Pugilists/Monks - Tell me about your Hotbars.

[Bixby]

I think it needs to be said that I am playing on PC with a mouse/kb.

A lot, but not all of the anti-macro sentiment seems to be coming from controller users.

Not sure where you're getting that. The only person actively advocating macros (HakuroDK) is using a gamepad. Several posts have included either keyboard keys or mouse advice in their suggestions. There's only one other person who's clearly using a gamepad and not using macros (Gardes).

I'm on PC with a mouse and keyboard (actually, a Razer Nostromo, but that's recent, and I remember the layout I used on a keyboard, so I'll just talk about that like it's present tense). I'm not anti-macro in general at all. I just didn't like these specific macros. But my PGL is only level 20(ish). My opinion might change when I eventually get to the point where I have enough abilities to do a full side rotation and a full back rotation, instead of hopping back and forth with every other move.

To me, the real issue isn't whether you use macros or not. The issue seems to be that you're having trouble hitting certain keybinds in combat. So stop using those keybinds. If you have to hit it a lot, especially if you have to hit it a lot while moving, put it on an easy key. If you have to hit it immediately, put it on an easy keybind. If it's "just" a buff, put it on a less easy key. If you only hit it every now and then, put it on a difficult key.

I try to keep my keys the same across as many classes as I can. I hit Alt with my thumb, so it's almost as easy as unmodified keybinds. My main rotation skills are always FVG/Alt-FVG. Stun/silence are always Z. Taunt/threat drop is always Q. AOE is H/Alt-H. Ranged attack/gap closer/gap creator (Fluid Aura) is R. In-combat Buffs are 1-4/Alt+1-4/Shift+1-4, with 3 and 4 being the highest-priority ones, followed by 2 and 5, then 1 and 6, then Alt and those, Shift and those. CC moves (Holmgang, Sleep, Repose) are on C. T and Alt/Shift+CTR are off-rotation skills. All my cross-class stuff (marks, mount, sprint) is on Ctrl. Anything I don't hit very often, especially mid-combat (food, potions, long buffs like Protect and Defiance), is on Shift+6YHBN, though half the time I just click them with my mouse instead.

A lot of those may be harder for you to hit; I have large-ish hands an long fingers. The main thing is to find keys that are easy for you to hit, and prioritize your skills into those keys.

[Lgalang]

Guys guys if others wants to use macro let them be. Dont be like a elitist who wants everyone to be like you. If it works for them thats ok. Everybody learn from their mistakes. This is how you improve. I use macro for monk but not they way others do. It works for me perfectly so im not gonna bother explaining myself. Macro is fine if you know how to use it.

[Draucant]

For macros I don't like using bootshine/dragon kick in them. Half the time boothine/dragon kick go off no matter what, which screws up GL.
Macro:
/ac snap punch
/ac twin strikes

[Draucant]

Blah phone won't let me edit. I also use /micon snap punch in the macro.

[Shirai]

Maybe he/she is using a controller's cross-hotbar. I use it and currently only use 2 sets with 16 slots each.

Ah yes, very possible.
I am a keyboard player myself and I don't use those so I didn't think about that.

[Houston009]

Has anyone ever read the tooltip for "Rockbreaker"?

It says: "Delivers an attack with a potency of 130 to all enemies in a cone before you. Duration: 18s"

So what are those 18s for?

[Jonathan12uiz]

I would really suggest either hotbar efficiency locations or a macro that doesnt depend on the wait command and learning timing as best as possible...

Here is an example of how I have my setup, but I use a controller, which IMO easier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs4jEWgHbec

But you can use this macro setup if you can get timing right (just use hotbars instead of crossbars if you insist on mouse and key)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_3idLVSYrI

[JMadFour]

To me, the real issue isn't whether you use macros or not. The issue seems to be that you're having trouble hitting certain keybinds in combat. So stop using those keybinds. If you have to hit it a lot, especially if you have to hit it a lot while moving, put it on an easy key. If you have to hit it immediately, put it on an easy keybind. If it's "just" a buff, put it on a less easy key. If you only hit it every now and then, put it on a difficult key.

though i ended up deciding to level up a Black Mage first (i think, having the worst time trying to decide between Black mage, Monk, or Summoner), I ended up taking this advice, somewhat. I remapped my 2nd hotbar so that my main skills will be in two rows on my keyboard. my main hotbar hasn't changed, still 1 to =, i changed my second hotbar to Q,E,R,F for my first 4 slots, ALT-1234 for my second 4 slots, and ALT-QERF for my 3rd 4 slots. the plan is to set Transpose and my main Fire spells to 1,2,3,4, Scathe to 5, Thunder to 6, Sleep to 7. then my main Ice spells will go on QERF. and then I'll work it from there for my other, less used spells. my consumables and such will go on my 3rd hotbar and I'll just click them.

that alone should theoretically make it a lot easier for my to hit me most used skill buttons. I'll try it out and see.