Macro Anatomy: Polymorphing with the Focus Target

Using your focus target has been the topic of much discussion in the past few days here at WoW Insider. Mike mentioned his interest in using macros to utilize the focus functionality built into the default UI. Tekkub's Control Freak was profiled, which basically automates the process of using crowd control abilities through the use of macros.

WoW Insider reader Aaron provided a very good macro for those of you wanting to make use of your focus target to maintain Polymorph on a focus target.

Here's the macro, ready to be copied and pasted into your macro interface:

#show Polymorph
/clearfocus [modifier:shift]
/focus [target=focus,noexists]; [target=focus,dead]
/clearfocus [target=focus,help]
/stopcasting
/cast [target=focus,exists,harm] Polymorph; Polymorph

Come on back after the break for an explanation of what this macro does.

I spent some time thinking about how to explain this one, and settled on quoting Aaron rather than paraphrasing his very functional description. Here it is in his words:

"Clicking this button (macro) sets your target as your focus, and starts to sheep them if in range (I usually set them when they're out of range, and hit the button again when they come in range after the tank pulls). You can now target a different mob and wack away, and when you're sheep pops, just hit this button again (no need to change your target). Shift-clicking will clear the focus (if no new enemy target is selected), or set your current target as your new focus. When your target is dead, hitting this button again clears your focus."

I'll take you all on a journey into the land of conditionals in the coming weeks of Macro Anatomy. For now, I'll let this description do the job, as it does it quite well. Until then (finals are my nemesis) enjoy sheeping those pesky rogues.

Every week Macro Anatomy takes you on a magic carpet ride through the world of macros. Sometimes you will encounter existing macros that you can use off the shelf. We'll break them down and figure out how they work. Other times we'll just talk about the different parts of a macro and how you can use them to create your own. You can always stop by the shop if you want to catch up or get started with macros.