BRD DPS (And how to improve mine!)

[Eissels]

Hi! So, since I (finally) hit 50 and have at least a basic parody of a real armor set, I figured it was time to set about optimizing how I perform, since now it's just a matter of waiting around for DF for Coils and EX primals. Currently, I'm ilvl 88 with Artemis Zenith.

What sort of ST DPS should a bard be pulling at that ilvl? I have nothing to base myself off of other than the other bards in my guild, and all of them are i105+. Currently, I'm pulling spike DPS of around ~410 for about 10 seconds while all of my CDs are up, which slowly dwindles before settling at roughly ~280.

I've heard a lot of different theories on how CDs should be used, so I might be doing it wrong, which is why I'm here! Currently, my "rotation" is thus:

Straight Shot -> Blood for Blood - > Raging Strikes -> Hawk's Eye -> Internal Release -> Windbite -> Bloodletter -> Venomous Bite -> Barrage (As all my CD's line up at about 10 seconds), then I after I follow the priority of:

Straight Shot Buff
Misery's End
Bloodletter Proc
Windbite
Venomous Bite
Straight Shot Proc
Heavy Shot.

And I refresh my CDs individually as they come off CD. Now, I've done what I can to read up on BRD, but there's almost nothing discussing optimal cooldown usage and rotations.

I've heard arguments for SS > BL > IR > Windbite > RS > HE > Venomous bite > B4B Barrage > priority as a macro, as well as one CD between each GCD, bloodletter BEFORE all cooldowns, and bloodletter after. I've been experimenting with them all, but I'm only one person and doing a multitude of 3-4 segments with each one takes a lot of time, so I was hoping to hear from other Bards!

What DPS should I be doing around my iLvL, what works best for you, and how can I improve?

[Ooshima]

The exact opening sequence is up for debate - amongst the bards who have cleared T9 in our FC (including server 1st and 2nd), it seems that everyone had a slight difference in sequence but eventual parse numbers are within acceptable range.

BRD's DPS parse are largely dependent on BL procs and also critical rate. It is pointless to discuss a number without a standardized parsing method.

However, an i90 BRD with i90 weapon should be able to pull 300 and above, in fact all i90 DPS benchmark are 300+. Go run a few rounds of Titan EX and see what numbers you are pulling - should be 300+ unless you died or being jailed a lot of time.

[Felessan]

However, an i90 BRD with i90 weapon should be able to pull 300 and above, in fact all i90 DPS benchmark are 300+. Go run a few rounds of Titan EX and see what numbers you are pulling - should be 300+ unless you died or being jailed a lot of time.

Not possible. ~270-280 is reasonable high plank for ilvl/weapon 90 Brd for a long fight.
If i90 could pull 300+ than i110 should pull 420+ and with i115 weapon should pull 450+ - that beyond reasonable numbers for bards.

[Judge_Xero]

Not possible. ~270-280 is reasonable high plank for ilvl/weapon 90 Brd for a long fight.
If i90 could pull 300+ than i110 should pull 420+ and with i115 weapon should pull 450+ - that beyond reasonable numbers for bards.

Your 270-280 Range seems reasonable, but I don't think the difference between i90 and i110 is a 40% increase and an extra 5 ilvl on the weapon isn't a 7% damage increase.

Last I checked, i90 -> i110 was ~25%

[MrSigy]

Your 270-280 Range seems reasonable, but I don't think the difference between i90 and i110 is a 40% increase and an extra 5 ilvl on the weapon isn't a 7% damage increase.

Last I checked, i90 -> i110 was ~25%

280 @ I90 is correct.
Currently with 106ilvl.
I'm capping on 421 non burst dps and somewhere from 600-800 dps on burst (depends on bl)

[Ooshima]

Not possible. ~270-280 is reasonable high plank for ilvl/weapon 90 Brd for a long fight.
If i90 could pull 300+ than i110 should pull 420+ and with i115 weapon should pull 450+ - that beyond reasonable numbers for bards.

If you haven't pulled it before, doesn't mean others can't lol.

All i90 DPS benchmarks are 300 and above on dummy, entirely possible.

Even for long fights, 300+ is still possible. I have done that pre 2.2 (ie, in 2.1 and earlier where max ilvl is 90) with my primal carry selling. Unless you solo heal, having 3 DPS for a Titan EX carry, your DPS needs to be good to push things, and 300+ for the entire fight is where you want to look at.

And yes, i110 BRDs can pull 420-450 depending on i110 or i115 weapon.

And nope, these are WITHOUT DRG buffs. My parsing method is no food, no DRG buff, 1 X-DEX used and approximately 3:20 - 3:30 for 2 Invigorate uses.

I did a dummy parse with the above methodology last week with i110 weapon, got 415. Did it with another FC BRD with HA Bow, he did 445.

EDIT: Insert the screenshot I took last week

[JohnMccain]

Is this using misery's end in your rotation?

[Ooshima]

Is this using misery's end in your rotation?

Nope, of course not lol. Who uses Misery's End (or Mercy Stroke the-like) during parses? Other than cheaters who intentionally inflate the numbers or people who doesn't really know how to parse

FYI I didn't use any typical macros such as binding BL to HS. Albeit a convenience, I find that manually firing them seems to produce a slightttttttly better result. But might be negligible or negated by BL proc RNGs

EDIT: At this equipment level, as MrSigy pointed out earlier, your initial burst can be within 600-800 DPS range depending on initial crit rate and BL procs, you should be able to maintain high 4XX to low 5XX for about 1min to 1min plus then slowly stabilize around 400-450 range.

EDIT2: All the T9 clearing BRDs in the FC are producing 400+ numbers, the WAR in my raid who plays BRD in T8 are able to produce 400+ at this ilvl too.

[JohnMccain]

And nope, these are WITHOUT DRG buffs. My parsing method is no food, no DRG buff, 1 X-DEX used and approximately 3:20 - 3:30 for 2 Invigorate uses.

I would like to see a ~4 min parse if you don't mind(2 invigorates+running out of tp).

[Ooshima]

So how about some rotations / recommended macros / feed back on pot spamming / recommended foods? Numbers - cool I see 'em - so what the heck is the trick to getting them?

BRD doesn't really have rotations. It is kinda a simple job to learn, but difficult to master. It requires your concentration and a little bit of experience to catch the timing to refresh your DoTs (and sometimes judge whether it is worth to spread DoTs), time and weave your buffs/OGCD skills in between your Heavy/Straight shot spams. Taking note of your BL/SS procs. BL should be fired off the immediate chance you have a OGCD slot (ie after a GCD skills). SS proc should be technically treated the same way, but since it can hold for 10s (or 8? can't recall off the bat), refresh your DoTs/fire off your other OGCD such as repelling shot etc before using the proc (of course you should not let it drop).

Other things such as ensuring that your DoTs are up before playing songs and your DoTs, when reapplied, are buffed by RS/BfF/IR as much as possible helps. There are a lot of little things here and there and tbh I'm still picking them up/practicing them. I only played BRD late 2.0 to get into coil (was a DRG, a really bad one lol) and been doing a lot of silly things and mistakes until I spoke to good and experienced BRDs for tips and corrections.

Macros is entirely personal preference. I used to macro BL to HS, but I'm back to full manual. Some people bind BL and ME to HS, some bind them to even the 2 DoTs. It's up to you.

I would like to see a ~4 min parse if you don't mind(2 invigorates+running out of tp).

I'll try to see to it.