A Reality Check on DPS Parses and Buffed Dummies

CalamityCat · February 9

ankeor wrote: »

Back in the day when there was no trial dummies we had to do skeleton parses.
It was much less accurate.
StamDK had major breach, NBs had minor berserk etc. Classes which has these common buffs/debuffs would inflate their dps on skeleton compared to other classes which lacked these buffs/debuffs but it would not matter in an actual trial where tanks and healers would provide them anyway.
Trial dummy is actually creating a condition which you could get all the common buffs and debuffs so you can see the actual performance difference between classes/skill lines that would occur in a trial.

That makes a lot more sense now you've explained it, thanks

I usually just cringe a bit at the unrealistic expectation these parses can create because I know how different content feels when you have an organised group vs one with randoms. It's tricky for a new player to gauge when they're underperforming unless they can look at logs or have the experience to know when support players are playing in a more "selfish" way.

Gabriel_H · February 9

Ardriel wrote: »

Dummy parses are intended to show the maximum DPS output of a build and the player's skills. They are used solely for comparison purposes. In 95% of all cases, dummy parses are significant: a player who achieves 150k on the dummy with their best build will also do more damage in a real boss fight than a player who only achieves 90 with their best build. The system is fine as it is.

Depends entirely on the build. It's an exercise in ego. You want to impress me as a raid lead? Parse on a dummy in the actual build you will be using in content, and it better have some survivibilty skills on the build or you are just showing you are a liability.

Being good on a stationary target does not mean you will be good in content. The only thing a dummy parse is good for is weaving practice and showing me you haven't thought about your build, just looked it up on YouTube. I don't need parrots, I need people who can think for themselves, they tend to have better reactions and situational awareness.

ankeor · February 9

CalamityCat wrote: »

ankeor wrote: »

Back in the day when there was no trial dummies we had to do skeleton parses.
It was much less accurate.
StamDK had major breach, NBs had minor berserk etc. Classes which has these common buffs/debuffs would inflate their dps on skeleton compared to other classes which lacked these buffs/debuffs but it would not matter in an actual trial where tanks and healers would provide them anyway.
Trial dummy is actually creating a condition which you could get all the common buffs and debuffs so you can see the actual performance difference between classes/skill lines that would occur in a trial.

That makes a lot more sense now you've explained it, thanks

I usually just cringe a bit at the unrealistic expectation these parses can create because I know how different content feels when you have an organised group vs one with randoms. It's tricky for a new player to gauge when they're underperforming unless they can look at logs or have the experience to know when support players are playing in a more "selfish" way.

Unrealistic expectations always existed and believe me it is not coming from the top players.
People who run non-hm veteran trials asking people to bring up dps which is needed for a trifecta level runs.

Again before trial dummies we would dps on 6m dummies and I remember when there was a time best dps was around 55-58k depending on your race and class.
Then people would ask for 55k+ dps for a trial which you could finish easily with 45k dps at the time.
Nothing has changed on that front.

Koshka · February 9

Angnos wrote: »

sleepy_worm wrote: »

Speaking of target dummies, who are you arguing with?

I’m asking myself the same question. I can understand what OP is saying if raid leaders or GMs were ZOS employees and you could only access certain content through them. And they imposed requirements. But as many have said before: if you don’t like that groups use dummy parses as a requirement, make your own group. It’s pretty simple.

And it seems a lot of people (See Forum/Reddit) don’t like requirements and just want to use whatever they want. So filling a group would probably be easy. Clearing content (I’m not talking about normal stuff) is another question.

Exactly.

CalamityCat wrote: »

Ardriel wrote: »

I don't understand the point of this discussion. All these things should be obvious to everyone.

This is the problem. They aren't obvious to everyone. Why would they be? Parses aren't really asked for until you venture into vet trials, so players can go a fair way in ESO without magically learning this information. I couldn't even find out why everyone used atro dummies and none of the other trial dummies for parses lol.

Also, how is an inexperienced player going to magically know about parsing and what to expect in content when every build they see just brags about their trial parse? When those are the numbers that players tend to talk about most of the time? It creates an unrealistic expectation when players don't realise how these dummies work, or that you need a co-ordinated group to get those numbers.

I am not really using guides, but by definition a guide is not about bragging about your dps, it's about explaining how to get to this dps level. I know that many build creators are even adding beginner options.
Dummy is just there to compare builds in equalized environment and to show how the rotation works. It also serves as a proof that the content creator isn't just making stuff up (like the guys that use ai to make builds or just post whatever claiming it's a god build). I don't know what is unrealistic about seeing what you can achieve with a certain setup.

Sordidfairytale · February 9

Any target dummy is a tool, it should be used to show potential and to illustrate mechanics. I often share one light attack parses on a Precursor Dummy to share basic information with others. A Trial Dummy is the same thing, it's a consistent target that will expose mistakes, errors, and problems for the user to address. It provides most of the buffs/debuffs a player will experience in a competent group.

Just like any tool though, it can be abused, but that's not the fault of the tool.

Paramedicus · February 9

Taarente wrote: »

Because that 180k “god build” everyone loves to flex is far more likely to land somewhere around 30k on a good day, with favourable wind, cooperative enemies, and the stars aligned.

You created a straw man and now you're arguing about it. The differences are not that big. Sure, it's sometimes true that an inexperienced player focused solely on a dummy will be terrible in real game, but unfortunately, the opposite is usually true: players who boast about their non-meta builds are usually quite bad (though not always, of course).

Ardriel · February 9

CalamityCat wrote: »

Ardriel wrote: »

I don't understand the point of this discussion. All these things should be obvious to everyone.

This is the problem. They aren't obvious to everyone. Why would they be? Parses aren't really asked for until you venture into vet trials, so players can go a fair way in ESO without magically learning this information. I couldn't even find out why everyone used atro dummies and none of the other trial dummies for parses lol.

Also, how is an inexperienced player going to magically know about parsing and what to expect in content when every build they see just brags about their trial parse? When those are the numbers that players tend to talk about most of the time? It creates an unrealistic expectation when players don't realise how these dummies work, or that you need a co-ordinated group to get those numbers.

I meant the things I wrote in my last post are obvious. The difference between a dummy parse, where you can stand still and deal damage, and a real boss fight should be clear to anyone who at least knows what a dummy and a real vet trial boss is...
Anyone who has even the slightest interest in improving their performance should know this. For everyone else, it's not important anyway. They shouldn't do vet trials yet. They should start with vet dungeons and normal trials.
Most people are in guilds with guild halls and thus have access to dummies. So it should be no big deal to find out the difference.

People who don't know how the trial dummy works, or that there are important buffs and debuffs in the game and that you can display buffs and debuffs, should check out beginner tutorials and guides before doing vet trials. There are plenty of them out there.
People who create builds obviously assume that you already have this knowledge.

Angnos · February 9

Taarente wrote: »

Let’s stop pretending that a DPS number from hitting a piece of wood—while swimming in guaranteed buffs you will never reliably have in real content, is any meaningful guide to a player’s actual capability.

I mean, you can just make your own group with your own rules. Nobody is stopping you from making your own guild or raid group with rules like “dummy parses don’t matter,” etc.

I think a lot of people don’t realize how hard it is to be a raid leader. You have to set up a roster, find 11 other players who are available on a specific date, and look for replacements when people don’t show up or sign off late (sometimes only an hour before the raid). There is also pressure to show progress during a trial, because people often won’t come back a second time if you’re wiping on the first boss of Sunspire or Dreadsail Reef for two hours.

That’s why it rubs me the wrong way when people who aren’t raid leading complain about rules and requirements. Try being a raid leader and experience the hardships that come with it. Instead of sitting on the sidelines and complaining about this or that without any responsibility.

So to all the people who are complaining about those who volunteer their time to make group content happen: do it yourself, start your own group and stop complaining!

Elrond87 · February 9

what would you say is good dps on a robust skeleton dummy

CalamityCat · February 9

Koshka wrote: »

I am not really using guides, but by definition a guide is not about bragging about your dps, it's about explaining how to get to this dps level. I know that many build creators are even adding beginner options.
Dummy is just there to compare builds in equalized environment and to show how the rotation works. It also serves as a proof that the content creator isn't just making stuff up (like the guys that use ai to make builds or just post whatever claiming it's a god build). I don't know what is unrealistic about seeing what you can achieve with a certain setup.

I certainly wouldn't say that all of the videos are bragging, I know there are creators who make excellent videos about what parsing is about and explain the skills and what each role is actually supposed to do etc. I'm referring more to the hype titles/pics and videos that are kinda showing off with a flash of the gear/skill bars at the end heh.

Also the assumption in some build videos that players know the difference between a trial dummy parse and their likely dps in a poorly optimised group. I've rarely seen a creator explain that. It shouldn't be their job, but as a beginner I didn't know the dummies had buffs so I couldn't guess what DPS to expect when I was away from the trial dummy. I don't think I'm the only noob who thinks they suck more than they actually do

DenverRalphy · February 9

Prior to Sublassing, Trial Dummy parsing was a useful tool because to enter into some endgame content you had to be able to show that not just your build, but your practiced rotation could hit those numbers despite being in a controlled environment. Becaue contrary to what some may think, it's not so simple as just slapping on a cookie cutter build and boom you're hitting those numbers. It demonstrated that you were initimately familiar with your role, build, and rotation, and most importantly.. built muscle memory. Much needed qualities for endgame vet content. Prior to subclassing, there were plenty of 100k dps builds posted online. But realistically, very few players actually hit those numbers and were instead hitting 40k-50k wearing those builds until they actually worked and practiced their rotations. Hitting 80k was often the requirement to join prog groups, and 60k for non hm's.

Today, after the deluge of powercreep introduced via subclassing, there's a wave of players expecting to do well in trials because now they're slapping on the newly published 150k meta builds, hitting 80k-100k without even really trying and feel that they're ready for endgame content based on those numbers alone. But despite their dps numbers being doubled with subclassing, many still haven't bothered to practice their fundamental skills because they believe the build will do it for them. And as a result, trial groups with boatloads of DPS are failing miserably in vet trials.

Trial dummy parsing numbers isn't about boasting, bragging, elitism, ego boosts (sure there will always be some who will use it that way). It's about demonstrating the players work and effort to learn how to maximize potential. Yes it's under a safe and controlled environment. That's where muscle memory is trained for pretty much any skill in life.

katanagirl1 · February 9

I was with you on the dummy parses at first since I really hate parsing in a different set of gear and skills than I would run in trials, but I sort of understand why (though I still think it’s too much). When you started talking about “gatekeeping” though, you lost most of my sympathy. After reading the responses, I am not even sure what your argument is. If someone is only doing 30k dps in a build that should do 100k dps, there is a real problem. Even a normal trial can get difficult with that level of low damage.

You say you are comfortable with your build for survivability, so I don’t want to question your build, but when I hear that from others it means, “I pick these skills for the healing” instead of picking the highest dps skills or “I like this set because it has cool visual aminations” instead of wearing top performing gear, or “I like to be able to do dps, tanking and healing as a hybrid” instead of putting all points in magicka or stamina. In a group setting you go full damage and rely on your healers for healing and your tanks for keeping the damage off you. Sometimes in a pug you might slot one self heal just because you are not familiar with the group members and whether they have their best skills on.

So what is the real argument here? In a group setting where the group isn’t dying and being revived constantly, you should only lose dps for a few seconds while you follow mechanics and the impact would be minimal.

INM · February 9

What is your point exactly? That’s the whole purpose of dummy parsing - to measure player execution and build performance under perfect, controlled circumstances. It’s a benchmark. Unbuffed dummies provide skewed results due to class buffs/debuffs, and in any content where performance actually matters, you will always have some external buffs.

No one really expects you to hit that number in every encounter, because every encounter is different and every group you play in is different.

And frankly, if someone is not capable of performing at their best under perfect circumstances, they won’t magically perform better in real content where awareness, survivability, mechanics, and consistency under pressure matter. Strong fundamentals and muscle memory are prerequisites for all of that. The whole “bad at parsing, good at mechanics” argument is just cope - players like that exist, but they’re unicorns. In practice, most are bad at parsing and bad at executing mechanics, or at best they glue their eyes to mechanics to the point where they stop pressing button altogether.

Morvan · February 10

For anyone saying the builds on 170k+ parses are unrealistic for content, you're also wrong, there are plenty of logs and videos that show you can achieve way higher on actual content by using the same setups, even on single target.

Will you use the same setup on every fight? Of course not, you can adapt to the situation as you should, but it does not change the fact the numbers on the dummy are nothing even close to inflated.

Bear in mind I'm not expressing any opinion on my part here, these are just facts consolidated by evidence, anyone who feels otherwise can just spend 5 minutes on ESOLogs or YouTube and prove themselves wrong, the channel I linked in my first response has videos in content that render some of the answers in this thread null.

spartaxoxo · February 10

It's important to have a controlled environment when testing stuff for comparison. That's why it's used for everything. It's frankly irrelevant whether or not groups will trend higher or lower or whatever. Because that's going to vary by fight and person. By limiting as many other factors as is reasonable besides an individual's build/rotation, we can use dummies as a consistent benchmark to evaluate that performance.

Morvan · February 10

spartaxoxo wrote: »

It's important to have a controlled environment when testing stuff for comparison. That's why it's used for everything.

Yes, some people see parses as some sort of status validation or gatekeeping metric, and while they could be used for both, it is actually just a mere ruler.

You can destroy every ruler and tape-measure in the world, that won't change the fact size is still a thing, invalidating high parses won't erase the skill needed for them, that same skill will be used in content, and that's why parses are a valid metric.

But as always, egos are something easy to hurt.

heimdall14_9 · February 10

ankeor wrote: »

CalamityCat wrote: »

ankeor wrote: »

Back in the day when there was no trial dummies we had to do skeleton parses.
It was much less accurate.
StamDK had major breach, NBs had minor berserk etc. Classes which has these common buffs/debuffs would inflate their dps on skeleton compared to other classes which lacked these buffs/debuffs but it would not matter in an actual trial where tanks and healers would provide them anyway.
Trial dummy is actually creating a condition which you could get all the common buffs and debuffs so you can see the actual performance difference between classes/skill lines that would occur in a trial.

That makes a lot more sense now you've explained it, thanks

I usually just cringe a bit at the unrealistic expectation these parses can create because I know how different content feels when you have an organised group vs one with randoms. It's tricky for a new player to gauge when they're underperforming unless they can look at logs or have the experience to know when support players are playing in a more "selfish" way.

Unrealistic expectations always existed and believe me it is not coming from the top players.
People who run non-hm veteran trials asking people to bring up dps which is needed for a trifecta level runs.

Again before trial dummies we would dps on 6m dummies and I remember when there was a time best dps was around 55-58k depending on your race and class.
Then people would ask for 55k+ dps for a trial which you could finish easily with 45k dps at the time.
Nothing has changed on that front.

something has changed you are now asked to do 120+ for that same run today lol

heimdall14_9 · February 10

when players can bash, block or not stand in red , ill look at the dummy humping as meaningful, seen to many vet players that can hit 120+ but cant bash an boss out of something cant move 2m to get out of red nor block incoming damage with an big warning beforehand......

ZhuJiuyin · February 10

Angnos wrote: »

I mean, you can just make your own group with your own rules. Nobody is stopping you from making your own guild or raid group with rules like “dummy parses don’t matter,” etc.

I think a lot of people don’t realize how hard it is to be a raid leader. You have to set up a roster, find 11 other players who are available on a specific date, and look for replacements when people don’t show up or sign off late (sometimes only an hour before the raid). There is also pressure to show progress during a trial, because people often won’t come back a second time if you’re wiping on the first boss of Sunspire or Dreadsail Reef for two hours.

That’s why it rubs me the wrong way when people who aren’t raid leading complain about rules and requirements. Try being a raid leader and experience the hardships that come with it. Instead of sitting on the sidelines and complaining about this or that without any responsibility.

So to all the people who are complaining about those who volunteer their time to make group content happen: do it yourself, start your own group and stop complaining!

I completely agree. Leaders setting a DPS threshold for team isn't "toxic elitism" or "malicious discrimination," but rather a responsible approach to the team members. Team leaders need to ensure that participants have adequate gear and skills to avoid disbanding due to too many wipes on the first boss. This respects members' time investment and the team atmosphere; no one likes to be in a team that can't even beat the first boss.

Those who boast that they're "not good at training dummies but good at mechanics" are mostly just overconfident. These people usually run around outside the healing range, have low DPS, and their mechanic handling skills are only below average. Furthermore, because they haven't experienced handling mechanics with adequate DPS, they often disrupt the team's rhythm.

DenverRalphy · February 10

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

when players can bash, block or not stand in red , ill look at the dummy humping as meaningful, seen to many vet players that can hit 120+ but cant bash an boss out of something cant move 2m to get out of red nor block incoming damage with an big warning beforehand......

In my experience, it's quite the opposite.

The players that build and practice their rotations on the trial dummies build up muscle memory. That practice and muscle memory gives them more freedom to actually pay attention to what's going on around them throughout every battle. They're executiing their skills by rote and feel, adapting quickly to changes going on around them as they see it coming. They get to view the entire field instead of being eyes-locked on their skill bar and resources.

More often It's the players who don't practice and train on the dummiess that are so locked in and focused on their skill bars to squeeze out every last drop of dps possible, that they don't see when they're standing in stupid, or need to block, or need to bash, or the opponent is gold barred, haven't shifted with the group when needed (that's a huge one), etc.. etc..

heimdall14_9 · February 10

DenverRalphy wrote: »

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

when players can bash, block or not stand in red , ill look at the dummy humping as meaningful, seen to many vet players that can hit 120+ but cant bash an boss out of something cant move 2m to get out of red nor block incoming damage with an big warning beforehand......

In my experience, it's quite the opposite.

The players that build and practice their rotations on the trial dummies build up muscle memory. That practice and muscle memory gives them more freedom to actually pay attention to what's going on around them throughout every battle. They're executiing their skills by rote and feel, adapting quickly to changes going on around them as they see it coming. They get to view the entire field instead of being eyes-locked on their skill bar and resources.

More often It's the players who don't practice and train on the dummiess that are so locked in and focused on their skill bars to squeeze out every last drop of dps possible, that they don't see when they're standing in stupid, or need to block, or need to bash, or the opponent is gold barred, haven't shifted with the group when needed (that's a huge one), etc.. etc..

as an healer i can do just that sit back and watch and unfortunately what i see and what you see are different could be your on another platform or you play different roll , but 100% where i play the 120+ dps over focus dps over things like bash block or move

Rev Rielle · February 10

I use them and I see their value. But I dislike them, simply because they create too much division/stress among players and the community. The game would be better off without them.

Gabriel_H · February 10

Angnos wrote: »

There is also pressure to show progress during a trial, because people often won’t come back a second time if you’re wiping on the first boss of Sunspire or Dreadsail Reef for two hours.

Not for nothing, but if someone is wiping for two hours on the first boss in SS or DSR the problem is likely not the amount of DPS.

heimdall14_9 · February 10

Gabriel_H wrote: »

Angnos wrote: »

There is also pressure to show progress during a trial, because people often won’t come back a second time if you’re wiping on the first boss of Sunspire or Dreadsail Reef for two hours.

Not for nothing, but if someone is wiping for two hours on the first boss in SS or DSR the problem is likely not the amount of DPS.

sounds like mechanical issues 100% not dps

DenverRalphy · February 10

Gabriel_H wrote: »

Angnos wrote: »

There is also pressure to show progress during a trial, because people often won’t come back a second time if you’re wiping on the first boss of Sunspire or Dreadsail Reef for two hours.

Not for nothing, but if someone is wiping for two hours on the first boss in SS or DSR the problem is likely not the amount of DPS.

Well, it could be. Though for the opposite reason. Too much DPS, or too much directed at the wrong target.

Koshka · February 10

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

Gabriel_H wrote: »

Angnos wrote: »

There is also pressure to show progress during a trial, because people often won’t come back a second time if you’re wiping on the first boss of Sunspire or Dreadsail Reef for two hours.

Not for nothing, but if someone is wiping for two hours on the first boss in SS or DSR the problem is likely not the amount of DPS.

sounds like mechanical issues 100% not dps

It's usually both.

Angnos · February 10

Gabriel_H wrote: »

Not for nothing, but if someone is wiping for two hours on the first boss in SS or DSR the problem is likely not the amount of DPS.

I sometimes get the feeling that some people here are stupid. Or are acting stupid just to bait others. I’m talking about being a raid leader as a whole here people:

Angnos wrote: »

I think a lot of people don’t realize how hard it is to be a raid leader. You have to set up a roster, find 11 other players who are available on a specific date, and look for replacements when people don’t show up or sign off late (sometimes only an hour before the raid). There is also pressure to show progress during a trial, because people often won’t come back a second time if you’re wiping on the first boss of Sunspire or Dreadsail Reef for two hours.

Sunspire and Dreadsail Reef are examples. And I am talking about HM not veteran or normal difficulty. I think most raid leaders and raid members know that if a raid (Prog) takes too long to complete, people will leave the group, and you end up with a rotation of new players. That’s why it’s important to make progress and clear content in a reasonable amount of time. That is the responsibility of the raid leader. And why there are requirements (DPS parse/Trial clears/Logs) to join a group.

heimdall14_9 · February 10

Angnos wrote: »

Gabriel_H wrote: »

Not for nothing, but if someone is wiping for two hours on the first boss in SS or DSR the problem is likely not the amount of DPS.

I sometimes get the feeling that some people here are stupid. Or are acting stupid just to bait others. I’m talking about being a raid leader as a whole here people:

Angnos wrote: »

I think a lot of people don’t realize how hard it is to be a raid leader. You have to set up a roster, find 11 other players who are available on a specific date, and look for replacements when people don’t show up or sign off late (sometimes only an hour before the raid). There is also pressure to show progress during a trial, because people often won’t come back a second time if you’re wiping on the first boss of Sunspire or Dreadsail Reef for two hours.

Sunspire and Dreadsail Reef are examples. And I am talking about HM not veteran or normal difficulty. I think most raid leaders and raid members know that if a raid (Prog) takes too long to complete, people will leave the group, and you end up with a rotation of new players. That’s why it’s important to make progress and clear content in a reasonable amount of time. That is the responsibility of the raid leader. And why there are requirements (DPS parse/Trial clears/Logs) to join a group.

if you are talking about HM prog then it makes it even worse to be wiping out to 1 boss for 2hrs and is way more then mechanical and dps issues combined

lets also be real HM progs are pre set up groups mostly made up by people wanting to get it done and have done vet already ( would have to of in 99.9% of groups i know of ) so the hunt for players aint that big an issue and its also know that you dont join an prog and think you can mis runs as lot of progs has an 2 mis limit before your are out the prog , using END GAME content to base your limitations that holds a lot of players back so to be excepting 120k for an VHRCHM that really requires 35k makes 0 since , but i do like the guilds that use your achievements as an marker for what you can do and to do vet you 1st have to do normal and to do HM you 1st have to done vet no matter what your parse may be as achievements show what you have completed in content , not just how long one can hit on something stationary for that tasty crit parse knowing if that dummy was to move that tasty numbers would be cut in 3rd if not half fast so again when players can show themselves to be able to bash move and block ill start looking at what they can do on an stationary object

BananaBender · February 10

heimdall14_9 wrote: »

Angnos wrote: »

Gabriel_H wrote: »

Not for nothing, but if someone is wiping for two hours on the first boss in SS or DSR the problem is likely not the amount of DPS.

I sometimes get the feeling that some people here are stupid. Or are acting stupid just to bait others. I’m talking about being a raid leader as a whole here people:

Angnos wrote: »

I think a lot of people don’t realize how hard it is to be a raid leader. You have to set up a roster, find 11 other players who are available on a specific date, and look for replacements when people don’t show up or sign off late (sometimes only an hour before the raid). There is also pressure to show progress during a trial, because people often won’t come back a second time if you’re wiping on the first boss of Sunspire or Dreadsail Reef for two hours.

Sunspire and Dreadsail Reef are examples. And I am talking about HM not veteran or normal difficulty. I think most raid leaders and raid members know that if a raid (Prog) takes too long to complete, people will leave the group, and you end up with a rotation of new players. That’s why it’s important to make progress and clear content in a reasonable amount of time. That is the responsibility of the raid leader. And why there are requirements (DPS parse/Trial clears/Logs) to join a group.

if you are talking about HM prog then it makes it even worse to be wiping out to 1 boss for 2hrs and is way more then mechanical and dps issues combined

"Tell me you haven't been a part of an HM/Trifecta prog without saying that you haven't been a part of an HM/Trifecta prog"

frogthroat · February 10

The dummy, like many already said, gives an idea what the build can do in optimal situations when the group (supports) provide at least the most common buffs and debuffs. In some situations it can exceed the dummy parse, in most it will be a bit less.

But it still provides a solution to quantify someone's dps before going to an actual content.

Parsing X amount is an indication how much of your rotation is in your muscle memory. And that helps to keep parsing even when you have to deal with mechanics.

It's not perfect, but it's simple and you can compare players. How well you know mechanics is a different question and much harder to measure. Of course in some trial listings they want you to link the achievement, but that is very situational. In the guild I am in our prog group had of course your standard dps checks, but also you had to get 500k minimum from vMA. That was supposed to show how well you learn mechanics, but it only tells us how well you learned this one particular arena. It's a bit complicated for measuring but there's not really any other good indication how well you learn mechanics.

For trials the current iron atro parsing is in my opinion sufficient. Mechanics is a bit more difficult to measure but you'll find that out in content anyway.

What is lacking in those dummies is everything else.

You can use the 3M skeleton for solo build testing. 6M + some 3M skellies for dungeon testing but even here it goes wrong. Dungeon bosses are somewhere between 21M trial dummy and 6M dummy, and ads are typically less than 3M. Would be nice if there was a 10M dummy that gives typical dungeon buffs and debuffs. Would help to better optimise for dungeons. For PVP you can use any unbuffed/undebuffed dummy and CMX.

But there is nothing for supports. Which brings me to my idea of new target dummies.

10M dungeon dummy with typical dungeon buffs/debuffs would be one, but a support dummy would be another.

Support dummy

You would have a Dwemer contraption with a boss Dwemer construct and smaller DD Dwemer constructs (2 for a dungeon model, 8 for a trial model). And a lever to switch it to tank training, healer training or both.

In healer mode the boss Dwemer construct gets the typical dungeon/trial debuffs you get from the tank and the DD constructs chip away the boss health. The DD constructs do and get constant damage and have, say, 30k health. If you don't heal, they die. If you heal, they keep doing damage. The more you buff and overheal them and debuff the boss, the more they do damage.

In tank mode, similarly, the dummies get the typical buffs/debuffs from a healer. Keep the taunt, debuff the boss, buff the DD constructs and the DDs do more damage. Drop debuffs or taunt and DDs die. If taunt drops, the boss construct turns around and swipes the DD constructs.

Still doesn't help you to do mechanics, but helps you to understand your rotation and your toolkit.