Dragon's Breath in BH59

Riverwell - Archosaur

So I've been on a couple BH59 runs recently with another wiz who consistently channels DB for almost the whole boss fight. They build up chi in the beginning with pokes and then just let loose.

Is this really effective? To me it would seem like using element type to your advantage would be better utilizing you skills. So I could see DB being useful on metal boss or one that you don't have an advantage over, but even then I would worry about aggro control, you cant exactly pause attacking after a crit or something.

But, this is the second time I've really seen this done (in this particular BH) and so I was wondering if I was just missing something and for some reason DB is a desirable option.

Mayfly - Dreamweaver

As a wizard, I'd only DB on Zimo (metal boss), but really, a 7x wizard can tank any boss in 59 (with Gluttonix and Drake being the easiest to range tank, with their ranged attack being a fire DOT, but all can be ranged tanked, and all ranged attacks are magic.)

Cailleach - Harshlands

It depends. At level 10, DB does Base + 4458 every 3 seconds, while alternating Pyrogram and Gush would deal 2xBase + 200% weapon + 2600 or so every 4.6 seconds. Making a few assumptions about stats and gear based on my mid-7x cleric's stats, I'm going to say a 7x wizard will likely have around 4500 base magic attack, with weapon damage being around 1000.

That would make DB around 9k every 3 seconds, while Gush/Pyro works out to about 13.6k every 4.6, putting them about equal DPS-wise. Sandstorm and Stone Rain typically lower average DPS due to slow channeling and casting, while adding Will of the Phoenix should increase it provided it's also at max level.

I'd say that against Zimo, DB is far and away the best choice. Against Qianji, a rotation of fire/earth skills will probably outperform it if you have any damage amplification going (HF/Amp/EP) and you time your sparks or sutra accordingly. Drake, a rotation of earth skills and gush will almost certainly outdo DB. The other bosses are something of a tossup, again depending on your timing of sparks/sutra.

As a wizard, you really shouldn't be worrying about controlling aggro in BH59. Every boss is ranged magic damage, so with halfway decent equipment, the appropriate elemental shell and a cleric either BBing or stacking ironhearts on you, you should be able to handle anything they can throw. Keep in mind that Drake and Gluttonix both use a ranged fire DoT rather than a direct attack.

Riverwell - Archosaur

Thanks for the responses guys, it really helps.

While I'm not particularly worried about dying from stealing aggro, I figured it would make the cleric's life easier if they weren't having to bounce from person to person.

ZackMystic - Harshlands

Well once was fighting zimo, and had cleric bb, wizzie db, seeker vortex, and me a bm, and a sin, we killed it in less than 20 sec... so i find db to be really usefull for bosses and pulls in
PV

Taichii - Harshlands

Probably the wizard was feeling lazy to cast skills lol

Neychii - Dreamweaver

I've never played a wizzy, myself, but my husband is one and I hear alot about their skills and whatnot.

He always tells me that in the time it takes his DB to hit twice, he can channel a couple other skills and deal more damage. This is coming from a 93 sage with channeling gear, mind you. But he says the only thing he uses DB for is things like the pulls in FC where there's too many mobs spread out that need to be killed quickly and aoes like Hailstorm can't reach. For the lower levels, PV counts for this as well, due to the large pulls. From what he tells me and from what I've seen, you're better off DDing with your other skills and using elemental advantage.

Leviath_Imp - Lost City

Taichii - Harshlands wrote: »

Probably the wizard was feeling lazy to cast skills lol

^ this

DB has a cast range that exceeds melee range but if wiz channels db too close to boss and gets aggro somehow, he going get 1-2 shot b:surrender

Fissile - Archosaur

Something most people fall to consider when doing dps calculations is network latency. After casting a spell there is a delay before the next one begins to channel due to network latency between you and the server. Once you channel dragons breath it will continue to hit every 3 seconds regardless of latency (even if you get disconnected it will continue to hit until you log back in). On a laggy connection dragons breath will be the highest dps option. I have -21% channeling on my gear and I end up doing the same thing sometimes.

P.S.Anyone know why my level doesn't update in my avatar? I'm level 81 and it says I'm 40 lol.

DeadRaven - Sanctuary

Fissile - Archosaur wrote: »

Something most people fall to consider when doing dps calculations is network latency. After casting a spell there is a delay before the next one begins to channel due to network latency between you and the server. Once you channel dragons breath it will continue to hit every 3 seconds regardless of latency (even if you get disconnected it will continue to hit until you log back in). On a laggy connection dragons breath will be the highest dps option. I have -21% channeling on my gear and I end up doing the same thing sometimes.

P.S.Anyone know why my level doesn't update in my avatar? I'm level 81 and it says I'm 40 lol.

Well, this thread is back from February so it is kind of old now to be starting it again but firstly, you can update your avatar by using the "Edit your Avatar" at the top of the page. Switching from one character to another updates them.

As for the query in the thread about BH 59, I often tank the whole run with my wizzy (bosses and mobs all) and so I never use DB in there as a wizzy needs to keep their distance so as to only take ranged magic damage whenever possible. Also, I have done BH 59 with other wizards who have gone up and used DB on the bosses while I stayed back to tank with ranged skills and I still had no problems with keeping aggro so I know that I get better dps with my wizard's ranged skills than I would with DB, especially if you are using the right elemental skill set for each boss and are using sutra routinely to make the most of your -channelling.

It is also worth mentioning that I have NO! -channeling gear and yet I still always manage to keep aggro from wizards using DB.