Powertech/Vanguard DPS Compendium

[Adogg5]

I'm new and read the OP. I see that it was last updated on 3/15. Has 1.2 changed the highest PvE DPS build from the 28 Assualt Spec? Sorry if I missed a post in the 34 pages.

Quote:There are 3 widely-accepted specs that Pyro/Assaults use right now.

7/5/28 (+1) (Powertech / Vanguard)– Highest theoretical DPS. Sacrifices Thermal Detonator

[/color][/b]/Assault Plastique for all the basic percentage boosts possible. The final point can be placed to get 3% Aim or 3% Tech Crit at your discretion -- there's no discernible DPS difference between the two.
4/6/31 (Powertech / Vanguard) – Takes TD/AP and 3% tech crit.
8/2/31 (Powertech / Vanguard) – Takes TD/AP and 9% Aim.

Also, I see posters mentioning a simulator creating the 'best' gear. Where can I find the simulator or more information on it? I feel like I missed something really obvious, so I again apologize in advance.
Thanks!
Adogg

[frmorrison]

(04-21-2012 02:42 AM)Adogg5 Wrote:  I'm new and read the OP. I see that it was last updated on 3/15. Has 1.2 changed the highest PvE DPS build from the 28 Assualt Spec? Sorry if I missed a post in the 34 pages.

Also, I see posters mentioning a simulator creating the 'best' gear. Where can I find the simulator or more information on it? I feel like I missed something really obvious, so I again apologize in advance.
Thanks!
Adogg

The OP is mostly accurate, except it is missing the 1.2 change of PPA having a 6 second cooldown and what is the best things to use during the cooldown (you have 2 GCDs to spend). I am guessing use the same priority during the cooldown but skip Rocket Punch. I believe 8/5/28 is still the top PvE Pyro build, however the middle tree is competitive now.

The sim is here http://mmo-mechanics.com/swtor/forums/Th...LL-RELEASE It has a 1.2 mode that you have to click to turn it on that is accurate for the live mechanics. Also it was later found that defense is 10% on Ops bosses, not 8% (only affects Unload, RS, and Rapid Shots).

P.S. you don't need to sign posts.

[thrakkemarn]

Actually, full 31 pt pyro has been pulling significantly more DPS for me than 28 point. During the GCDs after a PPA proc TD is the best thing to use IMO. 4/6/31 is highest for me both on simulations and in-game tests.

[frmorrison]

(04-21-2012 04:47 AM)thrakkemarn Wrote:  Actually, full 31 pt pyro has been pulling significantly more DPS for me than 28 point. During the GCDs after a PPA proc TD is the best thing to use IMO. 4/6/31 is highest for me both on simulations and in-game tests.

Using Kray's Sim I get 8/5/28 as 20 dps higher than a 31 build. What priority are you using? Perhaps the defaults are not the best, I didn't change them.
Here it is below 20 heat:

Code:

IM
RAIL
RP
TD (if you have the 31 pointer)
FB

[thrakkemarn]

Sorry I misspoke and was really unclear. I meant sims as in combat dummy parses and then actual parses on flashpoints and operations 31 point parses higher. On the dummy it's ~100 dps higher for me. I don't have the credits to respec and post a bunch of parses right now.

Slightly off-topic: (edited cause I messed up the example >.<)
The problem with Kray's simulator and 31 point pyro is that it sticks rigidly to the rotation listed. This doesn't work, IMO, because of the 6-second ICD on PPA and the % chance involved. Many times on Kray's simulator with 31 point pyro the simulator will do the following (or something similar, though these examples are pulled straight from a simulation):

... Rail Shot (free) > Flame Burst > Incendiary Missile (refresh) > Rocket Punch (at 52 heat) > Vent Heat + Thermal Detonator > Rapid Shots > Flame Burst > ....

... Rail Shot (free) > Flame Burst > Flame Burst > Rapid Shots ....

This is really suboptimal. In the first example you should be delaying TD to proc more PPAs ... Rail Shot (free) > Flame Burst > Incendiary Missile (refresh) > Rocket Punch (at 52 heat) > Vent Heat + Flame Burst (proc PPA) > Rail Shot free > Thermal Detonator > .... giving you a good chance at replacing a Rapid Shots with a Rail Shot!

In the 2nd example you should be doing Flame Burst > Rapid Shots > Flame Burst to proc more PPAs.

And finally, the basic rotation is kind of messed up. The opening rotation (by default) is IM > RS > RP > RS(free) > TD. What it SHOULD be is IM > RS > RP > TD > RS(free). You use the exact same amount of heat but you start the cooldown on TD sooner.

I will be posting this in the thread for the simulator because IMO 31 point pyro is not optimized at all.

[blott]

I agree with everything thrakkemarn is talking about I have been sticking with 7/5/28 myself as I enjoy the aim a lot but I think its time to go back to 31 and get TD for the rotation gap it will also help signifigantly in the new EC fights where range is brutal most of the time and you find yourself not in melee or atleast not in 10m's of the boss but still need to do damage to them or other mobs.

[ThanksBates]

Has there been any update to which spec is actually best? I haven't seen an update from the OP in quite a while.

[sleepingzzz]

(05-28-2012 08:20 AM)ThanksBates Wrote:  Has there been any update to which spec is actually best? I haven't seen an update from the OP in quite a while.

Personally, I get the best results with 7/3/31. My dps was consistently in the 1550+ range against the practice dummy on the ship. Probably more now since that was a few weeks ago and I've upgraded a couple of pieces since then.

http://www.torhead.com/skill-calc#801hMbZ0cZfhMbdGhrs.1

Note that I have all aim augments in my armor. People may have better results with the 4/6/31 if they go with all power augments since that spec doesn't have an increase for aim.

[frmorrison]

(05-29-2012 08:45 PM)sleepingzzz Wrote:  Note that I have all aim augments in my armor. People may have better results with the 4/6/31 if they go with all power augments since that spec doesn't have an increase for aim.

Aim is slightly better for 4/6/31 than Power. Although the two stats are close in power, Aim is the best stat for a dps Powertech.
I think at around Rakata gear level, 7/3/31 pulls ahead of 4/6/31.

[ThanksBates]

I'm sitting at 4 pieces of BH gear, Augmented gun and chest, with the rest Rakata, so it is safe to assume the 7/3/31 would probably be the best spec to go with?