Marking/Pull Macro question

I have been playing with different macros and am currently using one where I basically mark a target and use shield lob on said target. I also added the line to change the macro icon which is where my question comes in:

I can no longer tell if I am in range for a shield lob or not, based off the icon (numbers are white, no matter how far away I am). Is there any way to get that functionality back?

While I'm at it, has anyone come up with a good way to mark multiple targets in a single macro?

/micon "Shield Lob" <--- first line of your macro.

You could macro something like mark, target switch, mark, etc. but while that would "work", I wouldn't call it *good*, since it'll mark whatever the hell it wants based on where your tab goes.

I am looking for a macro to mark targets 1/2/3 using only one slot.
As I play on PS3 the less you use space the better :)

Thank to this link http://ffxiv.consolegameswiki.com/wiki/Commands in came with the following solution :

Leave one slot empty in "crosshotbar 1" - I will use "slot 1" (L2+left arrow)
copy "crosshotbar 1" to "crosshotbar 2" and "crosshotbar 3"

Macro crosshotbar 1 in "slot 1" (L2+left arrow) :
/mk attack1 <t>
/crosshotbar change 2

Macro crosshotbar 2 in "slot 1" (L2+left arrow) :
/mk attack2 <t>
/crosshotbar change 3

Macro crosshotbar 3 in "slot 1" (L2+left arrow) :
/mk attack3 <t>
/crosshotbar change 1

I haven't tested yet as I am at work. Maybe a "/wait 1" will be needed

There is the "/crosshotbar set [Action Name] [hotbar number] [Slot Number]" command.
It sets an action at a specified slot in a specified crosshotbar.

That would be helpful if "attack1" was considered as an action or if a macro could be considered as an action.
For information crosshotbar slot are numbered from the left to the right in clockwise order (L2+left=1 ; L2+up=2 ; L2+right=3 ; L2+down=4; etc...)

I find marking 1, 2, 3 is kind of useless unless it is a complicated encounter that requires extremely fast target switching. I have macros set up on my CHB2 (R2, X, O, Tri, Squ) to mark targets 1, 2, 3, 4 if that is ever the case. However, I use this macro to mark targets during combat.

/mark off <t>
/action auto-attack <t>
/wait 1
/mark cross <t>
/party {{PLEASE ASSIST ON <t> }} || Marked with "X" ||

This allows me to change which order I want mobs killed in on the fly. I hit shield lob, and punch this macro right after I shield lob a mob, marking it for the first mob to die. Then, as I go through aggro combos, I see which target needs to die next based on AEs/dps/hp/effects/aggro levels/etc and then I just use the d-pad to target the mob I want, and hit this macro again.

A DPS would have to be near brain dead on only looking at a sliver of their screen to miss the giant X and the /party message, so this has made grouping very very easy. I just tell everyone "Don't attack ANYTHING until you see the mark" which gives me time to build aggro if I need it on groups of 4-5 mobs, etc.

The problem with linking shield lob to your macro is that its going to eat a GCD timer, meaning you can't flash in the interim, you are 1 ability behind on your RoH combo, etc. I know SL builds enmity, but if you are watching enmity meters to begin with you shouldn't need the boost upon the assist call. Just map the above macro somewhere easy to reach and you should be set up for a smooth experience.

If you miss your shield lob macro, I'd use this:

/micon "shield lob"
/action cover <tt>
/wait 3
/action provoke <t>
/action shield lob <t>

This is the "Mob Loose" macro I made. As soon as a mob gets loose, target it and hit this macro, it will Cover your target's victim (target's target=tt; if its not on CD), then wait for you GCD to cool off if you had just hit an ability, then hit it with a double smack of provoke and shield lob, instantly taking aggro back from the stray mob. I like to follow this up with flash immediately to solidify the aggro of the loose mob, as well as snap back on the mobs I just ignored to save my stupid WHM who is overhealing ><

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ehayte

/micon "shield lob"
/action cover <tt>
/wait 3
/action provoke <t>
/action shield lob <t>

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I like this, I like this a lot.

I think it's a bad idea to macro in target icons to abilities. There are times when it's nice to be able to use shield lob mid combat like if there's a loose mob or if you need to get out of an AoE but still feel a need to attack the target. Instead I just put marks on F2 through F5 and a mouseover macro bound to each key, hidden from view. Marking the group that way takes but a split second more, and it's much cleaner overall.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wyndam

I think it's a bad idea to macro in target icons to abilities. There are times when it's nice to be able to use shield lob mid combat like if there's a loose mob or if you need to get out of an AoE but still feel a need to attack the target. Instead I just put marks on F2 through F5 and a mouseover macro bound to each key, hidden from view. Marking the group that way takes but a split second more, and it's much cleaner overall.

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Which is awesome if you are using a keyboard and mouse, but its totally inapplicable to PS3 users, such as myself and Thaliss.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ehayte

Which is awesome if you are using a keyboard and mouse, but its totally inapplicable to PS3 users, such as myself and Thaliss.

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Well, okay, but the OP didn't say they were on a PS3, and the reasons you stated for attaching a mark to a regularly used ability were incomplete. Using the button primarily to mark makes you use attacks you may not want to use... using the button primarily to attack screws with marks and may confuse people.

I can understand why people would play on a PS3 if they don't have a PC available, but it does seem like you're really losing functionality by doing so unless you can get a keyboard and mouse that plug into the PS3.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wyndam

I think it's a bad idea to macro in target icons to abilities. There are times when it's nice to be able to use shield lob mid combat like if there's a loose mob or if you need to get out of an AoE but still feel a need to attack the target. Instead I just put marks on F2 through F5 and a mouseover macro bound to each key, hidden from view. Marking the group that way takes but a split second more, and it's much cleaner overall.

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You sir, saved my life.

Thank you!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wyndam

Well, okay, but the OP didn't say they were on a PS3, and the reasons you stated for attaching a mark to a regularly used ability were incomplete. Using the button primarily to mark makes you use attacks you may not want to use... using the button primarily to attack screws with marks and may confuse people.

I can understand why people would play on a PS3 if they don't have a PC available, but it does seem like you're really losing functionality by doing so unless you can get a keyboard and mouse that plug into the PS3.

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My macro only has auto-attack...no action really, as auto attack turns on on any activated action that is offensive. So...I have no idea what you are talking about. Also, I have way more fun playing on PS3, and I can sit in my chair, and lay on my couch, and feel more in the action with my controller : D I prefer it. And I do have a KB and Mouse I plug into my PS3, but I like to use my controller.