zomg awesome sauce new assisting system but follow needs some tuning! [works good now!]

[Ellay]

*modified and tested, let me know if anyone has any issues*

Alright so... I really wanted to get back to my roots and utilize Focus for a secondary target and not assisting my main.

I was able to make my macro's as such.

main character would use normal spells with no macro's tied

secondary character would have macros as such


/assist [target=Aelli, nodead, exists]
/cast Lightning Bolt

So if the main died, this character would be the new main and cast freely

Third character


/assist [target=Aellie, nodead, exists]
/assist [target=Aelli, nodead, exists]
/cast Lightning Bolt


If the main and the secondary died, this character would become the main

Forth Character


/assist [target=Aellii, nodead, exists]
/assist [target=Aellie, nodead, exists]
/assist [target=Aelli, nodead, exists]
/cast Lightning Bolt


Final and 4th character

If you notice the first character you want to assist needs to be at the bottom and you work your way up, kind of the opposite when you think about it logically, it just works nicely this way.
Tried and tested I love this system, it frees up a ton of space and makes it really easy :)

The part that does mess up is the follow macro

currently it looks something like this



/targetexact Aellie
/targetexact Aelli
/follow


I think this is pretty solid, let me know if there are any problems.

[Owltoid]

You probably know more about macros than I do so I'm not sure how much help I'll be. Isn't there a /targetexact type command? That could help with the /follow issue.

Also, I like your plan for a different reason: different groups compositions. Using a typical FTL makes it very tough to sub one toon in on account A for another toon on account A. Using your system I can easily expand it a little bit so that the chain of /assist also takes into account modifiers so that all I need to do is load a new HKN script that passes a modifier (such as ctrl) with each broadcasted keystroke.

In other words, if my group is sometimes:

Account 1 -> Pally Tank
Account 2 -> Moonkin1
Account 3 -> Moonkin2
Account 4 -> Moonkin3
Account 5 -> Shaman Healer

and instead I want to try other toons I have on my account, such as:

Account 1 -> Moonkin4
Account 2 -> Moonkin1
Account 3 -> Moonkin2
Account 4 -> Moonkin3
Account 5 -> Shaman Healer

I could just have my macros do something like the following:


/assist [target=Moonkin2]
/assist [target=Moonkin1]
/assist [target=Pally Tank, nodead, nomod:ctrl],[target=Moonkin4, nodead, mod:ctrl]
/cast Lightning Bolt

[Ellay]

Hmm, looks like I'll have to do some research into the targetexact. thanks!

[Selz]

hmm looking it up if i can :)

[Ellay]

Issue is resolved.

A couple of things need to be modified and I'll edit it in the main post.

assisting needs to look like this, I noticed a problem if the main died it didn't cross over smoothly

/assist [target=Aelli, nodead, exists]
/cast Lightning Bolt

This also works perfectly for following

/targetexact Aelli
/follow

There you have it.

[Ellay]

Update, just made these settings and it's not working properly, still need to work on it.

[Owltoid]

Update, just made these settings and it's not working properly, still need to work on it.

Follow isn't working properly? Or what is the outstanding issue?

[Ellay]

Found the issue :) It works fine, but you HAVE TO BE GROUPED :) wow that was annoying lol.

[emesis]

The part that does mess up is the follow macro

currently it looks something like this



/Follow [target=Aellie, nodead]
/Follow [target=Aelli, nodead]


It works fine until the main dies and then they just decide to follow whoever they please :) Any ideas?


As Owltoid implies, the issue might be that one of your toons (Aelli) is a substring match for the others. However, as you have it written, that toon is at the bottom of the macros and so substring matching shouldn't really be the problem (or it would be a problem for your casting macros as well).

I suspect the problem lies in issuing multiple follow commands, when 1 toon is dead there are multiple toons that the follow command will be issued on. There may be some latency affecting who gets the final follow command for the surviving toons.

One approach would be:



/target [target=Aellie,nodead]
/target [target=Aelli,nodead]
/follow target


This will cause to you lose your current target, however. /targetlastenemy might be helpful at the end of the macro.

Haven't tested this out (at work :-( )

[Owltoid]

I was running crypts until I finally figured out that everyone has trouble with that first boss. I wish I knew that from the beginning because I wiped countless times on that big eye. However, that's beside the point. In crypts my tank would sometimes get mindcontroled. You may want to consider adding in "help" or whatever the conditional agrument is. In other words, when my pally becomes possessed, I want my moonkin to now be the "lead." Obviously I'd have to switch to the moonkin window, but without some conditional I believe the system would break down since the pally is still alive and exists.

[blast3r]

Using a system like this isn't as redundant as FTL is. I know how important being at maximum efficiency is for you! Using the system you describe one toon has to die before another takes over. However, if that main toon gets stunned or incapacitated you are dead in the water until it is killed. Just my thoughts.

[Ellay]

and 'help' fixes this? :P

[Owltoid]

Using a system like this isn't as redundant as FTL is. I know how important being at maximum efficiency is for you! Using the system you describe one toon has to die before another takes over. However, if that main toon gets stunned or incapacitated you are dead in the water until it is killed. Just my thoughts.

While I agree that a FTL system is more redundant, I can't envision many situations where this new method will fail.

If your leader is stunned ot incapacitated, you can still /assist. You're correct that follow wouldn't help, but what type of situations do you use /follow in the middle of combat where stuns are possible? Usually I broadcast movement keys in combat and only use follow if it's a boss that requires constant movement. Even with FTL I likely wouldn't switch to a slave as long as the master is still alive. Please note that I am extremely unaccomplished in the MB world and I have a ton to learn.

The only situation I can see where this would truly fail is where you lose all control of the lead (mind control). I'm not sure if the "help" conditional would work or not (I don't know if it's actually called "help", but I'm looking for the opposite of "harm").

[blast3r]

Using a system like this isn't as redundant as FTL is. I know how important being at maximum efficiency is for you! Using the system you describe one toon has to die before another takes over. However, if that main toon gets stunned or incapacitated you are dead in the water until it is killed. Just my thoughts.

While I agree that a FTL system is more redundant, I can't envision many situations where this new method will fail.

If your leader is stunned ot incapacitated, you can still /assist. You're correct that follow wouldn't help, but what type of situations do you use /follow in the middle of combat where stuns are possible? Usually I broadcast movement keys in combat and only use follow if it's a boss that requires constant movement. Even with FTL I likely wouldn't switch to a slave as long as the master is still alive. Please note that I am extremely unaccomplished in the MB world and I have a ton to learn.

The only situation I can see where this would truly fail is where you lose all control of the lead (mind control). I'm not sure if the "help" conditional would work or not (I don't know if it's actually called "help", but I'm looking for the opposite of "harm").

In PVP i end up having to do this fairly often. Any kind of movement imparing cast on your main then they run behind you and you have to pretty much wait until the main is unstuck or dead. I usually switch to my other main then hit ghost wolf to get some distance and pew pew.

[zanthor]

Opposite of harm is noharm

Any conditional can be prefixed with no

[FunkStar]

Not sure if I'm misunderstanding it here but.. why not just use

/cast [target=Aelli-target,nodead,exists][target=Aellie-target,nodead,exists][target=Aellii-target,nodead,exists]Lightning Bolt

Not tested it just now, but I remember using something similar. Then u got both ur focus and target free

[Kaynin]

This is similar to the set up I started out on, conventional target based system. Works pretty decent but I often had problems with it.

I swear to FTL myself now, but it's a pain to set up across multiple pc's tho. (but not impossible). Still, FTL really has no way of messing up imo! At least not my FTL set up. :p

Anyhow, this should work much better.

/target [target=Aellie, nodead][target=Aelli, nodead]
/Follow

[FunkStar]

problem with ftl is for people that use different box groups constantly, main reason i keep using focus because it allows me to do everything with anyone.

(tank + 4 shaman, tank + 3 shamans + priest, 5 shamans, 4 shamans + hunter, etc)

[Kaynin]

Hmm, doesn't seem much of a problem to me.


Suppose you have 5 shamans a dk and a priest. Sometimes going 5x shammy, or 4x shammy tank, or 3x shammy priest and tank

you could just set up a large ftl macro (would need macaroon as otherwise you will most surely reach limit) and do ftl alt macro's like this.

These would be a standard FTL macro set, but we need to change that then:

First:
/target [nomod:ctrl,nomod:alt,mod:shift,target=Second][mod:alt,mod:shift,nomod:ctrl,target=Third][mod:ctrl,nomod:alt,mod:shift,target=Fourth][mod:ctrl,mod:alt,mod:shift,target=Fifth]
Second:
/target [nomod:ctrl,mod:alt,nomod:shift,target=First][mod:alt,mod:shift,nomod:ctrl,target=Third][mod:ctrl,nomod:alt,mod:shift,target=Fourth][mod:ctrl,mod:alt,mod:shift,target=Fifth]



You designate your 5 man party in First through fifth (based on which account the character is on). For example

DK -> First
Shaman1 -> First
Shaman2 -> Second
Shaman3 -> Third
Shaman4 -> Fourth
Shaman5 -> Fifth
Priest -> Fifth

You make five keymappings, for each of the five designated groups. Then based on the names, your new FTL macro's will look like this.

First:
/target [nomod:ctrl,nomod:alt,mod:shift,target=Shaman2][mod:alt,mod:shift,nomod:ctrl,target=Shaman3][mod:ctrl,nomod:alt,mod:shift,target=Shaman4][mod:ctrl,mod:alt,mod:shift,target=Shaman5, exists][mod:ctrl,mod:alt,mod:shift,target=Priest, exists]
Second:
/target [nomod:ctrl,mod:alt,nomod:shift,target=DK, exists][nomod:ctrl,mod:alt,nomod:shift,target=Shaman1, exists][mod:alt,mod:shift,nomod:ctrl,target=Shaman3][mod:ctrl,nomod:alt,mod:shift,target=Shaman4][mod:ctrl,mod:alt,mod:shift,target=Shaman5, exists][mod:ctrl,mod:alt,mod:shift,target=Priest, exists]



I mean, I'm like 99% certain that will work. As long as you assing each character to a designated 'partyslot' for your FTL. I don't use a system like this as I have a stationary box myself. But this should give you FTL without having to worry on which characters you box with.

And you would most likely need Macaroon to stay in macro character limit.

[FunkStar]

thought of that, problem is it still requires you to have shammy '1' as main all the time.

I often box 2, 3, 4 in naxx or so, depending on what is needed and who is saved. Any shaman can be my main without a problem with the focus setup. Sometimes hunter/healer is the main, sometimes they are the alts, etc.

But it's not really an issue for me, as I never use my focus. I never CC or so when doing instances, and if I'd have to i just have my /assist focus macros set up on each char on a different button so i can assign them a target for cc'ing, as my main attacks dont use /assist, but /cast [target=focustarget,harm].

On top of that macaroon is not an option for me, as there is something wrong with it that makes my fps go down from 40 to 1-2 in 25 man raids in combat.

[Frojax]

Great stuff, it's working like a dream for me so far. if it works with blink too, I'll be in my element. Thanks for the share, Ellay :D

[Tizer]

My issue is having seperate follow keys for each toon. FTL system allows me to instantly move to a new window and press my mouse thumb button to set a new main, job done. :? But i guess there is no reason not to mix and match your macros.

[Taliesin]

I'm going to have to give these a try tonight. I am intentionally trying to stay away from going too far towards a FTL setup, because while I multibox usually when by myself, I also very frequently group with friends and guildies. Who I bring along totally depends on what is needed.

These macros seem perfect what I need. Currently I manually edit a couple macros when I need to, which is quick to do, but just a nuisance to HAVE to do it. Most often I am asked to bring either my mage or shaman for DPS, or sometimes both at the same time. Both the targetting and following priority chaining in each macro would save me from having to edit the macros at all. The mage is my lead when I'm DPS support, so I would put my tank at the bottom of the stack and mage right above it. Shaman will automatically assist the mage when the tank isn't around.

[Zzyzxx71]

For your big button

/target [target=Brain, nodead]; [target=Toontwo, nodead]; [target=ToonThree, nodead]; [target=ToonFour, nodead]; [target=ToonFive, nodead];[target=Brain]
/follow

For attacks/heals

/cast [target=targettarget] [] InsertSpellHere

This works for heals as well, if the first condition returns a harm enemy, the second condition fits - so you'll heal the leader. If the leader has a helpful target, everyone will heal that person.

If your main dies, go to window #2, hit your big button - everyone will go to the new guy and target him - no need for seperate macros per toon.

The only condition is they need to be in the same group/raid. They do NOT need to be in the same group in a raid.

[Ellay]

That looks pretty clean :) will have to give that a shot and re-define them :)

[Zzyzxx71]

To tackle an issue Ellay and myself discussed regarding the "if I failover, my new main targets himself whenever I bang the bg button"

Here's the compromise

*Disclaimer* - I haven't tested this, but these don't appear to be rocket science.

On toon 1 (main) - you use no big button macro... put an empty placeholder macro in there if you like, it's what I do.

On toon 2 -

/target [target=Brain, nodead]
/follow
/stopmacro [target=nodead]
/target [target=Brain, dead]
/follow

On toon 3 -

/target [target=Brain, nodead]; [target=Toontwo, nodead]
/follow
/stopmacro [target=nodead]
/target [target=Brain, dead]
/follow

On toon 4 -

/target [target=Brain, nodead]; [target=Toontwo, nodead]; [target=ToonThree, nodead]
/follow
/stopmacro [target=nodead]
/target [target=Brain, dead]
/follow

On toon 5 -

/target [target=Brain, nodead]; [target=Toontwo, nodead]; [target=ToonThree, nodead]; [target=ToonFour, nodead]
/follow
/stopmacro [target=nodead]
/target [target=Brain, dead]
/follow

It goes against the "all use the same code" philosophy, but the rest of macros use the same methodology and can be duplicated.

[Falkor]

Found the issue :) It works fine, but you HAVE TO BE GROUPED :) wow that was annoying lol.

King of Macros, Queen of noob mistakes :P we still love you Ellay!

[Zzyzxx71]

I wanted to respond to an issue someone brought up earlier about using different mains - to overcome that issue, just add all your brains to your bigbutton macro... I run most of the time with tank+4 shamies, but also run just the 4 shammies for pvp and have no changes that need to be made switching between the 2.

[Vicker]

Edit: Removed my idea. I'm an idiot.

[Tizer]

For your big button

/target [target=Brain, nodead]; [target=Toontwo, nodead]; [target=ToonThree, nodead]; [target=ToonFour, nodead]; [target=ToonFive, nodead];[target=Brain]
/follow

The only condition is they need to be in the same group/raid. They do NOT need to be in the same group in a raid.iirc i had issues in BGs with this, where say my main toon might die, get a res at a GY then shaft me up for controlling the others since you can target anyone in a BG nomatter what range. i might not be spot on here, but something is ringing a bell in my head :>

I suppose its possible to make a few profiles, one for pvp and one for pve, but thats just hastle i can do without. The big follow button has to work everywhere and the FTL way pwns all others. :D

[Zzyzxx71]

I never had an issue in BG's with this due to the [nodead] - as far as getting wiped out, I just make sure I release all at the same time, placing me all at the same graveyard.

Correct me if I'm misunderstanding the issue.

[Dorffo]

I believe Tizer was referring to only one toon getting dumped at a GY while the rest are still up and mobile. When the main pops across the map, the followers will try to follow the freshly ressed main since they can target zone-wide. Haven't pvp'd since BC, so I could be recalling that wrong.

[Tizer]

You got it spot on Dorffo.

Its an ok macro if your only PVEing, you wouldnt even be aware of the problem. As for letting all your toons die in the same spot, yes if course that works, but its not always the case that they will end up back at the same graveyard and while you are getting a few more kills and selecting new leaders until all your toons die, its a problem because the newly popped (first killed) character is cocking up the macro while hes sitting at the graveyard picking his ass.

[Zzyzxx71]

Never has been an issue for me, as I don't release any of them unless they're all dead.

[Memn]

Never has been an issue for me, as I don't release any of them unless they're all dead.

What do you do if an enemy loots your corpse and then runs off insisting on leaving your team split up? (I do this to other boxers when I encounter them in BG and I am solo)

[Zzyzxx71]

The only time seperation was an issue was when I had a macro for release and/or self rez setup in my big "Accept" button - I quickly removed those lines.

As far as the corpse looting, never really was an issue for me - maybe I was just lucky. *shrug* - it works for me. For those times were I accidentally released, I just made sure they never rezzed and made the [nodead] work for it's check.

[Souca]

Just wanted to throw in an idea for people that haven't gone FTL because of the changes in group comp. I currently use FTL and I refuse to go back. The one thing I changed from the thread stickied was that I put all my targeting logic in its own macro. I then place this macro in a specific button, which I usually keybind for when I just want to target. All my cast buttons make use of /click to handle their targeting. I have plans to make the system a little smoother and faster to setup, but currently I don't need to use any bar mods like Macaroon or Bartender to pull this off. I'll give some examples from the top of my head and flesh them out if people want more when I get home.

I use two targetting macros, one for assist, one for targeting a party member. In this example, the assist macro is placed on buton 12, and the target on 11.

Assist Macro - Group 1, 2, 3, 4, 5


/stopmacro [nomod]
/assist [mod:shift,nomod:alt,mod:ctrl] Player1; [nomod:shift,mod:alt,mod:ctrl] Player2; [mod:shift,mod:alt,nomod:ctrl] Player3; [nomod:shift,nomod:alt,mod:ctrl] Player4; [nomod:shift,mod:alt,nomod:ctrl] Player5



Target Macro - Group 1, 2, 3, 4, 5


/stopmacro [nomod]
/target [mod:shift,nomod:alt,mod:ctrl] Player1; [nomod:shift,mod:alt,mod:ctrl] Player2; [mod:shift,mod:alt,nomod:ctrl] Player3; [nomod:shift,nomod:alt,mod:ctrl] Player4; [nomod:shift,mod:alt,nomod:ctrl] Player5



DPS Macro


#showtooltip
/click MultiActionBar12
/cast Lightning Bolt


Heal Macro


#showtooltip
/click MultiActionBar11
/cast Chain Heal


Because the dps and heal macros use /click, I can replace those bar positions with a different version of the target or assist macro to match the current group. A further abstraction that you could add would be to replace the actual /cast with another click, so you could have multiple bar sets for PvE and PvP.

This also works for solo play since the targeting macros fall through if there isn't a mod combination. The downside is that you lose the ability to apply modifiers to macros, but I personally haven't found that to be a large hassle.

As for how often I switch leaders, it's very frequent. The simplest example was an 80 lock Deathcoiled my main in an attempt to gank me the other day. I immediately went to another character and hit my follow key and started attacking with remaining four characters. Since this was Archimonde, she had fought boxers before and expected coiling the main to buy her some time. Without FTL, I would have pretty much been dead in the water until I trinketed out of the coil. I was able to save my trinket for later when she did the AoE fear instead. Even though she managed to get two of my 60s down, she died. When she rezzed she mounted and took off in a hurry. I have also played with switching leads mid fight even when the current leader is not dead or even CC'd; I find it throws the other player off even if they hadn't figured out who the previous lead was went the group changes follow targets.

I also use switching leaders for collection quests. Since there is almost no hassle in changing leads, I find I can do more collections since I just switch when I need to start looting on the next toon.

Anyway, hope this helps, or at least gives people some new ideas. My ultimate goal is to get a solid FTL on a multi PC setup.

- Souca -