What Everybody Wants: Shorter, Simpler Macros

[Tamarsamar]

In wake of the <wait #> macro command, it is clear that the devs show an interest in alleviating player macro space. However, allowing the /wait command to be placed on the same line as the previous command is, to use an analogy that has particularly amused me, "like applying a bandage to a severed head."

Most unfortunately, with the way this game is designed, the playerbase can only make the most of what they are given by repeatedly switching out different pieces of gear, even mid-combat, to handle different situations. At end-game this can even get as extreme as a need to switch out all 13 slots of non-TP-resetting equipment at once. As much as I would personally like for the need for on-the-spot equipment changes to be removed from the game entirely, that also unfortunately seems extremely unlikely at this point, with more and more situational equipment finding its way in to the game over the years.

The solution I propose? A /equipset command. This hypothetical command is followed by a number. By typing "/equipset ## add", you would be able to "save" the equipment you are currently using to that number, and later, by typing simply "/equipset ##", the equipment that you "saved" is automatically all equipped. Imagine it as 16 different /equip commands, saved to memory, and accessible with one line. Be it front-line, mage, or (especially) both, it is every combat-oriented person's dream to be able to switch all necessary equipment on the fly with just a single command, like this.

Truly, if such a solution to the current macro space problem existed, the devs would have the eternal gratitude of many adventurers within Vana'diel; they already have my gratitude for reading and considering this thread.

[Chibisawa]

Macro system really needs an overhaul, playing on PS2, I have several pieces of gear that I either have to place in multiple macros (ws gear) or gear that I just can't use (Ichi recast items, cure items) because it's just not practical to have two macros for a motion that needs to be performed quickly. Ideally you should be able to potentially swap all slots, do a spell/ja and then swap back to your idle set with a recast timer as well, but I know that's rough. The /equipset idea seems to be something they could work in though.

[Revalus]

I fully support this endeavor. It would be unfortunate if this was not considered.

[Teakwood]

Seconded; I think this is actually a feasible solution for evening out the disparity between gear swap ease-of-use. I'd be interested to know whether this would actually be possible given the game's architecture.

[Gadanae]

/applaud. Right now, and SE knows about these things. 3rd party windower programs such as Spellcast take care of this dilemna, but there are drawbacks. One major one is ya gotta play on PC to use it. 2, it's against SE's rules to use 3rd party programs and can get you banned. 3. Even if you do stick your neck out there to use this program, it's insanely hard to understand the scripting unless you are savvy to it.

Your solution of /equipset is an awesome idea, and I do pray and hope that SE reads this thread and does something if they can within the game's architecture, like Teak said, to implement it.

Either that or make upgraded gear have all the stats we need so we don't need to switch? Dreamin I know.....

[Maquis]

Yes, equipsets sounds like the way forward. Would be best to view the equipment sets in menu, just like you have 20 macro books, you can view 20 equipment sets. They can re-use the equipment window they already have, but modify it to show the equipment of the set. Or 20 equipment sets per macro book, where each equipment set is only available to use in that macro book?

In anyway, I fully support this suggestion.

[ffxkenshin]

SE do please consider the /equipset, if it's maybe too hard, then just give us a 20 line per macro (hope memory is not the limit here >.>), this will allow us to have:
/recast xxx
/ja /magic /pet xxx
change all 13 non-tp-reset or change all 16 slot for mage that doesn't care tp-reset
an extra 2 line for communication maybe /party or /linkshell

[Rasantath]

i like the idea, but i dont think it will happen, they have already run into memory limitations (just try to load the list of key items you have now into the auto translator, the key item category goes away entirely), so i dont think holding your equip sets in memory will work for them.
something should be done though.

[LeChuck]

Considering the idea of adding more lines to the macroes is not viable because of memory limits and maybe the excellent idea of an /equipset command is not possible for the same reason (memory issues), let us have a /command to call another macro. Like I press ALT + macro1 and last line of this macro is "/recall book xx set xx <alt||ctrl> macro2". This will let the second macro be executed at the end of the first one (add more at the end of each macro if needed)

[Tamarsamar]

LeChuck, the problem with that that I think the devs would be a little wary about implementing is that it would allow people to set up infinite macro loops. To give just one example of how this can not be a good thing, consider that /shout can be put in to macros, as well, and then a problem becomes obvious.

Anyway, we already have Grand Greedaloxes clamoring for yet more inventory, and I think that what I am asking for is slightly more reasonable (and, to be blunt, much more necessary) than that, don't you?