TBC Classic Feral Druid DPS Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities

Feral Druid does not have any area of effect attacks, thus the rotation is equal for both single target and area of effect scenarios.

1. Use Rip at 4+ Combo Points against enemies that will live through its full duration;
2. Use Ferocious Bite at 4+ Combo Points if enemy will die before Rip can run its full duration;
3. Make sure to keep Mangle (Cat)'s debuff on your target at all times;
4. Use Shred to build Combo Points;
5. Powershift into Cat Form to recover Energy when low.

Powershifting is the act of using Furor and Wolfshead Helm to gain a lot of Energy each time you shapeshift into cat form. Because you can shapeshift from cat into cat for the cost of Mana, you can continually repeat this when at 0 Energy to gain free Energy, allowing you to use your abilities continuously!

Ideally you should powershift at the lowest energy possible, typically immediately after using Shred or another DPS ability, in order to maximize your energy gain. Being consistent with your powershifting, and having ways to refill your Mana so that you can do it through the whole fight is the hardest part of the rotation, and a huge part of your total DPS.

Tiger's Fury is normally not worth using and you should never use it rotationally. However, if you are already at 100 Energy and about to tick for more Energy, you should use it. This will only ever happen on pull as you are running towards the boss, or if you have to move off the boss due to some sort of fight mechanic, such as being feared.

The majority of your Ferocious Bite damage is from the initial 35 Energy used to cast it. However, it will also convert all of your remaining Energy into damage, adding it to the damage of the spell. This conversion is incredibly inefficient and should be avoided. In other words, you always try to cast Ferocious Bite at as close to 35 Energy as possible. If your Energy is at 60 or more, it is worth waiting for another tick to cast Shred once more before using Ferocious Bite, even if you are already at 5 combo points. Additionally, you should never use Ferocious Bite if you have a Omen of Clarity proc active. Instead, use shred to consume the proc, shred again if your Energy is too high, and then use Ferocious Bite.