Black Mage Sanctuary - A Guide to DPS

[Sleigh]

I don't know about pointless. Should still be getting first place unless there is a Monk in the party to be honest. I too am a victim of no Bard but I am still almost always first place unless its A4. DRG/NIN's ST are still less when compared to a BLM w/o Foes.

First place or not doesn't really matter IMO, much like how MNK beating DRG/NIN doesn't matter. All about dat rDPS contribution.

I'm a firm believer that in a NIN DRG and (in this case) MCH comp, BLM from a min/max standpoint is "pointless" in the sense that, with equal gear/skill/experience/strat/etc, most non-SMN DPS would fulfill that final spot better than BLM would in this current environment (especially A4S as you mentioned). Especially another MCH or BRD; MCH and MCH/BRD actually stack disgustingly well, the stronger player doesn't have to use TP/MP and in the case of MCH MCH, that's a lot of Hypercharge uptime which benefits everyone including each MCH.

I fear what 3.2 MCH may be. I fear range stacking could truly be up there with BLM + BRD, if not in multiple ways better. If it's really stronger than it is currently, by 5% or so rDPS? Scary. While I don't think that'd necessarily put the BRD + BLM comp out in any way, I sure think MCH + caster would be pointless compared to MCH + BRD or MCH + MCH. Need more T4/T11 vulnerabilities, more T10 LB opportunities, some stuff where it goes beyond raw dummy rDPS on bringing a caster or not.

"Pointless" was definitely hyperbole on my part though. BLM is still great without a BRD, especially if you actually make use of Apoc/E4E/Virus (rare these days to have something to Virus ...), and I reckon the BRD caster comp isn't going anywhere anytime soon. It's just if you rock without a BRD when things get min/max weird IMO.

Caster-only mechanics will (unfortunately?) never happen as there will be an issue with DF groups, meaning if they got no Caster = instant disband (after 15min of pointless struggle).

As for the B4/T1 > F3 mana tick issue, it might be worth checking how much Piety you need to still cast continously even without the tick.

Personally I don't think raids should ever be balanced around DF comps. They are designed for pre-made parties to come in with semi-specific comps, communicate on voice chat, and wipe 100s of times to get down. If it goes into DF, it gets echo and is usually overgeared by welfare gear or iLVL raise at that point, anyway. We ran T11 without a caster after it got unlocked many a time without a problem, though it was never optimal.

As long as a caster isn't literally required to clear at all, I think balancing towards having a caster is wonderful. Melee X2 and BRD/MCH are locked in for obvious reasons.

[Hontaro]

Just as a side note, comment to the Firestarter opener.
If you get a Firestarter proc, would this rotation be stronger?
(Starting oGCDs at the same place) F1 > F3 > F4 > F4 > F1 (get proc) > F4 > F3p > Swift > F4 > Convert > F4 > F4 > B3.

Difference to the one in Aikaal's post is that you use Swift for F4 and push F3p one GCD forward. With Ley Lines up, F4x3 is fast enough so you definitely won't drop AF3 to cast B3, so there's no mana loss there.
This only works with the proc since you won't be able to cast F4x4 without dropping AF3.

[Sleigh]

Yes that is better than doing a Flare unless there is a TA/pot reason to Swiftcast a GCD later than that, and a heck of a lot better than double weaving.

[FunkyBunch]

Just as a side note, comment to the Firestarter opener.
If you get a Firestarter proc, would this rotation be stronger?
(Starting oGCDs at the same place) F1 > F3 > F4 > F4 > F1 (get proc) > F4 > F3p > Swift > F4 > Convert > F4 > F4 > B3.

Difference to the one in Aikaal's post is that you use Swift for F4 and push F3p one GCD forward. With Ley Lines up, F4x3 is fast enough so you definitely won't drop AF3 to cast B3, so there's no mana loss there.
This only works with the proc since you won't be able to cast F4x4 without dropping AF3.

I feel like you wouldn't have enough MP to cast B4 as you're casting your beginning F3 at increased MP cost (as you usually end up with just enough to cast it or Thunder) and adding a full spell might make the Enochian timer too tight even with the supposed "buff" that hasn't been confirmed in writing.

[Waliel]

Greetings,

We understand that machinists feel the timing that certain actions flash when triggered by another doesn't feel as fluid when compared to other jobs. In Patch 3.2, we're planning to address this by adjusting the timing of the icon flash for certain actions.

Could this be related to BLM things in the live letter applying on cast finish rather than spell landing? From MCH thread.

[Sleigh]

I feel like you wouldn't have enough MP to cast B4 as you're casting your beginning F3 at increased MP cost (as you usually end up with just enough to cast it or Thunder) and adding a full spell might make the Enochian timer too tight even with the supposed "buff" that hasn't been confirmed in writing.

This rotation has nothing to do with 3.2, it's presently applicable to the current Sharpcast F1 opener.

[Psycofang]

Im having trouble wrapping my head around the discussion.

Are we saying that its better (no sharp cast available) to f3-f4x4? Instead of f3-f4x2 f1 f4x2-b3?

I can see it being faster but what im not seeing is the supposed mp ticks unless thats in UI only?

And regarding the 6 opener

Mine is basically

Sharp-ley-f3-enoch-f1-rage-f4x3-f3p-convert-f4x3-b3-t1-b4.

I was told by a blm in thordan with a Gordian staff that he can do 6 fire f4 opener without swift cast, I can too unless hes talking about something else or a different opener or main combo?

Anyone shed light on these issues?

[Sleigh]

Im having trouble wrapping my head around the discussion.

Are we saying that its better (no sharp cast available) to f3-f4x4? Instead of f3-f4x2 f1 f4x2-b3?

I can see it being faster but what im not seeing is the supposed mp ticks unless thats in UI only?

And regarding the 6 opener

Mine is basically

Sharp-ley-f3-enoch-f1-rage-f4x3-f3p-convert-f4x3-b3-t1-b4.

I was told by a blm in thordan with a Gordian staff that he can do 6 fire f4 opener without swift cast, I can too unless hes talking about something else or a different opener or main combo?

Anyone shed light on these issues?

The F3 > F4 F4 F4 F4 is just an educated speculation on what might come of the 12s AF buff.

Swiftcast is used in the opener you quoted for both a slight speed boost on one of the F4s, and for mobility purposes (F1 F4 F4 F4 F3P F4 F4 F4 is a completely mobile window, perfect for some openers). Saving Swiftcast is fine if you have a reason to, you don't really lose much, but most current fights you use the F3 opener you want that part mobile anyway.

[Waliel]

(F1 F4 F4 F4 F3P F4 F4 F4 is a completely mobile window, perfect for some openers)

The bolded part lines up perfectly for things like the meteors in Thordan and the first Protean in A3S, making you lose no DPS time at all in your opener.

[daman4567]

From the guide I'm a bit unclear on exactly what to use sharpcast on. Is it always a gain to use it on thunder 1 instead of fire 1?