CA and auto attack timing question

[CyonideWolfp]

<p>My first time rolling a character and actually caring about practicing best way to manage dps.  I normally play casters, so timing my spells was easy, and I just chained them because I could manage aggro.  </p><p>Now with a melee class, I'm not sure I'm doing this the best.</p><p>I'm level 17 with 18 AA points.  I have the strength line and just started going down the Int line.  With 96% double attack, should I timing my CA's to fire in between autoattacks.  I noticed my CA's do a healthy bunch of damage.  Am I better off firing CA's as fast as possible and auto attacking only when waiting for a repop?</p><p>It seems to me by CA spamming, even with a slower auto attack, you're negating some of the effect of STR and INT line together...or am I just thinking of this the wrong way?</p>

[Gestalt79]

You could probably use a program like ACT and develop a CA sequence that will give you the most auto attacks between CA's while not standing around waiting for auto's to fire.  However, most of our CA fire quickly (0.5 sec), and auto attacks will fire off when ready, even between chained combat arts.  In all reality, I wouldn't worry about the auto's...they will happen plenty between everything else.  I'd focus more on your CA order than anything else for DPS uppage at this point.

[Sorffats]

<p>Timing your CA's with your weapons autoattack is a great way to pick up your dps.  You do two things....you help yourself better manage your cooldowns on your CA's as well as get those couple of auto attack hits in (and we all know how lengthy our cooldowns are).</p><p>The timing really depends on the delay of your weapon.   I read a post once that broke down the timing with weapon delays, but I don't know where it was at.   I think it was something like, for every second of delay on your weapon, you should allow your weapon to auto attack between CA's.   So for a weapon that is 2.5 seconds delay (pretty typical for bruiser weapons), you should allow your weapon to auto attack after 2 to 3 CA's cast (this depending on the cast time of the CA).  So if you have a slower delayed weapon (some bruisers prefer two handers which are generally around 4.0 second delay), you'd cast more CA's before allowing for an auto attack.</p><p>But then there are other factors sometimes as well.   For the higher level bruisers who have the knockout combo/knockout ability; we generally don't bother with allowing for auto attack while we have knockout on.  The reason is because knockout does on average about 800 dmg (shove, it is called) on top of every CA we use while it is activated plus adding a chance to stun the target with every CA used.  Knockout has pretty lengthy reuse timer, so once our knockout is down, we'll go back to allowing for the auto attacks between our alloted time between CA's.</p><p>In pvp, however, it is a bit more difficult to manage the CA's and auto attack, because they don't stand still like mobs do ([Removed for Content] them for moving! ;p).   Alot of times, we'll find ourselves basically just mashing buttons during pvp as soon as they pop.   But in some cases, it pays to utilize the CA's for their intent.   Like using our CA's that knockback or our rear attack that has a stifle effect on it.   Sonic punch + drag, followed by a knockback/stun and then a stifle can be very helpful in a pvp fight.   If I'm dragging my opponent in pvp, that is generally my line of casting.  Drag only lasts 2 seconds in pvp, so the knockback/stun is important to use once you've dragged someone.  Once I've used my knockback/stuns and then my rear attack for the stifle; I'll generally follow that with eye rip for the debuff component and then my one hundred hands.   After that, if I've cycled through my CA's already, and my opponent is still alive, I generally end up just hitting whatever CA pops first from then on out.</p>

[Solu]

<p>Unless you have very slow weapons I like to get an auto between every CA.  That way you never miss an auto and you're not standing around waiting on recasts after blowing your load.  At the very least don't queue your CAs, leaving .5s is usually enough to get off an auto before mashing the next button.</p><p>Most of our CAs are .5s cast but have .5s recovery as well.  So 1s before lag per CA.  So you could in most cases double up on CAs but that means that you'll have a period with nothing up for a while where you do nothing but auto.  DPS over time be about the same but I hate staring at my CAs and having nothing about to pop.</p>

[Pnaxx]

<p>Here is less scientific approach i have recently been using, and it was advice from someone on this forum a while back when I asked the same question. </p><p>I have an 80th level Bruiser and was just mashing buttons. Someone told me that they just pause a bit in between CA's and that worked for them. I just started doing that and have noticed alot of damage done with just a short pause.</p><p>When my CA lands, I see the damage, but then I see a secondary set of damage usually immediatly following the CA. I have noticed that I don't have to hit as many CA's to kill a mob tha ti usually do when using this easy system.</p><p>Now, with that being said, some CA's need immediate hits back to back. The 100 Hand Punch line works much better when the mob is stunned right before. so that is bang-bang. Also, the Crush Line (Stomp) works best if the mob is Knocked down first and you hit them while they are down. (Yes, Bruisers hit people wearing glasses and we kick those who are down)</p><p>So, other than those specific instances, certainly wait maybe a half second or a second in between CA's and you will actually see the results instantly. Now, that being said, I do believe that burning a mob down with CA's is faster mashing the buttons as the auto attack damage is not as good as the CA damage. So, you need do it in specific situations. If you are burning trash while harvesting/questing, then jsut button mashing will be faster per mob. BUt you will run out of power faster, so while you are resting you will out of action. </p><p>So, if you are killing alot of something for a writ or quest and you are going from one to the next, then use the PAUSE and you will save power like crazy while burning the mobs down alomost as fast as button mashing....it will be a noticable difference to you.</p><p>And when fighting long fights in groups, use the PAUSE system.</p><p>Im done here.</p>

[Owa]

<span style="font-size: medium;font-family: times new roman,times;">Seeing as I'm leaving the game anyway I may as well give you some of my l33t stratz (or whatever the phrase is).Pop this</span> <span style="color: #ccffff;"><a href="http://actparse.freeforums.org/single-double-attack-detection-notification-v1-0-1-2-t20.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://actparse.freeforums.org/sing...-0-1-2-t20.html</a> </span><span style="font-size: medium;font-family: times new roman,times;">i</span><span style="font-size: medium;font-family: times new roman,times;">n your ACT and enjoy maximum DPS. </span>

[Gestalt79]

<cite>Owain wrote:</cite><blockquote><span style="font-size: medium;font-family: times new roman,times;">Seeing as I'm leaving the game anyway I may as well give you some of my l33t stratz (or whatever the phrase is).Pop this</span> <span style="color: #ccffff;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://actparse.freeforums.org/single-double-attack-detection-notification-v1-0-1-2-t20.html" target="_blank">http://actparse.freeforums.org/sing...-0-1-2-t20.html</a> </span><span style="font-size: medium;font-family: times new roman,times;">i</span><span style="font-size: medium;font-family: times new roman,times;">n your ACT and enjoy maximum DPS. </span></blockquote><p> Owain, sorry to see you go.  You've always been an active poster and interesting/informative read.  Hope all is well for you, good luck!</p><p>That's a nice little addition to ACT, however I tried to run the program a few times and couldn't seem to figure out how to run the game in full window with ACT's window showing the active parse.  That sort of annoyed me just enough to not really bother.  Can it be set in full window and still show parses?</p>

[Aull]

<cite>Owain wrote:</cite><blockquote><span style="font-size: medium;font-family: times new roman,times;">Seeing as I'm leaving the game anyway I may as well give you some of my l33t stratz (or whatever the phrase is).Pop this</span> <span style="color: #ccffff;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://actparse.freeforums.org/single-double-attack-detection-notification-v1-0-1-2-t20.html" target="_blank">http://actparse.freeforums.org/sing...-0-1-2-t20.html</a> </span><span style="font-size: medium;font-family: times new roman,times;">i</span><span style="font-size: medium;font-family: times new roman,times;">n your ACT and enjoy maximum DPS. </span></blockquote><p>Mercy I hated to read your statement about leaving the game. I can only hope that you will come back eventually. You have been a great wealth of info for us bruisers.</p><p>Peace</p>

[Owa]

<span style="font-size: medium;font-family: times new roman,times;">Thank you for the kind words, </span><span style="font-size: medium;font-family: times new roman,times;">gentlemen</span><span style="font-size: medium;font-family: times new roman,times;"> but the raw and unexplored lands of Hyboria are calling. Not only that, but the PvP servers have been allowed to get into a real mess over the last few months, with no real interest shown by Sony in addressing the problems. I suspect they are expecting most of the PvPers to leave for one of the PvP-based MMORPGs coming out this year and have largely given up on the PvP aspect of EQ2 as a lost cause. Me too.Anyway, with reference to ACT, I never bother trying to keep an eye on it while I'm fighting. I play in windowed mode so if I want to keep an eye on the parse I just switch over after the fight. I do recommend using it though - with or without the autoattack mod (which I think is excellent, btw). My account doesn't run out until the 24th so there's a good chance I'll be shooting my mouth here again. If not, check out <a href="http://www.addictguild.com." target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.addictguild.com.</a> It's going to be the NPU of Conan. But with PvP. </span><img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />

[The Punisher]

This was taken from a 'different' bruiser forum which shall remain nameless on these boards but I've found it useful so I'll repost it here:In regards to timing...The question to spam or not to spam is easily decided by the command /weaponstats If your shown weapon delay (X) is: X < 0.6 Then you want to stop using CAs altogether 0.6 > X > 0.8 Then use only high-damge CAs 0.8 > X > 1.0 Then spam your CAs 1.0 > X > 1.8 Then hit a CA, pause to allow one autoattack, then hit another CA 1.8 > X > 2.0 Then spam your CAs 2.0 > X > 2.8 Then hit 2 CAs, pause to allow one autoattack, then hit 2 more CAs

[CorpseGoddess]

<cite>Owain wrote:</cite><blockquote><span style="font-size: medium;font-family: times new roman,times;">Thank you for the kind words, </span><span style="font-size: medium;font-family: times new roman,times;">gentlemen</span><span style="font-size: medium;font-family: times new roman,times;"> but the raw and unexplored lands of Hyboria are calling. Not only that, but the PvP servers have been allowed to get into a real mess over the last few months, with no real interest shown by Sony in addressing the problems. I suspect they are expecting most of the PvPers to leave for one of the PvP-based MMORPGs coming out this year and have largely given up on the PvP aspect of EQ2 as a lost cause. Me too.Anyway, with reference to ACT, I never bother trying to keep an eye on it while I'm fighting. I play in windowed mode so if I want to keep an eye on the parse I just switch over after the fight. I do recommend using it though - with or without the autoattack mod (which I think is excellent, btw). My account doesn't run out until the 24th so there's a good chance I'll be shooting my mouth here again. If not, check out <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.addictguild.com." target="_blank">www.addictguild.com.</a> It's going to be the NPU of Conan. But with PvP. </span><img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></blockquote>Hey Owain...as one of the few Lady Bruisers, I've often enjoyed the info and dry humour in your posts.  I'm sorry to see you go as well---but I'll be joining you in Hyboria.  I pre-ordered AoC ages ago---I'm looking forward to my barbarian chick fighter I'll be making over there.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />

[CyonideWolfp]

<p>Punisher - </p><p>Thanks for the blunt method of deciding, I appreciate it!  Now I will /weapon and see what to work with.  Great info!</p>

[Sorffats]

<p>Hey, Owain... since you still have a bit of time before your account expires.  How about transferring over to nagafen for a bit.  We still have a good bit of pvp.  Sure, we got the same problems that SOE seems to just refuse to fix, but nothing that a little shed blood can't temporarily cure.</p><p>Oh, and let us know how the exploration of hybernia goes.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Owa]

<span style="font-size: medium;font-family: times new roman,times;">I'd love to, mate...if it were free. But what's the transfer charge?  $75? $50? Anyway my account  expires in 3 days and the components for my new AoC-capable computer are already on the way from New Egg. From now 'til launch I'm going to be exploring the Barbarian class and getting as much raw meat and strong red wine down my neck as possible. Not to get in the mood, necessarily, but just because that's what I always do at lunchtime.I'd love to tell you about Hyboria ('hybernia' sounds like Hibernia, which is in Scotland btw) but, as I'm sure you can understand,  I'm not going to re-up my EQ2 subscription just for that. (I have never been able to play in anything other than extreme performance though so once my new rig is built maybe I'll want to see what Norrath <i>actually</i> looked like...)Anyway, if you don't hear from me and want to know what's going on in AoC check out: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://community.ageofconan.com/wsp/conan/frontend.cgi?func=frontend.show&template=main" target="_blank">http://community.ageofconan.com/wsp...p;template=main</a> Or my guild page at <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.addictguild.com" target="_blank">www.addictguild.com</a>I look forward to meeting you, Streppoch, perhaps on the field of battle, or, preferably, in some smoky tavern, swapping Barbarian feats over a few ales and, no doubt, looking closely at your adult-themed toon. To the rest of you, I hope you all continue to have fun in EQ2 and that SoE starts treating you with a little more respect.And remember, if it moves, hit it.</span>

[Aull]

Well I must say that I hate to read that Streppoch is leaving as well, but I cannot blame anyone for exploring new uncharted territory. Before I know it I will be looking on these bruiser forums for advice or if I can offer any help but noone will be here to make any posts lol. Anyways best of play to yas....again you will be missed. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, truths, and humor.

[CorpseGoddess]

<cite>Aull wrote:</cite><blockquote>Well I must say that I hate to read that Streppoch is leaving as well, but I cannot blame anyone for exploring new uncharted territory. Before I know it I will be looking on these bruiser forums for advice or if I can offer any help but noone will be here to make any posts lol. Anyways best of play to yas....again you will be missed. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, truths, and humor.</blockquote>Ha!  You can't get rid of me that easily!  I'll still be here, albeit not as much.  I think there's still a few shreds of that IRL thing called "free time" I have hanging around and I need to get rid of them.As much as I hate the feeling that my bruiser is Charlie Brown and SOE is Lucy with the brawler football, it'll take something a little more cataclysmic than AoC to get me to abandon Strep completely.  So I'll still be here, offering my humour, if not any actual helpful advice.  And Owein, I'll be sure to try and find you...once I get my long-awaited chainmail bikini and tattoos in order.  Some of us chicks who play fantasy games actually want to play chicks that look---oh, I don't know---<i>fantastic</i>?  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />