Parse details in GuildStats/ConanStats can reveal a good deal (though not everything) about how well we play. The overview in itself isn't that useful, but if you're running a parse, the detailed breakdown of what combo/casts were used is helpful especially in a raid when you can compare yourself to another player of the same class.
Two factors to look for:
- Combo/cast priority (take note of the top 3 or 4 most damaging ones).
- Examine count of each one of combo/casts.
Combo/cast rotations are usually easy enough to figure out - either on your own or from various forum posts. What is often neglected are the number of combo/casts - look carefully at the counts. Players who typically top the DPS parse generally do more combo/casts than everyone else. Similarly if you're a tank and have trouble getting aggro, look at your rotation, but also compare counts to other tanks.
These statistics can give you an idea of why a particular player does well, and why you're not doing as well. So what does this translate to in practice?
- Re-examine your combo rotation/priority. It does not have to be identical to another player that did better - in fact there are often several variations that do very well, sometimes depending on the build.
- Number of combo/casts you're doing. Do they seem low compared to other players? You can also compare across similar classes (e.g. DT BfA is comparable to Guard Overreach). You shouldn't be pausing not doing anything. Your next combo can be activated during the finisher of current one. Of course there are periods like at the start of a fight, after an aggro reset, or when you're trading aggro with other tanks where you might have to deliberately slow down.
Practice against a straw dummy to begin with. Buff/debuff timers are good starting points to see how many combo/casts you can do within 15-30 seconds. Example practice rotation:
On my Guard after activating Guard Destroyer (buff lasts 15s) I can do: Overreach 5, Titanic Smash, Overreach 5, Overreach 6 (buff ends just after I activate finisher).
Anyone else have other practice rotations? The idea is to have some sort of useful rotation and a timer, and describe what and how many you can do in that time. Once you have one or two practice rotations you can do in your sleep, it becomes a lot easier and more obvious when you should trigger your various buffs.
How to Start Logging, Parsing and other Tips
Note that you will need to run your own parse to see all these details. If you haven't already, install GuildStats/ConanStats from http://www.guildstats.net/.
- Start logging from ingame by typing "/logcombat 1" in chat (exclude quotes) - to turn it off type "/logcombat 0" Logging will need to be stopped and restarted when you relog.
- Tab out from game to desktop. Start GuildStats.
- Add/select your character name.
- Add file - pick the most recent log file from your AoC directory. It should start with the name "CombatLog".
- Click on Parse
When you select a particular player in the stats tab (see http://www.guildstats.net/stats-tab.aspx) it gives a breakdown of the combos they do. Selecting a combo will then give a breakdown of related statistics (e.g. count, crits, etc).
Another tip from one of my guild mates is to create a file called "auto_login" in your scripts folder, no file extension (.txt or whatever) that will be executed whenever you login. Add content to the script. For example...
Code:
/logcombat 0
delay 100
/logcombat 1
If you find that GuildStats/ConanStats isn't enough detail for you, have a look at ACT parser (http://advancedcombattracker.com/) coupled with the AoC plugin. It has some nice graphical and tabular views of the parse. With some configuration you can also do selective parsing to isolate damage done only to a boss and exclude adds.