How to Set Up Macros in WoW

Save time with macros. Macros – regardless of the program – are programmable codes that command the computer to do something specific. They are generally used for commands that are repeatedly done. In World of Warcraft (WoW), macros are used for everything from spell rotations to saying hello to fellow guildies as they come online.

How to create a macro:

• Click on the Game Menu. That is the icon on your bottom action bar that looks like a computer. You can also hit “escape”.

• Click on Macros.

• Click New.

• Name the macro. Make the name relative to what the function will be. For example, if you want to be able to just click a button to say welcome to new guildies, you could name it “Welcome”.

• Choose an Icon. WoW provides you with a variety of icons from the game.

• Enter the macro command. For example to say “Welcome to the guild. Our website is www.ourguildrocks.com”, you would type in “/g Welcome to the guild. Our website is www.ourguildrocks.com.” The /g indicates your comment will be announced in guild chat.

• Click Save.

• Now drag that icon to your action bar for easy access.

Macro examples

A macro can be created for just about any command. It normally is used to save typing – as in the case of welcoming someone - or time – as in the case of an assist command.

• /g grats! – This will congratulate a fellow guildie after they announce an accomplishment.

• /g welcome to our guild – this simply says in guild chat “welcome to our guild”

• /assist focus commands your toon to assist whomever you have your focus set on. Or example, as a shadow priest, I would normally set focus on the primary tank and assist him in whatever he is attacking.

• /cast commands your toon to cast a specific spell. For example, an arcane mage might make a macro that reads “/cast Arcane Missiles (Rank 1)”

Macro versus Emotes

Emotes are similar in so far as it tells the character to do or say something. That however ends the similarity. An emote is emotional or depicts an emotional action. For example, typing /dance will make your toon dance. Typing /train will make your toon make train sounds. He or she will actually say “choo choo”.

All in all creating macros will make your play time more productive and possibly more enjoyable as well. A good macro may very well help you earn the top spot on the damage meter.