Once you have your character set up with gear, enchants, and so on, and you’ve learned your rotation, there are a couple of ways you can really take your gameplay to the next level, and that’s with addons and macros. These tools can enhance your performance by making it easy to track and perform actions that might be much more complicated with only hotkeys and the default interface. This guide will get you started with some of the best addons and macros to use as a Fire Mage in Cataclysm Classic.
Addons
Addons are direct quality-of-life improvements to the existing game features. They can range from User Interface modifications to simple tools such as a Damage Meter or Threat Meter. Addons can also be used to generate text notifications or even in-game vocal notifications to keep better track of your buffs and procs. They can also be used to display boss tactics and notify you of impending threats.
- DeadlyBossMods – Allows you to track boss abilities. A must-have for raiding.
- Details – Shows you how much damage, healing, and threat everyone in your raid is doing. Flex on your friends!
- WeakAuras – Extremely versatile addon that can be used to track buffs, debuffs, or create audio notifications.
WeakAuras or a similar addon is strongly recommended for tracking your DoTs, procs, and cooldowns as a Fire Mage. You will have a hard time keeping track of everything otherwise.
Macros
Here are a few macros that can improve your effectiveness as a Fire Mage by combining actions so you can focus on other things.
Cooldown Macro
You’ll often want to use all of your cooldowns at the same time in order to maximize their combined effects. This macro will do just that with one key press. It will use your two trinkets (slots 13 & 14), your Volcanic Potion, your gloves if you have Synapse Springs from Engineering (slot 10), and your Berserking racial if you are a Troll. Ideally you would use this macro when you have a Lightweave Embroidery proc or another powerful proc such as from a trinket or weapon enchantment.
#showtooltip
/use [combat] 13
/use [combat] 14
/use [combat] Volcanic Potion
/use [combat] 10
/cast Berserking Ice Block + Cancel Macro
This macro instantly uses Ice Block. If you tap it a 2nd time, it will cancel it. Make sure you don’t button mash it if you want to stay Ice Blocked!
#showtooltip
/cancelaura Ice Block
/cast Ice BlockOne-Click AoE
This macro will cast Flamestrike in the location of your mouse cursor, saving you an extra click.
#showtooltip
/cast [@cursor] FlamestrikeYou can do the same thing with Blast Wave.
#showtooltip
/cast [@cursor] Blast WaveÂ
About the Author
