Best WHM DPS Spells for Party Combat

[FJerome]

Assuming you're a White Mage that's a) comfortable with and enjoys damage-dealing and b) in a competent party - what's your optimal set-up for DPS? If it's a healing-heavy fight, which do you prioritise for those few seconds you've got between tossing-out heals?

Does Stone I's Heavy affect outweigh Stone II's greater damage for you?

In your opinion, does Aero I's instant cast make it more useful than Aero II's greater damage but longer cast-time?

[Eclair_Xysha]

If you're in a heavy healing fight, I do not suggest to cast any deeps at all! D:

But if you must, use instant spells like Aero I & Virus.

Just know that it's risky. If you got the balls, go for it.

Other than that... casual speed... I like to nuke a f*** load with holy if bard just so happens to give me MP regen with out me asking.
Shiny....

[Shmunkster]

I use AeroII & StoneII....because if I am going to DPS, I want to do it full-on! CS and all!
That said, I am a WHM who is not a DPSer by default. I only DPS when all is good in the party and/or if I am getting a little bored in a low heal section.
In Bosses, if we are coping, then 99% of the time AeroII will be done, and kept up. Only Stone if we're looking good....in mobs, I like to CS and then StoneII timed perfectly so my hit is the last (or thereabouts). I like the final slap!

Holy, only if asked...sometimes I ask permission, sometimes Tank/DPS ask me. Only cos once I Holy myself and it totally ballsed up the stategy/plan of the Tank. He was cool, but was like: Maaaan, crazy, but cool. Warn me next time

In lower levels I DPS more,unless it is real low...last night I did Satasha with my friends (levelling their other character) and I stuck to WHM to help them with queue time (they both DPS) and forgot to update my hotbar....I could only cast 3 things!! Cure. Protect and Esuna - hahaha!

[Taika]

Aero --> Thunder --> Aero II (for DoTs), then Stone II if single target. Holys if multiple targets.

[Lionsden]

Short burst - Stone II
AoE - Holy
Long Fight (Boss) - Aero II, Aero, Stone II spam until DoTs need to be refreshed.

[YuriRamona]

Thunder (2.5 sec cast): 30 initial potency + 210 damage over time = 240
Aero II (2.5 sec cast): 50 initial potency + 160 damage over time = 210
Aero (instant): 50 initial potency + 150 damage over time = 200
Holy(3 sec cast): 240 / (corrective factor 3/2.5) = 200
Stone II (2.5 sec cast): 170
Stone (2.5 sec cast): 140

Damage over time spells will yield better DPS. However, if the target dies before its full duration completes, then it is often less effective than Stone II spam.

Unless Stone I's Heavy effect has a hidden effect, it is not better than Stone II (besides behind slightly more MP efficient).

Holy is the best non-damage-over-time spell for DPS, but is incredibly MP inefficient and must be centered on yourself. However, its stun effect can be very useful.

TL;DR: Please maths when others ask for advice instead of speculate or post your anecdotal rotation. Many of the above posts were highly uninformative.

If you're in a heavy healing fight, I do not suggest to cast any deeps at all! D:

But if you must, use instant spells like Aero I & Virus.

Just know that it's risky. If you got the balls, go for it.

Other than that... casual speed... I like to nuke a f*** load with holy if bard just so happens to give me MP regen with out me asking.
Shiny....

No. Please stop. First of all, in heavy healing situations, every little ounce of DPS reduces the risk that the fight will be extended beyond the healers' MP pool, or can be used tactically to advance the enemy to the next phase. Simply because it is healing intensive does not mean that healer DPS is not an option.

Second of all, every DPS discussion ever in this forum does not ever imply that healers should prioritize DPS, forego healing, or put the party at unnecessary risk. A healer's job will always revolve around their primary tool: healing. Everything else is secondary.

[Estellios]

Yuri's information is all that you need. I think it is best to see actions in terms of "GCD spent" and the DoTs are worth more per-GCD if they will be able to last their entire duration.

Essentially, most of the time you will want to use them on enemies that are near-full HP or on bosses. Otherwise, stick to Stone II or Holy depending on the situation. A swiftcast Holy can be used to buy some time so you can fix up the tank or just to relieve pressure for a moment to allow a tick of Regen.

[Eclair_Xysha]

Oh I'm sorry that I some how offended you... but I didn't say the op must prioritize dps or heals. That's entirely up to the person. I did say however that I wouldn't "suggest" dot in heavy healing, but if you "want" use instant dot because my way of thinking, if the tank dies even if he pulled too much, it's still your fault. When op mentioned heavy healing, I think of titan hm, ak speed etc. So you in the party pick and judge. Make your own style because everyone has their way of playing/doing things. Just don't die.

Part of knowing when to do things at the right time is by actually testing it. Hand pick out things etc.

[Rbstr]

From a practical standpoint in most dungeons there's not much real difference between an instant cast and a 2.5 second cast if you need to switch back to healing. The instant will still need the 2.5s cooldown and so the next spell happens at the same time with either.

[Brises]

It depends on the type of run. If it's a sr where the tank pulls through several groups of mobs, execution is important because damage will be fast and heavy. The tank and healer should have stoneskin before the pull. When you reach the pull point, Holy, then swiftcast/holy. Remember that every mob will now agro the healer, and even two holys will probably not kill them all. Have your finger on benediction if necessary (benediction will heal 100% even in cleric stance). Chances are you won't need it as the tank should gain agro quickly and the DPS should finish off whatever is left in a few seconds. If pulling one groups at a time, I just target the numbered mobs and throw some Stone II between heals.