Podalarius of Draenor has taken Hamlet’s well worn TreeCalcs spreadsheet and turned it into a very nifty online calculator: TreeCalcs.com.

You can import your character at the click of a button, or you can enter your own values manually. The armory import will automatically bring over your talents, which is also a time-saver. Then you can tweak values like your set bonuses, raid buffs, trinkets, idols, and meta gems, to see what your output will be like.

It also tells you the HPS or MP5 value that you get out of your buffs, glyphs, set bonuses, consumables, trinkets, and idols, plus the HPET (healing per execute time) and HPM (healing per mana) of your spells and various rotations. It even warns you if you’re under the haste cap, and tells you how much you need to grab!

Go take a look and have a play with it – very handy. Thanks Poda, for converting Hamlet’s great spreadsheet! www.treecalcs.com.

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Just a quickie: here are my exports for Fiery Combustion and Soul Consumption, the “get debuffed quick or you’ll drop a massive void zone thingy” debuffs. This will allow you to move out of/away from the raid so that you don’t drop the damagey spot under everyone’s feet.

Super simple – fiery combustion puts a red skull over your character, and soul consumption puts a purple one (everyone knows that souls and soul-related abilities are purple).




My code also plays an alarm sound; if you want a sound attached, you can simply save it into your Power Auras / Sounds folder and name it the same as mine – “burglar_alarm_going_off.wav”, or change the Power Auras settings to suit the name of your sound. If you don’t want a sound, you can just leave the code as-is.

Here are the codes:

Fiery Combustion:

Version:st3.0.0E; gcd:bofalse; b:nu0.082352941176471; anim1:nu1; g:nu0.027450980392157; optunitn:bofalse; ignoremaj:botrue; stacksLower:nu0; target:bofalse; icon:st; size:nu0.48999997973442; torsion:nu1; r:nu1; y:nu-30; x:nu0; customname:st; groupany:botrue; isAlive:botrue; timerduration:nu0; unitn:st; bufftype:nu2; stacks:nu0; focus:bofalse; raid:bofalse; texture:nu58; alpha:nu0.75; aurastext:st; symetrie:nu0; owntex:bofalse; isResting:bofalse; duration:nu0; mine:bofalse; multiids:st; inVehicle:bofalse; speed:nu1; anim2:nu1; stacksOperator:st>=; realaura:nu1; threshold:nu50; exact:bofalse; InactiveDueToState:bofalse; textaura:bofalse; spec2:botrue; wowtex:bofalse; groupOrSelf:bofalse; customsound:stburglar_alarm_going_off.wav; combat:nu0; id:nu28; inParty:nu0; HideRequest:bofalse; Active:botrue; aurastextfont:nu1; buffname:stFiery Combustion; inRaid:nu0; tooltipCheck:st; customtex:bofalse; stance:nu10; isSecondary:bofalse; thresholdinvert:bofalse; spec1:botrue; Debug:bofalse; beginSpin:bofalse; Showing:botrue; UseOldAnimations:bofalse; begin:nu0; off:bofalse; party:bofalse; texmode:nu1; inverse:bofalse; ismounted:bofalse; targetfriend:bofalse; randomcolor:bofalse; sound:nu0; finish:nu0

Soul Consumption:

Version:st3.0.0E; gcd:bofalse; b:nu0.23529411764706; anim1:nu1; g:nu0.082352941176471; optunitn:bofalse; ignoremaj:botrue; stacksLower:nu0; target:bofalse; icon:st; size:nu0.48999997973442; torsion:nu1; r:nu0.36078431372549; y:nu-30; x:nu0; customname:st; groupany:botrue; isAlive:botrue; timerduration:nu0; unitn:st; bufftype:nu2; stacks:nu0; focus:bofalse; raid:bofalse; texture:nu58; alpha:nu0.75; aurastext:st; symetrie:nu0; owntex:bofalse; isResting:bofalse; duration:nu0; mine:bofalse; multiids:st; inVehicle:bofalse; speed:nu1; anim2:nu1; stacksOperator:st>=; realaura:nu1; threshold:nu50; exact:bofalse; InactiveDueToState:bofalse; textaura:bofalse; spec2:botrue; wowtex:bofalse; groupOrSelf:bofalse; customsound:stburglar_alarm_going_off.wav; combat:nu0; id:nu29; inParty:nu0; HideRequest:bofalse; Active:bofalse; aurastextfont:nu1; buffname:stSoul Consumption; inRaid:nu0; tooltipCheck:st; customtex:bofalse; stance:nu10; isSecondary:bofalse; thresholdinvert:bofalse; spec1:botrue; Debug:bofalse; beginSpin:bofalse; Showing:bofalse; UseOldAnimations:bofalse; begin:nu0; off:bofalse; party:bofalse; texmode:nu1; inverse:bofalse; ismounted:bofalse; targetfriend:bofalse; randomcolor:bofalse; sound:nu0; finish:nu0

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Blizzard will be throttling the queries sent by Gearscore and similar mods, in an attempt to reduce lag (from the mountains of requests being sent simultaneously by all the GS users out there). Hooray! Lag is always an issue for me, as an Aussie, but anything that helps to reduce it is okay in my books.

Lissanna from Restokin has a good write-up of what it will mean – so I won’t go over it too. Here’s the part that explains the crux of it, for me:

Gear-score and other mods that are being throttled by this change will still work. They will potentially just take longer to load all the information that you want (or the mods may even be changed to be more picky about who they ping). That’s fine, since you didn’t instantly need to know the gearscore of all 1,000 people standing next to you in Dalaran when you go to get something out of the bank.


There’s really no need to be sending out the majority of those automatic requests – but they keep happening, and it adds to lag. So Blizzard is going to throttle the number of requests, and hopefully improve server lag (particularly in crowded places, like Dalaran).

You can find more info about the change at wowinterface and wowace.

Rather than go into why I like the change or what it will mean for all of us, I wanted to suggest that instead of using Gearscore, why don’t you try WTFismygearscore.com. Instead of running an addon that causes lag and adds to your addon memory total, this nifty little website will give you a super quick assessment of someone’s gearscore, plus you can mouseover the instances they’ve done and see exactly what experience they have.




As you can see in the examples above, Keeva has a GS of almost 6000 (I logged out in my resto gear, I swear it’s over 6000 in my boomkin gear, STOP JUDGING ME), which means that she would be allowed into a heroic dungeon, *cough*. You can see that she just needs heroic Putricide, Sindragosa, and LK on 25. You can compare with Kiiva who is under 5000 and only halfway through 25 normals. Disclaimer: GS ratings and boss kills don’t necessarily make a skilled player, and lack of the same doesn’t necessarily make a bad player, etc etc.

It’s probably not practical for you to swap to using the online version if you’re setting up a GKP run and need to assess 24 people in a short period of time – mouseovers will be better in that kind of situation. But if you’re only using Gearscore to check your own score periodically, or to check someone else out, just out of curiosity – you can ditch the mod and use the website, rather than bogging yourself down with unnecessary addons.

I just thought I would share – since I’ve only been aware of the website for a couple of weeks, and I think it’s a really handy thing. I don’t want to install Gearscore purely to check what my own score is (if I want to get into a PuG or something), but this simple website lets me check whenever I like.

And, if you’re so inclined, it will also show you server and region rankings, so you can check who is “winning” at Gearscore.

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Alrighty – here are my Power Auras exports for balance.

Remember: these settings have my auras show up at the bottom of my screen, off to the right of the middle. You will need to adjust the X/Y settings to put them in the spot that you prefer.


Eclipse

My eclipse notifications are actually two effects on top of each other; a coloured rune, and then the spell icon on top. You don’t have to do this of course, you can use one or the other, but as a beginner moonkin I wanted it to be as plain as day which spell I had to cast.

So I made a green rune with a Wrath icon for Solar Eclipse, and a purple rune with a Starfire icon for Lunar Eclipse, so there was no doubt what to do when they popped up.

Lunar Eclipse (cast Starfire now!)

Starfire icon indicator (with timer):

Version:st3.0.0E; gcd:bofalse; b:nu0.98823529411765; anim1:nu1; g:nu1; optunitn:bofalse; ignoremaj:botrue; stacksLower:nu0; target:bofalse; icon:stInterface\Icons\Ability_Druid_Eclipse; size:nu0.25999999046326; torsion:nu1; r:nu0.97647058823529; y:nu-471; x:nu312; customname:st48465; groupany:bofalse; isAlive:botrue; timerduration:nu0; unitn:stOnly for raid/group.; bufftype:nu1; stacks:nu0; focus:bofalse; raid:bofalse; texture:nu16; alpha:nu0.34999999403954; aurastext:st; symetrie:nu1; owntex:bofalse; isResting:nu0; duration:nu0; mine:bofalse; multiids:st; inVehicle:bofalse; speed:nu1; anim2:nu2; stacksOperator:st=; realaura:nu1; spec2:botrue; InactiveDueToState:bofalse; threshold:nu50; exact:bofalse; textaura:bofalse; sound:nu0; wowtex:bofalse; groupOrSelf:bofalse; customsound:st; combat:nu0; id:nu15; inParty:nu0; HideRequest:bofalse; Active:botrue; aurastextfont:nu1; buffname:st[48518]; inRaid:nu0; tooltipCheck:st; customtex:botrue; stance:nu10; isSecondary:bofalse; thresholdinvert:bofalse; spec1:botrue; Debug:bofalse; beginSpin:bofalse; Showing:botrue; UseOldAnimations:bofalse; begin:nu0; off:bofalse; party:bofalse; texmode:nu2; inverse:bofalse; ismounted:bofalse; targetfriend:bofalse; randomcolor:bofalse; finish:nu1; timer.InvertAuraBelow:nu0; timer.dual:bofalse; timer.HideLeadingZeros:bofalse; timer.h:nu1.5; timer.ShowOnAuraHide:bofalse; timer.UpdatePing:bofalse; timer.Texture:stDefault; timer.enabled:botrue; timer.Showing:botrue; timer.lastShownLarge:nu12; timer.y:nu-346; timer.x:nu200; timer.CustomDuration:nu0; timer.Transparent:botrue; timer.a:nu1; timer.HideRequest:botrue; timer.id:nu15; timer.cents:bofalse


Rune background:

Version:st3.0.0E; gcd:bofalse; b:nu1; anim1:nu1; g:nu0.26274509803922; optunitn:bofalse; ignoremaj:botrue; stacksLower:nu0; target:bofalse; icon:stInterface\Icons\Ability_Druid_Eclipse; size:nu0.45999997854233; torsion:nu1; r:nu0.58823529411765; y:nu-470; x:nu311; customname:st48465; groupany:bofalse; isAlive:botrue; timerduration:nu0; unitn:stOnly for raid/group.; bufftype:nu1; stacks:nu0; focus:bofalse; raid:bofalse; texture:nu2; alpha:nu0.34999999403954; aurastext:st; symetrie:nu1; owntex:bofalse; isResting:nu0; duration:nu0; mine:bofalse; multiids:st; inVehicle:bofalse; speed:nu1; anim2:nu2; stacksOperator:st=; realaura:nu1; spec2:botrue; InactiveDueToState:bofalse; threshold:nu50; exact:bofalse; textaura:bofalse; sound:nu0; wowtex:botrue; groupOrSelf:bofalse; customsound:st; combat:nu0; id:nu20; inParty:nu0; HideRequest:bofalse; Active:botrue; aurastextfont:nu1; buffname:st[48518]; inRaid:nu0; tooltipCheck:st; customtex:bofalse; stance:nu10; isSecondary:bofalse; thresholdinvert:bofalse; spec1:botrue; Debug:bofalse; beginSpin:bofalse; Showing:botrue; UseOldAnimations:bofalse; begin:nu0; off:bofalse; party:bofalse; texmode:nu1; inverse:bofalse; ismounted:bofalse; targetfriend:bofalse; randomcolor:bofalse; finish:nu1


Solar Eclipse (cast Wrath now!)

Wrath icon indicator (with timer):

Version:st3.0.0E; gcd:bofalse; b:nu0.9843137254902; anim1:nu1; g:nu0.9921568627451; optunitn:bofalse; ignoremaj:botrue; stacksLower:nu0; target:bofalse; icon:stInterface\Icons\Ability_Druid_EclipseOrange; size:nu0.25999999046326; torsion:nu1; r:nu1; y:nu-472; x:nu311; customname:st48461; groupany:bofalse; isAlive:botrue; timerduration:nu0; unitn:stOnly for raid/group.; bufftype:nu1; stacks:nu0; focus:bofalse; raid:bofalse; texture:nu16; alpha:nu1; aurastext:st; symetrie:nu2; owntex:bofalse; isResting:nu0; duration:nu0; mine:bofalse; multiids:st; inVehicle:bofalse; speed:nu1; anim2:nu2; stacksOperator:st=; realaura:nu1; InactiveDueToState:bofalse; threshold:nu50; exact:bofalse; textaura:bofalse; sound:nu0; wowtex:bofalse; groupOrSelf:bofalse; customsound:st; combat:nu0; id:nu16; inParty:nu0; HideRequest:bofalse; Active:bofalse; aurastextfont:nu1; buffname:st[48517]; inRaid:nu0; tooltipCheck:st; customtex:botrue; stance:nu10; spec2:botrue; isSecondary:bofalse; thresholdinvert:bofalse; spec1:botrue; Debug:bofalse; beginSpin:bofalse; Showing:bofalse; UseOldAnimations:bofalse; begin:nu0; off:bofalse; party:bofalse; texmode:nu2; inverse:bofalse; ismounted:bofalse; targetfriend:bofalse; randomcolor:bofalse; finish:nu1; timer.a:nu1; timer.dual:bofalse; timer.HideRequest:botrue; timer.id:nu16; timer.cents:bofalse; timer.HideLeadingZeros:bofalse; timer.enabled:botrue; timer.Showing:bofalse; timer.y:nu-346; timer.h:nu1.5; timer.ShowOnAuraHide:bofalse; timer.Transparent:botrue; timer.UpdatePing:bofalse; timer.InvertAuraBelow:nu0; timer.x:nu200; timer.Texture:stDefault


Rune background:

Version:st3.0.0E; gcd:bofalse; b:nu0.074509803921569; anim1:nu1; g:nu0.48627450980392; optunitn:bofalse; ignoremaj:botrue; stacksLower:nu0; target:bofalse; icon:stInterface\Icons\Ability_Druid_EclipseOrange; size:nu0.45999997854233; torsion:nu1; r:nu0.11372549019608; y:nu-470; x:nu311; customname:st48461; groupany:bofalse; isAlive:botrue; timerduration:nu0; unitn:stOnly for raid/group.; bufftype:nu1; stacks:nu0; focus:bofalse; raid:bofalse; texture:nu2; alpha:nu0.10000000149012; aurastext:st; symetrie:nu1; owntex:bofalse; isResting:nu0; duration:nu0; mine:bofalse; multiids:st; inVehicle:bofalse; speed:nu1; anim2:nu2; stacksOperator:st=; realaura:nu1; InactiveDueToState:bofalse; threshold:nu50; exact:bofalse; textaura:bofalse; sound:nu0; wowtex:botrue; groupOrSelf:bofalse; customsound:st; combat:nu0; id:nu19; inParty:nu0; HideRequest:bofalse; Active:bofalse; aurastextfont:nu1; buffname:st[48517]; inRaid:nu0; tooltipCheck:st; customtex:bofalse; stance:nu10; spec2:botrue; isSecondary:bofalse; thresholdinvert:bofalse; spec1:botrue; Debug:bofalse; beginSpin:bofalse; Showing:bofalse; UseOldAnimations:bofalse; begin:nu0; off:bofalse; party:bofalse; texmode:nu1; inverse:bofalse; ismounted:bofalse; targetfriend:bofalse; randomcolor:bofalse; finish:nu1



Long cooldowns

This is useful to remind you that an ability is “ready to go”. You could also attach an alarm sound, to alert you to when something comes off cooldown and is ready to go again – this is very useful. Just don’t use it on short cooldowns or it will drive you nuts.

Note: the timers you see on the icons are where the cooldown timers will show when the ability is not ready. When it’s ready to go, you’ll see an icon; when the ability is down, you’ll just see a number in that spot, telling you how long you have to wait.

Starfall icon (with cooldown timer):

Version:st3.0.0E; gcd:bofalse; b:nu0.93333333333333; anim1:nu1; g:nu1; optunitn:bofalse; ignoremaj:botrue; stacksLower:nu0; target:bofalse; icon:stInterface\Icons\Ability_Druid_Starfall; size:nu0.15999999642372; torsion:nu1; r:nu0.96470588235294; y:nu-512; x:nu234; customname:st53201; groupany:botrue; isAlive:botrue; timerduration:nu0; unitn:st; bufftype:nu15; stacks:nu0; focus:bofalse; raid:bofalse; texture:nu21; alpha:nu1; aurastext:st; symetrie:nu0; owntex:bofalse; isResting:nu0; duration:nu0; mine:bofalse; multiids:st; inVehicle:bofalse; speed:nu1; anim2:nu1; spec2:botrue; stacksOperator:st>=; realaura:nu1; threshold:nu50; exact:bofalse; InactiveDueToState:bofalse; textaura:bofalse; sound:nu0; wowtex:bofalse; groupOrSelf:bofalse; customsound:st; combat:nu0; id:nu17; inParty:nu0; HideRequest:bofalse; Active:botrue; aurastextfont:nu1; buffname:stStarfall; inRaid:nu0; tooltipCheck:st; customtex:botrue; stance:nu10; isSecondary:bofalse; thresholdinvert:bofalse; spec1:botrue; Debug:bofalse; beginSpin:bofalse; Showing:botrue; UseOldAnimations:bofalse; begin:nu0; off:bofalse; party:bofalse; texmode:nu2; inverse:bofalse; ismounted:bofalse; targetfriend:bofalse; randomcolor:bofalse; finish:nu0; timer.InvertAuraBelow:nu0; timer.dual:bofalse; timer.HideLeadingZeros:bofalse; timer.h:nu1; timer.ShowOnAuraHide:botrue; timer.UpdatePing:bofalse; timer.Texture:stDefault; timer.enabled:botrue; timer.Showing:botrue; timer.lastShownLarge:nu2; timer.y:nu-328; timer.x:nu149; timer.HideRequest:botrue; timer.Transparent:botrue; timer.a:nu1; timer.CustomDuration:nu0; timer.id:nu17; timer.cents:bofalse


Force of Nature (treants) icon (with cooldown timer):

Version:st3.0.0E; gcd:bofalse; b:nu0.93333333333333; anim1:nu1; g:nu1; optunitn:bofalse; ignoremaj:botrue; stacksLower:nu0; target:bofalse; icon:stInterface\Icons\Ability_Druid_ForceofNature; size:nu0.15999999642372; torsion:nu1; r:nu0.96470588235294; y:nu-431; x:nu233; customname:st33831; groupany:botrue; isAlive:botrue; timerduration:nu0; unitn:st; bufftype:nu15; stacks:nu0; focus:bofalse; raid:bofalse; texture:nu21; alpha:nu1; aurastext:st; symetrie:nu0; owntex:bofalse; isResting:nu0; duration:nu0; mine:bofalse; multiids:st; inVehicle:bofalse; speed:nu1; anim2:nu1; spec2:botrue; stacksOperator:st>=; realaura:nu1; threshold:nu50; exact:bofalse; InactiveDueToState:bofalse; textaura:bofalse; sound:nu0; wowtex:bofalse; groupOrSelf:bofalse; customsound:st; combat:nu0; id:nu18; inParty:nu0; HideRequest:bofalse; Active:bofalse; aurastextfont:nu1; buffname:stForce of Nature; inRaid:nu0; tooltipCheck:st; customtex:botrue; stance:nu10; isSecondary:bofalse; thresholdinvert:bofalse; spec1:botrue; Debug:bofalse; beginSpin:bofalse; Showing:bofalse; UseOldAnimations:bofalse; begin:nu0; off:bofalse; party:bofalse; texmode:nu2; inverse:bofalse; ismounted:bofalse; targetfriend:bofalse; randomcolor:bofalse; finish:nu0; timer.InvertAuraBelow:nu0; timer.dual:bofalse; timer.HideLeadingZeros:bofalse; timer.h:nu1; timer.ShowOnAuraHide:botrue; timer.UpdatePing:bofalse; timer.Texture:stDefault; timer.enabled:botrue; timer.Showing:bofalse; timer.y:nu-275; timer.x:nu149; timer.HideRequest:botrue; timer.Transparent:botrue; timer.a:nu1; timer.CustomDuration:nu0; timer.id:nu18; timer.cents:bofalse

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Our guild has been without a Moonkin for a long, long time. And even when we had moonkins in the past, they were unreliable or had bad connections. Basically, I can’t remember when we ever had a solid moonkin in the raid.

The raid leaders really wanted one, badly, and were discussing the option of someone swapping to play one. I hated the idea of someone having to give up their main, especially since soon we’ll work on getting our Icecrown drakes. Kinda crappy to miss out on all the achievements and boss kills, just so we can have a buff.

So I volunteered to give it a go.

They laughed.

Can’t really blame them, I’m dual-spec resto and I’ve been resto since I very first started playing, over 4 years ago.

But I was serious. If I did it, it would mean nobody gives up their main character. Plus, I already have pretty awesome gear, and would only have to make a few adjustments to get hit capped and be ready to go – a bunch of my gear is perfectly acceptable as boomkin gear already – so I’m not going to have to be loot trained to a bunch of gear. And, of course, they know I’m reliable.

So I set out to become a Moonkin.

I figured I would share what I did – for anyone else who has been a healer for a million years and suddenly wants to raid as a Moonkin (and isn’t sure where to begin). It’s certainly not an in-depth guide at all, just the steps I took to get myself up to scratch in a big, fat, feathery hurry.


Steps to becoming a moonkin in a hurry

Step 1: Make your UI a bit more DPS-friendly.

Healer UIs and DPS UIs (generally) have some fundamental differences. At the very least, they tend to have elements that are more detailed for one spec than the other. For example, a healer UI will generally shift focus to raid frames, where a DPS UI will usually have frames, but they won’t be focus.

I wanted a hybrid UI, so that I could use it for both resto and boomkin. My trademark “empty” UI wouldn’t cut it if I wanted to DPS. Here’s what I had to do:



• Make sure my player and target frames are nice and clear, and show all appropriate buffs, debuffs, target-of-target, cast bar, and nice clear fonts. I use Pitbull4 for this.

• I kept Grid as-is, because I use it for decursing, finding people who need to be innervated or revived, etc. But boy is it hard to ignore Grid and resist the temptation to heal! I moved Grid closer to my character, but I still prefer not to have it right under my character, because that makes me antsy about not being able to see “behind” me. This is personal preference only.
• PowerAuras – oh how I love you. I’ve set my PowerAuras up to tell me when my cooldowns (Starfall, treants) are ready to go – but also, most importantly, which Eclipse buff I have. PA also tells me that I have debuffs up on my target, as appropriate. (see the rotation section for an explanation of my Power Auras)
• I updated my spreadsheet of key bindings. In Moonkin spec, I’ve had to swap my 1-2-3 (etc) easy bindings to my damage spells. Normally, Alt-W is Wrath, Alt-M is Moonfire, and so on. But having to keep pressing alt hundreds of times a night would probably break my wrist and give me RSI over time, so I had to fix it. In resto spec, my easy bindings are for healing. In balance spec, they are for damage spells – but I can still pop out of form and use my heals.
  
It took me a while to get into the groove with the new bindings, but some time on the target dummies got them cemented in. It won’t take long to have them ingrained, like my healing binds.



Step 2: Fill in the gear gaps

My gear was pretty good as it was – lots of high level ICC spellpower stuff (obviously). But I didn’t have any hit, so I needed to work out what I could gather together ASAP.



• So I headed to Graylo’s site to check out his gear suggestions.

• I brought out my spreadsheet, and decided what could stay, what I could bring out of the bank, and what I’d have to go chase.
• I was super lucky and picked up a few nice balance items, and gemmed them with hit.
• My crit was low so I grabbed the Sundial of the Exiled (heroism badges) to help boost it a bit.

So now I’m hit capped – I can work on ditching more and more pieces of resto gear and working on my moonkin set.



Step 3: Learn the rotation

Four great sites to visit when you’re absolutely clueless but you have to know how to be a raiding moonkin yesterday:



1. Restokin – Moonkin basics for the new level 80 Raider

2. Restokin – Eclipse Basics & Rotations for Beginner Moonkin (in pictures)
3. Wow.com – Balance 101
4. Elitist Jerks – Moonkin PvE DPS (3.3.3)


Once you understand the rotation (and you will, if you visit the above) and you have your keybinds set up, you can spend time on the target dummies, practising.


The importance of a good Eclipse mod

A moonkin’s DPS rests quite heavily on how well we perform our rotation, specifically within eclipses. It’s absolutely essential that you have a good mod that alerts you to your eclipse procs and cooldown, so that you can time your spells properly.

I use Power Auras to do this – as well as to let me know when my long cooldowns are available. Please excuse the mess, here’s my work-in-progress:





So as you can see in the above pictures, I can very clearly see my debuffs (Faerie Fire, Moonfire, Insect swarm) and their timers. The treant and starfall icons are actually Power Auras indicators that only show when I am able to use those abilities. Basically, they say “I’m ready – use me!”

But the most important part is the eclipse indicator. Now, most people prefer a HUD (heads-up-display) style for their eclipse (see Kae’s examples at Dreambound), so that they can keep an eye on their character’s position (and any fires, etc) while they watch their procs.

Personally, I just can’t seem to get used to it. Plus, I find that with a lot going on around my character, I can sometimes miss indicators. And I’ve never had any problems watching frames AND keeping myself out of bad stuff, so I don’t worry too much about having all of my information in the centre of my screen. So instead I decided to put a big, pretty indicator right next to my target frame.

Again, this is entirely personal preference (and it may even change over time!)


The difference these things can make

I think I’m doing pretty good, so far. I started out doing about 4300DPS on the dummies, being under the hit cap, wearing resto T10 and a healer weapon, no glyphs, fumbling with my new keybinds, and mis-timing my eclipse rotations pretty badly.

With some tweaking, a few gear changes (and gems) and some practice, I was doing 6800-7200. I think that’s pretty good so far, considering how much resto gear I still have (and how much crit I don’t have, ugh).

The numbers aren’t really important, they will vary according to your entry level gear – I was pretty lucky to jump in with 25man ICC resto gear, which acts as a pretty good crutch until you can gear “properly”. I really just wanted to put those numbers in there to show how much of a jump you can make in DPS if you tweak your gear, improve your UI, and practice your rotations until you get the hang of it.

I know I said I’d never be a Moonkin – I never really enjoyed it before. But I’ve never raided as a Moonkin before either – it’s quite fun!

Possibly Related Posts:

• Slayer of Dragons
• Talent trees in Cataclysm – scrapped and redone
• Resto Druid calculator!

By popular demand, here are my Power Auras exports.

For information on how to set up Power Auras, and for druid-related PA inspiration, here is a great list of links:

Power Auras on WoWInterface
Power Auras Wiki
No Stock UI
Dreambound’s exports
Revive & Rejuvenate’s exports



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First, this is what my PA looks like when I’m resting, and everything is off cooldown. Just so you can get an idea of how the auras fit together and whatnot. Note: They will only look nice and neat around my character like this if I am zoomed out a certain amount; if I have to zoom in or out, obviously the relative size will change.

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Barkskin
Barkskin ready (shield), or on cooldown (timer)

Version:st3.0.0E; gcd:bofalse; b:nu0.070588235294118; anim1:nu1; g:nu0.54117647058824; optunitn:bofalse; ignoremaj:botrue; stacksLower:nu0; target:bofalse; icon:stInterface\Icons\Spell_Nature_StoneClawTotem; size:nu0.3299999833107; torsion:nu1; r:nu1; y:nu-8; x:nu-142; customname:st; groupany:botrue; isAlive:botrue; timerduration:nu0; unitn:st; bufftype:nu15; stacks:nu0; focus:bofalse; raid:bofalse; texture:nu21; alpha:nu0.75; aurastext:st; symetrie:nu0; owntex:bofalse; isResting:bofalse; duration:nu0; mine:bofalse; multiids:st; inVehicle:bofalse; speed:nu1; anim2:nu1; stacksOperator:st>=; realaura:nu1; spec2:botrue; threshold:nu50; exact:bofalse; InactiveDueToState:botrue; textaura:bofalse; sound:nu0; wowtex:bofalse; groupOrSelf:bofalse; customsound:st; combat:nu0; id:nu6; inParty:nu0; HideRequest:bofalse; Active:bofalse; aurastextfont:nu1; buffname:stBarkskin; inRaid:nu0; tooltipCheck:st; customtex:bofalse; stance:nu10; isSecondary:bofalse; thresholdinvert:bofalse; spec1:botrue; Debug:bofalse; beginSpin:bofalse; Showing:bofalse; UseOldAnimations:bofalse; begin:nu0; off:bofalse; party:bofalse; texmode:nu1; inverse:bofalse; ismounted:bofalse; targetfriend:bofalse; randomcolor:bofalse; finish:nu0; timer.a:nu1; timer.dual:bofalse; timer.HideRequest:botrue; timer.id:nu6; timer.cents:bofalse; timer.HideLeadingZeros:bofalse; timer.enabled:botrue; timer.Showing:bofalse; timer.y:nu-8; timer.h:nu1; timer.ShowOnAuraHide:botrue; timer.Transparent:bofalse; timer.UpdatePing:bofalse; timer.InvertAuraBelow:nu0; timer.x:nu-103; timer.Texture:stDefault

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Missing buffs – Well Fed/Flask of the Frost Wyrm
Missing flask (left), missing food buff (right) – only visible when in a raid

Flask:
Version:st3.0.0E; gcd:bofalse; b:nu1; anim1:nu1; g:nu0.43921568627451; optunitn:bofalse; ignoremaj:botrue; stacksLower:nu0; target:bofalse; icon:stInterface\Icons\INV_Alchemy_EndlessFlask_04; size:nu0.19999998807907; torsion:nu1; r:nu0.48627450980392; y:nu-106; x:nu-29; customname:st; groupany:botrue; isAlive:botrue; timerduration:nu0; unitn:st; bufftype:nu1; stacks:nu0; focus:bofalse; raid:bofalse; texture:nu10; alpha:nu1; aurastext:st; symetrie:nu0; owntex:bofalse; isResting:bofalse; duration:nu0; mine:bofalse; multiids:st; inVehicle:bofalse; speed:nu1; anim2:nu0; stacksOperator:st>=; realaura:nu1; InactiveDueToState:botrue; threshold:nu50; exact:bofalse; textaura:bofalse; sound:nu0; wowtex:bofalse; groupOrSelf:bofalse; customsound:st; combat:nu0; id:nu5; inParty:nu0; HideRequest:bofalse; Active:bofalse; aurastextfont:nu1; buffname:stFlask of the Frost Wyrm; inRaid:botrue; tooltipCheck:st; customtex:bofalse; stance:nu10; spec2:botrue; isSecondary:bofalse; thresholdinvert:bofalse; spec1:botrue; Debug:bofalse; beginSpin:bofalse; Showing:bofalse; UseOldAnimations:bofalse; begin:nu0; off:bofalse; party:bofalse; texmode:nu2; inverse:botrue; ismounted:bofalse; targetfriend:bofalse; randomcolor:bofalse; finish:nu0

Food:
Version:st3.0.0E; gcd:bofalse; b:nu0.2078431372549; anim1:nu1; g:nu0.4; optunitn:bofalse; ignoremaj:botrue; stacksLower:nu0; target:bofalse; icon:stInterface\Icons\Spell_Misc_Food; size:nu0.19999998807907; torsion:nu1; r:nu0.5843137254902; y:nu-106; x:nu33; customname:st; groupany:botrue; isAlive:botrue; timerduration:nu0; unitn:st; bufftype:nu1; stacks:nu0; focus:bofalse; raid:bofalse; texture:nu10; alpha:nu1; aurastext:st; symetrie:nu0; owntex:bofalse; isResting:bofalse; duration:nu0; mine:bofalse; multiids:st; inVehicle:bofalse; speed:nu1; anim2:nu1; stacksOperator:st>=; realaura:nu1; InactiveDueToState:botrue; threshold:nu50; exact:bofalse; textaura:bofalse; sound:nu0; wowtex:bofalse; groupOrSelf:bofalse; customsound:st; combat:nu0; id:nu4; inParty:nu0; HideRequest:bofalse; Active:bofalse; aurastextfont:nu1; buffname:stWell Fed; inRaid:botrue; tooltipCheck:st; customtex:bofalse; stance:nu10; spec2:botrue; isSecondary:bofalse; thresholdinvert:bofalse; spec1:botrue; Debug:bofalse; beginSpin:bofalse; Showing:bofalse; UseOldAnimations:bofalse; begin:nu0; off:bofalse; party:bofalse; texmode:nu2; inverse:botrue; ismounted:bofalse; targetfriend:bofalse; randomcolor:bofalse; finish:nu0

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Innervate ready
With a telephone noise to remind me that it is ready to go.

Version:st3.0.0E; gcd:bofalse; b:nu0.44313725490196; anim1:nu1; g:nu0.30980392156863; optunitn:bofalse; ignoremaj:botrue; stacksLower:nu0; target:bofalse; icon:stInterface\Icons\Spell_Nature_Lightning; size:nu0.62999999523163; torsion:nu1.3999999761581; r:nu0.4; y:nu-48; x:nu-4; customname:st; groupany:botrue; isAlive:botrue; timerduration:nu0; unitn:st; bufftype:nu15; stacks:nu0; focus:bofalse; raid:bofalse; texture:nu1; alpha:nu0.25; aurastext:st; symetrie:nu0; owntex:bofalse; isResting:nu0; duration:nu0; mine:bofalse; multiids:st; inVehicle:bofalse; speed:nu1; anim2:nu1; spec2:botrue; stacksOperator:st>=; realaura:nu1; threshold:nu50; exact:bofalse; InactiveDueToState:bofalse; textaura:bofalse; sound:nu21; wowtex:bofalse; groupOrSelf:bofalse; customsound:st; combat:nu0; id:nu1; inParty:nu0; HideRequest:bofalse; Active:bofalse; aurastextfont:nu1; buffname:stInnervate; inRaid:nu0; tooltipCheck:st; customtex:bofalse; stance:nu10; isSecondary:bofalse; thresholdinvert:bofalse; spec1:botrue; Debug:bofalse; beginSpin:bofalse; Showing:bofalse; UseOldAnimations:bofalse; begin:nu0; off:bofalse; party:bofalse; texmode:nu1; inverse:bofalse; ismounted:nu0; targetfriend:bofalse; randomcolor:bofalse; finish:nu0

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80% mana – use Innervate now
This pops up with a “bam” noise to tell me when I should consider using Innervate.

Version:st3.0.0E; gcd:bofalse; b:nu1; anim1:nu1; g:nu1; optunitn:bofalse; ignoremaj:botrue; stacksLower:nu0; target:bofalse; icon:stInterface\icons\Spell_fire_meteorstorm; size:nu0.75; torsion:nu1; r:nu1; y:nu-30; x:nu0; customname:st; groupany:botrue; isAlive:botrue; timerduration:nu0; unitn:st; bufftype:nu9; stacks:nu0; focus:bofalse; raid:bofalse; texture:nu9; alpha:nu1; aurastext:st; symetrie:nu0; owntex:bofalse; isResting:bofalse; duration:nu2; mine:bofalse; multiids:st; inVehicle:bofalse; speed:nu1; anim2:nu0; stacksOperator:st>=; realaura:nu1; spec2:botrue; threshold:nu80; exact:bofalse; InactiveDueToState:botrue; textaura:bofalse; sound:nu22; wowtex:botrue; groupOrSelf:bofalse; customsound:st; combat:nu0; id:nu12; inParty:nu0; HideRequest:bofalse; Active:bofalse; aurastextfont:nu1; buffname:st???; inRaid:nu0; tooltipCheck:st; customtex:bofalse; stance:nu10; isSecondary:bofalse; thresholdinvert:bofalse; spec1:botrue; Debug:bofalse; beginSpin:botrue; Showing:bofalse; UseOldAnimations:bofalse; begin:nu0; off:bofalse; party:bofalse; texmode:nu1; inverse:bofalse; ismounted:bofalse; targetfriend:bofalse; randomcolor:bofalse; finish:nu1

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Nature’s Swiftness ready

Version:st3.0.0E; gcd:bofalse; b:nu0.39607843137255; anim1:nu1; g:nu0.53725490196078; optunitn:bofalse; ignoremaj:botrue; stacksLower:nu0; target:bofalse; icon:stInterface\Icons\Spell_Nature_RavenForm; size:nu0.28000000119209; torsion:nu1; r:nu0.27843137254902; y:nu-46; x:nu-37; customname:st; groupany:botrue; isAlive:botrue; timerduration:nu0; unitn:st; bufftype:nu15; stacks:nu0; focus:bofalse; raid:bofalse; texture:nu15; alpha:nu0.15000000596046; aurastext:st; symetrie:nu0; owntex:bofalse; isResting:nu0; duration:nu0; mine:bofalse; multiids:st; inVehicle:bofalse; speed:nu1; anim2:nu1; spec2:botrue; stacksOperator:st>=; realaura:nu1; threshold:nu50; exact:bofalse; InactiveDueToState:bofalse; textaura:bofalse; sound:nu0; wowtex:bofalse; groupOrSelf:bofalse; customsound:st; combat:nu0; id:nu3; inParty:nu0; HideRequest:bofalse; Active:bofalse; aurastextfont:nu1; buffname:stNature’s Swiftness; inRaid:nu0; tooltipCheck:st; customtex:bofalse; stance:nu10; isSecondary:bofalse; thresholdinvert:bofalse; spec1:botrue; Debug:bofalse; beginSpin:bofalse; Showing:bofalse; UseOldAnimations:bofalse; begin:nu0; off:bofalse; party:bofalse; texmode:nu2; inverse:bofalse; ismounted:nu0; targetfriend:bofalse; randomcolor:bofalse; finish:nu0

---

Rebirth ready

Version:st3.0.0E; gcd:bofalse; b:nu0.1921568627451; anim1:nu1; g:nu0.21176470588235; optunitn:bofalse; ignoremaj:botrue; stacksLower:nu0; target:bofalse; icon:stInterface\Icons\Spell_Nature_Reincarnation; size:nu0.75; torsion:nu1.3999999761581; r:nu0.13333333333333; y:nu-48; x:nu0; customname:st; groupany:botrue; isAlive:nu0; timerduration:nu0; unitn:st; bufftype:nu15; stacks:nu0; focus:bofalse; raid:bofalse; texture:nu16; alpha:nu0.40000000596046; aurastext:st; symetrie:nu0; owntex:bofalse; isResting:nu0; duration:nu0; mine:bofalse; multiids:st; inVehicle:bofalse; speed:nu1; anim2:nu1; spec2:botrue; stacksOperator:st>=; realaura:nu1; threshold:nu50; exact:bofalse; InactiveDueToState:bofalse; textaura:bofalse; sound:nu0; wowtex:bofalse; groupOrSelf:bofalse; customsound:st; combat:nu0; id:nu11; inParty:nu0; HideRequest:bofalse; Active:bofalse; aurastextfont:nu1; buffname:stRebirth; inRaid:nu0; tooltipCheck:st; customtex:bofalse; stance:nu10; isSecondary:bofalse; thresholdinvert:bofalse; spec1:botrue; Debug:bofalse; beginSpin:bofalse; Showing:bofalse; UseOldAnimations:bofalse; begin:nu0; off:bofalse; party:bofalse; texmode:nu1; inverse:bofalse; ismounted:nu0; targetfriend:bofalse; randomcolor:bofalse; finish:nu0

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Rebirth down – with timer

Version:st3.0.0E; gcd:bofalse; b:nu0.14117647058824; anim1:nu1; g:nu1; optunitn:bofalse; ignoremaj:botrue; stacksLower:nu0; target:bofalse; icon:stInterface\Icons\Spell_Nature_Reincarnation; size:nu0.14000000059605; torsion:nu1; r:nu0.22745098039216; y:nu-107; x:nu-26; customname:st48477; groupany:botrue; isAlive:nu0; timerduration:nu0; unitn:st; bufftype:nu15; stacks:nu0; focus:bofalse; raid:bofalse; texture:nu33; alpha:nu0.75; aurastext:st; symetrie:nu0; owntex:bofalse; isResting:bofalse; duration:nu0; mine:bofalse; multiids:st; inVehicle:bofalse; speed:nu1; anim2:nu1; stacksOperator:st>=; realaura:nu1; spec2:botrue; threshold:nu50; exact:bofalse; InactiveDueToState:botrue; textaura:bofalse; sound:nu0; wowtex:bofalse; groupOrSelf:bofalse; customsound:st; combat:nu0; id:nu19; inParty:nu0; HideRequest:bofalse; Active:bofalse; aurastextfont:nu1; buffname:stRebirth; inRaid:nu0; tooltipCheck:st; customtex:botrue; stance:nu10; isSecondary:bofalse; thresholdinvert:bofalse; spec1:botrue; Debug:bofalse; beginSpin:bofalse; Showing:bofalse; UseOldAnimations:bofalse; begin:nu0; off:bofalse; party:bofalse; texmode:nu1; inverse:botrue; ismounted:bofalse; targetfriend:bofalse; randomcolor:bofalse; finish:nu0; timer.a:nu1; timer.dual:bofalse; timer.HideRequest:botrue; timer.id:nu19; timer.cents:bofalse; timer.HideLeadingZeros:bofalse; timer.enabled:botrue; timer.Showing:bofalse; timer.y:nu-79; timer.h:nu1; timer.ShowOnAuraHide:bofalse; timer.Transparent:bofalse; timer.UpdatePing:bofalse; timer.InvertAuraBelow:nu0; timer.x:nu10; timer.Texture:stDefault

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Swiftmend ready

Version:st3.0.0E; gcd:bofalse; b:nu0.77647058823529; anim1:nu1; g:nu0.54901960784314; optunitn:bofalse; ignoremaj:botrue; stacksLower:nu0; target:bofalse; icon:stInterface\Icons\INV_Relics_IdolofRejuvenation; size:nu0.22999998927116; torsion:nu1; r:nu0.62745098039216; y:nu-51; x:nu-55; customname:st; groupany:botrue; isAlive:botrue; timerduration:nu0; unitn:st; bufftype:nu15; stacks:nu0; focus:bofalse; raid:bofalse; texture:nu25; alpha:nu0.30000001192093; aurastext:st; symetrie:nu0; owntex:bofalse; isResting:nu0; duration:nu0; mine:bofalse; multiids:st; inVehicle:bofalse; speed:nu1; anim2:nu1; spec2:botrue; stacksOperator:st>=; realaura:nu1; threshold:nu50; exact:bofalse; InactiveDueToState:bofalse; textaura:bofalse; sound:nu0; wowtex:bofalse; groupOrSelf:bofalse; customsound:stsoft_chime_beep.wav; combat:nu0; id:nu2; inParty:nu0; HideRequest:bofalse; Active:bofalse; aurastextfont:nu1; buffname:stSwiftmend; inRaid:nu0; tooltipCheck:st; customtex:bofalse; stance:nu10; isSecondary:bofalse; thresholdinvert:bofalse; spec1:botrue; Debug:bofalse; beginSpin:bofalse; Showing:bofalse; UseOldAnimations:bofalse; begin:nu0; off:bofalse; party:bofalse; texmode:nu2; inverse:bofalse; ismounted:nu0; targetfriend:bofalse; randomcolor:bofalse; finish:nu0

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Wild Growth ready

Version:st3.0.0E; gcd:bofalse; b:nu0.007843137254902; anim1:nu1; g:nu0.2; optunitn:bofalse; ignoremaj:botrue; stacksLower:nu0; target:bofalse; icon:stInterface\Icons\Ability_Druid_Flourish; size:nu0.28000000119209; torsion:nu1; r:nu0.28627450980392; y:nu-46; x:nu52; customname:st; groupany:botrue; isAlive:botrue; timerduration:nu0; unitn:st; bufftype:nu15; stacks:nu0; focus:bofalse; raid:bofalse; texture:nu23; alpha:nu1; aurastext:st; symetrie:nu0; owntex:bofalse; isResting:nu0; duration:nu0; mine:bofalse; multiids:st; inVehicle:bofalse; speed:nu1; anim2:nu1; spec2:botrue; stacksOperator:st>=; realaura:nu1; threshold:nu50; exact:bofalse; InactiveDueToState:bofalse; textaura:bofalse; sound:nu0; wowtex:botrue; groupOrSelf:bofalse; customsound:st; combat:nu0; id:nu13; inParty:nu0; HideRequest:bofalse; Active:bofalse; aurastextfont:nu1; buffname:stWild Growth; inRaid:nu0; tooltipCheck:st; customtex:bofalse; stance:nu10; isSecondary:bofalse; thresholdinvert:bofalse; spec1:botrue; Debug:bofalse; beginSpin:bofalse; Showing:bofalse; UseOldAnimations:bofalse; begin:nu0; off:bofalse; party:bofalse; texmode:nu1; inverse:bofalse; ismounted:nu0; targetfriend:bofalse; randomcolor:bofalse; finish:nu0

Possibly Related Posts:

• Resto Druid calculator!
• Power Auras exports – Ruby Sanctum
• WTF is my Gearscore?

Reader question time!

“I’m a shameful clicker but I can see the benefit in key bindings. I want to know from someone who is well versed how to go about key binding … how to change my mindset. I currently use WSAD for directional control, mouse for camera control and click those buttons furiously. My most common used spells with are bound to keys 1,2 and 3, but I’m mostly a clicker.

Can you give me some advice on how to swap to binding more of my abilities? How should I control my character?”



The transition from clicker to keybinder

There are two basic options; you could either go “cold turkey”, bind all of your frequently used abilities, and learn them all at the same time; or, you could bind a few at a time, get to know them, then bind a few more.

I found it quite easy to do them all at the same time, because I chose bindings that made sense to me (more about this later). But if you feel it’s a bit too much to learn all at once, just bind a few, get used to them, and then bind another, and another, etc, as you become more comfortable.

As druids, some of our keybinds will overlap with our different forms. Some abilities will be the same in every form, and some will be unique, but share a keybind. Depending on how you set yourself up, this can mean a LOT of keybinds. Because of this, I recommend that you create a table to record your binding choices, so that you don’t lose track of what the bindings are for each form. I’ll explain this more later, too.


Click casting vs keybinds

If you’re used to clicking, you may prefer to use click casting, which means you simply hover over the target’s frame and click a button on your mouse. The more mouse buttons you have, the more heals and spells you can bind (you can also use alt/shift/ctrl modifiers). Some frame mods such as Healbot and Vuhdo have this feature built-in; if you are using Grid or other frame mods, you will have to install a standalone mod like Clique.

Alternatively, you can use keybinds, which is where you have to target the person you want to heal (either by clicking on them or hovering over them if you are using mouseover macros), and then striking a key on your keyboard.

These options are completely personal preference, and neither is better than the other – you just need to find the one that suits you best. You can also use a combination, if you prefer.

(Personally, I find that using my mouse exclusively causes fatigue in my right hand, and makes me stumble on my clicks. I find striking keys to be more precise for me, and less tiring on my hands.)


How to actually bind your abilities to keys

If you choose to use keyboard keys, you can set these up through the in-game key bindings menu. However, it’s a huge list, and can be a pain. You’re much better off using a bar mod to place your abilities into, or even easier, download the mod “Bindpad“. This mod allows you to simply drag your abilities, macros, equipment or items (like potions, food, etc) into a page of empty binding slots, then you simply left click on the ability you want to bind, hit the key or combination of keys that you have chosen for it, and you’re done. Bound!

Here’s an example of what it looks like:




Most of the good bar mods will also let you bind the slots on your bars, rather than single abilities. This means that when you shift to other forms, your 1-2-3-4-5 (etc) buttons will now be used for your cat abilities, bear abilities, and so on. Some bar mods are also compatible with dual specs.


Druid forms and dual specs

Some abilities will be the same in every form – for example, I want 2 to be barkskin, because I can use it in every form. Or you might want to keep Tranquility available for every spec – just in case you have to pop out of Moonkin form to save the day. So some abilities will be the same regardless of your forms. But you might like to have your 3 button do something different depending on your form. For me, it’s LB, LB, Mangle, Mangle (caster, tree, cat, bear). 4 is Rejuv, Rejuv, Rake, Maul.

Alternatively, you can build macros that will choose an action dependent on your form. For example, “if I’m in tree form, use rejuv; if I’m in cat form, use rake; if I’m in bear form, use maul”. Or, “If I”m stealthed, use Ravage; if I’m not stealthed, use Shred”. This saves on bar space and key bindings; you don’t need to have 3 different key binds for your different stances; you can just have one button and one binding, and the macro will check whether you’re a cat or a tree before performing the action.

Not only does this save space, it will save you going mental trying to remember 3 or 4 times the number of key bindings!

Here’s a list of handy macros: Useful macros for druids

For the abilities constant through your forms (eg Barkskin), just bind the ability directly, in bind pad. For abilities that share a bind with feral form abilities, you can either put them on a bar and bind the SLOT, or put them into a conditional macro and then bind that macro in bindpad. Whichever suits you best.




To make it much easier on yourself, I really do recommend that you draw up that table of all the different binds for your forms, so you can remember which are constant and which will change if you shapeshift. This will also make it easier to decide whether you want to bind them directly, or have them share keybinds with other abilities.


Using “logical” bindings

When making new bindings, I try to choose keys that remind me of their associated spell. For example, Alt-W is wrath, Alt-S is Starfire, Alt-R is Entangling Roots. It’s simplistic – but it helps.

I also “pair up” abilities that are similar or complement each other. For example, 3 is Lifebloom, and Shift-3 is Wild Growth, because WG to me is similar to LB but on multiple targets. Rejuv is 4, and Swiftmend (which is used with Rejuv) is Shift-4. My two direct heals, Regrowth and Nourish, are 5 and Shift-5. Abolish Poison is G, and Remove Curse is Shift-G. As you can see, I keep “pairs” of spells together because I consider them to be similar.

I use similar abilities across various characters. For every class, “1″ is my emergency button. Nature’s Swiftness+Healing Touch, Ice Block, Feign Death, Desperate Prayer, etc. “2″ is my “protect me for a few seconds” key – Barkskin, Power Word: Shield, etc. I use the same bindings for my cat finishers and my hunter pet finishers.

G and Shift-G on my druid are poisons and curses, and show up on my raid frames as green and purple respectively. On my priest, I’ve configured Grid to show diseases as green and magic as purple, and I’ve bound Remove Disease and Dispel Magic to G and Shift-G, just like my druid. When I see a green or purple frame, I don’t even have to process whether it’s a disease or poison or curse or magic – my muscle memory says “green – hit G” and “purple – hit Shift-G”.

If you keep similar abilities on the same binds across all of your characters, it will help you to commit them to memory much faster and easier.


Other tips

Other than the logical bindings, keep your most frequently used abilities on keys that are the easiest to reach, and limit the modifiers.

I have small hands, so I try to limit myself to 3, 4, 5, plus all of the left-hand letters except Q and Z (my small hands makes stretching my pinky awkward and clumsy). This is personal preference – if you can comfortably use your pinky, then you open up a few more keys to use.

3, 4 and 5 are my frequent, basic heals – Lifebloom, Rejuv, and Regrowth. The modified versions (Shift-3, Shift-4, Shift-5) are WG, Swiftmend, and Nourish. All of these are easy for me to hit without stretching, and don’t cause me any fatigue. Don’t bind your most common spells to a key that makes you stretch or strain!

Less important or infrequently used abilities can be bound on the right-hand side of the keyboard to save space on the left. For example, Innervate is Shift-I, Hurricane is Alt-H. The cooldowns mean that I can’t use them frequently, so using right-side binds frees up space on the left. It will mean that you have to take your hand off the mouse momentarily though – if you’re not comfortable doing that, if it feels clumsy, then stick with the left side of the keyboard.

Keep your emergency buttons easy to reach. Nature’s Swiftness/Healing Touch, Barkskin, Swiftmend, Tranquility, health stones and potions, bandages. You don’t want to have some crazy binding for your health stone – it has to be easy to get to!

Your mouse wheel is great for changing forms. It’s super fast. I use:



• Down: cancel all forms

• Shift Down: travel
• Ctrl Down: Tree
• Alt Down: Bear
• Up: kitty
• Shift Up: flight form


I use Down to return to caster, but using the same scroll binding twice will also return you to caster form. For example, scroll up – kitty. Scroll up again – back to caster.


WASD (keyboard turning) vs mouse turning

Finally, a note on movement.

Using your mouse to turn, reposition, and move your character is faster and smoother than using your keyboard. Keyboard turning gives you that “shuffling” look as your character slowly turns to the direction you want to face. In situations where you have to run out of fire (etc), it can mean the difference between taking a tick or two of damage, or none at all.

Personally, I use a hybrid mix of keyboard and mouse turning, and so do many druids. The reason for this is because many of us use mouseover macros or click-casting (clicking on your target with your mouse button to heal them). This ties up the mouse for periods of time, meaning that you have to fall back on your W key to move forward. It’s not necessarily a bad thing to use your W key to move forward, but I definitely recommend that you get used to using your mouse to do quick turns if you need to run. Shuffling will slow you down. It only takes a moment to move your mouse out into the open, turn, and then go back to healing while you run with W.

Backpedalling (”S”) is okay as long as it’s not used to get out of fire, etc – it’s too slow. I will often backpedal here and there to reposition, if my mouse hand is tied up; otherwise, I simply mouse-turn quickly.

Different people use different methods, but that is mine, and it serves me well.



As always – this is just an insight into how I do things, and what works and is comfortable for me. Explore for yourself, see what works. Click casting, binds, mouseovers – there’s a style for everyone, it’s just a case of finding what’s comfortable for you, and then training yourself to use it – either all in one hit, or gradually.

It’s not difficult – just write down what you want to do, bind a few spells, and start practicing until it’s second nature.

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Back in June, Kae over at Dreambound shared her Power Auras settings. I had seen Power Auras before but I think this post got the cogs turning, as I realised it could be very handy for a number of my cooldowns.

I don’t have buttons visible on my UI, so I rely on cooldown timers or monitors to count down for me, but my bar-style cooldown timers have really been playing up lately; occasionally they would refuse to show me Innervate or Rebirth; and it’s kinda important that I be able to see those! It’s really annoying (and embarrassing) to have to spellbook an ability to find out how much time is left on it.

So I finally, FINALLY got Power Auras.

Here are some shots of my current UI. No raid shots at the moment sorry; need to tweak it a bit. I’ll try to post some, sometime. Click for large versions.

Solo, no target:


With labels:


As you can see, I don’t have any abilities or buttons visible; all commonly-used abilities are keybound using BindPad or Macaroon. Some infrequently-used ones are on hidden mouseover bars; things like food, tradeskills, mounts, etc.


My Power Auras

Although my bar cooldowns were clear, I found that I wasn’t paying much attention to them. I guess they just never really suited me; they blend into the rest of the UI and I end up basically never using them.

I decided that I needed to see the following things:

1. Wild Growth. I either hit it when it’s not up (thus wasting time that I could be casting something else), or I don’t cast it enough. I wanted to be more aware of the cooldown.

2. Swiftmend and Nature’s Swiftness. These probably speak for themselves – I want to know when they’re up, without looking around my screen for timer bars.
3. Innervate. I want to Innervate early and often; plus, I need to know immediately if I can innervate the mage that is calling for it, or if I have to refuse them.
4. Rebirth. When my timers aren’t working, I think Rebirth is up, but it really isn’t. I call out that I’ll rez, but then discover that I can’t. This is very bad.
5. Low mana. For the times when I use my innervate for myself, I want to know when I’m missing a chunk and can innervate.
6. Missing buffs. There are still times that I forget to eat, or my flask drops off and I don’t realise.





As you can see, I’ve assigned icons for my short cooldown abilities (Swiftmend, Wild Growth, and NS), so that I can see at a glance when they are available. These icons stay on my screen as long as those abilities are ready to go; they disappear when I use the ability, and then reappear when the cooldown is over.

I was aiming for a colourful icon that basically said, “Hey! I’m here! Use me now!”

When Innervate is up, a purple rune sits around my feet. It tells me that it’s ready to go, whenever I need it. Similarly, a pale green ring tells me that Rebirth is ready when needed. If these rings are missing, I know the abilities are not available for use yet.

I’ve flattened the rings, to make them look as if they are flat on the ground, rather than around my character. I like how it turned out!

Next, when I’m under 80% mana, a purple rune appears over my character for 2 seconds, with a whoosh noise, to prompt me to Innervate (if necessary).This is the only “animated” image – the rest are static. The animation will hopefully get my attention – because scrolling text saying “innervate ready” never does!

Finally, I have two icons that only show during raids – missing food and missing flask. Obviously I don’t care about being well fed or flasked outside of raids, so I’ve set them to show only when I’m in a raid. If a skull pops up, I know to refresh my food and/or flask.

Hooray for Power Auras! Better late than never!

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Another blogger asked me how to get the Wowhead mouseover links to work in her blog. For example, when you mouseover this item, you can see its Wowhead tooltip: Support Girdle

This is a really handy thing to have – it makes it nice and easy on your readers; they don’t have to click the link (or go search for the item) to check out its stats. They won’t have to worry about going looking for the item to know what you’re talking about.

It’s actually very easy to implement this – it will take you about 2 minutes of your time. The script itself lives over at Wowhead.com; you just have to paste some code into your blog to point to it. Then, any time you post a Wowhead item link, it will automatically convert to a mouseover.


Adding Wowhead links to Blogger/Blogspot blogs



1. Go to your dashboard, go to Layout, and in the widget section, make a new widget.

2. Choose html/java, because it’s going to just be a bit of code pasted in. Don’t give it a title; this way it will show in your dashboard list of widgets as “html/javascript” but wont show on your blog’s widget list. It’ll be working for you behind the scenes.
3. Paste this in:
   
<script src=”http://www.wowhead.com/widgets/power.js”></script>

4. Save, and you’re done!



Adding Wowhead links to Wordpress blogs

Note: I run self-hosted Wordpress blog, and I can control the layout of my site entirely. I assume that Wordpress-hosted blogs are similar, you will just need to navigate to your template to paste the code in.



1. Go to your dashboard; under Appearance, click on Edit.

2. Open Header template file (putting it in the header means it will function on each page of your blog), and inside the <head></head> tag, paste this in:
   
<script src=”http://www.wowhead.com/widgets/power.js”></script>



Posting a mouseover link



1. Go to wowhead and grab your item’s address/link, eg http://www.wowhead.com/?item=1215

2. When you write your post, you’ll need to write the link like this:
   
<a href=”http://www.wowhead.com/?item=1215″>Support Girdle</a>


That’s it!

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While nothing has been announced, druids are reporting that the WG bug has finally been fixed.


If the above is true, self-casting should now work, even when your target is dead or out of range. While this is obviously kinda illogical, it was still annoying when it wouldn’t fire. It still occasionally tripped me up. It’s good to have it fixed without having to use canceltarget macros.


Please let me know if you run into any further troubles with it, as there hasn’t been any official announcement that the bug has been fixed.

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