Your user interface (UI) affects how you play more than you might think. A clean, readable setup helps you react faster, understand what’s going on, and make fewer mistakes in combat. Whether you’re new to the game or just tired of clutter, this guide will help you build a UI that actually works.
Start by Clearing the Screen
Before adding anything new, remove what you don’t need. Disable unused addons. Turn off extra bars, popups, and UI elements that aren’t helping you. A simple layout is easier to read and easier to use. Start fresh, then build up from there.
Addons That Help
These are the tools I recommend for setting up a good base:
- ElvUI: A full UI replacement that lets you control almost everything — unit frames, action bars, fonts, and more.
- Details! Damage Meter: Shows damage, healing, interrupts, and deaths in a clean format.
- WeakAuras: Lets you track buffs, debuffs, procs, and cooldowns. Most top players use it.
- BigWigs or DBM: Both are great for raid and dungeon warnings. I use BigWigs because it’s quieter and cleaner.
- OmniCC: Adds visible countdowns on your abilities and trinkets.
Position Your Elements Wisely
Keep your character, target, and focus frames near the center of your screen. That’s where your eyes are most of the time. Place action bars close enough that you don’t need to look away from the fight. Keep raid frames in your lower left or right — somewhere visible but out of the way.
Minimap, chat, and meters can go in the corners. Try not to block the middle of your screen unless it’s something important, like a proc or debuff warning.
Use WeakAuras for Important Info
WeakAuras can show you exactly when to use your next spell, remind you when a cooldown is up, or track enemy mechanics. There are thousands of public strings you can import, or you can build your own if you like control. Just don’t overload your screen — focus on tracking what matters most for your spec and role.
Test Your Setup in Combat
Once everything is in place, go run a few dungeons or jump into some battlegrounds. You’ll quickly see what feels right and what needs to move. Maybe a cooldown is hard to spot. Maybe your target frame is too far away. Tweak a little after each run. A good UI takes time to fine-tune.
Keep It Fast, Not Fancy
Don’t waste time chasing flashy UIs that look cool in screenshots but make it hard to see mechanics. Function beats style. You want fast reactions, clear alerts, and easy-to-read frames. Anything else is just noise.
Quick Tips for a Better UI
- Use keybinds for all core abilities — no clicking.
- Make important cooldowns larger or brighter with WeakAuras.
- Use UI scale settings to get a better view of your surroundings.
- Hide chat when you’re in combat — it’s a distraction.
- Keep your screen centered on the fight, not on the edges.
Once your UI feels like second nature, you’ll notice better performance almost immediately. Less clutter, fewer mistakes, more awareness — that’s the goal. Keep testing, adjusting, and improving until it feels right for you.
Need help with something specific? I’ve built UIs for every class and role, and I’m happy to share advice. Reach out anytime at [email protected].
— Raymond