How important is "proper" DPS rotations for PUG groups?

[Slick]

One of the criticisms I've heard about this game is that all the classes are cookie-cutter and that they have to be played a certain way only in end game. Is that entirely true? Is it OK to be a bit more casual with a PUG group?

[AskaRay]

Even with a casual group I do my best to keep up my optimal rotation. Just because they're "Randoms" and not people I play with usually doesn't mean they don't deserve my best.

That being said
Like dungeons in the DF... it's not vital to keep up your proper rotation, usually. Most random groups can clear content easily even if not all members are playing their best. (Things that are the exception can be EX primals, raids..)

[Zumi]

People who don't use the proper dps rotation will do about around half or sometimes one quarter of someone who is doing the rotation correctly. Thus making the run take much longer. If you are ok with that then its on you.

[Ryel]

Short answer: Depends on the content, but it's always in your (and the group's) best interest to know / be able to perform your rotation.

Long answer: Generally speaking any content with an enrage or a DPS check will require the group to be performing at a certain level DPS wise. If you are the one DPS that is under performing by a large margin then you are certainly holding the group back often leading to wipes, frustration, kicks, etc.

This really only applies to primals / coil / Alexander for the most part though, dungeons / tower climb / extra content are usually seen as more casual avenues and aren't tuned in a way that requires the entire party to be playing optimally at all times so you can usually relax a bit more when doing that sort of content (relax but not completely slack off that is).

But yeah if you can take the time to learn / perform your rotation to the point its mostly muscle memory you'll only see benefits in the long run.

[LunaHoshino]

I always use my full rotation even in dungeons. For one thing, it's good practice to always be playing at your best, and for another, it's a courtesy to the other players so I'm not wasting their time by doing sub-optimal DPS and making the run take longer.

[RiceisNice]

While non-endgame dungeons do not have a dps check, having one dps slack off or not perform their optimal rotation can be a difference between a 20 minute run and a 35 minute run (like one of my recent SV runs where the ninja can't ever combo into AE or do DE...)

[Chiramu]

I always try to do my best with whatever I am playing, why would you not want to do your best for strangers? It is YOU you are playing for in the end, you are not playing for anyone else, you are playing because you want to play.
Take pride in what you do.

[Slick]

Yeah, and I didn't mean to suggest playing to hinder anyone's experience. That's a jerk move. I just meant how important was it to do it perfectly...

[Ferrasper]

Yeah, and I didn't mean to suggest playing to hinder anyone's experience. That's a jerk move. I just meant how important was it to do it perfectly...

It doesn't have to be perfect/machine like 24/7 if that's what you are asking. It's ok if you slip up on it since we are all human. Hell, some nights when I am dead tired are the times I mess up a lot.

[AskaRay]

Ah well. As long as you're doing your best... it's fine. No one can do anything perfectly all of the time. It is important to try out different optimal rotations (IE, don't just go online, read one rotation and say "that's good"). Try out a few and see which work for yourself.
Like was said above, mostly only primals, coil/Alex/raids really need you to pump out your highest DPS possible (ideally).