Suvega Brain Dump Thread 2: Updated 5/13/08 (Euro: 13/5/08)
*** EDIT: Added to wiki ***
So, I've been multiboxing for quite a while, I'm one of the original 4 Mage 1 Priest setups, and have been sticking through it for a while. I have a
decent amount of experiance, I would say well rounded. As I rarely speak on the forums (Vyndree does moar than enough for me ;) ), I figured I'll
take some time and brain dump everything I can into this thread. I'll see what I can do to organize it, and I'll fill this out as time permits. Maybe if
it is high enough quality, or peopel request I can post some of this in the Wiki, etc.
Lastly, the intention of this post is not directed at people who have never multiboxed before, as I'm too lazy to go indepth to topics which most multi
-boxers know, nor do I wish to link to references to anything either :P
Suvega's Setup Knowledge
Hardware Setup
For hardware for a 5-box setup, I'm a firm believer in 5 computers. Given the exponential cost of hardware these days, you can put together 5
relatively powerful machines, for under 500$ apeice if you get the parts from NewEgg, and assemble them yourself. For monitors, you can find 19"
monitors (HAAAHHHNNNSS GEEEEEE) for 100$ easy.
Essentaily, you can for roughly the same cost as your "OMG PIMPING QUAD CORE ZOMG BEAST" machine, get 5 relatively moderately powered, but yet
capable machines.
Why 5 machines over 1? Performance, latency, reaction time, and Flexability.
With my 5 box setup, I have over 60fps on all the machines, I can easily react on any of them within a heartbeat, and switch focus to a new machine
instantly
Lastly, it enables the use of hardware keyboard replication, which can be both a) forward proof (less likely to be banned imo), as well as b) faster
reaction in pvp.
For periphials, I chose the X-Keys PRO, as it provides a good easy layout of keys, which I can replicate in game on each computer to easily bind
actions to keys.
**The next section is theory - hardware - craft, as it is something I am thinking of doing, but haven't done yet**
With the ability to switch your 'main' essential in PvP, I'm coming to a limit of possibilities I can do using the software.
This is my current idea for a hardware setup:
Materials required:
1 - 5port or 2 - 4port vetra keyboard replicators
1 - 5port high speed KM switch (notice the lack of a V, its important).
The most important part of this, is the HIGH SPEED of the Keyboard/Mouse switch. You want something that can switch < 250 ms.
The Setup:
-- = single connection
~~~ = 5 * conection (like out of a replicator or kvm, has 5 cables)
Xkeys --------------+-------- Keyboard Replicator ~~~~~~Y-Mice --- Computer
Main Keyboard ---/_____________________________/
Mini Keyboard-------Hispeed KM switch~~~~~~~~~~~~/
Now, you use your main keyboard for everything, and the mini keyboard to type individual events to one computer. (like chatting).
Macro setup should not be reliant on a key being pressed on one computer only.
Bind WSAD on the main comptuer only, then when that character dies, use mouse movement (hold both mouse buttons) to move.
Software Setup
Currently I use a software setup, which I will describe below. I use a combination of Synergy(non-editted ver) and Multibox.
Why?
Synergy has a MUCH better monitor management system, and since my monitors aren't of equal size, the boundries for each don't line up. Thus
Synergy's ability to define boundries is priceless.
Also, Syn allows when you move your mouse to a computer, to only type on that one (even when multibox keyboard replication is on!), which I find
really convienent.
Multibox can broadcast keys. Enuff said.
To set these up in unison, requires some fenagling.
First off, open synergy on your main computer, and setup all your boundries. Remember, you need inverses too, so for every "right" of the center
monitor, you need a "left" of the right monitor.
Next, you don't want to spin like a top on your off comptuers. I personally like to toggle locking to a screen (instead of doing everytime you right
click or left click), as it doesn't mess up action bars or dragging items, etc.
Go to the options, and turn on relative mouse movements.
Next go to keybindings, and bind middle mouse to toggle lock to screen.
Now, when you want to move a character, move the mouse to the screen, middle click, and your mouse is locked to the screen, and you can move like
you would on your main. When you want to leave that computer, middle click again.
Now multibox. Just set it up like normal, open the server on teh main box, then the client on the main box. Then open the clients on all the client
machines.
Ensure that you don't setup monitor placements on multibox, just leave all those boxes blank.
Lastly, the uber trick. Ensure that the synergy server is ALWAYS OPENED LAST. Therefore most likely at the very end you'll have to close the
synergy server and open it up again, to ensure that it was the last opened. This is to ensure that they Key grabs from Multibox and Synergy play well
together.
Now, you can toggle keyboard broadcasting with your hotkey (I use Tilda ~), and still use synergy to switch between monitors.
If you did everything correctly, you can have keyboard broadcasting on, move your mouse to a single computer, and start typing and it won't
broadcast to every machine. Then move your mouse back to the main computer, and broadcasting should continue. YAY.
UI Setup
The trick to great UI setup is a combination of GLANCABILITY, and ease of macro change.
<< TBD, insert screenshot of UI >>
As you can see, I prefer XPerl. This allows me to see what each of my party members are targeting, and align it up in such a way as to compare it to
what I'm currently targeting. This is essential due to how I setup macros (to be covered later). Xperl also shows raid icons on everyone's target, thus
I can assign sheeps quickly, and ensure they are targeting the correct mob, by glancing at my party and ensuring that they are all targeting different
raid icons.
Next I use bartender to setup action bars in teh form of the XKeys Pro (seen small on the right in the screen above).
I'm thinking of changing to trinity (I think) bars, as it allows much easier macro management. Vyndree will help me switch and I'll comment more
later.
Zomg Macro Setup
I am a FIRM believer in the the /assist macro method. It is FAR more flexible, as it allows your main to be targeting something that your followers are
not. This is ESSENTIAL for PvE, as many times you want to kill something, while building threat on another target.
How does this work? SIMPLE! VERY SIMPLE!
I use 'f', and the macro on every character is the same:
Code:
/assist [target=Char1name,nodead]; [target=Char2name,nodead]; [target=Char3name,nodead]; [target=Char4name, nodead];
[target=Char5name,nodead]
for follow, I use:
Code:
/target [target=Char1name,nodead]; [target=Char2name,nodead]; [target=Char3name,nodead]; [target=Char4name, nodead]; [target=Char1name]
/follow
/targetlasttarget
If you're wondering why only 4 character are labeled above? Its because if you get to the 5th, that means the other 4 are dead, and don't need to be
/following you :P
Why no focus? FOCUS IS FOR SHEEPS YOU NOOB! :)
On main character (party leader): Bind the key to "Mark Star raid target"
On mage 1 character, bind the key to the /assist macro above followed with a /focus.
Repeat for each peice of cc you want to do.
Next bind one key on all characters to perform their cc on their focus
/cast [target=focus, nodead]; [target=target, nodead] CCSPELLNAME
This means that with the UI I described above, you mark targets and have each mage assist and /focus. If you glance down and they are all targeting
a diff raid target then you're good. If they're all targeting the star, then you're a little quick and not accounting for lag on target changes.
Smash the CC button and you're golden.
