UI post: WoW Insider

I love looking at other people's UIs to get ideas and inspiration for my own.  I decided to submit mine to WoW Insider's Reader UI showcase, and they used it. Check it out here.

UI post: On my wacky way of key binding

I've pretty much accepted that, despite what I've tried to force myself to commit to in previous posts, I'm going to be a very sporadic poster. For the time being, putting out a constant stream of posts is not a priority. I'd rather just put up what I think is interesting and/or important to post when I have a fully constructed idea in my head. In that vein, I'm going to continue talking about my UI set up. Today, the topic is key bindings.

Key binding is broadly considered to by the most effective way of casting. While there are great players who are clickers and there are alternatives for healing, I've always found key binding to be the most logical. It allows you to separate your actions into two realms of input: your cursor is for moving and/or looking around, and your keyboard is for casting and/or moving. In any case, an effective key bind setup can make a huge difference. That being said, the default "WASD + 1 through 0" configuration that most people seem to stick with always seemed clunky to me. Because of this, when I made the migration from clicker to key binder, I came up with my own configuration. Hold on, because this is where it gets weird.

My Arrangement 

The colored keys are the ones I use most often in combat:

• At the core of what I've done was shifted my movement (green) keys over from WASD to TFGH. R and Y are my strafe keys. This was actually an iterative process, with me moving one key set to the right at a time until I found myself here, essentially at the center. 
• The red keys are the easiest for me to reach and therefore are my core abilities. For Balance, that means my core nukes and DoTs. For healing, that means my five most used heals.
• The yellow keys are still easily in reach, but take a little effort. The abilities I put there a little more situational. Cooldowns, interrupts, AoE spells, potions and the like. I actually don't even use all of these for combat; my mount and autorun keys can be found in here.

The idea was to give myself an abundance of easy to reach keys, and bind the easiest to reach with my most oft used spells. The result is a configuration that allows my to bind all the abilities I'll ever need, while keeping them comfortable. However, even with all of this I couldn't fit all my DPS, healing and utility abilities on at once.

So I kicked it up a notch.

The Next Level...


...consisted of buying a mouse with more than your basic three buttons and binding ALT to an easy to reach one. Throw in a few modifier macros, and you've doubled the number of abilities you have access to. What I chose to do was invert my bindings, in a sense. By that I mean that if I'm DPSing and need to toss out a heal, I hold down that convenient modifier key on my mouse, and my spells flip over into my healing setup, or vice-versa. But that's just what worked for me, the details are up to you. The point is that this setup gives you about 38 spells without requiring the finger agility of a pianist. Not something to scoff at. However, being me, it wasn't enough.

Too... Many... Buttons...


I bought a Razer Naga. I'm still getting used to it, especially on all my alts, but let's just say I have enough buttons to legitimately bind Aquatic Form to something convenient. And I still have a few spots left over. It's probably too much, but I enjoy a little excess.

So there you have it. My weird way of setting up my key bindings. Crazy 20 button mouse aside, it's a simple way to give yourself a lot more flexibility and comfort while you tear through Cataclysm.

UI post: Balance Power Auras

Continuing from my last post, here are my PvE Balance auras. It's out a little sooner than I anticipated, simply because it's exam season and I needed a reason not to study. I still use the Mana, Flask, Well Fed, Innervate and Rebirth timers I posted before in this spec as well. This time, I'll just post all the screen shots at once, because they play off each other. Also, all of these only show up in combat.

A quick note first: The eclipse bar is Balance Power Tracker, a nigh-mandatory addon for Boomkin that I discovered via Graylo. Get it. Now.


Balance Power Auras

1. Insect Swarm timer. Simple, effective. The only thing you need to learn is how far apart your IS ticks are after haste (Read the tooltip.) so you don't clip it too much.
   

   Version:4.2; b:0; target:true; icon:Spell_Nature_InsectSwarm; buffname:Insect Swarm; r:0.1529; x:-78; bufftype:2; texture:74; isResting:0; mine:true; stacksOperator:=; exact:true; PowerType:0; textaura:true; spec1:false; combat:true; size:0.28; torsion:1.5; texmode:2; timer.h:2.2; timer.UpdatePing:true; timer.Texture:Digital; timer.enabled:true; timer.cents:false; timer.y:-37; timer.x:-136; timer.Transparent:true

2. Moonfire/Sunfire timer. Blue for Moonfire, yellow for Sunfire. Same as the IS timer. One aura for each DoT.
   

   Version:4.2; g:0.7765; target:true; icon:Spell_Nature_StarFall; buffname:Moonfire; r:0; bufftype:2; texture:61; symetrie:1; isResting:0; mine:true; stacksOperator:=; exact:true; PowerType:0; textaura:true; spec1:false; combat:true; texmode:2; timer.h:2.2; timer.UpdatePing:true; timer.Texture:Digital; timer.enabled:true; timer.cents:false; timer.y:-37; timer.x:133; timer.Transparent:true

   Version:4.2; b:0; g:0.7843; target:true; icon:Ability_Mage_FireStarter; buffname:Sunfire; bufftype:2; texture:61; symetrie:1; isResting:0; mine:true; stacksOperator:=; exact:true; PowerType:0; textaura:true; spec1:false; combat:true; texmode:2; timer.h:2.2; timer.UpdatePing:true; timer.Texture:Digital; timer.enabled:true; timer.cents:false; timer.y:-37; timer.x:133; timer.Transparent:true 

3. Starsurge/cooldown. The white ring in the shot and the white timer in the middle of the second are Starsurge. Given that we use it on cooldown, I decided that it was worth having front and center. The timer is so I know when to start queuing it, because it generally comes off cooldown in the middle of a cast. Two auras: one for the cooldown, one for the ring.
   

   Version:4.2; b:0.9373; icon:Spell_Arcane_Arcane03; buffname:Starsurge; r:0.9529; x:-307; customname:48477; isAlive:0; bufftype:15; texture:15; alpha:0.1; isResting:0; PowerType:0; textaura:true; size:0.14; y:-107; texmode:2; inverse:true; anim2:1; finish:0; timer.h:1.55; timer.Texture:Digital; timer.enabled:true; timer.cents:false; timer.y:20; timer.Transparent:true

   Version:4.2; icon:Spell_Arcane_Arcane03; buffname:Starsurge; bufftype:7; texture:103; alpha:0.66; isResting:0; spec1:false; combat:true; size:0.5; y:20 

4. On the topic of Starsurge, I wanted to talk about why I still use the default Shooting Stars aura. First of all, it's pretty much what I'd do anyway and it fits in well with what I have. The REAL reason to use it, however, is lag. Power Auras actually lags behind the in game events. I never noticed it until I had the two aura systems side by side. You'll actually get your "Starsurge ready" white ring show up up to half a second after the Shooting Stars aura, depending on ping. because of that, it's well worth keeping around.
   
5. Starfall ready. No timer when it's gone. I find with these longer cooldowns, I don't need the timer. I cast them when I can.
   

   Version:4.2; icon:Ability_Druid_Starfall; buffname:Starfall; x:-104; bufftype:7; owntex:true; isResting:0; exact:true; PowerType:0; spec1:false; combat:true; size:0.11; y:6; texmode:2

6. Ditto with Force of Nature.
   

   Version:4.2; icon:Ability_Druid_ForceofNature; buffname:Force of Nature; x:104; bufftype:7; owntex:true; isResting:0; exact:true; PowerType:0; spec1:false; combat:true; size:0.11; y:6; texmode:2

7. Eclipse. Yellow for Solar, purple for Lunar. While these days I'm generally staring at the eclipse bar, but it's nice to have this big, central reminder of which spell I'm casting given how central eclipse is to our DPS. Sometimes I forget these things. One aura for each buff.
   

   Version:4.2; b:0; anim1:2; g:0.6902; icon:Ability_Druid_EclipseOrange; buffname:Ability_Druid_EclipseOrange; begin:6; groupany:false; unitn:Only for raid/group.; texture:72; alpha:0.2; isResting:0; speed:1.7; stacksOperator:=; exact:true; PowerType:0; spec1:false; combat:true; y:20

   Version:4.2; b:0.9216; anim1:2; g:0.098; icon:Ability_Druid_Eclipse; buffname:Ability_Druid_Eclipse; begin:6; groupany:false; unitn:Only for raid/group.; texture:72; alpha:0.2; isResting:0; speed:1.7; stacksOperator:=; exact:true; PowerType:0; spec1:false; combat:true; y:20 

8. Nature's Grace. I have that small white timer as well as the white glow around the entire eclipse bar. If you don't use my exact bar setting, you'll likely have to change it to something more practical. It's not big because it's not crucial, but I like knowing when it's up for cast hurricane, DoTs, etc.
   

   Version:4.2; icon:Spell_Nature_NaturesBlessing; buffname:Nature's Grace; texture:69; alpha:1; isResting:0; exact:true; PowerType:0; spec1:false; combat:true; size:0.99; torsion:1.5; y:-60; timer.Texture:Crystal; timer.enabled:true; timer.cents:false; timer.Relative:CENTER; timer.y:17

There you go. Remember, like last time, to make sure that the auras are enable for the correct specs. I didn't change them, and I have Resto as for my primary, and Balance as my secondary.


BONUS AURA FOR THE FORGETFUL

Because it's awkward to explain why your DPS was so low on that last Sindragosa fight..

Version:4.2; b:0; g:0.1098; icon:Spell_Nature_ForceOfNature; buffname:Moonkin Form; groupany:false; texture:139; alpha:0.89; aurastext:NOT IN MOONKIN FORM; isResting:0; textaura:true; spec1:false; aurastextfont:6; combat:true; size:5; torsion:1.5; y:494; texmode:2; inverse:true

UI post: Resto Power Auras

This is a topic I've wanted to post for a while now, and should only be the first of many. I really enjoy making and customizing UIs. At my peak/worst, I would overhaul my entire setup from scratch once a month. While it got hard to keep up, I had some neat things here and there. Because I've put so much time into playing around with these, I thought I'd put some effort into sharing some of what I do. This post will only cover the amazingness that is Power Auras. My instinct is to start with an overview first, but I'm still tweaking a lot of things since 4.0.1. What I'll likely end up doing is following this up next week with an explanation of my Balance auras, then an walk-through and justification of my somewhat odd keyboard setup, once I'm used to the Razer Naga that should show up tomorrow. Then I'll do a post about my general UI, another about my Vuhdo settings, and then whatever else comes to mind.

To start, let me say that there are two broad UI categories that I really enjoy: minimalist design and HUD layouts. With this in mind, it should be no surprise that I use Power Auras. This won't be an intro post, you can find a good explanation and walk through of exsactly what PA is from Matticus, here. This is merely going to document and demonstrate what I use for raiding as Restoration, as well as save the exports in case something in my PC blows up.

Restoration Power Auras


I'll start with some auras I use in both specs, but shot them with my Resto auras to save space. Only the little yellow numbers have been added to these shots.

1. Show's up when I'm in a raid group, not in combat and lack the well fed buff. Any buff. Borrowed this from Keeva of Tree Bark Jacket here. This post was the inspiration for a number of these settings. Check it out.
   

   Version:4.2; b:0.2078; g:0.4; icon:Spell_Misc_Food; buffname:Well Fed; r:0.5843; x:33; texture:10; alpha:1; PowerType:0; combat:false; size:0.2; inRaid:true; y:-90; texmode:2; inverse:true; anim2:1; finish:0

2. Same thing, same source, but for Flask of the Frost Wyrm.
   

   Version:4.2; g:0.4392; icon:INV_Alchemy_EndlessFlask_04; buffname:Flask of the Frost Wyrm; r:0.4863; x:-29; texture:10; alpha:1; PowerType:0; size:0.2; inRaid:true; y:-90; texmode:2; inverse:true; finish:0

3. Rebirth cooldown timer. Simple, and a little off to the side. You'll notice that I like the digital alarm clock look. I find it pretty unambiguous, which is good for graphics you only want to have to glance at.
   

   Version:4.2; b:0.0549; g:0.251; icon:Spell_Nature_Reincarnation; buffname:Rebirth; x:307; customname:48477; isAlive:0; bufftype:15; texture:15; alpha:0.1; isResting:0; PowerType:0; textaura:true; size:0.14; y:-43; texmode:2; inverse:true; anim2:1; finish:0; timer.h:1.36; timer.Texture:Digital; timer.enabled:true; timer.y:-93; timer.x:-316; timer.Transparent:true

4. Innervate timer. Same deal.
   

   Version:4.2; g:0.502; icon:Spell_Nature_Lightning; buffname:Innervate; r:0.1961; x:-307; customname:48477; isAlive:0; bufftype:15; texture:15; alpha:0.1; isResting:0; PowerType:0; textaura:true; size:0.14; y:-107; texmode:2; inverse:true; anim2:1; finish:0; timer.h:1.36; timer.Texture:Digital; timer.enabled:true; timer.y:-93; timer.x:295; timer.Transparent:true

5. Low mana indicator. Let's me know when I drop below 18%, which is just a number I've found to be a good balance between "OSHI-" and having time to react. I'm generally pretty good about keeping an eye on my blue bar, but occasionally you get really into a fight and it's nice to have something like this to remind you that your resources aren't infinite. These in-your-face reminders are where Power Auras and HUD displays in general are great.
   

   Version:4.2; g:0.5804; icon:Spell_fire_meteorstorm; r:0; bufftype:9; texture:27; threshold:18; PowerType:0; size:0.26; y:24; texmode:2

6. Tree of Life timer. Counts down the duration of the new Tree of Life cooldown, so I know how long I have until I lose it. this may go once I get used to having a major cooldown while healing.
   

   Version:4.2; b:0; g:0.6235; icon:Ability_Druid_TreeofLife; buffname:Tree of Life; r:0.0118; isAlive:0; texture:59; alpha:0.1; isResting:0; PowerType:0; textaura:true; spec2:false; texmode:2; timer.h:1.97; timer.Texture:WhiteRabbit; timer.enabled:true; timer.Transparent:true

7. Tree of Life cooldown timer. My instinct is to not have something non-essential right in the center like this, but until I get in the habit of using that button when I need it, I like the reminder that it exists. This one is actually two auras, so that it doesn't show while I'm in tree form. If you copy it, make sure that the first aura is still referencing the second, and that the second is not displaying on it's own.
   

   Version:4.2; b:0.5451; g:0.5608; icon:Ability_Druid_TreeofLife; buffname:Tree of Life; r:0.5529; customname:48477; isAlive:0; bufftype:15; texture:15; alpha:0.1; isResting:0; PowerType:0; textaura:true; spec2:false; size:0.14; y:-107; texmode:2; inverse:true; anim2:1; finish:0; timer.h:1.36; timer.Texture:Digital; timer.enabled:true; timer.y:-53; timer.x:-9; timer.Transparent:true

Version:4.2; b:0; g:0.6235; icon:Ability_Druid_TreeofLife; buffname:Tree of Life; r:0.0118; isAlive:0; texture:59; alpha:0.1; isResting:0; off:true; PowerType:0; textaura:true; spec2:false; texmode:2; inverse:true; timer.h:1.97; timer.Texture:WhiteRabbit; timer.enabled:true; timer.Transparent:true; timer.ShowActivation:true

1.  I use the default Power Aura for Omen of Clarity, but it's almost exactly what I'd do, and the default auras actually have noticeably less lag than the addon. I really noticed this with Starsurge procs, but that's for another post.
   
2. Swiftmend is off cooldown. I never remembered to use this enough in 3.x, but now I can't seem to get enough Efflorescence. In any case, I like having at a glance knowledge of whether or not it's ready. Also from Keeva's aforementioned post, if I recall correctly.
   

   Version:4.2; g:0.5216; icon:INV_Relics_IdolofRejuvenation; buffname:Swiftmend; r:0; x:-55; bufftype:15; texture:34; alpha:1; isResting:0; PowerType:0; spec2:false; combat:true; size:0.23; y:-51; ismounted:0; customsound:soft_chime_beep.wav; anim2:1; finish:0

3. Same thing, with Wild Growth. Also from Keeva's aforementioned post.
   

   Version:4.2; b:0.0157; g:0.2863; icon:Ability_Druid_Flourish; buffname:Wild Growth; r:0; x:52; bufftype:15; texture:23; alpha:0.1; isResting:0; PowerType:0; spec2:false; wowtex:true; combat:true; size:0.28; y:-50; ismounted:0; anim2:1; finish:0

4. Lifebloom timer. This one is actually three auras: white for one stack, yellow for two stacks, green for three. I like that timer telling me when I need to refresh more than a bar or my raid frames(although the info is there too.) Thinking about it now, I have no idea how it will behave when I throw multiple Lifeblooms up during ToL. Oh well, it'll be a surprise!
   

   Version:4.2; icon:INV_Misc_Herb_Felblossom; buffname:Lifebloom; stacks:1; alpha:0.56; isResting:0; mine:true; stacksOperator:=; textaura:true; spec2:false; groupOrSelf:true; timer.h:1.76; timer.Texture:Digital; timer.enabled:true; timer.y:56

   Version:4.2; b:0; g:0.9843; icon:INV_Misc_Herb_Felblossom; buffname:Lifebloom; stacks:2; isResting:0; mine:true; stacksOperator:=; textaura:true; spec2:false; groupOrSelf:true; timer.h:1.76; timer.Texture:Digital; timer.enabled:true; timer.y:56

   Version:4.2; b:0; icon:INV_Misc_Herb_Felblossom; buffname:Lifebloom; r:0.0196; stacks:3; alpha:1; isResting:0; mine:true; stacksOperator:=; textaura:true; spec2:false; groupOrSelf:true; timer.h:1.76; timer.Texture:Digital; timer.enabled:true; timer.y:56 

And that's it. Make sure that the auras are enable for the correct specs. I didn't change them, and I have Resto as for my primary, and Balance as my secondary. Balance auras will be up soon/eventually.