Macro Confusion

[hongman]

Ok, heres my example:

/equip main xxxxx
/equip ......
/ma "Some Spell" <t>

vs

/ma "Some Spell <t>
/equip main xxxx
/equip .....

Is there any difference?? I have been using the 1st one, thought it made sense that you want to swap equips before casting spell in case it took the potency of the spell from the mment you cast it.

But I have seen more and more of the 2nd one? Have I been doing this all wrong?

[Murphie]

Re: Macro Confusion

Personally, I do:

/target <stpc> (or <stnpc)
/equip Whatever
/equip Whatever
/equip Whatever
/equip Etc.
/ma "Spell" <lastst>

The reason I do this is so that I don't lose targeting with gear swaps. But some folks may not like to do things this way, because it uses up more macro slots (of which we get dreadfully few). I've always put my gear swaps first, but that's just me. I'm not sure if the other way is better, worse, or just different. I'd assume it's probably fine either way, depending on the casting time of the spell. I just prefer to have my swaps first so that I know that I'm not casting with the wrong gear on.

[hongman]

Re: Macro Confusion

Exactly....

Oh well. If it doesnt matter ir doesnt matter, just double checking I wasnt doing it the "Wrong" way. If its the case that neither is right or wrong, Im not overly fussed!!

[Illuen]

Re: Macro Confusion

What I tend to do (which is far from perfect, probably) is have all of my CTRL macros be spells, and, for instance, if I'm macroing something special in for one of those spells, I'll put it in the ALT macro under the control macro.

For example, My Macros 1-3 are Cure II-IV respectively. I have my Cure gear macro swap on ALT1, with a macro putting my normal gear back on @ ALTII. I also have, on the last four ALT Macros, all of the important Elemental Staffs for WHM.

I've been told this eats up macro slots, but really, I don't have too many spells macroed; normally a macro with Protectra/Shellra, an Erase macro, and a Regen Macro. I have the other slots if, for instance, we're fighting crawlers and I want to put in Poisona.

[Haggai]

Re: Macro Confusion

I used to do something similar to what Murphie mentioned. Except I just did the spell in the first line.

/ma "Stone IV" <stnpc>
/equip main "Earth Staff"
/equip neck "Elemental Torque"
/equip feet "Custom M Boots"
/equip legs "Druid's Slops"

As long as the gear is changed before the spell goes off, you're good to go.

[hongman]

Re: Macro Confusion

As long as the gear is changed before the spell goes off, you're good to go.

Thats what I was wondering/debating.

Thanks!!

[Chveya]

Re: Macro Confusion

Gear swaps are practically instantaneous, so there is time to swap while the spell is casting. As long as the gear is in place when the spell lands, then you will get the attributes from that gear applied to the spell.

/ma "Thunder" <stnpc>
/equip Ring1 "Eremite's Ring"
/equip Ring2 "Eremite's Ring"

I don't really like my current setup of MND and INT equip swap macros. I have separate ones for MND gear and INT gear. I had too much gear to fit into the limited number of slots for each spell macro.

I start having problems with my setup when I get over-eager with my casting. If I'm in the middle of casting an MND based spell (for example), sometimes I get ahead of myself and switch over to my INT set in anticipation of the next spell- meaning when Paralyze actually lands, I've got my INT set on. >< I either need to rework my system or just be a little more patient.

[Haggai]

Re: Macro Confusion

Gear swaps are practically instantaneous, so there is time to swap while the spell is casting. As long as the gear is in place when the spell lands, then you will get the attributes from that gear applied to the spell.

/ma "Thunder" <stnpc>
/equip Ring1 "Eremite's Ring"
/equip Ring2 "Eremite's Ring"

I don't really like my current setup of MND and INT equip swap macros. I have separate ones for MND gear and INT gear. I had too much gear to fit into the limited number of slots for each spell macro.

I start having problems with my setup when I get over-eager with my casting. If I'm in the middle of casting an MND based spell (for example), sometimes I get ahead of myself and switch over to my INT set in anticipation of the next spell- meaning when Paralyze actually lands, I've got my INT set on. >< I either need to rework my system or just be a little more patient.

Yeah, gear swaps are instantaneous, but if you are macroing gear for spells like Stun, or even Dia, its probably better to have the gear swap in before the spell. They are so fast.

[Raydeus]

Re: Macro Confusion

I always place the casting line at the end just in case lag/equip stats delay has any effect on casting.

Plus the gear swap is instantaneous (at least clientside) so it doesn't affect my timing.

[Murphie]

Re: Macro Confusion

Honestly, as long as the macros work, I wouldn't worry too much about how they are laid out. Everyone's macro layout is going to be a little bit different, but you have to go with what you're most comfortable with.

Basically what I'm saying is, more "Come Leviathan from your watery resting place to smite my non-watery enemies with your watery doom! Of water!"

[Raydeus]

Re: Macro Confusion

Basically what I'm saying is, more "Come Leviathan from your watery resting place to smite my non-watery enemies with your watery doom! Of water!"

That'll be my Levi macro when I lvl SMN.

[Murphie]

Re: Macro Confusion

It's not really that great a macro. Could use more water.