The Proper Use of Gauss Barrel

[Daethanil]

Hello fellow Machinists!

This is NOT a post to complain about MCH damage or conditions. This is a post to try and theorycraft and test for our maximum damage.

I've noticed that most of the guides have not been updated since the last updates. With the change of Gauss barrel to +30% damage, I have been attempting to maximize my damage. I am not the top of my class. But I am interested in improving.

What I would like to work on is the proper time to activate and make use of Gauss Barrel. Obviously, this will not be during a movement intensive phase/battle.

I open with the normals. Hot Shot --> Lead Shot, Activate Reload --> 1, 2, 1 (now Slug and Clean shot are both procced and glowing) --> Gauss Barrel up (fire Gauss Round and Ricochet) --> Quick Reload, 3 --> 2, Reassemble, 3.

Also including the oGCD attacks once Gauss Barrel is active. Remove Gauss Barrel at the end of this rotation. Return to 'standard' methods until I have Reload prepped for another round.

[Humorless]

...I hope you mean using quick reload after the 3.


And there's absolutely no reason to leave Gauss barrel off for lead shot.

[RiceisNice]

Full uptime on gauss barrel is a DPS gain. People do have varying numbers with stance dancing, but there's so many variables with MCH DPS that you can get a variance of 10-30 dps on parsing unless the proc/crit rates are nearly identically to each other.

To me, trying to stance dance in and out of GB when you can otherwise fulltime it (given that the fight allows for it) is putting more burden on yourself for little to no gain.

[Daethanil]

GCD is 2s, Gauss Barrel cast time is also 2s. So 4s are used, one shot base (for example) 400 damage. GB gives +30% (30% of 400 = 120) total shot value 520.
Comparatively, 2 shots in 4s without GB. Each shot base 400 damage. 800 damage total.
How is maintaining a 100% uptime a DPS gain? Just due to the fact that our Split shot is such a minuscule percentage of our total damage (assuming random proc doesn't screw us)

[RiceisNice]

2.5 GCD with a 1.5 cast time. I don't follow your train of thought, but you have the wrong idea on how cast times work.

Your GCD starts ticking down at the start of cast, not when the cast finishes.

You can do 2 split shots in two GCDs (5 seconds) regardless of if you have GB on or not.

[Typhoria]

You will also have TP issues in longer fights with Gauss Barrel off.

[Myon88]

I don't see much utility in trying to stance dance fulltime with GB considering you'll want it to be back up whenever Gauss Round/Ricochet is up (every 20s/60s) and when you need to put Lead Shot back up (to ensure it benefits from the +30%).

There ends up only being very tiny windows where you have the breathing room to drop it safely, which is a pretty hefty amount of work for a questionable DPS gain.

If you expect an incoming AoE or some mechanic forcing movement though - and you don't have any ogcds to throw out while you're running - I see no harm in dropping it for those few seconds to make sure you get some shots in where you wouldn't have been able to (again a relatively rare situation).

[RiceisNice]

You will also have TP issues in longer fights with Gauss Barrel off.

Your skill usage over a period of time is the same regardless of if yo have GB on or not. You don't suddenly use less weaponskills in GB compared to no-GB assuming full uptime.

[Cabalabob]

My rotation is kinda basic but I've only just started, I pretty much keep gauss barrel on at all times unless I need to hit something quickly (spiders in A1) or have to move a lot.

I go: summon turret > hot shot > hypercharge + gauss barrel > lead shot > reload + blood for blood > split shot > hawk's eye + raging strikes > slug shot > DEX potion + wildfire > clean shot + gauss round > slug shot + head graze + reassemble > clean shot + ricochet > rapid fire > hot shot > lead shot > quick reload > split shot > slug shot.

[Lavieh]

Full uptime on gauss barrel is a DPS gain. People do have varying numbers with stance dancing, but there's so many variables with MCH DPS that you can get a variance of 10-30 dps on parsing unless the proc/crit rates are nearly identically to each other.

To me, trying to stance dance in and out of GB when you can otherwise fulltime it (given that the fight allows for it) is putting more burden on yourself for little to no gain.

Stop this. The Math has proven that GB off at time is beneficial and it isn't really all that difficult. What is difficult is adjusting to it and you will never adjust to it if you hide behind such petty excuses for your laziness.