Black Mage Sanctuary - A Guide to DPS

[Garotte14]

Regarding Ice phase, it can allow you get into Fire phase quicker. In 2.x, we have T1+B1, using the B1 as filler if we needed a GCD due to a slow mana tick. Quite often, we wouldn't need the filler spell, with Thunder 1 sufficing.

If we get a slow mana tick now, we use B4+T1/B1 (or T1/B1+B4) as a filler if needed. B4 is a longer cast than T1. So immediately there are scenarios where you gain in ice phase.

On top of that, depending on Enochian timers, remaining thunder dot and thundercloud procs, B4+T1 (or T1+B4) would be improved with spellspeed and maybe even preferred to compared to just B4 when getting a quick mana tick. (depending on what part of the rotation you are in).

I feel that as we progress in 3.0 with gear, eventually we'll get to a point where T1/B1 + B4 will be required. I'm actually even wondering if by the end of 3.0 with the spell speed we'll have, if T1 + B1 + B4 we'll be a necessity. Or switching to thunder 2

[HaroldSaxon]

I feel that as we progress in 3.0 with gear, eventually we'll get to a point where T1/B1 + B4 will be required. I'm actually even wondering if by the end of 3.0 with the spell speed we'll have, if T1 + B1 + B4 we'll be a necessity. Or switching to thunder 2

I very much doubt it. You would need to save a GCD's worth in 2 casts in ice phase AND get a slow mana tick to do T1+B1+B4.

Thunder 1 over Thunder 2? Gut feeling (with nothing to back it up) is I don't think the extra 1 dot tick will be worth delaying Fire phase by the extra time (especially with enochian), and if you get a thunder proc, chances are you will overwrite the DoT.

Would be interesting to see some math done on Thunder 2 vs Thunder 1, and the math to see if using T1 is worth it if you get a fast mana tick.