Glimmer of light - Hardware boxing, and it still has the power!

[Ellay]

I've let the dust settle, it's been a week. I've gathered my resources and here to show everyone that we can still adapt and succeed.

Below is a video in a very non optimized way, of tearing through a +9 Mythic Waycrest using no Software broadcasting and only Hardware. (mrs. Dayz also joined, ignore the commentary)

1jbwejF7uf4


Now it's only been a week, everything I'm currently doing is within the ToS updated by Blizzard. This can always change in the future. I'd let the dust settle even further if you do not have the hardware laying around as I don't want to be the reason you go out and buy a bunch of PC's only for this to be changed to!

I've had a lot asking about my setup as well.
This is what it currently looks like:
***Updated Video****
MbD6p3KcE0Q
I (https://imgur.com/EiLLErv)'ve made a video!!
GMvNdDDL8TE


https://www.dual-boxing.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2420&stc=1
What I've added:
4 potato desktop PC's - specs are old gen i5's, 8 gb of memory and a brand new 1030 nvidia card for each. They surprisingly run wow extremely well.
A 3rd monitor, and if you notice it has 4 screens within it.
I'm using https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Q3JK5MY/
Which is a 4x1 Quad Multi-viewer, this allows me to use just 1 monitor instead of potentially 4. There is also buttons on the hardware to view just 1 input and a remote that does the same. While all 4 are displaying there is no noticeable lag, it looks smooth. Almost like looking at security cameras. Switch from quad view to a single view does have a delay of about 1-2 seconds to show the screen. So in the heat of the moment switching wouldn't be worthwhile, but if you want to see the whole screen and are managing bags or similar it would be useful. For now I'm squinting with my eyes and the way say I make terrible faces on my stream.

I'm using a KM Synchronizer switch to control the other 4 desktop as well as a program called Synergy (which allows me to control each PC individually). Why did I choose Synergy when there are a bunch of free options out there? Well the main reason is because a lot of the other products offer Software Key Broadcasting and this is a feature I definitely did not want to avoid any potential issues. Controlling each desktop can also be accomplished by using the current KM Switch or adding a second KM switch and an additional keyboard/mouse if you want to get even more technical.

I'm still modifying my setup quite a bit and I'm hoping I will be able to connect all 5 desktops together instead of mashing keys on 2 keyboards at the same time, currently this is the most fluid and it's what I used to do for so long it feels natural.

I plan to keep this updated further and am excited to go into Shadowlands 5 Boxing and the challenges that await this style of gameplay.
We manual boxed in the past. It's totally doable. Albeit not as easy as it once was - but it's still FUN!

[nodoze]

Nice and thanks for sharing the video and I added it to the spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1j6tc7Bi0WNN_NbplgM1mbKcJkv89c4EhbYDN18vuYA4/edit#gid=1566844114) where we are tracking various solutions/ideas/utilities/etc since the ToS change...

Note that on the list is the Open Source Utility "Debauchee / Barrier" which was forked from symless/Synergy-core and if I recall correctly the person who recommended said it is both free (due to being Open Sourced) and better than the paid Synergy due to being actively maintained. Since I have not had any time to test it myself I don't know if that is correct or not so if you or anyone does try it and has experience with Synergy to contrast/compare it would be great to get some corroboration.

[z0k]

Thanks for taunting me with my favorite part of Holy Paladins. Just kidding of course, looks good. So stoked to see how far you push this.

[Ellay]

Agreed, Barrier is the open source alternative to Synergy. So if you'd like to save $30, that is a good route :) I haven't tested it though to see if it has key broadcasting or not. (assuming it doesn't)

[jak3676]

Ellay - what'd you go with for a KM Synchronizer? Any odd quirks about stuff not getting passed through correctly (e.g keyboard macro's)?

[Kraxx]

You are now blizzards public enemy #1


They will hunt you down ;-)


Good Luck!

[Wubsie]

While I don't think the 1 rig per toon is viable for me (or for many others) I really am genuinely happy to see someone taking the plunge and succeeding with it. Keep being exceptional. ^^

[Ellay]

I've barely used it and haven't tested most of the keys. There are a lot of options out there and I've literally only tried one so I can't really "recommend" it.
But this is the one that I got - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NZSZFL8/

As far as being public enemy, I'm making sure my actions are within their new Terms of Service.

[Lyonheart]

Nice Ellay! Did you uses GSE?

[Kraxx]

I've barely used it and haven't tested most of the keys. There are a lot of options out there and I've literally only tried one so I can't really "recommend" it.
But this is the one that I got - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NZSZFL8/

As far as being public enemy, I'm making sure my actions are within their new Terms of Service.

Will you only box in dungeons or will you continue playing BGs/ Open PvP?

Don't want to imagine how many times other players will report you then...

[Ellay]

Yep! Back to using GSE.

I plan on leaving war mode on for the bonuses, but most PvP if I do it will come from BG’s which are 15v15 so it’s always a fair fight and the other side wants to PvP.

[jak3676]

Is /follow available in some retail PvP or am I not understanding how to do it?

[Tin]

no but you can ude iwt on dead player :)

[DGiraldo]

Bro, you are still using HotkeyNet (or some mouse/keyboard repeater) -Why would you do that? I hope you have it set to 300ms or more, but they have been able to detect that for years from what I have read.... NO WAY I would use that with my new "test solutions".

[Purpleflavor]

Bro, you are still using HotkeyNet (or some mouse/keyboard repeater) -Why would you do that? I hope you have it set to 300ms or more, but they have been able to detect that for years from what I have read.... NO WAY I would use that with my new "test solutions".


what gives that impression?

[Wubsie]

Bro, you are still using HotkeyNet (or some mouse/keyboard repeater) -Why would you do that? I hope you have it set to 300ms or more, but they have been able to detect that for years from what I have read.... NO WAY I would use that with my new "test solutions".
The whole post is about not using software for broadcasting, but hardware instead. What gives you the impression that HKN (or a similar program) would be involved, or need to be involved?

[nodoze]

After reading multiple great threads with many great contributions regarding hardware based options with tools/utilities (especially from Jak, bpkdasbsaum, & Ellay) I think the above great configuration Ellay is running could be replicated possibly very inexpensively without buying 4+ more PCs (maybe only spending ~$170 to ~$400 total) depending on what your current multi-box system is capable of and what your current monitor setup is...

In my head I can see this all working and put this down on "paper" quickly as I have to get to work so sorry in advance for any mistakes:

https://www.dual-boxing.com/threads/57967-So-hardware-multiboxing?p=433463&viewfull=1#post433463

(https://www.dual-boxing.com/threads/57967-So-hardware-multiboxing?p=433463&viewfull=1#post433463)Plan to circle back and double-check things when I have time but wanted to make sure folk were aware ASAP before buying 4+ PCs.

[Alcoholiday69]

Bro, you are still using HotkeyNet (or some mouse/keyboard repeater) -Why would you do that? I hope you have it set to 300ms or more, but they have been able to detect that for years from what I have read.... NO WAY I would use that with my new "test solutions".

This is the problem we are going to face, if people in the community don't understand the difference between software and hardware broadcasting then what chance do we have against the general plebs in game?

[Teslah]

Major bias now. Was on this morning with 2 hunters on follow. People are now reporting like mad, saying multiboxing is banned. You try and tell them it's not. They don't care now that Blizz banned software. Going to be a real pain and makes it way less fun playing being concerned every person is going to harass and report you.

I've always tried to be off the radar, but even traveling now people are attacking you. Demotivating for sure. I'm doing 100% manual at the moment. No multiplexer. 5 windows open, mouse over, click the person to loot, attack, follow. We'll see how long that lasts.

I get the above setup is hardware, but it is still one press and sending that to all computers at once correct? Hardware or software, isn't that setup doing exactly what they don't want? I'm sure they follow and read this site. If they see that, they could just ban it all together.

Be great if they would just give us a server or two.

[DGiraldo]

The whole post is about not using software for broadcasting, but hardware instead. What gives you the impression that HKN (or a similar program) would be involved, or need to be involved? - Its really simple - Look how his GSE cycles through all those icons. It is his 1 button. You ever hear him click a keyboard or see his arm moving? No, he holds one key down and it cycles through his GSE macro until he lets go of the key. GSE is fine, HKN is NOT. I have watched almost all his videos and he absolutely uses HKN, 100% for sure and that is what I am saying. He is using an automated button pusher to test out new "ideas" and that is just stupid. 1 button one action..... not hold one button down and you do 500 things until you lift your finger off that button because of a 3rd party software program.

WITHIN THE BLIZZARD API = FINE (GSE)
OUTSIDE THE BLIZZARD API= NOT FINE (HKN)

Now, figure out how to multibox with the above two statements and I am in!

[nodoze]

Major bias now. Was on this morning with 2 hunters on follow. People are now reporting like mad, saying multiboxing is banned. You try and tell them it's not. They don't care now that Blizz banned software. Going to be a real pain and makes it way less fun playing being concerned every person is going to harass and report you.

I've always tried to be off the radar, but even traveling now people are attacking you. Demotivating for sure. I'm doing 100% manual at the moment. No multiplexer. 5 windows open, mouse over, click the person to loot, attack, follow. We'll see how long that lasts.

I get the above setup is hardware, but it is still one press and sending that to all computers at once correct? Hardware or software, isn't that setup doing exactly what they don't want? I'm sure they follow and read this site. If they see that, they could just ban it all together.

Be great if they would just give us a server or two.Yeah the torches and pitchforks are out and if they could they would burn us at the stake.

My recommendation is to just focus on instanced activity like Dungeons where the public can't mess with you (and vice versa for those of us who can't help but attack and/or grief others they see).

For Classic we have to actually run across the landscape to get to the dungeons (or summon ourselves via Warlocks) and some folk are just doing that 1 character at time... If you have a favorite dungeon you can even just log out in there or at the entrance to avoid the hassle.

The above approach (whether done via 5 physical PCs or 1 PC running VMs or MultiSeat Desktop Virtualization) is indeed running a hardware based Keyboard Mouse (KM) synchronizer to send the same keystrokes simultaneously to the 4 followers at least (if I understand correctly). For healing you could have a few keys that send a keybind that only the healer has bound and thus the 3DPS would ignore them (avoiding multiple clients doing something from 1 input)... Similarly he could also have a DPS key that sends inputs that the healer ignores but the 3 DPS do not. Since it is hardware based that may be in keeping with the current literal "Letter of the Law (https://www.wowhead.com/news=318925/multiboxing-is-not-bannable-blizzard-clarifies-tos-measures-taken-to-prevent-bot)" but not likely in keeping with the "Spirit of the Law (https://postimg.cc/NLgnSxNN)" as multiple Blizzard reps have been communicating.

The 3 DPS can indeed also be configured to each have their own keybinds where you setup 3 buttons in a row to cast the same thing (such that each DPS has their own button) which would be significantly better... For example if you want to have 3 different mages to each shoot FrostBolts, you could configure them as follows and use 1 keyboard to control all 3 and not abuse Hardware Multicasting even when using a synchronizer:

-Mage 1: Keybind 1 to FrostBolt and unbind keys 2 & 3;
-Mage 2: Keybind 2 to FrostBolt and unbind keys 1 & 3;
-Mage 3: Keybind 3 to FrostBolt and unbind keys 1 & 2;

In the end I think it best that we set the example and start doing our configs to be in keeping with both the Letter and the Spirit of the Law and can be done by simply making sure that we follow the "1-1-1 rule":

"1 human input causes only 1 action in only 1 client"

If we do that we have the best chance of Blizzard not dropping further nukes on us. Pretty easy to do and there are plenty of keys available on something like this:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B076LRJ528

(https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B076LRJ528)With the above the keyboard and proper setups for a 4Mage+Priest team, you could do something compliant like the following:


1st row of 4 black keys: cast Frost Bolt on Mages 1,2,3,4 (each with a different key);
2nd row of 4 black keys: cast Arcane Explosion on Mages 1,2,3,4 (each with a different key);
3rd row of 4 black keys: cast Arcane Explosion on Mages 1,2,3,4 (each with a different key);
1st row white keys right above the black keys could be for your Tank (4 different abilities);
2nd row white keys right above the black keys could be for your Healer (4 different abilities);
Movement of tank could be by mouse or you could use the top white row or the other side of the keypad and bind a "follow me" and "stop following me keys...

If you are running a Tank+Healer+3DPS team you could turn the keypad 6 across and do 3 keys per DPS ability (one for each character)...

All of that could be done without changing the keycaps... Can always get fancy and replace them with more color coding and/or textures and/or print custom labels or even custom keycaps.

[Tin]

I get the above setup is hardware, but it is still one press and sending that to all computers at once correct? Hardware or software, isn't that setup doing exactly what they don't want? I'm sure they follow and read this site. If they see that, they could just ban it all together.

We are getting some mix info from GM`s - but most have said that the ban is software - so some are going hardware.


The use of input broadcasting software that mirrors keystrokes to multiple WoW game clients will soon be considered an actionable offense

We also know some was multiboxing 100+ toons at the same time - that going to be hard/expensive with hardware.

[nodoze]

Some keyboards (without external programs) will keep sending the same key if you press and hold it down (actually I am not sure if the keyboard is doing that or if the Windows Operating System (OS) is doing that but regardless it isn't 3rd party software on top of the OS)... My understanding is that, even if that is done via the hardware, that holding a keypress down and allowing it to do more than 1 action is considered automation and Bannable...

My understanding was that in the past before the ToS change each single input (including holding down a key) was allowed to cause only 1 action but it was OK if that same 1 action done in multiple clients. That was previously before the new ToS change and the direction of the change is away from allowing multiple clients doing the same thing from 1 input.

The rules on 1 input causing 1 action are very exact... For example under the previous rules I thought that both pressing a key and releasing a key could each count as a separate input but was shown a blue post that specifically said a single key press (and release) can only cause 1 action so I tried to take that to heart...

[Hisha]

- Its really simple - Look how his GSE cycles through all those icons. It is his 1 button. You ever hear him click a keyboard or see his arm moving? No, he holds one key down and it cycles through his GSE macro until he lets go of the key. GSE is fine, HKN is NOT. I have watched almost all his videos and he absolutely uses HKN, 100% for sure and that is what I am saying. He is using an automated button pusher to test out new "ideas" and that is just stupid. 1 button one action..... not hold one button down and you do 500 things until you lift your finger off that button because of a 3rd party software program.

WITHIN THE BLIZZARD API = FINE (GSE)
OUTSIDE THE BLIZZARD API= NOT FINE (HKN)

Now, figure out how to multibox with the above two statements and I am in!

If you have watched all his videos you would know that he USED ISBoxer not HKN for his input broadcasting. He has laid out a possible template to inexpensively move to a totally hardware based setup. I'm not sure where you are getting that he is using HKN or any other keystroke broadcasting software. As far as I can tell, and of course it's all up to Blizzard honestly, this setup he has going keeps him on the legal side of the TOS.

[Ellay]

Not there is anything wrong with Hotkeynet, it's been a viable program that many on the site have used over the years, but I personally have never used the product.

[DGiraldo]

Not there is anything wrong with Hotkeynet, it's been a viable program that many on the site have used over the years, but I personally have never used the product.
As I said in my first post: Bro, you are still using HotkeyNet (or some mouse/keyboard repeater)

So replace everywhere I said HKN with "Any type of key repeater". Same thing and you know exactly what I meant. Stop doing that and push keys and then find a solution... Not trying to be a dick, but you cant do what you are doing with a key repeater and claim to find a solution... period.

Again:
WITHIN THE BLIZZARD API = FINE (GSE)
OUTSIDE THE BLIZZARD API= NOT FINE (HKN OR ANOTHER KEY REPEATER)

[jak3676]

He's not using a repeater, he's using a keyboard synchronizer - this one specifically: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NZSZFL8/. There's no reason to use a repeater at all - those have always been against ToS.

Now some people don't agree with using a hardware broadcaster at all. Blizzard said they're banning input broadcasting software - so some have gone for input broadcasting hardware. But there are also solutions that don't broadcast anything, and instead use mouseover to change window focus and/or keyboard commands to change window focus - all of which can be macro'd for a single input.

[nodoze]

He's not using a repeater, he's using a keyboard synchronizer - this one specifically: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NZSZFL8/. There's no reason to use a repeater at all - those have always been against ToS.

Now some people don't agree with using a hardware broadcaster at all. Blizzard said they're banning input broadcasting software - so some have gone for input broadcasting hardware. But there are also solutions that don't broadcast anything, and instead use mouseover to change window focus and/or keyboard commands to change window focus - all of which can be macro'd for a single input.I think I follow what you are saying but I do find this discussion confusing because I think terms are being mixed &/or finer points glossed over in the thread... To try to be a little more explicit I will try to build on your statement as follows:
He's not using a[ny kind of] repeater [nor a software broadcaster/multicaster], he's using a keyboard synchronizer [which is a hardware multicaster (https://i.gyazo.com/c69c8997e30090942897322a3243b86e.png)] - this one specifically: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NZSZFL8/. There's no reason to use a repeater at all - those have always been against ToS.

Now some people [including some Blizzard Representatives (https://postimg.cc/NLgnSxNN)] don't agree with using a hardware [multicaster (https://i.gyazo.com/c69c8997e30090942897322a3243b86e.png)] at all. Blizzard said they're banning input broadcasting software - so some have gone for input [multicasting] hardware. ...A big part of the problem is the terminology Blizzard uses (and therefore we are using) is not precise and thus people are confusing things... To properly digest the usage scenarios both we and Blizzard should use proper terms as follows:

https://www.dual-boxing.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2450&stc=1

To be clear then we should then break things out explicitly:

Software automation of keys (like AHK scripts that control your character when you are AFK): Bannable;
Hardware automation of keys (like a robot pushing the keys for you over and over): Bannable;
Software Repeating of keys (1 human input, like holding a single key down, to let it keep doing multiple actions): Bannable;
Hardware Repeating of keys (like the above but from a hardware level): Bannable;
Software Unicasting to 1 client via MultiCast capable software: Now Bannable because the software can be abused;
Software Multicasting or Broadcasting to 2+ clients: Now Bannable as that is the abuse they are trying to stop;
Hardware Unicasting to 1 client: ALLOWED AND REQUIRED or we can't play with conventional IO options;
Hardware Multicasting or Broadcasting to 2+ clients: Is a GRAY AREA that isn't specifically called out in the recent ToS change (yet) but some Blizzard Representatives (https://postimg.cc/NLgnSxNN) have explicitly clarified that it is NOT allowed while others have given conflicting guidance or won't answer the questions... Some Multiboxing advocates have discussed that neither hardware multicasting nor broadcasting is required to be a successful MultiBoxer and only puts our community in further jeapordy... They have also shown configuration examples where a multicast hardware setup can effectively be made into a unicast setup by binding a key only in 1 client such that all other clients receiving that key ignore it because it isn't bound...

[Goswin85]

great work!

just ordered the https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NZSZFL8/ a few minutes ago - shipment to germany takes about 3-4 weeks -.-

just to be clear, instead of upgrading my current system, I'll buy 4 x 250,-- workstations, spend them new graphic card (approx 150,-- Euro), and the only drawback I see are:

- explaining to my wife why I need 4 more workstation ;-)
- little more power consumption
- and for now, in case I read over - no possibility to heal via mouse over + click in focus window

Am I right?

greetings

[Goswin85]

great work!

just ordered the https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NZSZFL8/ a few minutes ago - shipment to germany takes about 3-4 weeks -.-

just to be clear, instead of upgrading my current system, I'll buy 4 x 250,-- workstations, spend them new graphic card (approx 150,-- Euro), and the only drawback I see are:

- explaining to my wife why I need 4 more workstation ;-)
- little more power consumption
- and for now, in case I read over it - now mouse over healing in focus window

Am I right?

greeting

[daviddoran]

It would be interesting if ISBoxer lite could let you do something like displaying a portion of the healer's UI using isboxer, by using teamviewer or Parsec to view the healer's screen from your main computer.

[nodoze]

great work!

just ordered the https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NZSZFL8/ a few minutes ago - shipment to germany takes about 3-4 weeks -.-

just to be clear, instead of upgrading my current system, I'll buy 4 x 250,-- workstations, spend them new graphic card (approx 150,-- Euro), and the only drawback I see are:

- explaining to my wife why I need 4 more workstation ;-)
- little more power consumption
- and for now, in case I read over it - now mouse over healing in focus window

Am I right?

greetingI don't know what your current system and setup is but before buying 4 PCs and taking up all that space and electricity and heat I would look at something like the following which may only cost you ~$170 to ~$400 total (depending on your current setup):

https://www.dual-boxing.com/threads/57967-So-hardware-multiboxing?p=433463&viewfull=1#post433463

(https://www.dual-boxing.com/threads/57967-So-hardware-multiboxing?p=433463&viewfull=1#post433463)Architecturally it virtually identical to Ellay's config and you are still leveraging hardware based keystroke casting but are doing it more cost effectively to VMs (actually virtual desktops) instead of physical PCs. Actually instead of VMs that leverages Virtual Desktops which are much easier to manage than full VMs (I think just 1 install of Windows etc)...

[jak3676]

Software Unicasting to 1 client: Now Bannable because the software can be abused;



I agree that software unicasting can be problematic, and it can be abused. But I don't think we can make a blanket statement that software unicasting to 1 client is bannable. That would prohibit software like an on-screen keyboard from sending commands to a single client - that is still perfectly allowed. Similarly out-of-game macros that only send a single keystroke to a single client are also allowed.

From a multibox software perspective, I really like the approach that Lax is taking with the new Joe Multi-Boxer (JMB) software - that JMB will not send any commands to any clients. That's a great way to ensure that your product cannot be abused. But that's going beyond the requirement.

[Tdog]

Major bias now. Was on this morning with 2 hunters on follow. People are now reporting like mad, saying multiboxing is banned. You try and tell them it's not. They don't care now that Blizz banned software. Going to be a real pain and makes it way less fun playing being concerned every person is going to harass and report you.

I've always tried to be off the radar, but even traveling now people are attacking you. Demotivating for sure. I'm doing 100% manual at the moment. No multiplexer. 5 windows open, mouse over, click the person to loot, attack, follow. We'll see how long that lasts.

I get the above setup is hardware, but it is still one press and sending that to all computers at once correct? Hardware or software, isn't that setup doing exactly what they don't want? I'm sure they follow and read this site. If they see that, they could just ban it all together.

Be great if they would just give us a server or two.

HAHAHA.... Now you will feel the pain we experience in vanilla! >:D

It will eventually blow over, but yes the plebs jump to conclusions instantly, ignore every attempt at logic, and it will be probably most of Shadow Lands before they finally stfu...

Just be prepared to completely ignore people when you are running around on your toons. And when they threaten you with being reported, just tell them to "Have fun with that!". And if they are persistent just put them on ignore. Actually now that I think about it I made a macro to respond back that said something like, "Dear random noob, Thank you so much for your intense concern about how some random person you don't know chooses to spend their time. Your opinion is greatly valued! Unfortunately I don't have the ability to care right now, but please share your thoughts and concerns with Blizzard Entertainment. Have a great day!"

[Teslah]

I was there : ) Been hardware boxing since almost the beginning. I think I still have posts here from way early on.

It's different now. Never had multiple people call me out like the other day. Blizzard just emboldened people to unleash on multiboxers.

I'm using a warlock alt to summon to instances for the time being. It's too hot right now to be running around with 4 / 9 people on follow. So far so good with no more rage lol.

[nodoze]

-Software Unicasting to 1 client: Now Bannable because the software can be abused; ...
I agree that software unicasting can be problematic, and it can be abused. But I don't think we can make a blanket statement that software unicasting to 1 client is bannable. That would prohibit software like an on-screen keyboard from sending commands to a single client - that is still perfectly allowed. Similarly out-of-game macros that only send a single keystroke to a single client are also allowed.

From a multibox software perspective, I really like the approach that Lax is taking with the new Joe Multi-Boxer (JMB) software - that JMB will not send any commands to any clients. That's a great way to ensure that your product cannot be abused. But that's going beyond the requirement.Sorry you missed my point as I wasn't as explicit as I could have been... I typed that under the context of the ToS change (https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23558957/policy-update-for-input-broadcasting-software) where it appears to be being interpreted as:


"The use of input broadcasting software that [can mirror] keystrokes to multiple WoW game clients will soon be considered an actionable offense."


I say that because multiple people have said they received warning for just having InnerSpace running in the background even without launching their WoW client(s) via InnerSpace... I adjusted that bullet to be clearer:
-Software Unicasting to 1 client via MultiCast capable software (or with it running in the background): Now Bannable because the software can be abused; ...Under my intended point above your section in green would not be actionable as that software is not multicast capable.

Your section in orange would be actionable if that software is capable of Multicasting even if you are only using it for Unicasting... All Blizz would need to do is add it to the list of scannble processes...

The best answer to all of this would be for Blizz to just stop all the machinations and put the "1-1-1 rule" into the ToS and explicitly say something like:

"1 human input can only cause only 1 action in only 1 client (whether enabled via software or hardware)."

They could also say explicitly say something like: "Running input MultiCasting capable software that can mirror keystrokes to multiple WoW game clients while playing WoW will be considered an actionable offense even if not being used to MultiCast"

Agreed that Lax's skinny ISboxer replacement "Joe MultiBoxer" (JMB) is ideal in large part as it takes all casting out of the picture by mainly leverages fast focus switching and thus gets us to being in complaint with the "1-1-1 rule".

[Ellay]

Here is a video I put together, as I've been getting this question a lot on what I'm using. Hope it helps

GMvNdDDL8TE

[jak3676]

Love it - looking forward to part 2

[nodoze]

Here is a video I put together, as I've been getting this question a lot on what I'm using. Hope it helps

... I liked it alot and looking forward to part 2.

For those looking to replicate this hardware based key setup and hardware based key transmitting over KM switch(es), but don't want to buy 4 potato PCs, may want to look at Virtual Machines (VMs) or a Multiseat Configuration (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiseat_configuration) (MC) which should only cost between ~$170 to ~$400 depending on their current setup. It would look something like this:

https://www.dual-boxing.com/threads/57967-So-hardware-multiboxing?p=433463#post433463

[EaTCarbS]

https://www.dual-boxing.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2436&stc=1
Just keep your eyes open for good deals.

[nodoze]

Ellay,

I thought your most recent video has some nice updates to your setup:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbD6p3KcE0Q

Thanks for sharing.

[Andreauk]

Someone in the comments saying they got a ban for hardware boxing.

[nodoze]

Someone in the comments saying they got a ban for hardware boxing.Yeah I saw that and it was concerning to hear that the reason reportedly given was that even while hardware boxing "it breaks the ToS by controlling more than 1 character at a time"... I politely asked for screenshots of the correspondence from Blizz and more details on the actual physical setup from the person. There could be more to the story and even if there were not the ban may be overturn-able...

[jak3676]

It seems like 1/2 the people who have been "banned for multiboxing" lately, actually have a ban for abuse of the economy /RMT.

[nodoze]

It seems like 1/2 the people who have been "banned for multiboxing" lately, actually have a ban for abuse of the economy /RMT.Yeah I was noticing that also. Seems like folk just doing things on Retail like the "2x4 farming" with even just supposedly MS Windows and mouse-over-focus with no 3rd party software getting at least long suspensions if not outright bans. Hard to really know what is going on but these are scary times...

Personally I have decided that if I do start seriously multiboxing WoW again it will be without my main account which has all my Collector's Editions tied to it... Totally sucks as currently it is 1/5 of every one of my 5box teams so I at least need to powerlevel a new character to start back up again (or start a new team)...

[Toned]

Waiting on my last few components to show up this week, and I'll be back doing mythic+ and early dungeon guides like I usually do at an expansion launch.

[Pocahuntess]

... Totally sucks as currently it is 1/5 of every one of my 5box teams so I at least need to powerlevel a new character to start back up again (or start a new team)...

Good thing though is that leveling is very quick now.

[Ellay]

Just an update. Been having a blast in Shadowlands. The new dungeons are insane on difficulty but overall still seem within the realm of possible.

excited to see your results Toned! We definitely need more pushing the content.

[nodoze]

Good thing though is that leveling is very quick now.Retail is much better though most of my focus is/was Classic and all my Classic teams are kinda screwed right now. If I resubscribe and start 5boxing again I may just leave my Classic accounts alone for awhile as leveling there is a PiTA relatively...
Just an update. Been having a blast in Shadowlands. The new dungeons are insane on difficulty but overall still seem within the realm of possible.

excited to see your results Toned! We definitely need more pushing the content.Ellay, What team comps have you tried and which do you think is the best overall for boxers in ShadowLands? Most of what I have seen so far has been 5 Druids and I think in Discord you may have mentioned 5 Paladins but not sure what you had tried and what you were currently thinking.

Personally I am hoping that Tank+Healer+3Hunters will at least be viable (preferably strong) in ShadowLands but curious what your thoughts are at this point.

[Toned]

Retail is much better though most of my focus is/was Classic and all my Classic teams are kinda screwed right now. If I resubscribe and start 5boxing again I may just leave my Classic accounts alone for awhile as leveling there is a PiTA relatively...Ellay, What team comps have you tried and which do you think is the best overall for boxers in ShadowLands? Most of what I have seen so far has been 5 Druids and I think in Discord you may have mentioned 5 Paladins but not sure what you had tried and what you were currently thinking.

Personally I am hoping that Tank+Healer+3Hunters will at least be viable (preferably strong) in ShadowLands but curious what your thoughts are at this point.

I've been boxing mythic+ consistently with these groups [pre-software ban / shadowlands]

Pal + 3 Hunter + (Rotate between Priest/Dru/Sham on heals)
5X Prot (have this x2 from Legion, when I was 10 boxing prot)
5x Druid
4x Blood DK + 1 Healer (Dru/Priest/Sham) or 5th Blood DK

My current debate is Divine Toll on prot paladins is just so damn good.
Do I start with 5x Prot or Hunter Trinity or Druids or all 3 OMFG... also DKs unless they are broken are gonna prob sit on the sideline like my mixed melee group / mixed caster group ... until I get hardware boxing down to the muscle memory that software boxing is.

I was glad I played my Prot paladin solo to 60, while waiting on hardware and figuring stuff out... now the boxes can skip campaign etc... gonna be so nice.

[Ellay]

So I've tried the following comps:
5x Druids
Prot Pal/ 4x Ele Shaman
Prot Pal/ 4x Enhancement Shaman
Prot Pal/3x Hunter/Resto Shaman
x5 Prot Paladin

Out of that group, 5x Druid and the Trinity comp are viable for now in my testing and both have their strengths and weaknesses.

Melee teams, even all tanks run into issues with there being so many more mechanics now.

I plan to make a further update once I flesh them out/test them more. The biggest problem I'm running into is trying to pick the right covenant for a mixed team as it seems very beneficial to have them all the same, but some of their abilities are terrible for multiboxing.

[Toned]

So I've tried the following comps:
5x Druids
Prot Pal/ 4x Ele Shaman
Prot Pal/ 4x Enhancement Shaman
Prot Pal/3x Hunter/Resto Shaman
x5 Prot Paladin

Out of that group, 5x Druid and the Trinity comp are viable for now in my testing and both have their strengths and weaknesses.

Melee teams, even all tanks run into issues with there being so many more mechanics now.

I plan to make a further update once I flesh them out/test them more. The biggest problem I'm running into is trying to pick the right covenant for a mixed team as it seems very beneficial to have them all the same, but some of their abilities are terrible for multiboxing.

Yea it's annoying... I've just gone with making them all the same covenant for obvious time sink reasons... but on the abilities it's hit and miss on the various classes.

[nodoze]

So I've tried the following comps:
5x Druids
Prot Pal/ 4x Ele Shaman
Prot Pal/ 4x Enhancement Shaman
Prot Pal/3x Hunter/Resto Shaman
x5 Prot Paladin

Out of that group, 5x Druid and the Trinity comp are viable for now in my testing and both have their strengths and weaknesses.

Melee teams, even all tanks run into issues with there being so many more mechanics now.

I plan to make a further update once I flesh them out/test them more. The biggest problem I'm running into is trying to pick the right covenant for a mixed team as it seems very beneficial to have them all the same, but some of their abilities are terrible for multiboxing.I enjoyed the verbal discussion of the comps at this point:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhFV8GN2Gqs&feature=youtu.be&t=3422

If I start 5boxing ShadowLands I am thinking I will start with my initial team being 5 Druids just for overall simplicity/flexibility and because they are decent Hybrids and are the only class with 4 specializations covering all 3 roles.

My 5 kids all have Night Elf Hunters for collecting pets so maybe I will mix in their hunters for a trinity comp from time to time.

Is the Guardian Druid a decent Tank for use with 3 Hunters + Resto Druid or should I prioritize leveling a different tank (and if so which one(s))? To me the Monk's Stagger mechanic seems to fit best the Druid HoTs but suspect the higher damage from Captain America style Prot Paladin may be better for clearing dungeons.

[Ellay]

Guardian Druid is "Ok". It just works really well with the synergy.

I've had the most success so far with a Full 5 Druids because I'm able to burst down mechanics, their sustained doesn't feel great though so I'm not sure how this transitions, but I've done my first full clear Mythic using this method.

[Ellay]

All 8 new Shadowlands dungeons have been completed on Mythic Difficulty with ilvl being much lower than the drops in the zone. Simple awesome, what a great expansion so far. So pumped. They all feel mostly doable. There is no Siege of Boralus for us this time around so far.

[Lyonheart]

All 8 new Shadowlands dungeons have been completed on Mythic Difficulty with ilvl being much lower than the drops in the zone. Simple awesome, what a great expansion so far. So pumped. They all feel mostly doable. There is no Siege of Boralus for us this time around so far.

Awesome! As i play through the game solo.l i really miss boxing it. I might step up to hardware boxing in the near future.

Have you tried boxing torghast?

[Ellay]

Actually yes. I've done all 4 of the current wings on layer 3 with Druids.
Here's a video of one :)
8B-oevuRPb0