I wonder what kind of controller you use? Xbox or PS(4)(5)?

I have found a larger issue with Xbox controllers where I have had to completely remap because of where your thumb naturally rests on a controller. Xbox my thumb naturally goes to the thumb stick. Playstation it goes for the D-Pad everytime, and that's just me. So that being said I tend to place my combo heavy attacks/casting spells on the RIGHT trigger + circle, x, square, triangle and RIGHT trigger + D-pad for the not so heavy combo attacks (less prioritized).

This way I can move while still pushing combo buttons. While most of my CD's/ogcds are more on the LEFT trigger or with R2/L2 expanded cross hotbar.

With your question though. I have 2 cover hotkey's. One that is targetable so that I can d-pad up and down to find the desired party member in trouble. (normal skill)

And one that is macroed (can't remember the exact commands going off memory here)

/macroicon "Cover" (this gives you a cooldown timer on the skill and the exact image of paladins skill cover for the macro)
/macroerror off or /merror off (this get's rid of the stupid errors you get spammed to you when mashing a button) "Skill not ready" "target not in range" etc.
/ac "Cover" <2> (casts cover on the 2nd player in the party list slot)
/ac "Cover" <2> (this is the same line, just helps with server ping issues. I only need 2 repeated I have found, but some may need up to 3 repeated to missing a tick)


Now this IS by no means expert level usage, it's merely for QoL targeting for myself with these one off skills.

Cover is a skill I forget about, a lot. It's just not as useful as it once was, but that doesn't mean it has no uses. I have used Cover in Titania Extreme to cover the other tank that is going to soak all 6 tethers. While I take 3 of those with Cover active. Don't really need to, but it's fun to use sometimes.

I wouldn't be surprised if Cover is removed from the game and intervention get's a buff as it's a much better skill and works well with other mitigations.

I have the exact same macro setup for intervention, Nascent Flash, The Blackest Night, Heart of Stone, Aurora and they work beautifully with my co-tank or healer. The only moments I can think of when I would just pop these. is when I'm the OT and I'm sitting on oath. Just toss out an intervention on the MT and it's simple free mitigation, helps the healers and saves MT CD's (raw intuition, heart of stone, etc.)

And tank swaps. If I know a heavy tank buster is coming in and the MT is getting a debuff, then toss it to them fast before the hit. Then provoke while they shirk. I look at it as tanks are pro wrestlers and just need to tag each other in and out. With a macroed intervention I don't have to cycle or fumble around. It's quick and painless so that I'm ready for the provoke or shirk, and I can move while pressing the hotkey.