[Patch 1.0-1.1 ARCHIVE] Mercenary | Commando DPS Compendium

[GWARRR]

(02-12-2012 02:19 AM)Storm68 Wrote:  Hey guys,
Is there a preferred build/tree for Arsenal Merc's to utilise?
Is there a standard or hybrid build like other classes have?
On the first page of this thread several builds are mentioned but none are really recommended.
Thanks.

There are a couple builds posted on the front page because once you get past the core of the build, there's very little left to take that will affect your DPS that much: the rest is just generally quality of life stuff, or PvP-oriented stuff. This is, however, the build I prefer to use: 5/33/3 for PvE content. For PvP content I usually move the 2 points in Custom Enviro Suit into Pinning Fire for the snare. There's a DPS sheet for Arsenal floating around here that suggests 1pt in System Calibrations and Critical Reaction each is actually the highest DPS, so that would look like this: 6/31/4, but I personally haven't done much with that spec so it would be important to see if the Alacrity would help or hinder with the heat regeneration. Once you get past the core of the build, you can simply take whatever you think would serve you best. However, many of those last skills were chosen to maximize DPS as much as possible (Improved Vents so you can burst more often and use Vent Heat on CD, for example).

I personally prefer the complete 31pt Arsenal builds as I'm not a fan of DPS/heal hybrids outside of PvP (which is not our concern herein). I also think that the Pyrotech hybrids are going to be harder to maintain nice heat levels with, which would hurt sustained DPS if not managed extremely well (I have never played this spec before, so this is just looking at it offhand, but 25 heat is hard to put on a rotation as heat-constrained as this one). In addition, I don't think that Arsenal is as immobile as people think: you can get away with quite a lot if you are smart about it. While there is a lot of Tracer-ing involved, once you hit 50 for content, the amount of Tracers you cast drops with Barrage procs and the like. Since Heatseekers are instant, it's not like the 31pt Arsenal spec is totally rooted into the ground (though it prefers to be that way), and it certainly doesn't automatically imply that the Pyro hybrid is infinitely more mobile (you still have to plant for Tracers). And, at least now for PvE content as DPS, there are virtually zero instances where you need to run around enough to make planting for Tracers tough. An extra reason I would take 31pt Arsenal builds is due to a exploit/bug/maybe mechanic: Tracers across Arsenal Mercenaries stack in consideration for Heatseeker Missiles, which yields non-crit 5k+ HSM, which on CD is a massive DPS boost.

[bural]

(02-14-2012 01:34 AM)GWARRR Wrote:  While there is a lot of Tracer-ing involved, once you hit 50 for content, the amount of Tracers you cast drops with Barrage procs and the like.

I don't need to nidpick, but technically this isn't strickly true.
Given that Barrage is a fixed percentage and doesn't variate with f.x. crit rate, the number of Tracers per Barrage stays the same. In terms of rotations you'll actually see a larger number of Tracers over a given timeframe the better gear you get as increased crit and alacrity improves your Terminal Velocity proc rate and thus makes you able to ditch an increasing number of Rapid Shots in favor of Tracers.


Anyway, GWARRR is it possible I could bug you to have a look at the damage calculation of Unload in the sheet? It's supposedly quite a bit off, but I simply can't see what causes it. I've been postponing the next version trying to fix that particular bug, but...yeah:/

[GWARRR]

(02-14-2012 04:35 AM)bural Wrote:  I don't need to nidpick, but technically this isn't strickly true.
Given that Barrage is a fixed percentage and doesn't variate with f.x. crit rate, the number of Tracers per Barrage stays the same. In terms of rotations you'll actually see a larger number of Tracers over a given timeframe the better gear you get as increased crit and alacrity improves your Terminal Velocity proc rate and thus makes you able to ditch an increasing number of Rapid Shots in favor of Tracers.


Anyway, GWARRR is it possible I could bug you to have a look at the damage calculation of Unload in the sheet? It's supposedly quite a bit off, but I simply can't see what causes it. I've been postponing the next version trying to fix that particular bug, but...yeah:/

In a theoretical sense, definitely not true, but I just wanted to indicate that it's not simply Tracer spam. Seems to be a common misconception. Nubs in PvP going Tracer Spam doesn't help our cause at all. Though I seem to get Barrage procs constantly, so to me it seems like I don't Tracer a whole lot, especially in comparison to before Barrage (certainly more approximate to how much Madness Sorcs use FL, I would think).

I'll take a look at the spreadsheet in the coming day or two, no worries.

[Storm68]

Thank you for the reply to my previous post, what I have noticed whilst leveling is the amount of firepower we have and how to utilise it correctly to maxamise dps.
I didnt have this much grunt on my Sorc. so early on in the game :}
On my Sorc there is no rotation as such its more a priority thing depending on other factors, is this the same with Arsenal Merc?
Its priority based instead of a button sequence as such?
I dont want to be a nub using Tracer spam.
I guess like most people I want as much bang for my buck as possible and to get into good habits early on, it will only make me a better player for later.

[bural]

GWARRRs prority list in the first post is still very much valid and yes, we do utilize a priority queue and not a rotation. When ability sequencing is mentioned, it is in relation to the internal cooldown of Terminal Velocity. An internal cooldown that makes back to back Tracer Missiles followed by back to back Rapid Shots suboptimal. For leveling you can largely ignore this complication though.

Tracer Missiles isn't bad. It's the key to our sustained dps and you can get a long way simply spamming it. You will however get more out of your character and more challenging gameplay by paying attention to the stuff it procs and it really is the very last ability you should go to once all other options are exhausted (which they in a sustained dps situation often will be). Additionally, we have so many other buttons to press for groups of mobs you can and should make good use of.

Quote:Though I seem to get Barrage procs constantly, so to me it seems like I don't Tracer a whole lot (...)

I've actually been thinking about changing the DPS model to work based on the chance of getting Barrage on your first, second or N'th Tracer Missile. Currently, the model suggest you on average should get 1 Barrage proc for every use of Rail Shot. A behaviour that doesn't seem too representative although this may only be happening due to model inherently not Tracer spamming. Either way, a model more focused on Barrage procs would probably be desirable - if nothing else for comparative purposes.

[Storm68]

I went through the opening post tonight, awesome piece of work mate, and had a look at our rotation.
For a class with so many buttons we dont seem to use to many for maximum dps is what I noticed

My main question is about Tracer and the 2 second cast time.
I know when I'am using it I'am getting hit by my mob while its casting and I'am thinking to myself please hurry, is it work stacking enough Alacrity to reduce this down to 1.5 seconds?

Granted not a huge difference but I'd get an extra one in over a normal rotation if the cast time was down to 1.5.

I know I can shield whilst casting and 2 seconds damage taken can be minimal but its just a thought thats all.

And for dps I always use the High Velocity cylinder?

I noticed I've done a few things wrong after reading the OP so thanks mate for the guide and leading people down the right path.

[Gorlough]

Actually the cast time on tracers IS already 1.5 seconds
Don't worry too much about Alacrity, we've come to agree on the most part, that its influence on Arsenals is marginal at best (if not contra productive).

[Storm68]

Hmmmmm...dodgey tooltips on the OP, thats where I got 2 seconds from
But gee that 1.5 can seem like an eternity sometimes.

[Fado]

(02-14-2012 01:34 AM)GWARRR Wrote:  There's a DPS sheet for Arsenal floating around here that suggests 1pt in System Calibrations and Critical Reaction each is actually the highest DPS, so that would look like this: 6/31/4, but I personally haven't done much with that spec so it would be important to see if the Alacrity would help or hinder with the heat regeneration.

Some pages ago we already debated this alternative build 6/31/4, before the spreadsheet apeared. I've been running with it for over a month and my humble conclusions:
- With 32% crit (running on ops with 37%) im standing at a 95% to proc on the 6 secs duration of critical reaction, using only tracer spam. Barrage procs and rapid shots contribute even further, so it stays up mostly all time, meaning 6% alacrity from skills, getting a 1.3s tracer.
- It is absolutly a dps increase, however heat must be well managed, using a rotation. Assuming 4pc pve bonuses:
1. Always rail shot on cd. you should have some locks up, most of the times 5 already.
2. At around 40% heat look for HSM available and pop TSO + DFA followed by HSM imediatly. Then a tracer. Both DFA and HSM will be free. With also the tracer cast time your heat will go to around 0.
3. At around 80% heat pop vent heat.
4. Ocasional rapid shots.

Due to mecanics on current tier its very hard to found having too spam too much rapid shots. Also, on encounters based on burn phases works specially well.

[bural]

I just want to add Alacrity's effect on Terminal Velocity isn't properly modeled by the spreadsheet, which may skew the effect of Critical Reaction+System Calibration towards the better. Using purely averages Alacrity appears to be purely beneficial although the impact is remote compared to other stats. Most importantly though the impact isn't linear as currently modeled by the sheet.. Some levels of Alacrity may cause you to cast an unfortunate amount of abilities between the Terminal Velocity internal cooldown, getting your ability hits out of sync with the cooldown, thus decreasing average dps.
That said, I'm glad to hear there's some anectotical support to the optimal spec suggested by the model.

I've been meaning to model 2) for a while. It appears it's not going to get fixed anytime soon. Question: have you had any luck getting consistently free Unloads after TSO+DfA?

I would imagine (improved) Vent Heat used at 56 followed by a string of abilities not including Rapid Shots would be optimal. "Occasional" Rapid Shots are definitely best used when weaved in one at the time between other abilities. If we had a damage meter I'm a firm believer we'd see the best dps'ers with a far higher sum of Tracer Missiles and Rapid Shots with a rate about 1 Rapid Shot for every 2 Tracer Missiles. If you use more than that, you have been building heat up consistently, robbing yourself of Tracer Missiles+Barrage procs+Target Locks in the long run.
As you mentioned, the ability to time heat dispersion phases with the need to move is also a characteristic of the good dps'er.