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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsBreakfast Topic: Macro madness
by Mike Schramm 
Apr 11th 2008 at 8:00AM
Yesterday, I bashfully admitted that I don't use the /focus feature in the default UI as much as I should -- in fact, aside from a totem dropping macro I put together a long time ago, I haven't used macros nearly as much as I should. It's not that I don't want to -- I'm sure I could be a better player with more macros (like the ones found in our Macro Anatomy column) -- it's just that as I said in the /focus post, there are so many ways to use macros that it's kind of tough to figure out just where to put them in your gameplay.So let's talk about macros -- do you use them? If not, why not? And if so, how do you use them? Of course, we all play different classes, but within your class, where do you find it's easier to use macros, and it's easier to play things manually?
A lot of good players could probably become great players with a few easy macros, but for players who have no idea what macros are for, it's sometimes hard to figure out where they fit. If you do use them, how?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Tips, Odds and ends, Breakfast Topics
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
Nick S Apr 11th 2008 1:58PM
there is one macro that everyone should have on their bars somewhere - sell all grey items.
it's available on WoWWiki, and it is a HUGE time- and bagspace-saver.
Matt B Apr 12th 2008 6:05AM
Almost all of my (mage) spells are macroed one way or the other. For example, my main nuke frostbolt is set up so that normally, yes, it casts frostbolt. But if my water elemental is out, it also instructs the beastie to attack my target before firing off my spell.
Learn to love macros, they will make your game ten times better.
ceckjustin Apr 11th 2008 6:47PM
I'm a hunter and I use them for everything. Put all my traps and aspects into two buttons each... Stuff like that.
You should see the hunter multiboxing Deadmines video on www.vboxing.net
That guy has a different macro for every hunter than sets its focus to that target as well as assigning an icon, so he knows what pet will tank which mob. Very, very, well thought out.
Worcester Apr 14th 2008 3:37PM
I use a number of macros on my Rogue. I automatically cast Pickpocket before any Stealth opener and I added Sprint and Evasion to several of my special attacks, like Ghostly Strike. In addition to reducing the damage you take, the increased dodge is a good way to generate combo points from that talent that adds combo points when you dodge or resist a spell. Clearly, I can't think of the name right now!
An "Escape" macro fires off Preparation, Evasion and Sprint to help me get out of a tough spot. Another tap can give me an additional 15 seconds to "run away!"
"Prep and Step" is a two-push Preparation-Shadowstep and Ambush. You'd think you could use those all in one, since Preparation and Shadowstep don't fire the GCD, but the problem is that the macro tries to do all three abilities at the same time. Since you haven't technically Shadowstepped when you press the button, you aren't in position for the Ambush. Still, it's pretty useful.