How to split a stack of items

The basic formula is: DPCT = average_damage * modifiers / effective_casting_time. (DPCT = Damage Per Cast Time)

average damage usually is easy: (min + max) / 2. min and max are given in the abiliity description. For dots (damage over time effects), sum all the damage it will do during its lifetime.

effective casting time frequently is easy as well: just read the ability description, and subtract bonusses from talent trees.

modifiers usually are the hard part. The descriptions of modifiers might be clear, but it seldomly is clear whether they are additive or multiplicative when combined.

And even if the description from the game is clear, it might be wrong. Tooltips are not always updated the same patch as the code that does the calculations. As SWTOR recently has had a beta with lots of balancing changes, it's a safe bet that some tooltips will be wrong!

Let me give an example: if two effects each increase damage by 10%, the combination could be 10% + 10% = 20% (additive) or 1.1*1.1 = 1.21 = 21% (multiplicative).

Not much of a difference, but elitistjerks will want to be as exact as possible. This is where things get time consuming: use the ability 1000 times, parse the combat log, and see whether it is closer to 20% or 21% on average. A basic knowledge of statistics might be required to know when you've parsed enough log files.

A quicker trick might be to observe the maximum possible. If the maximum hit is e.g. 100, and there are two 10% increasing effects active, a hit of 121 is a clear indication that the modifiers are multiplicative. If you are able to rule out other causes (other modifying effects, crits, level difference with target, ...).

It gets even harder when effects are coupled: e.g. a very good ability with a cooldown of 12 seconds, but only usuable when another effect with a chance of 25% to happen is active. One cannot assume that this ability will be used every 12 seconds, as that other effect might not be active when the cooldown is finished.

In those cases, it might be easier to simulate a combat. Repeat the simulation many times and take the average. Again: a basic knowledge of statistics might be required to know how many times the simulation should be repeated.

Those are the basics.

For more details, just read the elitistjerks posts. WoW is a complicated games, and has many effects, both multiplicative and additive, so formulas can appear to be complicated. However, the basics are still the same.

Once you grasp each and every detail of the simulations, and as a proof have written some simulations yourself, you might consider to change your job :). Those skills are highly wanted by e.g. banks and insurance companies...

There are three options:

• Buy the Collector's Edition which comes with a hardware key
• Buy a hardware key after the fact. It costs a couple bucks plus shipping. (Presently, $4 USD + shipping.)
• Download the free iPhone app or Android app.

Once you register a security key, the login prompt may still say it's optional, but no longer is at that point. Once a security key is registered, it must be used for all future logins.

Both types of keys display a 8 digit number that you type in yourself into the appropriate field in launcher login. It does not require any kind of USB connection or anything.

It is either a physical device (fits on a keychain, etc.) or an app on your mobile device. So it isn't really "moved between" computers; just carried by you. Depending how heavy your mobile device is, and how weak your biceps are, it still shouldn't be much of a problem. :)

Once you login with a registered security key, you will then get access to the in-game security key vendor. Mostly it offers the ability to purchase with in-game credits some, but not all, of the items that come with Collector's or Digital Deluxe editions. See the short list here. "Some examples of the items are the (popular so far) fleet pass which allows you to return to the fleet, a mouse droid (different skin from the Collector’s Edition item), Exchange Bandit (Increase movement speed by 110% Requires: Speeder Piloting Rank 3) and more."

Also see the official site page describing the security keys.