background: PvE
I’ve been raiding the end-game content for a few weeks, and I’m noticing an issue with survivability. At first glance it would be the obvious lack of toughness and vitality. But after a little research through the forums, I’ve noticed my stats aren’t really that different, or (imo) worse than anyone elses. In fact, some of the recommended builds feature useless additions for PVP I’m not interested in.
I’ve raided some of the most challenging endgame content in WoW, playing and downing (if some know the content) Hardmode Lich King before cataclysm, and even achieving server-firsts downing new content. Raiding, group play, and theorycrafting is not new to me. I know my way around “dodge” at this point.
I’ve attached a calculator of my build, and an image of my stat allocation. As follows is my logic:
http://www.guildhead.com/skill-calc#mVsMz9Mz0oaTnkoaTnkxax9MocbMmka8kiH7kiO7070V7kIv
My rotation, is almost a dump from Earth, to Fire, Ice Bow, and repeat.
keeping Signet of fire up at all times (as it adds 5% dmg via Burning Rage, and accounts for my Longest, hardest burn at 6,500 dmg over 12s)
I use Ice Bow to account for the loss of rotation time due to the low skill recharge rate. It adds vulnerability to the next cycle, and offers a wide range of spell types, from AOE, no splash, and CC, and improves condition duration to help retain bleed/burn as a shift from different skills.
All gear is “Rampager” (Pwr/Prec/Con dmg)
All armor and accessories contain “Crest of the Rabid” (Con dmg/Prec/Tough)
*Chest has fully activated “Rune of the Elementalist” as seen below.
Weapons contain “Sup Sigil of Bloodlust/Corruption” (10 Pwr/10 Con dmg stack per kill)
3 Ascended pieces contain +5 agony rating.
The damage is fantastic, controllable burst damage thru fire on weaker mobs, but the bulk of my DPS is in long term controlled bleed/burns. My average bleed is approx 104-108 per tick, at 20 stacks accounts for nearly 2000 dps.
My issue is survivability. My toughness seems to be fine, but I notice that if I miss a single dodge on a 2-5minute fight, I’m often one-shot by boss moves. With no control, or understanding of boss aggro tables, I struggle to understand the haphazard targeting system for advanced mobs. It leaves me vulnerable. I don’t like to idea of watching heavy class professions get pounded on by dragons, when I can barely sustain mobs for a moment.
So I’m looking for advice. The dodging isn’t enough to guarantee great dps.
As my old raid leaders used to say “Doesn’t matter how much damage you do, if you’re dead, you’re doing zero. Your best stat—is breathing.”