So what's the fastest AoE nuke for BLM?

[Kazzoey]

I'm only lvl 69 so no access to Foul yet. Been doing my usual ice prep first with thunder 4, then one or two Fire 2, then quad flare and any Thunder 4 procs that pop up. For typical dungeons/trash clear, what's the best way to wipe them out? And is it worth it to just ignore Fire 2 completely now? Or does it still have a purpose?

[Phoenicia]

Well, it should not matter much because most AoE that matters in game happens when adds pop in the middle of a fight. Exception is the first pack in any dungeon.

For the first pack in a dungeon, I just raw cast Thunder 2/4, then Fire 3 and do 2x Fire II into Flare, then transpose, now that I'm in the Umbral Ice phase, I recast Thunder 4, Bliz 4 for umbral hearts, then 2x Fire II, 2x Flare and Transpose.

Notes:

- You shouldn't skip Fire 2 because it's a whole second faster to cast than Flare. Also Flare consumes all 3 Umbral Hearts while the mana redction is the same regardless of Umbral Hearts it consumes. It also allows for T4 DoT to tick its duration.
- If you have Triple Cast, you can use it before the second Fire II so you can instantly cast a Fire II and both Flares.
- If you have Convert, you can use it after the second Flare so you can do a third one.
- If you have both Triple Cast and Conver (the CDs can easily line up), you can either Triple Cast before the first Flare so all 4 Flares are instant, or do the same as step one then Swiftcast the third Flare.
- Thundercloud procs on Thunder 4 in AoE is almost always a DPS gain.

I hope that answered all your questions.
~ Phoenicia ~

[Kabooa]

You skip Fire 2 if the mob count isn't at least 7+

[RuneSevalle]

Blizz 3 -> Thunder 4 -> Blizz 4 -> Fire 3 -> Flare if less than 7 enemies. More flare -> Transpose or Convert (Maybe more Flare) -> Repeat (Blizz 3 not necessary for continuance.) and use TC procs. Foul when you get it.

[Rakar]

Blizz 3, leylines, sharpcast, thunder4, blizz 4, fire 3, (sharpcast) thunder 4, triple cast, flare, flare, convert, flare, ether potion, flare.

That's probably the fastest. Thunder procs can be ridiculous DPS sometimes.

[Rakar]

Thunder 4, not lightning 3, oops >>

[Sunspawn]

Might not be the fastest nuke, but my AoE opener is B3-T4-B4-F3-F2-F2-Triplecast-Fl-Fl-Fl(convert)-Swiftcast-Fl(max ether)-Transpose. Those two Fire 2s before the Flares are because 4 Flares are usually not enough to kill absolutely everything, thus the Fire 2s are not really a waste of casting time.

Once I got Foul, since the diamond remains even out of Eno-chan, I shove it between B3 and T4 for Eno's 5% mag. damage boost (when out of Enochian) and before B3 when I do manage to keep it with transpose-dancing.

[Finkledoodoo]

Highest DPS = fastest nuke?

These are my optimum rotations per enemy total atm:
2: T4 B4 F3 F4 F4 Flare Flare
3-5: T4 B4 F3 Flare Flare
6-8: T4 B4 F3 F2 F2 Flare Flare
9+: T4 F3 F2 F2 Flare

Disclaimer, these were figured out by Waliel (I simply use them).

*edit* I credited the wrong person...

[Ferrinus]

Highest DPS = fastest nuke?

These are my optimum rotations per enemy total atm:
2: T4 B4 F3 F4 F4 Flare Flare
3-5: T4 B4 F3 Flare Flare
6-8: T4 B4 F3 F2 F2 Flare Flare
9+: T4 F3 F2 F2 Flare

Disclaimer, these were figured out by Galvuu (I simply use them).

You don't have a link to the numbers behind those, do you?

[Finkledoodoo]

Numbers plz

Ask this guy,
here is his post:

So I checked everything from 2 to 10 mobs and this is what I got. Assuming no TC, as then everything goes out the window.

2: T4 B4 F3 F4 F4 Flare Flare
3-5: T4 B4 F3 Flare Flare
6-8: T4 B4 F3 F2 F2 Flare Flare
9+: T4 F3 F2 F2 Flare

The more SS you have, the more T4 B4 F3 F2 F2 Flare Flare will probably creep into other areas, because of T4 clipping.