The following two builds have been found to be capable of nearly equivalent DPS. Which performs better for each sniper could very well depend on stats, on the mechanics of each fight, and on how intuitive we find the rotation to be. These two builds are too close to currently determine which is theoretically strongest.
Pure MM: 31/7/3http://db.darthhater.com/skill_calc/smuggler/gunslinger/#::f8ef11efe4fe3de3de3fef16dfe:This spec takes all the DPS-boosting skills in the Sharpshooter tree, and spends the remaining points on incremental increases low in the Sabotage and Dirtyfighting trees. With consistent and solid sustained DPS, a pure Sharpshooter is the quintessential sniper.
Using sequences that take advantage of synergy between abilities, and filling the remaining time with high-DPE filler abilities (indicated as ‘X’ below), the following rotation emerges:
Speed Shot – Aimed Shot – Trickshot – X – X – Charged Burst – Trickshot – X – X – Charged Burst – TrickshotNote that we should use Aimed Shot even when Quick Shot does not proc. Its damage benefit over Charged burst justifies even a 2.5-second activation time.
Common filler abilities include: Flourish Shot, XS Freighter Flyby, Quickdraw, Sabotage Charge, Vital Shot, Shock Charge (for Sharpshooter/Sabotage hybrid), and Rapid Fire. We should prioritize these based on DPE, with the following considerations:
* Flourish Shot is a useful debuff to keep active on the target at all times. It increases not only our damage, but the damage from the entire ops group. Against a boss (or other important burn target), we should generally lead with Flourish Shot to maximize its up-time.
* DoT abilities which are still active should generally not be overwritten. The only DoT we have with a duration longer than its cooldown is Vital Shot, and its DPE and DPCT are only marginally better than Snipe.
* Flurry of Bolts should be used to ensure that we stay above 60% energy. Keeping an eye on upcoming fight events and on which abilities will be coming up next in our rotation will allow us to use Flurry of Bolts as needed.
Pure Sharpshooter Gunslingers should aim to deviate from this rotation only for the special Rapid Fire sequence. Since the final shot of the RF sequence is Speed Shot, it leads back into the standard rotation after only a 6-second deviation. Note that because Trickshot’s cooldown is delayed and the entire Rapid Fire sequence consists of channeled abilities, alacrity boosts (such as Illegal Mods) are most effective when saved and used during this time.
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Lethality 2/8/31http://db.darthhater.com/skill_calc/smuggler/gunslinger/#::fefe13f2e2f12ef6ef16efe:Single target sequence - Shrap Bomb/Flurry of Bolts/Vital Shot/Wounding Shot/Cool Head/XS Freighter Flyby/Sabotage Charge/Speed Shot/Wounding Shot.
