Macros for DPS

[Drarkan]

Ok I've done my searching, on this forum and elsewhere, perhaps not too deeply, but I cannot find any macros for DK's early dps. I know its not that hard but I need something that works for my 5 DK's. Can anyone post some good DPS rotations. So far I have

/castsequence reset=combat/target/6 Icy Touch, Plague Strike, Blood Strike, Blood Strike, Icy Touch, Scourge Strike

Pretty simple, i'll do some testing with it over time, but perhaps theres better. I think I don't have it laid out properly cause It stops so I'll have to tweak it somewhere.

[Ualaa]

There are three basic specs for a DK. And each will have a very different rotation.

Blood isn't really DPS, but 5x Blood DK's can run instances at least through non-heroic WotLK. And obviously any instance once you outgear it, as well.

As far as mechanics go, every Death Knight has 2 Blood, 2 Frost, and 2 Unholy Runes. Plus Runic Power to "dump". Each spec has a different optimal runic power dump:
- Blood: Rune Strike
- Frost: Frost Strike
- Unholy: Death Coil

You can tack on a /Cast RunicPowerDumpSpell, immediately below the /castsequence a,b,c,d,etc for each of the specs.
It will be cast whenever you have sufficient runic power; it is weird that in Cataclysm, the first /cast will cast at every opportunity, even ahead of spells in a castsequence listed earlier in a macro.

For Blood, I was using: Heartstrike (1x Blood), Obliterate (1x Frost, 1x Unholy).
Pretty simple rotation, but not sure if it was optimal.
Blood would want two one-handers in Blood Stance for PvE (maximum blood worms), or a big two-hander in Unholy for PvP.

For Frost, my rotation was a bit convoluted; this is the current spec for DPS but it is getting nerfed into the ground in 4.0.6. You heavily prioritize: Howling Blast (1x Frost) then Frost Strike (Runic Power Dump). After that, Blood Strike (1x Blood, because the Blood Runes regenerate as Death Runes, which can be used for more Howling Blasts). And initially Plague Strike (1x Unholy), but switch to Necrotic Strike (1x Unholy) at 83rd as that is much better DPS and negates a large amount of healing. Run with a two-hander in Unholy Presence for PvP or two one-handers in Frost Presence for PvE. It is worth noting, you can talent into Mind Freeze, which makes that instant and rune/runic power free (plus off of the GCD). Also, glyph Howling Blast and talent Frost Fever to snare, never use another disease and take the talent in Unholy to instantly refresh your rune when the disease is cured.

I haven't looked at an Unholy build since Cataclysm came out. You would have a tough choice between Obliterate (DPS) and Necrotic Strike (Anti-Healing) for a PvP team; Frost can go Necrotic Strike since the majority of the damage is Frost Strike and the control is Howling Blast (ranged/aoe, snare). PvE, easily prioritize Obliterate which is 1x Frost/1x Unholy, and then pick your Blood Rune ability.



I considered Death Strike (the one that heals you) as a special, the same as Anti-Magic Shell, Hungering Cold or Rune Tap. Click that when you need the healing.