Brewmaster Monk Rotation Guide - Midnight

By Sinzhu Updated: 2026/08/12

Brewmaster Monk Rotation in Stagger

Build and maintain Shuffle: Shuffle smooths out how quickly you take damage. By casting Blackout Kick and Keg Smash on cooldown, you will easily maintain this buff. Blackout Kick's cooldown is always the same duration; plan your ability usage around it!

Spend Energy appropriately: Only some abilities cost Energy (Keg Smash); many do not (Breath of Fire). You need enough Energy to cast Keg Smash on cooldown. Tiger Palm and Spinning Crane Kick spend your spare Energy.

Remember your Brews: Purifying Brew reduces your damage from Stagger. It, and other abilities with "Brew" or "Infusion" in their name get cooldown reduction from some spells.

Hit those cooldowns: Invoke Niuzao, the Black Ox and Exploding Keg are used on cooldown. You also have Celestial Infusion and Fortifying Brew for defense; both are considered Brews!

Best Brewmaster Monk RotationTalent Optionsentire page'sStandard Raiding Build Best Brewmaster Monk Single Target Rotation Please select a Hero Talent option to generate a Single Target priorityThe builds and talent options shown above are covered in the Talents page. Anywhere you see the icon, you can hover over it for additional notes.PriorityConsult the opener tab for what order to use abilities in when first entering a pull

Execute an enemy with Touch of Death, when allowed -

Use Blackout Kick to trigger Blackout Combo -

Only if taking minimal damage, activate Celestial Brew/Celestial Infusion -

Activate Invoke Niuzao, the Black Ox -

Consume your Blackout Combo buff with Tiger Palm -

Use Exploding Keg, ideally with Rushing Jade Wind active beforehand -

Use your second charge of Keg Smash

Use Tiger Palm when there are no other abilities to press -

The builds and talent options shown above are covered in the Talents page. Anywhere you see the icon, you can hover over it for additional notes.PriorityConsult the opener tab for what order to use abilities in when first entering a pull

Execute an enemy with Touch of Death, when allowed -

Use Blackout Kick to trigger Blackout Combo -

Only to deal additional damage, consume one charge of Celestial Brew/Celestial Infusion if at two charges -

Activate Invoke Niuzao, the Black Ox -

Consume your Blackout Combo buff with Tiger Palm -

Consume an active Empty Barrel from Bring Me Another -

Use Exploding Keg, ideally with Rushing Jade Wind active beforehand -

Use Tiger Palm when there are no other abilities to press -

Best Brewmaster Monk AoE Rotation Please select a Hero Talent option to generate a Single Target priorityThe builds and talent options shown above are covered in the Talents page. Anywhere you see the icon, you can hover over it for additional notes.PriorityConsult the opener tab for what order to use abilities in when first entering a pull

Execute an enemy with Touch of Death, when allowed -

Activate Invoke Niuzao, the Black Ox -

While Invoke Niuzao, the Black Ox is active, cast Breath of Fire -

While Invoke Niuzao, the Black Ox is active, cast Keg Smash -

Use Blackout Kick to trigger Blackout Combo -

Consume your Blackout Combo buff with Tiger Palm -

Use Exploding Keg, ideally with Rushing Jade Wind active beforehand -

Only if taking minimal damage, activate Celestial Brew/Celestial Infusion -

Use your second charge of Keg Smash

Use Spinning Crane Kick when there are no other abilities to press and Blackout Combo is not active -

Execute an enemy with Touch of Death, when allowed -

Use Blackout Kick to trigger Blackout Combo -

Only to deal additional damage, consume one charge of Celestial Brew/Celestial Infusion if at two charges -

Activate Invoke Niuzao, the Black Ox -

Consume your Blackout Combo buff with Tiger Palm -

Use Exploding Keg, ideally with Rushing Jade Wind active beforehand -

Use your second charge of Keg Smash

Use Tiger Palm when there are no other abilities to press -

Even in AoE, you must still spend most of your spare Energy on Tiger Palm to use up these stacks and will rarely, if ever, cast Spinning Crane Kick.

Harmonic SurgeOverwhelming Force Best Brewmaster Monk OpenerShuffleKeg SmashBlackout KickSpinning Crane KickHero Talent Please select a Hero Talent option to generate an Opener sequenceThe builds and talent options shown above are covered in the Talents page. Anywhere you see the icon, you can hover over it for additional notes.Sample TimelineOpener Sequence

Use Keg Smash while moving to your target -

Use Blackout Kick.

Use Breath of Fire to gain or refresh the Charred Passions buff.

Use Tiger Palm -

Use Exploding Keg -

Use Keg Smash -

Use Blackout Kick

Activate Invoke Niuzao, the Black Ox -

From here, follow the rotational priorities below.

Use Keg Smash while moving to your target -

Use Blackout Kick.

Use Breath of Fire to gain or refresh the Charred Passions buff.

Use Tiger Palm -

Use Exploding Keg -

Use Keg Smash -

Use Blackout Kick

Activate Invoke Niuzao, the Black Ox -

From here, follow the rotational priorities below.

Pre-Combat CheckShuffleMystic Touch

Flask - 1 hour (2 for Alchemists);

Food - 1 hour (removed on death if not consuming "hearty" food);

Weapon enhancement - 2 hours;

Augment Rune - 1 hour (removed on death).

Gear Repair -noTalent Check -DetoxPressure Points Stagger: a PrimerStagger Brewmaster Stagger ExplainedMastery: Elusive BrawlerStagger

An instant portion - immediately damaging you like any attack normally does.

A Staggered portion - dealing damage to you every 0.5 seconds, for a total of 10 seconds. With the Bob and Weave talent, this is extended to 15 seconds instead.

PhysicalStagger

Light Stagger (Green) - Your total amount of Staggered damage is equal to 1-29% of your maximum health.

Moderate Stagger (Yellow) - Your total amount of Staggered damage is equal to 30-59% of your maximum health.

Heavy Stagger (Red) - Your total amount of Staggered damage is equal to 60% or more of your maximum health.

StaggerHeavy StaggerPurifying BrewPurifyStagger

Assume you have a Stagger amount of 50% against Physical damage.

You are hit for 25,000 damage by an enemy. Thanks to Stagger, this damage is split.

You instantly take 12,500 damage.
The other 12,500 damage enters your Stagger pool.
You are now taking 625 damage every 0.5 seconds from Stagger, gradually depleting your Stagger pool. After 10 seconds, you will have taken another 12,500 total damage.
With the Bob and Weave talent extending the duration of Stagger to 15 seconds, this would instead be ~417 damage every 0.5 seconds!
After 5 seconds, you cast Purifying Brew, which removes 50% of your current Stagger pool. At this point, you still had 6,250 damage left to take, so 3,125 damage is now Purified.
After 10 total seconds have passed, you suffered 12,500 instant damage, and only 9,375 in Stagger damage. By using Purifying Brew, you have taken 3,125 less damage from that original hit of 25,000!
If you had used Purifying Brew a little faster, such as after only 1 second, you would've taken 5,625 less damage instead. Purifying earlier will prevent more damage!

Disclaimer:PhysicalStaggerIt is not the percentage displayed on your character sheet.ModifiersHigh ToleranceShuffle: 3.43Fortifying Brew: Determination: 1.5Ox Stance charges: 1.4Zen State: (1 + 0.8 * (1 - HP%)); Essentially, 1.8 at 0% hp, 1.4 at 50% hp, and 1 at 100% hpShuffleStaggerK-ValuesStagger

Level 90 Open world content/"baseline": 3,430

LFR Dreamrift/Voidspire/March on Quel'Danas: 3,127.40

Normal Dreamrift/Voidspire/March on Quel'Danas: 3,545.93

Heroic Dreamrift/Voidspire/March on Quel'Danas: 3,782.67

Mythic Dreamrift/Voidspire/March on Quel'Danas: 4,049.90

Mythic+: 3,545.93

StaggerExample CalculationsStagger

Brewmaster 1

Brewmaster 2

Agility

2,000

1,700

Shuffle Active?

Yes

High Tolerance?

Rank 2

None

Brewmaster 1Brewmaster 2ShuffleStaggerHigh Tolerance Stagger ImprovementsStaggerPurifying BrewShuffleKeg SmashBlackout KickSpinning Crane KickShuffleStaggerQuick SipStaggering StrikesGai Plin's Imperial BrewTranquil SpiritHigh ToleranceTraining of NiuzaoHeavy StaggerStaggerCelestial BrewCelestial Infusion Managing BrewsShufflePurifying BrewCelestial BrewCelestial InfusionKeg SmashTiger PalmShufflePurifying Brew

Avoid having both charges of Purifying Brew sitting off cooldown. You are wasting cooldown reduction if you do!

Make use of a charge right after taking a big spike of damage. This maximizes the amount of damage Purified from your Stagger pool.

Use a charge if the second one is about to come off cooldown.

Purifying BrewModerate StaggerLight Stagger Celestial Brew VS Celestial Infusion Celestial BrewCelestial InfusionNiuzao's ResolveCelestial BrewCelestial InfusionCelestial BrewStaggermost players will have a better Brewmaster experience by defaulting to Celestial Infusion in the majority of contentNiuzao's ResolveCelestial BrewExpel HarmCustomizing Your HealingStaggerHealing Sphere Gift/Spirit of the Ox Healing SpheresGift of the OxchanceHealing SphereFortifying BrewStaggerHealing SphereGift of the OxSpirit of the OxHealing SphereExpel HarmStrength of SpiritHealing SphereGift of the OxSpirit of the OxExpel HarmStrength of SpiritCelestial FortuneSpinning Crane KickExpel Harm When to Use Niuzao's ResolveNiuzao's ResolveExpel HarmHealing SphereGift of the OxSpirit of the OxIronfurNiuzao's ResolveStaggerExpel HarmHealing SphereNiuzao's ResolveStrength of SpiritnotsubstantialmostHealing Sphere Awakening Spirit VS Vital Flame Awakening SpiritVital FlameAwakening SpiritPurifying BrewonlyStaggerVital FlameNatureFireabilitiesdoesFuel on the FireAwakening SpiritVital Flame2-4-piece Brewmaster Monk Major Cooldowns Exploding Keg‎ Exploding KegKeg SmashKeg SmashanythingRushing Jade WindSpinning Crane KickFlurry StrikesExploding KegSpinning Crane Kickwill usually in a damage lossRushing Jade WindKeg SmashFlurry StrikesFuel on the FireEmpty the Cellar Invoke Niuzao, the Black OxInvoke Niuzao, the Black OxStaggerBlackout KickStompOxen FortitudeMighty StompMighty StompEfficient TrainingInvoke Niuzao, the Black Ox Touch of Death‎ Touch of DeathStaggerFortifying BrewPower Word: FortitudeImproved Touch of DeathTouch of DeathmustChi TransferTouch of DeathImproved Touch of DeathStaggerTouch of DeathImproved Touch of DeathChi Transfer Fortifying BrewFortifying BrewBring Me AnotherIronshell BrewFortifying Brew: DeterminationStaggerFortifying BrewdoesKeg SmashTiger PalmhalfExpeditious FortificationIronshell BrewTouch of Death Brewmaster Monk Advanced Tips Optimizing Blackout ComboBlackout ComboBlackout KickBlackout ComboBlackout KickTiger PalmCounterstrikeFace PalmMeditative FocusKeg SmashrarelymostKeg SmashTiger PalmBlackout CombonotBreath of FireSpinning Crane KickRushing Jade WindChi BurstBlackout Kick Rushing Jade Wind VS Special Delivery Rushing Jade WindTiger PalmSpinning Crane KickBloodlustSpecial DeliveryPurifying BrewCelestial BrewCelestial InfusionFortifying BrewBlack Ox BrewRushing Jade WindSpecial DeliveryslightnothingTiger Palm Charred Passions VS Dragonfire Brew Charred PassionsBlackout KickBreath of FireSal'salabim's StrengthSpinning Crane KickBlackout ComboDragonfire BrewBreath of FireVital FlameCharred PassionsSeason 1 2-piece bonusDragonfire BrewBlackout Kick Addendum: Charred Passions and Scalding BrewScalding BrewSal'salabim's StrengthBreath of FireCharred PassionsBlackout KickSpinning Crane Kickmust always talent into Charred Passions if using Scalding BrewDragonfire Brew Shadowboxing Treads VS Fluidity of Motion Shadowboxing TreadsFluidity of MotionBlackout KickmostFluidity of MotionBlackout KickBlackout ComboTiger PalmgreatlyCelestial BrewCelestial Infusion

You are a Master of Harmony Brewmaster

Black Ox Brew and all four ranks of Bring Me Another are selected as talents

You are fighting in purely single-target combat with no chance of further enemies appearing

Fluidity of MotionBring Me AnotherBlack Ox BrewKeg SmashShadowboxing TreadsView ChangelogNavigation BarRelated GuidesTable of ContentsKeg SmashTiger PalmHarmonic SurgeKeg SmashTiger PalmKeg SmashPotential EnergyKeg SmashCelestial FlamesCelestial BrewCelestial InfusionKeg SmashEmpty the CellarCounterstrikeKeg SmashBlackout ComboBlackout KickCounterstrikeSpinning Crane KickKeg SmashBlackout ComboBlackout KickPotential EnergyCounterstrikeKeg SmashBlackout ComboBlackout KickPotential EnergyCounterstrikeSpinning Crane KickKeg SmashBlackout ComboBlackout KickManifestationChi BurstManifestationChi BurstFlurry StrikesScorchedShuffleChi WaveFlurry StrikesScorchedShuffleScorchedPotential EnergyShuffleScorchedShuffleChi WaveKeg Smashin single targetBring Me AnotherBlackout KickStompBreath of FireFlurry StrikesWisdom of the WallSal'salabim's StrengthBreath of FireWisdom of the WallBring Me AnotherCelestial InfusionPurifying BrewFortifying BrewBlackout KickStompBlackout KickCharred PassionsSal'salabim's StrengthHot PotatoKeg SmashSal'salabim's StrengthShuffleMastery: Elusive BrawlerShuffleMastery: Elusive BrawlerShadowboxing TreadsPurifying BrewCelestial BrewCelestial InfusionPurifying BrewStaggerImproved Touch of DeathPotential EnergyBring Me AnotherEndless DraughtHot PotatoKeg SmashCharred PassionsHot PotatoKeg SmashBlackout KickChi BurstProvokeExploding KegBlackout KickTiger PalmBlackout ComboInvoke Niuzao, the Black OxStormstout's Last KegKeg SmashExploding KegBring Me Another

Tags: PvE

Comments

Comment by Susat

By far my favourite guide on here for one reason. The strange paragraph that makes me laugh out loud every time.

Think about Brewmaster like a bowl of cereal: The rotation is the cereal, Brew Charges are the milk, and Energy is the bowl. The bowl’s important, you couldn’t have a bowl of cereal without it, but the stuff most people care about is the cereal. Some people might prefer the milk, but if you find someone whose favorite part of cereal is the bowl, that’s an alien (poorly) impersonating a human. Run. Away.

Amazing.

Comment by nemoJoe

"There are many like it, but this one is yours."

Thank you for putting a huge smile on my face. I remember...

Comment by xxsebbo

(“Use Keg Smash on cooldown!” used to be the Brewmaster’s Golden Rule. Now? Eh, not quite as much.)

What has changed?

Comment by Fexiz

I recently started a monk and plan on tanking in BFA. So I started reading up on it through your guide.

It really is a nice guide you've put together with lots of information and made it quite informal which makes the adoption of information so smooth!

Thanks for this, highly appreciated! /bow

Comment by monkmanpig

Error report: Zen Meditation does not require you to be stationary.

Comment by SLAM123

wow nice information. exactly what i was looking for about selection tool

Comment by Horsekebab

I would just like to add that if spinning crane kick is channeled in its entirety such that the swing timer does not reset while channeling, then auto attack is not suspended at all, and there is no single target DPS lost. This makes spinning crane kick a much better offensive energy spender than tiger palm, even in single target situations. At the loss of 1 sec brew CDR of course.

Comment by FORSAKENWARRIOR

I just wanted to echo how much I love this write-up. I learned a lot about a complicated tank. Many thanks Sinzhu!

Comment by Keyen

What is the added value of doing BoK -> TP -> RSK over BoK -> RSK -> TP (during opener) or TP with combo having an higher priority than RSK? Am I missing something when I'm thinking that delaying by one second TP does not change anything, while pressing RSK quicker means it's up more often?

Brewmaster Monk Rotation Guide - Midnight

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