End All Cutlass Spec

[Spaghettimonster]

The following is mathematically the best build in the game for the Cutlass

Cutlass

--Combo Attacks--
(1/5) Hack: * [12-24 (18)]
(1/5) Slash: * [34-67 (50.5)]
(0/5) Cleave: * [46-92 (69)]
(5/5) Flourish: * [82-164 (123)] [3 HITS]
(0/5) Thrust: * [77-154 (115.5)]
--Combat Attacks--
(1/5) Sweep: * [61-122 (91.5)] [15s (12.3s)] [AOE]
(1/5) Brawl: * [21-41] [60s (49.2s)] [Disables the Enemy for 2 seconds.]
(1/5) Taunt: * [22.5s] [Agro Capture lasts 30s] [Reduce Enemy Attack Accuracy by ?%]
(5/5) Blade Storm: * [165-330] [CD?] [
--Passive Skills--
(5/5) Parry: * [Parry Enemy Attacks] [10% Chance to Block]
(5/5) Endurance: * [+125 HP]
(25/25) Total

Now for the Explanation.

The numbers you see out beside the abilities are the minimum and maximum damage values for each ability, along with the average of those in parenthesis. I took these values from my level 14 Pirate, so don't expect your numbers to match exactly. The important thing to understand is that this all scales, so what goes for level 14 will go for level 25.

I started off by comparing the damage cycle of each set of combo moves to determine which to leave out and which to actually invest points in. The only three moves you need are Hack/Slash/Flourish.

If you look at the possible 5 click cycle for these abilities you can sum up the total damage for that cycle and then compare that with a differing click cycle line up to compare relative dps output. Remember that all of these are based off of the averages.

5 click cycle including all Combo Attacks:
18+50.5+69+(123x3)+115.5 = 622dpc

My 3 click cycle:
18+50.5+(123x3) = 437.5dpc

Alt 4 click cycle with Cleave:
18+50.5+69+(123x3) = 506.5dpc

Alt 4 click cycle with Thrust:
18+50.5+(123x3)+115.5 = 553dpc

(dpc = Damage Per Cycle)

Since these click cycles are different in length we have to find a point at which the time interval matches... meaning we have to find an equal number of clicks for these two click cycles to compare them. You have one version with 5 clicks, another with 3, and two alternatives with 4. This can be found by simply multiplying the numbers together. On the 60th click, each of these will have completed a cycle, and at this point we can compare the damage of each and determine which gives the greatest output.

In a span of 60 clicks the 4 click intervals will each have cycled through 15 times, so totaling all of that up is simple multiplication. If you divide the figure you come up with there by the number of clicks (which conveniently happen to be the same number of seconds in a minute) you will get the Damage Per Second (dps). (For all intents and purposes here I equate seconds with clicks, as they are equally an objective measurement of time and there is no need to differentiate - the "more is better" slogan applies either way and tells us what we want to know)

Alt 4 click cycle with Cleave:
18+50.5+69+(123x3) = 506.5dpc X 15 = 7597.5 / 60 = 126.625 dps

Alt 4 click cycle with Thrust:
18+50.5+(123x3)+115.5 = 553dpc X 15 = 8295 / 60 = 138.25 dps

In a span of 60 clicks the 3 click cycle will have cycled through 20 times. Using the same method as before we can calculate its dps as well.

My 3 click cycle:
18+50.5+(123x3) = 437.5dpc X 20 = 8750 / 60 = 145.83 dps

In a span of 60 clicks the full 5 click cycle will have cycled through 12 times. Using the same method as before we can calculate its dps.

5 click cycle including all Combo Attacks:
18+50.5+69+(123x3)+115.5 = 622dpc X 12 = 7464 / 60 = 124.4 dps

-----------------Additionally-------------------

Why not Sweep?
Well, with the cooldown benefit of finesse in the Dagger tree you can use this ability only once every 3 click cycles. It's very good to use as often as possible as a replacement for Hack. You can use Sweep and (if your timing is just right) skip Hack and go straight into a Slash and be right back into another devastating flourish. Also, even if you put a 5 dots in this ability it isn't going to boost that DPS very much because you can only use it once every 3 click cycles and because it doesn't add that much damage anyway per swing.

Why Parry?
I've been grinding out levels with this since I unlocked the ability and Max'd it and I can't tell you how often I parry... It's hilarious to be going up against an enemy who is 5-6 levels higher and watch them parry twice in a row. I've even had one fight in which I parry'd the guy 4 times in a row. I usually parry at least one attack every fight... and for a passive that applies no matter what you are using you simply can't pass this survivability up. If someone in PvP walks up to you and initiates a Blade Storm and you parry the first swing, they all parry... same as a miss. The Bayonet Flurry's on the Veterans are the same way, if they miss you with the first swing is a complete miss with all swings... If another player Flourishes you or Eviscerates you and you Parry the first, you have just completely mitigated that entire attack. It's very powerful. I think the 10% Blocking portion of this ability might be broken right now, as I've never seen "Blocked" pop up anywhere. Still worth it.

Why Endurance?
No reason really, other than just showing off my HP to those who don't have that much. I understand that putting those extra points anywhere else would be a waste.

Why only 1 in Brawl?
More points wouldn't significantly increase the damage, and the cool down is very long even with Finesse. As far as abilities that can disable an opponent, there are other ways to neutralize someone like Grave Shackles or Throw Dirt. It's a good utility to have. It can also be substituted for Hack if timed properly, and because it deals more damage than Hack I generally try to lead with it when I use it.

The three click cycle can be "Sweep/Slash/Flourish" and "Brawl/Slash/Flourish."

Why 5/5 Flourish and not spread that around between Hack and Slash.
First off all, Hack is an ability I try to use as seldom as possible. When I can substitute a sweep or a brawl I try to get the timing right to bypass it... why would I want to put points in something so weak? Slash would NOT be a decent place to put points either because on a Scale where you compare Increase in Damage to an ability per Skill Point, all points are best spent in the ability that does the most damage... ESPECIALLY when that ability gives you three swings per click cycle and not just 1. By investing these points all into Flourish I am benefiting from three swings of damage, where if I were to invest them into Slash I would only benefit LESS and only one swing.

I plan on writing up a little guide like this for all of the abilities, and I will be updating this with new numbers as I level to 40/25.