Some questions.

[Mejust]

Hey there.

I'm just wondering about some things.

1. How come we base our damage range comparisons on equal funding?

2. Is it okay or even good to compare various skillpoint builds through comparing their DPM/DPS?

3. Can DPM/DPS be taken as an estimate for training speed?

[y0y0y0y0shi0]

1. Because it would change the variable of the equation. The first thing you learn in a science experiment is to only change one variable at a time. If you want to test DPS, the only variable is CLASS. If there were no equal funding, someone could say "oh well this NL gets all perfectly scrolled items, while this BM gets crap items," and then go around saying that NL's are better just because of that DPS where the NL had godly equips, and the BM didn't, when it is obvious that a BM outdamages an NL anyday.

2. Possibly. Depends on what class though. It may be bad to do so though, due to the fact that sometimes Pure Damage right off the bat =/= The best build.

3. Again, possibly, depending on what monsters you train on and such.

Hope that helps.

[Mejust]

Okay, then I'll elaborate.

What I want to test is what the best early skill build (up till lvl48) would be for bandits. I want to do so by calculating and comparing their DPM. I will do this calculation for both Luk and Str bandits. I plan on using the formula I've displayed under this and, as can be seen in the formula, I intend not to get actual damage ranges involved. Also, I think of doing the comparison on a by-level basis to save time (I have already thought up 12 possible builds).

Average relative DPM = Skill damage % * [(1+(mastery %/100))/2] * Attacks per minute

And I have considered that damage right off the bat isn't the best, so I thought it would be best to take an average of all the DPM's I get out of it per build and average those numbers. The build with overall highest highest DPM would then be considered "best".

[Dusk]

The results won't change based on whether it's a LUK or a STR bandit. Skill build will only affect the multipliers to your stats.

Btw, LUK dits > STR dits in every possible way before level 50. STR daggers aren't even stronger to make up for the req str until 50.

[Mejust]

STR bandits have an attack speed advantage before you get Booster. I know Reef daggers are speed (3), but since most builds involve getting Booster mid-4x, it's reasonable to say that they will have a DPM advantage for some levels. It's a good enough reason for me to factor that in, too.

And yes, I know that STR bandits simply can't compare to LUK bandits in 2nd job, but that never stopped people from making them =/

EDIT: I just checked weapon speeds and I noticed that Luk bandits and Str bandits always have the same weapon speeds in the level range I'm comparing.

But my question if DPM is a good way to find out which build is best, still hasn't been answered =/