Are macros built into the game or are they running software external to the game?

If they're built in then no, they shouldn't be banned. I used macros all the time in WoW to do things like have 1 button that could do four different things depending on holding a modifier key and if the target is friendly or hostile. That gave me an advantage in things like PVP but the macro system is built into WoW directly so anyone could use them.

If they're using an external program to do it, like pressing a button that then rapidly sends multiple commands and keyclicks to the right places then yes they should be. There was a problem with that in Diablo 3 for a while where people would be able to quickly change armour sets right before the death of an enemy because they used a program outside the game to send mouse clicks to key locations on the screen that would swap items.

Probably but that stuff can be pretty tricky to detect, as it's isolated from the game. But I would also argue that there is no need to make a character that is difficult just because it's hard to press the keys right, at least not in the case of a game like this.

@jesus_phish: Yeah there's no macros in game, it's very much akin to your Diablo example.

He's not difficult because it's hard to press the keys right, you could argue he's not difficult at all really, it's just he has a very high skill ceiling, and being able to rotate through his 10 spells with a single key press makes him ridiculously easy, significantly lowering his skill ceiling, but not lowering his potency.

It'd be something similar to playing Magicka but with all your spells on a specific key instead of having to summon the right elements.

I dunno, that sounds pretty much exactly like what I was talking about.

@alexw00d: In that case then yeah I think using them should get you a temp ban.

Kind of curious how they'd be able to detect it.

I imagine the input from a macro looking the same as the keystrokes of a skilled player.

If it's external program that is making it possible, then yes. I feel okay in using macros in TF2 though, because it is doable by the in-game console. I use macros for quick-build and quick-destroy of my mini sentries, saves me having to press 4 then 1 constantly.

The people voting No, are the people using macros.

What do you define as "macro"? Is it just binding keys in such a way to allow casting net on Meepo while another key is Poof on another Meep while another is attack? That isn't a "macro".

I am not pro macro. But in the case of Invoker, it seems like it would only help someone that didn't want to bother learning how to play him. Doesn't seem like someone with macros would have an advantage over an actual good Invoker player.

@extomar: A macro would be having a single button input the combination for spells on Invoker. Another would be a single button that would automatically cycle through each Meepo casting net.

@noitwont Except the whole reason why you need to invoke spells in the first place is the reason why Invoker has a high skill ceiling. If you take away that aspect of the hero you're literally making it "easy mode" without learning how to play him.

@beardyduck: Ez game ez life?