BLM unneeded skills

[ZhaneX]

Sleep is pretty useful for soloing FATEs and such.

[Shurrikhan]

None of the skills go completely unneeded in all situations. Based on your rotation, downtime (esp. during UI), attack speed, and max mana, any version of Thunder may see use. Sleep still has uses in PvP, though generally none in endgame PvE. Aetherial Manipulation is amazing. Surecast and a couple other oGCDs take up a proportionately higher amount of uptime as spell speed increases, but have situational use primarily has accelerated hit-scans, usually for triggering Firestarter.

Could all of those abilities' functions be put, still distinctly, into a single bar of spells? Sure. But the intentional limiters put on macros would make that difficult until the system is revised. And I wouldn't hold my breath.

[Lilyth]

Just wanna point out that Blizzard *can* indeed be useful on single targets after level 60.

Sometimes you'll get a Tcloud proc and will only be able to use it during AF (which means it'll tick for the entire UI rotation and a bit more). In this scenario, if you get a slow mana tick, you'll have to use a filler after B4 or you won't be at full MP after F3. Since you just used a Tcloud, thunder is still ticking so your only options is Blizzard (or /mdance).

[AlphaFox]

As for thunder 2, you can remove it from your bar but what I would recommend is using a macro for it with Thunder 3.

/micon "Thunder III"
/ac "Thunder III"
/ac "Thunder II"

Least that way if you get sync'd down you can still use Thunder 2 in the case of a proc but you still save up a slot. Will attempt to cast Thunder 3, if it can't (because of MP or level) will cast 2.

[chocopoko]

Aetherial Manipulation is boss when you know a fight and can use it effectively to save time on movement.

I once used it during Thordan extreme for the stack mechanics and it was amazing to dodge that mechanic just so I can cast F4

[chocopoko]

As for thunder 2, you can remove it from your bar but what I would recommend is using a macro for it with Thunder 3.

/micon "Thunder III"
/ac "Thunder III"
/ac "Thunder II"

Least that way if you get sync'd down you can still use Thunder 2 in the case of a proc but you still save up a slot. Will attempt to cast Thunder 3, if it can't (because of MP or level) will cast 2.

this is pretty good advice! will do this. thanks!

[chocopoko]

how to use this macro if you're using a controller? I have been using kb and mouse but I'd like to be proficient in gamepads as well and plan to switch to it entirely. Since the kb and mouse has the mouse over macro, how to use this in a controller scenario?

[AlphaFox]

Not sure what you mean, I'd assume you would just make the Macro then drag it to the spot on your controller you'd want it to be. However I am PC, never touch controller play.

[Cherub]

Do
/ac "Spellname" <t>
You HAVE to do the <t> (attack target) or it won't work. Well, at least it would never for me. Then it will just cast the action on the enemy you are currently targetting.