And again, a strawman. I never referred to the math itself as "magic". That you just pulled out of your own posterior in attempt to smear me with a strawman. Now you are being deliberate in your misrepresentation - you are very dishonest. I referred very specifically to those who back in the 5.0 day were advertising 1860 as the number to get 1.3 GCD in a broad general manner... ...instead of % break points, and also without any mention of spec differences, gear bonuses, flagship bonuses, etc. Seriously, you are a very nasty person.

I think what I'm really saying is that my excess alacrity adjustments firm the slow downs up enough that they too stay in the 1.3 GCD range resulting in a smoother feel. The tiers are still there....you see it in corresponding the dissipation / regen rate change...pretty sure that hasn't changed. Note that for Maras, Juggs, you don't have that statistic... And yes, according to MrPhStar, your' 7.55% does indicate some overhead like I do on my characters... Other than that, I can't really think of anything besides remotes possibilities such as hardware differences - hard drive speeds, i.e, actual differences in machines. I will say that my Twilek Sorcerer rolled on the Bastion and my Rat Sorcerer rolled on the Harbringer both as healers with same setup have always felt different - the Rat one feeling a tad smoother. But that's entirely subjective. =8-|

Going out on a limb here... Here's my take....with a lot of subjective, off hand and guestimation. I suspect that if you are spot on with a GCD in accordance with the Theory Crafting Modeling AND the corresponding new level of Force Regen Rate / Heat Dissipation Rate / Energy Regen Rate . . . you can say you have the GCD. But I suspect that there is a combination of other things that cause a slow down: 1. As mentioned by a previous poster, server <> client update lag. 2. Local client log update lag - your client is always writing the log - if you have it enabled - it's a write to disk taking place.. AND 3. Some unknown RNG that Bioware is tossing into their formula on a class/spec basis. 4. CPU exceptions during calculation forcing a sudden recalculation creating a delay. You'll see the effects of these "suspected culprits" in the Starparse Combat Log - in the intervals between instant cast abilities: 1.2885 1.3040, 1.2935, 1.3112, 1.3211, 1.2943, 1.3001, and so on... You'll see those intermittently...over a test over a given duration. And if you have too many of those in a given test cycle, you've just lost from a DATA ANALYSIS standpoint from that LOCAL TEST and OBSERVATION your 1.3 GCD. ...even though you know that technically you have it. This is why I'm often adding 1-2 228 Alacrity Augments more than what is needed - to get ahead of this. In other words, I want what shows up in my testing as a consistent 1.3 GCD. as and a result, a character that also feels smoother. It's much easier to achieve on a 1.4 GCD character...much harder on a 1.3 GCD character. But it also means I'm wasting stats in Alacrity that would theoretically and likely realistically be better spend in Critical Rating points. Do a test like I do, watch that ability bar, and you will actually see a couple periods during your test where it appears the ability cool down sliding effect is slowing down for a few seconds. What's really bugging me is that the cost is much more extreme on my Mercenary and Sorcerer healers at 1.3 GCD than it is for my Operative healer at 1.3 GCD. Why is that? In other words, even I am scratching my head. =8-P

You're welcome!

Just thought I'd add that I did a few Polarity Shift tests as well... ....the math on the individual break downs in the log shows: 1.0970 to 1.100 to 1.1700 Those being the most common break downs, suggesting the Polarity Shift on a 1.3 GCD Sorcerer results in a 1.1 GCD. =8-)

*** And Another Update *** http://www.mrrabbit.net/misc/swtor/swtorglobalcooldown.php This time around I went through the trouble of pushing my Sorcerer Healer to the 1.3 GCD. And it was the same painful 2+ hour process of adding, testing, adding, testing just as with the Mercenary Healer. 9.3 / Force Regen Rate was triggered @ 3305 Alacrity Points, but she kept coming in with a quite a few 1.31 /s and 1.32 /s for Raw GCD results with only ONE coming in at 1.3048 /s. After roughly the same amount of augments, and earpiece and implant changes plus a few key enhancements, I ended up with: 3724 Alacrity Points 9.4 /s Force Regen Rate 1.3030 /s Raw GCD Result 1.3 /s Actual GCD There were a few tests where she was dropping to 1.3041. In the past when I've compared my characters to previous SWTOR Theory Crafting charts for diminished returns and the related GCD points and Damage Mitigation stuff I would only have to go about 100-200 pts past the published GCD Tier break points on my OP healer, 200-300 for my Mercenary and Sorcerer healers. This time around it's 200+ for my OP healer, and 500+ for my Mercenary and Sorcerer healers. For the lower 1.4 GCD, my characters have always been a lot closer. Again, this is what the Personal Starship Operations Test Dummy is reporting via Starparse Combat Log running in personal Parse mode. =8-|

Not only are you right on this, but I didn't even see a change with ONE set. I actually submitted a bug report to Bioware. I also informed that by the way they worded it for each set's bonus AND for the Flagship Zeal Set Bonus . . . . . . it should be Current Alacrity Rating % + 2% And again when adding a second set. I'm of half a mind to ask for 5 Million Back + 15k Tech Fragments. I'll probably end up re-shelling my Arsenal Merc...I like the Apex Predator one, but I typically do not roll on gear in OPs. =8-(

*** Another Update *** Took my Bodyguard Mercenary Healer up to the 1.3 GCD Tier. This move was extremely painful...took 2 hours to get it done. Triggered a 5.8 /s Heat Dissipation Rate @ 3160 Alacrity Points . . . But she kept coming in at 1.31 or higher in her Raw GCD Results. So I added an augment...very small creep up after several test runs. So I added another augment...for another very small creep up. Finally, 5 Augments and 3 Head Piece Upgrades later . . . . . . 5.9 /s Heat Dissipation Rate was triggered... ...and she come in at a solid 1.3017 to 1.3035. She feels awesome rotation speed wise...but God Almighty, she took a huge hit in Critical Points all the way back down to 1672. http://www.mrrabbit.net/misc/swtor/swtorglobalcooldown.php I was planning on stopping this character at 298 Gear, but I'll probably put in 300 Level Critical Enhancements when they drop just to get some of the Critical Points back. =8-|

Set up in 3.0 when I started tanking and healing. Stayed put until 6.0. =8-)

There's cliches and terms we like to throw around to describe certain scenarios: "Karma!" "What goes around comes around..." "Shoot yourself in the foot..." "You're your own worst enemy..." Back in the Bastion days, I watched as a dye that cost maybe 3000 credits to make get listed at 200k. Black / Red I would make and list a few at 22k. Minutes later they'd get bought up by the same buyer. And additional listings would appear at 200k. So I'd make a hundred...and list 'em at 22k. I'd get a whisper... "F*&J% ((*&***, quit being a *&^&, you're better off making them for me." So I'd reply, "Are you among the many complaining about low sever population. 200k for a 3k dye? Really?" The same problem continues at Satele Shan.... Only difference now is that a few people have actually complained about me crashing the dye market in Fleet General Chat. So I reply with: "PSA: I hope the poor, down-trodden and credit starved are enjoying my cheap dyes on GTN." It's easy to blame Bioware for low population, lack of interest. But let's be honest...GTN monopolizers trying to bleed new and poor players dry - players trying to turn PUG ops into "preferred players only" or "clique" runs . . . . . . aren't exactly helping either. =8-|

Who is the problem? Myself and others inconvenienced by people falling asleep in the queue? Or people for whom a MM FP queue pop is so important - they're not around when it pops? This has become a real problem on Satele Shan - person after person asleep in the MM FP queue. =8-)

People ask me, "Rabbit, what are you doing for your Merc heals for GCD." I give 'em the exact answer... Exactly what my character is. No argument presented - no argument called for. When I go outside and observe, "Nice bright blue sky today..." I'm not arguing a particular shade. If someone argues as though I am - well....it indicates something about that person. =8-(

Just a couple days ago, a DPS of all people fell asleep in the HM FP queue. I yelled at them about 20 times in a whisper to "Wake the hell up!" ...and got squelched for 24 hours. Called customer support and got the usual, "can't do anything" bullcrap. =8-(

Before I put forth my observation and complaint, first my background. I'm pretty much a 100% SM and HM OP PUG guy. That's what I'm doing probably 90% of the time. The other 5% I as a PUG will fill in the one slot a guild is missing for a raid. (Some guilds are pretty nice about this.) The other 5% is farming and fps. I often run PUG OPs myself, and when I do the rules I follow are pretty simple: SM Operations Everyone is invited. First come first served on a role basis. A willigness to follow simple mechanics directions. HM Operations Everyone is invited who meets minimal DPS and EHPS thresholds. First come first served on a role basis. A willingness to make an extra effort where mechanics are concerned. Never do I try to be picky on the basis of who I like or don't like. Literally everyone is invited. PUG literally means: PICK UP GROUP I view PUG operations as the single most powerful way to promote interest in operations. And those who do take on a continued interest, I refer 'em to guilds and progression teams. Before anyone here tries to claim that I am talking out of my posterior: http://www.reddit.com/r/swtorpugs Those who know me know me, those who don't, there's a reference. Now my observation and complaint . . . For the past 3-4 years, there have been several attempts by individuals and guilds to turn PUGs into their "own" fiefdom or territory and as part of this behavior attempt to drive out PUG participants they do not like. This is very disconcerting - it was happening on the Bastion just before the merge, happened last year via both the Satele Shan Discord and the chat channels and is again happening in the current week via the chat channels. At the Bastion, a guild was harassing PUG efforts by myself and others until I put my foot down and reminded that particular guild: I don't criticize their guild runs. They are welcome to help with PUGs OR simply say nothing. That took care of that. Last year via the Satele Shan Discord and chat channels, TWO individuals were coordinating efforts to control PUG OPs. After a couple weeks, myself and a few others called 'em out on Fleet . . . that combined with quite a few people abandoning the Satele Shan Discord took care of that problem. Plus another player took the time to identify players left out and sent them to me for a few runs. Now this week, someone running several HM PUG OPs was selectively ignoring offers to tank, dps or heal EVEN while advertisements for roles repeatedly continued. For those that feel inclined to turn PUG OPs into their own "clique" of preferred players, I simply remind you of the following: That's what guilds and guild runs are for. That's what HM and NiM progression teams are for. Understand that fundamentally when YOU try to circumscribe PUG OPs and make them YOURS and a personal thing - you are undermining the promotion of interest in Operations in general. I'll leave it at that... =8-|

Since 6.0 I will say that all my "Set Focus" and "Set Focus Target" keybindings have been set to their defaults. It's annoying having to reset them each time I start to level one in an OP.

I've considered Jawa Scraps to be the most valuable commodity in the game. Cheapened somewhat in 6.0 - but still valuable in more ways than one. =8-)

And again, I have provided no argument for which to be proven wrong to begin with. Simply provided observations, given samples, and noted my wasted points and adjustments that I make. That's it...

Read my post again... Deconstruction > Jawa Scraps > Arch / Treasure Hunting Mats > Dyes No exotics necessary. Bioware is giving out tons of Jawa Scraps for deconstruction and for companions failing to come back on a mission with a reward. Because of this Bioware has made it easier for me to make cheap dyes in such volume the flippers can't control me. Thus credit starved players benefit. =8-|

Since the new expansion Bioware has made it incredibly easy to be the best friend of the poor, the down-trodden, the credit starved. You see, I have sold 2000+ dyes priced between 8000 and 63,000 credidts since the expansion went live. Before, GTN monopolizing flippers would pounce, buy me out, and then turn around and lock the pricing for dyes such as: Black / Red @ 120k Red / Black @ 120k Black / Blue @ 120k Blue / Black @ 120k White / Grey @ 200k White / Orange @ 200k White / Medium Red @ 200k White / Medium blue @ 160k and so on that I would sell for 22k, 33k, and 63k and 53k. Now...it's gotten a lot harder for the monopolizing flippers to get away with it. You see...all those Jawa Scraps from deconstruction and all those Jawa Scraps from the slicing nodes on Onderon make it incredible easy for me to make 200-300 dyes in a day. Thanks to me, over a hundred people have me to thank on Satele Shan for being able to dye their characters without getting bankrupted by the GTN monopolizers. The monopolizers have tried to shut me down, but all I've had to do was raise my prices 10k, and just like that I have become too expensive as a flipping source. Meanwhile, the prices are still reachable by the poor, down-trodden and credit starved. Hopefully I don't get nerfed! =8-)

Also as an added note. A couple hundred visitors have checked my chart...which is nice. Thank you. Also, I have had a few whispers from folks on Fleet @ Satele Shan giving me feedback. Unfortunately I keep getting asked for a sample for Sin DPS - sadly it's gonna be a long time on that one - she's only Level 48 and getting her up leveled is just not a priority right now. But in all honestly, you really don't need my sample if you know how to manipulate Alacrity points while monitoring Alacrity Rating %. =8-)

Okay...gonna try one more time...but to be honest it's like talking with an software engineer who proclaims that computer science is all about the code, after I've informed him that computer science is first and foremost a behavioral science....and all the while he is describing all the behaviors he is trying to duplicate or mimic in his code - and all the behaviors he is troubleshooting - not realizing the whole time that there is no argument to begin with. So again. 1. I'm am not contesting dipstik or anyone else. 2. I'm simply providing samples of my characters of where they are at. 3. I'm also noting where clearly they have a small amount of excess points in alacrity for their tier. ...and of course I'm reminding people to watch out for the Guild Flagship alacrity bonus and gear alacrity bonuses - as they do skew things a little. So what does the above mean? 1. There's no need to defend me - as there is nothing to defend. 2. There 's no need to attack me - as there is nothing to attack. About the only barb I have really tossed out is against those who keep throwing around a "magic" alacrity number around for all dps classes, all heals classes without any differentiations provided where needed. We all know... The tiers have an associated percentage break points...they have on a class and spec basis an associated amount of Alacrity points... So for the last time, knock it off with the Strawmans please.... Creating a position that someone did not take - and then attacking it - in an effort to say "They're wrong!" is an argumentative fallacy...especially considering when an argument has not even been made. When done purposely and repeatedly - it's a tell about yourself as a person.

strawman Never attributed the occurrence of under targeted GCD performance to anything....just made my own adjustment based upon observation. Knock it off with the strawmans please..that's very dishonest. Attributions elsewhere... =8-)

Believe it or not, even though I do HM OPs and FPs and occasionally do a few NiM fights... ...I'm always the last person to gear up. I'll even pass on all BiS bonus gear drops -I let everyone else have it. I gear up taking my time...and for 6.0, my plan is to get all toons to 296, and stop at 298. I don't really "need" that 306 gear. My son on the other hand...Mr. Pyrotech...well...

1. You know I'm using Starparse. 2. You know I'm using Starparse in local Parse mode. 3. You know Starparse audits the local client log file. 4. You know I'm micro spamming a button for a minute duration...not seconds...but a minute. AND ...you know that I'm not presenting an argument or contesting someone else's data. Yet you seem religiously determined to position yourself as the person who is "right" and the "last word". Why? Do you have an investment in this? =8-|

I've updated the chart for: Agent Operative - Medicine http://www.mrrabbit.net/misc/swtor/swtorglobalcooldown.php In previous patches, when trying to achieve a 1.3 GCD via the Test Dummy, a particular problem arose. You don't get a "clean" 1.3 GCD when establishing the minimum number of points necessary to meet the Alacrity Rating % break point or GCD Tier. In other words, when doing a test, the majority of the ability intervals will be in the 1.28 to 1.30 range... ...but interspersed among them will be a significant number of 1.31s, 1.32s, 1.33s all the way up to a rare 1.4. In other words, a closely set 1.3 GCD character is going to experience quite a few slowdowns - i.e., 1.4 GCD intervals. Typically what I have done in the past is add 1 augment more to minimize this. This is what I've done with my Operative Healer for 6.0. At 3355 Alacrity Points he triggered a 7.0 Energy Regen Rate. Channeled casts showed a -.1 cast reduction time as expected... ...but raw GCD Results kept coming in at 1.3066 to 1.31 which is a 1.4 GCD. Starparse Combat Log showed 6 intervals in the 1.31 to 1.4 range. Adding another 228 Alacrity Augment bumped him to a solid 1.3044 and only 3 intervals that would be treated as 1.4 were present. This character is in the opinion of some carrying 90-100 excess points in Alacrity Points for a 1.3 GCD. Bottom Line: Bioware does not make achieving a 1.3 GCD easy. Fortunately, at 294 Gear Rating, I was able to retain a 1600 Critical Rating which isn't too bad all things considered. Next up will be my Marksmanship Sniper. =8-)