Why Macros belong in TOR.

First off, I am not an avid gamer, nor do I have the experience most of you have when it comes to the high-end PVP or raid button-smashing techniques. I also apologize if I lack the experience or the right to post in this thread due to that.

Additionally, I am quite confused by the "focus" specific references.

However, I will give my personal opinion and what I have issues with.

The lack of macro functions is both a blessing and a hindrance from what I see.

Cons:
- I play a casual healer, I am a 50 commando and being that I have significant difficulties targeting group members in both PVE and PVP settings, I cannot bring myself to do the 8+ man raids or PVP (I can keep a group with a main tank alive just fine in PVE, but scattered damage across a group of more than 4 is incredibly difficult for me). Mouse-over hotkey/macro functionality could be a nice implementation. A map indicator for target location would be nice here as well or a distance meter and arrow pointing in target direction.

- I also play a 33 guardian. I can only speculate the benefits of having a target macro for Guardian Leap later, but using skills like Guard mid-combat is quite difficult without the ability to target quickly or swap back to previous target, so mouse-over functionality would help me out.

Pros:
- I played SWG for a short time and I am very pleased to see the absence of the macro system they had... AFK players, I have a problem with.

- I dont like seeing macros that are 1-click and that does everything for you, this type of macroing is demoralizing to me and I am pleased that it doesnt appear to be in game.

Although my experiences with both macroing and high-end game mechanics is limited, I still feel that there is not enough in-game direction on the various uses of the current system in place.

Someone stated in an earlier post that we have target-of-target functionality and we have some other options that I have either, not seen, or am oblivious to. Only through the 1.2 patch videos have a seen a rough reference to this.

That being said, I also play a 42 sniper and with skill macros... I could make some rotations that would be almost like cheating to be honest and I do not like that idea.

There comes a point where macroing really doesn't matter in my opinion considering I have seen mice and keyboards that record and play key sequences. Trying to control automated game play seems to be becoming a thing of the past anyway.

I have a 5 button mouse with variable DPI control. I am a digital modeler and sculptor/animator and I will not invest another huge chunk of change into a 20 button mouse just to play on the same level as others. I pay to play this game for relief and to relax, not to compete and ultimately lose against "hardcore" players. I'd advise that those that are so bothered by the same instances that I am to avoid those game elements rather than complain about them, and enjoy the portions of the game that they do progress in.

Sorry if this is not quite what was implied by the original post, but I feel that either guidance or some type of additional targeting functionality could help alleviate a lot of frustration I experience in SWTOR.

gear is part of progression for the game, macros are not progression they are to make difficult things simpler.

the people who complain about not having macros think that they should be just as good as the people who dont use them and still kick their ***. you want a non level playing field that u can show people and tell them how level it is.

if you cant keybind your abilities and use them intelligently you deserve to lose, you dont deserve to have the game start playing for you.

to the person who said that they have so many abilites that they cant pay attention to the action cuz they are always looking at their bars:

ITS NOT THE GAMES FAULT YOU CANT LEARN YOUR OWN KEYBINDS.

i have a multiple level 50 toons, being not stupid i set up their keybinds exactly the same and then put like abilities in the corresponding keybind. ie. i use the letter R for snare, irregardless of toon R is always snare so i dont have to hunt for my snare.

people who want macros need to use their brains a little more and their mouths (typing fingers) less.

this whole issue is a L2P one

There are things in this game that were purposely done that I am very happy with. Please keep in mind I am only talking about pvp as I could care less about pve. Targeting macros (focus too), and mouseovers are one of them. To make the statement do not use them if you don't like them is absurd. Of course I like them and of course I would use them. They make things a lot easier for me.

For instance, if I am healing I have a keybind for 'Target nearest friend (or enemy)' then I have a shift same keybind 'target next friend (enemy)'. This makes me really pay attention to what is happening on the battlefield and it can be really difficult to manage this and also pay attention to the enemies to use my nonhealing abilities. If I could simply click on a picture to right click, shift right click, etc to cast different spells it makes my life so much easier. I argue this actually takes away from the gaming experience. Now I am watching meters and pictures of health bars instead of the action on the battlefield.

Now I have to pay attention to the guy I am fighting and the 3 others doing stuff to interrupt. Sometimes it is impractical to manage this but that is a good thing. There was a great pvp game called shadowbane that allowed you to /target people. So you would be in vent and someone would say the first 3 letters of the targets name and all would type
/tar EMO for example. This is how targeting would work. It made it nice and easy to focus a target. Well in this game it actually takes time to focus in a heap of people. And I say this is a good thing. Make it more difficult. That is what keeps it fun. Please do not add these types of things into the game.

exactly

1) Yup, it's not like WoW, so people who love WoW won't like it.

2) Target macros make things less tedious, but I think "vital" may be too strong of word.

3) Macros do detract from the game by creating a higher barrier to entry.

4) I agree in this way: Game knowledge, coordination, awareness, and creativity should separate players, not their ability to overcome a cumbersome UI.

I have a bum finger on my left hand. I manage to be competitive w/o macros.

Just because you come from that other game that has made everything easymode doesn't mean it's "mandatory" "essential" or "gamebreaking" like many are complaining here.

L2P has never been more applicable than it is to this conversation...

Im sorry, you WoW elitists with your mods to feed your epeen please go back where you came from.

That is all.

I'm against it until it will be integrated in a fashion that allows ALL players to understand and take advantage of it. This will probably not be the case though which ultimately gives the group that is familiar with the concept or willing to learn it an advantage.

Having played wow for over 6 years and being glad season 3 and 5, all macros do is just make your life easier. They would destroy the feel of this game to be honest. And it's amazing that you are even using the fact that you need macros and comparing it arenas, when there are no arenas in this game anyways lol. As much as I liked macros in wow, they became needed for high level play because EVERYONE was using them which basically gave them an edge and if you didn't have them then you had no chance. Right now everyone is on a level playing field. You are either good at your class/game or you are not. What macros would you even need in this game anyway for Rated WZ's.

TL;DR

anyways long story short. people who complain about macros just want the game easier for them. but it doesnt really matter since bioware has stated they are coming. Just giving some feedback from someone who has actually used them for years.

Hey.
The macros are already used by many people in SWTOR, my friend has a Razer mouse, which can make Macros.
I tried playing with macros in SWTOR with his Razer mouse, but it just kill the fun of SWTOR.
If BW implements macro system in SWTOR, it would just kill the fun, you wouldn't need any skills, you just press 1 button and the game does everything for you.

I personally would just never played the PVP again, or even quit SWTOR, if they implement macro in SWTOR, cause everyone would just do the same thing.
You would just press the "x" button and the system does all the moves for you, it would be Macro+EQ >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Skills+E Q
(while > is how big would be the advantage).

In my opinion BW shouldn't implement Macro into SWTOR.