Macro (Slash Command)

/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. What will happen in the case of this example is that the batsmash animation will play if the Brawl power is not ready or if you have no target, but if Brawl is ready and you have a valid target in range, you will see the Brawl animation and not the batsmash animation.

Adding icons to your macro

(This text was adapted from mudflapgirl's [post on Reddit])

You can give your macros icons instead of having it be a grey circle with words with the macro_image command. The format for the command is:

/macro_image "Image_Name" "Tooltip Text" "Command"

For example, a costume change macro is created with

/macro_image "Inherent_KnightsBastion" "Costume 2" "cc 1"

This can also be used to open custom popmenu commands.

/macro_image "Teleport_LongRangeTeleport" "Teleports" "popmenu Teleports"

You can put whatever you want in there though. Masterminds can have

/macro_image "PetCommand_Action_Bodyguard" "Bodyguard" "petcom_all follow defensive"

/macro_image "PetCommand_Action_Dismiss" "Dismiss" "petcom_all dismiss"

if they want to complete the set.

The icons have to be 32x32 and in the game files to fit properly - you can't use a square of your face or anything. To find them, you'll need to download a .pigg viewer and find the icons. At least on Homecoming i25+, powers are in stage1b.pigg, texture_library/GUI/Icons/Powers. I don't know where inspiration or enhancement icons are because I found what I liked in powers and stopped looking, but "Inspiration_Damage_Lvl_4" is the big damage insp, so you might be able to figure a couple out.

[This Google sheet contains a lot of the icons that are in the game].

[guides from Shenanigunner have some information as well] see [forum post]