BEST Macros & Tips To Improve Your FFXIV Experience In 2024

[@peppermilldetective8154]

Macro FAQ! Q: Why do macros try to fill all lines with the same action? A: Macros in FFXIV are executed one line per frame at a time. Due to this, getting macros to be executed with some consistency we fill the macro with as many lines that execute the same action as we can. That way instead of having only a 1 frame window in which a macro can execute, we have an up to 13 frame window. Q: Why are macros considered unreliable? Why is it not recommended to macro GCD abilities like combos? A: Unlike normal actions and abilities, macros cannot be queued. Normally, when you press a button while you are in animation lock (or a GCD while your GCD is rolling) FFXIV will queue the action so when the lock is finished, the action automatically executes. Since macros cannot be executed during any kind of lock, and since they cannot be queued, you'll find macros tend to be more unreliable than regular actions and abilities. This ties back to the prior answer, where since macros are executed one line per frame, and cannot be queued, we do what we can to make them as reliable as possible. Q: If macros are executed one line per frame, does that mean if I have a higher FPS, my macros are less reliable? A: Yes! FFXIV, in general, isn't graphically or performance-wise balanced for any FPS higher than 90. Even then, it may be best to limit it further to 60 fps. For instance, jiggle physics simply do not exist at high FPS values, but you'll find that limiting your FPS will re-introduce said jiggle physics. There's a lot of time and effort spent by the community to understand macros as best as possible. If you want to learn more, I recommend searching for the FFXIV Macrology book on github. You can also ask around on reddit or in-game! Happy macro-ing!

[@SirPhysics]

One thing I would add to the FAQ is why we don't chain macros (like the 1-2-3 combo). Macros execute 1 line per frame unless you add the which adds a delay of exactly X seconds. This only works for whole numbers so will cost over half a second on each GCD cast (since GCD cooldown is usually around 2.4 - 2.5 seconds).

[@Aubig]

Missed opportunity not calling it Macronomicon Phenomenal info though! I had two out of those three questions. Thanks for the comment 👋

[@idminister]

The combat limitations of macros are by design. During the ARR Beta, as a FFXI player i was playing the macros. and Found that there the macro icrement was in tenths of a second and it was stable. so macros being lacking for combat rotations is on purpose and by design

[@calciferblack2409]

​@@SirPhysicsSo you *could* set this up and assign consecutive combat actions, it just wouldn't be optimized? It'd be great to set up some "gambits" for trash/over world mobs.

[@SirPhysics]

@calciferblack2409 you can, you just lose half a second roughly on every GCD because you can only in increments of whole seconds and you'll have to pace oGCDs properly, but it should work reasonably well if you want something for mindless overworld mob killing. Personally the only combat macros I use are adding timers to my DoTs to remind me when they need to be refreshed

[@noblewolf8232]

11:09 this macro is very neat! I'm gonna use this.

[@calciferblack2409]

You are so right! Thanks for pointing it out.

[@Scott_Diverscott]

I set up my healer macros in reverse. I keep the tank focueed and use them to set the target (click tank, attack target of target). That way I can keep sending offensive spells, without taking my eye off their health. If I need to switch to heal another player (off-tank, whatever), I can continue to send DPS down range using them to set target. The main reason that I started using this method was because I don't take aggro from some un-tapped mob by accident. I'm only going to be DPSing the tank's mob. If they switch, my target switches with them. Another cool macro that I use is a cascading rez macro. It's similar to your spamming macro setup, but I do a swiftcast , then a raise , followed by , , , etc... (2 thru 8) on each subsequent line. The first target that's eligible to get raised gets raised.

[@Guurzak]

Setting up your attacks as macros means you can't queue them, which means you're drifting a fraction of a second on every single damage cast.

[@Scott_Diverscott]

@@Guurzak I’m ok with that. It fits my play style for the class. I’m mot raiding ultimate level content.

[@Deode-d4h]

Honestly, as someone who wants to try out healing, this may be a decent thing to start out trying. Especially the target of target with attacks where I have the tank as my focus.

[@SirPhysics]

Maybe this is just me being bad at multitasking, but a QoL macro I recently added to my play was timers and alarms to remind me to refresh DoTs. Especially on Bard.

[@deice3]

To elaborate on why macros seem unreliable, when you have multiple different actions/targets in them, is the same reason adding the same action many times works as a buffer: As an example, if you have a mouseover macro, with the last line targeting party member #2, it can happen that all the mouseover lines get executed while locked into previous action, and the macro will target party member #2 even if you are mousing over another target. So using multiple actions/targets can end up being random what you get. Personally, I only use mouseover macros for specific oGCD abilities, and avoid anything else.

[@ThisismineIguess]

Q: Should I put danger bongos in all my macros? A: Yes, you SHOULD put danger bongos in all your macros! Use and macro every single ability for EXTRA FUN!

[@balasar_fordragon]

I just subscribed to your channel today and I really liked this with macro's. I was actually just asking myself today on how I can setup a macro to target someone but without having to click on them for every single spell and saw you talk about target of target or putting that spell next to their name and macro it for that party number. Thank you for putting something like this together and looking forward to seeing more video's. I just got back into FFXIV and relearning the ropes.

[@mizuhashitsunoka]

PSA for controller users: if you are using the extra settings, you get 32 buttons from get go and then 8+8 with LT->RT and reverse. Only macros controllers lose out on is stuff like putting a vertical hotbar besides party list to drop something like a TBN or targetable stuff really. I have followed tons of qol guides and have no problems putting macros on my extra hotbar space. I have stuff like macros for focus target, sprint and mount roulette, targetable TBN/shirk on second tank, revive alert (just messaging who got ascended), markers, aetherial manipulation for BLM. I put stuff like tank stance and dance partner in the LT->RT hotbar so that they are one and done and i dont fat finger them unintentionally. At a point i used to have macros for all 8 position gcd heals but later learnt i should stop doing gcd heals in higher levels so that's deadge now. I even have macros for the fancy hotbar buttons people make for switching classes and extra settings. Slightly bit more tedious on controller but still doable if you wanna put your time into it.

[@silasary]

Depending on your class, 32 is not enough to support many macros.

[@mizuhashitsunoka]

@@silasary yeah so I am using the extra 16 slots. Macros don't have to be out in fhe front. Especially one tap macros for marking something or situational ones like targetable shirk and tbn

[@ZessaSnake]

The macro's shown are really good! Gonna copy some of them for myself!

[@Narlaw1199]

Never thought of a sprint macro, but that's genius. I should probably do the same with potions.

[@AzuriteTV]

I haven't thought to try this with potions..? But maybe worth a shot!

[@sinCorazon1980]

Since I play on a controller, I have sprint macroed to my right control stick, so all I have to do is press it

[@TheQman69]

I couldn't figure out why your video was giving me flashbacks of fishing and then you stopped talking which let me hear the background music better. BGM from FFXI Selbina and turning in too many fish for the Ebisu Fishing Rod quest is forever stuck in my brain.

[@imnotgabriel]

omg the hot bar/macro next to the party list is such a smart idea! why didn't i think of that. Super useful for tanks and me a healer main

[@SirPhysics]

Same! The is also brilliant. One of my least favorite things about playing healer is having to shift targets so often.

[@youtousim]

I use a "Raise all" macro that targets players to , in my preferred order. Just to not get stuck on trying to res someone that already recieved one, which can be a bit confusing in the heat of battle.

[@PrometheusReturns97]

oh please share, how do you tell it to skip someone who already is being res?

[@youtousim]

​@@PrometheusReturns97 Sure: /merror off /blueaction "Angel Whisper" /blueaction "Angel Whisper" /blueaction "Angel Whisper" /blueaction "Angel Whisper" /blueaction "Angel Whisper" /blueaction "Angel Whisper" /blueaction "Angel Whisper" /blueaction "Angel Whisper" /micon "Angel Whisper" blueaction is in there to keep the original functionality. Replace /blueaction by /ac for normal jobs, and omit the last blueaction on /micon. Swap around numbers depending on your Party list prio in the instance. Could add an /ac "Swiftcast" before the first GCD, which means you have to press the button twice if it is up, as the processing of the line will take longer than the reading of the rest of the macro. Could also add (no .seconds) to that Swiftcast to only wait for the actual delay time and skip the double press. I've moved away from that though, as it feels a bit iffy. I'll note that in general, it is advised to not macro GCDs at all. Unless you are chaining actions, it should not be a problem though.

[@Brahmsonite]

Put above the so you still can use it normally.

[@Brahmsonite]

​@@PrometheusReturns97if you have a line at the top then you can be more specific with your rezzing when there are multiple KOs to work through.

[@youtousim]

@@PrometheusReturns97 Since yt removed the original answer, add "/" to the start of each line: merror off blueaction "Angel Whisper" blueaction "Angel Whisper" ... (continue in preferred party order) blueaction "Angel Whisper" micon "Angel Whisper" exchange blueaction for ac, and omit the last one for normal jobs

[@Cheshire_Addams]

I've tried the TBN hotbar macro before but then swapped to trying to get better at using the F1-F8 keys to target. Has anyone tried both and found one to be better? Also the for heals sounds neat and worth trying but I worry it works complicate when trying to single target heal someone other than the tank. I usually set my tank as the focus target when healing to quickly swap back to them and keep a better eye on their health bar

[@RondoOfChaos]

The jeuno music in the back had me sold

[@Brawneteer]

Was doing Dawntrail EX Trial 1 a couple days ago, and the WHM had an Asylum macro that put it on the target. Bit annoying trying to stand in that space when it's congested by mechanics you're trying to not get hit by.

[@sweepingtime]

I use mouseover macros for Thunderclap and Aetherial Manipulation, especially in PvP. In battle I can’t be sure where everyone is except for everyone in my field of view hence a MO macro is general purpose for something like Thunderclap, which works on both allies and enemies.

[@Cuthawolf]

Very useful video, thanks for the time and work :)

[@TobinatorTx]

These macros are very useful if you use keyboard and mouse, not really useful for controller because limited hotbar space. I'm just really glad that dragon sight is gone, that was very clunky and you basically required macros for it.

[@AzuriteTV]

I kinda miss Dragon Sight... but only the really short tether one you basically had to use on your co-melee, I'm glad the EW iteration of it is gone xD

[@TobinatorTx]

@@AzuriteTV oh yeah, i remember people running away from the dragon sight tether, because they thought it's a boss mechanic xD

[@gLobbZ]

I mean if you set your stuff up right and have a second brain cell laying around, you'll have 16 extra spots you can use with nothing on them. I play controller, use brain

[@sairentoeko]

​@@gLobbZSome classes use every single button, some do not. Controller is limited, use your brain

[@Ziggy8750]

@@gLobbZplay pld use brain

[@idropthepen1744]

I once used this TBN macro as well... than I switched to TBN and Obligation and if I'm on no target I use it on myself. (works on the party list or directly on the charackter). The Shirk one is still goat tho xD

[@DarkLight018]

Had no idea about the GTOFF function. There is an ingame feature to press it twice to auto place it but I might move to this

[@KZorander]

Another macro that's saved my ass is /ac Holmgang . If the mob you targeted with Holmgang dies, you lose your invuln early. Target yourself, YOU'RE NOW IMMORTAL. Well.... for a short time.

[@poch3323]

How did you line up your TBN and oblation hotbat perfectly with the party list?

[@MestreShiro]

Great video, i start using the macro for my DRK but i dont know how exactly do the same as you did, is not centralized with the party its aways too big or too small and if i change to another tank it keeps on the DRK macros.. ): how do you confing these?

[@mizuhashitsunoka]

I have seen all of your past macro vids but i still rewatch in case a new macro has come up xD All your qol videos have immensely elevated my exoerience in FF14 so thanks a lot for keeping up the great work. I hate how all these people dismiss some of the advices coz they are on controller. When in reality only the first section is unachievable realistically. Maybe you should play on controller a bit and make another guide as well haha xD I think it's mostly due to the fact that 99% of the controller guides i saw on YT were from non raiders so maybe the reach isnt enough? Idk honestly but people should stop missing out on these amazing qol macros. Especially stuff like sprint and mount roulette.

[@AzuriteTV]

How did I miss an actual mouse over macro..? because I don't use them myself but to make a mouse over macro is something like /ac "The Blackest Night" which will use the ability over a mouse over target either through the party list or your mouse is physically over their player model (a reason I don't actually like mo macros, I also lose my mouse so sometimes I'd give the ability to the wrong person...)

[@1Mrstephen]

The problem with MO macros for me is, I lose track of where my damn mouse is way too often.

[@TomTheOwl68]

Are there any tips to reduce the current lag? People in the game aren't running along, thry are like glitching forward. Crafting macros are an absolute nightmare. It actually seems worse in the mornings when it isn't even peak time weirdly

[@blazeman999999999999]

I have recast timer macros for my tank invluns too, to communicate those too (like you talked about with reprisal)

[@niyoblue]

I am very curious as to what the Hide macro does that's just tantalizingly sitting in the corner

[@TaleSeeker]

If I went healer, I'd use all these and mostly target of target and/or focus target. But I do have a question. I wanted to make a macro for Slither to use on my party tank. Would I use ToT or Focus Target? They seem like it would do the same thing but I'm a macro newb.

[@andrewhegstrom2187]

I miss how awesome and reliable macros were back in SWG (over 20 years ago now). I could set up a huge string, which included waiting before executing the next line and being recursive.

[@itsmaxey4597]

Thanks for these tips! I've always been using a key bind to target a targets target which works fine but this gives me more ideas for some macros, only wish there were more slots because I used so many for having ability icons for when I switch gearsets. Looks pretty but having one for every job takes up a lot of space... Also always surprised how many commands there are, is there some kind of website that covers macros and commands in ffxiv?

[@AzuriteTV]

I mostly know these commands through friends and such but I did just look through the wiki and there seems to be a few commands here as well, not sure if its helpful but there's quite a few! ffxiv.consolegameswiki.com/wiki/Macro

[@iaxacs3801]

As a controller player I recommend making targetting Macros for Party members 2-8 on crossbar 8 and enable double tap/ double trigger hotbar (disable crossbar 8 as an insta swap to) congrats now you can weave in target swapping (targeting doesn't care for action queuing) and do the controller version of that TBN "hover" macro except it works for any and all party targetting abilities within 8 macro slots. Now go and never fumble Benediction onto a dps again from aggressively menuing with dpad edit: use the last slot for whatever you like, a focus target Macro would be nice for example or chat muscle moogle macro

[@Seobryn]

How do you get you macros to show up on specific classes? I've been looking all over for that advice but I can't seem to find it ): *EDIT* Found out I could set certain hotbars to share which fixes my issues lol

[@ahyes9470]

Trying to figure out how to do that myself, it’s probably way simpler than I’m thinking howd you do it?

[@Seobryn]

@@ahyes9470 I found out by messing around with the Sharing Option in the Character Config Option -> Hotbar Settings -> Sharing

[@NovaVor4380]

Dumb question for someone who is entirely unfamiliar with macro usage, is there a guide for how to use macros on controller? (Specifically the ones just shown) Really trying to learn how to make use of them without relying on a keyboard.

[@JDxxxxxx]

Wow I never knew that tab thing

[@mintparfait]

I really wish they'd just add in a mouse over toggle like every other tab target, mmo. Before anyone suggests it. Creating hundreds of mo macros and losing proper queuing isn't a solution. Stuff like this is why I'll never be that upset at people resorting to magic.

[@jusajiesipo]

Can i ask whats the use of putting so many of the same command in one macro?

[@AzuriteTV]

Right, I didn't explain it properly but macros don't queue like normal abilities do, so having multiple of the same command will "simulate" queuing to a degree

[@-Boone]

To add, each macro line fires 1 frame at a time. So incase it fails at frame/line #1 the macro still has a chance to go off several frames later.

[@jusajiesipo]

@@AzuriteTV Ah alright! thanks for the reply :)

[@aguardente6531]

Not extracting spiritbond materia...

[@AzuriteTV]

ehehehe

[@tyverus89]

I used to have my Ninjutsu on macro... that was a bad idea

[@AzuriteTV]

I'm glad its a "used to" and not "using"!

[@Zinkhal1]

when the ninja starts get more and more different once and i never mained him i was like "come on im not going to learn all of these.." and just tried it with macros ... a friend just died basically because of it XD but yeah the time you lose with it instead of pressing them manually is just insane and yes just a few hours later i knew all ninjutsu .. it felt like more work at first sight to be honest... ;D

[@sandcasterofveeshan366]

Callexia Crescent@Maduin checking in.Interesting macros. Should help me and my horrid vision lol... On a serious note I'll be having surgery soon. FFXIV has been a great getaway (I have 9 90+ jobs thru all the issues)

[@bradleyoldford7754]

I didnt even know you could cast TBN on allies.......

[@AzumangaFan13]

Shit like this is why people always say READ YOUR TOOLTIPS

[@tyverus89]

what is that hide macro?

[@SuperDeluxe80]

controller lets you use the mouse with the stick or if you use PS5 the touch pad is the mouse or use a mouse with the controller..

[@Void-qz1zd]

Your character makes me feel things

[@lazyyfox7914]

My favorite macro puts sacred soil on my carbuncle

[@tuggerjaegger2886]

i'm gonna delete my pre-DT crafting macros that i barely use and make space for these ones :O

[@CianaCorto]

Don't call me chat.

[@AzuriteTV]

Okay not chat

[@justeswar]

first

[@Jboy218]

Don't do this!

[@stephenweistra830]

Abilities on macros are awful because they have a processing delay and don't queue. Don't use ability macros.

[@sinCorazon1980]

You can tell you didn't watch the video or know what you're talking about lol.

[@Ratix24]

I like to make a job relevant mitigation macro for all my tanks and then line a hot bar vertically next to the party list, I include all regular mitigations and their PVP counter part that I can