SimulationCraft & Itemization.
SimulationCraft is both a program and an addon that allows you to simulate your character's dps, calculate stat weights (which further allows you to compare gear beyond item level). Raidbots is an online way to use SimulationCraft and would be considered a substitute for downloading and using the program. Most people who have never used SimCraft will struggle to use it for the first time.
To use SimCraft and get your stat weights, you need to download BOTH the addon and the program (or use Raidbots along with the addon).
To download SimulationCraft: http://simulationcraft.org/download.html
To download the SimulationCraft addon, download the Twitch client (formerly Curse) and search for it. in the downloaded program: https://mods.curse.com/client
Raidbots (Online SimulationCraft): www.raidbots.com/simbot
A guide on using SimulationCraft: www.reddit.com/r/wow/comments/51a4p1/guide_to_simcrafting_dps/
A video guide on using SimulationCraft: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPvjkW0ZkxM
A guide on using SimulationCraft with Pawn: www.wowhead.com/how-to-use-simulationcraft-and-pawn
Once you have used SimulationCraft to simulate your character, the outputted data will include stat weights and a stat weight string for use with the addon Pawn, which is highly recommended for comparing gear. NOTE: Pawn is often incorrect about rings and necks, you should sim them individually to find out which maximizes your DPS. The Pawn addon is also available through the Twitch client.
In previous expansions, stat weights were more standard. In Legion, your stat weights will be different than other players of your same spec. Your stat weights are individual - do not use any standardized stat weights you find online to decide on gear.
Stat weights are how much DPS you will gain for each unit of a stat. Some classes have caps on certain stats, meaning after X amount of that stat, you will no longer benefit from more of that stat.
Whenever you change a piece of gear because of sheer item level increase, or Pawn suggesting it as an upgrade, you will need to sim yourself again to get new stat weights.
You can use these stat weights to further understand what gear your character needs to better perform. For example if crit and versatility have very low stat weights and haste has a very high stat weight, it means your character will do more DPS with more haste; and you should aim to swap out gear to increase haste at the cost of crit. This is a very rough example, but you should be able to use the concept to think about your own personal stat weights.
To use SimCraft and get your stat weights, you need to download BOTH the addon and the program (or use Raidbots along with the addon).
To download SimulationCraft: http://simulationcraft.org/download.html
To download the SimulationCraft addon, download the Twitch client (formerly Curse) and search for it. in the downloaded program: https://mods.curse.com/client
Raidbots (Online SimulationCraft): www.raidbots.com/simbot
A guide on using SimulationCraft: www.reddit.com/r/wow/comments/51a4p1/guide_to_simcrafting_dps/
A video guide on using SimulationCraft: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPvjkW0ZkxM
A guide on using SimulationCraft with Pawn: www.wowhead.com/how-to-use-simulationcraft-and-pawn
Once you have used SimulationCraft to simulate your character, the outputted data will include stat weights and a stat weight string for use with the addon Pawn, which is highly recommended for comparing gear. NOTE: Pawn is often incorrect about rings and necks, you should sim them individually to find out which maximizes your DPS. The Pawn addon is also available through the Twitch client.
In previous expansions, stat weights were more standard. In Legion, your stat weights will be different than other players of your same spec. Your stat weights are individual - do not use any standardized stat weights you find online to decide on gear.
Stat weights are how much DPS you will gain for each unit of a stat. Some classes have caps on certain stats, meaning after X amount of that stat, you will no longer benefit from more of that stat.
Whenever you change a piece of gear because of sheer item level increase, or Pawn suggesting it as an upgrade, you will need to sim yourself again to get new stat weights.
You can use these stat weights to further understand what gear your character needs to better perform. For example if crit and versatility have very low stat weights and haste has a very high stat weight, it means your character will do more DPS with more haste; and you should aim to swap out gear to increase haste at the cost of crit. This is a very rough example, but you should be able to use the concept to think about your own personal stat weights.