The Proper Use of Gauss Barrel

Hello fellow Machinists!

This is NOT a post to complain about MCH damage or conditions. This is a post to try and theorycraft and test for our maximum damage.

I've noticed that most of the guides have not been updated since the last updates. With the change of Gauss barrel to +30% damage, I have been attempting to maximize my damage. I am not the top of my class. But I am interested in improving.

What I would like to work on is the proper time to activate and make use of Gauss Barrel. Obviously, this will not be during a movement intensive phase/battle.

I open with the normals. Hot Shot --> Lead Shot, Activate Reload --> 1, 2, 1 (now Slug and Clean shot are both procced and glowing) --> Gauss Barrel up (fire Gauss Round and Ricochet) --> Quick Reload, 3 --> 2, Reassemble, 3.

Also including the oGCD attacks once Gauss Barrel is active. Remove Gauss Barrel at the end of this rotation. Return to 'standard' methods until I have Reload prepped for another round.

...I hope you mean using quick reload after the 3.


And there's absolutely no reason to leave Gauss barrel off for lead shot.

Full uptime on gauss barrel is a DPS gain. People do have varying numbers with stance dancing, but there's so many variables with MCH DPS that you can get a variance of 10-30 dps on parsing unless the proc/crit rates are nearly identically to each other.

To me, trying to stance dance in and out of GB when you can otherwise fulltime it (given that the fight allows for it) is putting more burden on yourself for little to no gain.

GCD is 2s, Gauss Barrel cast time is also 2s. So 4s are used, one shot base (for example) 400 damage. GB gives +30% (30% of 400 = 120) total shot value 520.
Comparatively, 2 shots in 4s without GB. Each shot base 400 damage. 800 damage total.
How is maintaining a 100% uptime a DPS gain? Just due to the fact that our Split shot is such a minuscule percentage of our total damage (assuming random proc doesn't screw us)

2.5 GCD with a 1.5 cast time. I don't follow your train of thought, but you have the wrong idea on how cast times work.

Your GCD starts ticking down at the start of cast, not when the cast finishes.

You can do 2 split shots in two GCDs (5 seconds) regardless of if you have GB on or not.

You will also have TP issues in longer fights with Gauss Barrel off.

I don't see much utility in trying to stance dance fulltime with GB considering you'll want it to be back up whenever Gauss Round/Ricochet is up (every 20s/60s) and when you need to put Lead Shot back up (to ensure it benefits from the +30%).

There ends up only being very tiny windows where you have the breathing room to drop it safely, which is a pretty hefty amount of work for a questionable DPS gain.

If you expect an incoming AoE or some mechanic forcing movement though - and you don't have any ogcds to throw out while you're running - I see no harm in dropping it for those few seconds to make sure you get some shots in where you wouldn't have been able to (again a relatively rare situation).

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Originally Posted by Typhoria

You will also have TP issues in longer fights with Gauss Barrel off.

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Your skill usage over a period of time is the same regardless of if yo have GB on or not. You don't suddenly use less weaponskills in GB compared to no-GB assuming full uptime.

My rotation is kinda basic but I've only just started, I pretty much keep gauss barrel on at all times unless I need to hit something quickly (spiders in A1) or have to move a lot.

I go: summon turret > hot shot > hypercharge + gauss barrel > lead shot > reload + blood for blood > split shot > hawk's eye + raging strikes > slug shot > DEX potion + wildfire > clean shot + gauss round > slug shot + head graze + reassemble > clean shot + ricochet > rapid fire > hot shot > lead shot > quick reload > split shot > slug shot.

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Originally Posted by RiceisNice

Full uptime on gauss barrel is a DPS gain. People do have varying numbers with stance dancing, but there's so many variables with MCH DPS that you can get a variance of 10-30 dps on parsing unless the proc/crit rates are nearly identically to each other.

To me, trying to stance dance in and out of GB when you can otherwise fulltime it (given that the fight allows for it) is putting more burden on yourself for little to no gain.

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Stop this. The Math has proven that GB off at time is beneficial and it isn't really all that difficult. What is difficult is adjusting to it and you will never adjust to it if you hide behind such petty excuses for your laziness.

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Originally Posted by Lavieh

Stop this. The Math has proven that GB off at time is beneficial and it isn't really all that difficult. What is difficult is adjusting to it and you will never adjust to it if you hide behind such petty excuses for your laziness.

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Yet my numbers show relatively similar, if not lower numbers with nearly identical procs on a straight test. Math and actual practice are two entirely different aspects. It's not more difficult but it certainly allows for more slip ups, and some fights won't go your way to justify locking yourself into GB for the remaining 15 seconds after the fact.

thats what feint is for

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Originally Posted by RiceisNice

Yet my numbers show relatively similar, if not lower numbers with nearly identical procs on a straight test. Math and actual practice are two entirely different aspects. It's not more difficult but it certainly allows for more slip ups, and some fights won't go your way to justify locking yourself into GB for the remaining 15 seconds after the fact.

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Even given good RNG taking GB off when there are no buffs up, oGCD's to pop and lead shot is up there will never be a downside to taking off GB. Math is reliable, testing things out in actual practice is where you will find inconsistencies while the Math on the matter is absolute.

Just as BLM's have to learn Fights, MCH and BRD's need to learn fights and you can easily figure out the moments where you have to pull GB off to specifically handle mechanics and when you can take it off just to deal more damage. Worst case you can easily just use Feint if you have to dodge and completely miss a cast. I have yet to find a situation where I feel pressured to use Feint and I stance dance when I find the moment opportune.

Rice and Lavieh, you both have it correct actually. Generally speaking, there's not many situations (yet) that I feel it necessary to stance dance, but when I do, it's absolutely right for the situation. The movement heavy mini-phase of Ravana Ex and A3's add phase are prime examples. Yes, I can do the A3 adds with it, but for pure speed of DPS on adds, Gauss off works perfectly well for me. And in Rav Ex, when running with tethers, I can still freely DPS while in motion.

All in all, it's situational. And while most situations don't necessarily call for Gauss NOT to be on, there are a few, and it's all about adapting on the fly.

I believe by stance dancing he means to turn it off unless Gauss Round, Ricochet, buffs, or Lead Shot need to be recast. Just seems to add another complicated thing to keep track of for an already somewhat complicated job, resulting in minor gains (or even losses if not played perfectly).

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Originally Posted by Daethanil

GCD is 2s, Gauss Barrel cast time is also 2s. So 4s are used, one shot base (for example) 400 damage. GB gives +30% (30% of 400 = 120) total shot value 520.
Comparatively, 2 shots in 4s without GB. Each shot base 400 damage. 800 damage total.
How is maintaining a 100% uptime a DPS gain? Just due to the fact that our Split shot is such a minuscule percentage of our total damage (assuming random proc doesn't screw us)

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:')