Seeking BLM advice

[StouterTaru]

Blizzard III at 1k+ MP isn't always a bad thing; I've done it several times in fights when I know that I need to be at full MP in 5 seconds for adds, etc.

But thunder is the best spell in the rotation, no reason not to use it.

[Lemuel81]

Either way I find it isn't a waste, mainly because the RS wears on the fire after the convert flare and before the blizzard 3, I'd rather the RS affect the first Fire rather than the blizzard at the end.

pretty much this

[scarebearz]

snip

Sounds like he's playing sub-par and while this may not be a problem for t9 (low dps check) in FCoB he will probably drag your team down. The DPS checks in those are a lot tighter.

[Synestr]

There really is no reason to not use Thunder X, to start the rotation, to fill in gaps while in UI. Not to mention the procs he will get off it. I usually lead in with TII, then go to fire rotation, if I get a Thundercloud, I will toss a fire I before using it with TIII to see if I can get a Firestarter lol, then toss the thunder. I have seen some of my TIII do 2400+ dmg. In UI my thunder is macro'd in priority, TII then TI, that way if my mana isn't up to casting right away a TII, it's ok, TI is coming and I am still getting DPS and DoT's up.

Granted it is his job and he has the right to play as he pleases, but if it is holding the group back, really there are only a few options. Either he needs to change, or be changed out.

[Puwarh]

Meh, I used to main SMN and when I played BLM I feel uncomfortable having so little DoT
Speak of Thunder, since BLM have quite infinite MP, is there a reason to cast Thunder instead of Thunder II or III?

[ItaruKarin]

Meh, I used to main SMN and when I played BLM I feel uncomfortable having so little DoT
Speak of Thunder, since BLM have quite infinite MP, is there a reason to cast Thunder instead of Thunder II or III?

The cast time is way shorter. In fact, if you're unlucky enough for your firestarter not to proc at all during your fire rotation, Thunder 2 and 3 will be DPS losses since you'll be back in ice rotation before the dot had time to run its full duration.

I believe Thunder II is optimal as long as you've got enough Piety to cast it after your 5 Fire without EVER waiting for a MP tick. Otherwise, Thunder is best. Thunder III should not be used outside of Thundercloud procs in order to maximise efficiency.

[randysquirrel]

google puro strider blm, he has some very good basics for blm, and frankly including thunder is a basic. I like a thunder III to land just as tank pulls, then then standard rotation using thunder II (obv procs will use III), a scathe or blizz I while waiting for the mana tick (depending if I need to move etc).

it's up to him if he wants to stick to his widely regarded inferior rotation, tho I'd suggest replacing in your static. more because someone who is entirely resistant to any change or open to suggested improvements will only hold you back in the long run. I've blm'ed for a long time and actually love it when I or someone else comes up with something that I'd not thought of in rotation, that might even push my dps up by even a tiny amount - like a challenge against myself - imo ""saying his DPS is good enough already" is a very lackluster attitude. who wants to be "good enough"? I want to be putting out the highest numbers I can, and everyone being like WHAA?!

[Synestr]

Pretty much this. Thunder II is the optimal cast, I believe due to similarity in potency, cast time being better and DoT duration / potency similarities. Also the reduced cost to cast weighed with the reasons above. Only reason I cast TI is in situations where I am in UI and didn't get the tic right away for TII. Other than that it's TII and TIII on cloud prcos.

[Psywyn]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate all your replies and they all make sense from my point of view.

Thanks again

[PetiteMalFleur]

Sounds like you anyway have a good grasp of what he should be doing. As others stated, if he won't take constructive criticism, or show you hard numbers as to why his way is better, there's nothing you can do. Ultimately he will drag your team down and you will not be able to meet the much tighter dps checks in later content. Not to mention the inability to take constructive criticism when handling complex mechanics. Having said this, I think you already know what you need to do if your want to see consistent progression through content.