Back to Basics: Becoming one with the Combat Log

One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone asks “how did I die“. Ice radiates out of me as I ask them what their combat log says. Then we have to wait 15 minutes for them to scroll until they find what they’re looking for.

It doesn’t have to be that way. There are addons available that will tell you what’s going on (I think the popular Recount can be configured to let you know how you died), but it’s so easy to use the built-in Combat Log.

Now, if you want the “illiterate arrogant bastard” setting, you’ll need a bit of that Imagination addon (which, unfortunately, cannot be downloaded from any websites). All other information is right there, on your UI, in front of you.

You can find your Combat Log hiding behind your chat box. If you mouse over the top of the box, you’ll discover your Combat Log tab. Now, you can either leave it where it is, or drag it out somewhere. I have mine pulled out to the bottom right corner to my screen because I like to keep an eye on it at all times and I would hate to lose my gossip feed any important chat information

When you have your Combat Log where you want it, right click on the tab and select “settings” and a fancy menu will appear.

The “filters” the menu speaks of are different settings you can choose based on the information you want to receive. You can edit the default ones (What happened to me, Everything, etc), but for fun, lets start one from scratch. Hit “Add Filter”, name your filter whatever you want and “Accept”.

Next, under the very first tab, “Message Sources”, check “Done to: Me” and “Done to: Pet”. If you also want your log to tell you about the damage you and your pet are doing, check “Done by: Me” and “Done by: Pet”. Of course, if want extra information, feel free to check whatever you like. Just remember that the more you check, the more crap will be in your log.

Under the next tab, “Message Types”, you can select the type of information you want your log to tell you. I have everything checked except “power gains” and “extra attacks”. Again, customize to taste, but you’ll want most of these options checked.

The next three tabs are mostly cosmetic, so it’s all up to personal taste.

– I have the “Colors” set to default.
– Under “Formatting”, I only have “verbose mode” checked but I do turn on timestamp as needed. Timestamp is ugly as heck, but it’s nice to know the timing on the damage you’re taking as well as on the heals you’re taking.
– Under “Settings”, I have everything checked. All this page does is put a shortcut to your filter on your Log’s shortcut bar.

Once you’re done, hit “Okay” and be on your way. It’s as easy as that.

And there you have it! Enjoy not having to ask how you died ever again!