I just got 4 set today and tested it on the cleave dummies
The tool tip reads “spending 40 focus gives trick shoot”
I then only used aimed shot (and yes I am aware that every 2nd aprox is free of charge" but still 1 shot i 35 focus.
I kept shooting only aimed shot for several minutes but at no point did it activate trick shot
I then started to use Arcane shot 2 times in a row 20x2 focus and instant got the trick shot effect from the 4 set bonus
Is it because the 4 set bonus only works if you use 40 focus “in a row” so if you get a free Aimed shot in between spending focus or use rapid fire or other free of charge shots, then it “resets” the 40 focus spend??
If yes then the tool tip is really wanting an text update cause I am reading it as spending 40 focus in total and not 40 focus in sequence/in a row??
You are most likely not realising that aimed is still benefitting from trick shots even when you are not thinking it is.
The only time aimed shot will not be cast with trickshots is if you cast it whilst being exactly 0/40 focus spent on the 4p.
Anything above that, and the aimed itself will put you over the 40 focus threshold, and benefit from trickshots even though you are not physically seeing the buff. The aimed procs it and consumes it instantly.
If you are at 0/40, you fire aimed and you are then at 35/40.
If you are at 5 or above/40, you fire aimed and it will both proc and instantly consume trickshots, so you will never physically see the buff, but it will be active on the aimed you just fired.
Doesnt that make it hard to time/use best possible if I cant track the buff?
So if I am 0/40 and I use Volley cause there are 5 mobs in the m+ trash pull
Then I have instant trick shot from volley
Then I shoot 1 time aimed shot which brings me to 35/40 and trick shot from volley is consumed
Then I shoot 1 more aimed shot and this brings me to 70/40 = 1 trick shot I never see yes? so now I am actually 30/40 cause I just spend 40 hidden focus yes?
Then I shoot 1 more aimed shot now I am 65/40 meaning another hidden aim shot yes? that brings me to 25/40
etc. etc. so then
60/40 down to 20/40
then 55/40 down to 15/40
then 50/40 down to 5/40
Then 40/40 down to 0/40
So first at this point do I need to use Multi shot again to get visible trick shot yes?
But keeping track of this internal counter in my head while moving for boss abilities in m+15 and killing orbs this week
Makes it really hard yes?
So what is best
Never to use multishot cause trick shot is almost always up with the “hidden internal trick” shot
Or just do normal rotation and multi shot every 2nd shot between aimed shots to cath the ones not covered by the “hidden internal” trick shots?
Option 1) The most popular option is just to install this weakaura https://wago.io/lXF6Vqtpk that will keep track of it for you. This is what most people do. Yes, it’s kinda stupid that there is no in game counter or anything, for people that don’t use addons/weakauras there really isn’t a way of keeping track of it. With this you just multi at 0/40, or before rapid fire with no trickshots up.
Option 2) Assuming you want to play addonless or without the aura above, the best option is to just skip multishot (assuming you are playing vigil). The only time it won’t cleave is when you are at 0/40, so almost every aimed cleaves passively regardless. It’s a far bigger loss to start multishotting and wasting the 4p completely.