No love for Assault Specialist Commando

[PrincessShAmy]

More often than not I see Commandos playing Gunnery disciple, not Assault Specialist. If I am reading the following correctly, Commandos are the highest represented DPS class in SM Ops, with approximately 95% playing Gunnery and 5% Assault Specialist. Why is that? I have always played AS and absolutely love it for the incredible mobility. Majority of the time can continue to DPS on the move, especially if Serrated Bolts/Charged Bolts proc. Yes, keeping up with the DoTs is challenging but there are challenges in other classes as well. You just have to learn how to adjust to the play style.

 

Am I missing something? Am I a complete noob? Guides can be misleading because one will say to use "X" ability while another guild doesn't show it on rotation. Any assistance would be appreciated.

 

http://ixparse.com/stats/

[benficakungfu]

Think you are missing the fact gunnery conserves its 30% surge contrary to all other specs who have ir reduced to 10%.

 

Basically its the last dead easy dps spec in game thats prob why most mercs commandos are using its prob better then AP/IO atm even in sustained.

[LordTurin]

Eh, a couple classes right now seems to have something preferred specs by a ridiculous degree, look at Vanguard for Tactics vs Plasma, or Guardian for Vigilance vs Focus.

 

But there are basically 2 reasons why Gunnery is seen so much more than AS:

 

1. Gunnery has a fairly easy priority system, so even a new player can put up respectable numbers without needing to spend hours on it.

2. It has close to the same sustained dps as AS (despite AS being a dot class), and has waaaay more burst, so right now there is not really a downside to using Gunnery over AS, as Gunnery is more useful during the burst phases, and pretty equivalent damage over an entire fight.

 

While AS is better straight up on a parse dummy, that doesn't translate into boss fights as enough of an advantage to give up the burst you get for most (compared vs Gunslingers, where engineering/virulence are far better than marksman, making learning the sustained classes worth it despite MMs even easier than Gunnery).

[Gyronamics]

Assault used to be good but 4.0 for commando meant a huge amount of damage was taken out of assault.

 

Assault is now the harder spec to play for no benefit when it used to be much stronger than gunnery at sustained damage.

[AdjeYo]

The reason people go Gunnery over Assault in large numbers isn't that Assault is doing badly. It's currently the third highest parsing spec in the game, now parses don't mean everything, but they're certainly relevant. The problem is that Gunnery is so much easier, has way superior burst and pulls good enough sustained damage, though it is about 100 dps less than Assault. On certain fights like Sword Squadron, it's arguably better to bring Assault. But Gunnery can pull enough dps to get the job done.

 

When you compare it to snipers, they lose a lot more sustained (a bit too much probably) when going burst, leading to people bothering to learn the respective dotspecs.

[nalkel]

I used to play assault spec before 4.x on almost every boss. I was switching to gunnery when burst or zone DPS were needed. At that time, the gap on dummy was around 400 DSP between the two specs (personnal evaluation).

 

Now I only play gunnery, even if I prefer assault gameplay. At best, I do the same DPS (on HM/Nim bosses) with assault, while bothering with ammo management, less mobility, and having no bust nor multi-target DPS.

 

Assault has only troubles to offer compare to gunnery. I hope it changes someday, tho ! ^^

[arkanone]

I love gunnery. Just came back to the game and I'm getting 12k crits in bolstered FP's. As a PVE DPS class I don't see a more flexible, versatile class/spec in the game. You don't have to mess with a cover mechanic, no melee range issues and you can combat rez.

 

I started out partial to the merc but I like the autocannon over the dual ghetto pose pistols alot better now. Fun class!

[Clone_Enforcer]

I role all 3 all the time as a commando. Nothing wrong with each role. Edited July 30, 2016 by Clone_Enforcer

[Mitchblue]

I don't know who does what but I am using AS now, level 32. And like it very much. Don't normally play a dot spec but it's been nice so far. PVP. Edited August 11, 2016 by Mitchblue
Misspell

[mchung]

The problem is that Gunnery is so much easier, has way superior burst and pulls good enough sustained damage, though it is about 100 dps less than Assault. On certain fights like Sword Squadron, it's arguably better to bring Assault. But Gunnery can pull enough dps to get the job done.

 

Just out of curiosity and my own understanding, why do you say that it is better to bring assault to sword squadron? You have to move quite a fair bit in that fight and the fact that i can't move while using charged burst and i HAVE to use charged burst at a given time greatly hinders me, while in gunnery i'm way more mobile and can delay using gravity round without losing much dps. They're too far apart to dot spread and trying to dot both at the same time blows ur energy.

[Dropfall]

Just out of curiosity and my own understanding, why do you say that it is better to bring assault to sword squadron? You have to move quite a fair bit in that fight and the fact that i can't move while using charged burst and i HAVE to use charged burst at a given time greatly hinders me, while in gunnery i'm way more mobile and can delay using gravity round without losing much dps. They're too far apart to dot spread and trying to dot both at the same time blows ur energy.

The problem your describing only occurs using Marisi's rotation. There are more mobile versions, with only slight DPS decreases.

[Foxpthree]

Assault used to be good but 4.0 for commando meant a huge amount of damage was taken out of assault.

 

Assault is now the harder spec to play for no benefit when it used to be much stronger than gunnery at sustained damage.

 

I love assault but basically the changes in 4.0 brought down assault and boosted gunnery. I echo the thought above and say assault is now the harder spec to play for no benefit. You also lose the 100% dmg mitigation connected to your diversion in gunnery which just pushes it over the edge into gunnery being top dog right now in the commando dps trees.

[mchung]

The problem your describing only occurs using Marisi's rotation. There are more mobile versions, with only slight DPS decreases.

 

Where can I find this other rotation? There's no other dulfy guide that features other rotations, but I've been wanting to learn other rotations.

[TACeMossie]

Where can I find this other rotation? There's no other dulfy guide that features other rotations, but I've been wanting to learn other rotations.

 

Unload to proc 1 mag shot, power shot (instant) for the other.

 

Since everything is a 15 second cool down you can be creative with the ordering. E.g.

 

SS -> IM -> UL -> Filler -> MS ->

TD -> PS -> MS -> Filler

 

Filler is Power Shot, Rapid Shots or an execute-proceed missile blast. Only Serrated Shot forces you to stand still for that rotation

[Dropfall]

Unload to proc 1 mag shot, power shot (instant) for the other.

 

Since everything is a 15 second cool down you can be creative with the ordering. E.g.

 

SS -> IM -> UL -> Filler -> MS ->

TD -> PS -> MS -> Filler

 

Filler is Power Shot, Rapid Shots or an execute-proceed missile blast. Only Serrated Shot forces you to stand still for that rotation

 

Like the man said. Creative. I created and use this.

 

Seph's Easy IO rotation. http://i.imgur.com/AeqQtCK.jpg

 

You will always be using Rapid Shots after Thermal Det until either Electro Net is off CD or you're below 30% to get the improved Missile Blast.

 

Supercharged Gas or Thermal Sensor Override should be used before hitting the Power Shot before Unload. Vent Heat should be used just before hitting Mag Shot for maximum venting.

 

Is it the best DPS you could squeeze out of IO/Assault Spec? No, but you're still gonna beat any other ranged damage output on a single target.

Edited September 7, 2016 by Dropfall

[Jake_Chambers]

I absolutely love IO too OP. I play it in pvp, very mobile and just overall more dynamic and engaging than arsenal.

[Xertasian]

i been playing around with IO.for pvp if you want to nuke a target ..

 

super cell +incendiary missile + serrated + thermal grenade + upload+ magshot (proc) + power shot (proc)..lastly electro net if they are not dead..also stop them from kiting ..best to use electro net after rotation as insurance..lastly if you don't want to wait for cast on serrated.. you can hit tech overide and make it instant.

 

fillers you can use missile blast (proc) or rapid shots..mainly while upload is on cool down.

 

reason for this rotation in pvp is to maximize your dot and burst in 1 rotation..always use super cell then lead off with incendiary missile so you get the burn effect from your range attack after serrated..important use thermal grenade after serrated..

 

thermal grenade have that delay..that will go off when u attack with upload making for a nasty burst while your dots are ticking..then your mag shot follows cause it should have proc..after is power shot instant proc because u should have the damage bonus stack from your dots up to 10%..

 

usually you will take a target from 130k hp under 20% if not dead...if that didn't kill them and they try to run away then hit them with electro net..also waiting on upload if you have missile blast proc use it also..it works good as filler also rapid shots to spread more dots from combustion proc..

 

people brag on arsenal and it hit hard..i feel with IO you not losing much in DPS..also the main attacks have 30% crit bonus..IO is good because you can do everything on the go and keep the damage coming without pausing..

 

i advise to take the utility that make you cast upload while moving.then you don't have to stay in 1 spot..you will hit and run while attacking..

 

this is my version..i'm not saying if it's the best rotation..i know it is effective in killing especially range players..overall i find it a fun spec to play and effective in killing..if anybody have other rotations please share..also watch your heat that is important with IO spec.

 

(sorry for any misspelling) English is 2nd language..

Edited December 26, 2016 by Xertasian