Multi dotting

[Halvan]

Hi, I'm relatively new at posting here but there is one thing I'm currently having trouble with ingame and that's keeping the dots running on off-targets like on Valiona and Theralion you have a chance as a "dot class" like Shadow Priest to have dots running on both bosses, so my question is first, is that something everyone does?
My second question is do you people use some sort of dot tracker that shows the timer on the dots for the target you are NOT currently targeting? If that's the case, which one?
Third and all, is there some way to conserve mana or is that something that will disappear with gear increase?

I appreciate all answers and would especially like Xenophics to give her word on the matter.

Thanks!

[xenophics]

Hey,

All raiding shadow priests (and warlocks and boomkins=dot classes) always roll dots on multiple targets when possible. Usually there are 2 targets, and in that case it's enough that you have for instance your focus target's debuffs visible. If there are more than 2 it's all about tabbing through the targets and mind flaying and refreshing vt and throwing in MB's on good spots. My addons don't tell me the timers for more than 2 targets. To track my dots, I earlier used classtimer but now I have mfclip (which gives you tons of information about your overall performance).

Mana might be a proble with lower gear levels. I noticed that being under the hit cap affects your mana situation and makes it a bit more problematic, so I think you should try to aim for the cap if you have troubles. Also, make sure you use all the cooldowns that give you mana (DA and shadowfiend) on every cooldown. When moving don't spam DP but rather use SWD to gain mana. Also, I've been having serious mana problems on Cho'gall for instance, and if I see myself running low (around 15%) I ask for an innervate. Usually I get it, but if I don't, I'll just have to suck it and either use dispersion or keep deathing a bit more till my cooldowns come back. Going completely oom is the worst thing that can happen. Gear of course helps with this but doesn't remove completely let you play without looking at your manabar.

[Halvan]

Ok, so basically more awareness with tabbing through targets when I multi-dot and maybe not blow all mana giving cooldowns to just increase dps but rather separately use them when mana is tight and roll them so I'm never without one right?

I really appreciate the help Xeno :)
Take care!

[xenophics]

Ok, so basically more awareness with tabbing through targets when I multi-dot and maybe not blow all mana giving cooldowns to just increase dps but rather separately use them when mana is tight and roll them so I'm never without one right?

This is kind of tricky. We tend to use our bloodlust in the beginning of the fight when your weapon enchant and trinkets proc and you should use all your cooldowns with pre pot. It's a massive dps loss if you hold back your shadowfiend or DA at that point, so don't do that. Later just make sure you summon your fiend in a situation where you can make sure it gets all it's hits through and doesn't need to move too much.

Most of the fights have aoe phases and then single target phases (Maloriak for instance), so when you are in a single target phase you can use the situation to get mana through death and other cooldowns. On Maloriak I blow all my cooldowns in the beginning and I'm nearly oom when the black phase ends. Then I do single target dps untill green phase and while that my mana has regended near full. I blow a big portion of my mana on the adds in green phase. DA and fiend come off from cooldown before black phase so I use them there. After that I save them until we use bloodlust in the second green phase. It's all about knowing the fights and your mana situation :)

[Halvan]

Ok! :) Will try this tonight and see how it works, and again, I really thank you for the advice :)

[opex]

Xeno in WotLK having dots on more than 3 targets was considered a dps loss (3 with swP and vt, and 1 of them with dp), is it like that here too? (keeping in mind that back then Mind Sear was pretty powerful and was used additionally on big groups)
I still trust that statement, but on Maloriak i tend to dot all of them with vt and swP to help burning all of them down faster and still im top 4 overall even w/o Dark Intent so i cant figure it out if its a dps loss or not.


p.s. to OP: on Cho'Gal its crucial to use your sw: d on the add below 25% immediately and time DA properly, even with 50+% blue items i didn't have mana issues while remaining on top. Also if you have mana issues with the current overall item level of the raid you can easily skip the first wave of adds because they die pretty fast and it will be a dps loss for you too, but not more.

[xenophics]

On Cho'gal the adds often go from 25% to 0% before I get 2 deaths in (if I'm on gcd when they go under 25%) :/ Edit: of course they don't die instantly but wait with 1 hp to be taken by the boss. Just don't like to "waste" dps on dead adds, but of course it should be done if it keep you from going oom.

About mind sear, it's rarely worth casting nowadays. On Maloriak I dot all black slimes. Since the dots have time to tick they do craploads of damage compared to mind sear. In the green phase I dot the adds beforehand and when the damage bonus kicks in I mind sear from the tank. The adds blow up in like 6 seconds so it's not worth dotting up anything at that point.

[DiamondTear]

Can you use SUF boss frames to track dots?

[xenophics]

Got suf but haven't ever explored the dot options so won't comment on this one.

[Memep6]

Hi,

About multi dotting, have a question about two specific fights:
Halfus HC and Ascendant Council.
For Halfus HC how do you keep track of all your dot's since you won't be able to tab target while the whelps are up.
For Ascendant Council my question is: who do you put in focus on P2 Arion or Terrastra?

Thx you all,
Hezet