So I've read though many posts on these forums where players refer to something called "wowlogs" and "parses". From what I gather this wowlogs site somehow tracks your performance at whatever your role is and people refer to it to determine how skilled you are with your class and role. Am i correct so far?
I also see people referring to something called parses and these parses are colored (and from what I gather grey is bad).
Would someone be so kind as to explain all of this colored parses business for this average Joe?
I don't raid or run mythic+ or anything like that. I'm just curious.
Thanks!
warcraftlogs.com
The colors operate exactly like gear colors.
Grey, White, Green, Blue, Purple, Orange, Gold.
They aren't even shares of the percentile. Orange is 95+ and Gold is 100% for example.
Through a combination of an addon, a setting in the game (advanced combat logging), and a website, people can upload logs to warcraftlogs.com, and those can be used to get extremely detailed amounts of information as to what happened in a fight. Up to and including a replay of the fight.
In addition, the system will give you a percentile ranking vs others of your spec at a particular activity (dps or healing), and weight you with a percentile based on your comparative performance for that "parse."
A parse is an iteration of a fight. Generally the only ones people care about are on successful kills.
Its an extremely powerful tool that can provide a cornucopia of information. But like any tool, it can be used properly, or used poorly.
Grey, White, Green, Blue, Purple, Orange, Gold.
They aren't even shares of the percentile. Orange is 95+ and Gold is 100% for example.
Through a combination of an addon, a setting in the game (advanced combat logging), and a website, people can upload logs to warcraftlogs.com, and those can be used to get extremely detailed amounts of information as to what happened in a fight. Up to and including a replay of the fight.
In addition, the system will give you a percentile ranking vs others of your spec at a particular activity (dps or healing), and weight you with a percentile based on your comparative performance for that "parse."
A parse is an iteration of a fight. Generally the only ones people care about are on successful kills.
Its an extremely powerful tool that can provide a cornucopia of information. But like any tool, it can be used properly, or used poorly.
1 Like
The game has a logging feature that allows the client to record a log of events that happen during combat (such as spell casts, damage events, etc.) to a file on your hard drive.
There are a few sites which have tools that help analyze these log files.
Colloquially, a "parse" is a player's percentile overall performance relative to other members of the same class and spec for a given encounter. For example, a 95-parse on Eonar would be a 95th percentile parse, usually for DPS. (Healer parses are also ranked but mean comparatively little. Tank performance with damage mitigation is not ranked.)
The log analysis sites also usually assign a color (mirroring the item quality colors in the game) to different percentile levels for convenience (e.g. a blue parse from 50-80%, purple from 80-95%, etc.)
There are a few sites which have tools that help analyze these log files.
Colloquially, a "parse" is a player's percentile overall performance relative to other members of the same class and spec for a given encounter. For example, a 95-parse on Eonar would be a 95th percentile parse, usually for DPS. (Healer parses are also ranked but mean comparatively little. Tank performance with damage mitigation is not ranked.)
The log analysis sites also usually assign a color (mirroring the item quality colors in the game) to different percentile levels for convenience (e.g. a blue parse from 50-80%, purple from 80-95%, etc.)
Perfect! I think i understand now.
One additional question. Can this data be used to determine say why you performed poorly? For example each class's abilities have synergy with other abilities and if you are not following a proper rotation or keeping up max uptime on an ability would this data show you that?
As an example, say I was a shadow priest and during a boss encounter I should be keeping SWP up on the target at all times. If I was not doing this my damage would be lower and manifest in a lower colored parse. Is the collected data summarized in a way that you could see this?
One additional question. Can this data be used to determine say why you performed poorly? For example each class's abilities have synergy with other abilities and if you are not following a proper rotation or keeping up max uptime on an ability would this data show you that?
As an example, say I was a shadow priest and during a boss encounter I should be keeping SWP up on the target at all times. If I was not doing this my damage would be lower and manifest in a lower colored parse. Is the collected data summarized in a way that you could see this?
03/01/2018 05:48 PMPosted by RosabelleOne additional question. Can this data be used to determine say why you performed poorly?
Oh dear lord it can! It's one of the best parts of logs beyond just having parses. You can see resources (hp/mana/ternary) over time, cooldown usage, potion usage, making sure you're dots are up all the time, that your cast sequecnes are okay, etc.
Equally important you can see what you're taking unnecessary damage from, so that you can do things like move out of bad fire, and also you can see who is not doing a soak mechanic or similar (get into the good fire).
Logs are, when used properly, by and far one of the best tools for becoming a stronger raider in WoW.
These are _very_ old but here are some analysis I did for people during HFC, to show how deep into logs you can get:
https://www.reddit.com/r/CompetitiveWoW/comments/3ojf3z/warlock_dps_help/cvyg1a7/
Another example of overall raid performance analysis:
https://www.reddit.com/r/CompetitiveWoW/comments/3ozauk/mythic_gorefiend_help/
Logs are love, logs are life.
Wow that's impressive! Thank you all very much for the information!
So, this is the log site most people use:
https://www.warcraftlogs.com/
Orange parses are like 95%+. Purple I think is somewhere 75 - 95%. Blue parses are somewhere like 45 - 75%. Green parses are something like 25 - 45%. Grey parses are like < 25%. I may not have that exact, but its close.
Basically, like equipment: Orange > Purple > Blue > Green > Grey.
Your parses % is based on a comparison of your performance to the logs of everyone else in your class and spec. There is also a way to check vs your class, spec, and iLvl. Your performance is based on overall DPS if you are DPS for instance.
It doesn't take into consideration things like stat distribution, legendary items, latency, talent builds, etc. It just compares you to others of the same class/spec and potentially iLvl. So you expect that someone who is using optimal legendary items, optimal stat outlay, optimal talents, even if skill is equal to someone else will outperform that person who is using suboptimal legendary items, talents, stats. It is possible to "pad" your numbers by doing things like focusing on AoE when you should be ST on important targets. It doesn't take into consideration if you were a burden to your healers, or tanks. It's not an exact number to describe exactly how you did in terms of overall performance.
But that's just the parse % number, and it's certainly not worthless even if it does have some issues. You just have to understand its limitations. Anyone skilled at reading logs can see what you did. It logs everything. Including damage you took. Whether you triggered things you shouldn't. Potions used. Etc, etc. And generally the people parsing high, are also doing all the stuff they are supposed to. Its rare you find someone good enough to say parse orange that isn't good enough to also be taking care of the other stuff that's required.
The logs show pretty much everything if you learn how to delve into them and read them.
But you can also plug them into other sites like:
https://wowanalyzer.com/
Which will do a pretty good job of telling you where you did well and make some fairly detailed suggestions on where you should try to improve.
https://www.warcraftlogs.com/
Orange parses are like 95%+. Purple I think is somewhere 75 - 95%. Blue parses are somewhere like 45 - 75%. Green parses are something like 25 - 45%. Grey parses are like < 25%. I may not have that exact, but its close.
Basically, like equipment: Orange > Purple > Blue > Green > Grey.
Your parses % is based on a comparison of your performance to the logs of everyone else in your class and spec. There is also a way to check vs your class, spec, and iLvl. Your performance is based on overall DPS if you are DPS for instance.
It doesn't take into consideration things like stat distribution, legendary items, latency, talent builds, etc. It just compares you to others of the same class/spec and potentially iLvl. So you expect that someone who is using optimal legendary items, optimal stat outlay, optimal talents, even if skill is equal to someone else will outperform that person who is using suboptimal legendary items, talents, stats. It is possible to "pad" your numbers by doing things like focusing on AoE when you should be ST on important targets. It doesn't take into consideration if you were a burden to your healers, or tanks. It's not an exact number to describe exactly how you did in terms of overall performance.
But that's just the parse % number, and it's certainly not worthless even if it does have some issues. You just have to understand its limitations. Anyone skilled at reading logs can see what you did. It logs everything. Including damage you took. Whether you triggered things you shouldn't. Potions used. Etc, etc. And generally the people parsing high, are also doing all the stuff they are supposed to. Its rare you find someone good enough to say parse orange that isn't good enough to also be taking care of the other stuff that's required.
Yes.03/01/2018 05:48 PMPosted by RosabelleOne additional question. Can this data be used to determine say why you performed poorly?
The logs show pretty much everything if you learn how to delve into them and read them.
But you can also plug them into other sites like:
https://wowanalyzer.com/
Which will do a pretty good job of telling you where you did well and make some fairly detailed suggestions on where you should try to improve.
Can't agree enough. Logs are awesome. If you really want to improve your play, you need to assess how you did, figure out where you can do better, fix that, figure out what you are doing well, push to improve that. And eventually, you'll start to see your parses getting higher and higher. And higher parses will help you get groups if you are trying to pug.03/01/2018 05:56 PMPosted by CryptrotLogs are, when used properly, by and far one of the best tools for becoming a stronger raider in WoW.
03/01/2018 05:28 PMPosted by MokunIn addition, the system will give you a percentile ranking vs others of your spec at a particular activity (dps or healing), and weight you with a percentile based on your comparative performance for that "parse."
Yeah im am sure it takes into account what addons you are using, key binds, hardware, latency, software macros(Gnome sequencer) vs hardware macros(keyboard and mouse ) where you can record LIVE macro's or use built in ones, or the software that comes with these pieces) You can have 3 key binds through these methods and just have them seperated by another piece of code called Key press where after you hit the first button of the macro, one press will just go through that part of the macro, using a modifier key with keypress you hit that ti hit the next key bind in the macro and one press activates that part of the macro. So basically one press of the key bind does an automated action, then pressing the key modifier and the second button of the macro and that fires off another part of it, so basically the first one could with ONE press of the key prepot, and do your opener, then the second key press does your part of the rotation that builds your resources back up so you can press another key to burst yet again with one button push. Very sure the logs and parses take all of this into account when it compares you to others.
Yeah right.
03/01/2018 07:03 PMPosted by Impprov03/01/2018 05:28 PMPosted by MokunIn addition, the system will give you a percentile ranking vs others of your spec at a particular activity (dps or healing), and weight you with a percentile based on your comparative performance for that "parse."
Yeah im am sure it takes into account what addons you are using, key binds, hardware, latency, software macros(Gnome sequencer) vs hardware macros(keyboard and mouse ) where you can record LIVE macro's or use built in ones, or the software that comes with these pieces) You can have 3 key binds through these methods and just have them seperated by another piece of code called Key press where after you hit the first button of the macro, one press will just go through that part of the macro, using a modifier key with keypress you hit that ti hit the next key bind in the macro and one press activates that part of the macro. So basically one press of the key bind does an automated action, then pressing the key modifier and the second button of the macro and that fires off another part of it, so basically the first one could with ONE press of the key prepot, and do your opener, then the second key press does your part of the rotation that builds your resources back up so you can press another key to burst yet again with one button push. Very sure the logs and parses take all of this into account when it compares you to others.
Yeah right.
Warden takes that into account. Being banned hurts your ability to appear on combat logs.
03/01/2018 07:03 PMPosted by Impprov03/01/2018 05:28 PMPosted by MokunIn addition, the system will give you a percentile ranking vs others of your spec at a particular activity (dps or healing), and weight you with a percentile based on your comparative performance for that "parse."
Yeah im am sure it takes into account what addons you are using, key binds, hardware, latency, software macros(Gnome sequencer) vs hardware macros(keyboard and mouse ) where you can record LIVE macro's or use built in ones, or the software that comes with these pieces) You can have 3 key binds through these methods and just have them seperated by another piece of code called Key press where after you hit the first button of the macro, one press will just go through that part of the macro, using a modifier key with keypress you hit that ti hit the next key bind in the macro and one press activates that part of the macro. So basically one press of the key bind does an automated action, then pressing the key modifier and the second button of the macro and that fires off another part of it, so basically the first one could with ONE press of the key prepot, and do your opener, then the second key press does your part of the rotation that builds your resources back up so you can press another key to burst yet again with one button push. Very sure the logs and parses take all of this into account when it compares you to others.
Yeah right.
Someone sounds salty about their, presumably, poor logs.
Of course the notion that other players could possibly be better is beyond him...
03/01/2018 07:03 PMPosted by Impprovlatency
Can understand this one. My internet isn't the best and I get latency/lag issues every so often. Warcraftlogs will not take that into account though, nor can it really.
03/01/2018 07:29 PMPosted by ArgorwalOf course the notion that other players could possibly be better is beyond him...
There's no question that there are tons of players out there better than me. Just makes me sad when people use warcraftlogs to shame me and others. Whatever the logs say I do try my best every fight.
I wish my feeble mind could understand the warcraftlogs.
I have yet to wrap my head around what I need to look at in order to get better. I'm all youtubed out on how to do better DPS as an Arc Mage. 4/8 Heroic, but feel like I am always the weakest link.
I can't seem to even hit 25k DPS even on my burst phase.
I have yet to wrap my head around what I need to look at in order to get better. I'm all youtubed out on how to do better DPS as an Arc Mage. 4/8 Heroic, but feel like I am always the weakest link.
I can't seem to even hit 25k DPS even on my burst phase.
10/26/2018 09:02 AMPosted by DemikdagawdI wish my feeble mind could understand the warcraftlogs.
I have yet to wrap my head around what I need to look at in order to get better. I'm all youtubed out on how to do better DPS as an Arc Mage. 4/8 Heroic, but feel like I am always the weakest link.
I can't seem to even hit 25k DPS even on my burst phase.
Logs aren’t going to tell you how to get better. They tell you how you’re performing.
Read guides on your class rotation and practice on target dummies. Understand the stats you need and how it interacts with your rotation. Try out different talents (although there’s typically a one size fits all for dps). Research the best azerite traits and try to seek them out.
Hey, thank you for your reply Mistblossom. I have done this quite a bit. I do know I am going to need to mess around with arc talents, and for raiding, I will probably need to change to Rune of Power.
I'm just fairly new, and it's a lot of information lol. Have watched so many vids that explain the 3 button rotation for mage's, but always seem to come up short. I have the Flask of Endless fathoms on, the Augmented Rune, the feast/well fed active....
But you're right, I just need to play around with it in-game, as I basically match most mages as far as APTalents... I am AP level 24.5, so I have most of those unlocked.
I may also need to get the Torrent of the Elements over my Quick Navigation enchant...
I yearn for even half the knowledge most of you seem to possess.
I'm just fairly new, and it's a lot of information lol. Have watched so many vids that explain the 3 button rotation for mage's, but always seem to come up short. I have the Flask of Endless fathoms on, the Augmented Rune, the feast/well fed active....
But you're right, I just need to play around with it in-game, as I basically match most mages as far as APTalents... I am AP level 24.5, so I have most of those unlocked.
I may also need to get the Torrent of the Elements over my Quick Navigation enchant...
I yearn for even half the knowledge most of you seem to possess.
10/26/2018 09:33 AMPosted by DemikdagawdHey, thank you for your reply Mistblossom. I have done this quite a bit. I do know I am going to need to mess around with arc talents, and for raiding, I will probably need to change to Rune of Power.
I'm just fairly new, and it's a lot of information lol. Have watched so many vids that explain the 3 button rotation for mage's, but always seem to come up short. I have the Flask of Endless fathoms on, the Augmented Rune, the feast/well fed active....
But you're right, I just need to play around with it in-game, as I basically match most mages as far as APTalents... I am AP level 24.5, so I have most of those unlocked.
I may also need to get the Torrent of the Elements over my Quick Navigation enchant...
I yearn for even half the knowledge most of you seem to possess.
Don’t beat yourself up over logs. You’ve got lots of room for improvement and it’ll be fun watching your numbers shoot up. Good luck!
10/26/2018 09:02 AMPosted by DemikdagawdI wish my feeble mind could understand the warcraftlogs.
I have yet to wrap my head around what I need to look at in order to get better. I'm all youtubed out on how to do better DPS as an Arc Mage. 4/8 Heroic, but feel like I am always the weakest link.
I can't seem to even hit 25k DPS even on my burst phase.
Two things you can do. I am only sure to the effectiveness of one, but in theory both should work.
First, every class has a discord server for discussion, teaching, learning, and discovering new stuff regarding their class and specs.
https://discord.gg/2xsrB8
This is the mage server. I am not sure as to how helpful it is, as that depends on the server. For example, the rogue and DK servers are notoriously memey and toxic, while the druid and hunter servers are typically more goofy and non-serious.
The warrior discord is very down to business, efficient and direct. The priest community infights so much there's something like 5 discords and three websites that all hate each other. So, I do not vouch for precisely how much use the mage discord will be for you, but I always suggest it.
Second thing, look here.
https://www.warcraftlogs.com/reports/3pa9vGWT1mFhcYLt#fight=4&type=casts&source=7&view=timeline
This is your rotation. It's what you cast, and in order, the timeline of your casts in the fight. Compare it so, say, this
https://www.warcraftlogs.com/reports/aV9RhgTvKZj1m3M4#fight=1&type=casts&source=18&view=timeline
This is a high ranked arcane mage, and his timeline on the same fight. Compare, see what he did. You can use the buff section (for things like arcane charges, clearcasting, procs, etc)
Also, you can use the replay feature to see how he moves, where , and what exactly he does.
not sure what videos you're watching, but even a god awful guide website like noxxic wouldn't suggest using a healing trinket on a mage.10/26/2018 09:33 AMPosted by DemikdagawdHey, thank you for your reply Mistblossom. I have done this quite a bit. I do know I am going to need to mess around with arc talents, and for raiding, I will probably need to change to Rune of Power.
I'm just fairly new, and it's a lot of information lol. Have watched so many vids that explain the 3 button rotation for mage's, but always seem to come up short. I have the Flask of Endless fathoms on, the Augmented Rune, the feast/well fed active....
But you're right, I just need to play around with it in-game, as I basically match most mages as far as APTalents... I am AP level 24.5, so I have most of those unlocked.
I may also need to get the Torrent of the Elements over my Quick Navigation enchant...
I yearn for even half the knowledge most of you seem to possess.
10/26/2018 10:05 AMPosted by Mistblossom
Don’t beat yourself up over logs. You’ve got lots of room for improvement and it’ll be fun watching your numbers shoot up. Good luck!
Hey, live and learn I guess haha. I appreciate your response! :D
10/26/2018 10:25 AMPosted by Drezwazluz
Two things you can do. I am only sure to the effectiveness of one, but in theory both should work.
First, every class has a discord server for discussion, teaching, learning, and discovering new stuff regarding their class and specs.
https://discord.gg/2xsrB8
This is the mage server. I am not sure as to how helpful it is, as that depends on the server. For example, the rogue and DK servers are notoriously memey and toxic, while the druid and hunter servers are typically more goofy and non-serious.
The warrior discord is very down to business, efficient and direct. The priest community infights so much there's something like 5 discords and three websites that all hate each other. So, I do not vouch for precisely how much use the mage discord will be for you, but I always suggest it.
Second thing, look here.
https://www.warcraftlogs.com/reports/3pa9vGWT1mFhcYLt#fight=4&type=casts&source=7&view=timeline
This is your rotation. It's what you cast, and in order, the timeline of your casts in the fight. Compare it so, say, this
https://www.warcraftlogs.com/reports/aV9RhgTvKZj1m3M4#fight=1&type=casts&source=18&view=timeline
This is a high ranked arcane mage, and his timeline on the same fight. Compare, see what he did. You can use the buff section (for things like arcane charges, clearcasting, procs, etc)
Also, you can use the replay feature to see how he moves, where , and what exactly he does.
Yo! Thank you so much for taking the time and informing me about this stuff. These are gems I am 100% going to look more into. Thank you!
10/26/2018 10:43 AMPosted by Ayyeelmaonot sure what videos you're watching, but even a god awful guide website like noxxic wouldn't suggest using a healing trinket on a mage.
The Darkmoon card is just a placeholder for iLvl until I can actually get a trinket worth having. For now, it helps a small amount being able to heal passively with casting. But I agree, this was not a recommendation from any video. Once I get something from Heroics or possibly Mythic Dungeons, I will replace that in a heartbeat.
the int dps squalls darkmoon deck is an actual dps trinket and almost half the price of a tides deck on your server....10/26/2018 10:54 AMPosted by DemikdagawdThe Darkmoon card is just a placeholder for iLvl until I can actually get a trinket worth having. For now, it helps a small amount being able to heal passively with casting. But I agree, this was not a recommendation from any video. Once I get something from Heroics or possibly Mythic Dungeons, I will replace that in a heartbeat.
regardless, check out icyveins for a general sense of a rotation and playstyle, and check out bloodmallet for an indepth guide to azerite traits and trinkets. no offense, but i dont think you're at the point of needing to analyze logs in order to get better.