Committing Heresy! - UI, Addons and Macros - Hunter Forums

That silly ol' Darrwyn is at it again…

I've come up with what seems to me a VERY effective MM castsequence macro (hence the herecy) and I would like to open discussion about it's merits, or lack thereof.

The heretic speaks:

#showtooltip

/petattack

/castsequence reset=2/target/combat Steady Shot, Steady Shot, Arcane Shot, Arcane Shot, Steady Shot

/cast Chimera Shot

/cast !Auto Shot

Let me tell you, this casts Chimera Shot whenever it is available. It also keeps Auto Shot ticking along and gives my pet something to munch on.

I have perused several guides, and what I constantly read is a Steady/Arcane "rotation" of 5 Steady Shots and 2 Arcane Shots in a Chimera Shot cooldown. This can be either AS,SS,SS,AS,SS,SS,SS or AS,AS,SS,SS,SS,SS,SS or any other pattern, it doesn't seem to matter. What the guides also say is to use the 3rd (or 5th) SS to slot in an Aimed Shot proc when it becomes available, just keep the SS flying in pairs.

So… While Chimera Shot is on cooldown, this macro opens with 2 steady shots (giving me the ISS 5% haste bonus) then provides 2 arcane shots and then I can either thrown in an aimed shot proc or a third SS. By the time I've got the Aimed Shot away, the macro resets and I'm back at the beginning of the cycle.

This allows me to spam away with 3 major shots all taken care of with one key. I have another key for Aim Shot, another for Kill Shot and another for either Arcane Shot or Steady Shot if I need to act outside my "rotation" for some reason.

Most naysayers to castsequence macros seem to cite the need to be able to adapt to situations as the most pressing argument against their use. I find this system has improved my DPS and makes it much easier for me in both PVE and PVP situations and I invite trial and discussion.

Cheers D

Ok, I tried it, didn't like it!

I've gone back to my origninal castsequence with a slight alteration

#showtooltip

/castsequence reset=3/combat/target Steady Shot, Arcane Shot, Steady Shot, Steady Shot, Arcane Shot, Steady Shot, Steady Shot

/cast Chimera Shot

/cast !Auto Shot

This brings the punch of Arcane Shot into the fight sooner, still maintains the 2 Arcane + 3 Steady Shot combination within the Chimera Shot cooldown, and Chimera Shot will shoot as soon as the previous cast is complete when it becomes available, which will usually be faster than my reflexes on any standalone shot with a /stopcasting thrown in, which I believe would amount to a dps loss anyway.

Another combination could be

/castsequence reset=3/target/combat Arcane Shot, Arcane Shot, Steady Shot, Steady Shot, Steady Shot

and on short fights this may prove a better choice, but if you tend to lead off with Hunters mark, Serpent Sting and Aimed Shot on targets >89% health, you may not have enough focus to shoot the second Arcane Shot anyway. Of course, if you only use Aimed Shot when it procs, it becomes very viable. Perhaps it could be used in the thick of battle, and use the Steady/Kill macro to build focus again.

Your persistence and attention to detail intrigues me. If I get some extra time, perhaps I'll give these a try. I do not, under normal circumstances ever play MM, but we shall see

Sorry guys, got some stuff wrong…

I re-read my reference material, and it seems I should be looking for 2 Arcanes and 5 Steadys during the cooldown period of Chimera Shot. That is what this is all about.

I also had an interesting discussion with a guildie last night (Not on MG) about using Cobra Shot in the mix somewhere, purely because it's Nature Damage and not Physical Damage like Steady Shot is. He was talking specifically about PVP, and getting through plate armor. However, I got to thinking that we have the same sort of considerations in PVE. Some of the mobs we come up against have defences against Physical Damage, and therefore throwing in some Nature Damage surely won't hurt us. So… I'll be threading a Cobra Shot into the mix.

I also got to thinking, we really only need to cast the 2 steady shots to get the 15% range haste boost once every 8 seconds, when the shots are available, I'll be using the following castsequence macro:

#showtooltip

/castsequence reset=3/combat Steady Shot, Steady Shot, Arcane Shot, Cobra Shot, Arcane Shot, Cobra Shot, Steady Shot

/cast Chimera Shot

/cast !Auto Shot

/petattack

My thinking here is that by opening with 2 Steadys I immediately get the range haste buff for the next 8 seconds. I get my 2 Arcanes in as they pack a decent punch, and 2 Cobras in for the Nature Damage. That they also extend Serpent Sting is a bonus. I end the sequence with another Steady Shot so there are still 2 Steadys together to reset the haste timer at the time Chimera Shot goes off. Remembering that I usually lead off with Aimed Shots until the target is under the 90% health, the Steadys will provide an immediate boost to my focus store.

In total, this sequence gives me

Nature Damage from Chimera Shot and 2 Cobra shots

Arcane Damage from 2 Arcane Shots

Physical Damage from 3 Steady Shots

15% Range Haste Boost

If anyone can figure a way for me to add in some Shadow Damage, let me know, please!

Now remember, this is all about my main "rotation". Suffice to say, I have Serpent Sting on the go all the time, and Tranq is handy to throw in, and of course launching a trap now and then.

Actually, I have set my Aimed Shot as

#showtooltip Aimed Shot

/castsequence Immolation Trap                    (This will change to Freezing Trap when it's available to me)

/cast Aimed Shot

/petattack

I haven't had a chance to test it yet, but in theory it should put down my trap and be ready to renew after 30 seconds.

I'll report back once I have used it in earnest.

Cheers,

D

After reading some input from Takass in his MM Guide, I'm thinking that instead of:

#showtooltip

/castsequence reset=3/combat Steady Shot, Steady Shot, Arcane Shot, Cobra Shot, Arcane Shot, Cobra Shot, Steady Shot

/cast Chimera Shot

/cast !Auto Shot

/petattack

I'll use:

#showtooltip

/castsequence reset=3/combat Steady Shot, Steady Shot, Arcane Shot, Cobra Shot, Arcane Shot, Steady Shot, Steady Shot

/cast Chimera Shot

/cast !Auto Shot

/petattack

Although it will reduce the Nature Damage component of the rotation, it increases the chance of Master Marksman procs which give us the free Aimed Shot.

Thanks Tak!

D

PVP

I do things a little different in pvp and I'm liking it…

1. #showtooltip Hunter's Mark

    /castsequence reset=target Hunter's Mark, Freezing Trap

    /cast !Auto Shot

   /petattack

   /mend pet

2. #showtooltip Aimed Shot

   /cast Aimed Shot

   /petattack

   /mend pet

3. #showtooltip

   /castsequence reset=target Serpent Sting, Widow Venom, Arcane Shot, Concussive Shot, Arcane Shot, Hunter's Mark, Arcane Shot, Tranquilizing Shot

   /castsequence Chimera Shot

   /cast Kill Shot

   /cast !Auto Shot

   /petattack

4. #showtooltip

   /castsequence reset=3/combat Steady Shot, Steady Shot, Steady Shot, Cobra Shot

   /castsequence Chimera Shot

   /cast Kill Shot

Now I know a lot of people don't like castsequence macros anyway, and having Kill Shot in one let alone two is very contraversial, but this just seems to work. I haven't done it in PVE, but it's working a treat in PVP. I'm toying with the idea of throwing in a Kill Command too, but further testing will be done along those lines.

You will notice that the two "spam" macros are complete opposites: One builds focus, the other spends it (with the exception of Chimera and Kill Shot in the focus build macro).

I use two power auras to help me out:

a. When Focus >85%,              Dump Focus!

b. When Focus <35%,              Low Focus!

Cheers,

D

As promised….

The more I think about my Dump Focus spam macro, the more I'm thinking it should be more like:

#showtooltip

/castsequence reset=target/combat Serpent Sting, Concussive Shot, Arcane Shot, Arcane Shot, Tranquilizing Shot, Arcane Shot, Kill Command

/castsequence Chimera Shot

/cast Kill Shot

/cast !Auto Shot

/petattack

Let's go through this so you (and I) can understand my thinking…

Firstly, in my macro research, I've read that in macros like this the commands are checked from the bottom up. In that case:

   /Petattack will cause the pet to attack the current target

   /Auto Shot will fire if it isn't on or will continue to if already on

   /Kill Shot will fire if available

   /Chimera Shot will fire if available and Kill Shot wasn't

   /castsequence shot will fire (depending on where it is in the sequence) if Kill or Chimera didn't. 

My observations support this.

My castsequece:

1. First thing I wish to do is put the Serpent Sting debuff on my target. I’ve specced Improved Serpent Sting over Pathing as I believe (though others don't) it is a better option as it causes SS to do damage up front, as well as over time. 
2. Secondly, I have glyphed and specced Concussive Shot to cause a reduction in run speed. I find that in MY pvp encounters, I'm giving chase to flag carriers a lot, and it also helps to keep warriors with those godawful stuns and big axes away from my nice, shiny mail. Hence Concussive Shot is the second launched as the benefits of a stun and a slow early on outweigh damage in my opinion. 
3. Arcane Shot is the best instant shot I have without a cooldown.
4. Tranquilizing Shot is there for the buffs, if I can knock a couple off, great, if not, next up is… 
5. Another Arcane. 'nuff said.
6. Last but not least, (for now) is Kill Command. It’s not as strong for a MM hunter as for a BM, but still packs a clout. I will check when I get home how much clout and I may reassess this one… 

As for the length of the sequence… Both Concussive Shot and Kill Command have cooldowns (5 and 6 seconds respectively) so I wanted the sequence to take at least that long to get through…

Now remember, this sequence is weaved with the Focus Restore macro as well, and even the occasional Widow Venom if I see a healer helping the target out. Generally I’ll shoot off 3 or 4 of these focus-costing shots, then some (at least 2) of the focus restore shots until the Dump Focus sign comes up. Chimera Shot chimes in every 10 seconds, and Aimed Shot procs now and then as well. And interupts… Scatter Shot is my friend…

I applaud those of you who can successfully use 14 or so buttons, but I struggle with too many. Though, you may have guessed that already…

Cheers,

D

Felinin said:

May I just ask about the syntax you are using in the 'reset=' part of /castsequence?

I understand the simple form (e.g. reset=3), but what is meant by these various combinations that you have used?…

reset=2/target/combat

reset=target/combat

reset=combat/3

 

Thank you

Sure thing…

Firstly though…

reset=3

This command resets the sequence to the beginning after 3 seconds of the macro not being used.

 Eg… you use the macro twice, then hard cast an Aimed Shot (2.9 seconds) followed by laying an Ice Trap (1.5 seconds) all takes 4.4 seconds minimum, so the sequence will be reset. However if you use the macro twice, cast a Widow Venom (1.5 seconds) then hit the macro key, it will fire off the next command in the sequence. Your haste rating may shorten the above times, so you simply check your spell book to ascertain your current shot time. 

reset=target        

This command means if you are using your sequence on Enemy1, he dies, then you select (mouse or tab, it doesn''t matter) another target, the sequence resets to the beginning. In my example above,  whenever a new target is selected, the first shot fired will be Serpent Sting… always.

reset=combat      

Enemy1 dies. There is a moment of peace and tranquility long enough for you to go out of combat. You could mount, eat some non-potion health food etc… next time you enter combat, the sequence  will start at the beginning.

Everything else, is a combination of ANY of the conditions.

reset=target/6    

If a new target is selected, or there is a break in using the macro for 6 seconds, the sequence will reset.

reset=target/combat  

If either a new target is selected or you leave and re-enter combat, the sequence is reset.

reset=3/combat  

If either there is a 3 second break between pressing the macro key, or you leave and then re-enter combat, the sequence is reset.

I hope you get the idea. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Cheers,

D

Fear not, I'm still here!

I've devoting just about all of my time into PVP lately, with some questing for my levelling toons, or farming for my 85s. I certainly haven't abandoned any of these ideas though.

Firstly I'll mention Darrwyn, current level 36. With the shots available to him, his "rotation" is more restricted than Cogsprocket's at 85.

Darrwyn (36)

PVP

#showtooltip

/castsequence reset=target/5 Hunter's Mark, Serpent Sting, Steady Shot, Steady Shot, Arcane Shot, Arcane Shot, Steady Shot, Steady Shot, Steady Shot

/cast Kill Command

/cast !Auto Shot

/petattack

This is my main spam macro. As you can see it encompasses all the important BM functions and is designed to keep focus steady, although it takes a plunge every six seconds when KC fires. This macro is supported my two Power Auras: Low Focus and Dump Focus which activate when focus hits 35% or 85% respectively. Then I hit either:

DUMP

#showtooltip

/castsequence reset=target/5 Tranqulizing Shot, Arcane Shot, Arcane Shot

/cast Kill Command

/cast !Auto Fire

/petattack

or

REGENR8

#showtooltip

/castsequence reset=target/5 Steady Shot

/cast Kill Shot

/cast !Auto Fire

/petattack

You will notice the main difference is the regen only has steady Shot unless Kill Shot procs, which it duly fires off.

I also have:

KILL

#showtooltip Kill Shot

/cast Kill Shot

/cast !Auto Fire

/petattack

Other useful macros for Tranquilier Shot, Scatter Shot, Aspect, Cooldowns etc are all handy.

Cogsprocket

Cog's macros are based upon those of Darrwyn, but incorporate a couple of different features due to shots or pets available to him:

PVP

#showtooltip

/castsequence reset=target/5 Hunter's Mark, Serpent Sting, Steady Shot, Steady Shot, Arcane Shot, Arcane Shot, Cobra  Shot, Steady Shot, Steady Shot

/cast Kill Command

/cast !Auto Shot

/petattack

DUMP

#showtooltip

/castsequence reset=target/5  Widow Venom, Tranqulizing Shot, Arcane Shot, Arcane Shot, Tranquilizing Shot, Arcane Shot, Arcane Shot, Arcane Shot, Tranquilizing Shot, Arcane Shot, Arcane Shot, Arcane Shot

/cast Kill Command

/cast !Auto Fire

/petattack

BM

#showtooltip Bestial Wrath

/petattack

/cast Bestial Wrath

/cast !Auto Fire

/cast Intimidation

KILL

#showtooltip Kill Shot

/castsequence [pet:Chimera] Froststorm Breath

/cast Kill Shot

/cast !Auto Shot

/petattack

I use Froststorm Breath freely, because it is so good a damage and slowing the enemy down. But when Kill Shot procs, it fires off.

Using these macros with Beastmastery Spec has propelled me much higher in the finishing tables than trying to play manually. While the role I take within each bg varies, my fights are no longer one sided, unless it's all mine. Even when attacked out of stealth, I can often break free and pour havoc on my assailant. When I join in on a combat already in progress, Big Red comes out and the fight is all over.

Cheers for now,

D