How to optimize DPS as a MT in HW (PLD)?

[Cyrus-Wallace]

Hello, everybody. I'm struggling here to find a decent DPS rotation and avoid compromising my aggro generation. I leveled up DRK and I just got PLD to 60, been running some tests on dummies (As I know that's not enough). I now require your feedback as players who were playing the class since launch. Disclaimer: This is mostly for progression in 3 weeks, all the feedback is more than welcome.

What I tried:

Single target puller: Fight or Flight + Shield Lob + Spirits Within + Circle of Scorn + Fast Blade + Sheltron + Shield Swipe + Riot Blade + Goring Blade + Rage of Halone Combo + Royal Authority Combo.

I keep it up by having STR down 100% of the time, the Goring blade dot all the time and just spam Royal Authority. Using Spirits Within and Circle of Scorn whenever they're available. Also Sheltron to have a free Shield Swipe. With Shield Swipe now generating emnity, it helps a lot to keep up the DPS combos. I'm using 2 or 3 STR accesories, so the DPS that comes out from the emnity combos, can mantain certain level of aggro on the boss/monster.

What's your experience so far? How did you increase the DPS output while MTing?

[Ippiki]

If you can't remember which abilities combo off of each other, progression isn't for you.

Reread your opening rotation.

[Cyrus-Wallace]

If you can't remember which abilities combo off of each other, progression isn't for you.

Reread your opening rotation.

That wasn't a very helpful? I mean, mistaking Savage Blade for Riot Blade was a light mistake I did because I was going to type something else. Mistakes happen, buddy. I'll correct it. Still waiting for some input.

[shinros]

As a casual player can someone please explain to me what so important about tank dps? I mean we are a tank we are meant to take punches in the face and survive especially as a MT.

[Wordlaw]

I generally start with a pull with Fight or Flight > Shield Lob > Spirits Within & Circle of Scorn > Fast Blade > Savage Blade > Shelltron > Halone > Shield Swipe > Goring Blade combo > Royal combo > Halone Combo. I also make sure to keep Spirits and Circle on CD or saving it if I need it for some reason. I try to Shelltron at the end of a combo so I can use Shield Swipe as a filler in between combos. If I do get a shield swipe from natural blocking, I try to use it asap however as to not let it go to waste. Not sure if that's optimal or not, but I don't have any issues with my current rotation on enmity, debuff upkeep or DPS.

I found this order upkeeps both Halone and Goring 100% of the fight from the beginning. You can put out 2 combos before having to refresh Halone and the Goring dot. The shield swipe GCDs might mess with this a bit depending on how often you block/use shield swipe.

[NeaturalBomber]

Paladin don't really need a high dps rate due to there stats . If you want to dps and put out a decent dps output whilst tanking try playing as warrior , with the new dps stance for warrior you can put out high dps that can match a monk or dragoon whilst still holding aggro easily . It takes a lil bit of practice to get your rotation sorted and being able to swap stances to have use of your cool downs but I find it a better tanking job due to the difficulty of it

Or just try some crafted gear with some determination melds it may help

[NeaturalBomber]

Tank dps is for more hardcore raiding groups due to the time limit to boss enrage extra dps that the tank can output can be the decider of a clear or a wipe due to the content needing to be done almost perfect pre echo

[Faytte]

Warriors got a dps stance.
Paladins got a 540 potency attack over 24 seconds and a 340 potency attack they can use every 6 seconds. According to Xeno (one of the best warriors around) his co tank Paladin does the same damage as him as an OT as long as there is no AOE involved.

Paladins dont put up flashy numbers, but sword oath is amazing, and in 2.0 were held back by having very low potency combos (halone only being 260 potency). Consider that royal authority has nearly 100 more potency, or 60 more than butchers block (about 18% more damage). Goring blade is the main sexy through, being a 540 potency attack you can use every third rotation (basically a fel cleave every 8 gcds).

[shinros]

Tank dps is for more hardcore raiding groups due to the time limit to boss enrage extra dps that the tank can output can be the decider of a clear or a wipe due to the content needing to be done almost perfect pre echo

Ok that is a fair enough answer.

[Ippiki]

Cyrus, that's not your only mistake.

Opening with Goring Blade has no bonus Enmity, and further delaying your Halone with Swipe doesn't help much either. Do we have concrete numbers yet on Shield Swipes additional enmity?

A good PLD pull would be like this:
Shield Lob(FoF), Fast Blade(SW + CnS), Savage Blade(Bloodbath or a defensive CD to smooth intake) Halone, then Goring.

Check threat after you place Goring, if DPS are getting high, Halone, if you're safe, then replace Halone after a Royal. Use Shield Swipe only as a TP saving tool, and it's ok to clip Goring Blade at 5-6 seconds due to the potency being so much higher than Royal.