Getting started with 2-boxing SWTOR

Hey, guys.

I am wanting to 2-box SWTOR like I have every other game I've ever played, but the lack of macros is causing some problems. First of all I am not using isboxer. I am running one game on desktop and one on laptop and they are next to each other on my desk. Eventually I will probably see about getting Synergy up and running to share keyboard/mouse (hasn't worked for me since upgrading to Win7 - never looked into why).

At least /follow now works, so that's one hurdle down.

Anyone got any tips on running two accounts like this? My biggest problems are targetting (no /assist command?) and maneuvering both characters around quickly in battle. Is it easier to run two of the same class characters? Or should I continue trying to run two separate classes like I have been.

Also, I've heard of focus targeting, but I haven't really seen anything about how to use it. Is there a guide to that somewhere?

Thanks for any help :)

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Originally Posted by OldRod_KS

Hey, guys.

I am wanting to 2-box SWTOR like I have every other game I've ever played, but the lack of macros is causing some problems. First of all I am not using isboxer. I am running one game on desktop and one on laptop and they are next to each other on my desk. Eventually I will probably see about getting Synergy up and running to share keyboard/mouse (hasn't worked for me since upgrading to Win7 - never looked into why).

At least /follow now works, so that's one hurdle down.

Anyone got any tips on running two accounts like this? My biggest problems are targetting (no /assist command?) and maneuvering both characters around quickly in battle. Is it easier to run two of the same class characters? Or should I continue trying to run two separate classes like I have been.

Also, I've heard of focus targeting, but I haven't really seen anything about how to use it. Is there a guide to that somewhere?

Thanks for any help :)

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Ouch.
Well, to the best of my knowledge, only ISBoxer can effectively box SWTOR. (edit* i may be corrected here by someone.. to clarify, ISBoxer can open multiple windows on the same machine and broadcast keys to each client window.. I dont know of any other software that has accomplished this yet) So, youre already very limited or next to nothing really... especially without an in-game macro system for /assist.

there *is a way to assist with using the target of party member 1 and party member 2, then target your targets target, using the in game keybinds. But there isnt a way to broadcast the command at the same time... not to mention the fact that depending on what window... sorry what *character you are on, the assist is going to be different.

No offense meant here at all... yet as a gentle reminder, ISBoxer is what? $10?

Im sure you can "struggle bus" your way to customize your stuff but you are eventually going to hit a wall.. a $10 wall.
Perhaps if you do go for it, post some settings for other people who attempt the same feat?

Good luck!

Is there any problem with SWTOR's EULA using ISBoxer? That's the only concern I have holding me back. My desktop is strong enough to run two instances and I have two monitors, I just was worried about the EULA.

Get rid of Synergy. It was cool 10 years ago, but Input Director is a lot better.
http://www.inputdirector.com/

I have been thinking of dual boxing sw, but without some major UI upgrades, I cant justify the costs to simply have a healer on /follow. I already have one with the companions. But it would be interesting to see or know if the companions are capable enough that you don't have to do more than dual box.

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Originally Posted by Starbuck_Jones

Get rid of Synergy. It was cool 10 years ago, but Input Director is a lot better.
http://www.inputdirector.com/

I have been thinking of dual boxing sw, but without some major UI upgrades, I cant justify the costs to simply have a healer on /follow. I already have one with the companions. But it would be interesting to see or know if the companions are capable enough that you don't have to do more than dual box.

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As a sith inquisitor you will have no problems with your tank companions if you upgrade the gear every once in a while at least until the late 30's. Between 40 and 45 I could see some issues, it seems that the performance of the tank companion drops at that point. Once you hit around 45 (I think?) you should get a better ranged tank companion though.

I can't really speak about anything else, just sharing my experience.

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Originally Posted by OldRod_KS

Is there any problem with SWTOR's EULA using ISBoxer? That's the only concern I have holding me back. My desktop is strong enough to run two instances and I have two monitors, I just was worried about the EULA.

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I'll go look for the thread / post both here and on swtor.com later, im too lazy / busy at the moment to get it for you. Needless to say... ISBoxer is ok, and does not break any ToU or EULA stipulations. This has been confirmed with Bioware employees a couple times early on. If i get time later, I'll edit this post and put the link in, or someone else may beat me to it.

MBing allowed - http://www.dual-boxing.com/showthread.php?t=45727

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Originally Posted by Apps

I'll go look for the thread / post both here and on swtor.com later, im too lazy / busy at the moment to get it for you. Needless to say... ISBoxer is ok, and does not break any ToU or EULA stipulations. This has been confirmed with Bioware employees a couple times early on. If i get time later, I'll edit this post and put the link in, or someone else may beat me to it.

MBing allowed - http://www.dual-boxing.com/showthread.php?t=45727

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Thank you! :)

I was thinking more like boxing a tank/healer with dps companions, or a Tank/tank with healer/healer companions. Make your Tank's dps tanks or something. The companion system if its robust enough to not have to 4 box stuff.

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Originally Posted by OldRod_KS

Thank you! :)

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You're welcome.

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Originally Posted by Starbuck_Jones

I was thinking more like boxing a tank/healer with dps companions, or a Tank/tank with healer/healer companions. Make your Tank's dps tanks or something. The companion system if its robust enough to not have to 4 box stuff.

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Depending on your current level of awesome... you can dual-box HEROIC+4 stuff. HEROIC+2 is easy and often soloable. RAID (Flashpoints) are NOT two man-able while attempting to use companions in the place of actual characters.

1. The healers are smart, just not predictive or focused. They wont stop an action to heal you at the moment you need.
2. DPS is no where near an actual player
3. Tanks do not have the gear or enough mitigation to be an effective tank... if you pull off it, its yours... they arent smart enough to save a taunt and pull it back.
4. Companion DPS constantly breaks CC's with AoE. They dont care.
5. Two maning a FP is doable, but only when you out level and out gear the FP significantly, while using companions.
6. Of course, companions cant join in the warzones.

I believe the companions are there to help the story along while doing the PVE stuff minus Raids.

So far, my favorite team is a Jugg and Sorc combo. They each have enough companions to allow me to inter change them and accomplish whatever I am up against at my level. The Jugg is Defense with dps gear. The Sorc is Madness with heal gear, and a few points into heal. When faced with some Republic scum, I am able to blow away my opponents in world PvP easily up to about 7 levels above me, and if I focus, and with all skills /attacks at my disposal... even up to 10 levels above.

I have been 2boxing without ISBoxer so far, but I did the old level one high enough to boost the other method. I can't seem to get the follow work on both characters and I am sure its because I have something very basic wrong.

Follow works post 1.1 patch but its quite odd. It works like an NPC follow to be honest (better than nothing but irritating none the less). For example, you jump down from a fence down as a shortcut. The following character will try to find a "legit" way. If the character gets too far from the following target, it stops following. (in case of companion it teleports to you, obviously a playing character cannot do this)

Follow also breaks when you cast or do any action while following (attacking, healing etc) even if its an instant cast. I have a level 50 (Jedi Consular Sage, healer), which I leveled on my own. Got my other account that has a Jedi Knight and manage to power levelish to 36 (done the heroic and flashpoint). Then got my current 2 box which is a Bounty Hunter (Powertech tank) and An Imperial Agent (operative healer). I can do Heroic 2s and some 4s but these are still level 25-26 where the difficulty curve is not that steep. While tackling heroics I need to be at the very least 2-3 levels higher or else its too much incoming damage to the tank, that even with companion healer + my healer won't be able to handle (yes including CCing).

With the Sage I powerleveled the jedi Knight to teral V. Which then became an issue of lack of dps. (even with companions) The other team I just finished hammer station. Of course they were 25 vs mobs of 19-21. And the end boss I barely managed to pull it off. Without the mobility offered by ISboxer I simply can't micro manage with my two hands. This weekend when I got time I will try to configure so that I can at least manage a basic setup of movement and follow/assist.

OK, a few things since my first post.

1 - Checked out Input Director. It doesn't work for me. The mouse on the slave computer is horribly sluggish and once I move back to the master computer it won't see the slave any more (only goes to the slave computer once). I've been through all the faqs and support on their site and haven't found a solution yet. I thought it was maybe a firewall issue, but even with firewall off temporarily, I had the same problem.

2 - Tried Synergy. Can't even get it to recognize the slave computer.

3 - Looked at Multiplicity, but I'm not sure I want to plunk down $49 and find out it doesn't work any better than the other two I've tried.

4 - Looked at ISBoxer. Is it really $10 every 90 days? That seems kind of lame. May try out the 7 day trial tonight to even see if it works, but I just don't know.

I did a couple of runs through Black Talon and Esseles with 2 chars/2 companions. It was slow going, and had a couple wipes, but I was successful playing two computers side-by-side. If I could get the keyboard/mouse sharing to work I think it would be a whole lot easier. So I'm still looking :)

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Originally Posted by OldRod_KS

OK, a few things since my first post.


4 - Looked at ISBoxer. Is it really $10 every 90 days? That seems kind of lame. May try out the 7 day trial tonight to even see if it works, but I just don't know.

:)

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STWOR 4(x) @ $55.00 = $220.00
Subscription 4(x) @ $15.00 = $60.00/mo
4 Monitors @ $185.00ea = $750.00
Computer system /upgrade that will run 4(x) character at the same time = $1500.00(+ ); my new video card set me back $250.00 at christmas on my i7

Total Investment for first year = $3,200.00

$36.00 a year to run all 4 accounts seems pretty trivial; to each their own.

Pyro_box, not exactly apples to apples, but I believe your point is made none the less.

OldRod_KS,

*this is a concept that (I believe has been tried and proven, but.. I have personally NOT done it..

Purchase (1) wireless USB keyboard and mouse combos with the wireless receiver. (the receiver part is important)
http://new.gimcomputers.com/product_...products_id=35

Then purchase (1) Female to Male to Male USB "Y" Splitter

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/Add...t/1733216.aspx

Plug the splitter into both computers, and wireless receiver into the other end of the splitter. Press the Sync button on all three and sync both keyboard and mouse to the single receiver.

Both computers "should" recognize the single keyboard and mouse for each.

*The problem... your functions are exactly 1 for 1. There is Zero room for margin of error when moving. Example: if you operate two toons, and say one toon gets snared or is the victim of a force push, or even dies. Your two toons are now off. the /follow wont work properly etc. There are a lot of negative sides to this.

In the end... I believe you will use the trail version of ISBoxer, and realize the value of your time to the value of the software greatly outweighs itself. In that case, (me for example), my time is far more expensive than $36 a year.

Both Synergy and Input director work fine for me on win7 and xp machines networked together. Seeing how you have problems with both programs seeing other systems sounds like a network problem to me. Firewall, permissions, non matching workgroup names, or even some goofy router setup that's trying to route traffic to the internet and back instead of across the network. But two completely different network apps have the same network problems. My money is on the network being the problem, not the apps.

You could test it pretty easy if the systems have gigabit nic's just run a network cable from one to the other, no switch or router needed, set some static ip's and try it again.

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Originally Posted by Apps

Pyro_box, not exactly apples to apples, but I believe your point is made none the less.

OldRod_KS,

*this is a concept that (I believe has been tried and proven, but.. I have personally NOT done it..

Purchase (1) wireless USB keyboard and mouse combos with the wireless receiver. (the receiver part is important)
http://new.gimcomputers.com/product_...products_id=35

Then purchase (1) Female to Male to Male USB "Y" Splitter

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/Add...t/1733216.aspx

Plug the splitter into both computers, and wireless receiver into the other end of the splitter. Press the Sync button on all three and sync both keyboard and mouse to the single receiver.

Both computers "should" recognize the single keyboard and mouse for each.

*The problem... your functions are exactly 1 for 1. There is Zero room for margin of error when moving. Example: if you operate two toons, and say one toon gets snared or is the victim of a force push, or even dies. Your two toons are now off. the /follow wont work properly etc. There are a lot of negative sides to this.

In the end... I believe you will use the trail version of ISBoxer, and realize the value of your time to the value of the software greatly outweighs itself. In that case, (me for example), my time is far more expensive than $36 a year.

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Back in early days of Everquest I ran (2) accounts on separate computers with the setup above; very frustrating, leading me to eventually give up on the idea of practical multi-boxing. My second computer worked out best having my toon /follow with me manually inputting keys on (2) keyboards. Eventually the N52 gamepad came out making things much easier.

My post was not meant to be harse; I look at all the money that I have invested in online gaming since Ultma Online, the frustration that I have endured over the years trying to figure out how to maximize my game play time, not always being able to group. From the moment I ran the trial version of Isboxer several years ago, I became hooked/spoiled by the shear genius and simplicity of multi-boxing. My education has provided me with a job that pays double per hour what Isboxer is per year, so to me, $36.00 a year for a service that has revolutionized my free time is trivial.

I do understand what may seem trivial to me is not to others, and for that I apologize for any offence.

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Originally Posted by Starbuck_Jones

Both Synergy and Input director work fine for me on win7 and xp machines networked together. Seeing how you have problems with both programs seeing other systems sounds like a network problem to me. Firewall, permissions, non matching workgroup names, or even some goofy router setup that's trying to route traffic to the internet and back instead of across the network. But two completely different network apps have the same network problems. My money is on the network being the problem, not the apps.

You could test it pretty easy if the systems have gigabit nic's just run a network cable from one to the other, no switch or router needed, set some static ip's and try it again.

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I'm thinking that is the case as well. I figured I would play with the router tonight and see if there is some setting there that makes a difference.

OK, I did a 7 day trial and tried ISBoxer out last night. It works fine, but I'm having problems getting it to do what I want.

Is there a list of hotkeys for ISBoxer to use in SWTOR somewhere? I found a list of keys, but it was for WoW and none of them seemed to work in SWTOR.

Mainly I'm looking for a hotkey to swap screens back and forth without having to use the mouse. Then, is there a way to broadcast only certain keys? I want to do TAB and the 0-9 keys, but not the WASD movement keys, for example.

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Originally Posted by OldRod_KS

OK, I did a 7 day trial and tried ISBoxer out last night. It works fine, but I'm having problems getting it to do what I want.

Is there a list of hotkeys for ISBoxer to use in SWTOR somewhere? I found a list of keys, but it was for WoW and none of them seemed to work in SWTOR.

Mainly I'm looking for a hotkey to swap screens back and forth without having to use the mouse. Then, is there a way to broadcast only certain keys? I want to do TAB and the 0-9 keys, but not the WASD movement keys, for example.

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yes, yes, and yes.

You can do a window swap hotkey, AND load a specific set of mapped keys at the same time. Unless someone posts this by the time I get home and get some screen shots made to show you how to do it... or if MOSG2 WOULD ACTUALLY POST HIS MANIFESTO!! (kidding, the dudes not feeling well at the moment), its really not hard to set up.. just need to work your way around the settings for a little bit.

If you want to mess around some, you basically need to make a keymap for each toon, and then make a keymap for your basic controls. I would also suggest making one for NO BROADCAST for when youre trouble shooting and or manually altering your keybinds in game. Example: I have my setup as "Apps Control", another for "No Apps", another for "Apps Warrior 1", "Apps Warrior 2", "Apps Sorcerer 1" and "Apps Sorcerer 2" (youd only need two as opposed to my four)

My Controls, have the basics like "Follow Me", "Target Me", and "Assist Me"

The class specific ones like "Apps Warrior" and "Apps Sorcerer" hold the dps keys and their rotations, and refer back to the "Follow", "Assist", "Target". Those have a single key to load them each... like "F1" loads "Apps Warrior 1", and turns off all the rest.. (I also have it setup to flash a text across the screen indicating as such.)

Then in your Character set., you can go to Slot 1 (which is one of your toons), and choose a hotkey to swap windows specific to that character slot... and use the same keybind as you would for the individual character mapped keys... so using my example, I used "F1".

the result is, when I press "F1" the window swaps to my primary warrior, and loads all the keys I want for him... including the follow, assist, target, dps rotations, and dps rotations specific to the others, from the warriors point of view.

I know this all sounds very confusing... but once you do it one time, and really study it, you'll see how simplistic it is.

again, if someone else doesnt post or provide better / more specific info, ... ill post some screen shots tonight when I get home.

I would love to see some shots of that Apps, if you have time :)

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Originally Posted by Apps

You're welcome.




Depending on your current level of awesome... you can dual-box HEROIC+4 stuff. HEROIC+2 is easy and often soloable. RAID (Flashpoints) are NOT two man-able while attempting to use companions in the place of actual characters.

1. The healers are smart, just not predictive or focused. They wont stop an action to heal you at the moment you need.
2. DPS is no where near an actual player
3. Tanks do not have the gear or enough mitigation to be an effective tank... if you pull off it, its yours... they arent smart enough to save a taunt and pull it back.
4. Companion DPS constantly breaks CC's with AoE. They dont care.
5. Two maning a FP is doable, but only when you out level and out gear the FP significantly, while using companions.
6. Of course, companions cant join in the warzones.

I believe the companions are there to help the story along while doing the PVE stuff minus Raids.

So far, my favorite team is a Jugg and Sorc combo. They each have enough companions to allow me to inter change them and accomplish whatever I am up against at my level. The Jugg is Defense with dps gear. The Sorc is Madness with heal gear, and a few points into heal. When faced with some Republic scum, I am able to blow away my opponents in world PvP easily up to about 7 levels above me, and if I focus, and with all skills /attacks at my disposal... even up to 10 levels above.

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Tanks companions actually do save their single target taunt for when they lose agro.

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Originally Posted by OldRod_KS

I would love to see some shots of that Apps, if you have time :)

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ok, Sorry this is a day late. Personal stuff comes up sometimes yanno?

Here goes.
As I stated, you want to create Key Map Sets so that you can keep your toons separate. From the pictures attached, you should be able to follow along and make one. Once you make one... just repeat for as many toons you have. The idea is that you have a toon in each window and each character slot, so we'll use that as the function to go to in ISBoxer.

Pic one:
I am showing one of my team sets called "SI-Apps". In the bottom left panel, you can see I have three characters in there. When you click on the "1" in the lower development tree, you get pic two.
http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/q...Stuff/ISB1.jpg

Pic two:
Clicking on the "1" you can see the top item is "Hotkey to switch to this character" and I used "F1" You will want to do this for each slot / toon, and give them their own hotkeys... Im using "F1" thru "F3"This part is done. Now, you make a Key Map "New Key Map" and you need make a few of them. One for "Controls" this will be your basic controls. And one for each toon. Lets look at my "Control" setup first. Thats pic Three.
http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/q...Stuff/ISB2.jpg

Pic Three:
I got a lot going on here, but the basic is this. In controls, you want to have a mapped key to activate each toon... you probably want mouse repeater, and probably want to have a key so you can turn them all off... For now, lets just stick to the actual character swap. So you need to right click and make a new mapped key, I called mine "Activate Warrior". Picture four through seven will show you how I set up each one of the steps...
http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/q...Stuff/ISB3.jpg

Pic four:
You can see from this picture, that I have assigned the same hotkey "F1" as I did for the character swap. Thats because I want to activate all these keys at the same time that I swap windows and toons. Pic five next...
http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/q...Stuff/ISB4.jpg

Pic five:
I'll keep this simple. Its one step. In this one step, we preform multiple actions. You want to turn ON the keys for this toon, and turn OFF the keys for all the other ones. (Note: you arent actually turning off all the keys for them completely, you are turning off the CONTROL of those keys. I.e. my warrior will now have control, but everyone will still fight and perform skills and actions and attacks.) You can see from this picture that the key state for the warrior map is set to "ON".. Ive also put a popup text there to alert me... Pic six and pic seven..show the exact right click action you need.
http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/q...Stuff/ISB5.jpg


Pic six and seven:
Hope this helps. Now, dont forget to make one for each of your toons, and you will also want to make the Follow, Assist, and Target my Target mapped keys. within your toons key map sets... refer to Mercbeasts Framework for those... or if Mosg2 publishes his Manifesto... it'll be there too.
http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/q...Stuff/ISB6.jpg

http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/q...Stuff/ISB7.jpg


(Disclaimer: not responsible if you get your toons killed by opposite faction or NPCs for doing something silly, user error, or just sucking.)

Awesome information, Apps!! Thank you so much!

I'll give it a shot tonight when I get home from work :)