Patch on TEST

[Baramos]

I'm very happy with this change. I use rains. A lot. (Ever since they removed the innate 25% resist chance.)

I'll be popping them in my group and solo regime as a rule, rather than as an exception. Naturally this depends on the expansion. First look makes me say "yay" though. I've been wanting this change to be made for a long time.

[deadman1204]

Shouldn't rains still out dps a bolt? Assuming max AA, at least 1 of the 3 waves will crit for over 8k. That makes it ~14000 per cast. While you can get more on a crit with a bolt, that is not every cast.
Rains are not as flashy, but doesnt destructive fury maxed make the magic rain better than the bolt (assuming self buffs only)

[Zacatac]

It's not just the straight damage comparison though, the TIME involved has to be calculated in there.

Deluge of Thunderbolts Rk. II
Decrease Hitpoints by 2513 (x3)
Casting Time: 6
Recast Time: 12

Bolt of Molten Scoria Rk. II
Decrease Hitpoints by 5868
Casting Time: 3.5
Recast Time: 5.75


So yes, officially, the rain can do more damage. But if you are trying to figure out damage per second you also have to look at the fact it takes nearly twice as long to cast the spell and double the time to recast the spell. If I can cast Bolt and Jolt of Many in about the same time as casting just the Deluge, then that is going to be much more dps.

I could see trying it out on a mob like Pallorax. But in many group and raid events, using AE just isn't an option.

[Piemastaj]

Granted I have raid sleeves for my focus, but my Bolt rarely ever drops below 18k dmg per cast. Generally up somewhere near 22k per nuke. I really dont see even if all 3 critted it being more dmg then Bolt. I can cast around 3 bolts in the recast time it takes for Deluge, that is around 60k dmg vs only maybe 14k dmg. I just don't see that happening unless they get a major increase.

[deadman1204]

your casting times are not right because they don't take into account spell haste. I just have SOD t4/5 gear, and I cast a rain in 3.5 seconds and a bolt in 2.2 (with merc cleric buff).
Also, spell focuses must be factored into a rain now, because each of my waves do (rk2) 2690 or so for damage without a crit. So maybe the spell takes a single focus and splits it between the 3 casts?
Admittedly the higher the DD focus, the worse rains look in comparison (raid focuses) - which shows a serious weakness with rains

[Malleria]

Honestly i'd rather they not do anything for us if this is what we're going to get. Rather be ignored than have the devs think they're helping us with this crap.

[deadman1204]

That's a defeatist attitude. If the improvement isn't how you prefer, let us rot instead? That does everyone a disservice.
Every class has had to adapt to changes that come their way, and in retrospect they were great changes. Mages used to want great utility and useful summoned items - and now we would rather quit than be vending machines again.

[Voragath]

your casting times are not right because they don't take into account spell haste. I just have SOD t4/5 gear, and I cast a rain in 3.5 seconds and a bolt in 2.2 (with merc cleric buff).
Also, spell focuses must be factored into a rain now, because each of my waves do (rk2) 2690 or so for damage without a crit. So maybe the spell takes a single focus and splits it between the 3 casts?
Admittedly the higher the DD focus, the worse rains look in comparison (raid focuses) - which shows a serious weakness with rains

Haste is a non-factor because our DD's are similarly hasted. If you factor haste into the rains, you have to factor them into the DD's. Both are being changed by the same amount and therefore haste is a non-issue.

[Voragath]

That's a defeatist attitude. If the improvement isn't how you prefer, let us rot instead? That does everyone a disservice.
Every class has had to adapt to changes that come their way, and in retrospect they were great changes. Mages used to want great utility and useful summoned items - and now we would rather quit than be vending machines again.

Not only that! There are now two smurf projects out of the way of more important stuff. They are moving up the list to our real issues. Now two steps closer. It could be faster but progress at any rate is still progress.

[Malleria]

That's a defeatist attitude. If the improvement isn't how you prefer, let us rot instead? That does everyone a disservice.
Every class has had to adapt to changes that come their way, and in retrospect they were great changes. Mages used to want great utility and useful summoned items - and now we would rather quit than be vending machines again.

Not only that! There are now two smurf projects out of the way of more important stuff. They are moving up the list to our real issues. Now two steps closer. It could be faster but progress at any rate is still progress.

So what, we'll only have to wait about 5 years for current problems to be fixed? That's unacceptable. It may be a defeatist attitude, but it doesn't really matter either way, we're not getting what we need. Summoned arrows haven't been useful for years, and the splitting of rain timers only proves the devs have no clue what we do. They really think mages use rains as a primary nuke? That alone should scare us. And what about summoned throwing daggers? Those are still in stacks of 20... makes you wonder no? Any reasonable person would fix both spells at once. The fact is, the "fixes" they've thrown at us are to divert attention, and give them something to point at and yell "See! See! We do help mages!!" So forgive me if i'd rather they not have that bs moral highground to stand on.