BLM Macro set-up

[lacrimosaangel]

Hey guys,
I'm currently level 43 BLM and getting started with macros, but I'm a little confused, as a lot of them seem to be one-time only settings, like equipping, accepting party invites etc, all of which I can do very quickly and comfortably using the UI and the ps4 controller.

So, my question is, which macros would be useful to make playing as a BLM more efficient?
Can I set up macros to automatically run a set of actions, or self-heal once getting below a certain amount of health, like with the Gambits in FFXII?

I'm hoping to get a nice efficient crossbar setup ready for end-game but am confused as to how to start with the macros.

Oh, and I don't suppose there's a way to simultaneously use the ps4 controller AND the plug in keyboard to maximise options is there?

(Yes, I'm a MMO noob )

[ChameleonMS]

While you cannot create gambits. You can bind multiple actions to a single command.
I personsally do not use this macro, this is just to give you an idea what you can do. I do not use it because the wait times and GCD (time spent waiting a command to finish are more efficient when done manually) as some command can be execute during this waiting time.

/micon "Flare"
/ac "Raging Strikes" <wait.1>
/ac "Swiftcast" <wait.1>
/ac "Flare" <wait.2>
/ac "Convert" <wait.1>
/ac "Flare" <wait.4>
/ac "Transpose" <wait.1>
/ac "Quelling Strikes"

I do use the first part on a regular basis
/micon "Swiftcast"
/ac "Swiftcast" <wait.1>
/ac "Flare"

FYI, /micon changes the display icon, I use Swiftcast to let me know when I have an "insta" flare available.

[lacrimosaangel]

Thanks! I haven't unlocked flare yet, but looks like a good setup! What does the <wait.1> do btw?

[ChameleonMS]

The <wait.#> tells the game how many seconds it wait before doing the next action. FYI, the game will only honour up to 60 seconds of wait for a single wait command.
The macro system does not honour 0.# seconds, it will round the number to a whole second. Thus, 2.4 would be 2 seconds and 2.5 would 3 seconds.
All skills triggered and honouring GCD in the game take 2.x seconds of cool down. This is why macros are less optimal than actually pressing the buttons yourself.
If a macro command is triggered while the action is on cool down, the game will just say it cannot perform the action and move with the rest of the macro, "skipping" that step.

[radioactive_lego]

@OP
Just out of curiosity, do you use L1/R1 for enemy targeting or the (ugh) D-pad? There are a lot of targeting macros that are useful, depending on your targeting style.

[Anubis_Nephthys]

I suggest playing with zero combat macros. They are unreliable and zap efficiency.

[ChameleonMS]

I suggest playing with zero combat macros. They are unreliable and zap efficiency.

For a PC player, I would 100% agree with you.
For a PS4 player using a controller, a few limited combat macros or buff / debuf macros is a good idea because accessing 2nd and 3rd cross hot-bars already costs you the time in many circumstances.

[Anubis_Nephthys]

For a PC player, I would 100% agree with you.
For a PS4 player using a controller, a few limited combat macros or buff / debuf macros is a good idea because accessing 2nd and 3rd cross hot-bars already costs you the time in many circumstances.

While I usually concede to forum criticisms, I feel I have to disagree with you here. I am on the PS4. I play PLD, DRG, and WHM a lot (They are my only 3 real classes). I have everything i need for all 3 them on two bars. Sure, PLD and WHM aren't very action heavy, and in agreement with this, I have extra slots on those two classes. DRG is tight, and it may take some re-working come expansion time. I am very good friends with someone who plays SCH, BLM, and BRD on the PS4. This person has no issues with BLM or BRD. Their SCH setup is the only thing CLOSE to needing macros. They have healing on Hotbar 1, DPS spells on Hotbar 2, and pet actions on the L2+R2 / R2+L2 hotbar.
I also have WAR to 49, so I am missing 2 skills (3 counting mantra), and i have more than enough room for these 2-3 actions.
I guess my point here is that by utilizing the L2+R2 / R2+L2 hotbar, I personally know that 6 of the 9 classes do not require macros. And I'd wager that the other 3 do not as well.

[Kaze3434]

While you cannot create gambits. You can bind multiple actions to a single command.
I personsally do not use this macro, this is just to give you an idea what you can do. I do not use it because the wait times and GCD /micon "Flare"
/ac "Raging Strikes" <wait.1>
/ac "Swiftcast" <wait.1>
/ac "Flare" <wait.2>
/ac "Convert" <wait.1>
/ac "Flare" <wait.4>
/ac "Transpose" <wait.1>
/ac "Quelling Strikes"

/micon "Swiftcast"
/ac "Swiftcast" <wait.1>
/ac "Flare"

FYI, /micon changes the display icon, I use Swiftcast to let me know when I have an "insta" flare available.

that macro with quelling at the end is largely bad, because quelling doesnt work like shroud of saints. it lowers the aggro of each move you do, and is not an aggro dump for anything you have gained.as an aside, putting gcd moves into a macro is usually a very bad idea. usually.

[Kaze3434]

For a PC player, I would 100% agree with you.
For a PS4 player using a controller, a few limited combat macros or buff / debuf macros is a good idea because accessing 2nd and 3rd cross hot-bars already costs you the time in many circumstances.

expanded cross bar is your best friend. i was able to fit all of my main spells on my first one, and debuffs/buffs on second, with room to spare for x ether and x pot.