PLD dps min maxing questions

[RLofOBFL]

I am trying to squeeze PLD for everything it's got but there's a couple things I am tryna figure out.

In general should I start casting holy spirit at 2 seconds on the pull timer? Would that be a dps increase overall compared to sprinting in to Fast Blade? I believe it's an increase if you're pulling but optimally PLD shouldn't pull and I wonder if it's still worth it.

And more importantly, If you get Refreshed before you're at full MP you can get off 2 or so more Holy Spirits unbuffed, so I am wondering if that is worth it? On one hand, it would be a net increase I believe as Holy Spirit is 400 potency per GCD vs RA combo being 278 potency per GCD(w slashing) but on the other hand it would put your CDs out of whack and you'd have to end up delaying FoF by 2 or 3 GCDs, and in turn delay your next Requiscat.

[CelestialWyrm]

In general should I start casting holy spirit at 2 seconds on the pull timer? Would that be a dps increase overall compared to sprinting in to Fast Blade? I believe it's an increase if you're pulling but optimally PLD shouldn't pull and I wonder if it's still worth it.

Yes, because even with sprint you have to cover distance to get within range for your Fast Blade since PLD has no gap closer.

And more importantly, If you get Refreshed before you're at full MP you can get off 2 or so more Holy Spirits unbuffed, so I am wondering if that is worth it?

I've seen people say that you should do an additional cast if you get Refreshed, but I've not experimented enough to know if it's worth throwing off your CDs. PLD rotations have very neatly aligned timings and if you throw in extra casts you have to shift everything.

[Oshea]

In general should I start casting holy spirit at 2 seconds on the pull timer? Would that be a dps increase overall compared to sprinting in to Fast Blade?

Yes, you definitely wanna be doing that.

I believe it's an increase if you're pulling but optimally PLD shouldn't pull and I wonder if it's still worth it.

Debatable. If you have a good group that knows how to aggro manage PLD can pull just fine. You don't use Shield Oath or an aggro combo then anyway and the more Shield Swipes, the better.

[Chrono_Rising]

For HS outside buff window you don't need to delay any buffs, you replace your unbuffed RA combo with 3 HS and then continue your rotation.

[Zykor]

In general should I start casting holy spirit at 2 seconds on the pull timer?

The short answer is always: it depends. Take Neo for example, the difference between using HS at the start or just running in is an additional Fast Blade before alpha goes off, which in turn means you can get a goring off before you get knocked back for terminal. Overall that means it is a DPS gain to not use HS at the start. Alternatively, I like to use HS at the start of Exdeath regular as long as I can manage to end that phase on a RA.

And more importantly, If you get Refreshed before you're at full MP you can get off 2 or so more Holy Spirits unbuffed, so I am wondering if that is worth it?

Once again the answer is it depends. You don't actually have to use Req on CD as long as you don't lose one overall in the fight. You do also have 2 combos that are unbuffed every minute that you can play around with for those unbuffed HS. In fact, to sometimes ensure I can line up certain GCDs into trick, I use an unbuffed HS to purposely delay my combos by a GCD.

Overall, you'll want to test around with it because in reality there is no absolute statement that says, "never pull with HS" and "never use an unbuffed HS". It always depends on the fight, on the phase change timing, on your last GCD, on the party buffs, and on boss mechanics.