Internal cooldown
If anyone really knows what that means (I only sort of do), could they please edit this article or internal cooldown to give it a definition? I believe it's a script that keeps an item from proccing too many times in a row, but I'm not sure. 
Howbizr(t·c) 3:59 PM, 11 Jul 2009 (EDT)
- I'm not quite sure how to describe it, but you're correct. If an item has a 45-second internal cooldown, it can only proc once every 45-seconds. For example,
[Lightweave Embroidery] has a 60 second internal cooldown (source), so on each hit there's a 35-50% chance to proc. If it does proc, then it will not proc again for 60 seconds after the bonus begins (since it has a 15 second duration, that means it will only be up a theoretical maximum of 25% of the time). The game does not list this information, and the only way to find out is personal trials. - Exawatt (talk) 07:40, 21 August 2009 (UTC)
- Ordinarily the game software UI does disclose ICD data, where applicable, for: (1) some passive spells in the Spellbook; (2) some descriptions of Talents and of Glyphs, which are usually passive spells; (3) 'Use:' descriptions that are on items such as trinkets; (4) some bonuses that are gained by equipping a 2-piece or 4-piece armor tier set; and (5) sometimes in tooltips for items, spells, abilities, etc. However, that data is rarely, if ever, explicitly described as an "internal cooldown" (a term that is game-design jargon). Nonetheless, the information is usually there for those who bother to read it, and to think about it. Quark365 (talk) 09:09, 9 April 2014 (UTC)
Abilities & Spells not affected by the Global Cooldown (GDC)
Someone left a note on the Page to the effect that they believe the Paladin Glyph of Harsh Words removes the Word of Glory ability from the GCD. It does not, so I have deleted those remarks. Regardless of whether the Glyph is used, Word of Glory has a GCD of 1.5 seconds:
Word of Glory without glyph: http://www.wowhead.com/spell=85673 Word of Glory with glyph: http://www.wowhead.com/spell=136494 Glyph of Harsh Words: http://www.wowhead.com/spell=54938#modifies
The Word of Glory is an active spell, instant cast with a CD of 1.5 sec. When the CD for an instant spell matches the GCD, casting it does not delay the subsequent use of it, or of any other ability or spell, for any longer than the GCD itself. Note also that Haste, buffs, debuffs, and items or procs that affect the GCD almost always affect the CDs of spells in the same way. So, using a trinket to temporarily increase Haste, for example, ordinarily should only make it possible to use the Word of Glory sooner than it would otherwise be ready, and not "de-couple" its CD from the GCD. That is, usually the effect of increasing Haste by using the trinket is applied in the same way to the spell CD and to the GCD, respectively.
The Glyph of Harsh Words itself effects a continuous Passive Spell that has no CD and is off the GCD, as all Passive spells - mostly Glyphs and Talents - are (as far as I know!). Some passive spells do have an Internal Cooldown (ICD) which limits how often they can be cast, or how often they proc, such as the Paladin Divine Purpose talent. In my observation, an ICD has never been affected by Haste, buffs, debuffs, etc. which can and do affect the CDs of active abilities and spells and/or affect the GCD. Quark365 (talk) 09:09, 9 April 2014 (UTC)