Spread Out Macros / Formations

[Slats]

People ask this so much, I am going to sticky this. - Xzin


I know how to spread out in a + sign. I know how to spread out in a x.

What I cant work out is how to spread out in a line. I seen Xbox do it in his movies and some of the others do it in there movies.

IE:
M
C1 C2 C3 C4

To do + you would bind:

A=Up, B=Down, C=Left, D=Right and make something like Numpad0 be that on all characters. To do an X I use Xkeys to press up and left, down and right etc etc.

Cant work out the line, can someone help?

-Slats

[PhyrraM]

Just an idea from a noob, but can you make the two 'inside' ones walk instead of run?

Something like:

/walk
/move left(or right)
/run

in a macro?

The result would be a line with the main in the center as he doesn't move.

[Zaelar]

Two buttons. One is strafe left for alt A while strafe right for B, other is same for C and D. Press both buttons, but hold one for longer. You'll end up with(assuming you start with main and four followers):

- -M
A A A A

[Slats]

Nice ideas so far, is there a smoother way to do it?

I really want to do it in one fluid motion as others seem to do.

I am pretty sure Brad does it in one of this movies too... *nudge*

[Lance]

This has been talked about on the forums a fair bit. Brad has said what he uses to do his line formation already.

[Zaelar]

You can't control movement with a macro, /follow excluded.

[Slats]

I've done a forum search, I cannot find Brads post where he does a LINE.

I dont want an X I dont want a + sign. I want a _ _ _ _ style.

I am thinking I could maybe do the two button idea as suggested and use X-Keys to insert a pause. I am unsure.

IE:
A&B=Numpad0
C&D=Numpad1

On X-Keys make a macro to press both, insert a pause break and then just the out two. Dont know how smooth this would be. :(

If we can come up with a good solution I wouldn't mind putting together a clean formations thread as people post about it all the time and people are too quick to go "go away use the search button" obviously if people are psoting it so often its nowhere clear to be found.

-Slats

[Slats]

*nod* That is quite effective.

I am more looking for a way to have my main run up to something and my four clones spread out into a line behind him.

I also love the + formation for showing off as it works with Totems really really well.

[Slats]

OK looking at this video closely around the 1:29 mark it looks like he does do it in 2 stages, wether a walk toggle is involved I am unsure.

It looks like

AB - Left
CD - Right
Then:
B Left
D Right

Hmm. I will experiment when I am at home, so far we have two very likely solutions.

-Slats

[Ticks]

I'm not quite sure how other people do it but I'll share how I do it. It's as close to a "line" as I can get. In fact, I don't see how you can do the perfect line without holding two buttons with one button held a little longer.

To do it the way I'm going to describe, you'll need X-Keys Pro and understand that if you press Forward & Strafe (left or right), you will move in a diagonal direction. So if you're standing in the middle of a clock and press Forward & Strafe Right, you will head towards 2 o'clock. So with that in mind, clear ALL of your movement bindings from your clones. And I mean ALL of them. Then set up your clones like the following, you can use different keys if you prefer but just make sure you maintain the same pattern as I have listed below.


Toon A

Forward = ""
Backward = ""
Strafe Left = "O"
Strafe Right = ""

Toon B

Forward = ""
Backward = "P"
Strafe Left = "O"
Strafe Right = ""

Toon C

Forward = ""
Backward = ""
Strafe Left = ""
Strafe Right = "O"

Toon D

Forward = ""
Backward = "P"
Strafe Left = ""
Strafe Right = "O"

(For turning right & left, I mapped those movements to Q & E so I can turn my clones left or right should they not be facing a target or something.)

X-Keys configuration:

Choose two keys that are next to each other. For the first key, record the keystroke by pressing the letter "O". (not uppercase). Then the second key, record the letter "P" (not uppercase). Remove the single key caps from those keys and place a double key cap over them so a single key press will press both keys.

Using this method will give you a formation like this:

[code:1] x M x
x x[/code:1]

I hope this helps.

[Lance]

Sorry if I sounded like a nob I did have a search myself and couldn't find it :)
This is what I do and is copied from a previous post. You need 3 keys. Assuming char 1 is the main btw.

Key1. char 2 strafe L/char 3 strafe L/char 4 strafe R/char 5 strafe R
Key2. char 3 strafe R/ char 5 strafe L
Key3. char 2 strafe R/char 4 strafe L

[Slats]

Very very interesting. I like it!

OK now on to another question - if I use a mod like Bongos2, I can give a paticular button more than the default 2 sets of keys. IE in Keybindings everything can have a primary key and secondary key associated. With Bongs2 you could bind Shadowbolt to your whole keyboard if you really wanted.

Anybody know a way to have unlimited keys bound to up down strafe left strafe right. Otherwise if I want to have 4 different formations AND still let my toons have the arrow keys to move, I can really only have one formation as I only get to use one lot of 'secondary keys'.

Any thoughts?

[Bradster]

Here's my setup, what i've used from level 1

I assigned ~ as my formation key

Player A = Up
Player B = Down
Player C = Left straf
Player D = Right Staf
Player Z = Nothing

My formation is a diamond is Player Z almost in the middle. I normally do it while Player Z is out in front so it's often in front of all of them.

Player Z is towards the middle since it spread out from Z player. It's not a perfect formation but does kinda give a line effect. I know what your after. You want a Perfectly straight line like Xbox's setup?

I read some where on the forums how to do it. I like the /walk idea. That just might do it. GL =)

[Tealuin]

How do you strafe diag left with one key?


The one key would be a programmable key on your Xkeys, G15, etc.

You can do it the way Ticks described earlier in this thread.

Or program an Xkey to repeat and record it to do both presses on the keyboard for strafe left and forward/backward depending if you want to go diag forward from current spot or backward.

[mxracer050]

Old thread, but great information.

Now, its great about the line setup. However, since I will be 3 boxing. Could anyone possibly enlighten me on how to set it up more like this..

.......X
...X......X


Thanks a lot

[Vyndree]

Could anyone possibly enlighten me on how to set it up more like this..

.......X
...X......X


Now, normally if character A is your main, your characters will end up in this formation when you stop moving (where B&C are on top of each other)
.......A
......BC

Bind a key for B character to "strafe left"
Bind the same key for C character to "strafe right"
Unbind the key on character A since, if B and C are on follow A will always be in front.

Leaving you with:
.......A
...B......C

[Jack-Zeal]

is there anyway to create formations without x-keys?

[beyond-tec]

is there anyway to create formations without x-keys?

x-keys = additional keys


it doesn't matter where you bind the movement keys to.
I've used the pageup and pagedown keys for formations.

Open the Warcraft Keyconfiguration: (ESC, Keysettings)

PageUp-Key:
CharA: nothing
CharB: strafe left / sidestep left
CharC: strafe right / sidestep right

PageDown-Key:
CharA: nothing
CharB: strafe right / sidestep right
CharC: strafe left / sidestep left

now press and hold the Pageup or pagedown key.

[Remote]

AHK spread out macro...

~Alt & F1::
ControlSend,,{q down}, ahk_id %wowid2%
ControlSend,,{e down}, ahk_id %wowid3%
ControlSend,,{q down}, ahk_id %wowid4%
ControlSend,,{e down}, ahk_id %wowid5%
Sleep, 250
ControlSend,,{q up}, ahk_id %wowid4%
ControlSend,,{e up}, ahk_id %wowid5%
Sleep, 250
ControlSend,,{q up}, ahk_id %wowid2%
ControlSend,,{e up}, ahk_id %wowid3%
return

[omericka]

A quick manipulation of the script turns it into a line ;D



~Alt & F1::
ControlSend,,{q down}, ahk_id %wowid2%
ControlSend,,{e down}, ahk_id %wowid3%
ControlSend,,{q down}, ahk_id %wowid4%
ControlSend,,{e down}, ahk_id %wowid5%
Sleep, 250
ControlSend,,{q up}, ahk_id %wowid4%
ControlSend,,{e up}, ahk_id %wowid5%
Sleep, 250
ControlSend,,{q up}, ahk_id %wowid2%
ControlSend,,{e up}, ahk_id %wowid3%
ControlSend,,{w down}, ahk_id %wowid2%
ControlSend,,{w down}, ahk_id %wowid3%
ControlSend,,{w down}, ahk_id %wowid4%
ControlSend,,{w down}, ahk_id %wowid5%
Sleep, 250
ControlSend,,{w up}, ahk_id %wowid2%
ControlSend,,{w up}, ahk_id %wowid3%
ControlSend,,{w up}, ahk_id %wowid4%
ControlSend,,{w up}, ahk_id %wowid5%
return

[Wilbur]

Ok, whilst this may seem harmless enough this is exactly the kind of thing we are trying to avoid. This is classed as Automation, as such Its not allowed on these forums.

If you have any questions PM me or one of the other Mods.

[marvein]

is there anyway to create formations without x-keys?

x-keys = additional keys


it doesn't matter where you bind the movement keys to.
I've used the pageup and pagedown keys for formations.

Open the Warcraft Keyconfiguration: (ESC, Keysettings)

PageUp-Key:
CharA: nothing
CharB: strafe left / sidestep left
CharC: strafe right / sidestep right

PageDown-Key:
CharA: nothing
CharB: strafe right / sidestep right
CharC: strafe left / sidestep left

now press and hold the Pageup or pagedown key.

The only catch is with xkeys, G15, N52 etc is that you can bind multiple keystrokes to a single button. allowing you to do move forward+strafe left with one key as opposed to two. So for example to get the straight line or the X formation using only one keypress would require a programmable key, if using only 1 key doesnt matter the same effect can be done with a normal keyboard using multiple keys instead.

[deps]

i was on ptr last night with 3 shamans - and i found out a way that, even though crude, works for making a line!

on my topright shaman, i binded the 'optional' right strafe to caps lock, on my left shaman, i binded the 'optional' left strafe to caps lock, and on my main, i binded the 'optional' backwards key to caps lock. Now we know that when you press a movement key on your main it kind of 'lags' somewhat before you characters move, so i just held the capslock button till my main reached the other 2 shamans, and by the time the rest caught up they spread out in a line lovely. i don't have a screenie since my norton decided to fk my computer up, but, althought it's somewhat crude, it works!

[schlange]

AHK spread out macro...

~Alt & F1::
ControlSend,,{q down}, ahk_id %wowid2%
ControlSend,,{e down}, ahk_id %wowid3%
ControlSend,,{q down}, ahk_id %wowid4%
ControlSend,,{e down}, ahk_id %wowid5%
Sleep, 250
ControlSend,,{q up}, ahk_id %wowid4%
ControlSend,,{e up}, ahk_id %wowid5%
Sleep, 250
ControlSend,,{q up}, ahk_id %wowid2%
ControlSend,,{e up}, ahk_id %wowid3%
return

I have a G11 keyboard and I guess this would work, but is it legal by WOW? Being multi-boxing I am already under the spotlight, I do not want to lose the accounts :)

[Bollwerk]

AHK spread out macro...

~Alt & F1::
ControlSend,,{q down}, ahk_id %wowid2%
ControlSend,,{e down}, ahk_id %wowid3%
ControlSend,,{q down}, ahk_id %wowid4%
ControlSend,,{e down}, ahk_id %wowid5%
Sleep, 250
ControlSend,,{q up}, ahk_id %wowid4%
ControlSend,,{e up}, ahk_id %wowid5%
Sleep, 250
ControlSend,,{q up}, ahk_id %wowid2%
ControlSend,,{e up}, ahk_id %wowid3%
return

I have a G11 keyboard and I guess this would work, but is it legal by WOW? Being multi-boxing I am already under the spotlight, I do not want to lose the accounts :)This is NOT legal to Blizzard.

[Catamer]

i had the G set as an alternate strafe left on two of my characters, the G is the alternate strafe rigth on two others.

the J is an alternate move forward on two, and an alternate move back on two and (GJ) gets me a simple box.

I assume to get a line I might have G as left/right on 2/2 characters and the J could be move left/right on only 1/1 of the characters. ( GJ gives a line )

[Djarid]

AHK spread out macro...

~Alt & F1::
ControlSend" linkhref=",{q down}, ahk_id %wowid2%
ControlSend,,{e down}, ahk_id %wowid3%
ControlSend,,{q down}, ahk_id %wowid4%
ControlSend,,{e down}, ahk_id %wowid5%
Sleep, 250
ControlSend,,{q up}, ahk_id %wowid4%
ControlSend,,{e up}, ahk_id %wowid5%
Sleep, 250
ControlSend,,{q up}, ahk_id %wowid2%
ControlSend,,{e up}, ahk_id %wowid3%
return[/quote" class="wysiwygQuote">

I have a G11 keyboard and I guess this would work, but is it legal by WOW? Being multi-boxing I am already under the spotlight, I do not want to lose the accounts :)This is NOT legal to Blizzard.unfortunately Bollwerk is right... you are getting 2 keypresses in game for only one press of the keyboard.
Also the use of delays is against ToS.

[Sun]

is there anyway to create formations without x-keys?All of your formations are done within the binding feature of your game. Xkeys is only a tool that you can use to move your toons around once you made the bindings in-game. I personally use N52 gamepad to move my toons. You could use your own keyboard to move your toons.

I was re-reading these posts and can see why others are confused. Your main...remove the binding on all of the arrow keys. Keep the normal bindings. Now...4 toons...you want to bind StrafeLeft/Right to all 4 toons. Doesnt matter which keys you use but 2 are going to be the same and 2 are going to be opposites of that selection. I use PageUP/PageDown. Be sure your N52 gamepad....or....Xkeys has that key selected for your movements to work. The arrow keys would have a corresponding place on your N52 gamepad as well. when you go to do your formation you hit the one button to move them all away from each other a little space. Then hit the 2nd button to move the two away from the one he is next to. Once you get the feel for the formation it will look rather smooth to others watching. I left the arrowUP/arrowDOWN features so I can move them as I need to for quests and drop pickups.

example....

toon1
StrafeL - PageUp
StrafeR - PageDown
toon2
StrafeL - PageDown///arrowL
StrafeR - PageUp/////arrowR
toon3
StrafeL - PageUp/////arrowR
StrafeR - PageDown///arrowL
toon4
StrafeL - PageDown
StrafeR - PageUp

[Djarid]

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It will remain available here only until the information is fully consolidated into the wiki.