The Mercbeast Framework

[Mercbeast]

The Mercbeast SWTOR Boxing Framework (THIS IS BASED OFF OF DUAL COMPUTER BOXING, SOME SETTINGS MAY CHANGE OR NOT WORK AS ADVERTISED WHEN SINGLE BOXING!)

First off, let me give you a little background on my SWTOR experience. I got into beta through a friends account in early August. By the end of August I had leveled 6 characters into their 40's. When the next build rolled around I leveled on the PvP server "Revan" where I was the first Imperial to hit level 50 on my Mercenary. I then got access to another friends account and I started an operative and an assassin dual box. I leveled them to 50 before I leveled a dual mercenary team to 50.


The first thing that became apparent to me setting up my system is that I like to mix and match characters and I have severe altitis. This meant I wanted to create a framework system that was as plug and playable as possible. What I mean by this if it isn't apparent is, I wanted a setup that I could use as the basis for any possible character combination and have it function with minimal fine tuning.


The first thing I have done is create a basic keymap. This key map has all of my keys already defined. When I create a new team, I simply copy the keymap, rename it and assign it to my new team(remember to change the action target group in each specific hotkey) this is a huge time saver. At this point I also want to give a nod to Mosg2, my setup is heavily influenced by the system he used and shared with all of us in his DK Manifesto last year.


So what I am going to do here is basically give a step by step guide of how I have setup my system.


ACTION TARGET GROUP
Create an action target group for your team, add them to it.


SETTING UP THE KEYS
I like to use F1 through F12 with ISboxer because I find they interfere with my normal keybinds the least. Whatever keys you use just substitute them whenever I refer to F1 or F2.

My modifier of choice is also shift, so I will be using shift F1 and so on for pretty much everything. I turn on both of my sidebars and I bind them to Shift-F1 through Shift-F11 on the left and Ctrl-Shift-F1 through Ctrl-Shift-F11 on the right any bars will work, but I like to use the two bottom bars for more specific keybinds. For example I use shift-g for stun type abilities with all my teams on round robin.


Create a new keymap, add your characters to the keymap.
Step 1) Right click on mapped keys and select new mapped key. I will then name it "SF1".
Step 2) Do not bind a hotkey to this key.
Step 3) Go to step 1(In ISboxer). Right click on Actions and create a "New Keystroke Action". Choose as your target the Action Target Group you created for this team. Set the hotkey as "Shift+F1".
Step 4) Copy this keymap 21 times, for each copy I will rename it to the appropriate hotkey, the next one for example will be named "SF2". I will also change the hotkey output in step 1 to reflect what this new keymap is supposed to output.
These are my basic "wildcard" type hotkeys. These 22 hotkeys will cover the vast majority of my keybinds but they are primarily used for my DPS rotations and if needed my healing rotations.


NON-STANDARD KEYMAPS
Ok so we've got all these basic wildcard hotkeys setup. We're not going to want every key in this setup to do exactly the same thing, this figures in with making our rotations as optimal as possible.

Since this is my operative keymap we're going to go back and look at "SF1". For me, this is my corrosive dart. This is my opener, it is extremely important for my DPS due to the talent "Tactical Opportunity", but because it is instant I don't want it to spam every single time I hit a DPS rotation hotkey.

Open that keymap up, click on steps and add another step. I believe the duration on the corrosive dart is 12 seconds. Set the second step to target this ATG, and set the hotkey output as Shift-F1. Now check all the boxes relating to do not pass to the next step, and set the timer at 12 seconds for both steps. What this will do is, since this is the first key in the DPS rotation we will eventually set up, every 12 seconds this key is allowed to pass and it will be number 1 priority. This means that when you are on target, this ability will have 100% uptime without you having to micro the ability much at all. You should of course keep tabs to make sure it hit, and have a secondary key not bound to your DPS rotation so you can re-use the ability to get corrosive dart on target IF you miss or are resisted.

Another example of an ability you might want to limit is Missile Blast for the Bounty Hunter. Early game it is a big part of your DPS, but it is also a huge heat builder. Fiddling with the timing can give you an absolutely optimal DPS rotation for Mercenaries maximizing damage dealt with a manageable heat build.


UNIVERSAL KEYS
These are keys that I use with virtually every group, they use the same keys I will use when I play a single character. As such these keys do not have to be tied to specific action target groups. I use them for everyone. These are the keys that make my system as plug and play as possible. For example, W outputs to all characters and I use W as my rest ability. Shift-W outputs to all characters and it is my CC breaker. Shift-G is round robin short duration stuns if the class has them. Shift-V are round robin knock backs.

Creating these type of keys is pretty self evident I don't think I need to bore you with this


UTILITY HOTKEYS

Go in game and setup the following hotkeys. Target Party 1. Follow Target. Target of Target.
Here is what I used.
Target Party 1 = Ctrl+F1
Follow Target = Ctrl + T
Target of Target = Numpad *

Assist

Create a hotkey called "Assist". Set this hotkey to pass a step when pressed or released. Do not bind a key to it.
Create two steps.
Step 1: Create a key stroke action.
Ctrl + F1 -> Other Action Target Group (This will use target party 1 on your slave characters)
Step 2: Create a key stroke action.
Num * -> Other Action Target Group (This will use target of target on your slave characters)

Autofollow

Create a hotkey called "Autofollow". Set this hotkey to pass a step when pressed or released. Do not bind a key to it.
Create two steps.
Step 1: Create a key stroke action.
Ctrl + F1 -> Other Action Target Group (This will use target party 1 on your slave characters)
Ctrl + T -> Other Action Target Group (This will use follow target on your slave characters)
Step 2: Create a key stroke action.
Num * -> Other Action Target Group (This will use target of target on your slave characters)
Autofollow actual assists the target as well in step 2. This was done because otherwise your characters will target party member 1 99.9% of the time. It doesn't really accomplish much other than to assist you in determining that your slaves are on the right target.

Companion Attack

Create a hotkey called "CompAttack". Execute when hotkey pressed or released. Bind a hotkey to it, I use 0.
Step 1
Do Assist in ATG key map -> Self
0 -> Action Target Group (This is sending 0 to all members of your action target group)
Step 2
0 -> Action Target Group (I repeat this step because sometimes it seems a little unresponsive)

DPS ROTATION

Setting up your optimal DPS rotation really is a trial and error process, and the Operative is probably the most tricky class to squeeze the most juice out of.

My DPS rotation is simply a priority system. I create a Mosg2 style spam hotkey. This hotkey will have two steps. I also check all the do not pass boxes on the second step and set it to not pass to the next step for 1.5s (I adjust this as my haste rating increases).

Step 1 runs off abilities S-F1 through S-F11.
In S-F1 slot I will put Corrosive Dart. In S-F2 I will put Stimboost. In S-F3 I will put Lacerate. In S-F4 I will put Backstab (I change the order of Backstab, Lacerate and Shiv all the time, explanation below) S-F5 is Shiv. For Operatives I don't actually fill all 11 hotkeys. I do however leave them all in. In S-F11 I put rifle shot.

I generally use between 2 and 4 DPS hotkeys. I will run a sustainable DPS rotation, and an aggressive DPS rotation both with autofollow. I will also run a sustainable DPS rotation and an aggressive DPS rotation without autofollow. They are situational but needed at times. Here is how I make my DPS rotation with follow.

DPS 1

Create new mapped key. Name it "DPS 1"
Bind it to whatever you are going to spam. Set it to pass when pressed or released.
Step 1: Keymap Actions -> Do New KeyMap Action
Do Assist in ATG key map -> Self
Do SF1 in ATG key map -> Self
Do SF2 in ATG key map -> Self
...
Do SF11 in ATG key map -> Self
Step 2: Set to do not pass for 1.5 seconds (As you get haste and your GCD lowers you will lower this as well to reflect it).
Do Autofollow in ATG key map -> Self
Do CompAttack in ATG key map -> Self

So what this key is going to do, is on every keypress it will assist. On every key release it will autofollow. Every 12 seconds it will use corrosive dart. Every 35 seconds tactical advantage permitting it will use Stim Boost. Then it will prioritize Lacerate, then Backstab, then Shiv, then Rifle Shot. It will also tell your companions to attack what you attack.

I think that this should cover it. If there are any questions or clarifications requested please by all means fire away. Additionally if you see any improvements that can be made again PLEASE weigh in because the more minds we have working on this problem, the more elegant the solution we can find for assisting and autofollowing etc.

[tchallawow]

thanks man. truly

[pinotnoir]

How many you going to box when its live?

[Apps]

How many you going to box when its live?

I know I am.
Kedash is.
McWrathy is.
Kris1234 is.

A lot of us are.

[Kris1234]

How many you going to box when its live?

I think he may have meant how many TOONS

for me I will do 2 toons till lvl 10, then another 2, then box 4 from lvl 10 to 50

Im doing it this way coz im going for 1 of each class

[Apps]

I think he may have meant how many TOONS

for me I will do 2 toons till lvl 10, then another 2, then box 4 from lvl 10 to 50

Im doing it this way coz im going for 1 of each class

OH!!!! that makes more sense.. kk, in that case..

I am doing 2 Inquisitors (one ass and one sorc) together, level to 50
Then doing 1 warrior and one BH, together, to level 50

Similar to what Kris is doing.

[Mercbeast]

How many you going to box when its live?

Just two.

[Kris1234]

I just started doing this in isboxer when it came to me that this current setup would only work if using multiple of the same class correct? because of the delays you put into SF1 ect

is that correct?

If so, then instead of creating new keymaps for each team, create them for each class and sub class instead.
create ATG for class and sub classes instead of the whole group

this should then allow you to have a mixed team. ( I THINK )

any thoughts?

EDIT
after thinking about it, im going to create a different KeyMap per toon so I wont have an issue when it comes to say, 2 BH being differnt levels with different abilities. altho until early access starts I have no idea what im thinking will even work :P

[Mercbeast]

I just started doing this in isboxer when it came to me that this current setup would only work if using multiple of the same class correct? because of the delays you put into SF1 ect

is that correct?

If so, then instead of creating new keymaps for each team, create them for each class and sub class instead.
create ATG for class and sub classes instead of the whole group

this should then allow you to have a mixed team. ( I THINK )

any thoughts?

EDIT
after thinking about it, im going to create a different KeyMap per toon so I wont have an issue when it comes to say, 2 BH being differnt levels with different abilities. altho until early access starts I have no idea what im thinking will even work :P

I've run this setup with different classes. For example my first team was an Operative/Assassin combo.

In that situation you can absolutely create a specific "Assassin" and "Operative" keymap. SF1 when sent to both characters then can do different things. For example maybe you want your assassin to open with Dark Charge (The shield ability I think it is called :P) and you want the Operative to corrosive dart. The timings may be different and you can accomplish that.

What I did instead, was this. Since my operative didn't need to use 11 keys in a DPS rotation, and my assassin didn't need to use 11 keys, I was able to earmark a couple keys for each character that would be timer based. So for example the Operative had SF1 and the Assassin got SF2 and SF3. The regular rotation for both characters using shared keys began at SF4, with SF2 and SF3 blank for the Op and SF1 blank for the Assassin.

I also ran a DPS rotation for the assassin that fired off of my heal rotation for the operative. Here is how I did that.

Create new mapped key. Name it "DPS/Heal"
Set it to pass when pressed or released.
Step 1: Keymap Actions -> Do New KeyMap Action
Do SF1 in ATG key map -> ASSASSIN CHARACTER
Do SF2 in ATG key map -> ASSASSIN CHARACTER
...
Do SF11 in ATG key map -> ASSASSIN CHARACTER
Step 2: Set to do not pass for 1.5 seconds (As you get haste and your GCD lowers you will lower this as well to reflect it).
Do 0 in ATG key map -> ASSASSIN CHARACTER

Create new mapped key. Name it "OPHEAL1"
Bind it to whatever you are going to spam. Set it to pass when pressed or released.
Step 1: Keymap Actions -> Do New KeyMap Action
Do CSF1 in ATG key map -> Self (This will be kolto infusion 1.5s uses tac advantage)
Do CSF2 in ATG key map -> Self (This is kolto injection 2.5s cast time)
Do DPS/HEal in ATG keymap -> Self

This allows your assassin to continue tanking and doing DPS while you are throwing heals around. Readjustments can be made on the fly by using your regular DPS hotkey to move and reposition.

Here is another trick I used with my operative/assassin team to reduce the micro in fighting as much as possible.

Create new mapped key. I named it "HOTASS". Set a hotkey for target last target in game (I think that is what it is called). I used Control F2.
Bind it to whatever. Set it to pass when pressed or released.
Step 1: Keymap Actions -> Do New KeyMap Action
Do C-F1 in ATG key map -> OPERATIVE CHARACTER
Do CS-F3 in ATG key map -> OPERATIVE CHARACTER

Step 2: Set to do not pass for A)1.5s B)12s (As you get haste and your GCD lowers you will lower this as well to reflect it).
Do Control F2 in ATG key map -> OPERATIVE CHARACTER

With this key, you can use it in two ways option A and or option B. With A you can fire it manually with a hotkey and what it will do is quickly target the assassin cast your HOT and then switch targets back to what you were fighting. OR with B you can insert this into your DPS rotation. Option B is extremely lazy and not all that efficient since you will be running your hot with near 100% uptime on your tank. However when grinding out elites in heroics sometimes it is nice to just turn your brain off. I used both and in fact I have two copies of the hotkey. One that is setup to be used manually via hotkey, and another I can use by simply moving the HOT into the slot the hotkey is calling. If I don't want that option, I leave it empty. You can also just add or remove that line from your DPS spam at need.

[Mercurio]

Looks like great stuff Beast. I look forward to trying this all out when SWTOR releases in a few weeks!

Thanks for all the hard work and for sharing!