Macro (Slash Command): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:36, 26 August 2008

/macro name "command"

name should be replaced with a character string to describe the macro, such as GO or Cheer.

command should be one or more Slash Commands. The "" (quotation) marks are not required, except around the command parameter when using more than one command.

Introduction to Macro Commands

Macros in City of Heroes/Villains are an excellent way to bind frequently used powers, actions, or text in a simple button, just like any power button. Macros are very flexible, making for a near endless variety of options. But, macros are not a way to set up complex attack chains. Checking this guide, as well as some helpful links, hopefully you, too, can master this medium of control.

Names and Icons

Names can be anything you wish, although only a limited amount of text can be shown in the macro icon. However, the full text always appears in tooltips. The icon appears as a generic grey button with your text overlaid. After creating a macro, the name cannot be changed, although the command string may be edited by right clicking the icon and selecting "Edit".

Alternatively, pet command icons can be used. In this case, the name of the original pet command will show up in tooltips. To use this trick as a character without pets, begin in a gladiator match at the Arena. When using the pet command window (turn this on in options if you don't already have it), you can drag the icons to your power tray and then edit it the same as a grey-icon macro.

Commands

Anything that can be used as a slash command can be bound as a macro. Remember that when binding or macroing commands, the slash is assumed, and not typed out. To utilize multiple commands using one macro, type two dollar signs <$$> between the commands.

For a more detailed explanation, please read The Incomplete and Unofficial Guide to /bind. Everything in that article concerning slash commands applies to macros as well.

Creating a Macro

For this example, we will create an elaborate macro that will

Use an emote, "bowdown"
Say something in local
Activate a power, Domination
Change costumes to slot three

/macro dom "emote bowdown$$local You're making me mad!$$powexec_name domination$$cc 2"

Using simple commands, you can create a long string of actions. However, take care creating these, as editing complex macros can be difficult.

Additional Examples

All of the following are valid uses of the /macro.

/macro GO local Let's go, team!

Note the lack of quotation marks: There is only one command, so they are unnecessary.

Creates a macro labeled GO that causes the character to say "Let's go team!" on the local channel.

/macro SG "sgmode"

Note the quotation marks: Even if there is only one command, you can still use quotes to enclose the command.

Creates a button for your power tray that toggles SG mode on and off.

/macro getfunky "petsay_all <em dance>"

This macro will cause all of a Mastermind's pets to perform random dance emotes. The full name will not display on the icon, but the tooltip will show the complete label.

/macro TP "team Bringing $target close to me!$$powexec_name recall friend"

Creates a macro called TP. It will cause your character to name their current target on the team channel and use the recall friend power aimed at this target.

/Macro Slappy "e slap$$e smack"

Note the quotation marks: There are two commands, so they must be enclosed in quotes.

Only one animation can be triggered by a single use of a macro, but in certain combinations, a macro like this will alternate between emotes as you activate the macro over and over. In this case, you will alternate between backhand and fronthand slaps. Most combinations of emotes will not work this way. Those combinations which do work are usually very closely related.

/macro Bat "e batsmash$$powexec_name Brawl"

In this case, an emote animation is coming into conflict with a power animation. There are very few powers in the game whose animations can be overwritten by an emote. It requires trial and error to find out if a power can be overwritten.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+__NOTOC__
+{{SlashCommandArticle
+|command=macro
+|options=name "command"
+|note=''name'' should be replaced with a character string to describe the macro, such as ''GO'' or ''Cheer''.
+''command'' should be one or more [[Slash Commands]].  The "" (quotation) marks are not required, except around the ''command'' parameter when using more than one command.}}
+{{clr}}
 == Introduction to Macro Commands ==
 Macros in City of Heroes/Villains are an excellent way to bind frequently used powers, actions, or text in a simple button, just like any power button. Macros are very flexible, making for a near endless variety of options. But, macros are ''not'' a way to set up complex attack chains. Checking this guide, as well as some helpful links, hopefully you, too, can master this medium of control.
-== Macro Basics ==
-A basic description of the macro command is as follows:
-:'''/Macro "<Macro Name>" "<Command>"'''
-'''<Macro Name>''' should be replaced with a a character string to describe the macro, such as ''GO'' or ''Cheer''.  '''<Command>''' should be one or more [[slash commands]].  The "" (quotation) marks are not required, except around the '''<Command>''' parameter when using more than one command.
 ==== Names and Icons ====
-Names can be anything you wish, although only a limited amount of text can be shown in the macro icon. However, the full text always appears in tooltips. The icon appears as a generic grey button with your text overlaid. After creating a macro, the name cannot be changed, although the command string may be edited.
+Names can be anything you wish, although only a limited amount of text can be shown in the macro icon. However, the full text always appears in tooltips. The icon appears as a generic grey button with your text overlaid. After creating a macro, the name cannot be changed, although the command string may be edited by right clicking the icon and selecting "Edit".
-Alternatively, pet command icons can be used. In this case, the name of the original pet command will show up in tooltips. To use this trick as a character without pets, begin in a gladiator match. When using the pet command window, you can drag the icons to your power tray, which can then be edited as macros.
+Alternatively, pet command icons can be used. In this case, the name of the original pet command will show up in tooltips. To use this trick as a character without pets, begin in a [[gladiator]] match at the [[Arena]]. When using the pet command window (turn this on in [[The Players' Guide to the Cities/User Interface/Options Window|options]] if you don't already have it), you can drag the icons to your power tray and then edit it the same as a grey-icon macro.
 ==== Commands ====
-Anything that can be used as a slash command can be bound as a macro. To look in game, almost every command is listed when using the ''/cmdlist'' command. Remember that when binding or macroing commands, the slash is assumed, and not used. Also, to separate multiple commands, use two dollar signs <'''$$'''>.
+Anything that can be used as a [[Slash Commands|slash command]] can be bound as a macro. Remember that when binding or macroing commands, the slash is assumed, and not typed out. To utilize multiple commands using one macro, type two dollar signs <'''$$'''> between the commands.
-For a more detailed explanation, please read [[The Incomplete and Unofficial Guide to /bind]].  Everything in that article concerning slash commands applies to macros as well.
+For a more detailed explanation, please read [[The Incomplete and Unofficial Guide to /bind]]. Everything in that article concerning slash commands applies to macros as well.
 == Creating a Macro ==
 For this example, we will create an elaborate macro that will
-* Invite a targeted player to your supergroup
+* Use an [[emote]], "bowdown"
-* Congratulate your new member
+* Say something in [[local]]
-* Announce to your supergroup that someone has joined
+* [[powexec name (Slash Command)|Activate]] a power, Domination
-* Use a power
+* Change [[costumes]] to slot three
-:'''/macro "SGI" "sgi $target$$yell Congratulations to $target on joining the Noob Squad!!$$sg Everyone please welcome $target to the group!$$powexec_name inferno"'''
+:'''/macro dom "emote bowdown$$local You're making me mad!$$powexec_name domination$$cc 2"'''
-Using simple commands, you can create a long sting of actions.  However, take care creating these, as editing complexe macros can be difficult.
+Using simple commands, you can create a long string of actions. However, take care creating these, as editing complex macros can be difficult.
-== Additional Examples ==
+=== Additional Examples ===
 All of the following are valid uses of the /macro.
-:'''/macro "GO" "local Let's go, team!"'''
-Creates a macro labelled ''GO'' that causes the character to say "Let's go team!" on the local channel.
+:'''/macro GO local Let's go, team!'''
+Note the lack of quotation marks: There is only one command, so they are unnecessary.
+Creates a macro labeled ''GO'' that causes the character to say "Let's go team!" on the local channel.
 :'''/macro SG "sgmode"'''
+Note the quotation marks: Even if there is only one command, you can still use quotes to enclose the command.
 Creates a button for your power tray that toggles [[SG mode]] on and off.
-:'''/macro getfunky [[Petsay all (Slash Command)|petsay_all]] <nowiki><em dance></nowiki>'''
+:'''/macro getfunky "[[Petsay all (Slash Command)|petsay_all]] <nowiki><em dance></nowiki>"'''
 This macro will cause all of a [[Mastermind]]'s pets to perform random dance emotes.  The full name will not display on the icon, but the tooltip will show the complete label.
-:'''/macro "TP" "team Bringing $target close to me!$$pow_exec_name recall friend"'''
+:'''/macro TP "team Bringing $target close to me!$$powexec_name recall friend"'''
 Creates a macro called ''TP''.  It will cause your character to name their current target on the team channel and use the recall friend power aimed at this target.
-:'''/Macro Slappy "e slap $$ e smack"'''
+:'''/Macro Slappy "e slap$$e smack"'''
+Note the quotation marks: There are two commands, so they ''must'' be enclosed in quotes.
 Only one animation can be triggered by a single use of a macro, but in certain combinations, a macro like this will alternate between emotes as you activate the macro over and over. In this case, you will alternate between backhand and fronthand slaps. Most combinations of emotes will not work this way. Those combinations which do work are usually very closely related.
-:'''/macro Bat "e batsmash $$ powexec_name Brawl"'''
-In this case, an emote animation is coming into conflict with a power animation. The power animation will always have prescedence, so the batsmash animation will play only if this macro is used while Brawl cannot be used. For example, it will bring out the bat if you have no target or if your Brawl is charging. There is no way to replace a power animation with an emote animation.
-== Other Recourses ==
+:'''/macro Bat "e batsmash$$powexec_name Brawl"'''
+In this case, an emote animation is coming into conflict with a power animation. There are very few powers in the game whose animations can be overwritten by an emote. It requires trial and error to find out if a power can be overwritten.
+== See Also ==
-* [[Slash_Commands|Command List]]
+* [[List of Slash Commands|Command List]]
 * [[Bind (Slash Command)|/bind]]
 * [[The Incomplete and Unofficial Guide to /bind]]
 [[Category:Slash Commands]]