A focus target is a secondary target system, used to keep track of a second unit other than the currently targeted unit. The focus is a sort of "target memory" meaning that the focus can be set then recalled with simple macro commands. Furthermore, the user interface supplies full real-time updates for the currently stored focus, including health and mana updates and enemy casting bars. The default UI provides a unit frame for the Focus as of recent patches.
Note that actions cannot be performed directly on the focus. A player must first acquire a character (player, mob or otherwise) as the focus, often through a macro. It is also possible to bind keys to the set focus and target focus functions.
The function is very useful for healing classes and crowd control classes that need to keep track of a player or mob while casting spells on someone else.
Using focus targets[]
Focusing is usually done through macros. To set a mob or player as the focus, first target it then type the command /focus into the chat window. To re-acquire the focus as the current target, use the command /target focus. To clear the focus, use the command /clearfocus. In the default user interface, the target unit frame will be highlighted in white if it is also the focus.
Focus works as a generic unit name in macros, similar to "player", "target", or "pet". This means it can be passed to UI functions that take a unit name, or used in modifiers in macros. For example /cast [@focus] Polymorph would attempt to cast Polymorph on whatever the stored target is. A mage using this macro simply has to set his focus to the mob he wants to sheep, and can re-sheep with one button without having to manually click the mob again.
Slash command | Function |
---|---|
/focus | Set the current target as the focus |
/clearfocus | Clear the current focus |
/target focus | Target the focus |
/target focustarget | Target whatever the focus is targeting1 |
/cast [@focus] ... | Targeting the focus as a modifier of another spell2 |
/script SetRaidTarget("focus", 1) | Set a raid icon on the focus3 |
- Target of target can be chained further. (e.g. /target focustargettargettarget)
- Also works with /use or any other command that takes modifiers in square brackets.
- Focus is passed to all UI functions that take a unit name as "focus".