Extending the logging range
By default, the combat log only show events happening at 40 yards around you. It is always best to extend this logging range. The maximum possible is 200 yards.
* Some addons help you extend the logging range and even start and stop the log when entering certain areas, have a look at AutoCL, clsaver or LoggerHead
* Beware that some other addons might change back the combat log range. Find them and destroy them !
* Extending the logging range is not very CPU or Network intensive, so don't hesitate
If you don't want to install an addon, you can either type this in game :
/console SET CombatLogRangeParty "200"
/console SET CombatLogRangePartyPet "200"
/console SET CombatLogRangeFriendlyPlayers "200"
/console SET CombatLogRangeFriendlyPlayersPets "200"
/console SET CombatLogRangeHostilePlayers "200"
/console SET CombatLogRangeHostilePlayersPets "200"
/console SET CombatLogRangeCreature "200"
Or edit the file <your wow install dirrectory>/WTF/Config.wtf, and add these lines :
SET CombatLogRangeCreature "200"
SET CombatLogRangeFriendlyPlayers "200"
SET CombatLogRangeFriendlyPlayersPets "200"
SET CombatLogRangeHostilePlayers "200"
SET CombatLogRangeHostilePlayersPets "200"
SET CombatLogRangeParty "200"
SET CombatLogRangePartyPet "200"
SET CombatDeathLogRange "200"
For a lot of interesting information about the combat log, how to extend its range and how to split it, check
this thread on the Elitist Jerks forum.