I have always trusted Simcraft and the results it generates. However, I have reached a point (il 526 with 4-set and legendary meta) where Simcraft is giving me stat weights of; Int 4.78, Mastery 2.58, Haste 2.19, Crit 1.98. This means that Simcraft recommends a full Mastery re-gem. Plugging these stat weights into AMR (an excellent tool when used with custom weights) gives me an 'optimal' profile that swaps 2293 Int (2523 SP and 0.91% crit) for 13.97% mastery.
When I re-sim and compare the two profiles (1 target, light movement) I find:
Current 'standard' gemming (Int, Int/M, Int/Spirit) - 156,969k
SimC optimal gemming (Int/M, Mastery, M/Spirit) - 157,337k
These results are for a single target encounter. I think any kind of AoE will skew the results even further towards Mastery.
So far, so good. Gemming optimal Mastery gives a small single-target DPS increase and a larger multi-target increase. The problem arises when I look at how top Elemental Shaman are gemming. Every single one seems to follow the standard protocol. What do they know that Simcraft doesn't? Do the stat weights shift back towards Int at even higher ilevels? Or are all these top players just doing it wrong?
Should I gem as the sims suggest, or follow the example of top players?
N.B - I'm aware that 5.3 is imminent and the LvB and LB changes will shift stat weights around again, for everybody. I still think this is an interesting question for now.
When I re-sim and compare the two profiles (1 target, light movement) I find:
Current 'standard' gemming (Int, Int/M, Int/Spirit) - 156,969k
SimC optimal gemming (Int/M, Mastery, M/Spirit) - 157,337k
These results are for a single target encounter. I think any kind of AoE will skew the results even further towards Mastery.
So far, so good. Gemming optimal Mastery gives a small single-target DPS increase and a larger multi-target increase. The problem arises when I look at how top Elemental Shaman are gemming. Every single one seems to follow the standard protocol. What do they know that Simcraft doesn't? Do the stat weights shift back towards Int at even higher ilevels? Or are all these top players just doing it wrong?
Should I gem as the sims suggest, or follow the example of top players?
N.B - I'm aware that 5.3 is imminent and the LvB and LB changes will shift stat weights around again, for everybody. I still think this is an interesting question for now.