enemies. Never had anyone in a group tell me otherwise.

Well, this one run, one of the members had said that at the level of the dungeon/mobs, that using my DD DoTs did more damage than the damage given through Quick Nock when dealing with groups.

Hm ...

Now, this is the first time I have had anyone tell me that info. My Bard is 62/63 .. around there. I joked about missing my coooooone :), but did target what the tank was hitting with Venom Strike and Windbite, and mobs did die quickly.

So I'm curious. Is there a time, either mob level wise or dungeon level wise, were the single target DoTs and Quick Nock damage seem to even out? When I was learning Bard, the advice I was given is that I have 2 AoEs to use in helping groups kill faster.

I'm all up for learning, so just a curious Bard player. :D

Well that depends, if the mobs die before the dots has a chance to tick a couple times that is wasted time applying them. Also depends how many there are, if it takes so long to apply dots to targets that they will expire from the first target before you apply to the last then its not optimal either. I don't remember exactly the target count that you should dot before it becomes more damage to just aoe them, but personally i never bother dotting up more than 3 targets at the same time. I start just using Quick Nock at 4+ targets.

In a group pull of three or more mobs that are "trash mobs", what I do:

1. Assist off the tank, dot the mob with Venom & Windstrike, and fire off Quick notch.
2. Switch to next highest health mob, apply dots, fire off Quick notch.
3. Switch to next highest health mob, apply dots, fire off Quick notch, then switch back to the MT's target, and Quick Notch until it's one tick from being dead at which point I then switch to the second as above target and repeat.

Weave in Straight Shot (increases Crit on shots and dot ticks) and Rain of Death.

If the mobs have one or more heavy mobs, like those with special or de-buff attacks, then I concentrate all DPS on that target, weaving Quick Notch as part of the DPS rotation.

3 Targets:
Quick Nock does 330 potency of damage.
Windbite only exceeds this potency if it is allowed to last for its full 18-second duration (360 potency).
Venomous Bite only exceeds this potency if it is allowed to last for its full 18-second duration (340 potency).

4+ Targets:
Quick Nock does 440 potency of damage (or even more with more targets).
Windbite and Venomous Bite can't do that much damage; you're better off just spamming Quick Nock.

In summary:
Before level 45 (pre-Rain of Death) with 3 targets, you can use the DoTs if you think they'll reach their full duration, but really the difference is minimal and Quick Nock spam is fine. If you're dealing with 4+ targets, then Quick Nock is superior.




Addendum 1:
This simple assessment ignores the TP cost. If you think you're going to run out of TP, then you should spread some DoTs in there so you don't run out as quickly.

Addendum 2:
If you're level 30~39, then you have access to Mage's Ballad. Throwing some DoTs out would allow you to proc Bloodletter hits, which would add an extra 130 potency each time. This will skew things in favor of DoTs when dealing with 3 targets.

Addendum 3:
If you're level 40~44, then you have access to Army's Paeon. You should definitely spread a few DoTs during Army's Paeon so you can shoot your Quick Nocks out even faster.

The most important addendum:
In reality, the difference is minimal and achieving maximum efficiency is definitely not important at this level. Do whatever feels best to you. Personally, at 30+ I always apply DoTs on some stuff so my songs actually proc and I'm not 100% bored mashing one button.

Thanks for the replies!

@Thela - Yeah I see where you are coming from. I will keep that in mind.

@Kirika - I like your rotation idea, so I will try that next time I am in a low level dungeon.

@Raldo - That's some pretty awesome info there! Thanks for that :)