Macro (Slash 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.

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.

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.

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 <$$>.

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
• Congratulate your new member
• Announce to your supergroup that someone has joined
• Use a power

/macro "SGI" "sgi $target$$yell Congratulations to $target on joining the Noob Squad!!$$sg Everyone please welcome $target to the group!$$powexec_name inferno"

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

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 SG "sgmode"

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!$$pow_exec_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"

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

• Command List
• /bind
• The Incomplete and Unofficial Guide to /bind