Macros and addons are an integral part of a raider's arsenal as they can make it easier to perform a variety of tasks, improving your overall game experience. Below, we present macros and addons that can be useful to a Restoration Shaman (WoW 4.3). On the left side, you will find links to the other parts of the guide.

1. Macros↑top

1.1. Generic Macros for Shamans

1.1.1. Wind Shear

• #showtooltip
• /stopcasting
• /cast [@focus,exists][@target] Wind Shear

This macro casts Wind Shear at your focus, if you have one. Otherwise, Wind Shear is cast at your current target.

1.1.2. Purge

• #showtooltip
• /stopcasting
• /cast [@focus,exists][@target] Purge

This macro for Purge works in the same way as the above macro for Wind Shear.

1.1.3. Hex

• #showtooltip Hex
• /clearfocus [modifier:alt]
• /focus [@focus,noexists]
• /clearfocus [@focus,help][@focus,noharm]
• /stopcasting
• /stopmacro [@target,noharm]
• /cast [@focus,exists,harm][@target] Hex
• /y Casting Hex on %F

This macro casts Hex on your focus or your current target. The first time you use this macro, the focus is set on your current target (if it is an enemy). Subsequent uses of the macro will keep casting Hex on your focus, unless you press alt (or whatever modifier you specify in the second line of the macro), in which case, the macro will set the focus on your current target before casting Hex on it.

To sum it up, use the macro to keep your assignment controlled and press alt while using the macro to hex a new enemy.

Note that this macro will slightly interfere with the Wind Shear and Purge macros given earlier. If you try to use one of these two macros, it will result in the spell being cast on your hexed target (which is your current focus). In such cases, use a simpler macro for Wind Shear and Purge that casts the spells at your current target.

1.1.4. Bind Elemental

• #showtooltip Bind Elemental
• /clearfocus [modifier:alt]
• /focus [@focus,noexists]
• /clearfocus [@focus,help][@focus,noharm]
• /stopcasting
• /stopmacro [@target,noharm]
• /cast [@focus,exists,harm][@target] Bind Elemental
• /y Casting Bind Elemental on %F

This macro works in the same way as the above macro for Hex.

1.2. Specific Macros for Restoration Shamans

1.2.1. Mouseover Macros

For all your direct heals ( Healing Wave, Greater Healing Wave, Healing Surge, Riptide, Earth Shield, and Chain Heal), we advise you to use mouseover macros such as:

• #showtooltip
• /cast [@mouseover] Healing Wave

With a more complicate macro, you can cover every targeting possibility: mouseover, target, target of target, or yourself.

• #showtooltip
• /cast [@mouseover,help][@target,help][@targettarget,help][] Healing Wave

1.2.2. Nature's Swiftness

• #showtooltip Greater Healing Wave
• /cast Nature's Swiftness
• /cast [@mouseover] Greater Healing Wave

This macro will cast an instant Greater Healing Wave by first activating Nature's Swiftness. Naturally, it can be made more complex to cover additional targeting possibilities, as explained above.

2. Addons↑top

2.1. Generic Addons for Shamans

2.1.1. ElvUI

Here, at Icy Veins, we use ElvUI for all our characters. This addon is a complete replacement of the default User Interface. It comes with almost everything you need to perform properly: action bars, cooldown timers, proc display, etc.

We strongly recommend you to get this addon.

2.1.2. Boss Mods: Deadly Boss Mods or Bigwigs

Boss mods are addons that warn you about boss abilities and give you live advice on how to handle some mechanics. We strongly recommend you to get one such addon. At Icy Veins, we mostly use Deadly Boss Mods, the most popular boss mod. A good alternative is Big Wigs.

2.1.3. Parrot or Mik's Scrolling Battle Text

Parrot and Mik's Scrolling Battle Text are highly customisable addons for displaying floating battle text while in combat (incoming heals, damage of your spells, etc.). They both work very well by default.

2.1.4. Recount

Recount is a well known addon that most people use for displaying current DPS or HPS (Healing Per Second). We advise you to also use it for checking what you take damage from and if the share of damage/healing you do with each of your abilities is similar to that of other players of your class.

2.1.5. Power Auras Classic

Power Auras Classic is an extremely useful addon that allows you to have visual effects on your screen, helping you track your buffs, debuffs and cooldowns. It is highly customisable and it can make it much, much easier to keep track of your procs and play your spec more proficiently.

2.1.6. Grid and GridClickSets (Optional)

ElvUI comes with decent raid frames. The only real reason for using Grid and GridClickSets is if you want to be able to decurse raid or party members (with Cleanse Spirit) by right clicking their frame in the raid of party frame. If you choose to go with Grid, then you might want to also use GridStatusRaidDebuff.

2.1.7. Shaman Friend

Shaman Friend is an addon that contains many useful tools for Shamans: proc tracking, shield tracking, etc.. It also makes it possible to efficiently use Blizzard's default frames.

For Restoration Shamans, Grid can also be used to keep track of your Riptide on fellow raid and party members. Normally, you have nothing to set up. Grid will recognise that you are a Restoration Shaman and will automatically enable a status (small marker in the corner of unit frame) for Riptide. We advise you to only show this status for your own Riptide (by checking Show if mine, in Grid / Status / Auras / Buff: Riptide).

2.2. Specific Addons for Restoration Shamans

2.2.1. Totem Timers

For keeping track of your Earth Shield, we advise you to use Totem Timers. Note that this addon can do a lot more than just that, but almost everything else it does is already provided by ElvUI or Grid.

2.2.2. Vuhdo

Vuhdo is a very complete addon that you can use to replace Grid and Totem Timer. It is also said to consume less resources than Grid and Totem Timer.