Arsenal DPS spreadsheet

[bural]

(02-24-2012 02:22 AM)Qed Wrote:  I think there might be an issue with your formula on the CastTime (eg, line 159) of the CalcsV2 sheet. You reference the alacrity amount in the alacrity rating calculation, so that even at 9999 alacrity rating on the HUD, your calculations only use an alacrity rating if 0.3.

Indeed and well spotted. Infact, I located it yesterday after changing the Unload calculations but didn't get it into v1.4. Consequently, the first post also reads "Alacrity EP bugged - v1.5 shows Alacrity as worth about 0.25 EP":)

To elaborate, Alacrity is worth quite abit more than previously depicted. However, I can't replicate the numbers Krix is getting from Firingrate's maple sheet and I have my doubts Alacrity, which affects some 60% of our damage via Unload and Tracer Missile (it's actually possible subsequent abilities after Tracer Missiles which aren't Tracer Missiles won't benefit from Alacrity due to the Ability Queue feature being f***ing bad), is better than Surge. While I remain inconvinced, I may be proven otherwise and it's naturally a possibility.
I'm still in the process of trying to locate potential model differences. The maple sheet reports notably higher dps, something that could be explained by discrepancies in Rapid Shots calculations as the data for Rapid Shots in the spreadsheet may be bugged due to Torhead inconsistencies. On the other hand I have a hunch Terminal Velocity may be overvalued in the maple sheet. Please don't misunderstand me and take this as a fact though. I am by no means trying to criticize Firingrate's work, especially as he isn't around, and must say it generally looks solid.
Maple can do alot of things easier and better (the cyclical nature of some of our mechanics especially) but it comes at the cost of accessibility and to some extend user friendliness.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that there are discrepancies between the two models - and this is a good thing. Learning from the way each model goes about modeling our way of dps'ing will ultimately increase our understanding of how things work and interact. Without metrics (combat log) it's hard to say which model is most representative of the actual game.

So, without having pinned down the model discrepancies just yet, what can we learn by comparing the two models.
1) As noted by Crythe, HSM without the multible Heat Signature stacks bug appears to be decrimental to sustained dps in both models. Without the bug the DPH of HSM simply isn't high enough to outperform Tracer Missile when accounting for crit rate, Barrage Procs and Target Locks.
2) Perhaps unsurprisingly, Barrage procs are paramount to heat management
3) Intelligent Rapid Shot usage is what distinguishes good Mercenaries from great Mercenaries. You _will_ need use Rapid Shots and the fact that Alacrity increases the number of Rapid Shots you will have to cast per fight isn't bad. It still increases your damage done per time interval - damage is damage.