2009-06-09, 01:35 PM
Pure DPS, you require 6 Brandish to outdamage Power Strike + Final Attack on Normal (6), I believe. However, if I recall correctly, if you consider the 6th orb of Advanced Combo plus Finisher releases, you require 8 Brandish + Panic to out DPS Power Strike + Final Attack + Panic.
As soon as you can hit two monsters, you should use Brandish to mob. Technically speaking, 10 Brandish out-DPSes Slash Blast on mobs of 5, but that's not practical in the use of a mobbing skill, strictly speaking. If you need to KB large mobs, you can still have a use for Slash Blast, but just know that it sucks hard for damage.
As for finishers, outside of bossing, it's usually about practicality. If you're going to use Finishers though, know that charging more than 5 orbs is wasting time, and you get more damage out of it Panicking at 5~6 orbs, and recharging 1~5 again, than charging more and then using a Finisher.
Bossing-wise, it's agreed that the higher your Orb Count + Brandish Level, the less likely you're doing more damage by Finishing, though I don't believe it has been effectively proven yet.
As soon as you can hit two monsters, you should use Brandish to mob. Technically speaking, 10 Brandish out-DPSes Slash Blast on mobs of 5, but that's not practical in the use of a mobbing skill, strictly speaking. If you need to KB large mobs, you can still have a use for Slash Blast, but just know that it sucks hard for damage.
As for finishers, outside of bossing, it's usually about practicality. If you're going to use Finishers though, know that charging more than 5 orbs is wasting time, and you get more damage out of it Panicking at 5~6 orbs, and recharging 1~5 again, than charging more and then using a Finisher.
Bossing-wise, it's agreed that the higher your Orb Count + Brandish Level, the less likely you're doing more damage by Finishing, though I don't believe it has been effectively proven yet.