Thread: Patch 4.0 BLM Quick Reference Handbook

THIS IS NOT A FINAL VERSION.
With some simple mathematics, the conclusion is “BLM’s 4.0 Rotation is almost as same as 3.0 rotation. Much easier than I expected.

I’ve written “BLM Operation Handbook” since patch 3.1. Read Operation Handbood first can extremely improve your understanding of this QRH. Refers to “Letter from the Producer LIVE Part XXXVI”, I calculate BLM’s rotation in 4.0. This is an estimate. I’ll improve my calculation after I lvling to 70.

Part.I New Actions And Changes

Enochain will exist forever under Astral& Umbral, and output a Polygolt every 30s
I
B4 outputs 3x Umbral Heart now. More accurate description of UH is : Cancel MP increment caused by Astral Fire , that is why short F3 does not consume Umbral Heart.
LVL62 Between the Lines
Fly back to Ley Lines. [pic1]


LVL64 Thunder IV
AOE DoT. 1.2GCD. directly 50ptc, 30ptc over 18s. T4 is upgrade from T2. T2 became AOE DoT too. All Thunder action can output Thunderstruck.
[pic2]



LVL66 Triplecast (Tri)
Can be seen as triple Swiftcast. 90s CD
[pic3]


LVL70 Foul
There is a new cool action named “Foul” and Ptc 650. But only can be cast every 30s with Polygolt. It provide a little DPS and big damage number. But the most important is, Foul is a powerful AOE ability of BLM in 4.0.
[pic4]

Part.II Mana consumption

[pic5]

Alert: When using “4441444” you must cast short F3 with full mana or you don't have enough to cast B3 in the end.
B4 gives BLM 3x Umbral Heart. Umbral HeartCancel MP increment caused by Astral Fire of all Fire action under AS3. With some addition and subtraction, we can cast 441444 with the power of Umbral Heart. And cast 44144 without it like 3.0. So casting B4 or not, determines using 441444 or 44144.
I don't know if there is SCH in the party could fix it. And we can add some piety from Metaria.
Server-tick still exist.
“44144” is as same as 3.0 without B4. And we can use MPtimer in ACT to avioid MP choke.

Part.III Basic Rotation Theory - Single target

I make a new calculation of 4.0 start up and compare with 3.0. I use 2.4 GCD for the low level SS in early 4.0. and finally I realize that BLM is the most simple job in 4.0. Everyone can output ton of DPS.


Simulation of 4.0 normal rotation
[pic8]


Simulation of 3.0 normal rotation
[pic9]



Then I made a big calculation and confirm the best rotation.
I put expectation into T3&F1 to simplifiy.

441444 rotation
[pic11]


44144 rotation
[pic13]


Leave these data away, just look at this
[pic14]


Comparing with 441444, I would like to use 3.0 rotation as usual. It's simple and has lot of window to insert proc. what you need to do is insert Foul just like Firestarter or Thunderstuck.
B4 only can be used in startup. So BLM become very friendly to new player. The only thing you need to do is press Eno at the beginning of the battle.

Part.IV Basic Rotation Theory – Multi target

A picture tells you how BLM become King of AOE again in 4.0
[pic15]


So we can know that B4 helps AOE rotation become more powerful.
Use single target rotation for 2 target.
Use multi target rotation for more than 3 target.
Remember that T4 is AOE DoT like Aero III.
Don’t forget maintain Enochain for Foul.
Use Convert and Ether for Multi-Flare.
Flare is nerffed again. sucks

Part.V Rotation Optimization

Our BLM lost Raging Strike in 4.0. And there is no alternate.

Triplecast (Tri):
Should always be used before 3xF4, provide maximum increment. Change 44144 to 41444 or 44414 after Triplecast. And it’s a perfect maneuver ability in raid. (thank yoshida)

Sharpcast (SP): Better used on Thunder actions. SPT3 under U3, then throw T3p under A3.

SwiftCast (ST): We have Triplecast for output now. Saving swiftcast for emergency.

Don’t forget keep your Astral & Umbral when idle using Transpose, you will gather a Polygolt every 30’s.

There are many startup in the world. And there is no universal formula. Choose specific startup in specific raid. Adjust your Rotation adapt to phase in raid. Listen, Feel, Think.

Here is an example for 4.0 rotation to make sense.

Startup Checklist
B3 …………………………….....…Cast Before Contact
Enochain…………………........Press
B4……………………………...…..Cast
Swiftcast………………….....….Press
T3…………………………….....….Cast
Ley Lines………………...……..Press
F3………………………………...…Cast
Sharpcast ……………..……….Press
F4………………………………...…Cast 3 times
F1………………………………...…Cast
T3p..……………………………....Cast if come out.
Triplecast…………………….....Press
F4……………………………….....Cast
Potion………………………..…..Drink
F4…………………………………...Cast
F4………………………………..…Cast
Convert……………………….…Press
F3p………………………………..Throw out
F4………………………………..…Cast 2 times
Foul……………………………....Cast
B3………………………………....Cast
Startup Checklist Complete.

Activate Ley Lines later, delay Raging strike & Potion， to the greatest strengthen these F4 under Triplecast, a fire Firestarter, and Foul .
So the key to make DPS difference between Novice and Veteran is not depends on rotation. Is about how you plan your ability chain(LL SP Tri Raging etc.)

Normal Rotation Checklist
Sharpcast ………………….….Press If Cool Down
T3………………………………....Cast
Foul……………………………...Cast if polygolt
Full Mana.......................Check
F3………………………………....Cast
F4………………………………..…Cast
F1………………………………..…Cast
T3p..……………………………..Throw out if come out.
Triplecast……………………...Press If Cool Down
F4……………………………….…Cast 3 times
F3p……………………………….Throw out if come out.
B3…………………………….…..Cast
Normal Rotation Checklist Comlete.


Add Thunder action in each rotation is good to Global DPS. If you have more Proc during several rotations, the more you get a chance to use a 44144+foul rotation to raise DPS a little.



Multi-Target Rotation Checklist
Choose Target……........Central of crowd
Umbral…………........….…Confirm
B4………………….........…..Cast
T4………………….........……Cast
F3………………….........……Cast
F2………………….........……Cast 5 times
T4p…………………..........…Throw out if come out.
Foul……………….........…..Cast if Polygolt
Flare……………….........….Cast
Transpose……….........… Press
Multi-Target Rotation Checklist Complete

-----------------------------------
Note Jun. 16
I found that F22 Flare make more DPS than F22222 Flare. If the enemy is weak use F22 Flare to clean up . But F22222 Flare make twice DMG in single rotation than F22 Flare. good idea in dungeon.