Firestarter Management

[Cynfael]

There are a few pages of Firestarter discussion buried in one if the BLM threads, but they got rather sidetracked, so I wanted a clean start to the subtopic.

So I'm playing my BLM more often now for Second Coil and was wondering which tactic BLM mains prefer for using Firestarter optimally. What I've been doing rather than blowing OGCDs for fireweaving is continuously casting Fire I up until Firestarter procs, tapping to interrupt, using the proc, and resuming hard casts.

My reasoning is that my DPS doesn't slow in the event that FS fails to proc, and I stay in AF as long as possible by using every proc as it appears. The chance for double procs may only be 16%, but it's still significant.

Thoughts, recommendations?

[HaroldSaxon]

Always keep casting, use firestarter after you finish casting a Fire1. Never interupt the cast.

[Cynfael]

Thanks for the advice. Will try it this way. I was concerned about missing out on procs, but I'm gathering that it's a DPS loss over time to interrupt casts to hit every single FS.

[rex1976]

i recently switched from ps3 to ps4. on ps3 there was no way it would be better to cancel and spend the proc as the fire1 would be 50% cast by the time it fired off. however after switch to ps4 i can cancel and get the proc of in about 10-20% depending on how alert i am feeling. i'd imagine someone with faster reflexes, and better ping on a ps4 or high performing pc could hit it under 10%. i read that it is almost the same sustained dmg wise and would be very curious to see somone with a solid state hard drive quick reflexes, and very low ping add up the damage on a test dummy single target for at least 5 minutes.

i also noticed i was able to cancel the cast faster after 2.3. maybe the data from ps3's or low performance pc's is now outdated. tbh having reaction time be a factor on a dps roll, or any role in this game would be kind of cool.

[Argyle_Darkheart]

From the pretty extensive testing I've done (multiple 20-30 min tests), interrupting for Firestarters was DPS neutral, at best. And that was back before the buffs to Fire 1 and Fire 3 (of which, Fire 1 received the stronger buff, %-wise). So, the case for it now is slightly weaker than it was.

The only time you should interrupt for Firestarters is to fit more damage into a short period of time (bursting adds, certain phase pushes).

[HaroldSaxon]

Thanks for the advice. Will try it this way. I was concerned about missing out on procs, but I'm gathering that it's a DPS loss over time to interrupt casts to hit every single FS.

Yeah, its a pretty big loss. Maybe at high levels of damage in a crit/det build it would be worth it way down the line when gear gets better, but right now you are relying on crits for it to be worth it, which isn't something you really want to be doing, especially when BLM scales so well off spellspeed.

[chidarake]

The only time I cancel for firestarter is when I have already started casting blizzard 3 to replenish mp but the proc hadn't appeared before hand.

The obvious reason being the fire 3 will be under astral fire and if I waited till after blizzard 3 I may have to wait on mp tick to use it.

However I do also sometimes keep them depending on if its a boss because I will usually reapply lightning after blizzard whilst I wait on the mp tick assuming its not instant.

[Maero]

Exactly what others have said, do not cancel out a spell cast just because you get firestarter, many of times you can even get a few fire 1's in there.
Too many people freak out about loosing the proc if not used right away, but you do have time

[Alistaire]

The only time I cancel for firestarter is when I have already started casting blizzard 3 to replenish mp but the proc hadn't appeared before hand.

The obvious reason being the fire 3 will be under astral fire and if I waited till after blizzard 3 I may have to wait on mp tick to use it.

However I do also sometimes keep them depending on if its a boss because I will usually reapply lightning after blizzard whilst I wait on the mp tick assuming its not instant.

That's even worse. When you get a proc right before you start bliz 3, save it for when mp's full, transpose, use proc.

[rex1976]

come on now there has to be situations where cancellation is better. ex. bard pops FR/BV, u pop RS/IP. those procs are critting for 3.4k missing out on 1 or 2 in that situation is huge swing. 20% of a fire1 is less than a 15ish% chance at 2.5-3.4k is it not? i know the proc will still be there after the fire1 but u lose the proc if you reproc. i mean the only way we can be near the top of dps charts is to get lucky. if you aren't even trying to get lucky your playing for second place at best. am on ps4 so i can't run parsers, but i've been told by group members that i've been top dps in battles that i shouldnt be and it's because i got lucky on procs/crits. i'm sure in a 30 minute situation with no bard no sch etc. you will be correct... but there are no 30 minute fights in the game most are under 5. at least cancel for procs during RS/IP, and during FR/BV.

assuming your ping reflexes and platform are fast enough to cancel at under 20% cast. if you are on a slow pc or a ps3 don't try.