Gear/Actions, what could be better? (Tiaitchsi)

[Komma]

As always, I recommend people (especially those who aren't near BiS) to go for 14242 haste and then mastery. If for some reason you have excess haste on your gear and can't get rid of it without using int gems, then leave the haste alone.

[Tiaitchsi]

As always, I recommend people (especially those who aren't near BiS) to go for 14242 haste and then mastery. If for some reason you have excess haste on your gear and can't get rid of it without using int gems, then leave the haste alone.

Thanks for your reply.
I'm going to up the KTT to 582 since it probably will help out alot on Siegecrafter.
Then I'll go for Haste (14242) > Mastery >= Crit (~20%) > Haste > Crit (+20%)

Side question: Will frost be viable as I get closer to BiS? My Arcane skills seems to be capped at a very low stage. :<

Much love!

[Hendrikto]

Side question: Will frost be viable as I get closer to BiS? My Arcane skills seems to be capped at a very low stage.

Currently all 3 specs are so close to each other that you can basically play which one you're best at/ have the most gear for and yield results very close to each other.

The exception are multi target fights (TFP, Dark Shamans, Klaxxi) where you can do INSANE damage by utilizing ignite tick compression. It's pretty hard to pull of but is totally worth it. Peaked at just over 5m dps on Dark Shamans wednesday and I'm not even that good at it (with Combustion ticks being at 500-600k).

[Tiaitchsi]

Side question: Will frost be viable as I get closer to BiS? My Arcane skills seems to be capped at a very low stage.

Currently all 3 specs are so close to each other that you can basically play which one you're best at/ have the most gear for and yield results very close to each other.

The exception are multi target fights (TFP, Dark Shamans, Klaxxi) where you can do INSANE damage by utilizing ignite tick compression. It's pretty hard to pull of but is totally worth it. Peaked at just over 5m dps on Dark Shamans wednesday and I'm not even that good at it (with Combustion ticks being at 500-600k).

I'll probably stay as frost unless I wake up one day blessed by the arcane gods.

OT, after simulating I found that switching from the WF BBoY to HC KTT while going for the 14242 will yield a loss in DPS. I'm confused as of what to do.

[Tiaitchsi]

BUMP.
I did some testing on a training dummy as Arcane while logging.
I was hoping you could help me understand if I got the rotation right.
I recently woke up, so the uptimes of RoP and the bomb wasn't great and I screwed some AM's up.
But just the general rotation, am I doing it right?
http://www.warcraftlogs.com/reports/MBn ... e&source=1" target="_blank

Cheers.

[Hendrikto]

I just gave the logs a quick look and as you said your Mage Bomb uptime could need some help. Also I've spotted several times where you build up 4 stacks, then used AM -> AM -> ABar. Why would you do this? With the T16 2P what you want to do is build 4 stacks, AM -> AB -> AM -> AB as long as you run out of AM procs -> ABar. You want to stay at 4 stacks as much as possible.

[Tiaitchsi]

I just gave the logs a quick look and as you said your Mage Bomb uptime could need some help. Also I've spotted several times where you build up 4 stacks, then used AM -> AM -> ABar. Why would you do this? With the T16 2P what you want to do is build 4 stacks, AM -> AB -> AM -> AB as long as you run out of AM procs -> ABar. You want to stay at 4 stacks as much as possible.

That's how I originally played, but got told to use PM for my first AB instead.
But now I realize that's just stupid.
So I should follow LB/NT > ABx4 > AM > AB with PM > ABarr?

When I'm at 4 stacks, should I fish for AM by reapplying my bomb regardless duration?
Also, at what stage of mana should you reset when weaving?

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: New logs - http://www.warcraftlogs.com/reports/vXm ... e&source=1" target="_blank
EDIT2: Even newer logs - http://www.warcraftlogs.com/reports/43K ... e&source=2" target="_blank

[Tiaitchsi]

Bumping again.
I've decided to ditch frost for arcane. Should I just go for Hit > Mastery > Haste > Crit, or should I aim for the 14242 haste cap?

[Komma]

So I should follow LB/NT > ABx4 > AM > AB with PM > ABarr?

PM?

When I'm at 4 stacks, should I fish for AM by reapplying my bomb regardless duration?

No.

Also, at what stage of mana should you reset when weaving?

I think a lot of players usually quote ~80-85%.

EDIT: New logs - http://www.warcraftlogs.com/reports/vXm ... e&source=1" target="_blank
EDIT2: Even newer logs - http://www.warcraftlogs.com/reports/43K ... e&source=2" target="_blank

As is frequently said, dummy logs offer very little insight into your quality of play. You simply don't have the stress from encounters, or any difficulty with managing RoP. Not much to be said about the logs since it's just a standard rotation.

Bumping again.
I've decided to ditch frost for arcane. Should I just go for Hit > Mastery > Haste > Crit, or should I aim for the 14242 haste cap?

Just stack mastery. There is no 14242 haste cap for Arcane on single target, because the only regularly used instant spell is the infrequent Arcane Barrage.

[Tiaitchsi]

So I should follow LB/NT > ABx4 > AM > AB with PM > ABarr?

PM?

When I'm at 4 stacks, should I fish for AM by reapplying my bomb regardless duration?

No.

Also, at what stage of mana should you reset when weaving?

I think a lot of players usually quote ~80-85%.

EDIT: New logs - http://www.warcraftlogs.com/reports/vXm ... e&source=1" target="_blank
EDIT2: Even newer logs - http://www.warcraftlogs.com/reports/43K ... e&source=2" target="_blank

As is frequently said, dummy logs offer very little insight into your quality of play. You simply don't have the stress from encounters, or any difficulty with managing RoP. Not much to be said about the logs since it's just a standard rotation.

Bumping again.
I've decided to ditch frost for arcane. Should I just go for Hit > Mastery > Haste > Crit, or should I aim for the 14242 haste cap?

Just stack mastery. There is no 14242 haste cap for Arcane on single target, because the only regularly used instant spell is the infrequent Arcane Barrage.

Thanks for your response.
I can tell that people are getting a bit annoyed over this thread, so I'll try to keep it to a minimum from now on.

I really appreciate the help though.
Much love.

[Komma]

It's not really people getting annoyed, but more about not having more to say that isn't included in most responses or guides.

Wait, you still haven't explained: What's "PM"?

[Tiaitchsi]

It's not really people getting annoyed, but more about not having more to say that isn't included in most responses or guides.

Wait, you still haven't explained: What's "PM"?

Profound Magic, but I realized 2PC would've been a better way to express it.

[Tiaitchsi]

Alright. Hate me and this thread all you want, but I'm seriously confuzzled.

Just tell me if this is right or wrong:

Mana >= ~80% - AM (when 2 charges) > AB (2PC active) > Fire Blast > AM (when 1 charge) > ABarr
Mana < ~80% - AM > Fire Blast > AB (2PC active) > ABarr

My head hurts.

To make it short: When should I use Fire Blast, if ever?

[Chev]

PM (AKA 2pc) comes in stacks (up to 4) so it is not as simple as 2pc active.

Maybe it is something I have missed in all of my reading, but you should only be using Fire Blast during periods of movement and you are not at 4 stacks AB to let off your ABarr yet.

There is a Weak Aura thread (http://altered-time.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=111" target="_blank) in which I have posted a WA which will show you the remaining mana after a cast of Arcane Blast if you were to start casting an AB right this second. As such your decision making process should be something like ....

Am I at 4 Stacks AB? (assume yes)
Does my bomb need refreshing yet? (assume no)
Do I have 1+ AM procs? (assume yes) spend 1 AM proc
Will I be above 80% if I cast another AB? (assume yes) cast another AB
Does my bomb need refreshing yet? (assume no)
Do I have another AM proc to use? (assume yes) spend 1 AM proc.
Will I be above 80% if I cast another AB? (assume yes) cast another AB
Does my bomb need refreshing yet? (assume yes) Refresh bomb
Do I have any more AM procs (assume no)
Will I be above 80% if I cast another AB? (assume yes) cast another AB
Have I had any more AM procs? (assume no)
Will I be above 80% if I cast another AB? (assume no)
Cast Arcane Barrage to reset stacks.

There is a post (here http://altered-time.com/forum/viewtopic ... =521#p5628" target="_blank) discussing the merits of ending with an AB rather than AM before resetting stacks which discusses the pros and cons of getting the extra damage from the last AB compared to finishing with a higher mana pool after resetting your stacks which shows the result is basically the same but this is where situational awareness comes in. E.g. If you know a mechanic is about to come in to play that will force you from your rune, you will want to finish after clearing your AM procs so your mana is higher while out of your rune. If you know you will be in your rune for the foreseeable future, finish with an Extra AB and you should get enough of your Mana back while building up your stacks again.

[Tiaitchsi]

Thanks for your reply.
Any professional arcane mage that could add my battletag to act as a "mentor", for easier questions/discussions?
If you're able to provide help over time and answer my questions whenever you have time, I might be able to send some small quantities of munnies via PayPal or something. I'm not looking to pay per question, but if you provide me with enough insight and tips, I'll make up for it. :>

Tobbe#2976

[Tiaitchsi]

BUMP:
Some "real" logs, new guild, went from slow 10-man to crazy fast 25-man, so I wasn't mentally prepared for the extreme change in pace.
http://www.worldoflogs.com/reports/h5m7 ... 272&e=1520" target="_blank
Am I getting the rotation right?
The thing I'm most concerned with is my AM, it feels like I'm clipping/interrupting them too early to start another cast.
Is there an addon to help me with this? I currently use Quartz, but since my AM only had 66 hits with 18 procs (18 x 5 = 90 (and this is without regards to the 4PC)) I'm feeling kind of worried.

[Chev]

If you have a good connection with very low latency, you can use the macros found here (http://altered-time.com/forum/viewtopic ... =169#p2199" target="_blank) which add a "Not Channeling" condition to the cast to stop you clipping AM.

[Tiaitchsi]

If you have a good connection with very low latency, you can use the macros found here (http://altered-time.com/forum/viewtopic ... =169#p2199" target="_blank) which add a "Not Channeling" condition to the cast to stop you clipping AM.

I used that macro before, but I was told not to. But I think I will give it a try and see how the results vary.
Did you check out the logs? Was there any other major f ups?
Cheers.

[Chev]

I did but found it very frustrating to be using World of Logs again.

I did notice that you are using Ice Barrier. This is on the GCD so this is a GCD that you can't spend casting something that does damage. Your Bomb and Rune of Power uptime could be slightly better but that was about all I could see. If you can get some logs on WarcraftLogs which have advanced combat logging enabled, we might be able to see a bit more.

[Tiaitchsi]

I did but found it very frustrating to be using World of Logs again.

I did notice that you are using Ice Barrier. This is on the GCD so this is a GCD that you can't spend casting something that does damage. Your Bomb and Rune of Power uptime could be slightly better but that was about all I could see. If you can get some logs on WarcraftLogs which have advanced combat logging enabled, we might be able to see a bit more.

Sorry, I hate WoL myself.
I'll try to log myself next week for some better data.
I'll probably also use Temporal Shield in the future, cheers mate.