macros: bad for DPS?

[Morningstar1337]

Okay so I made a thread suggesting adding something so that certain types of abilities can be lit up when used for macro icons. Then another user criticized my example macro (Blizzard III > Thunder III > Fire III > Fire.) I tell her(?) that the macro was used at the end of my rotation and that I added wait periods so that the macros could run. Then she(?) said that introducing macros to rotations hinders the DPS. SO I want to know does using combo macros yield less DPS than learning and flawlessly executing your rotations (because I also made macros to automate my Flare rotation)

Well now the consensus is that, Yes Macros ruin DPS, at least when used to automate rotations. So I've killed my Flare rotation macros but am keeping my buff and MP rotation ones incase I need then (last one would be unlikely but meh)

As for video proof; take a gander at this video by Zisspire

[Najara]

I haven't tried using macros for these things since I haven't seen a point yet.. But why don't you just try it out and see if it works for you? If you feel you're being less efficient then you probably shouldn't do it.

[saeedaisspecial]

Macros don't work in decimal seconds. Only whole seconds. Any /wait used in a macro is automatically rounded up to a whole second, so a /wait 2.5 would become a /wait 3 to the game. Meaning you're losing up to 0.5-0.7 seconds every GCD, the higher your skill/spell speed, the more DPS you're potentially losing.
On top of this there may be certain situations in which you might not want the entire rotation to be performed, in this case, using a macro would completely screw you over.
Also it should be noted that when using GCD actions before your GCD fully cools down, that it will automatically perform it when the GCD returns, macros do not do this. Try it, it's very obvious to test and notice, press an action when your GCD is around 3/4 full, and you'll see it will be performed as soon as it recharges, try it with a macro and nothing happens.
Macros are for lazy, bad players who put being lazy over doing well.

[Morningstar1337]

Macros don't work in decimal seconds. Only whole seconds. Any /wait used in a macro is automatically rounded up to a whole second, so a /wait 2.5 would become a /wait 3 to the game. Meaning you're losing up to 0.5-0.7 seconds every GCD, the higher your skill/spell speed, the more DPS you're potentially losing.

I see.

On top of this there may be certain situations in which you might not want the entire rotation to be performed, in this case, using a macro would completely screw you over.

Those moments are called "AoEs"

Also it should be noted that when using GCD actions before your GCD fully cools down, that it will automatically perform it when the GCD returns, macros do not do this. Try it, it's very obvious to test and notice, press an action when your GCD is around 3/4 full, and you'll see it will be performed as soon as it recharges, try it with a macro and nothing happens.

You have a point

Macros are for lazy, bad players who put being lazy over doing well.

You forgot the "Name" and "icon" aspects. Two reasons why players would want to use macros despite that it hinders their DPS. For example Tri-Disater for a macro using all three BLM elements. And probably try to give them a cool sounding name. It should have been "being lazy or changing aesthetics no one but them cares about over doing well"

[saeedaisspecial]

Those moments are called "AoEs"You have a point

It isn't just AoEs. There are certain fights that may require holding off on your DPS, you would not be able to stop in time depending on the macro you use.

You forgot the "Name" and "icon" aspects. Two reasons why players would want to use macros despite that it hinders their DPS. For example Tri-Disater for a macro using all three BLM elements. And probably try to give them a cool sounding name. It should have been "being lazy or changing aesthetics no one but them cares about over doing well"

Being a special snowflake is not a good reason.

[Morningstar1337]

Being a special snowflake is not a good reason.

Yet square makes it's possible for this to happen at the expence of DPS. Why did they make non-usuable abilities (like Tri-Disaster for non arcanists) useable for BLM macro icons.

Personally I'm probably now gonna use macros only for certain cooldowns and when I'm in a healing class. but now I'm staring to think macros were a bad idea from start to finish.

[Tharian]

The only macroes that I use on DPS classes are the following style of Macro:

/ac "Bio II" <tt>
/ac "Bio II" <t>

the above macro is used on my Summoner or Scholar because I usually have the tank pet or the actual tank targeted and if I want to attack with a spell, I will be required to be able to target the enemy without unselecting the Tank, hence the <tt> part of the macro. I can still use the macro to specifically target the enemy because of the addition of the <t> part of the macro, but typically I will not be targeting the enemy and this macro will enable me to still hit the enemy with my offensive spells.

But this is my only type of macro I will use for DPS purposes.

[Amberyl]

Macros don't work in decimal seconds. Only whole seconds.

Which is pretty ridiculous, given the number of players who hardware macro and do so accurate to two decimal places. The macro system should be changed back to how it was pre-launch. If someone can do it on their £200 keyboard with no penalty, the same facilities should be open to all players. Particularly now PvP is gaining a footing in the game.

That being said, the myth that macro'ing destroys your DPS makes me chuckle. When my PC was being shipped to Hong Kong while I emigrated, I spent three months stuck on a PS3 controller, and given my main is a Dragoon, had little choice but to macro. Often, I am the only Dragoon alive throughout the entire fight, almost certainly because the others are too busy looking at their toolbars and worrying about which button to press next.

Dead DPS don't DPS. Particularly prudent when you're stuck with 300 mdef in a game of spell-spewing bosses.

[saeedaisspecial]

That being said, the myth that macro'ing destroys your DPS makes me chuckle. When my PC was being shipped to Hong Kong while I emigrated, I spent three months stuck on a PS3 controller, and given my main is a Dragoon, had little choice but to macro. Often, I am the only Dragoon alive throughout the entire fight, almost certainly because the others are too busy looking at their toolbars and worrying about which button to press next.

Dead DPS don't DPS. Particularly prudent when you're stuck with 300 mdef in a game of spell-spewing bosses.

"Bad players die therefore I'm right because I'm playing bad too."
Macros ruin your DPS, it's a fact. Saying "Well they help me not die!" is silly, because you're pretty much admitting your inability to play properly.

Also the fact that you think playing on a controller means macros are necessary is just wrong.

[Amberyl]

Macros ruin your DPS, it's a fact. Saying "Well they help me not die!" is silly, because you're pretty much admitting your inability to play properly.

Tell that to the guys playing perfect DPS rotations on a Razer keyboard/mouse in Coil, and topping the parser list.