(This will follow approximately the same format, minus the spec info. Like I said, our melee DPS spec is the same as our tanking spec.)

The Gear

The gear for cat is a little more tricky, and with far less definite answers. It may be just me, but I have always put DPS second behind tanking. I understand that tanking is going to be my place in a group or raid for 99.9% of the time...anyone, enough rambling, here is some gear that is purchasable from AH, purchasable through badges, or obtained via solo quests.

• • Auction House
• [Necklace of Trophies]
• [Vengeance Wrap]
• [Shadowprowler's Chestguard]
• [Swiftstrike Bracers]
• [Windslayer Wraps]
• **[Belt of Deep Shadow]**
• [Fel Leather Boots]
• [Braxxis' Staff of Slumber]
  • Badge Gear
• [Blood Knight War Cloak] (25 badges)
• [Vestments of Hibernation] (75 badges)
• **[Handwraps of the Aggressor]** (75 badges)
• [Trousers of the Scryers' Retainer] (100 badges)
• [Nyn'jah's Tabi Boots] (60 badges)
• [Bloodlust Brooch] (41 badges)
• [Staff of the Forest Lord] (150 badges)
• **[Everbloom Idol]** (15 badges)
  • Quest Gear
• [item]Stealther's Helmet of Second Sight[/item]
• [Expedition Scout's Epaulets]
• [Spymistress's Wristguards]
• [Drake Tamer's Gloves]
• [Clefthoof Hide Leggings]
• [Socrethar's Girdle]
• [Overseer's Signet]
• [Core of Ar'kelos]
• [Fleshling Simulation Staff]
• [Seal of the Dawn]
• [Kaylaan's Signet]
• [Felboar Hide Shoes]

    While we are on the sbuject of gear, I want to bring up what should be your #1 ASAP priority when it comes to DPS: 2 pieces of T4. 2t4 is good. Really, really good...so good, that you probably won't believe it. It will not be until you hit the 4T6 set bonus that you will even consider replacing the 2t4 bonus, and even then, it will be preference. In 1 decent boss fight, you could easily get the energy for and extra 10 shreds! You get an increased DPS from getting more shreds, and an increased DPS from having more combo points for rip, it is a win win.

    The standard focus for kitty gear is as follows: Hit Rating > Agility > AP > Crit > Stamina > Expertise > Strength > Intellect. Strength is worth 2 AP, while Agility is worth 1.25 AP and 0.04% crit. Strength will get you more AP, but ferals really depend upon crits. There is more detail on why crits are so important below.

DPSing General Tips

   Before we get going on this, I need to explain and ensure that you understand this: a 4 combo point rip has the same multiplier as a 5 combo point rip. A 4 combo point rip is just as effective and efficient as a 5 combo point - the more gear and crit chance you get, the more frequently you will hit 4 combo points rather than 5.

    As a kitty, there will be 3-4 primary abilities you will use: Mangle, Shred, Rip, Faerie Fire Feral (FFF). Mangle should be used sparingly (once per ~12 seconds), as it is only a buff to your shreds and rips. As a feral, there is no set rotation. This is because our talent points make any crits award an addition combo point, so the rotation changes depending upon your crits.

    The "rotation" I use is as follows: FFF, Mangle, shred to 4 (or 5) combo points (you can fit in FFF during this time), wait for your energy to hit 80+ (but NOT 100!), mangle, rip, repeat. It is DIRE to never let your energy cap, any energy beyond 100 is purely wasted. Wasting 1 tick out of 10 over the course of a fight where you get 200 ticks is 400 energy (9 shreds) wasted - efficiency is key.

    A mangle applied directly before a rip has a double-win effect for you, it will add the 30% multiplier for the entire duration of rip as well as all of the shreds to get you back up to 4-5 combo points. A properly timed mangle will not hinder your DPS, but greatly increase it; while a poorly timed mangle will gimp you out and make you a "D" grade feral.