Kray's Powertech DPS Simulator (v1.2.6) - FULL RELEASE!

[sleepingzzz]

Guys, I have major problems not grabbing aggro from the tank. Just about all the other classes have an aggro dump. I don't understand why the vanguard class doesn't get at least one. This is especially bad when fighting bosses that require tank swapping since the tank doesn't get much time to build up aggro.

In these fights I'm always scared to use an adrenal as 50% of the time when I pop my cool downs I instantly grab aggro.

I'm currently using Assault build without AP. Is aggro management better with tactics since there is no single large hit like HIB/RS? Or could it just be the tanks I run raids with just aren't good with generating threat?

Could it also be my rotation? Should I try to separate my HIB/RS farther apart?

[frmorrison]

Your only tools:
Slow dps when Tank starts/swaps
Ask Tanks to use both Taunts more often
Ask a Sorcerer/Sage to cast the Force Pull on Friendly targets

[sleepingzzz]

I been parsing my damage on the practice dummy on my ship. I must of tried it over several dozen times now. I'm using the 28 pt assault spec and following the exact same rotation that is in the sim log. I can't get anywhere near the dps that is calculated in the spreadsheet. My best is 1263 over a 5 min period. I have 2053 aim and 564 bonus damage with just sage and self buffs.

The simulator is saying I should have 1400+ dps. I set the simulator to the same buffs and stats. I can't even get that number in 3 mins.

[theopf]

(04-25-2012 01:02 PM)sleepingzzz Wrote:  Guys, I have major problems not grabbing aggro from the tank. Just about all the other classes have an aggro dump. I don't understand why the vanguard class doesn't get at least one. This is especially bad when fighting bosses that require tank swapping since the tank doesn't get much time to build up aggro.

In these fights I'm always scared to use an adrenal as 50% of the time when I pop my cool downs I instantly grab aggro.

I'm currently using Assault build without AP. Is aggro management better with tactics since there is no single large hit like HIB/RS? Or could it just be the tanks I run raids with just aren't good with generating threat?

Could it also be my rotation? Should I try to separate my HIB/RS farther apart?

I generally ask for Guard to be put on me. A good tank will already have guard on you or the Marauder. AP/Tactics actually has worse threat issues due to all of it's damage being frontloaded. Most AP/Tactics raiders are being guarded if there isn't a Marauder in the raid.

[thrakkemarn]

Guard is not really an option on most of the new boss fights though. Usually the tank is already taking as much damage as the healers can heal through, and then if you use any tank swapping strategies you'd either have to follow the tank around or lose guard.

@sleepingzzz -

On HM Toth and Zorn I was DPS'ing and would occasionally pull off the tank right at the beginning (was bursting hard and not holding back b/c we were hitting enrage). However, the tank would be watching for this and instantly taunt. After that, using taunt on cooldown, the tank never lost aggro (even when stunned or knocked back).

You can't really afford to hold back DPS in some situations to avoid pulling aggro, but in those situations your tank should know this is a possibility and always be ready to taunt (or even pre-emtively taunt). As long as your tank is taunting more/better you won't have to worry about pulling aggro.

[frmorrison]

(05-01-2012 04:36 AM)thrakkemarn Wrote:  Guard is not really an option on most of the new boss fights though. Usually the tank is already taking as much damage as the healers can heal through, and then if you use any tank swapping strategies you'd either have to follow the tank around or lose guard.

@sleepingzzz -

On HM Toth and Zorn I was DPS'ing and would occasionally pull off the tank right at the beginning (was bursting hard and not holding back b/c we were hitting enrage). However, the tank would be watching for this and instantly taunt. After that, using taunt on cooldown, the tank never lost aggro (even when stunned or knocked back).

You can't really afford to hold back DPS in some situations to avoid pulling aggro, but in those situations your tank should know this is a possibility and always be ready to taunt (or even pre-emtively taunt). As long as your tank is taunting more/better you won't have to worry about pulling aggro.

Guard is in PvE gives 5% damage reduction and less threat and in PvP transfers 50% damage. I don't see a downside to guarding a dps in PvE. You may loss Guard on a tank swap, but then at least you had it for a while.

Taunt is outstanding, I am not sure why more tanks do not use it on cooldown (except when they need to swap targets, they should save it).

[thrakkemarn]

(05-01-2012 08:10 AM)frmorrison Wrote:  Guard is in PvE gives 5% damage reduction and less threat and in PvP transfers 50% damage. I don't see a downside to guarding a dps in PvE. You may loss Guard on a tank swap, but then at least you had it for a while.

>.< Wow Brain Fart you are right.

Anyway yes you can guard your highest DPS, but I find that just pushes another DPS higher. Tanks really do have to taunt on CD to stay above DPS in general, especially to beat enrage timers on progression content.

[sleepingzzz]

The DPS in my raid consist of two gunslingers, a sentinel and me (DPS Vanguard). For most fights the tank puts the guard on the sentinel as he generates much more threat from his dps and heals.

Our raid posted our combat logs on dpsmeter.com the other day for NM Karagga. I was able to push my dps to around 1350+ on fights that were just tank and spank such as bonecrusher and Karagga. In those fights I don't really have to worry about grabbing aggro and can go all out. Jarg and Sorno was lower as I can pull aggro so I have to watch my dps.

The sentinel in my raid group did 1600+ dps on most of the fights. He pulled 1700 dps on the Karagga fight. He also had 1/4 the heals of our main sage healer. He gets an aggro dump that has a 45 second cool down but, seems to immediately drop aggro for him on use. His raid wide run buff is also pretty sweet.

The gunslingers range from 1200-1400 dps but, they have the advantage of being at range. They also have an aggro drop ability.

Some times I wonder why I just didn't roll a sentinel to do dps.

[frmorrison]

(05-01-2012 06:30 PM)sleepingzzz Wrote:  The sentinel in my raid group did 1600+ dps on most of the fights. He pulled 1700 dps on the Karagga fight. He also had 1/4 the heals of our main sage healer. He gets an aggro dump that has a 45 second cool down but, seems to immediately drop aggro for him on use. His raid wide run buff is also pretty sweet.

Some times I wonder why I just didn't roll a sentinel to do dps.

Currently Sents/Maras are a little too much buffed by 1.2. Also a lot of the Sent's healing is overheal (the log does not show the difference between a useful heal and overheal). You seem to be doing well.

For raid benefits beside the class buff, PT/VG are unique in that they can sacrifice around 100 dps to get Oil Slick (less melee hits by the boss) and 4% less damage debuff (only useful if you don't have a PT/VG tank).

[thrakkemarn]

If you are hitting 1300 or higher you're doing well. I'm in mostly Rakata for my DPS set and that's around what I hit on my best fights (~1350) but I still don't pull aggro from tanks who are taunting properly. Especially if you have a DPS doing MORE than you, the tanks taunts should be stacking off of that threat (or his own higher threat) so really there's no excuse.

And GOD I hate how much damage marauders do. It's obscene! Combine it with their survivability (30% aoe reduction what!) and they're easily top dogs for DPS. I know a nerfbat is going to swing their way though...