Broliant Writes…

Following our recent article on raiding as an assassination-mutilate specced rogue, we realised that we’d mentioned the use of several macros which we didn’t take the time to explain in the body of the text. Therefore we’re picking up that loose thread here today to explain how we do some of these things we spoke about.

The “Auto Pick-Pocketing” Macro:

First up, an olden but golden macro that is not really a “raiding” related macro but is perhaps one you can setup once and then use for the next two years without thinking about it. Yep, it’s the magical “pick-pocketing” macro and for it to work, you must first go into your Interface Options/Controls panel in-game and ensure that the “Auto Loot” option is ticked.

With this done, simply create a macro that you will use to replace the ability you plan to use from stealth at the start of the fight, be it Ambush, Cheapshot, Garotte or otherwise. Then either drop the macro onto your button bar and/or keybind it according to your preferences.

PP-Garrote:
#showtooltip Garrote
/cast Pick Pocket
/stopcasting
/cast Garrote

Although this macro won’t work on bosses, it won’t break anything or prevent your main action (garrote here) from being cast and when you do happen upon a mob with pockets, you’ll get some free loot and coin for your trouble. What’s not to like?!

The “Focus-On-My-Tank” Macro:

I have several copies of this macro for ease and convenience. All it allows me to do is to set my focus target to one of my raid’s tanks. This is typically a pre-emptive move on my part indicating that I plan to use Tricks of the Trade (TotT) on them.

Focus-{tank-name}:
/target {tank-name}
/focus
/targetlasttarget

* Replace {tank-name} with the name of the tank (or other player) that you want to set as your focus target. Also, don’t include the “{}” brackets.

In raids, this macro helps me apply TotT to one of my tanks but you could also set-up a macro like this if you wanted to trade TotT with a fellow rogue in your raid, hoping that he or she will return the favour, so that you both gain a periodical 15% damage buff.

The “Cast Ability on my Focus Target” Macro:

In this case, the example below shows the macro I use to cast Tricks of the Trade onto my focus target, if it exists. It’s handy to be able to do this because by using a focus target, I only lose time to the energy used to cast TotT and not for targetting my tank and then retargetting the next mob in the kill-order.

Focus-TotT:
/cast [target=focus,exists] Tricks of the Trade
/ra Broliant cast Tricks of the Trade on %f.

TotT is the ability I most commonly use this macro for but I also have additional copies for other abilities such as Blind which can me handy when fighting bosses that mind control players and turn them against your team-mates.

Summary:

These three macros are the bread and butter of what I’m currently using. The point of any macro is to speed up and simplify common and/or complex actions and I’d encourage everyone to make liberal use of macros to streamline their play. It can make a real difference to the overall efficiency of your game and that’s a very good thing indeed.

-B-