How important is "proper" DPS rotations for PUG groups?

One of the criticisms I've heard about this game is that all the classes are cookie-cutter and that they have to be played a certain way only in end game. Is that entirely true? Is it OK to be a bit more casual with a PUG group?

Even with a casual group I do my best to keep up my optimal rotation. Just because they're "Randoms" and not people I play with usually doesn't mean they don't deserve my best.

That being said
Like dungeons in the DF... it's not vital to keep up your proper rotation, usually. Most random groups can clear content easily even if not all members are playing their best. (Things that are the exception can be EX primals, raids..)

People who don't use the proper dps rotation will do about around half or sometimes one quarter of someone who is doing the rotation correctly. Thus making the run take much longer. If you are ok with that then its on you.

Short answer: Depends on the content, but it's always in your (and the group's) best interest to know / be able to perform your rotation.

Long answer: Generally speaking any content with an enrage or a DPS check will require the group to be performing at a certain level DPS wise. If you are the one DPS that is under performing by a large margin then you are certainly holding the group back often leading to wipes, frustration, kicks, etc.

This really only applies to primals / coil / Alexander for the most part though, dungeons / tower climb / extra content are usually seen as more casual avenues and aren't tuned in a way that requires the entire party to be playing optimally at all times so you can usually relax a bit more when doing that sort of content (relax but not completely slack off that is).

But yeah if you can take the time to learn / perform your rotation to the point its mostly muscle memory you'll only see benefits in the long run.

I always use my full rotation even in dungeons. For one thing, it's good practice to always be playing at your best, and for another, it's a courtesy to the other players so I'm not wasting their time by doing sub-optimal DPS and making the run take longer.

While non-endgame dungeons do not have a dps check, having one dps slack off or not perform their optimal rotation can be a difference between a 20 minute run and a 35 minute run (like one of my recent SV runs where the ninja can't ever combo into AE or do DE...)

I always try to do my best with whatever I am playing, why would you not want to do your best for strangers? It is YOU you are playing for in the end, you are not playing for anyone else, you are playing because you want to play.
Take pride in what you do.

Yeah, and I didn't mean to suggest playing to hinder anyone's experience. That's a jerk move. I just meant how important was it to do it perfectly...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Slick

Yeah, and I didn't mean to suggest playing to hinder anyone's experience. That's a jerk move. I just meant how important was it to do it perfectly...

---

It doesn't have to be perfect/machine like 24/7 if that's what you are asking. It's ok if you slip up on it since we are all human. Hell, some nights when I am dead tired are the times I mess up a lot.

Ah well. As long as you're doing your best... it's fine. No one can do anything perfectly all of the time. It is important to try out different optimal rotations (IE, don't just go online, read one rotation and say "that's good"). Try out a few and see which work for yourself.
Like was said above, mostly only primals, coil/Alex/raids really need you to pump out your highest DPS possible (ideally).

As a Monk main player...

Depends on if the Tank can stay still enough for a Monk to perform their position rotations properly. I know the whole must dodge AoE but if the adds or boss goes running around too much it certainly prove diffcuilt to get the maximum amount of DPS for a MNK due to the positioning demand.

I would say that it is about 99% necessary for PUG groups for actual endgame content, such as ex primals, coil, and alexander (both modes!). Chances are, at least 1 or two other DD's in your group are going to be doing very, very suboptimal dps and don't even know it, so the most constructive thing for you do be able to do in a random pug is to make up for it and push yourself to the limits.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EdwinLi

As a Monk main player...

Depends on if the Tank can stay still enough for a Monk to perform their position rotations properly. I know the whole must dodge AoE but if the adds or boss goes running around too much it certainly prove diffcuilt to get the maximum amount of DPS for a MNK due to the positioning demand.

---

With all the AE in dungeons now I feel I have to move around more when tanking than I do on MNK for positionals XD Albeit when im tanking trash and the one I aint hitting does an AE I have to dodge out of, when a melee is in the party, I try to stun it moving out of the other mobs AE so the melee dont have to run around. Doesn't always work tho as sooo much AE! XD

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EdwinLi

As a Monk main player...

Depends on if the Tank can stay still enough for a Monk to perform their position rotations properly. I know the whole must dodge AoE but if the adds or boss goes running around too much it certainly prove diffcuilt to get the maximum amount of DPS for a MNK due to the positioning demand.

---

Sometimes its hard to predict how tank would move but its easier to predict how the mobs will move,so we should keep our eyes on mobs all the time.

In regards to the classes doing the same thing, that basically comes down to your rotation.

The fact of the matter is, MMO's are just number generators with a fancy UI, there is ALWAYS an optimal rotation to max out your damage, without exception. Also, why wouldn't you want to play the optimal way? Some of those dungeons can really drag on, if you're a dps why not do your best just to speed it up? You'll definitely notice a huge difference in your TTK (time to kill) when the DPS are doing what they're supposed to.

ur only hurting urself by playing sub-optimally. content takes much longer than necessary with bad dps

Hey if you want to take 4x longer to clear content that is on you. I actually kind of hate DPS that don't at least put some minor effort in.

Like I do not expect perfection or anything "close" to it, but at least do something where I don't outdamage you as a scholar.

Mindyou, as someone who also mains MCH I gotta say... as MCH either I do things perfectly or I do things abhorrently. Most classes don't seem to have this striking divergence in how much DPS is done based upon 100% vs. "less than 100%" effort. But MCH is huge.
IE: put turret down at proper range, if multiple minions do aoe turret. If one minion do single turret. IE: puff correctly with perfect ammo rotation and keep all dots up and hotshot up and like a billion more things.
IE: Gauss Barrel with cast times and now if you mess up your rotation or need to move kiss your high numbers goodbye.


But most DPS seem to be extremely forgiving in comparison. ... Let me say that again. EXTREMELY FORGIVING in comparison.

It really depends on whether or not you're doing current progression. New content is usually only clearable by the best players, but if you're running a patch or two behind it isn't that big a deal. You will have better gear and echoes. That said a lot of content will still kill you if you can't get the mechanics right.