Deadly Boss Mods vs. BigWigs - Page 11

Elhana · 11/14/07, 7:44 AM

Originally Posted by funkydude

#1 Features

Remote logout was really useful, emotes was unnecessary, but I don't see much of a problem if addon takes few Kb of my 4Gb RAM, seriously... It is passive features and they don't affect game perfomance at all. Even If addon will suddenly load Encarta into memory and never touch it again it won't affect perfomance except for longer loading time. 1Kb of code will take a fraction of a second to load. Ace Babel(spelled right?) libs waste much much more of my memory speaking about unused data in memory.

Originally Posted by funkydude

#2 Code

	SLASH_LVNAXXRAMASBOSSMODS1 = "/lv";
	SLASH_LVNAXXRAMASBOSSMODS2 = "/bossmods";
	SLASH_LVNAXXRAMASBOSSMODS3 = "/dbm";
	SLASH_LVNAXXRAMASBOSSMODS4 = "/deadlybossmods";
	SLASH_LVNAXXRAMASBOSSMODS5 = "/deadlyboss";
	SLASH_LVNAXXRAMASBOSSMODS6 = "/deadly";

Got enough slash commands? Not sure...

Sometimes I install an addon and try to enable it with slash and it doesn't work - then I have to go dig the source for it or check site for a manual. This is actually a benefit from my POV. User should be able to get what he wants with minimal effort!

Events... depends on the handler function
Range check, BG timer data - I agree that it doesn't belong to core, but ask yourself if Babel does? When I load BigWigs Core I load BabelZone and BabelBoss which also contains some Alterac Valley strings etc. None of my other addons uses Babel*

Originally Posted by funkydude

Changing my combat log distance when I log on, great...

It has an option to set it, it doesn't hide it from a user and was originally implemented as a solution to Thaddius disconnect issues. edit: Just FYI this function (DBM.SetCombatLogDistance) of DBM API is only used in GUI.xml in <OnValueChanged>, hence it doesn't affects your setting on addon load, which means you are wrong. Maybe you didn't care to read the code or just trying to promote your addon - I don't care really.
I just read EJ UI forum much less lately, because most of the threads look like an addon advertisement with "Bigwigs FTW, DBM is bloated" sort of comments

Feist-Mok · 11/14/07, 9:59 AM

One DBM feature I learned of today that I wish I had around using bigwigs: The ability to turn on the rangefinder window that pops up on fights like Gruul etc. There are times during trash or on some fights like the Eagle boss in ZA, where it's handy to have that frame on demand, but - unless I'm mistaken - bigwigs gives no user access to the frame.

Helius · 11/14/07, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by Taryenne

As far as I know both Bigwigs and DBM display when a boss ability is 'available' to him, he may not use it for another 2 secs or maybe another 10 secs.

The only boss mod I'm aware of that actually tracks this is RDX, and in all honesty I don't know whats better.
Being prepared for an ability makes more sense, you have time to re-position/be ready to use an item etc rather than having it show when its actually being used, although on certain encounters this does have its plus side too

RDX, the only Raiding Mod you need a PHD to use... move along. Used it, thought i was interesting, removed it. Its a Boss Mod that you have to be a programmer to appreciate... and use. I do enough programming etc. at work.

Edghar · 11/14/07, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by Helius

RDX, the only Raiding Mod you need a PHD to use... move along. Used it, thought i was interesting, removed it. Its a Boss Mod that you have to be a programmer to appreciate... and use. I do enough programming etc. at work.

It's really not at all complicated for the end user if you have one person maintaining an OOBE for your guild. Our guild used to use it back when it was actively maintained, and even those with the most limited of addon experience were able to use it effectively.

Helius · 11/14/07, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by Edghar

It's really not at all complicated for the end user if you have one person maintaining an OOBE for your guild. Our guild used to use it back when it was actively maintained, and even those with the most limited of addon experience were able to use it effectively.

Yes you are right. Only one person really needs to screw with it. However, the value it adds isn't nearly worth the effort... even if just one sad soul has to push out updates.

Don't get me wrong. I find it to be quite a nice piece of work. However, its like knocking down a straw hut with a wrecking ball. BW or DBM takes no screwing with and gets the job done. Of course you can't suck down ppl's logs to play big brother using them.

tangent · 11/14/07, 1:07 PM

Originally Posted by Feist-Mok

One DBM feature I learned of today that I wish I had around using bigwigs: The ability to turn on the rangefinder window that pops up on fights like Gruul etc. There are times during trash or on some fights like the Eagle boss in ZA, where it's handy to have that frame on demand, but - unless I'm mistaken - bigwigs gives no user access to the frame.

You can control it on a boss by boss level. I don't have it in front of me but it's available by right clicking on bigwigs and then dig down a bit through instance name | boss name and check/uncheck what you want bigwigs to help you with for that fight.

Kehoe · 11/14/07, 1:31 PM

Originally Posted by funkydude

Added in detailed Hyjal mob wave descriptions, you can turn it off via its menu if you still want basic wave warnings. I'm currently saved this week so haven't tested it, any feedback would be great.

Thank you for that feature. My guild thought I had a clue what was going on last night because I was announcing what was coming up. I am pretty sure I can get a few of the raid leaders to switch over for that feature alone.

Gorbag · 11/14/07, 2:07 PM

Definitely glad to see Bigwigs' developers publicly stating they wont give in to requests for the "feature bloat" which was the original inspiration to creating Bigwigs in the first place. No way do I want to start loading something as big as CTRaid again just to get boss mod announcements.

Also, a consistent complaint I've seen from people is them wanting health status bars for the weapons in phase 2 of the Kael'thas fight. Why don't they just use "Perfect Targets" or a similar mod to that?

http://files.wowace.com/PerfectTarge...ets-r46886.zip

I've used that on Kael'thas attempts in the past (before my guild imploded on Kael 2 months ago) and they always worked perfectly for phase 2.

Evidicus · 11/14/07, 4:18 PM

Originally Posted by Gorbag

Also, a consistent complaint I've seen from people is them wanting health status bars for the weapons in phase 2 of the Kael'thas fight. Why don't they just use "Perfect Targets" or a similar mod to that?

http://files.wowace.com/PerfectTarge...ets-r46886.zip

I've used that on Kael'thas attempts in the past (before my guild imploded on Kael 2 months ago) and they always worked perfectly for phase 2.

I am following this thread with great interest, as I always look for mods that can provide the most functionality for the least amount of resources, while at the same time offering easy updates.

I see a few of these comments like the one I quoted above, suggesting that BW is streamlined and that for additional functionality, you should just download <mod x>. As someone who is making a case for BigWigs in my guild, I think it would be great if there was a mod listing somewhere of these optional mods that people could use to compliment BW in order to make it more robust. I realize that individuals could easily search through WoW Ace and try to find them on a mod by mod basis, but a listing would help.

A lot of players, myself included, are using DBM at the moment. We're used to what some may call "bloat" and others may call "full-featured". If we ask people to scale back, then we need to offer them optional alternatives to ensure they don't lose those key elements that they rely on currently.

For example, my mod list would now look like this:

1. BigWigs
2. PerfectTargets - For Kael weapon/advisor health bars
3. BigWigs_NajAssist - For health warnings on Naj'entus
4. ...
5. ...
6. ...

If something like this was supported on say a BigWigs page with links to the WoWAce downloads (similar to how CTMod's page lists all of it's optional components), then you'd offer the best of both worlds; a "bloat" free boss mod with supported/suggested optional alternatives for those who wanted to take advantage of them. One you list them, then WoWAceUpdater becomes your "bundle" making for easy downloads and updating.

Funky, I suppose this would be directed at you more than anyone. Hopefully you see what I am getting at; a simple listing of all your optional BigWigs plugins with descriptions of their functions along with a list of other raid-oriented mods who cover areas that you don't feel BW needs to duplicate.

If this exists already, then I apologize, as I certainly was unable to find it.

Thanks in advance for your time and feedback.

funkydude · 11/14/07, 4:25 PM

Originally Posted by Evidicus

If this exists already, then I apologize, as I certainly was unable to find it.

BigWigs/3rd Party Modules - WoWWiki - Your guide to the World of Warcraft
BigWigs - WoWWiki - Your guide to the World of Warcraft
Enjoy. =)

THF13 · 11/14/07, 5:23 PM

On Void Reaver the chat message(the one that /s "orb on me") does not work for me and I'm not sure why.

I've tried both DBM and BigWigs but neither work. I use a lot of addons so I think one of them might be stopping them from saying the warning but I'm not sure why they would do this. Any way to figure it out?

Evidicus · 11/14/07, 6:49 PM

Originally Posted by funkydude

BigWigs/3rd Party Modules - WoWWiki - Your guide to the World of Warcraft
BigWigs - WoWWiki - Your guide to the World of Warcraft
Enjoy. =)

Thanks, this is a good start. I also meant to cover suggestions for other mods that may help a DBM user make the switch. Provide them with an alternative for everything they currently get out of DBM, so that they can pick and choose what content they want a la carte.

In this case I'd have a list consisting of:

1. BigWigs - BigWigs
2. LittleWigs - for 5 man content - http://www.wowace.com/wiki/LittleWigs
3. BigWigs_NajAssist - Naj'entus plugin - BigWigs/3rd Party Modules
4. Capping - BG bar timers - http://www.wowace.com/wiki/Capping
5. PerfectTargets - For use for weapons/advisors on Kael - http://files.wowace.com/PerfectTarge...ets-r46886.zip

I think I may have answered my own question. I don't think I am missing anything that would need to be added in order for BW to mirror the full functionality of DBM. If I am, feel free to suggest more additions.

The great thing about this is that not only can you pick and choose which of these mods you want to compliment BW in the first place, but I believe you can enable/disable them on the fly by using DeuceCommander (found @ http://files.wowace.com/DeuceCommand...r-r50870.1.zip), which is something that many Ace mod users already have to begin with.

Hate Monkey · 11/14/07, 8:04 PM

Most ace mods use the Rock GUI now, so you can /rock, and select the mod you want and work from there. DeuceCommander is nearly useless now.

funkydude · 11/14/07, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by Feist-Mok

One DBM feature I learned of today that I wish I had around using bigwigs: The ability to turn on the rangefinder window that pops up on fights like Gruul etc. There are times during trash or on some fights like the Eagle boss in ZA, where it's handy to have that frame on demand, but - unless I'm mistaken - bigwigs gives no user access to the frame.

I added a test function to the Proximity module for placement testing, although it won't actually scan range, this is inputed via boss modules. As of r54749.

Originally Posted by Hate Monkey

Most ace mods use the Rock GUI now, so you can /rock, and select the mod you want and work from there. DeuceCommander is nearly useless now.

This isn't really true as Ace addons don't bundle Rock, a more accurate term would be the Rock GUI uses Ace mods.

Abbi · 11/15/07, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by THF13

On Void Reaver the chat message(the one that /s "orb on me") does not work for me and I'm not sure why.

I've tried both DBM and BigWigs but neither work. I use a lot of addons so I think one of them might be stopping them from saying the warning but I'm not sure why they would do this. Any way to figure it out?

Turn off Righteous Fury if you're not tanking. The mods check for RF; if the target is a paladin and has RF running, they assume he's a tank and thus they don't warn when VR targets him.