
Originally Posted by
Odiato
I don't understand the point, i use Impulsive Drive only when i'm full staked without running out of them, and since it deals more damage than any other skill i can't see why i shouldn't use it[...].I'm lvl 43 anyway, since that build is based on a lvl 50 maybe i will have somethin better than impulsive drive to put on my rotation, but for now i really like it, today with the duble Impulsive Drive
Every Bootshine is a crit when you stick to your rotation, which will do more damage than Impulse Drive (but less damage than a crit ID).
Here's an 8-step simulation, assuming a single target and ideal execution:
[With Impulse Drive]
ID>ID>Snap>Boot>Twin>ID>ID>Snap = 1415
180 180 180 195 140 180 180 180
[Without Impulse Drive]
Snap>Boot>Twin>Snap>Boot>True>Snap>Boot = 1415
180 195 140 180 195 150 180 195
In 8 steps, you gain nothing using Impulse Drive over your standard rotation unless your IDs crit. However, if you need to reapply ToD or perform any other cooldown action, you will end up sacrificing an ID or risk losing GL.
Looking at a 16-step simulation:
[With Impulse Drive]
ID>ID>Snap>Boot>Twin>ID>ID>Snap>Boot>Twin>ID>ID>Snap>Boot>Twin>ID = 2805
180 180 180 195 140 180 180 180 195 140 180 180 180 195 140 180
[Without Impulse Drive]
Snap>Boot>Twin>Snap>Boot>True>Snap>Boot>Twin>Snap>Boot>True>Snap>Boot>Twin>Snap = 2775
180 195 140 180 195 150 180 195 140 180 195 150 180 195 140 180
Including GL buildup, this will be somewhere around the 60-second mark. You can see ID pulls slightly ahead. Note that you will have to use Twin Snakes in your rotation every time in order to maintain its bonus. At lv.50 this will also apply to Dragon Kick--except Dragon Kick doesn't get a free crit and won't do as much direct damage as Bootshine.
Let's consider a 20-step simulation at lv.50:
[With Impulse Drive]
ID>ID>Snap>DK>Twin>ID>ID>Snap>DK>Twin>ID>ID>Snap>DK>Twin>ID>ID>Snap>DK>Twin = 3320
180 180 180 150 140 180 180 180 150 140 180 180 180 150 140 180 180 180 150 140
[Without Impulse Drive]
Snap>DK>Twin>Snap>Boot>True>Snap>DK>Twin>Snap>Boot>True>Snap>DK>Twin>Snap>Boot>True>Snap>DK>Twin = 3455
180 150 140 180 195 150 180 150 140 180 195 150 180 150 140 180 195 150 180 150 140
At 20 steps with DK involved, the potency of a pure MNK rotation is higher while maintaining DK/TS damage bonuses. This is before we even consider things like ToD.
tl;dr
Prior to lv.50, any extra damage you get from mixing Impulse Drive into your rotation is marginal at best. It is also extremely risky and occupies GCD you could spend on other cooldown skills. Once you are lv.50, there is no point in using ID at all.