Question about spell macros...(Attn StarvingArtist)

[Ockman]

Been ages since I been here ^^ Hello again

I've been lving up white mage recently, and I've gotten up to lv40 so far. Working hard, and doing pretty good. Already got Black mage as a subjob up to lv37 too. Feels so good to be able to teleport myself now. ^_^

Anyway, I'll try to explain my question as best as I can. I play on PS3(PS2 verison) of FFXI right now, and when I play or party, I pretty much just use the controller in my hands. So when it comes to being in partys, I use the shoulder buttons for macros, and sometimes I'll go into the spell menu and choose a certain spell I want. I've been going into the spell menu primarily for Cure spells, cuz that way I can select a Cure, and then select my target while locked on to whatever PC or monster I want.

The FFXI phrases I'm most familar with are ones like <me> <t> and <p#>. One thing I haven't quite figured out, is I wish there was a way where I can set a certain spell in a macro, but then be able to select my target manually like I do as if I went into the menu. Like Erase, Haste, and Regen spells, those would be nice to have macroed, but the only way I know how is either <t> or <p#> (which I dont like to use, cuz then it needs a macro for each player.

The reason why my topic says Attn StarvingArtist, is I was watching an old video of theirs, where they were battling shadow lord, and I noticed that they were using Cure spells in their macros, and after they clicked the macro, they were able to select their target, just like I want to be able to do. I'm hoping that SA knows something about macros that I don't. Thanks in advance

[Raji]

Well, I'm not even an artist, let alone StarvingArtist, but the macro tag you're probably thinking of is <st>, which lets you choose the target for the ability you have macroed like you went into the menu. There's also <stpc>, which only targets players, and <stnpc>, which only targets mobs.

Anyway, I hope this helps!

[LoneGamer]

As Raji said, <st> will allow you to choose your target among anything you can see that is targetable. <stpc> will limit the selection to PCs, and <stnpc> will limit the selection to everything that is not a PC- NPCs and monsters.

[Ockman]

That helps a great deal, and is exactly what I wanted to know. Thank you very much!

[Renaissance 2K]

One thing I just learned about <stpc> that may be useful for you...

It's intuitive to think that any equipment swaps you do should go before the actual spell command. I macro in all my Haste and Fast Cast gear for spells like Raise, Regen, Haste, etc. but as I got higher in level, it became a race to scroll to my target before my character blinked out and forced me to start over.

For such spells where you choose a <st>, place the spell command first. Your equipment will be swapped in during the narrow window after you have chosen your subtarget and before the spell begins casting. You'll gain the benefits of the equipment, but your character won't blink until you've safely scrolled to the spell's intended target.

So, my Haste macro (in a dream world) would look like this...

>>> /ma Haste <stpc>
>>> /equip main "Capricorn Staff"
>>> /equip head "Walahra Turban"
>>> /equip body "Nashira Manteel"
>>> /equip legs "Blessed Trousers"
>>> /equip feet "Rostrum Pumps"

Before I realized this, the "/ma Haste <stpc>" line was at the bottom, thereby screwing everything up.