The Black Mage Rotations

[Mecan]

There's exactly 1 GCD, hence the reason it's called the GCD.

So you're trying to maximize the time you're casting damaging ST spells under RS, yet you're opening without B3? Should fix that. You're starting at a mana deficit and probably costing yourself at least 1 Fire cast.

Typically I'm under the effect of Umbral Ice III when opening my DPS Rotation so I always begin with maximum mana. The Swiftcast Thunder 3 is to add 3 seconds to the Thunder Tick (1 whole tick) because my DPS Rotations are long and drawn out and I don't always have the luck of proccing an Instant Thunder III. Sad to say I prioritize Raging Strikes while under DPS Rotation instead of the Thunder Tick -- normally it would be the other way around. You're nitpicking extensively without knowing where I actually place my main DPS Rotation during a battle and for no good reason for that matter.

Edit: If you didn't catch what I mean, by the time I cast my 1st Fire, the Mana Bar is full. So the Full force of a DPS Rotation is primed and ready for several aggressive casts.