recommendation for single-target dps handling downtime well?

[RylaBee]

Seeking recommendation for primarily single-target focused dps class that can perform in heavy movenment/evasion scenarios.

I'm trying Dragoon now, and so far has been happy (still low lvl). But from viewing some end-game guides for Dragoon, it seems to descent into overcomplicated rotations.

More then that, this class (unless im reading it wrong) takes long time to have "stars align" before their dps becomes optimal (the ramp-up of all the interconnected buffs takes long).
This is something that I know from past MMO experience is detrimental on hard fights, which force lot of downtime/evasions where you can't maintain rotation.

How is your experience with Dragoons in this? Are you as Dragoon able to recover from forced downtime without restarting your rotations all over again? Or would you recommend other class instead?

[Neela]

Actually most of the dps cls have a burst window which can be interrupt by downtimes/phasechanges - no matter which dd you gonna take its mostly about knowing the endgame fights/phases to provide decent dmg. In my opinion Sam is one of the least punishing ones to restart after a downtime but even Sam can do way better if you can time rota with mechanics. Cant say that much bout Drg tho... haven't played it after maxing it to HW cap.... : /

you shouldn't forget that phase changes can be a blessing as well for restoring stacks or cooldowns on skills which are important for the further progress...

[RylaBee]

Thx for reply

seems there is a LOT of SAMs running around lately, which I suppose is because its a new class (its the same for RDM).
Would like feedback from 70 DRG player who also has other 70 dps on this issue.

[Neela]

well its not just cause they are new also they are easy and forgiving starter-cls which can reach decent to high dmg with less effort compared to the older dds thats why they are so common around.... your question is not just about Drg but about nearly every other dd cls - like I said most of them have self buffs and stances which u have to handle and time right. sam got nearly nothing to boost itself its about raw dmg -> fast rota-recovery after downtimes/phases. the more selfbuffs or even stacks a dd cls has the more you have to time/know the thrill... : o

[MahoSenshi]

I'd say NINs have easier time with forced downtime - only one buff to keep with a long duration (which you can max beforehand), DoT/debuff combo comes right after downtime and most of oGCD abilities CDs keep ticking while you're unable to attack. SAMs have it easier than DRGs but still have to reapply all their buffs.

[Selova]

70 Dragoon here, I also have every dps job at 70 except for machinist and bard. While dragoons have slight ramp up time, it's not as bad since they buffed Lotd, making it take less time to access nastrond. Outside of that it's basically just a priority system of your 2 combos, keeping up your HT buff, and lining up battle litany/blood for blood with other jobs buffs. (trick attack, balance card, chain stratagem, ect..) The only time you'd be experiencing any kind of downtime is if you mess up and lose blood of the Dragon while your in the middle of building up your eyes and with how easy it is to extend botd as well as its short cd, you should almost never lose it, save for long intermission phases, but even that is something that's easily fixed once you learn boss encounters. If that didn't answer your question, let me know. Cheers.

[RylaBee]

Thanks Selova

Im now lvl60. While I like the moves and enjoy leveling through dungeons, I do not like steadily growing rigid and over-complicated rotations (2x 4-move combos + compulsory buffing skill) + X-number of oGCD abilities that need to be weaved between weaponskills.
Combined with lag, constant weaving of oGCD abilities causes weaponskills to sometimes become stunted.

Another problem is what looks like very rigid rotanion on 70
Especially, that there are exactly 2 abilities (if I read it right), required to reach Life of The Dragon buff: Jump and Spineshatter Dive

Jump - ability that is literaly 50% of reasons why I die to AoE (it ties you in place for extended period)
Spineshatter Dive - fine ability, but also one of your 2 long-cd gapclosers. I sometimes want to keep it in reserve - I certainly do that during my dungeon leveling.
But once 70, ideal rotation will force me to use it ASAP, since with Jump, it is only ability leading to Life of The Dragon buff ??

[Llugen]

I didn't read the rest of the responses, but make sure you utilize elusive jump and spineshatter dive for this IF it's only roughly 4-6 seconds worth of spineshatter to "save".

[RylaBee]

IF it's only roughly 4-6 seconds worth of spineshatter to "save".

What do you mean by this?

[Cabalabob]

I’d recommend samurai, unlike mnk and drg it has nothing like greased lightning or blood of the dragon to maintain (or lose during phase changes), unlike nin it has no long recast debuffs that are wasted if the boss goes invulnerable, it has burst phases but since it has no damage buffs like internal release or blood for blood it’s no big deal if you can’t finish it and when the boss does leave the field you have a move to build kenki while you wait meaning the boss leaving actually helps you.