Windwalker Monk Rotation / Priority (PvE) - patch 8.0

1. Single Target Rotation for Windwalker Monks

So let us talk about dealing damage as a Monk and how it works in order for you to make the most damage possible.

Windwalker Monk rotation is based on a priority system.
This means that there isn't a fixed 123 - 123 -123 kind of practice, and sit will keep you on your toes as you will have to work out quickly how to gain and spend CHI as well as ENERGY.
This post ties well with our latest post regarding PVE TALENTS (check it for an understanding of your options regarding PVE chosen talents).

This goes in a list where the first (situation) is the most important one, and so on until we get to the point where we are just pressing our filler button.


1. Single Target Priority list for Windwalker Monks

  1. Use Fist of the White Tiger Icon Fist of the White Tiger if under 3 Chi and about to cap Energy.
  2. Use Tiger Palm Icon Tiger Palm if under 4 Chi and about to cap Energy.
  3. Use Whirling Dragon Punch Icon Whirling Dragon Punch.
  4. Use Rising Sun Kick Icon Rising Sun Kick.
  5. Use Fists of Fury Icon Fists of Fury.
  6. Use Chi Burst Icon Chi Burst if talented and under maximum Chi.
  7. Use Fist of the White Tiger Icon Fist of the White Tiger if talented and under 3 Chi.
  8. Use Blackout Kick Icon Blackout Kick.
    • Keep in mind that Tiger Palm Icon Tiger Palm has a chance to cause the next Blackout Kick Icon Blackout Kick not to cost any Chi.
    • It is important to use Blackout Kick Icon Blackout Kick before you use Tiger Palm Icon Tiger Palm again, to ensure that the proc is not overwritten; that said, any abilities with a cooldown should be used before Blackout Kick.
  9. Use Chi Wave Icon Chi Wave if talented.
  10. Use Tiger Palm Icon Tiger Palm.

2. Multiple Target Priority list for Windwalker Monks

Against multiple enemies, the rotation is also based on a priority system, and it depends slightly based on how many enemies you are facing.
Keep in mind that Tiger Palm Icon Tiger Palm and Blackout Kick Icon Blackout Kick (as well as Rising Sun Kick Icon Rising Sun Kick) apply a 15-second debuff on their target, called Mark of the Crane Icon Mark of the Crane. Each instance of this debuff increases the damage of your Spinning Crane Kick Icon Spinning Crane Kick (against any target) by 10%, up to 50%. Therefore, your Tiger Palms and Blackout Kicks should be distributed among your enemies in such a way as to keep the Mark of the Crane debuff up on as many targets as possible.
Moreover, you should make use of Storm, Earth, and Fire Icon Storm, Earth, and Fire by using it once at the start of the fight, and then using its next charge when Fists of Fury Icon Fists of Fury becomes available again. From then on, simply reuse it with Fists of Fury, making sure that you never let both of Earth, Storm, and Fire's charges remain available.
  1. Keep Rushing Jade Wind Icon Rushing Jade Wind up (if talented).
  2. Use Whirling Dragon Punch Icon Whirling Dragon Punch.
  3. Use Fists of Fury Icon Fists of Fury.
  4. Use Rising Sun Kick Icon Rising Sun Kick if Whirling Dragon Punch Icon Whirling Dragon Punch is coming off cooldown.
  5. Use Chi Burst Icon Chi Burst if talented and under max Chi.
  6. Use Spinning Crane Kick Icon Spinning Crane Kick on 3 or more targets.
  7. Use Rising Sun Kick Icon Rising Sun Kick.
  8. Use Blackout Kick Icon Blackout Kick.
  9. Use Fist of the White Tiger Icon Fist of the White Tiger.
  10. Use Chi Wave Icon Chi Wave if talented.
  11. Use Tiger Palm Icon Tiger Palm.

3. Cooldowns for Windwalker Monks

As a Windwalker Monk, you have 2 DPS cooldowns by default, Touch of Death Icon Touch of Death and Storm, Earth, and Fire Icon Storm, Earth, and Fire.
  • Touch of Death Icon Touch of Death should be used as often as possible throughout the fight, essentially on cooldown. Keep in mind that it deals its damage 8 seconds after you cast it, so do not place it on targets that will die before that time.
  • Keep in mind Touch of Death deals 10% of the damage dealt to its target during the 8 seconds duration. Therefore, as long as it does not cost you an extra cast throughout the fight, delay it slightly to line it up with your highest damaging spells.
  • Storm, Earth, and Fire Icon Storm, Earth, and Fire should be used as often as possible, while attempting to stack it with other periods of increased damage done. Make sure you always have at least one of its charges on cooldown. This gives you up to 3 minutes without using it as long as it is kept on cooldown, allowing you to easily use it in combination with all of your damaging abilities.
  • Serenity Icon Serenity replaces Storm, Earth, and Fire Icon Storm, Earth, and Fire and is an extremely potent cooldown. It does not have two stacks, meaning its usage is much more rigid. Considering how strong this talent is, we have a section dedicated to it in a subsequent section.
  • Invoke Xuen, the White Tiger Icon Invoke Xuen, the White Tiger is a very straightforward talent. It summons a strong guardian on a two minutes cooldown. For the most part, you may pair this with Touch of Death Icon Touch of Death to get the most out of both, as Xuen will benefit from the 10% damage increase.

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