Ask in game

It seems I am only able to be truly active on one written online arena at the time. Lately its been my internal guildforum, however some possible wisom have been shared there – wisdom that might deserve a bigger audience.

There are several things you need in order to get raiding to work well. However, some are quite easy to do  they just tend to be overlooked – even in big theorycrafting threads or impressive compilations of facts. When advising my fellow players on how to tweak their performance (without improving gear or changing rotation), this is what I tell them:

• Mobility is everything. Unless you are planning to fight Patchwerk all day every day, you will be required to move – even if it is only between mobs on a AoE pull. Make sure to put Tuskars Vitality on boots (unless you spec for increased movement speed) so you get where you need to go faster.

• Unless you need to move, dont move. Standing still = the best condition to dps, heal and tank. Spasticated playing might be pro in PvP. In PvE it only makes you perform worse.

• Have startattack macros and chained macros for all central abilities. Doesnt matter if your fingers are fast, macros are the best way around server/interface lag.

For melee: Macro all central abilities to /startattack
f.ex
/cast Sinister Strike
/startattack
This means that if you are low on energy (or rage or whatever you use) you will still start attacking. White damage is also damage.
For casters: If you have abilities that you use after eachother on a regular basis, macro them.
f. ex:
/cast Shadow Word: Pain
/cast Mindblast

• Use cooldowns early and often. They are not there for a rainy day, they are there to be used. Use them straight away, and they will cool down and can be used again. F-ex: Lay on Hands. It gives mana, heals for lots… just whack it on there when you see a tank/healer on less then 40% health. The long CD is there cause its powerful, and things that are powerful are OP and things that are OP should always be used.

• Dying is not ok. Might seem obvious, but its a mentality that too few have. If you need to blow a super-imba-cooldown or use the-most-expensive-consuamable-ever in a situation where you risk going to 0 health – DO IT! Dont hesitate, just blow it. Its better to be alive with a uber ability on CD then beeing dead on the floor. Bamdages, healthpotions, healthstones are your friends. While a healer might heal you, you are guaranteed health if you fix it yourself.

• Use the down periods to think ahead. All fights fluctuate, they will get more intense then they slow down a bit, then change pace again etc. Its swings forth and back. Remember to use the “down” periods in that cycle to assess your own situation. Do you have enough mana? Are you standing in a good spot? You know a phase is incoming where you take dmg? Make sure that you start it on full health. You know of an effect that will force you to move? Have a place spotted out that will be save to move to.

• Be competative and be proud of your achievements. Did you do 6k dps? Make sure the other  dps’ers noticed. Get them fired up and help push them towards doing the same. Farming and boredom will make anyone perform worse, so make sure its always a competition.