BLM DPS!!!

[Kael_Raiju]

There are no "lull times" in using a proc. The recast time is the exact same as Fire I.

When you hit your proc your character literally pauses and stands there. Maybe this is the game's way of ensuring you only get a damage increase on a proc but to me it should be insta cast and the ability to start casting your next Fire I without any pause. I can't be the only one who notices this. Either way... I typically save my procs for the sole purpose of movement. I'm not saying I never cast them in the middle of my rotation but my rotation is heavily reliant on the boss we're fighting. Every cast is based on the current situation. I never stick STRICTLY to any rotation. I.E. Boss is about to jump, there will be an AOE I'm at 1800MP, time to cast a Flare and hope for a great crit. This would be a good example.

[YoloSwaggins]

snip...

The reason you just stand there is because it's cast instantly, but it is still on the GCD. A regular fire I spends that GCD casting, whereas a Fire III proc goes off instantly and then gives you the cooldown after, like DoW skills. There are times where it might be better to hold on to it, but otherwise you should cast it as soon as possible.

[NorthernLadMSP]

I don't know what Kael_Raiju means by using all procs at end of rotation, but that don't make any sense. You want to use your procs as soon as you get them. If you hold on to procs, you are potentially missing opportunities for more procs. The only time you should be holding on to procs are for movement purposes.

^^This all the way.

[Tanthalus]

BLM is ultimately a situational class when you need to keep focus on your balances while watching where your standing and what procs. Knowing how much fuel is left in the tank for the switch is key as well as knowing when to switch from astral to umbral. In an optimal setting you can always bleed your mana low on fires but if your moving out of an AoE and moving back in you need to be ready to cast blizzard III just to keep the tempo alive, regardless of mana position. That and I don't bother with Thunder II ever since that's an extra button on my hot at (ps4 controller) that I don't need. Thunder III is just fine. <---that's just MY preference.

[Kael_Raiju]

Thunder III is just fine. <---that's just MY preference.

Just curious if you've considered the cast time of Thunder III. After Blizzard III, by the time you get Thunder III off your MP is full and there's usually a good second or two there before you can cast Fire III. Thunder II avoids that lull. Also, Thunder II falls off right when your rotation is ready to cast another Thunder II. Thunder III will show an additional few seconds which aren't needed as you'll be casting another Thunder. This is what I've noticed. I do use Thunder III to start a fight/phase though and I'm PC with a Naga mouse so that is a bit of a difference as well.

[Garotte14]

I do agree that you shouldn't be using Thunder III unless its a proc. The cast time is way too long and more often than not, you will be clipping your thunder ticks anyways which means you aren't even getting the full effect of that DoT. Of course I will never tell anyone how to play, because its their game that they pay for, but I jus try my best to offer advice to increase your play. The best times to use Thunder III are procs of course, and also when you have raging strikes and convert available. Since you will be adding a flare and an extra fire into that rotation, it takes slightly longer. So you are getting the most out of your extra thunder ticks. As far as PS4 controllers and hot bar limitations, I completely understand as I'm a PS4 player as well. But there is a way around that. There is an option called expanded controller layouts or something which allows you to hold L2+R2 together to bring up another hot bar that you set yourself. This gives you access to 8 other abilities without having to switch hot bars and switch back. If you are already hold R2 for example for your main attacks, just hold L2 along with it to access your other abilities and then let go of L2 to return. If you can master this, it is extremely useful.

[Tanthalus]

Just curious if you've considered the cast time of Thunder III. After Blizzard III, by the time you get Thunder III off your MP is full and there's usually a good second or two there before you can cast Fire III. Thunder II avoids that lull. Also, Thunder II falls off right when your rotation is ready to cast another Thunder II. Thunder III will show an additional few seconds which aren't needed as you'll be casting another Thunder. This is what I've noticed. I do use Thunder III to start a fight/phase though and I'm PC with a Naga mouse so that is a bit of a difference as well.

Yep and I've actually tried to implement Thunder II into my rote but the difference was almost non existent so I went back with what I like.
That and I always get my first Thunder off with a quickcast and hope to ride the procs.

[Craiger]

Thunder III -> Fire III -> Fire [Raging Strikes] -> Fire [Int Pot/Quelling Strikes] -> Fire [Quelling strikes(if using pot)] -> Fire -> Fire -> Blizzard III -> Thunder I(!! Thunder I is the best DPS) -> Blizzard I [Transpose(if Fireproc)] -> Fire III -> etc.

You use the buffs between Fire's, because it will give you time to see if you get a Fire proc.

Always use Thunder I, except for opening attack, don't listen to people who say Thunder II is better. If you get an early MP tick, skip Blizzard I and go for Fire III directly, unless if you have a Fire proc on.

All this is to maximize your DPS though, the majority of your DPS will come from knowing the fights and how to get off as many spells as possible.

I don't know what Kael_Raiju means by using all procs at end of rotation, but that don't make any sense. You want to use your procs as soon as you get them. If you hold on to procs, you are potentially missing opportunities for more procs. The only time you should be holding on to procs are for movement purposes. For example: You get a proc but you know there is going to be an aoe in 3-5 seconds. Hold on to it so you can pop it while you are moving. As others have said, the biggest thing for BLMs is learning the fights. In order to maximize DPS, its all about up-time which requires as little movement as possible. If you are in a static, you should be coordinating with your group that you will not be in charge of movement heavy mechanics and if AOEs require a stacked group to spread out, you should be standing still while everyone else spreads away from you. Another thing is when to use transpose. It is my opinion that you should not be using your transpose for flares unless there are multiple targets. Don't use flare on a single target unless you have swiftcast/convert available. I specifically hold my transposes for when I get a fire proc while switching into Umbral Ice. So while I'm casting my thunder I/II, if I have a fire proc sitting there, I will transpose and the hit Fire III. This way you are already in Astral Fire and your Proc does 1100ish damage instead of 500.

Holding off on Thundercloud isn't wrong at times...

Forgot to mention that above. You should always use Thunder III(proc) after a Fire... Unless you're in Umbral and have to reapply thunder dot.

If you for example have a fire proc and a thunder proc at the same time, don't go Fire III(proc) -> Thunder III(proc)... Go Fire III(proc) -> Fire -> Thunder III(proc)

[Sessurea]

Thunder III -> Fire III -> Fire [Raging Strikes] -> Fire [Int Pot/Quelling Strikes] -> Fire [Quelling strikes(if using pot)] -> Fire -> Fire -> Blizzard III -> Thunder I(!! Thunder I is the best DPS) -> Blizzard I [Transpose(if Fireproc)] -> Fire III -> etc.

no swiftcast flare-->convert-->fire 1-->bliz III to go with the int pot and raging strikes?

[Garotte14]

You use the buffs between Fire's, because it will give you time to see if you get a Fire proc.

Always use Thunder I, except for opening attack, don't listen to people who say Thunder II is better. If you get an early MP tick, skip Blizzard I and go for Fire III directly, unless if you have a Fire proc on.

I do use Thunder I. Thunder II isn't even on my hot bar. I have tested this multiple times and more often than not, Thunder 1 is a slight DPS boost as opposed to Thunder II. Either that or they are dead even with only a difference of 2-4 DPS. I prefer Thunder I because of the shortened cast time. I completely understand about weaving as I do use it myself when I have lethargy and other buffs available. It does benefit me in most cases.