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Hibernating via Focus Target
Published on January 4, 2008 by Phaelia 
Macros, Spells and Talents 
3 Comments
Matticus posted a great article on the Priest spell, Shackle, today. Shackle is very similar to the Druid crowd control spell, Hibernate:
- Both are limited target. While Hibernate can be used against Beasts and Dragonkin, Shackle Undead can be used against … well … Undead.
- Both have three ranks, cost 150 mana, and have a 1.5 second cast time.
- Both can be refreshed before their durations have elapsed.
- Both have a chance to break early that can be reduced by wearing items with spell hit.
- Both break on damage. Yes, even yours, Mr. Swipe-Happy-Druid-Tank!
- Neither can be cast at the same time as a heal spell.
Due to their similarities, I recommend going over there, reading his article, and mentally substituting the word “Hibernate” everywhere you see “Shackle” for a stellar set of tips on how to leverage this limited-use crowd control spell effectively. And so as not to be a complete slacker, I’ll throw in a tip of my own for using Hibernate in instances. You can use a focus target macro to easily associate your crowd control target with your Hibernate ability for the duration of the fight:
#showtooltip Hibernate
/clearfocus [button:2]
/stopcasting
/cast [target=focus,exists,nodead] Hibernate
/stopmacro [target=focus,exists,nodead]
/clearfocus [target=focus,exists,nodead]
/focus [harm,exists,nodead]
Assuming you do not already have a focus target, this macro will store your current target as your focus target. From that point on, you can click or press the button to automatically cast Hibernate on that mob without switching targets. If your focus target dies and you click the button, your focus target will automatically be cleared (or reset to your new target if you have one selected). Alternatively, you can right click on the button to clear it manually. In a hectic fight, this macro can be a lifesaver since it’s not always easy to target your assigned Beast or Dragonkin while keeping everyone alive. It also makes refreshing your Hibernate before its duration elapses a lot easier.
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In my case, Shackles have been known to break early. Some of my readers suggested stacking +hit in lieu of healing gear. Would you advise the same as a resto druid?
Personally, I don’t think I would. I carry enough junk around with me as it is without having to concern myself with +Hit gear. Having a macro like this one (and using HoTs as my primary source of healing in many cases) makes refreshing my Hibernate a relatively simple matter. I MIGHT consider using spell hit in a raid, however, as having your mob running one-shotting everyone could get quite embarassing. (In a five man, it’s just considered “good, clean fun” and “further proof why Druids need a normal resurrection spell”.)
heartbeat resists suck, no dought about that. When our moonkin isen’t in a ZA raid i have to hibernate the dragon or snake on hexlord. I just re hibernate halfway througe the duration. It’s just easier that way and i never had any problems. Putting on spell hit just never striked me as really worth it (We kill all the adds anyway before we dps hexlord since we have always had problems with keeping the CC on the whole fight with mind controls, the aoe healing during soul siphon and heart beat resists).
I always see druids and priests alike talk about making name specific macros wich make my skin crawl. It’s so much easier setting up a focus macro or mouse over healing macro (yes ive seen druids talk about using name specific macros for rolling lifeblooms >.<). I like this macro thouge. Personally i use a mouse over focus macro bound to my ` button (next to my 1 button). and a focus casting macro for hibernate. I just wish i could have a second focus target ability just for rolling lifeblooms on ssc and tk trash. =P
Oh, and “further proof why Druids need a normal resurrection spell” QFT!