Affliction Raiding Rotations/Guide - Page 7

mdl060374 · 02/05/09, 4:32 PM

Originally Posted by fallenman

V. WWS and DoT Uptime
Now that you have the basics of DoT casting order, rotations, etc, let's work on applying that, practicing, and seeing results for yourself.

To start, a quick explanation of WWS (wow web stats). WWS is an online DPS parser. It takes a combat log you record in game, and allows you to see the information in a very useful and detailed format. To create a WWS report:

1. Before you start WoW, browse to C:\Program Files\World of Warcraft\Interface\Logs. If you have a file called "wowcombatlog.txt", delete it!
2. Now, in game, before you start whatever it is you want to log, hit enter in your chat window and type: /combatlog (this will get wow recording your combat log parse)
3. After you are done with everything you want to record, go to Wow Web Stats
4. Click on "Start WWS Client" (note, you may have to quickly sign up for a free account)
5. Click on "Add Combat Log" and browse to C:\Program Files\World of Warcraft\Interface\Logs, and add wowcombatlog.txt.
6. Click on "Host Report". You will now see a WWS report of your combat log!

The sample below references one of my WWS reports, but can be applied to any WWS report you use.

Let's figure out doT uptime first. To start, we need to know what the total combat length of the boss fight was in seconds. At the top of a WWS report, you'll see the date, time, and length of fight in minutes/seconds. In my example, the fight was 2 minutes and 39 seconds long. So, that's 159 seconds.

Next, we need to determine what 100% uptime would be for each DoT. This is done by taking the length of the fight and dividing it by the interval of a DoT's tick. For example, corruption, UA, siphon life, and immolate all tick every 3 seconds. 159 / 3 = 53. So, if I had 53 ticks of each of those DoTs, that would be 100% uptime. To see how many times your DoTs ticked, look under each spell, and look under the column that says "Dots".

In my example, I had as follows:
-Corruption: 48 ticks
-UA: 42 ticks
-Immolate: 39 ticks
-Siphon Life: 46 ticks

Remember that 100% uptime is not realistic. Especially if the mechanics of the fight stress execution over DPS via moving around, doing other things, etc.

For CoA, which ticks every 2 seconds, that would be 159 / 2 = 79 (round down). I had 68 ticks, so that's not too bad. To determine uptime, take the number of ticks you had and divide it by the number of ticks you would have had with 100% uptime. So, for CoA: 68/79 = .86 or, 86% uptime. 90% uptime is a realistic goal in a stand-up tank and spank single target fight.

VI. Practice Tips
If you're struggling with DoT uptime, start by simplifying the rotations by temporarily dropping a DoT. Drop siphon life and CoA. Then, practice, and get that rotation down and working. Then, add in Curse of Doom. Practice more! Then, add in Siphon life. Practice practice practice. Now finally, replace Curse of Doom with Curse of Agony again.

I am open to all suggestions, corrections, and advice that others may have. Please post them for discussion!

Quick question regarding this. Is there anyway to calculate DPCT in this fashion on a practice test dummy.. I say this (and maybe I am missing something obvious here) the fight typically doesnt "end" until I go OOM or let my dots slowly taper off one by one.. So by the time the fight is "ended" my DPS has trailed off dramatically..

Or does the WWS simply my "active casting?" I am not extremely familiar with the mechanics of WWS, just use it for overall review. So I probably am missing something obvious here.

Trickykid · 02/05/09, 4:40 PM

Originally Posted by mdl060374

Quick question regarding this. Is there anyway to calculate DPCT in this fashion on a practice test dummy.. I say this (and maybe I am missing something obvious here) the fight typically doesnt "end" until I go OOM or let my dots slowly taper off one by one.. So by the time the fight is "ended" my DPS has trailed off dramatically..

Or does the WWS simply my "active casting?" I am not extremely familiar with the mechanics of WWS, just use it for overall review. So I probably am missing something obvious here.

You could just turn off the /combatlog when you stop your trial.

Yoggi14 · 02/11/09, 9:17 PM

I have a quick question that I can not find the answer to anywhere on the internet so I have decided to ask here.

What exactly is the best rotation for a boss below 25% health, that is actually maintainable and effective?

Thank You,
Yoggi

zaliisa · 02/11/09, 9:29 PM

Yoggi you didn't search very far.... read the first couple of posts of the "DoTs and you" thread in this forum.

Basicallly, keep everything up, Drain Soul instead of Shadowbolt, if you've started channeling let the next tick happen before you recast a DoT that has dropped off.

Drahon · 02/12/09, 3:41 PM

Originally Posted by Yoggi14

I have a quick question that I can not find the answer to anywhere on the internet so I have decided to ask here.

What exactly is the best rotation for a boss below 25% health, that is actually maintainable and effective?

Thank You,
Yoggi

Just refresh your DOT's and replace your shadow bolt with drain soul. Rinse and repeat. Try no to let one DOT fall off!

upperthorax · 02/24/09, 1:19 PM

I'm having some trouble getting my DPS to a respectable level. Armory Link Here Our guild is just now starting to raid 10 man Naxx, and we run OS and VoA as often as we can. I've read up on Locks a ton, both here and a few other places and I can maintain a healthy rotation like the best of them, but my numbers are still sucking it. (or so I'm told)

My base SP is 1660, and I get really close to 2200 when I'm buffed up. (FA, Flask, and food)

My rotation.

Pop my +346 SP trink first, then SB>Haunt>UA>Immo>Corr>CoA>SL

Of course SB fillers, and if I can pop my trink again, I will. I use every NF proc, and link my GCD's when ever my timers allow.

Drop an Infernal close to the end, and swap SB for DS as well.

I even use a +500 haste pot during fights at key opportunities.

I'm averaging 1550 DPS and have hit 1660 so far. Some of my guildmates have said I should be doing better, closer to 2k DPS, even with my mix of Epics and Blues. Am I doing something wrong? I can keep my DoTs up and buffed for pretty much the duration of any fight, all debuffs and AoE's aside. It's really frustrating that I've studied up, practiced and can maintain a good rotation, but I'm still failing.

Evictoray · 02/24/09, 1:43 PM

I would take a second look at your talent build.

upperthorax · 02/24/09, 2:00 PM

Originally Posted by Evictoray

I would take a second look at your talent build.

I was under the impression that Night Fall didn't stack with the Glyph, now I know to swap out GR for NF, that's my first move. I will also take a couple of points out of Destro, without losing Ruin, to put into Eradication. I am getting conflicting advice on Imp CoA and Imp Drain Soul. I would imagine that Imp CoA is the way to go for DPS since I'm only generating high threat on trash mobs with SoC. I can just Soul Shatter though and I'm fine. Otherwise, anything else I can do with the tree?

Evictoray · 02/24/09, 2:05 PM

I've just never seen a build quite like yours ........ I like something like THIS.

Yoarashi13 · 03/17/09, 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by fallenman

So, your intial cast rotation will look like this:

Shadowbolt > Haunt > UA > Immolate > CoA > Corruption > Siphon Life. After that, you're now into what is called "filler" time. If your raid does NOT have a moonkin druid or unholy death knight, you will use CoE for your curse instead.

From this point on, your goal is to refresh DoTs as efficiently and quickly as possible. I HIGHLY recommend Asheyla's DoTimer. It is a great mod for tracking your DoT durations. You can get it here: DoTimer : WoWInterface Downloads : Warlock

The goal is to refresh a DoT the very moment the last tick expires. For DoT's with cast times, this is done by starting to re-cast the DoT when the amount of time it has left is just slightly less than the DoTs cast time. For example. If your Unstable Affliction has a 1.5 second cast time, you start to cast a new UA when the current one has 1.4 seconds left on the timer. Now, being realistic, obviously it's rare that this will happen. The reason for that is you do NOT want to stand around doing nothing just because you're waiting for that timer to hit 1.4 seconds. It is better to do something, whether that's casting a shadowbolt or using dark pact / life tap. Even if it means you will be a bit "late" refreshing the DoT.

I dont know if this has been brought up, i didnt see it within the first 4 pages, But even without the use of Immolate by the time i'm done putting up my dots, they are starting to fall off, and i find myself refreshing but not clipping my dots through the entire fight without any filler spells save a few quick shadow bolts when i get shadowtrance. I tried the rotation above and also the practicing tips suggested and i still cant seem to get it right.

Now i have heard that next patch it may be easier because Siphon life will be added into corruption... but until then, what might i be doing wrong or what can i change to better my dps and my rotation?

VenomByte · 03/18/09, 6:44 AM

Are you lagging at all? If you have a big latency it will kill your rotation.

Another possibility is that you're just pressing the button too late. I find it best to press the button for the next spell half a second or so before the previous spell has finished casting, that way the cast begins the instant the GCD runs out.

You will also find you have more time for fillers as your haste increases. Are you using a spellstone? Your haste is not very high to start with, so if you're missing that also then perhaps your haste is just too low. I imagine if you fully enchant and gem your gear up you'll notice an improvement. Most of it is ungemmed/unenchanted at the moment.

vaestmanaeyjar · 03/18/09, 8:48 AM

You should indeed have time for fillers. I have basically two ways of opening a fight: the "regular" and the "must move at start of combat" in which case I start with all the instants.

With the haste I'm at, I cast all the rotation spells, one SB, recast haunt, and am good for 4 or 5 SBs before having to refresh Immolate+UA (depending on whether blood lust is used at start of combat). You will get more filler time when your gear progresses but you should already have some.

Best advice I'd give is: practice. you have starter gear so I suppose you don't yet have the habits of the raiding warlock, it takes some time to get used to, I have cleared all the game content atm and am still progressing and finding some tweaks to better my gameplay, such as when to use connexion properly.

Yoarashi13 · 03/19/09, 12:31 AM

Thanks, I do get some lag at times, cant help that, but for now i'll focus on getting gear and saving money to get gems and enchants.

Originally Posted by vaestmanaeyjar

Best advice I'd give is: practice. you have starter gear so I suppose you don't yet have the habits of the raiding warlock, it takes some time to get used to, I have cleared all the game content atm and am still progressing and finding some tweaks to better my gameplay, such as when to use connexion properly.

And your right, i had just hit level 70 before Wrath came out so i never raided before now. and i leveled most of the time ad Demon spec.

Deathnotes · 03/24/09, 12:43 AM

I've been looking and as far as I can see, (though I may have overlooked) this has not yet been mentioned.

What is the list for DoT priority?

When two-three DoTs occasionally tick off at the same time isn't there one you would want to get back up first?
I'm assuming haunt, if it HAPPENS to tick off, though it shouldn't, followed by CoA, Corruption, UA, Immolate, SL? Any thoughts?

Edit: Spelling

Nisarie · 03/27/09, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by Deathnotes

I've been looking and as far as I can see, (though I may have overlooked) this has not yet been mentioned.

What is the list for DoT priority?

When two-three DoTs occasionally tick off at the same time isn't there one you would want to get back up first?
I'm assuming haunt, if it HAPPENS to tick off, though it shouldn't, followed by CoA, Corruption, UA, Immolate, SL? Any thoughts?

Edit: Spelling

Haunt should always come first. After that, your best bet is to just follow the order of your rotation, in the hopes of keeping things regular. I haven't noticed any particular "this DoT is the most important of them all!!1!eleven!"

VenomByte · 03/27/09, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by Deathnotes

I've been looking and as far as I can see, (though I may have overlooked) this has not yet been mentioned.

What is the list for DoT priority?

When two-three DoTs occasionally tick off at the same time isn't there one you would want to get back up first?
I'm assuming haunt, if it HAPPENS to tick off, though it shouldn't, followed by CoA, Corruption, UA, Immolate, SL? Any thoughts?

Edit: Spelling

Haunt goes up first, since it increases the damage of all your dots. I would go with Corruption second over CoA, since it ticks for more damage and theoretically shouldn't have to be recast. Siphon life has a higher DPCT than UA (with decent gear) and also has a similar duration to CoA, so that would be next. Finally UA, followed by immolation.

So in theory the priority to recast would be: Haunt->Corruption->Coa->SL->UA->Immo

In reality though, you may want to consider what keeps your rotation 'on track' better. For example, if Immo & SL both drop off and you've just cast UA, you would probably want to cast Immo before SL simply because that'll keep your rotation neat & save problems later on.

God_242 · 04/20/09, 5:45 PM

With the recent changes to COE does it now push off other effects of the same type or is it still not worth putting up?

Bruscha · 04/20/09, 6:54 PM

Originally Posted by God_242

With the recent changes to COE does it now push off other effects of the same type or is it still not worth putting up?

Other effects are still put up as part of the caster's rotation at no dps loss.
You lose CoA by using CoE.

So if there is a unholy dk or moonkin it's still not worth it to put up.

Disenchant · 04/21/09, 5:00 AM

Originally Posted by VenomByte

Haunt goes up first, since it increases the damage of all your dots. I would go with Corruption second over CoA, since it ticks for more damage and theoretically shouldn't have to be recast. Siphon life has a higher DPCT than UA (with decent gear) and also has a similar duration to CoA, so that would be next. Finally UA, followed by immolation.

So in theory the priority to recast would be: Haunt->Corruption->Coa->SL->UA->Immo

In reality though, you may want to consider what keeps your rotation 'on track' better. For example, if Immo & SL both drop off and you've just cast UA, you would probably want to cast Immo before SL simply because that'll keep your rotation neat & save problems later on.

As of latest changes, UA and Immolate cancel each other out - can't have both up on same target. One less DoT to our rotation (along with SL gone as well now).

ROMEOLOCK · 05/13/09, 1:10 PM

I AM CURRENTLY IN ALMOST ALL 213 GEAR ALONG WITH A VERY FEW 200 AND 1 219 1 226 PIECE. I seem to only be able to do 4k at very best. idk if i am missing something or what. most fights i do about 3200-3500 dps. but with the my amount of hit ive been seeing ppl exchange hit for sp and do more than me with comparable or even worse gear. so i am going to say spend the extra pts for hit only if u have them to spend and socket ur stuff with sp not hit unless the bonus is worth it ...ie more hit more sp

brashar · 05/13/09, 1:42 PM

Originally Posted by ROMEOLOCK

I AM CURRENTLY IN ALMOST ALL 213 GEAR ALONG WITH A VERY FEW 200 AND 1 219 1 226 PIECE. I seem to only be able to do 4k at very best. idk if i am missing something or what. most fights i do about 3200-3500 dps. but with the my amount of hit ive been seeing ppl exchange hit for sp and do more than me with comparable or even worse gear. so i am going to say spend the extra pts for hit only if u have them to spend and socket ur stuff with sp not hit unless the bonus is worth it ...ie more hit more sp

Agony glyph over Corruption...just stating the obvious.