New, looking for advice.

[theabsentee]

I used to run a warrior and druid in WoW (Xzins server in fact) just alt-tabbing when heals were needed. My main interest, however is PvP, and alt-tabbing just doesn't work. I don't have two PCs to run atm, but my system handles two windowed modes of WoW fine. I plan on leveling 2 locks and maybe running a lock and priest in the future. What I'm looking for is advice on my setup--I figure AutoHotkeys is my best bet.

If AutoHotkeys is the way to go, are there any guides out there? Or script templates for WoW? Also, what kind of macros am I going to need? I've written a few macros for my hunter, but as far as controlling a separate character... I definitely need help.

I think my biggest issues is what macros I will need and what they consist of.

Also, AUtoHotkeys is the only program I'm aware of that will help me in a single-box setup.

Thanks in advance.

P.S. - Xzin we're looking forward to your return on the Horde side.

[Xzin]

Me too :) I have been working on my setup for far too long now. I look forward to it.... I hope to be even better than before.

As for software based 2 boxing - it is possible but after evaluating it, I decided to go hardware only. The expense is considerable though - which may turn people to autohotkey and the like. Not to say that is an unworkable strategy.... I considered it for a period of time. In theory it will work very well for 2 or 3 boxing but I don't have any personal advice. It seems very flexible though. Read the forum posts on it and put some thought into it I suppose. Or go hardware or a combination of hardware/software. Even with a nice dual core processor, 2 gigs of ram and a Geforce 8600 GT, I was unable to push constant 60 fps in populated areas. This was running two WoWs at max resolution settings though. Crank it down and its playable but for PvP you really want your fps to be solid, unless you only intend to PvP in arenas and the like. Even with that though, you will load the other side just that much faster single boxing than dual boxing. At this point though, I think the benefits are so minute.

[theabsentee]

what about macros? are you willing to share some of yours?

[Xzin]

Sure, once I set them up. Still quite a few things left to do before I can finally play - among them completely redoing my inputs to allow for 10 boxing.

Just don't expect me to share EVERYTHING though :)

[Yarddog]

My first dual-boxing was with one PC like you are describing. I used a Nostromo N52. Keys on this device can be programmed with macros to send a sequence of keystrokes to your PC.

I used some of the keys for the main character and programmed them to simply send one keystroke, like 1,2,3 etc. For the secondary character, I programmed other keys to send ALT-TAB, .20 sec delay, keypress, ALT-TAB.

So one keystroke takes care of the messy ALT-Tabbing to/from the secondary character for you.

Not too bad for when you have just one PC. If/when you expand to multiple PCs you will probably leave the Nostromo behind for better options.

However, for PVP this still might be too slow even though the Nostromo is doing the ALT-tabbing for you. I only did PVE content when I had this setup and it worked fine.

The Nostromo is around $40 retail. Got mine from Best Buy.

[Xzin]

You can easily pick up a N52 for $25 or less if you go ebay or shop around. I still don't like them but they work ok for 2 boxing.