Windwalker Monk DPS Guide (Legion 7.3.5)

Table of Contents

• ×Introduction
  • 1. Class Overview
  • 2. Patch 7.3 Changes for Windwalker Monks
  • 3. Patch 7.2.5 Changes for Windwalker Monks
  • 4. Patch 7.2 Changes for Windwalker Monks
  • 5. Contents
  • 6. ChangeLog
• +Easy Mode
  • 1. The Basics of Windwalker Monks
  • 2. Talent Choice for Windwalker Monks
  • 3. Stat Choice for Windwalker Monks
  • 4. Basic Rotation for Windwalker Monks
    • 4.1. Single Target
    • 4.2. Multiple Target
      • 4.2.1. Against 2-3 Enemies
    • 4.3. Against 4+ Enemies
  • 5. Cooldowns for Windwalker Monks
  • 6. ChangeLog
• +Spell Summary
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Main Resource of Windwalker Monks
  • 3. Basic Abilities for Windwalker Monks
    • 3.1. Movement for Windwalker Monks
    • 3.2. Survival for Windwalker Monks
  • 4. Important Procs for Windwalker Monks
  • 5. Cooldowns for Windwalker Monks
  • 6. ChangeLog
• +Builds and Talents
  • 1. Talent Choices
  • 2. Tier 1 (Level 15) Talents for Windwalker Monks
  • 3. Tier 2 (Level 30) Talents for Windwalker Monks
  • 4. Tier 3 (Level 45) Talents for Windwalker Monks
  • 5. Tier 4 (Level 60) Talents for Windwalker Monks
  • 6. Tier 5 (Level 75) Talents for Windwalker Monks
  • 7. Tier 6 (Level 90) Talents for Windwalker Monks
  • 8. Tier 7 (Level 100) Talents for Windwalker Monks
  • 9. ChangeLog
• +Artifact Traits and Relics
  • 1. Artifact Progression for Windwalker Monks
  • 2. Relic Choice for Windwalker Monks
  • 3. ChangeLog
• +Netherlight Crucible Relic Paths
  • 1. General Optimization Advice for Windwalker Monks
  • 2. Tier 2 Upgrade Priority for Windwalker Monks
  • 3. Tier 3 Upgrade Priority for Windwalker Monks
  • 4. ChangeLog
• +Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities
  • 1. Single Target Rotation for Windwalker Monks
  • 2. Multiple Target Rotation for Windwalker Monks
    • 2.1. Against 2-3 Enemies
    • 2.2. Against 4+ Enemies
  • 3. Cooldowns for Windwalker Monks
  • 4. Optional Read: Mastering Your Windwalker Monk
    • 4.1. Energy and Chi
      • 4.1.1. Energy
      • 4.1.2. Chi
    • 4.2. Mastery: Combo Strikes
    • 4.3. Artifact Ability for Windwalker Monks
    • 4.4. Afterlife Procs
    • 4.5. Detailed Cooldown Usage for Windwalker Monks
      • 4.5.1. Touch of Karma
      • 4.5.2. Tier 1 Talents
      • 4.5.3. Tier 3 Talents
      • 4.5.4. Tier 7 Talents
    • 4.6. Roll and Transcendence for Windwalker Monks
      • 4.6.1. Roll
      • 4.6.2. Transcendence
  • 5. ChangeLog
• +Stat Priority
  • 1. Basics
    • 1.1. Single Target
    • 1.2. Multiple Target
  • 2. Getting a Better Understanding of Windwalker Monk Stats
  • 3. ChangeLog
• +Gems, Enchants, and Consumables
  • 1. Gems for Windwalker Monks
  • 2. Enchants for Windwalker Monks
  • 3. Consumables for Windwalker Monks
  • 4. ChangeLog
• +Macros and Addons
  • 1. Macros
    • 1.1. Generic Macros for Monks
      • 1.1.1. Detox Mouseover Macro
      • 1.1.2. Tiger's Lust Mouseover Macro
      • 1.1.3. Ring of Peace Mouseover Macro
    • 1.2. Specific Macros for Windwalker Monks
      • 1.2.1. No Fists of Fury Cancelling Macro
  • 2. Addons
    • 2.1. Generic Addons for Monks
      • 2.1.1. ElvUI
      • 2.1.2. Boss Mods: Deadly Boss Mods or Bigwigs
      • 2.1.3. GTFO
      • 2.1.4. Parrot or Mik's Scrolling Battle Text
      • 2.1.5. Weak Auras
      • 2.1.6. Recount / Skada / Details!
      • 2.1.7. Grid and GridClickSets (Optional)
      • 2.1.8. Omen Threat Meter
    • 2.2. Specific Addons for Windwalker Monks
  • 3. ChangeLog
• +Gear, Legendaries, and Best in Slot
  • 1. Best in Slot List for Windwalker Monks
  • 2. Tier 21 Set Bonuses for Windwalker Monks
  • 3. Legendary Items for Windwalker Monks
  • 4. Loot Competition for Windwalker Monks
  • 5. ChangeLog
• +Battle for Azeroth
  • 1. Foreword
  • 2. Basic Mechanic Changes for Windwalker Monk in BfA
  • 3. The BfA Windwalker Monk Talent Tree
    • 3.1. Level 15
    • 3.2. Level 30
    • 3.3. Level 45
    • 3.4. Level 60
    • 3.5. Level 75
    • 3.6. Level 90
    • 3.7. Level 100
  • 4. Azerite Traits for Windwalker Monk
  • 5. Windwalker Monk Rotation in BfA
    • 5.1. Windwalker Monk Single Target Priority in BfA
    • 5.2. Windwalker Monk AoE Priority in BfA
  • 6. ChangeLog

General Information

Welcome to our Windwalker Monk DPS guide for World of Warcraft Legion 7.3.5. Here, you will learn everything you need to know about playing a Windwalker Monk in a raid environment and in Mythic+ dungeons.

About Our Reviewer

This guide has been reviewed and approved by Babylonius, a prominent Windwalker Monk theorycrafter who maintains the Windwalker sections of Peak of Serenity. You can follow him on Twitter: @BabyloniusMonk.

1. Class Overview

The Windwalker specialisation has strong priority target damage, very good AoE damage, and smooth rotations.

In terms of actual output, it is likely to be on par with most other melee specialisations. Moreover, Windwalkers generally perform very well in dungeons.

2. Patch 7.3 Changes for Windwalker Monks

• The damage of several abilities and talents has been increased.

3. Patch 7.2.5 Changes for Windwalker Monks

• Fists of Fury damage reduced and range increased.
• The damage increase that Spinning Crane Kick receives from unique targets being hit by Tiger Palm, Blackout Kick, Rising Sun Kick, or Rushing Jade Wind has been decreased from 50% to 40%.
• The Hit Combo, Invoke Xuen, the White Tiger, and Rushing Jade Wind talents have been nerfed slightly.
• Two new legendary items, Soul of the Grandmaster and The Wind Blows, were added.

4. Patch 7.2 Changes for Windwalker Monks

• Artifact traits have been slightly reworked. After spending 35 points, you now open up a new path, made up of 5 new traits ( Ferocity of the Broken Temple, Split Personality, Master of Combinations, Thunderfist, and Concordance of the Legionfall) and all traits with 3 ranks get an additional 4th rank that you can invest in.
• Tiger Palm, Blackout Kick, and Rising Sun Kick have had their damage increased.
• The Drinking Horn Cover legendary now affects Serenity.

5. Contents

To make it easy to navigate the guide, we have split it into 11 pages:

• Easy Mode: TL;DR to own without reading much;
• Spell Summary: see a summary of all your useful spells;
• Builds and Talents: learn how to choose your talents;
• Artifact Traits and Relics: discover how to level up your Artifact;
• Netherlight Crucible Relic Paths: choose the right paths on your Netherlight Crucible;
• Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities: master your rotation and your cooldowns;
• Stat Priority: read up on the respective values of your statistics;
• Gems, Enchants, and Consumables: choose the best gems, enchantments, etc.;
• Macros and Addons: step up your game with useful macros and addons;
• Gear, Legendaries, and Best in Slot: find the best gear you can wear;
• Battle for Azeroth: learn how to play your class in Battle for Azeroth.

6. ChangeLog

• 16 Jun. 2018 (Battle for Azeroth page): Page added.
• 21 Feb. 2018 (artifact page): Updated the relic priority.
• 21 Feb. 2018 (Netherlight Crucible page): Updated the trait priorities.
• 21 Jan. 2018 (easy mode page): Fixed an issue with Whirling Dragon Punch being missing from the rotation.
• 21 Jan. 2018 (enchants page): Updated neck enchant to Mark of the Trained Soldier.
• 03 Dec. 2017 (enchants page): Replaced Ancient Healing Potion with Astral Healing Potion.
• 03 Dec. 2017 (gear page): Fixed a typo where we were referring to the Tier 21 Set Bonus as Tier 20.
• 27 Nov. 2017 (artifact page): Updated the relic priority slightly.
• 27 Nov. 2017 (rotation page): Added a small clarification for the usage of Blackout Kick.
• 27 Nov. 2017 (easy mode page): Updated some talent recommendations for ease of play.
• 27 Nov. 2017 (gear page): Updated tier Set Bonus recommendations for Tier 21, updated legendary rankings, and added BiS list.
• 27 Oct. 2017 (gear page): Removed mentions of viability of the Tier 19 2-piece Set Bonus, following a hotfix.
• 16 Sep. 2017 (gear page): Added Kil'jaeden's Burning Wish to the legendary list.
• 16 Sep. 2017 (easy mode page): Removed mentions of Whirling Dragon Punch, since we do not recommend it.
• 12 Sep. 2017 (Netherlight Crucible page): Updated page to account for Blizzard's surprise changes.
• 11 Sep. 2017 (Netherlight Crucible page): Added Netherlight Crucible page for Windwalker Monk.
• 31 Aug. 2017 (artifact page): Updated relic priority.
• 28 Aug. 2017 (gear page): Updated tier bonus recommendations.
• 28 Aug. 2017 (enchants page): Updated potion recommendation. Added Lightforged Augment Rune and new 7.3 epic gems.
• 28 Aug. 2017 (stats page): No changes needed for Patch 7.3.
• 28 Aug. 2017 (rotation page): Made a small tweak to single target rotation.
• 28 Aug. 2017 (talents page): Updated tier 7 talent discussion.
• 28 Aug. 2017 (this page): Added summary of Patch 7.3 changes (only tuning).
• 28 Aug. 2017 (easy mode page): Updated tier 1 and 7 talent recommendations and rotation.
• 12 Jun. 2017 (stats page): Page reviewed and deemed updated for 7.2.5.
• 12 Jun. 2017 (talents page): Updated Hit Combo and Rushing Jade Wind descriptions to account for Patch 7.2.5 changes.
• 12 Jun. 2017 (enchants page): Page reviewed and deemed updated for 7.2.5.
• 12 Jun. 2017 (rotation page): Updated Spinning Crane Kick description to account for Patch 7.2.5 changes.
• 12 Jun. 2017 (this page): Added summary of Patch 7.2.5 changes.
• 12 Jun. 2017 (easy mode page): Page reviewed and deemed updated for 7.2.5.
• 12 Jun. 2017 (gear page): Updated legendary ranking and added a mention of Tier 20 Set Bonuses (although a clear recommendation is not yet possible).
• 12 Jun. 2017 (spells page): Updated Spinning Crane Kick description to account for Patch 7.2.5 changes.
• 12 Jun. 2017 (artifact page): Page reviewed and deemed updated for 7.2.5.
• 28 Apr. 2017 (talents page): Updated tier 1, 3, 6, and 7 talent discussions.
• 28 Apr. 2017 (artifact page): Updated the Patch 7.2 artifact path slightly and revamped the relic priority section.
• 28 Apr. 2017 (gear page): Updated legendary ranking and discussions.
• 01 Apr. 2017 (talents page): Fixed an incorrect mention of Drinking Horn Cover being a trinket.
• 28 Mar. 2017 (enchants page): Changed food recommendation to Lavish Suramar Feast.
• 27 Mar. 2017 (this page): Added summary of Patch 7.2 changes.
• 27 Mar. 2017 (stats page): No changes needed for Patch 7.2.
• 27 Mar. 2017 (gear page): Slightly updated the description of Drinking Horn Cover to account for Patch 7.2 changes.
• 27 Mar. 2017 (rotation page): No changes needed for Patch 7.2.
• 27 Mar. 2017 (artifact page): Added path for the Artifact traits added in Patch 7.2.
• 27 Mar. 2017 (talents page): No changes needed for Patch 7.2.
• 26 Jan. 2017 (talents page): Updated tier 7 talent discussion slightly yet again (following Convergence of Fates nerf).
• 25 Jan. 2017 (easy mode page): Added easy mode page.
• 18 Jan. 2017 (talents page): Updated tier 7 talent discussion slightly once again.
• 13 Jan. 2017 (gear page): Updated a few of the legendary item evaluations.
• 13 Jan. 2017 (talents page): Updated tier 7 talent discussion.
• 12 Jan. 2017 (artifact page): Significantly improved the Relic recommendations.
• 10 Jan. 2017 (talents page): Updated talent descriptions to account for Patch 7.1.5, and changed a few talent evaluations (most notably tier 7).
• 10 Jan. 2017 (this page): Added summary of Patch 7.1.5 changes.
• 10 Jan. 2017 (rotation page): Updated the recommended Serenity usage.
• 10 Jan. 2017 (addons page): Added Fists of Fury macro.
• 10 Jan. 2017 (enchants page): Updated Potion discussion.
• 10 Jan. 2017 (artifact page): Removed one of the Artifact paths (which no longer made sense this late into the expansion) and updated Relic recommendations.
• 10 Jan. 2017 (gear page): Updated legendary recommendations and added Tier 19 Set Bonus recommendation.
• 10 Jan. 2017 (stats page): Added another stat priority for multiple-target.
• 25 Oct. 2016 (this page): Extremely minor changes to Windwalker in Patch 7.1. Guide remains unchanged.
• 27 Sep. 2016 (spells page): Updated the description of Blackout Kick to remove mentions of its cooldown (since it no longer has a cooldown).
• 29 Aug. 2016 (this page): Updated for Legion's launch.
• 29 Aug. 2016 (talents page): Updated for Legion's launch.
• 29 Aug. 2016 (rotation page): Updated for Legion's launch.
• 29 Aug. 2016 (stats page): Updated for Legion's launch.
• 29 Aug. 2016 (gear page): Updated for Legion's launch.
• 29 Aug. 2016 (enchants page): Updated for Legion's launch.
• 29 Aug. 2016 (artifact page): Added.
• 04 Aug. 2016 (talents page): Removed tier 7 talent bug mention, since it has been fixed.
• 31 Jul. 2016 (stats page): Reworked the stat priority and split it depending on which tier 7 talent you are using.
• 31 Jul. 2016 (enchants page): Updated the enchants to match the new stat priority (with Mastery being the best secondary stat).
• 29 Jul. 2016 (talents page): Added a mention that Serenity is currently the best tier 7 talent due to a bug.
• 27 Jul. 2016 (rotation page): Added mention of using Rising Sun Kick in multiple target rotations to enable the use of Whirling Dragon Punch, and made a few other minor improvements.
• 22 Jul. 2016 (rotation page): Fixed an issue in the AoE rotations that did not include Whirling Dragon Punch.
• 19 Jul. 2016 (stats page): Added a mention that Versatility is best until you reach 10%.
• 19 Jul. 2016 (enchants page): Added a mention that Versatility is best until you reach about 10%, and fixed an error whereby we were recommending Strength consumables.
• 18 Jul. 2016 (enchants page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.
• 18 Jul. 2016 (stats page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.
• 18 Jul. 2016 (talents page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.
• 18 Jul. 2016 (gear page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.
• 18 Jul. 2016 (this page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.
• 18 Jul. 2016 (addons page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.
• 18 Jul. 2016 (rotation page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.