Is it a DPS loss to use macros?

[HoroBoro]

Yea - it's funny how cast time doesn't really match the cast. When you're about 80% done, you're done. You can move, cast another spell, whatever. And the instant stuff (like transpose) seems to use different code or is transferred faster to the server.

So you can literally: Start with nothing -> cast ice -> transpose -> and still have Umbral Ice.

Makes for interesting combos...

[Rose-Wild]

Don't use them. You can't queue other skills and becomes a dps loss.

[Caduceus]

a loss of about .09 sec recast time isn't that big... if you notice people have done this math i think the last line sums it up best http://www.bluegartr.com/threads/117...=1#post6040789 , and since technically knowing your dps through a parser is a violation of t.o.s then how terribly are they going to call you out honestly?


"Arguments for manual:
• Prebuffered actions (see above)
• Ability to make decisions (i.e. it's better to wait .1 seconds to fire an upcoming Heavy Shot, then fire a fresh Bloodletter proc as we discussed about 10 posts back in this thread, but the macro system can't do that)
• Full control over buffs
Arguments for macros:
• Less occupied hotbar space
• Less to keep track of
• Less room for error
Ultimately, the method you choose is entirely up to your own preference, as the difference is minimal. "

[Parawill]

Hmm, "less to keep track of" for summoners is a horrid reason to use macros for them. If you keep refreshing dots before they run out (since you'll most likely go through your whole Bio II -> Miasma -> Bio), you're losing out on ticks from Bio II and Miasma, thus increasing your mana consumption by nasty amounts. Plus, you lose a few GCDs for inefficiently refreshing debuffs... in exclusion to clipping with Tri-Disaster in B.Trance.

[emmgee]

Do not use macros for dps, this video clearly shows the side-by-side difference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=253&v=czzLF4IfFaM

[Dante_V]

It's is a noticeable dps loss. Anything .5 is rounded. No queue for abilities and even at the most efficient usage it's essentially like nerfing your Skillspeed which means losses of gcds over time. There is also no freedom with OGCD attacks and it interferes with the usage of certain procs.

TLDR - It lowers the ceiling on potential dps output.

[Edewen]

OK. to be clear. a macro like the one below is still a dps loss

/micon "heavy shot"
/ac "heavy shot"

This is because of the queing system explained on this page already. Nobody is perfect and witout using the queing system you are bound to lose a couple tenths of a second at minumum with each ability using macros.

Here is the kicker. Only in game macros are the issue. If you have a button on your mouse or keyboard that hits several keys at once. That still uses the queueing system. For example, Im lazy, and almost always want to use bloodbath, fight or flight, and shelltron on cd as soon as possible. so every time i hit 6 on my naga, it also hits the keys i have associated with those skills on the side of my screen. essentially hitting all 4 at once and still being able to utilize the queueing system built into the game.

Same can, in theory, be applied to bard abilities like bloodletter and ME, but not sure how it will work with the horror that is minuet. Mainly because my bard will sit at 50 until the unlikely event they take away the dam cast bar adn turn it into a buff to damage given for standing still for x ammount of time.

[Arkenne]

The short answer is: Yes.
And the long answer doesn't matter, but its still Yes.

[Caduceus]

Information about 2.5 rounding up is incorrect. If you switch to a sch and manually cast embrace (which has a 3 Second cooldown) at the same time that you cast the macro to place all your dots with a /wait 2.5 between them your dots will cast .5 Sec BEFORE embrace is ready to be cast again.

[ruskie]

Information about 2.5 rounding up is incorrect. If you switch to a sch and manually cast embrace (which has a 3 Second cooldown) at the same time that you cast the macro to place all your dots with a /wait 2.5 between them your dots will cast .5 Sec BEFORE embrace is ready to be cast again.

Considering it takes a while for embrace to actually register - as do other pet skills... it's register - start cast - end cast so you would likely not notice all the delay.