Attack the nearest enemy and not toggle off. Using macros only since addons are banned. After repeatedly requesting blizzard fix issues with attacking, the macro below finally works.
The current blizzard default keybind 'Target Nearest Enemy', keybind 'Attack Target', slash /targetenemy or slash /startattack are not enough to target properly and may at times toggle or cycle through the enemy unintentionally, at least for me. Using the mouse to find targets was also not efficient. Using the attack icon from the spell book did not always search for the nearest target so it was not enough.
For melee classes and some range classes, create a macro and add it to the actionbar and a keybind. Everything with one keypress. Melee like warriors, rogue, mages, etc. For example, see readme file for sample macro, similar to,
- 1. Cast an attack so icon in actionbar flashes (optional)
- 2. Clear the target, without having to press escape.
- 3. Target nearest enemy, without having to press Tab.
- 4. Attack target after a fraction of a second, without having to press T.
For some range classes, create a macro so it targets only. Otherwise it starts attacking and aggroing mobs accidently if you have autoshot or other abilities. You normally attack by choosing your spell/weapon later. Range like hunters, etc. For example, see readme file for sample macro, similar to,
- 1. Cast an attack so icon in actionbar flashes (optional)
- 2. Clear the target, without having to press escape.
- 3. Target nearest enemy, without having to press Tab.
Hint: A convenient keybind is the middle mouse button. Currently, the middle button is used by the default blizzard MouseLook key which I would rather reassign to a 4th button or just use the left-right buttons simultaneously. Holding the middle button for extended periods of time for MouseLook was not comfortable for me anyway. Additionally, a convenient keybind with the shift- middle button can be used with the following addon, QTargetX. http://my.curse.com/downloads/wow-addons/details/qtarget-x.aspx
Install:
- Create a macro with the default blizzard UI, add the icon to the actionbar, and assign a keybind to the icon.
Known bugs:
- Neutral level 1 critters are not being targetted. Like rats, rabbits, deer, etc.
- There are mobs like rats in the Stratholme instance that are not being targetted even though they have red nameplates. Hard to fix because in a group and no time to test. I think it is because rats are originally neutral critters.
- There are mobs like rats in the Icecrown daily areas that are being targetted even though they are neutral. Not sure how to fix.
Known limitations:
- Distance is limited targeting up to 50 yards, which is a limitation of Blizzard.
- Must be facing within 30 degrees of the target, which is a limitation of Blizzard.
- Attacking will not be instantenous. A delay occurs before /startattack detects the current target state. /targetenemy finally sets the target state more quickly for /startattack to respond to properly. Otherwise it would just toggle and stop attacking.
- Automatically attacking next target is not possible because macro requires a keypress due to blizzard limitation. Would have been handy for a warrior when standing in a mob of 5 and the target dies since you want to keep killing and not loose rage accidently. Workaround is to press button repeatedly, by using a second keybind for the keyboard as an alternative to the mouse buttons.
- Note that on PvE servers, targetting can also include players that are tagged for pvp too, even if you do not want it to. This is a default blizzard function. Very easily the opposite faction can sneak in during a fight while you are unaware, immediately tag themselves as PvP, and just wait for you to attack accidently.
ChangeLog:
Revision 3.1.0
- Updated TOC file for patch 3.1.0
Revision 1.44
- Explaination and sample macro for range was not accurate and now maybe a little more clear.
Revision 1.43
- Updated TOC file for patch 2.1.0
- Macros samples for range classes too
Revision 1.42
- BC 2.0 compatible.
- With macro only, no more addon.
Revision 1.0
- (web site erased all my previous changelog info :()
Installation Guide
- Exit "World of Warcraft" completely
- Download the mod you want to install
- Make a folder on your desktop called "My Mods"
- Save the .zip/.rar files to this folder.
- If, when you try to download the file, it automatically "opens" it... you need to RIGHT click on the link and "save as..." or "Save Target As".
- Extract the file - commonly known as 'unzipping'
Do this ONE FILE AT A TIME!
- Windows
- Windows XP has a built in ZIP extractor. Double click on the file to open it, inside should be the file or folders needed. Copy these outside to the "My Mods" folder.
- WinRAR: Right click the file, select "Extract Here"
- WinZip: You MUST make sure the option to "Use Folder Names" is CHECKED or it will just extract the files and not make the proper folders how the Authors designed
- Mac Users
- StuffitExpander: Double click the archive to extract it to a folder in the current directory.
- Verify your WoW Installation Path
That is where you are running WoW from and THAT is where you need to install your mods.
- Move to the Addon folder
- Open your World of Warcraft folder. (default is C:\Program Files\World of Warcraft\)
- Go into the "Interface" folder.
- Go into the "AddOns" folder.
- In a new window, open the "My Mods" folder.
- The "My Mods" folder should have the "Addonname" folder in it.
- Move the "Addonname" folder into the "AddOns" folder
- Start World of Warcraft
- Make sure AddOns are installed
- Log in
- At the Character Select screen, look in lower left corner for the "addons" button.
- If button is there: make sure all the mods you installed are listed and make sure "load out of date addons" is checked.
- If the button is NOT there: means you did not install the addons properly. Look at the above screenshots. Try repeating the steps or getting someone who knows more about computers than you do to help.
Translations
When you download a mod, please be sure that the mod is compatible with your translation of wow. Some mods only work on the US versions, while some only work on some of the various European versions. These variations are called "Localizations".
TOC Numbers (Out of Date Mods)
When Blizzard patches WoW, they change the Interface number. This means that all mods will be "out of date" unless or until the author releases a new version for that interface. Some people go into the .toc files and update the numbers themselves, but this is STRONGLY advised against as it will cause problems locating possible incompatibilities addons. When you log into WoW after a patch, you DO NOT have to delete your interface directory. All you have to do is simply tell WoW to ignore the interface numbers and load all the mods anyway. All you have to do is, while at the "character select" screen, look in the lower left corner and click on the "addons" button. A window will pop up listing all your installed mods.
If you look in the upper left corner of that window there should be a box that says "Load Out of Date AddOns". You want to CHECK this box. Now simply go into WoW normally and all your mods should load. As of the 1.9 patch, you will have to do this after EVERY patch/update that Blizzard posts! If you encounter any problems with a mod after a patch, please be sure to let the author of the mod know so they can fix it.
See also: About "Out Of Date AddOns"
Mac Support
WoW addons are not platformed based. As such, they can be used on either Mac or PC. You can extract both .zip and .rar files on a Mac using StuffitExpander.
Directory Structure
World of Warcraft
|_ Interface
|_AddOns
|_*AddonName*
|_ *AddonName*.toc
|_ *AddonName*.xml
|_ *AddonName*.lua
|_ (possibly others as well)...
