Infraction for Nexbellator: 6. Do not post unless you have something new and worthwhile to say.

• bartolimu · 05/04/09, 11:47 AM

Post: Freezing Hell Over, One Step at a Time (Frost DPS)
User: Nexbellator
Infraction: 6. Do not post unless you have something new and worthwhile to say.
Points: 1

Administrative Note:

Message to User:

If you want to blather on incessantly about your personal bullshit, start a blog somewhere else.

Original Post:

Hello again my fellow Ice-hearted Deathknights! Been a while since I posted here due to 6 night raid weeks clearing new content. Some of the posts I made during the 3.1 PTR, as well as videos on youtube, have generated numerous comments and questions about the specs and rotations I use while raiding. So, instead of people asking me in-game via lvl 1 alts in Durotar or on youtube, I am going to post here a complete guide to Frost DPSing in Ulduar... Nex style! Please note, I am not trying to say other specs, rotations or gearing preferences are wrong, this is simply what I have found to be very successful in 25 man Ulduar.

This post will consist of Spec, Rotation and gearing, including all enchants, gems and other info that might help.

The Spec

21/50/0

You may notice I chose to take 1 point in Veteran, rather than HB. This is a preference thing, but I often found I did not have enough time in my rotation to get in the free HB procs from rime and the 2 Expertise + 2% str helped my Obliterates a bit more. Also, I have chosen to take Hungering Cold. Currently my guild is working on Mimiron. we have him to 4% in Phase 4 (each part was at 4%) and Hungering helps a ton in Phase 3 for the adds. It's also very nice on fights like Razorscale and XT-002 to slow down some adds that would otherwise run around. Again, these choices are my own preference.

The Rotation

1.) PS, IT, BS, BS, Rune Tap, Unbreakable Armor, OB
2.) FSx4 (If you are able to pop your Tap and UA, maybe a Horn off the pull you can get 4 full FS with ease)
3.) OB, FS x 3 (Basically spam OB and FS alternating for Killing Machines or when you need more RP)

Basically 3 phases to this rotation, as listed above. All dps is done in UNHOLY PRESENCE! This means Fast spamming of abilities, 15% faster Auto-attacks (more KM Procs) and of course, the ever-helpful movement increase. If you try to use this spec and rotation in blood presence you will never be able to keep up with using your runes and RP and eventually have to start skipping attacks to keep your diseases and death runes up.

The Gear

I have gone through all the possible drops in Ulduar 25, NON-HARD mode bosses only, with a few exceptions (trinkets). My reasoning is that this set of gear will be easier to obtain and a more realistic goal for most guilds out there. Keep in mind that some of these items are NOT best in slot, but when in a complete set you gain the most benefit possible.

Conq. Darkrune Helm - Ebon Hold Helm Enchant, Chaotic Skyflare Meta and Bold Scarlet Gem (Bold Dragon's Eye if JC).
Spiked Battleguard Choke
Conq. Darkrune Shoulder - Inscription Enchant or Sons of Hodir, Bold Scarlet Gem.
Drape of the Drakerider - 22 Agility Enchant.
Conq. Darkrune Chestpiece - 10 All stats, 2x Bold Scarlet Gem.
Decimator's Armguards - 50 AP enchant.
Conq. Darkrune Gloves - 44 AP enchant, Bold Scarlet Gem.
Belt of the Titans - Bold Scarlet + Sovereign Twilight Gems (Bold Dragon's eye if JC).
Conq. Darkrune Leggings - Leggings Enchant, Bold Scarlet + Sovereign Twilight Gems (Bold Dragon's eye if JC).
Boots of the Underdweller - 32 AP enchant.
Sif's Promise
Strength of the Automaton
Fury of Five Flights
Greatness
Earthshaper - Fallen Crusader.
Sigil of the Vengeul Heart

As noted, this set of gear is only from normal boss modes in 25 man Ulduar, save for the trinkets. Total DPS critical stats, WITH spec bonuses are 293 Hit rating (5 above the 9% cap for those lacking drenai) and 23.7 Expertise. The expertise is slightly under cap, but it only effects Obliterate and Bloodstrike for Frost, making it ideal to not focus as much on it. Base Strength of the complete set is 1250, not including gems and enchants.

This gear set includes all 5 piece of t8.5 because many of them are best in slot and those that aren't can be replaced later by hard mode items (Legging and Helm mainly). Again, the items alone may have better alternatives, but in combination they yield the idea stats for a frost DK, pre-hard mode.

WWS Parse of XT-002

Here is last week's WWS for XT-002. Note, I had to run twice from Gravity bombs, and once to help kill scrap bots that were getting a little close.

<IRS> of Perenolde

Here is my ARMORY LINK, which contains the same gearing and spec I used in this fight. Notice I have nice gear, but my weapon is a bit lacking :P

Anyways, as I said, this is what I find works for frost dps. I love the playstyle using Unholy presence and will be very reluctant to change my spec. It scales very well with gear and is right up there with the other classes for dps. I hope this post helps some people get a good idea on where to start with being an Ice-Wielding Death machine!