Beginner NIN question: clip it or skip it?

[Gemina]

I wasted too much time on this. ;-;

I read the whole thing, and while it is a wee bit more information than what I was looking for, it is still valuable. I appreciate you taking the time to put it together. Your post actually answers some other questions that I have not asked yet, so please do not feel that way.

I figured just clipping it would be best, simply because it takes 3 gcds to apply it, plus there will be no slashing bonus during any of those three hits. Basically, my gut was telling me to clip it based off of the information I had but I still wouldn't do it, and I would just wait that additional 1.5 to 2 seconds to finish the combo, but this didn't feel right either. And since I am so green to this role, I was basically asking to be pushed in the right direction!

[Gemina]

I can ellaborate more, but those two things are very good rules to follow. And if you are really interested in looking at good information for dps and for ninja specifically there are discord servers and written guides with great information as well. Not saying asking on the forums is a terrible idea, but those will be much more reliable resources for you than the forums.

Thank you! I am using multiple sources to gather information about DPSing, including the forums. I'm a bit obsessive like that. I do apologize if it is a bit out of place.

[AppleJinx]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...fOd05ImcI/edit There is an in-depth ninja guide and since you are so eager, you might as well start studying up on the job now.

[Gemina]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...fOd05ImcI/edit There is an in-depth ninja guide and since you are so eager, you might as well start studying up on the job now.

Is it bad I already read the whole thing? Twice? So much good info here including the answer to my OP, along with confirmations on if what I was doing and planning on doing was correct/incorrect. Thanks so much, and I can't wait to start applying the goods. Damn maintenance! Shikata ga nai. lv45 will have to wait until tomorrow!

[Frizze]

there will probably be occasions where you will make exceptions in a given fight. For instance if a boss is about to jump and become untargetable you don't want to re-apply the dot right before he jumps when you could sub in an AE for extra damage.

Not ninja specific, but im curious about this point(emphasis mine). Is this the conclusion that the theorycrafters have come up with? I only ask, because i know some(is it all?) enemies continue to take any applied DoT damage while offscreen/untargetable until the durations are up. Because of that i would think in many situations it would be better to make sure the DoTs are running when the boss jumps because DoTs tend to have higher overall potency. I also imagine in most fights the difference would be hard to notice, but im still curious.

[whiskeybravo]

Not ninja specific, but im curious about this point(emphasis mine). Is this the conclusion that the theorycrafters have come up with? I only ask, because i know some(is it all?) enemies continue to take any applied DoT damage while offscreen/untargetable until the durations are up. Because of that i would think in many situations it would be better to make sure the DoTs are running when the boss jumps because DoTs tend to have higher overall potency. I also imagine in most fights the difference would be hard to notice, but im still curious.

It's a fight-specific situation. Some bosses do not take damage from dots when they become untargetable. Some do. Some still take dot damage after everyone dies. But in general I was trying to tie into with what Zyneste mentioned about being able to calculate whether it's a loss or gain in any given situation.

[SwarleyMcSwarls]

Most enemies these days will not take damage when off screen or untargetable. There are some minor exceptions like the bird in Suzaku, but it's generally a safe assumption that enemies in any newer content will take no damage from dot ticks when they are untargetable, even though the dot timers will continue to run.

[wereotter]

It was mentioned, but Shadow Fang is a little different from DOTs on other jobs since that skill is also your slashing debuff (I find it's best not to assume another job is going to do it for you, as you can never really rely on other players' skill levels) so you really don't want that to drop off. As a general rule, if I'm starting my three-move combo, and my DOT has 6 or fewer seconds remaining, I plan to end that combo with my DOT move. If it has more, I don't. You might clip off one DOT tick this way, but it's generally better than letting it fall off, especially if you're losing the slashing resist down.

[Crushnight]

generally with SF you want to reapply it in the 1 to 3 sec window however if a boss jumps AE is far better as you need to have at least 15s of SF to be above AE potency. this stays consistant until lv 70 where TenChiJin starts to mess with SF timing where during opener SF would just drop off as you reapply it and later ones you have 6 secs left on SF timing and its better to reapply SF early than let it drop.

I am a nin main not the best (by far XD) but i hope might help you

[Gemina]

generally with SF you want to reapply it in the 1 to 3 sec window however if a boss jumps AE is far better as you need to have at least 15s of SF to be above AE potency. this stays consistant until lv 70 where TenChiJin starts to mess with SF timing where during opener SF would just drop off as you reapply it and later ones you have 6 secs left on SF timing and its better to reapply SF early than let it drop.

I am a nin main not the best (by far XD) but i hope might help you

It definitely helps as my brain is in full absorption mode right now. I made this post @lv44 and I am 49 now, so I've had a little more time to gauge the timers I'm paying attention to. I've made several changes to my UI to help accommodate this new playstyle for me, and if striking dummies wore and tore, I'd have gone through several dozen by now.

SF was definitely different because as a healer, I am so used to one-and-done to apply/reapply DoTs. Might have to deal with a cast timer like with Aero III or Miasma, but meh. What I noticed is that it is great if SF lines up so that there is 3 seconds or less on the timer, but if the SF finisher is up with 6 seconds or less you need to reapply or your next weaponskill(s) will be penalized by not having the slashing debuff.

The advice here also helped when I acquired Jin, as I also had to start paying attention to keeping Huton active. Because of the advice I received here, I immediately knew to refresh it if it is going to drop off before I get to cast another Jutsu. *whew* lots of timers to pay attention to. You practically need the Sharingan to play this job lol. Things are coming along, I just need more practice!