Mage casting and macros

[Raizins]

Some questions about casting, macros, and equipment changes for mages. Specifically blm, but I'm sure it applies to other mages.

When using a macro for a nuke spell, when does ffxi make all of the calculations for damage such as int, mab, elemental skill etc?

Usually in manaburns or soloing, I'll hit a macro that has "/ma "Thunder IV" <t>" and equips the appropriate staff. Then shortly after the start of casting, I hit a nuke macro that puts in all of my nuking gear. This seems to work fine.

I've been messing around with a Sorcerer's Ring build, and I'm wondering if I could Convert HP > Equip nuke gear after I begin casting. Would this be ok timing wise to get the latent active for the nuke? Or would I have to convert before casting? I know that the game lags/waits for a tick for the HP conversion. Basically, would the ring latent kick in on the current spell being casted, even if its midcast?

I also remember reading that Fast Cast enhancements are applied at the start of a cast (loquacious, rostrom, job traits etc) and therefore, such equipment can be macroed out during the cast while still receiving the fast cast enhancements. Is this true as well?

[Parshias]

Fast Cast enhancements for the casting time of a spell are calculated as you begin casting the spell.

Fast Cast enhancements for the recat time of a spell are calculated when you cast the spell.

Potency and effects of the spell are calculated when you cast the spell. For example:

/equip main "Ice Staff"
/ma "Blizzard IV"

and

/ma "Blizzard IV"
/equip main "Ice Staff"

In both cases, the spell will receive the +10% from the staff.

[Demitrius]

I quite frequently use that to my advantage, actually. Since I can't macro every spell I cast as RDM, when I cast out of the menu I can then hit the closest spell to it off my macro bar to swap in the appropriate gear. For example, when I cast Aero III, I hit my Choke macro right after to swap in nuking gear + auster's. Those stats are definitely calculated when the spell goes off.