BLM: A mini-guide for effective DPS

Last revision: 12th September 2013

Since it's maintenance time and I'm feeling a little bored, I decided to write this mini-guide for BLM, hope it helps anyone trying to pick up the ropes of playing a BLM.

Disclaimer: Most of the information in this thread is based on my personal opinion/theorycrafting, and may not 100% hold true. Take all number crunching with a pinch of salt, and if you feel your own playstyle is more effective, feel free to share/discuss it.

Glossary of terms:

BLM = Black Mage
UI3 = Umbral Ice (3 stacks)
AF3 = Astral Fire (3 stacks)
F1,2,3 = Fire, Fire II, Fire III
B1,2,3 = Blizzard, Blizzard II, Blizzard III
T1,2,3 = Thunder, Thunder II, Thunder III

Key point to note as a BLM: MP management is key. Casting unoptimal spells at specific times is a DPS loss. Any wasted mana regen = more time spent in UI3 = less time spent in AF3 = DPS loss.

Optimal rotation/priority list (single target):

Spells in brackets dictate what spells should be used for that particular phase, and does not mean that they should be cast in that order. i.e. [ 3. Regen phase, UI3 (T1, B1) ] means that during the regen phase, either Thunder or Blizzard can be casted for that phase, and NOT to cast Thunder followed by Blizzard then transiting to AF3.

1. Burst phase, AF3 (F1, F3 w/ Firestarter procs, T3 w/ Thundercloud procs), until < 929 MP
2. Transition (AF3 > UI3, using B3)
3. Regen phase, UI3 (T1, B1)
4. Transition (UI3 > AF3, using F3)
5. Repeat from step 1

Alternatively, another way to describe the rotation, if the above is too confusing:
Fire III (for AF3) --> Fire spam, while using Thunder III on thundercloud procs and Fire III on Firestarter procs --> Blizzard III when MP < 929, to enter UI3 --> Thunder --> repeat from beginning.

This is pretty much the same as what has been discussed and agreed on as the optimal rotation for a BLM. Basically, in AF3, you use F1 as your main filler, and utilise F3 and T3 for Firestarter/Thundercloud procs respectively.
For the regen phase, you would only need to cast 1 spell (either T1 or B1), then transit back to AF3 by using a F3 at 50% reduced cast time.
The only difference here is that for the most part, T2 has been widely accepted as the main 'filler' for that single GCD in UI3, but I personally prefer to use T1 instead. More will be explained below.

Why < 929MP in AF3? 929MP is the amount of MP required to cast a Fire > Blizzard III > Thunder, when transitioning into UI3 from AF3. An alternative is to cast Blizzard instead of Thunder as the filler for the UI3 GCD if you accidentally enter UI3 with insufficient MP, as Blizzard only costs 109(?) MP instead of Thunder's 212 MP. However, casting a Thunder is still ideal, unless your target is going to die and Thunder's DoT would not be able to tick for its full duration.

Scathe usage:
Scathe should be used when your current target is about to die, and you would not be able to finish your current cast to deal damage before it dies.
Otherwise, it is also useful for situations where movement is required.

Advanced Theorycrafting:

Not all information here is going to be easily comprehendible, so if you do not wish to delve deeper into the technicalities of number crunching etc., feel free to ignore this part and just utilise the above rotation/priority list.

Fire vs Fire III as filler during AF3

Spell potency / cast time = DPS
Fire -- 150/2.5 = 60 DPS
Fire III -- 220/3.5 = ~62.9 DPS
Fire III (Instant, Firestarter proc) -- 220/2.5 = 88 DPS (This amount scales with spell speed, which lowers your GCD time.)

As the numbers show, cast for cast, Fire III is going to be just slightly (if not negligible) more effective than Fire. However, each time you gain a Firestarter proc, you get a DPS gain as compared to hardcasting a Fire III.
An instant Fire III from a Firestarter proc is roughly ~40% more DPS than a hardcasted Fire III.
A hardcasted Fire III is only ~5% more DPS than a hardcasted Fire.
Also noteworthy, a Firestarter proc'd Fire III costs 0 MP. As mentioned before, with the lower MP cost of Fire and also free instant casts of Fire III, this allows you to stay in AF3 for longer durations, thereby effectively increasing your overall DPS.
Thus, with a 40% proc chance from Firestarter, Fire is the clear winner here as the main filler during AF3.

Thunder vs Thunder II vs Thunder III (hardcasting during UI3)

Firstly, it is understood that only Thunder III should be used for thundercloud procs. The calculations below refer to hardcasting different tiers of Thunder, without a thundercloud proc.

(DoT potency * Ticks) + Initial potency / cast time = DPS
Thunder -- (35*6) + 30 / 2.5 = 96 DPS
Thunder II -- (35*7) + 50 / 3 = 98.3 DPS
Thunder III -- (35*8) + 60 / 3.5 = 97.1 DPS

The calculations seem to also concur with the widely regarded opinion that hardcasting T2 is better than T3 during UI3, but the difference is so small, which makes it negligible.
However, the main factor to consider for the choice of Thunder is the DoT's duration. DoT clipping is a DPS loss, as reapplying a DoT does not add on to the current duration, but instead overlaps it with a new DoT, and any remaining ticks of Thunder DoT remaining before it is clipped basically equates to a DPS loss.
Thus, Thunder could be more ideal than Thunder III as it reduces the chances of clipping the DoT, moreso if you get a Thundercloud proc while the DoT is still on the target.

Holding of Thundercloud procs for UI3 > AF3 transition

More often than not, when you get a Thundercloud proc during AF3, your Thunder DoT from your previous hardcast would still be remaining on the target. As mentioned above, DoT clipping is a DPS loss.
An alternative solution is to hold the Thundercloud proc until you transition into UI3, effectively using it to replace the Thunder hardcast that you would be otherwise doing.
Although having a Thundercloud proc overwrite a previous proc without using it is also a DPS loss, but with only a 5% proc chance, the chances of this scenario happening would be pretty low.
However, it is also dependant on whether the 12 second buff would be able to last until you transition into UI3.
If you're not comfortable with doing this, then it'll probably be better for you to use Thundercloud procs as and when they proc. Or else, I believe this methodology provides at least some DPS increase as it reduces DoT clipping.

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Why < 929MP in AF3? 929MP is the amount of MP required to cast a Fire > Blizzard III > Thunder, when transitioning into UI3 from AF3.

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I do the same thing myself. Many people say go down to 500, but I don't go below 900-950 usually.

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The calculations seem to also concur with the widely regarded opinion that hardcasting T2 is better than T3 during UI3, but the difference is so small, which makes it negligible.
However, the main factor to consider for the choice of Thunder is the DoT's duration. DoT clipping is a DPS loss, as reapplying a DoT does not add on to the current duration, but instead overlaps it with a new DoT, and any remaining ticks of Thunder DoT remaining before it is clipped basically equates to a DPS loss.
Thus, Thunder could be more ideal than Thunder III as it reduces the chances of clipping the DoT, moreso if you get a Thundercloud proc while the DoT is still on the target.

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Interesting theory here. Have you done any parses on a dummy for Thunder II vs Thunder re apply?

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More often than not, when you get a Thundercloud proc during AF3, your Thunder DoT from your previous hardcast would still be remaining on the target. As mentioned above, DoT clipping is a DPS loss.
An alternative solution is to hold the Thundercloud proc until you transition into UI3, effectively using it to replace the Thunder hardcast that you would be otherwise doing.
Although having a Thundercloud proc overwrite a previous proc without using it is also a DPS loss, but with only a 5% proc chance, the chances of this scenario happening would be pretty low.
However, it is also dependant on whether the 12 second buff would be able to last until you transition into UI3.
If you're not comfortable with doing this, then it'll probably be better for you to use Thundercloud procs as and when they proc. Or else, I believe this methodology provides at least some DPS increase as it reduces DoT clipping.

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I believe while correct in the prefect scenario where no Thundercloud procs overwrite each other, would I'm on the fence to either play it safe and not hope for extra procs.

Sustained DPS vs Chance of Higher DPS

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Originally Posted by Elvine

Interesting theory here. Have you done any parses on a dummy for Thunder II vs Thunder re apply?

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Not yet, hence the results are based on the DPET calculations only.

But what I've noticed is that the 18second duration of thunder allows me to usually refresh it right after it falls off, with a maximum 2-3 seconds downtime window, unless i get really lucky with Firestarter procs, which is a win-win situation, since I get to DPS more in AF3 and that would probably outweigh the DoT downtime from refreshing Thunder a GCD or two later.

I personally put more emphasis on getting out of UI3 ASAP, since our main damage source is from F1/F3s in AF3. Over the course of a long fight, the extra half second casts of T2 vs T1 would add up a lot more to AF3 downtime.

Taking into consideration that Fire spells do 150% more damage with AF3, a Fire hardcast would effectively be 150 DPS instead of the base 60 DPS as calculated above. A Thunder II only does 98 DPS over the whole course of its duration, and will be lowered by DoT clipping. With that, I personally feel that using T1 and letting it drop off for a bit (if I get lucky with Firestarter procs), in exchange for more AF3 uptime would lead to an increase in DPS.

Nvm, I didnt read well, happens in the morning ^^

I normally use during Regen Phase Thunder II, with its casttime, you can throw F3 immediately afterwards for transition and keep the full mp (as long as the tick isnt delayed to the max)

I agree. I do not like the "3. Regen phase, UI3 (T1, B1) 4. Transition (UI3 > AF3, using F3)" as casting two B1 would take longer then a B3 with a scathe to build up mana or even a thunder inbetween build up like I do. Also the whole thunder thing just doesn't apply as most BLMs including me use swift cast to launch one off throwing the CD out the window. Also I prefer the longer DoT T3 as it almost ends as im coming off my rotation. Also have you ever incorporated the time saved between T3 and B3 getting off two B3 or two F3 or F3>F1 inbetween switches with the animations holding up your cast time? If you use this technique to cast two B3 (with half cast) building mana you do more damage in that phase if you don't use any thunder at that point lowering dps downtime by a bit as well.

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Originally Posted by Hystify

[B]
Thunder vs Thunder II vs Thunder III, hardcasting during UI3

(DoT potency * Ticks) + Initial potency / cast time = DPS
Thunder -- (35*6) + 30 / 2.5 = 96 DPS
Thunder II -- (35*7) + 50 / 3 = 98.3 DPS
Thunder III -- (35*8) + 60 / 3.5 = 97.1 DPS

The calculations seem to also concur with the widely regarded opinion that hardcasting T2 is better than T3 during UI3, but the difference is so small, which makes it negligible.
However, the main factor to consider for the choice of Thunder is the DoT's duration. DoT clipping is a DPS loss, as reapplying a DoT does not add on to the current duration, but instead overlaps it with a new DoT, and any remaining ticks of Thunder DoT remaining before it is clipped basically equates to a DPS loss.
Thus, Thunder could be more ideal than Thunder III as it reduces the chances of clipping the DoT, moreso if you get a Thundercloud proc while the DoT is still on the target.

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You are not mentioning the Thundercloud Proc potency, which would be the main reason using Thunder III. With Thunder I you will loose 100 potency. That could need some testing/math.

Thunder III
Additional Effect: 5% chance after each tick that potency of next Thunder, Thunder II, or Thunder III will be 340, have no cast time, and cost no MP

Thunder II
Additional Effect: 5% chance after each tick that potency of next Thunder, Thunder II, or Thunder III will be 295, have no cast time, and cost no MP

Thunder I
Additional Effect: 5% chance after each tick that potency of next Thunder, Thunder II, or Thunder III will be 240, have no cast time, and cost no MP

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Originally Posted by Hystify

[B]
Holding of Thundercloud procs for UI3 > AF3 transition

More often than not, when you get a Thundercloud proc during AF3, your Thunder DoT from your previous hardcast would still be remaining on the target. As mentioned above, DoT clipping is a DPS loss.
An alternative solution is to hold the Thundercloud proc until you transition into UI3, effectively using it to replace the Thunder hardcast that you would be otherwise doing.
Although having a Thundercloud proc overwrite a previous proc without using it is also a DPS loss, but with only a 5% proc chance, the chances of this scenario happening would be pretty low.
However, it is also dependant on whether the 12 second buff would be able to last until you transition into UI3.
If you're not comfortable with doing this, then it'll probably be better for you to use Thundercloud procs as and when they proc. Or else, I believe this methodology provides at least some DPS increase as it reduces DoT clipping.

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Something you should also think about, DoTs/HoTs are not working the same way as in every other MMO.

You could even get a little DPS BOOST with DoT Clipping, but that's more luck based.

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQGGTKgL8-g

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Originally Posted by -Snow

You are not mentioning the Thundercloud Proc potency, which would be the main reason using Thunder III. With Thunder I you will loose 100 potency. That could need some testing/math.

Something you should also think about, DoTs/HoTs are not working the same way as in every other MMO.

You could even get a little DPS BOOST with DoT Clipping, but that's more luck based.

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQGGTKgL8-g

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Yeah, saw the video, it seems like DoT clipping is really iffy at the moment, it could be a gain in some cases and a loss in other cases.

My suggestion for using Thunder only applies when you hardcast it, it should be understood that T3 should be used for thundercloud procs. Guess i'll edit the post a bit..

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Originally Posted by Maddonious

I agree. I do not like the "3. Regen phase, UI3 (T1, B1) 4. Transition (UI3 > AF3, using F3)" as casting two B1 would take longer then a B3 with a scathe to build up mana or even a thunder inbetween build up like I do. Also the whole thunder thing just doesn't apply as most BLMs including me use swift cast to launch one off throwing the CD out the window. Also I prefer the longer DoT T3 as it almost ends as im coming off my rotation. Also have you ever incorporated the time saved between T3 and B3 getting off two B3 or two F3 or F3>F1 inbetween switches with the animations holding up your cast time? If you use this technique to cast two B3 (with half cast) building mana you do more damage in that phase if you don't use any thunder at that point lowering dps downtime by a bit as well.

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I'm sorry, I guess my way of describing the rotation was too vague. What you're doing is what I'm trying to describe, which is using a B3 to go into Umbral from Astral. From there you would cast a Thunder (or Thunder II) or even a Scathe like you mentioned, if movement was necessary.

It would be better to use swiftcast for an instant F3 in Astral, I reckon.
Instant Fire3 DPS in Astral = 88 * 2.5 = 220 DPS.
Instant Thunder3 DPS = (35*8) + 60 / 2.5 = 136 DPS.

To quote myself in a previous post, "I personally put more emphasis on getting out of UI3 ASAP, since our main damage source is from F1/F3s in AF3. Over the course of a long fight, the extra half second casts of T2 vs T1 would add up a lot more to AF3 downtime.", which is another reason why I prefer hardcasting Thunder over Thunder2/3 during the regen phase.

Basically by casting Thunder over Thunder2, you're shaving off 0.5s out of every UI3, and it also allows for enough time for your MP to regenerate to full. Unless you're using swiftcast to fire off Thunder3s in regen phase. That said, using it for instant Fire3s in Astral would be better.
Over the course of a long boss fight, adding up the invidual 0.5s off UI3 amounts to more AF3 uptime.

Also yes, I am aware that you're able to cast two Fire IIIs with 50% reduced cast time when you transit from UI3 to AF3. The problem is it doesn't always 100% seem to work (at least for me). Sometimes it does and sometimes it speeds up for 1/5th of the castbar and then slows back down. But if you latency allows you to do it 100%, then yes, it is a DPS increase.

As for two Blizzard IIIs at 50% reduced cast time from AF3 to UI3, pretty sure it is a DPS loss as compared to casting any tier of Thunder.
Instant B3 at 2.5s GCD = 88 DPS.
Thunder = 96 DPS.
Only reason you would attempt to cast 2 Blizzard IIIs would be if the target were to die in the next GCD or if you have just refreshed your Thunder DoT with a thundercloud proc during AF3.

-edited for double post-

Need an opinion from anyone. Firestarter proc. Do you use it everytime it's up? Not saying to cancel your current fire 1 cast to do it(Thanks SE for having the proc on hit instead of on cast) but instead of the next cast being fire 1 would you cast fire 3 instead? I was recently called a noob and that I'm losing dps because when I get my proc instead of using fire 1 on the next cast I'll cast fire 3. I was told that's "wasting dps because I'm standing there" afterwards.

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Originally Posted by Hystify

My suggestion for using Thunder only applies when you hardcast it, it should be understood that T3 should be used for thundercloud procs. Guess i'll edit the post a bit..

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It is my understanding, and what Snow was pointing out, that the level of the Thunder that procs the Thundercloud directly effects said Thunderclouds potency. That and Thunder III's longer duration (thus more opportunity to proc cloud) are seemingly the arguments for Thunder III rather than II.

An instant cast Fire 3 has a 2.5 sec recast, so you're simply replacing a fire 1 cast with a fire 3, from the perspective of averaged DPS. The only difference is the fire 3 is cast at the beginning, rather than the end of the 2.5s cycle. You still do two spells in 5s.

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Originally Posted by Hystify

My suggestion for using Thunder only applies when you hardcast it, it should be understood that T3 should be used for thundercloud procs. Guess i'll edit the post a bit..

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I don't think you understand the tool tip. Assuming it's not wrong for some reason: A proc generated by a thunder 1 cast will have 240 potency, regardless if you cast t1,2or3 for the proc.

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Originally Posted by Prismo

It is my understanding, and what Snow was pointing out, that the level of the Thunder that procs the Thundercloud directly effects said Thunderclouds potency. That and Thunder III's longer duration (thus more opportunity to proc cloud) are seemingly the arguments for Thunder III rather than II.

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Having spent some time on a Lvl 50 training dummy, I noticed no difference between a thunder 3 thundercloud proc'd from a thunder 1 and one from a thunder 3

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Originally Posted by Prismo

It is my understanding, and what Snow was pointing out, that the level of the Thunder that procs the Thundercloud directly effects said Thunderclouds potency. That and Thunder III's longer duration (thus more opportunity to proc cloud) are seemingly the arguments for Thunder III rather than II.

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Maybe I should clarify this. The different tiers of thunder do not affect the thundercloud proc in any way. The only difference is, as you've said, Thunder II has 1 more tick, and Thunder III has 2 more ticks.

That aside, the way thundercloud procs works is, when you get a thundercloud proc, you can either consume the proc for an instant Thunder, Thunder II or Thunder III.
If you use a Thunder to consume the proc, your Thunder instantly does 240 potency of damage + applies a 18 second DoT on the target.
If you use a Thunder II to consume the proc, your Thunder II instantly does 295 potency of damage + applies a 21 second DoT on the target.
If you use a Thunder III to consume the proc, your Thunder III instantly does 340 potency of damage + applies a 24 second DoT on the target.

That's why thundercloud procs should only be used for Thunder IIIs.

The argument here is not really about what tier of Thunder to use for thundercloud procs, but rather which tier of thunder to hardcast during the regen phase.

For me, my theory is that Thunder has a shorter cast time and reduces the chances of clipping the DoT. The shorter cast time, which over the course of a fight, lowers the time you spend in regen phase and increases your uptime in the burst phase (which is the primary source of a BLM's total damage). Also, if you're thinking that by using Thunder, the DoT might drop off before you return back into UI3 to refresh it, its actually not an issue. If you're spending so much more time in AF3 (probably due to lucky streak of Firestarter procs), then it actually outweighs the downtime of Thunder, as a Fire in AF3 already does more damage than a whole cast of Thunder or even Thunder III that ticked for its full duration. This is due to fire spells doing extra 150% damage from 3 stacks of AF. (mentioned this in an earlier post)

However, some other people prefer to use Thunder II or III, for a myriad of reasons. There's nothing wrong with that, and you still will be able to do decent DPS, as long as the main idea of utilising procs and using F3/B3 to switch between AF3 and UI3 is there. I've seen some other lvl 50 BLMs still using Transpose to switch between states (true story), and that's when you'll be able to see a big difference in DPS as compared to other BLMs playing the optimal way.

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Originally Posted by Rbstr

I don't think you understand the tool tip. Assuming it's not wrong for some reason: A proc generated by a thunder 1 cast will have 240 potency, regardless if you cast t1,2or3 for the proc.

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I think you need to understand the fact that tooltips can be inaccurate, but log parsers and numbers from in-game event logs do not lie.

Before raising an argument from tooltips derived from a website, have you done any testing in-game or read the tooltips?

I just explained how thundercloud works in the above post. For reference's sake, I'll copy my post from the other BLM thread.

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The tooltips for the individual Thunder spells are inaccurate. Or rather, you would want to focus on the tooltip for thundercloud:

Grants a 5% chance that after each damage over time tick inflicted by any Thunder spell, the next Thunder, Thunder II, or Thunder III will add its full damage over time amount to its initial damage, have no cast time, and cost no MP.

If you test it in-game, you would find that it actually holds true.

When you get a thundercloud proc, if you mouseover the tooltips, you would see that the first line of the tooltip changes to Deals lightning damage with a potency of 240/295/340, respectively for T1, T2 and T3.

Further testing on dummies also shows that a Thunder III thundercloud proc does more damage than a Thunder thundercloud proc. In my case, Thunder III does around ~750 dmg, whereas Thunder only does ~500 dmg.

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If you're still doubtful, feel free to test it out in game yourself.

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Originally Posted by Neoshine

Need an opinion from anyone. Firestarter proc. Do you use it everytime it's up? Not saying to cancel your current fire 1 cast to do it(Thanks SE for having the proc on hit instead of on cast) but instead of the next cast being fire 1 would you cast fire 3 instead? I was recently called a noob and that I'm losing dps because when I get my proc instead of using fire 1 on the next cast I'll cast fire 3. I was told that's "wasting dps because I'm standing there" afterwards.

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I believe using it right away for the extra burst would even out that split second that your're "standing around."

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Originally Posted by Rbstr

I don't think you understand the tool tip. Assuming it's not wrong for some reason: A proc generated by a thunder 1 cast will have 240 potency, regardless if you cast t1,2or3 for the proc.

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Please go to a dummy and parse to see that you are incorrect about this.

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Originally Posted by Hystify

/snip

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Well I stand corrected on thunder not effecting cloud procs. Knowing that now I can't see any reason to go for 3 over 2.

As a newbie BLM reading this post, I'm curious, what's the optimal rotation to start a fight?

Very interesting about tool tips being wrong. Will be even more interesting if SE either fixes the tool tip to match what happens in game or vice versa. I would bet the latter, since they most likely didn't design it to use a lower rank hard cast and then the higher rank for procs.

I hate to de-rail a thread, but can anyone help me with this? (forum limit prevents me from making another thread in a different sub forum)

I currently have a macro to mark "ignore1" and set target to focus, along with a macro to sleep focus target.

I know it can be done, but I am unsure how to change that second macro to check first to see if I have a focus target set (and if so, cast sleep on that target) and if no focus target is set, to cast sleep on current target.

Any help?

tldr: How do you make a macro to:
sleep focus target
if no focus target, sleep current target.

Any ability you cast will automatically always work on your currently selected target if you do not use it on another target first. I have one for a mouse-over target, and if I'm not mousing over an enemy it automatically casts on my current target; yours will be very similar, but you will need to replace the "/target <mo>" with the appropriate command for a focus target:

/target <mo>
/ac "Sleep" <t>
/mk bind1

Another post I've seen suggests that <f> indicates a focus target, which would make sense, so your version of my macro above would look like:

/target <f>
/ac "Sleep" <t>
/mk bind1

I cannot test it to confirm, as I am away from home at the moment, so reply here if it works as expected.