How to I optimize my opener and rotation as Samurai?

[Stormfur]

So for the most part, something like this:

http://i.imgur.com/1atVAsO.png

would be worth following?

[Lastelli]

So for the most part, something like this:

http://i.imgur.com/1atVAsO.png

would be worth following?

Well, that's exactly what I've been doing since I hit level 70 and I can guarantee it works very well. I suggest you keep hitting the dummy after that final gekko so you understand how to manage the inevitable Meikyo+Hagakure scenario.

[Chronons]

http://i.imgur.com/1atVAsO.png

Yes, that is a perfect representation of what to do. And that opener is the "one sen" opener people are generally referring to.

[Thunda_Cat_SMASH]

So for the most part, something like this:

http://i.imgur.com/1atVAsO.png

would be worth following?

I usually double weave the Kaiten and Meikyo but yes, you have the right idea. Remember to take advantage of Seigan whenever you can since its a 20 potency gain over Shinten per Kenki spent.

FYI: Meikyo's 3 charges aren't affected by Iaijutsu.

[Genjii]

Hey Guys,

I just started doing Susano Extreme with friends and I noticed my dps was what I felt like, a little low despite my ilvl only being 305; however, after reading about how I should basically be doing 3 sen hagakure on CD and practicing my rotation on a dummy for a good 30 minutes or so, I saw a dramatic increase in my DPS. My Susano opener is now spiking to 4.7k before 2nd phase! Now my only question is once I'm done with the initial 1:30 rotation, and I come to "inevitable Meikyo+Hagakure scenario", what do I do? What I've been doing is basically falling back to the initial opener. Am I correct in doing this?

[Chronons]

snip

In a perfect scenario against the susy ex dummy I have 3 sen as the Hagakure comes up. So I will typically Hagakure these sen and move into the Meikyo for a Midare. In actual fights its not always so ideal. Generally speaking I will prioritize the Hagakure by using the Meikyo to fill up any missing sen and if I have uses of Meikyo after a 3 sen Hagakure I will use them on whatever sen has the longest time left on its buff.

[Genjii]

Interesting... So even if you have 1 or 2 sen, you will use Meikyo to fill up to 3 and use Hagakure anyways? Don't you feel like that's a waste of Meikyo? The CD on it is double that of Hagakure so I've been treating it like I HAVE to use it for a good Midare lineup.

EDIT: Also, when do you guys use your strength potions?? When is it most optimal?

[Chronons]

snip

Yes, because Shinten is a more efficient use of the Kenki than a Keitan Midare. I dont have a link to the math for that on hand, but it has been accepted by most serious theory crafters that I am aware of. Also as Adriosh pointed out if you already have 1 or 2 sen when Meikyo becomes available you can use it to get the ones you need, Hagakure, then use the rest of your Meikyo uses to fill sen slots back up.

Most str pot rotations I have seen prioritize it before the Gekko or after the 4th GCD.

[Leonus]

Hey Guys,

I just...

After you Hagakure, you'll typically do 4 shintens since you're washing them in between you GCDs to dump it (unless gluten is off cool down).

4 shintens are a total of 1200 potency while kaiten Midare is 1080.
On to of that, K:Midare costs a GCD while shintens spam does not. So not only is it more damage to Hagakure 3 Sen, you will also arrive at you next Sen a GCD sooner. The only times you Midare over Hagakure are when you can't get to 40 or less kenki in 3
Seconds or the lasts % of a boss's health (Because you might not be able to use the converted kenki in time.