What the hell is a macro? A macro is a single computer instruction which results in a series of instructions in machine language. Wait, wtf does that mean? Well, in the context of WoW; Blizzard allows users to create their own isolated sections of code behind a command button.


To make a macro follow these instructions:
1. type /macro <enter> or click macro tab on menu.
2. click new
3. enter a name for your macro, if you dont want a name just type . and you wont even notice it.
4. choose an icon for your command button, if you choose the ? icon, then it will mimic the basic icon of the spell / ability you cast in your macro.
5. write your code


This is where it can get a little bit confusing for some people, but don't worry because its really quite easy once you know how.


First of all there are two things you need to know. One is that there is a 255 character limit to the code you can write behind each macro. The other is that each new command starts on a new line and with a / and then the function you want it to carry out. For the purposes of this guide, variables will be written within < > but when actually making the macro, these should not be included. At the end of this article is a slide show you can look through to find pictures of how to lay the different commands talked about.


Lets start with speech commands. This will allow you to write a sentence in a particular context e.g. /say /guild /2 etc and post it as many times as you like with one click. To make your first speech command type /say I am learning how to make a speech macro. Now drag this macro onto your UI and click it once. If you did it right, your character will say what you typed.


Now go back to your macro tab and delete all the code you typed in. You will notice that if you click your command button now it will do nothing. Try a few different commands such as /yell or /y and then typing a sentence. Or try typing /dance and your command button will make your toon dance.


well done!


Now you can try making a cast macro. Make a new macro, call it bob and make the icon a ?. Now type /cast <spell you want to cast> . This is done in the following format. In the case of casting a Flash of Light spell type /cast Flash of Light. (not 100% of players are paladins so just choose your own spell). Make sure that you spell it correctly with all spaces and capitals, and there should be a space between the /cast and the spell name.


Drag it onto your UI and try it out.


This format is simple and will cast the highest rank of that spell in your spell book. If you wish to cast a different
rank you need to type /cast Flash of Light(Rank #) # being your desired rank.

Now you have your first cast macro!

Now it starts to get a bit of fun. Make a new combined macro. Type the following (a new line here is a new line there). %t is the code for your target.
/y Healing %t now! You'll be better in no time mate!
/cast Flash of Light

If you did it right, when you click your command button it will yell healing <target> now! etc etc and at the same time it will cast flash of light.


or a simple speech one is

/target <name>

/point
/s you smell like camel poo

Try not to do this for any spells you are likely to be spamming or it will start to annoy the shit out of people nearby. And when using speech macros on trade: If it doesn't work after clicking twice you have lag. Don't keep clicking it or it will spam uncontrollably and add you to a few thousand ignore lists.


Speech macros can have as many new lines as you like and all will be carried out at once. Cast macros however are not so easy. Try typing the following:
/cast <spell>
/cast <diff spell>
You will notice that only the first will cast and it will say the second is not ready yet. This is because of the global cooldown on spells. There are a few compromises to this issue, but they are all rather advanced compared to what I am teaching you now. The only exemption to this are spells with no global cooldown such as Heroic strike on warriors.

/cast Heroic Strike

/cast Sunder Armor

If you have got this far and never made a macro before, then your doing well!

Have you ever been casting a long spell and then realise that you toons life depends on casting an instant spell right then and now? If yes, then the very simple stopcasting macro is your best friend.
In the case of a Holy Paladin you can try the following (it will work with any spell but it is particularly useful when combined with instant cast heals or high dmg spells).
/stopcasting
/cast Holy Shock
Now if your casting holy light and your target it about to be turned into arcane dust, you can click your new macro and it will immediately stop casting Holy Light and save their life with an instant Holy Shock.

Time for a cast sequence, get ready!

New Macro:
/castsequence <spell1>, <spell2>, <spell3>, <spell2>
Choose your spells positioning wisely, taking into account their cooldowns. You dont have to use the same amount of spells as me or the same order. Just make sure it is layed out in the correct way with a , and space between each spell.

This will allow you to click the same button over and over again, but each time it will cast a different spell. When it gets to the end it will start from the first again. However it is still missing a reset command so taht it will start from number one after a certain event.

Just add one of the following in the the <reset> position. reset=combat/target/10/shift/control/alt (10 is an number and in seconds) (and number of these variables can be added and seperated by a /

/castsequence <reset> <spell1>, <spell2>, <spell3>, <spell2>

/castsequence reset=combat/target/shift Arcane Shot, Serpent Sting, Black Arrow

Now your sequence will reset when it comes across your chosen variable.

You now know how to make some of the most basic and most common macros! But I will continue to throw in some useful little commands

/equip <item name> (will equip the stated item)

List of Equipment slot names

Two-Hand           Ranged

Bag         Chest

Shirt       Off Hand

Chest    Shoulder

Back       Tabard

Feet       Thrown (ranged slot items like thrown daggers)

Finger   Trinket

Hands   Waist

Head     One-Hand

Held In Off-hand              Main Hand

Legs       Off Hand

Neck      Wrist

For using trinkets within other macros just use their slot number
/use 13 for the top trinket slot and
/use 14 for the bottom one.
This may come in handy if you wish to add a trinket proc into a castsequence or add speech to your trinket proc.

/cast [equipped:Two-Handed Swords/Two-Handed Maces/Two-Handed Axes/Polearms] Mortal Strike; Heroic Strike

This will cast Mortal Strike if any of the above are equipt, Heroic Strike if not

To create a command button with two functions using two separate binds try the following:
#showtooltip (if u desire) (tooltip is a line of speech)
/cast [button:1] <ground mounts name>
/cast [button:2] <flying mounts name>
Now you can cleft click to summon your ground mount and right click to summon your flying mount.

To cast a random spell from a selection use the command /castrandom e.g.
/castrandom [harm] spell1, spell2, spell3
/stopmacro [noharm]

Here is a load of evaluation commands and ideas from people all over the internet, just have a think about what you need a button to do and then how you can make it work.

help – Evaluates ‘true’ if target is friendly

harm – Evaluates ‘true’ if target is hostile

combat – Evaluates ‘true’ if you are in combat.

stance or stance:# – Evaluates ‘true’ if you are in a stance, or are in a particular stance

stealth – Evaluates ‘true’ if you are stealthed.

equipped: – Evaluates ‘true’ if item is equipped. Item can be any valid inventory slot, item class or item subclass.

pet: – Evaluates ‘true’ if the pet exists. Takes pet type (Owl, Bear, Imp) or pet name (Fluffy, MrBigglesworth). With no modifier (i.e. just [pet]) it evaluates ‘true’ if ANY pet exists.

indoors, outdoors – Evaluates ‘true’ if you are indoors or outdoors, respectively.

channeling: – Evaluates true if you are channeling the spell listed. With no spell listed, it evaluates true if any spell is being channeled.

exists and dead – Evaluates true if your target is dead, or actually exists.

party – evaluates true if the target is a member of your party

raid – evaluates true if the target is a member of your party or raid

group – evaluates true if you are in a group

/cast [help] Greater Heal; Smite

/cast [help] Greater Heal; [harm, combat] Smite; [harm, nocombat] Mind Flay

/cast [nopet] Call Pet; Revive Pet

/cast [pet:owl] Dive; [pet:cat] Dash; [pet] Growl

use [nomounted,outdoors] Black War Steed Bridle

/cast [group:party] Arcane Brilliance; Arcane Intellect

This comes to the end of my Guide to macros for now. Using a combination of all these basic commands you can create a decent range of useful macros to help you in your quest to succeed in WoW. GOOD LUCK!

PS: If you have any class macros or other commands please add them into the comments below.