How flexible is the basic Monk rotation?

[MonkDace]

I apologize if this has been covered elsewhere, please direct me to the appropriate thread if it has.

That said, I'm always trying to determine the best basic rotation that works for me, and to that end I've enjoyed some success with keeping it simple: DK->TS->SP->BS->TrS->Demo just constantly alternating between the full flank and the full read, tossing in ToD when needed and constantly throwing Howling Fist and whatnot whenever they're available, popping Internal Release and Blood for Blood where appropriate.

Is this simple approach sufficiently strong or can I get significantly more oomph from switching it up? Right now on the targeting dummy I'm seeing DPS of around 1,000-1,100 or so, sometimes higher sometimes lower.

[Aeliott]

Are you doing Demolish every time you do Boot+True (your post makes it sound that way)? If so you should only refresh Demolish when it's 4/< seconds left when you're in Coeurl form. Apologies if you know that, hope it doesn't come across patronising, but again post kinda makes it sound like you're going flank flank flank rear rear rear flankx3 rearx3 etc.

And, well, that's the gist of it. As long as you don't have to disengage from an enemy, you simply alternate between dk/boot for Opo form and twin/true for raptor form, snap for coeurl unless demo needs refreshing - and Touch at 3/< seconds. OGCDs whenever available.

To answer the main question, it's not that flexible in the sense that what you do in each form is very much set in stone to get the best results. Something that can lead to a minor boost though is tacking on Fracture if it gets to a point where you're in Coeurl form and Demolish is at an awkward 4-5 seconds. Because you'd otherwise clip or let it drop by using snap (slight loss), can draw it out by using Fracture before Demolish refresh. Though if Touch is at refresh time at that point you should do that instead before Demo.

DPS sounds kinda normal for 170ish gear, maybe less. Not sure what you have.

[MonkDace]

Nah it didn't come off that way. Actually, yes I am, that was my concern. Like I said, I went for a simplistic rotation so it'd be easy to be consistent with. The impression I'm getting is you replace Snap Punch with Demolish whenever Demolish needs a refresh, otherwise you alternate between DK->TS or BS->TrS. It's a holdover from when I was getting used to MNK so it might take me a few tries to reset my muscle memory, haha.

[MonkDace]

Update: Tried out the advice, still periodically get shaky but getting the new rhythm down. It's a little embarassing being at 60 already but you never stop learning, right? Closer to 1,100 DPS last parse, am ilevel 185 currently.

[Zakard]

are you using perfect balance to open?

demo-PB-snap-snap-dk-twin-snap-boot+infernal-true+bfb-snap+ogcd-touch+ogcd-dk+ogcd-twin+ogcd-demo (ogcd=elexir,forbiden,steelpeak,shoulder and the other line aoe i dont remember the name)

so you open with demo that put you at gl1 then perfect balance with 2x snap for gl3 then apply buff and debuff then back attack with your 2 buff in between and then you use all your skill with ogcd and touch of death to get your dot+ogcd at max power buffed with infernal release and blood for blood and after back to normal rotation.

[Aeliott]

This pretty much covers the basics:
http://i.imgur.com/6XMaU17.png

It doesn't go into nuances, but the main rotational stuff is there :P

[MonkDace]

Hmm okay so it looks like I was doing pretty well except for the redundant Demolish stacking. So it's only partially embarrassing. :P

Still, thank you guys a lot. Nice to finally have some reasonably objective advice on the basic theory.

[spelley]

Update: Tried out the advice, still periodically get shaky but getting the new rhythm down. It's a little embarassing being at 60 already but you never stop learning, right? Closer to 1,100 DPS last parse, am ilevel 185 currently.

I accidentally built muscle memory with an "old" version of the optimal DRG rotation when it came to oGCDs. It took nothing short of changing my hotbars so the buttons were in the right place for the "new" rotation for me to get it working right for me. Don't feel embarrassed, as I started "fixing" my rotation about 3 days ago, at i189 at the time.

You are never too high level to learn.

[MonkDace]

You are never too high level to learn.

Thanks, man. I appreciate the supportive attitude I'm getting in this thread. I'll try the hotbar switching, actually.

[spelley]

Another really great way to setup your hotbars is to base them on what I'm calling Separation of Concerns:

- Main Bar is for GCDs I use in my main rotation, 1-6 and QERTFG (easy to reach)
- My Mouse buttons (M1-M6) are for commonly used DAMAGE oGCDs (easy to reach)
- CTRL+Mouse buttons is for CONTROLLING pets (SCH, SMN, MCH Turrets) or CONTROLLING damage (Tank Defensive CDs). For DPS, this is where my longer-cooldown offensive oGCDs live.
- ALT is for Alternative Strategies/Options. Silences/Stuns/Heavies/Sleeps live here, Elusive Jump/Second Wind/Bloodbath on DRG, etc. Used less often

Because I play multiple classes, I also make things consistent. 4 is my "buff" GCD (Heavy Thrust, Hot Shot, Straight Shot), 5 is my primary DOT (Phlebotomize, Lead Shot, Venomous Bite), M1 is my stun, etc. Obviously, I have a gaming mouse which helps IMMENSELY, but regardless you can see the basic idea. Keeping things blocked off in logical groupings really helps.