DPS Job Rankings & Stats

[persist4647]

I played a few years back, never getting much past starting HW content. I started again recently and have hit 70 w/a DPS class and thus "end game."

One area I'm looking for clarification on is parsing. Before going further, please note:

• This post is not about whether parsing should be allowed.
• This post is not me worried about "getting caught." (N/A on PS4).
• This post is not about me accusing people that use parsers.

I posted a similar thread on an external forum some time back and was flamed more than a triple cast fire IV sitting on ley-lines with The Spear. I'm not against parsing. I understand we can all "get away with it." No fight club meme here. That's not what this post is about.

When I played years ago I was in a guild. That guild starting talking about parsing. I looked it up and found it was against the TOS and cheating. I felt guilty by association so left the guild. Some time after, I stopped playing because going solo is dull.

This time around, I figured I'm on a PS4 so it isn't something to be concerned about. Big nope there. The official forums here are full of parsing references and rankings. I can't do simple browsing without seeing that FSH ranks higher than CUL in DPS and CRP is at the bottom. Fishing poles are deadly.

In game, I'm sure if I join a guild, they'll talk about who parses what. I'm sure that if I participate in a raid, it'll be brought up and used. There is no way I can reasonably play this game and avoid it. I already know which DPS ranks higher because GoogleSo, if it is considered cheating by SE, and I cannot avoid it, does this mean that I'm guilty by association? Even the new player guides are based on parsing results. Avoidance is not realistic. I've tried!

So with the above said:

• If I join a guild and the use parsing, am I obliged to report it?
• Can I do raids with others that parse?
• Am I allowed to look at guides, rotations and discussions based on parsing on the official forum and elsewhere?

To sum up, I feel that parsing is an integral part of any MMO but I will never do it because if I play a game, I want to abide by the TOS and not cheat, even if I strongly disagree that it is "cheating."

However, I cannot avoid the issue and enjoy end game and a guild. I already have a head filled of parsing because if simple google searches and here in FFXIV managed forums.

So, am I guilt by association? I don't feel like paying SE money if they consider me to be breaking the ToS and they themselves do not honor it. I love playing this game, but am getting tired of the personal feeling of guilt by knowledge and association.

[MoroMurasaki]

So, am I guilt by association? I don't feel like paying SE money if they consider me to be breaking the ToS and they themselves do not honor it. I love playing this game, but am getting tired of the personal feeling of guilt by knowledge and association.

You're really overdramatizing everything, let's simplify.

If someone harassed you report them for it. You can report the harrassment of others too but it generally goes without any action taken.

SE is very aware that people parse and they seem to have enacted a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy surrounding it. Popular streamers parse openly and talk directly about it and nothing happens to them. The issue that will actually see direct action is using information gleaned from a parser to harass or insult another player. If you or your FC-to-be aren't doing that there is no reason to believe you'll see any consequence.

Basically - chill out, you're fine.

[Baalfrog]

"If I join a guild and the use parsing, am I obliged to report it?"
Yes, but they will eventually figure out its you, and you will be trapped in a cycle like that forever.
"Can I do raids with others that parse?"
No, that makes you a cheater by association and you should feel bad about it.
"Am I allowed to look at guides, rotations and discussions based on parsing on the official forum and elsewhere?"
No, because it was acquired through illegal means, meaning using them is against ToS and you should feel bad.

[AleXwern]

I think I can connect to this "external forum" you have posted since I vaguely remember a thread very, very, similar to this, and if you happen to be the same guy I just don't understand why you didn't read the responses because those explained everything pretty well.

Let's start with simple thing, and keep this in mind: "Why would I care? Why would anyone else's doings affect me?"

Someone runs a parser in raids because he has very high drive to improve himself (because he enjoys it), he doesn't harass anyone else over it, mostly keeps the information to himself and at the end of the day to him it's just visualization of how he has improved over time.
So OP, based on that what description, would you see any reason to ban him? Would you also ban his close friend who plays on PS4 (aka. doesn't have a ACT)? You probably wouldn't, and SE definitely doesn't.

Now here's the thing: Absolutely no one ever has been banned for USING a parser. People, however, have been banned for HARASSING other people over their performance and the key word here is "harassment" because there is no difference in harassing people over their numbers and telling them to harm themselves in terms of what you get as a punishment.
People openly use ACT during streams and SE has done 0 anything even though they follow stuff like Savage/Ultimate world race so they are absolutely bound to see people use it openly. They know about it and do nothing, take that how you will.

[Powercow]

"If I join a guild and the use parsing, am I obliged to report it?"
Yes, but they will eventually figure out its you, and you will be trapped in a cycle like that forever.
"Can I do raids with others that parse?"
No, that makes you a cheater by association and you should feel bad about it.
"Am I allowed to look at guides, rotations and discussions based on parsing on the official forum and elsewhere?"
No, because it was acquired through illegal means, meaning using them is against ToS and you should feel bad.

To add to this, if you've ever potentially played with someone who uses a parser you must buy 3 Moogles off the mogstation and chant 3 Hail Yoshidas as penance for your sins.

[Frizze]

• If I join a guild and the use parsing, am I obliged to report it?

If you were at a family christmas party and the host gave an underage niece/nephew a sip of champagne would you feel obligated to call the cops and child protective services?

• Am I allowed to look at guides, rotations and discussions based on parsing on the official forum and elsewhere?

I dont know what youve heard, but SE doesnt employ thought police.

With that said, someone who would post something like this is either super-overthinking it(and unbelievably naive) or a troll.

[Jollyy5]

Parsers are probably the only thing that make Savage and Ultimate runs possible...

ACT is there so that people can get their ACT together, so that they can contribute towards quick and smooth runs, whether it's dungeons or otherwise.

[Shiroe]

I feel harassed (!) from SE for not giving me a personal parser (that only shows my dps) .. as a PS4 player..!!!

instead of wasting money on a app noone is using, SE should have invested in a more stable and customisable parser for all

(like "can get the parser for free for pc or ps4 player from mog-station, when you buy anything from the mog-station for a minimum of 5 or 10$")

[Zerathor]

Parsers aren't against ToS.

Only harassing baddies solely due to their output acquired from a parser is against ToS.

They would have to ban 80% of people who do savage if they banned you for having a parser.

Even the devs play with parsers.

[MistakeNot]

Parsers aren't against ToS.

Actually, yes they are.

FINAL FANTASY XIV User Agreement:
"2.5 Data Mining.
You may not intercept, mine or otherwise collect information from the Game using unauthorised third party software."

That SE mostly do not care if people are using parsers is another matter. They are still against the rules.