Quote Originally Posted by BatHead View Post
I have a question. how essential are macros? Can I get away without using them?
Macros are an aid more than a staple. Many people advise against using macros no matter your class. Bards are an exception to that rule because macros streamline their DPS which lets you focus on your movement and support skills more.

Buff macros are a good idea a lot of the time, just because they take that part out of the thought process. You can get away without using any macros if that's what you prefer. There's no problem if you don't like them.

While macros can be beneficial, the more you use macros the less adaptable your rotations are. So personally I think, depending on your class, there is a balance between usefulness and adaptability.

For example my Summoner, I use a buff macro, a macro for Pet AoE damage to happen when I use Bane, and have Garuda's "Contagion" macrod to Bio so that my DoT length gets extended when available. Or as I illustrated above, my Bard has a few macros but the bulk of the abilities are not macrod (i.e. the songs, the AoEs, Blunt Arrow and Shadowbind).