r/ffxiv • u/PessimusMax Aldemar Windchaser on Gilgamesh • Jun 27 '13
The Macro Thread
I'd like to start a helpful, non-spammy macro thread on this sub. I see more questions regarding macros popping up, and I think they need addressing. Macros are incredibly useful tools, but they can also be abused. So, here we go.
What is a macro?
A macro, for the purpose of MMOs, is a quick way of hitting a single button or key which will then do multiple things sequentially, and sometimes conditionally (unsure of this in FFXIV:ARR) if certain circumstances are met. For FFXIV:ARR, they must use the commands in the aforementioned link to work.
Why are they necessary?
Macros are not necessary, per se, but they are a useful tool for those willing to put in only a little extra time to set them up. Rather than hitting multiple buttons, or saying multiple things, you can have a macro button you just hit and it will do this for you.
Scenario: Let's say I am a CNJ or WHM and I want to Raise someone after our group just had about five people die. Then let's say there is another CNJ/WHM. What if we both start casting Raise at the same time on the same target, but didn't pay attention to the fact that we are targeting the same person? It casts at the same time...on the same target. One of them was wasted, since it could have been used on another dead player. There is a 12 second cooldown between Raise casts. Annoying.
Macro Solution: As a CNJ, you could have a macro set up to announce to the group whom you are Raising, as well as cast the actual Raise spell, without typing a thing and only pressing one button.
The Macro: Here would be the macro to do that:
/s Raising <t>
/ac Raise <t>
You prepare this macro ahead of time and assign it to a button. All you have to do to use it is target a dead player and press that button. Let's say the dead player's name is Quina Quen. When you use this macro, the people around you will see you say "Raising Quina Quen", and you will immediately and automatically start casting Raise on Quina Quen.
This is just a very small, basic, two-line macro. If this sounds like a great thing to you (and it is!), then welcome to the world of macros!
Basic Commands to get you started (non-exhaustive list) (Acceptable short-hand is in parentheses.)
Brackets are definitely not needed, but quotes are needed if you are using two words for a target or ability. E.g., a player's name.
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| /? [command_name] | Gives a detailed explanation of specified command. Abbreviations can be used. All command names must be one word or in quotation marks. |
| /say (/s) [message] | Sends a message to all PCs within a small radius. Typing /say or /s without a message switches the default chat mode to [Say]. |
| /party (/p) [message] | Sends a message to all members of your current party, regardless of their location. Typing /party or /p without a message switches the default chat mode to [Party]. |
| /action (/ac) “action name” “PC name” | Uses an action on specified target. Uses current target when not specified. This cannot be used with actions you have not yet learned, or when restricted by other factors. |
| /target (/ta) “PC name” (placeholder) | Targets the specified target. Target must be within range for this command to function. |
| /targetenemy (/tenemy) | Targets the closest enemy within a certain radius. |
| /battletarget (/bt) | Targets the closest enemy within a certain radius that is attacking you. |
| /assist (/as) | Targets the target of another PC or NPC. (A target must be specified.) Assists current target when not specified. |
| /facetarget (/ft) | Immediately turns your PC in the direction of your current target. |
| /targetlastenemy (/tle) | Re-target the last enemy you targeted. |
| /marking (/mk) [target type] “PC name” (placeholder) | Set a sign on the specified target. Uses current target when not specified. Target types: attack1–5, bind1–3, ignore1–2, circle, cross, square, triangle, off (Turns off enemy sign.) Example: /marking attack1 (Sets sign “Target to Attack 1” on current target.) |
| /wait [wait time] | A macro command for adjusting the pause between commands. A wait time amount of 1 equals one second. The maximum wait time allowed is 60. If the wait time amount is over 60, it will be counted as 0. |
| /recast | Displays time remaining until the specified action can be used again. |
| /battlemode (/bm) [subcommand] | Toggle between active and passive mode. Switches to opposite mode when no subcommand is specified. Subcommands: On – Draw weapon. Off – Sheathe weapon. |
| /check (/c) “PC name” (placeholder) | Examines the specified target. Examines current target when not specified. |
| /macroicon [action name] | Displays icon, recast time, help text, and other information regarding the specified action. Can only be used once in the first line of a user macro. |
Placeholders (Acceptable short-hand is in parentheses.)
| Placeholder | Description |
|---|---|
| <t> | Displays current target name. |
| <tt> | Displays target of current target’s name. |
| <me> | Displays your character’s name. |
| <0> | Displays your character’s name. |
| <1>～<8> | Display Party Member 1-8's name. |
| <attack1>～<attack5> | Displays Target to Attack 1–5’s name. |
| <bind1>～<bind3> | Displays Target to Bind 1–3’s name. |
| <stop1>～<stop2> | Displays Target to Stop 1–2’s name. |
| <square> | Displays target marked with a square’s name. |
| <circle> | Displays target marked with a circle’s name. |
| <cross> | Displays target marked with a cross’s name. |
| <triangle> | Displays target marked with a triangle’s name. |
| <mo>,<mouse> | Displays mouseover target’s name. |
| <hp> | Displays current HP and maximum HP. |
| <hpp> | Displays current HP as a percentage. |
| <mp> | Displays current MP and maximum MP. |
| <mpp> | Displays current MP as a percentage. |
| <tp> | Displays current TP. |
| <class>,<job> | Displays current class and level. |
| <pos> | Displays coordinates of current location. |
| <reply> (<r>) | Displays the name of the last player from whom you received a /tell. |
| <focus> (<f>) | Displays the name of your focus target. |
| <lasttarget> (<lt>) | Displays the name of your last target when no target is currently selected. Displays the name of your previous target when a target is selected. |
| <lastenemy> (<le>) | Displays the name of your last enemy target. |
| <lastattacker> (<la>) | Displays the name of the last enemy on which you inflicted damage or used an action. |
| <pet> (<p>) | Displays the name of your current pet. |
| <se.1>～<se.16> | Plays a sound effect when used in party chat. |
Please post MORE of your macros in the comments, BUT, before you do, follow some basic macro etiquette:
Don't use macros that unnecessarily start throwing /say, /yell, etc. around like they're going out of style. No one likes extraordinarily spammy macros.
DO post macros that have excellent functionality, and be (reasonably) sure they work.
ADDENDUM
"Ugh, I hate people who use macros!"
There can be much consternation with some when it comes to people using macros. Typically though, they are referring to people using /yell, /say, etc. excessively. For example, don't be that guy/girl who will use macros like "/s I call upon the power of <insert diety here> to heal <t>!" every time you cast Cure. This is going to get on people's nerves when they are trying to focus on the fight. In social settings, RP settings, sure, but use your macros with your community in mind. Don't be an annoyance; be a boon.
Turning off error reporting in your logs
You may want to do this, because the parts of your macro that aren't executed (because other parts are) will display errors saying they couldn't be executed. It's not a problem; it's just annoying.
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u/Jaghat Jun 27 '13
Also, instead of making a post about it, here's a fun tidbit about the <pos> command.
When you use <pos> in chat, it creates a hyperlink to the map. Clicking it opens the map and places a green flag at the coordinate's location (only for this instance of the map, when you close it, your regular map will not have the flag).
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u/PessimusMax Jun 27 '13
This is fantastic, especially considering how difficult it is to determine where groupmates are on the map (at least for me). They can just /p <pos> and I'll know at that moment where they are.
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u/panoramik Jun 27 '13
Is there a new <st> (select target) command?
If you didn't play XI it would be used like this: /ma "Cure" <st>
When the macro button was activated you'd get a blue cursor which would cycle through all valid targets (i.e. just your teammates). If it was an attack, it would cycle through just enemies. It was sort of a pseudo-filter, but was incredibly helpful.
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u/PessimusMax Jun 27 '13
There's no <st> on the list, unfortunately. But I'm not actually sure how <st> worked. But maybe we could re-create it? Are you saying that it would just randomly cure one of your teammates? I'm guessing not...I guess I'm unclear what you mean by "a blue cursor which would cycle through all valid targets".
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Aug 14 '13 edited Aug 14 '13
Just so Everyone knows, this was in the Patch Notes
/macroicon [action name] Displays icon, recast time, help text, and other information regarding the specified action. Can only be used once in the first line of a user macro
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/targetlastenemy, /tle Re-target the last enemy you targeted.
As well as new placeholders,
<r>,<reply> Displays the name of the last player from whom you received a /tell.
-
<f>,<focus> Displays the name of your focus target.
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<lt>,<lasttarget> Displays the name of your last target when no target is currently selected. Displays the name of your previous target when a target is selected.
-
<le>,<lastenemy> Displays the name of your last enemy target.
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<la>,<lastattacker> Displays the name of the last enemy on which you inflicted damage or used an action.
-
<p>,<pet> Displays the name of your current pet.
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<se.1>～<se.16> Plays a sound effect when used in party chat.
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u/deakka Jun 28 '13
Has anyone figured out how to assign icons to a macro (other than from the incredibly small palette)?
For example, made a mouse over macro for Mantra, but no suitable icon exists. In WoW, we'd preface the macro with #showtooltip, as an example.
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u/taggedjc Jun 28 '13
Macros also are annoying in that they don't show any global cooldown or recast time on them. Even if you just have one skill in the macro.
I could basically never macro anything with a recast time, since I would never know when the skill was available again...
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u/ApolloBound Jun 27 '13
Quick question, does mouse-over healing factor in to mouse placement on say, the party screen? Like, let's say for example we're doing the Ifrit fight. I, the CNJ, am standing in the back with the THM. Our Pugilist is flanking Ifrit, and the Gladiator is on the far side of Ifrit, out of my immediate line of sight. My target is the Gladiator, so this is alright.
Ifrit drops an AoE, the Pugilist takes a bit of damage, but then retreats out of the circle, off of my screen. Instead of playing with the camera trying to find him for a mouse-over, can I just position the mouse over his information in the party list?
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u/PessimusMax Jun 27 '13
Yes, it does. I should have mentioned that. That's what makes it incredibly valuable.
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u/arkaine23 Jun 27 '13
For crafting abilities, is the target <me>?
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u/PessimusMax Jun 27 '13
<me> is the target for yourself, but think of it this way: When you're doing whatever you're doing, do you need to target yourself? If not, then there shouldn't be a need to use <me>. So, in the case of crafting, <me> is probably unnecessary, and may even prevent it from working.
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u/SlowWheels Jun 27 '13
/p I call forth, the divine powers of Altana <call0>
/wait 1
/em begins to lift the rock from the ground with his power.
/wait 1
/p YESSSSSSSSSSS I FEEL THE BOOOST OF POWAR!<call1>
/wait 1
/ja "Boost" <me>
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u/Avalie_Vylorea Jun 27 '13
And this is why I hate Macros.
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u/PessimusMax Jun 27 '13
Yes, this would be why I said "Don't use macros that unnecessarily start throwing /say, /yell, etc. around like they're going out of style." Not all macros are bad; only the abusers of macros are. They are a tool; you can take a hammer to a nail, but using it as a paintbrush is probably not a good idea.
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u/The_Rope Jun 27 '13
That's cool to see there are placeholders for marked targets. If you have a party that is good about marking targets (and following the kill order) then I think you could get really good focus fire by having every DD do something like the following for all their damage macros:
/ac DamageSkill <attack1>
/ac DamageSkill <attack2>
/ac DamageSkill <attack3>
etc.
This would attack the first marked target that is still alive. You could add line to the end with just "/ac DamageSkill <t>" just in case there are no more marked targets alive.
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u/Skylt Jun 27 '13
Is there a way to use items in a macro?
/item "Potion" <me> Doesn't work.
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u/PessimusMax Jun 27 '13
I don't see anything for items, but I'm willing to bet just /ac Potion would work.
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u/PessimusMax Jun 27 '13 edited Jun 28 '13
MOUSEOVER MACROS
These are invaluable for me as a healer, and I was incredibly happy to see that they have appeared in FFXIV:ARR. A mouseover macro works basically how it sounds: Your target can be whatever your mouse hovers over! This eliminates the need to constantly click between targets. I have also found it incredibly useful for taunting as a tank in WoW.
Example:
/ac Cure <mo>
/ac Cure <me>
This macro will cast cure on whatever target I am currently hovering over with my mouse cursor <mo>. If there is no target, then it will cast Cure on myself <me>. EDIT: And yes, for those wondering, <mo> does work with the party menu. Yes, for those who haven't healed in MMOs before with <mo>, your minds just probably exploded. It is that useful. Now I'm just wondering if I'll be able to rebind Mouse 1, 2, etc. to macros. Probably not, but still, super happy to see <mo> in the game.
EDIT 2: I tested this morning, and one thing everyone should know is that, by default, the log will display errors. What this means is that when you use this (or any other macro), the parts that are not being used here will produce errors. For example, when I use to just cure me (no target or mouseover), it will display an error saying that it was not able to mouseover cure. This isn't doesn't affect the functionality of the macro, but it is annoying. You may want to disable error reporting in your log. I did, and now it's nice and clean. (I had to do this in another MMO as well.)