Macros: How much is too much?

[CamuiKushi]

On an official CS3 level, what are the actual guidelines? I know of two people who have been suspended for macro use since the beginning of the year and the answers they got to how they should avoid being suspended in the future were vague.

How are people supposed to avoid breaking the rules if they aren't clear? TOS specifically says spamming the same commands when people aren't listening, but I know for a fact that wasn't the case for one of these people.

The guidelines should be crystal clear.

[CamuiKushi]

In my opinion, as someone who is very new to FL (only been playing since just before DT release), having shot-callers makes the game mode more exciting and strategic. Some of the best matches have been when each team is trying to outsmart each other, and this can only really be achieved when people are doing callouts. Having specific guidelines would go a long way to ensuring players don't feel inconvenienced, while still giving people who love PVP and subscribe to the game specifically for PVP the ability to enjoy the game mode to its fullest.

[Mawlzy]

We could really use guidance for a lot of issues regarding Frontline. I'm actually surprised anyone would pick up a ban for macro use. There are many shot-callers who will completely swamp chat despite 90% of the messages being largely irrelevant. On Aether it's been getting worse recently, so it's possible more reports are going in.

FWIW I personally dislike overly-noisy shot-callers, but I'd never report such a player for overuse. They're misguided and rude, but presumably believe they are helping their team win. I just mute them. The only time I report for chat spamming is when it is just that - typically premades (the infamous "just playing with friends") discussing topics that have eff all to do with the battle as allegedly amusing trolling.

Re: guidance, another topic we need clarity on is lethargic play. This is also rising on Aether, with the favorite variant being standing on a node near base waiting for it to pop, while not engaging the enemy, and simply shuffling occasionally to avoid auto-kick. I strongly encourage people to vote kick such players when they're in your alliance, and report them if they're not.

Absolutely sick of carrying the water for non-combatants so they can get their daily XP.

[Raraka]

For me its the sound effects, <se.1> makes me want to abandon duty when someone is spamming it

On the other hand, <se.5> and the bongos <se.6> dont bother me at all

A couple nights ago I straight up told a shotcaller that the sound effects they had were annoying, simple as that

[Mawlzy]

For me its the sound effects, <se.1> makes me want to abandon duty when someone is spamming it

On the other hand, <se.5> and the bongos <se.6> dont bother me at all

A couple nights ago I straight up told a shotcaller that the sound effects they had were annoying, simple as that

se.4 gets me. reminds me of a dental procedure. bongos are genuinely useful.

[CamuiKushi]

For me its the sound effects, <se.1> makes me want to abandon duty when someone is spamming it

Good to know. I tend to default to se.1 when I'm typing stuff manually haha
I love the bongos ngl

[Divinemights]

Not all macro need to come with sound.
Classic 5-4-3-2-1-Circle kill macro do not requires a sound, because Circle is the kill call.
Don't call the location in the chat, it is pointless, use waymark instead
For human, visual is always better than sound.
The only macro need a sound effect is retreat

[CamuiKushi]

Just saw a tweet from Abyss Strike on Typhon that they received a warning from a GM. Their macro spam is very minimal, so I think this might just be a growing problem with people spite reporting commanders? If it is people reporting out of spite then that's all the more reason the guidelines should be made more clear.

[Mawlzy]

Just saw a tweet from Abyss Strike on Typhon that they received a warning from a GM. Their macro spam is very minimal, so I think this might just be a growing problem with people spite reporting commanders? If it is people reporting out of spite then that's all the more reason the guidelines should be made more clear.

Spite reporting is consistent with what you describe, but perhaps only in a specific way.

I am no longer on PvP Discord because frankly some of the conversations turned my stomach, but what I learned from that (and observed in FL matches) is that there's quite a lot of factionalism. If shot-callers are picking up warnings for macro use that most people would regard as minimal, it's most likely rival light parties/cliques mass reporting someone they don't like.

Discord is the most likely platform that concerted campaigns like this can be orchestrated. I doubt the people who tell shot-callers to STFU during a match would be bothered or able to set up a mass report.

What is troubling is that your characterization of this player's macro use suggests the GMs are not reviewing the chat logs properly. And it confirms your point that clarity is required on this issue.