Dragoons: A Rotation Reborn

[Dervy]

Hey ayvar, which is most up to date and more damaging. The YouTube video showing rotations or your initial post here? I wanna use that "second" rotation you displayed in YouTube using BFB right after HT. Or can I stick with the final form you have in the forum which has IR after HT instead.

Which video are you talking about? Cause if it were some British guy talking, that was myself and not Ayvar. I can give you an explanation as to why I use HT -> BFB -> ID -> IR, rather than what's posted in this thread, HT -> IR -> ID -> BFB.

It's so the IR hangs on after the last Full Thrust so I can end it with a potential DFD or an SP critical hit. After full thrust, you still will have a HT + BFB + IR buff this way, and you could potentially crit for 900+ with DFD. I'd take an extra 900 damage thank you very much :P. That's just me putting my twist onto how to manage the cool downs/buffs. The rotation posted here is just as effective as mine, with no difference in damage what so ever up until the Full Thrust. And yes, if it's a 2.2 guide you were watching, it's up to date ^_^

As long as you're using the H IDC P TTT Rotation, and weaving your skills in between your abilities, you'll be maximising the DPS of your dragoon.

Also, only ever use fracture in fights like Titan, if you think it's needed. Chuck it out, and replace it with Mercy Stroke.

[whiskeybravo]

snip

Dervy? Wait a sec.. Your video helped me learn the Garuda EX fight as DRG!! Thank you!

@VaShawn - yea you will find that most of us use a slightly a different rotation for the off GCD abilities. I use mine in a certain order that I've gotten used to due to playing on controller. Regarding B4B and IR specifically, I just try to maximize uptime, so IR is ticks in full while under B4B, and I delay using until after Impulse Drive so both IR and B4B tick in full under Disembowel.

[Dervy]

Dervy? Wait a sec.. Your video helped me learn the Garuda EX fight as DRG!! Thank you!

@VaShawn - yea you will find that most of us use a slightly a different rotation for the off GCD abilities. I use mine in a certain order that I've gotten used to due to playing on controller. Regarding B4B and IR specifically, I just try to maximize uptime, so IR is ticks in full while under B4B, and I delay using until after Impulse Drive so both IR and B4B tick in full under Disembowel.

Yah, Ima add an "extras tip" for Garuda EX later. There's a much better method, but it involves communication between yourself and the tanks.

Sadly, my gaming rig is blown up so I can't do anything at all for a while. RIP in pieces. Also, that is how I used to run my Dragoon. I used to stack BFB + IR together right under Disembowl (first rotation I posted in that video VaShawn was talking about). I use both depending on the situation.

Example, if we're doing titan EX, and run in for the HT, and he turns around and landslides, his rear is near the tank, so I'd halt using any buffs and get the ID going off, then stack the buffs. This way, I'm not wasting any DPS, or time on the HT, or reapplying the HT. Don't wanna be #2 on DPS bro, lol :P

Anyone knows if the flank/rear acc numbers apply to bards as well?

Not a clue. If you want to check quickly, go to the Lv. 50 Dummies up in the North Western town in Coerthas (forgot the name) and run 341 accuracy. Go to the flank of the dummies and start attacking. (The rear of the dummies is facing the wall). If you do not miss after around 300 hits, go to the front. If you miss once after 300 hits, it's safe to say front/flank/rear accuracy affects Bards, which could also affect SMN and BLMs.

Currently, works for Dragoons, Warriors and Monks.

[VaShawn]

Any suggestion as to having fracture at all? The other cross abilities are useful. What cross class skill is worth replacing fracture if need be?

[PArcher]

Any suggestion as to having fracture at all? The other cross abilities are useful. What cross class skill is worth replacing fracture if need be?

I have Foresight, Bloodbath, Mercy Stroke, Second Wind and Internal Release.

[VaShawn]

I have Foresight, Bloodbath, Mercy Stroke, Second Wind and Internal Release.

Dang. I was leaning that way as well

[Ayvar]

Any suggestion as to having fracture at all? The other cross abilities are useful. What cross class skill is worth replacing fracture if need be?

You can have Fracture if you want, but it is better to try to get the extra Full Thrust combo instead of using Fracture in your rotation. As long as you have Mercy Stroke and Internal Release you've maximized your damage cross-class abilities, so everything else is personal choice. Second Wind is always good, the 5% healing boost from Mantra is nice on big AE fights like Titan Ex, Bloodbath is nice for persistent AE where you want to be more self sufficient and relieve a little of the healing pressure (like Ifrit Ex nail phase and T4 knights/soldiers), Keen Flurry is great in some situations (e.g. again the AE from Knights/Soldiers on T4), I even use Skull Sunder sometimes if I want to hold aggro on something (e.g. the 3rd rook in T4 or an add on Titan Ex).

Think of your cross-class abilities as a toolbox. You have 3 slots for tools, all of which can accomplish something different but potentially useful in the right situation. Once you figure out what you want, you can choose the correct tools to help you get it done.

[Empressia]

Any suggestion as to having fracture at all? The other cross abilities are useful. What cross class skill is worth replacing fracture if need be?

fracture are only useful when ur target is rotating chaotically (since ur Impulse drive is definitely wasted and landing a true thrust might disrupt ur heavy thrust/phlebotomize or ur flank rotation debuff duration)

[EasymodeX]

Humm, I have Mantra instead of Foresight.

Mostly so I can mock the other DRG I group with and be elitist all over his comparatively lazy-I-don't-wanna-level-Monk-ass.

[JetBrooks]

I use Foresight/Bloodbath/Second Wind for tanking the Knight in T4 phase 6 while my monk friend LBs it. I can also easily tank a Titan EX gaoler (at least 1, I haven't tried 2) using those, and come out with pretty much 100% HP.

I'm also in the haven't-leveled-monk club, which is a shame, coz I love the job; but I think I'd wanna keep Foresight anyway. If I can keep my own dumbass alive, at least the healers won't have to pay attention to me for, you know, like 6 seconds.