The Black Mage Rotations

[Psychosamm]

I just got my BLM to 50 and i'd like some feedback on my rotation, what i should change and what i should keep the same.
Currently i'm using
I start with Swiftcast> F3> F1 until around 300-500MP> B3> T3> F3 and repeat. I'm not sure when i should incorporate Flare into my rotation so any insight on that would be awesome.
I'd like suggestions with reasons why, not simply what you use.

[Awake]

I just got my BLM to 50 and i'd like some feedback on my rotation, what i should change and what i should keep the same.
Currently i'm using
I start with Swiftcast> F3> F1 until around 300-500MP> B3> T3> F3 and repeat. I'm not sure when i should incorporate Flare into my rotation so any insight on that would be awesome.
I'd like suggestions with reasons why, not simply what you use.

Hint: It's written in this thread, dont be lazy and read it.

[Psychosamm]

Hint: It's written in this post, dont be lazy and read it.

Hint: Don't be a jerk.
I have read through this thread and everyone seems to do different things, i want suggestions on my rotation, not a whole new one. Specifically i want to know the best way to incorporate Flare since it uses all your MP, because there has to be a better way than simply using transpose.

[Allyrion]

Hint: Don't be a jerk.
I have read through this thread and everyone seems to do different things, i want suggestions on my rotation, not a whole new one. Specifically i want to know the best way to incorporate Flare since it uses all your MP, because there has to be a better way than simply using transpose.

Flare is used rotationally for AoE. The OP's rotation is the best, and it's not terribly different from yours either.
To use Flare single target, you utilize Convert. Flare when you would at low mana (when you would otherwise use Blizzard III)-->Convert ---> Blizz III
I usually fit in a Fire I after convert, then Blizz III. Flare keeps you at Astral 3 as well, so your rotation should not be disrupted.

Outside of using Convert, it's not practical to use Flare for single target.

Thunder II is better than Thunder III, since it's cast time is shorter. The half second extra Thunder III takes is not worth the damage or extra duration, since you may have to overwrite it anyway if you don't get much procs during you fire phase. You can use Thunder III for Thundercloud procs. The tooltip is apparently not very accurate.

The OP's AoE rotation is quite amazing, honestly. You get a reduced flare cast time if you do it right after Fire III. This is where Flare really shines.

[Shadowzanon]

I just got my BLM to 50 and i'd like some feedback on my rotation, what i should change and what i should keep the same.
Currently i'm using
I start with Swiftcast> F3> F1 until around 300-500MP> B3> T3> F3 and repeat. I'm not sure when i should incorporate Flare into my rotation so any insight on that would be awesome.
I'd like suggestions with reasons why, not simply what you use.

I would advise to get into the habit of casting thunder 2 first then hardcast fire 3 save swiftcast. dishing out dmg to fast will pull aggro off tanks before they have a chance to even build any this will become more apparent as you get better gear. starting of slow usually ensures you wont rip aggro away, unless the stars align and you pull a few crits in a row. also if you just hit 50 work on getting quelling strikes, as it will help seal the deal on not pulling bosses away from the tank unless they really mess up and you happen to crit like no tommorow.

[Nabian]

regarding the AoE rotation.

First off thanks to those who put in the work to identify this rotation. My question is...what is the minimum number of mobs needed for this rotation to be superior to single target damage. During speed runs and turn 4 your often facing 5-6+ mobs at a time from my understanding.

I main pld and have been messing around with blm for fun. I'm still trying to get the rotation mastered so I've been using DF for practice. Trash pulls in most DF runs only have 3 mobs, so in this instance would it be better to single target the mobs down or use the AoE rotation until one dies then single target the remaining two.

I'm sorry i this has been mentioned earlier. I've been slowly reading the entire thread over the past 2-3 days and I don't recall reading a specific number.

Thanks in advance for any answers to this question.

[Psychosamm]

Snip

Hmm i hadn't thought of convert, thanks for the input! And i'll definitely try out T2 as opposed to T3.

Snip

Thanks for the advice! I didn't really think about how that could take hate, i'll do what you suggested from now on. So instead of using swiftcast on F3 i would assume the next best thing to use it on would be Flare?

[GreyJorildyn]

So instead of using swiftcast on F3 i would assume the next best thing to use it on would be Flare?

Yes. There is a "best rotation" and it is "best practice" to know it as there are several dps checks in the game in later content. That is simply how the game was designed to be and there is no real way around it.

Some interesting questions do come up, such as the one that was just asked about when does the AoE rotation become more potent than single target. The rule of thumb I apply to this is if there are 3+ mobs I go AoE, 1 or 2, single target each with a Fire II if I have Swift+Flare+Convert cycle handy. Timing issues like that are important as well, but move towards standardizing themselves when you run with a set group doing the same instance running it in a similar timeframe (X will always be up when at Y part of the instance, etc.).

[EasymodeX]

Lol PessimiStick.

[Shadowzanon]

I like when i get thunder procs in a row making me wonder if i failed to use it XD