Buff priority on DPS

[SecretCrowds]

This is an AST question, but since it concerns DPSers, I thought it would be better to ask on the DPS forums instead.

Are there any card buffs that would be great on a specific DPS class and are there any card buffs that would be bad to use on a DPS class?

I asked around and the answers I got were not to use "The Spear" on Ninjas and not to use "The Ewer" on BLMs since it might ruin their rotation. Is this correct?

[LDR]

Various opinions on this sorta thing and also bare in mind each person can have different tastes on what they do and dont like to be buffed with.

Not using Ewer on a BLM is typically correct as it can mess things up; only in rare circumstances and something that has been pre-coordinated would this ever be used tbh.
Ewers are a good use on BRD' who use songs like Foes as it lets them do so longer. Otherwise self use usually, or a very rare PLD who messes up.

Never tbh heard of "dont use spear on NIN", i mean generally spear is semi-useful for anyone; sure some people wont see the point because they use cooldowns at specific times so it doesnt matter if it comes back up early but then, well if you do get speared no one is forcing you to use things earlier so. Personally i find Spear to be SMN/Healer/Tank bait if i have to use it

If it was The Arrow on NIN id understand, in general content it may be fine but for higher stuff i think generally a lot if not all melee dont like Arrow due to TP floor.
Never had a view point from BRD/MCH about Arrow so idk.
Typically BLM will like Arrow, maybe certain circumstances where they wont want more speed but idk them.
Generally wasted on SMN ive found, sure it works but wont change much.

and ofc balance is EVERYONE
also unless its changed, hitting everyone even in 4man duties with an aoe balance > enhanced or extended on a single person
unless you have on in spread and draw another
then your laughing



as always i could be wrong about stuff and this is partial opinion/what ive found so

[Sleigh]

Ewer on BLM can be helpful. No, it doesn't mess with our rotation, the only negative is the BLM can get greedy with more than he can handle timer wise, but it's not always a help either, depending on when you used it. I would rather it get used on BRD or a very DPS heavy healer, or, most preferably, Royal Road it.

Arrow belongs to BLM. DRG/BRD/MCH love it too but not quite so much. NIN can't make as great a use out of it as it messes with DoT timers pretty constantly. MNK doesn't like it on average due to TP concerns. SMN is bottom priority, you can only do so many Ruin 3s in Dreadwyrm Trance with or without an Arrow regardless, and getting more Ruins isn't exactly a thrilling use of Arrow.

Balance typically goes to the top DPS in your comp, and fight specifically. If you have a BRD and caster, typically caster will be one of if not the top DPS in the group. If you have a MCH and otherwise your top DPS is a NIN or DRG, go for the NIN/DRG. If you have an AoE heavy situation, the AoE heavier classes will get more, like a SMN. If you have people who are more geared than others, or are particularly skilled compared to the others, go for that person; trust me a strong BRD/MCH without a DRG will destroy the average PUG BLM/MNK.

Spire's typically not needed but MNK gets the most use out of it by far. Royal Road or Redraw it more often than not.

[Fernosaur]

Spire can be really useful for PLD. Not really answering your question about what DPS needs what, but thought I'd throw that in. This is only necessary in really long fights, though, or fights that need a lot of stunning (Shield Bash costs a nut and a half in TP).

As for Spear, the only DPS job that I can see truly benefitting in a very regular basis is SMN, since they have a whole load of OGCs that they use all the time and aren't fixed to a set rotation. If you have a fellow Scholar, it can help them too.

[Leoheart]

Not sure if this pertains to your enquiry, but Ewer on Bard is good for more up time on songs.

Spear is nice on Drg/Mnk since they have plenty of OCD abilities to abuse with it, just a suggestion if you don't have any balance to hand out

[AniCelestine]

Spear will affect Elixirs field on mnk 100% (they changed the duration of spear to 30sed right?) And 50% chance it affects both elixir field and howling fist. Then we have couple of stuns that are ok quite fast CDs so might affect them too. So ever so slightly dps boost possibly. And if there is a downtime within the fight where you can't keep GL3 in anyway or form thworing arrow on the mnk will get him back to full dmg slightly fastet (and shouldNT have tp issues cause downtime. Also note that this applies only if mnk used PB at opener and it's been less than 3 minutes.)

Some mnk perspective I could give, probably I could use Spire in longer fight with less downtimes (if I can't get purification done) so I can keep using ToD easier (cri 80tp) though if the tank has no TP use it on tank. I will eventually have invigorate up and/or brd will be singing anyway

[SecretCrowds]

Thanks for the answers, everyone!

[ruskie]

Spear is the CD reducing one? Yes please as bard at ~7s prepull if you would be so kind - since starting poping CDs at 5s with battlevoice and then others at 3-4s. And I believe MCH would benefit the same.

[Leigaon]

Thanks for the answers, everyone!

Agreed, likes up for everyone so far. You've all given such astounding information for specifics on each job. I stopped AST at 50 prior to 3.2 and now I plan to take it up against as I get settled. These are all wonderful notes to put aside to refer to. Again, from an inspiring AST thanks everyone.

Just wanted to give my thanks to the DPS community for what's been posted so far.

[StouterTaru]

As a BLM, Ewer is just a waste to spend on me. There are a few times where it can be helpful if coordinated, but 90+% of the time give it to someone that uses MP and doesn't have a bottomless pit of it.

Arrow throws off my AoE rotation, and won't give any bonus half the time. Save it for a Boss fight.

edit: Balance on AoE makes stuff melt, especially when combined with Foes

Spear is pretty meh for BLM, I'm sure there's dps that can get mcuh more out of it, or the tank