Target markers Target markers ( sometimes referred to as " lucky charms " ) are icons that raid leaders / assistants and party members can place over players and mobs . This feature was introduced in Patch 1 . 11 . " Strategy and usage . To place a target marker over a mob , simply select the mob , right - click on its portrait , and select a symbol from the hierarchical menu . Using these symbols is valuable in parties and even more so in raids . Before its introduction , class - specific spells like Hunter ' s Mark and Detect Magic had to be used to visually indicate to other party / raid members what mobs were targeted for what kinds of actions . Particular uses include : Other notes : Example targeting convention . Although there is nothing like a standard convention for icon meanings , the following table may provide a starting point for groups or guilds wishing to create a convention . The idea behind this is that the marks follow Blizzard ' s class colors . Obviously , this would have to be altered on a per - case basis if , for example , you have two mages polymorphing or if you have a warlock both banishing and enslaving . Still , it can provide a useful foundation for groups or guilds getting used to the target marker system . In non - guild PuG settings , the Skull - > Primary , X - > Off Tank convention is almost universal ( when target icons are used ) . API and key bindings . These icons can be set programmatically in a macro with the function . Example , codice _ 1 will mark the target with a Skull , 8 standing for the Icon number . Alternatively , they can be bound to keys for quick application . For example , Skull could be bound to Ctrl - K ( Kill , sKull ) so that the raid leader or assist can apply the icon quickly to a new target during a fight . For even faster marking , combining the macro codice _ 2 ( # of course being replaced with the corresponding icon ' s number ) with key bindings will allow you to apply icons without actually targetting anything . Macros . This macro will cycle Skull , X , Nil , then Moon on cursored targets . codice _ 3 This macro will cycle through all the target markers in reverse order on cursored targets codice _ 4 This macro also cycles through all the target markers in reverse order on cursored targets but it also announces the next icon in the default chat frame . Useful if you need to skip through charms while marking targets . Press your macro button without a target under the mouse to skip through charms . codice _ 5 Adding target markers to chat . An undocumented feature of patch 2 . 4 added the ability to post target markers into any chat channel by enclosing the name of the icon in curly brackets ( braces ) - such as { skull } , { circle } , { moon } , etc . AddOns . There are several very good AddOns that make it easy for anyone to quickly mark targets . There is no " required " AddOn to use at any time , but three of the more commonly suggested are : Trivia . Origin of " lucky charms " . The nickname originates from their appearance similar to the marshmallows from the Cereal " " . The commercials feature kids chasing Lucky the Leprechaun , who would inevitably remind them that his cereal contained " Hearts , stars , horseshoes , clovers and blue moons , pots of gold and rainbows , and the red balloon ! " Sometimes called raid target icons . Although these place - able symbols have often been called " raid target icons " , they have never been exclusively usable by raids or raid members . Due to their introduction with the original Naxxramas raid , they were generally associated with raids , but were available to normal party leaders also .