Raid buffs
 

I needed info about what raid buffs are available, which stack with which, how much they buff their stat, and how much they buff my DPS. BTW, I posted this also in warlock thread, but I guess this is topic for all classes ;p

I tried to find this data at one place, but without much success, so I created my own XLS where I combined:

WoW_Raid_Buffs.xls

It features:
1) list of all buff types with buff names (color coded by class). Buffs in same buff type (same row) do not stack. List is further separated in 4 parts:
-caster only buffs,
-common (caster & melee) buffs,
-melee only buffs
-non-DPS (defensive) buffs

2) each buff type is mapped to class and build that has that buff. Buffs are vertical (B3-B37), classes/builds are horizontal (F2-AI2), and buff values are in cells. This enables me to see what class can cast which type of buff, who has best buff, and what classes can substitute same or similar buff.

3) select what classes/build are present in raid, and find out what buffs are available. Selection is done in yellow row at F38-AI38 (just enter number of players of that build/class present, or empty if none). Best available buff values are shown in column D, next to each buff type (D3-D37). That way if you have enh shaman you will see 144 in D4 for "Increased Spell Power Buff", but if you have ele shaman you will see 280.

4) estimate of DPS value of each buff, shown in column E (E3-E37). This is optional feature that helps me see what i miss if some buff is missing. Since buffs have very different effect on different classes (for example spell crit buff do not help melee ), to get DPS values I needed to define how each basic stat (INT,SPI,STR,AGI, +dmg, +crit, +haste...) is valuable to DPS. That is defined in first sheet named "Player values". First half are your stats as player. Second half define how much DPS is each 1 stat for you.

5) estimate of DPS benefit from buffs for all and every class/build and raid as whole. You can see estimate of how much each class benefit DPS from buffs in row 40 "Player Buffs", or see estimated total DPS for that class in row 41 "Player DPS", or see those values multiplied by number of present classes to show total buff benefits and expected DPS for raid in rows 42/43. This is even more optional than #4, and is based on estimated values of stats for each class/build, similar to estimated values for you on "Player values" sheet from #4. But since this time I needed values for every class, I put them below yellow row, in F47-AI71.



One reason why i posted this here is to save time and effort for those who needed similar info. But other reason I posted here is to get data checked. While data for #1 should be fairly accurate since I found that list on two sources on web, I needed manually to collect data for #2 (buff values across builds/classes). While it should be correct, it is still possible that i listed some buff that som ebuild does or does not have as stated, and I would appreciate feedback/corrections.

"Optional" part of XLS, where DPS gains are estimated, is also something where I estimated values of each stat for each build/class. For locks they should be close to ok since they are from DPS calc XLS and simulatorcraft. For other casters those are from simulatorcrafts so less accurate but close. For Rogues its from their XLS sheet, so should be close. For some other melees its from maxDPS.com site, and not sure how accurate those are. Anyway, if you see some big error on those numbers too, post here and I'll fix even if that feature (DPS guessing) is not primary reason for this table.

MMO Champion has a very nice tool that mostly does what your spreadsheet does in a fancy easy to use drag-and-drop method. Buff and debuffs available with the raid composition are listed on the right as categories. It's not perfect (for example, it assumes BoK is a holy paladin thing, and that prot paladins don't have it), but it's very useful for a quick glance to see what raid buffs/debuffs you're missing. It seems like you're reinventing the wheel a little. The only real "added benefit" I see is the optional stuff, assuming it can estimate the relative value of each buff based on raid balance (e.g., would the raid benefit more if I brought a boomkin or an enhancement shaman to fill the last spot), but given how much the reality of such an estimate relies on player gear and skill, I'm not sure it's worthwhile in most situations.

Short version: the basic purpose of this is already available in an arguably easier to use format. The extended capabilities have potential, but will be complicated to model correctly and have real-world limitations.

I guess I should posted this in only one thread - exactly same reply I got on warlock thread, so I'll copy/paste my response there ;p

And yes, one of main advantages is ability to easily see buff values and DPS gains from buffs. Also it is faster to see things like buffs that do not stack - no need for any mouse howering, drag/droping etc. So apart from added value (numbers for buffs and DPS), it allso adds convenience (faster to see stuff).

But my main goal here is if people could check XLS. Even if you prefer to use some other list like mmo-champion, I would appreciate if you point out if you see some error here ;p

Not sure if you're treatment for focus magic is correct. It gives 3% crit to one other person and every time they crit it gives me 3% crit for 10 seconds. Basically 3% crit for 2 people in the raid, or 6% if 2 mages give it to themselves. It's my understanding it stacks on top of everything else.

Tnx, it confirms my understanding that Focus Magic is not Raid wide buff. That is why I did not put any value for that in cells, even if i kept buff name in list of buffs.