Windwalker Napkin Math

Based on Build 15650 numbers; this is mostly just random late-night theorycraft that may be totally wrong.

Damage-per-Chi

I did some quick Excel calculations on DPS rotations, based on the current Windwalker numbers (See below). There’s no real reason to NOT use your highest damage-per-chi ability (DPC), unless you’re saving chi for an upcoming burst/AoE pack or something. I’d definitely say BOK needs a buff, and RSK needs a nerf. Right now, above 50% is okay (FoF on CD, RSK on debuff CD, procs, TP) but below 50%, you might as well just use RSK on cooldown (and otherwise use Jab/EH or procs).

Jab or EH?

Jab does about 4k damage, EH about 12k…but the WW Mastery only works on Jab. A 100% Mastery procrate would be worth about 26k DPS…so you’re looking at between a 30-40% Mastery procrate to prefer Jab. (You’re still using 3 Jabs to 1 Expel Harm, due to EH’s CD.)

GCDs, Energy, and Chi

If we assume we use Jab or EH every 4 sec (to perfectly align with energy regen, ignoring haste and EBrew at the moment), then you’re looking at 22-23 Jab/EH uses over 90 sec, for a 45 Chi gain. (Say a 3:1 ratio, 17:6 or so.) Say the target is +50%; you’re spending 6 Chi on 2 FoF’s, 12 Chi on 6 RSK’s, and 27 Chi on 27 TP’s. Jab/EH uses 23 GCDs and the Chi consumers use 33+2*4…41 GCD’s. Now, add a 20% mastery procrate on those 17 Jabs; that gives you 7 procs to burn off and 7 more GCD’s, for 71 GCD’s out of 90.  It’s not quite GCD-locked, but very very close. (Especially when you add in Energizing Brew and a Chi talent…that’s another 7-9 GCD’s there.) Below 50%, it looks significantly easier on GCD’s due to BOK’s current cost (or RSK, if you just choose to spam that).

EDIT: Achloryn just pointed out in another thread that energy isn’t regenerating at 10/sec, more like 8/sec. Oops. Figure 20% less Jab/EHs and 20% less Chi gen for now; need to see if that regen rate is intended or a bug. If nothing else, that helps the GCD-lock problem.