SE, can you please make a definitive statement on your stance on parsers?

[Alphras]

So...you're upset that players are making artificial barriers using parsers/parse data because that's how you prove you're "hardcore" enough?

And people wonder why I laugh when they say the pros outweigh the cons of parsing. You can tell a good player versus a bad one without a number to spit out. That's what eyes and a brain are for.

The problem is, that you are required to optimize your DPS in endgame content and most people think they need parsers for that. But you can do that without actually parsing (math ftw).

[Souljacker]

The problem is, that you are required to optimize your DPS in endgame content and most people think they need parsers for that. But you can do that without actually parsing (math ftw).

I'd like to see you doing this math all in your head, all by your lonesome. You may *think* you are optimized, but you don't really know for sure until the data is aggregated and you can see a meaningful breakdown. I don't believe for one second that you are doing these calculations in your head on the fly.

[Tupsi]

I'd like to see you doing this math all in your head, all by your lonesome. You may *think* you are optimized, but you don't really know for sure until the data is aggregated and you can see a meaningful breakdown. I don't believe for one second that you are doing these calculations in your head on the fly.

To be fair, it's actually easier when the battle system is as simple as this since it's more about your 1234 keys and knowing the monster script. You don't need to do tons of math when you only have basic stats - If this was XI for example, you'd have to take into consideration how much % 'Enhances x' does which you definitely wouldn't be able to do all in your head because you'd also have to take into consideration that unlike ARR, a lot of XI's abilities have main and secondary mods, such mods that may also take precedence over the main stat vs enemy stat.

So parsers make it easier, yeah, but this is such a simplistic game that you can actually see how to optimize your DPS without parsing data because you can see what you're doing wrong or right. If you're a DRG and not using Double Thrust or Heavy Thrust, you should already realize you'll do far less DPS in the long run than if you did.

[Souljacker]

To be fair, it's actually easier when the battle system is as simple as this since it's more about your 1234 keys and knowing the monster script.

You actually use a pretty terrible example there with citing Dragoon, which has arguably one of the most complicated and intricate rotations in the game. Without a parser, that average drg DOESN'T know that putting this combo before that one actually results in a higher dps. With a job like say, BLM maybe it's easier. I know that if I'm missing too many firestarter procs my dps is suffering and that's because it's a pretty simple "rotation". Not so with a class like Dragoon. I see your point, but that was probably the worst example you could have used. DRG is an advanced DPS class and you better believe that rotation has to be nailed in a very specific way to play it to the fullest potential. That's where parsers help.

[Alphras]

I'd like to see you doing this math all in your head, all by your lonesome. You may *think* you are optimized, but you don't really know for sure until the data is aggregated and you can see a meaningful breakdown. I don't believe for one second that you are doing these calculations in your head on the fly.

Why would you need to make them on the fly?

To clarify: You decide on your optimal rotation and use of skills beforehand and you can do that very much so without parsers (even for MNK and DRG). So there goes the "I need to optimize my performance" argument. The only use of parsers is to oberserve your groups performance and i can understand why people are against it. They can create a very toxic environment for random groups.

And I understand why it helps to see your groups performance in endgame content too btw.