Why can't I manage all these buttons

[BH5432]

Hey all.

As I am new here. I was wondering if there was a way to make macros that use Abilities in order with the rotation?

I have issues with coordination. Like I know Alt and shift are there but trying to use them while also hitting my ability buttons and moving is honestly Quite difficult for me.

I was wondering if there is a way to reduce say a 3 button rotation thats the exact same every time down to a single button?

[Mhaeric]

You could use something like what I use for menu bars, which copies entire hotbars over top of my main one. I set all my desired actions on hotbars 7-10 (using jobs like BTN, MNR, etc to keep it easy to remember where they are) and then use a copy command from a macro to copy them to hotbar 6 whenever I want to display a specific set. Hotbar 5 is my "main menu" that has all of the swap macros. This could be adapted to work for your main hotbar to swap several skills as they cycle through a comba, but it would be a lot of work and comes with several drawbacks. E.g. if you got off track in your combo it would take extra button presses just to get back to the start of it. There also isn't a way to copy single hotbar skills, you have to copy the entire bar. So whenever you wanted to make a change to your hotbar you would have to go into your stored ones and make the changes there, making sure to change every single hotbar to include the same static skills. While I make great use out of this for keeping my non-combat hotbar with a very small footprint, I wouldn't really recommend it for combat hotbars. If you do decide to do it, here is a video I used to help me wrap my head around it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYToDRSELLI

I don't know the details of your coordination issues, but I suspect you might get better use out of a mouse or other controlling device if that's affordable for you. There's usually enough buttons on one of those to cover all of your needs without needing to do alt- or shift- versions of things.

[Darkstride]

Macros for abilities are generally a bad idea, especially for combos. There are a couple of reason. For one, they don't queue so it causes a delay between one button press and the next, where normally your next ability starts as soon as your current one ends. Second, the global cooldown is 2.5 seconds, but macros only work in full second increments so you would be waiting 3 seconds between each weaponskill used. That considerably slows down combat and lowers your damage output.

My suggestion if you have issues with the coordination, is perhaps trying to use a controller. It may sound counterintuitive, but with the extended crossbars, it gives you various options to access extra abilities.

The main controller hotbars are just set to L2 or R2. You can additionally set abilities to holding both buttons together (holding L2+R2 for instance, opens another hotbar set). You can also set abilities to a hotbar accessed by "double tapping" L2 or R2. You also have the option to rotate through hotbars by hitting R1. It may sound like a lot, but your thumb never needs to leave the analog stick, so it doesn't interfere with movement whatsoever.

[Urthdigger]

I have to second using a controller. I find it a lot easier to remember the muscle memory for commands when it's shoulder buttons and a face button or dpad, and with all the extended options available I don't like for space for actions.

[AnnaUK]

I am on ps4 and use the controller and a keyboard.. I use the keyboard for longer cds and other stuff, and the controller for main rotation stuff.. I find swapping on the controller a pain because it's so easy to cycle too fast.

[KRIPTICON]

I strongly advise against playing your class by stringing together commands with macros unless you are crafting. Having trouble with commands is normal for new players and you will improve with practice.

[Darkstride]

I am on ps4 and use the controller and a keyboard.. I use the keyboard for longer cds and other stuff, and the controller for main rotation stuff.. I find swapping on the controller a pain because it's so easy to cycle too fast.

You can hold down R1 and manually select which hotbar you want instead of fast cycling.

Also, are you using the extended cross hotbars? You should be able to fit all of a job's abilities if you use them, especially in 5.0.

[AnnaUK]

Yeah I know - but I just couldn't get on with it.. the way I have it works great for me.

[KeaneR]

Have you considered investing in a gaming keyboard where you could assign a number of keystrokes to one button. Not sure if that is what you are looking for but it would mean instead of doing say Alt + 1, you would only have one button press.

[Kleptobrainiac]

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