The Pocket Guide to Binds for the Peacebringer
By
Balanced,
Posted on: 2006-08-05 14:47 in Player Guides
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Please stay away from adding emotes or sayings to your binds. Remember you will be changing forms a lot as a Peacebringer. Combat is fluid and the situation demands may change quickly. You may need to be blasting away one minute, and healing yourself up or activating build up the next. This is totally a personal choice, mind you, but your teammates will not be happy having to hear Now I must enter NOVA FORM!!! each time you shape shift.
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Very nice, concise guide to binds/macros as they apply to Kheldians. My only criticism was with this bit - while you're absolutely right that you do not want to include emotes or strings of text in your primary binds, this should not discourage those who wish to add a little flavor to their Kheldians from doing so.
You should simply make two (or more) functionally identical binds, one without text for everyday use and another doing the same thing but including emotes and/or text for when you feel like adding a little flavor. To use the example in the guide, this would be:
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/bind t goto_tray 2$$powexec_toggle_on bright nova
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for the everyday use and
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/bind shift+t goto_tray 2$$powexec_toggle_on bright nova$$local Now I must enter NOVA FORM!!!
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for when you want a little more flavor.
Iscariot's Guide to the Tri-Form Warshade, version 2.1
I'm sorry that math > your paranoid delusions, but them's the breaks -- Nethergoat
P.E.R.C. Rep for Liberty server
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while you're absolutely right that you do not want to include emotes or strings of text in your primary binds, this should not discourage those who wish to add a little flavor to their Kheldians from doing so.
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Couldn't agree more! I am simply trying to discourage people from using emoted sayings each time they shape shift. Once or twice during a teaming experience shouldn't be too bad.
I am a bind FREAK. I have tons of binds for combat and such as well as many catch phrases I use, and I have been told once or twice to cut it out in the middle of a mission. 
I just don't want to see people end up on the I Got Kicked thread for binding a single phrase to their shapeshift key. 
Edit: BTW, Thanx for the positive feedback! Also, great idea for binding two functionally identical keys. I think I'll be trying that out.
Good Guide Generic, these are binds that I made for myself but I didn't know there were guides out for it. I do have a minor suggestion however...
If you running low on your bind string length and it can get quite long you can actually take a lot of the underscores in the bind commands and they still work:
For Example:
/bind TAB "target_enemy_next$$target_custom_next void$$target_custom_next quant$$target_custom_next cyst
Can Turn into:
/bind tab "targetenemynext$$targetcustomnext void$$targetcustomnext quant$$targetcustomnext cyst"
Minor, but saves you a lot of space whenever you have to edit a bind. You should also be aware that you can bind stuff to your unbindable keys by adding a shift or alt modifier. Furthermore, you can also bind multiple toggles to just 1 key, but you have to press it multiple times to activate each one in order. This can be done with powexectoggleon
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You should also be aware that you can bind stuff to your unbindable keys by adding a shift or alt modifier.
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Good point, but I would still advise against messing w/ the default movement keys.
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Furthermore, you can also bind multiple toggles to just 1 key, but you have to press it multiple times to activate each one in order.
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Great suggestion! Added it to the guide using my Stealth/SS bind.
Thanx for the positive feedback!
for the SS/stealth bind I use the following:
tilde "+$$powexec_toggleon Super Speed$$powexec_toggleon Stealth"
when I press the tilde (~) key down it activates stealth, when I releae the key it activates superspeed. You have to hold the key a fraction of a second before you release it, but I find that more pleasant than having to hit the key twice. Just offered as an alternative
I also use a bind for teleporting on all my teleporting toons, here is the White Dwarf version. it's one of the more complex binds that uses multiple files:
pbtp_off.txt
LSHIFT "+ $$powexecname White Dwarf Step$$camdist 90$$windowhide target$$windowhide tray$$bindloadfile .\binds\pbtp_on1.txt"
LSHIFT+LBUTTON nop
pbtp_on1.txt
LSHIFT "- $$powexecunqueue$$camreset$$windowshow target$$windowshow tray$$bindloadfile .\binds\pbtp_off.txt"
LSHIFT+LBUTTON "+ $$bindloadfile .\binds\pbtp_on2.txt"
pbtp_on2.txt
LSHIFT+LBUTTON "- $$powexecname White Dwarf Step$$bindloadfile .\binds\pbtp_on1.txt"
pressing the SHIFT key zooms out the camera and shows the TPing cursor, while keeping SHIFT down, you can simply click as many times as you need to teleport, then when you're done TPing, release SHIFT and the camera zooms back to default view.
Since I use TP mostly in outdoor settings, I like the camera to pull out so I see more area around me, also allows to target areas that are out of sight with the default view (above you for example). Since some of the windows could be in the way of your targeting cursor, I turn off the windows that I deem unnecessary during TPing.
Adjust accordingly for your personal preference.
Another fun bind: use it to create the kehldian form change "boom" to change costume.
Once again this is a 2 step bind, first press the key, which starts to switch you into Nova form, then release it to go back to human form in the new costume before the transformation to nova had time to complete.
The game may consider you switched to Nova, so for a fraction of a second you loose Cosmic Balance and your Human toggles will get detoggled. Consider that if you want to switch in combat.
pbcc1.txt
o "+ $$powexectoggleon Bright Nova$$bindloadfile pbcc2.txt"
pbcc2.txt
o " $$cc 2$$powexectoggleoff Bright Nova$$bindloadfile pbcc1.txt"
I noticed you didn;t turn off stealth in your Quantum Flight bind and I agree: while stealth uses endurance, but QF+Stealth makes you fully invisible, this way you won't accidentally aggro other groups while you fly away phase shifted.
Wow! Thanx, I really appreciate all the binds/ info. Will definitely have to include them in version 2.0 
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I noticed you didn;t turn off stealth in your Quantum Flight bind and I agree
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The reason for this is that I generally go to Q Fly from Nova or Dwarf form so SS/Stealth is not on at the time. I have a bind set up to turn off SS/Stealth for when I am in combat to save on endurance. So they are never really on when I go to run. If they do happen to be on I of course enjoy the stealth bonus.
If you are really into binds and customizing your characters, you should check out CityBinder, and awesome little program that sets up your binds for you. It has the Speed-On-Demand binds, which automatically turn on Sprint only when you are not in flying mode and press one of the movement keys. When you let go of the movement key, Sprint turns off automatically. It saves a lot of end. (Occasionally, the SoD binds get confused, and you get put into auto-run, usually when you first zone into a new area. A simple press of Ctrl-R resets the binds.)
I LOVE the SoD binds on any character with Hover and Fly, as I stay in Hover except when I move, and it automatically goes to Fly. That way, you never have to add slots to Hover, and you can stay in Hover mode constantly for battle without worries about suppression.
CityBinder also has built in Kheldian binds -- including the standard tray-switching form change that was the basis of this Guide. However, it is extremely customizable, so you can add in other commands as you choose. You can save your entire binds set up as a "profile," then make substantial changes to try things out, and then easily go back to your earlier profile.
CityBinder has simple binds, complex binds (where new binds load with each keypress), Buffer binds, Inspiration binds, pet and teammate binds, all ready to be included if you want, but fully customizable. For CoV, there are full sets of Mastermind binds, too, including various options for Bodyguard.
The biggest weakness is the fact that the documentation to the program is minimal, so you have to play with it a bit to figure out how to use various features. But it is worth it. I use it on almost all of my characters.
To find out more, check the CityBinder Thread. It is really a great program, and the author, Monorail, has done a great service to the CoH/CoV community.
LOCAL MAN! The most famous hero of all. There are more newspaper stories about me than anyone else. "Local Man wins Medal of Honor." "Local Man opens Animal Shelter." "Local Man Charged with..." (Um, forget about that one.)
Guide Links: Earth/Rad Guide, Illusion/Rad Guide, Electric Control
it's a great program that I tried a while back (pre-kheldian), what I didn't like is the tons of files it created in your binds dirctory, making it very hard to go back and manually edit things if you wanted to.
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it's a great program that I tried a while back (pre-kheldian), what I didn't like is the tons of files it created in your binds dirctory, making it very hard to go back and manually edit things if you wanted to.
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There have been substantial changes to the program since I-7. You can pull up any of your binds and manually edit them within the program. It is far, far more customizable now. You can select your binds from pop-up listings, or type them into the text window. Then it will show you exactly what the particular bind will look like when generated.
To eliminate confusion, I set up a different bind directory for each character. Therefore, Local Man's binds are in c:\coh\local. Sure, it uses up extra drive space, but I never come close to filling that up anyway.
You should really try out the new version.
LOCAL MAN! The most famous hero of all. There are more newspaper stories about me than anyone else. "Local Man wins Medal of Honor." "Local Man opens Animal Shelter." "Local Man Charged with..." (Um, forget about that one.)
Guide Links: Earth/Rad Guide, Illusion/Rad Guide, Electric Control
sounds like I should.
Oh, one little quirk. Don't use spaces in your file names or directory names.
LOCAL MAN! The most famous hero of all. There are more newspaper stories about me than anyone else. "Local Man wins Medal of Honor." "Local Man opens Animal Shelter." "Local Man Charged with..." (Um, forget about that one.)
Guide Links: Earth/Rad Guide, Illusion/Rad Guide, Electric Control
I have heard of CityBinder, but never used it. I think I'll give it a try. I love anything that will make my playing more efficient. The speed on demand binds sounds especially interesting. It also sounds as though the recent update has made it quite easy to use. If so, guess I wrote this whole guide for nada.
I wonder if the targetting bind is in there?
I have my own version of "whatever" on demand on most toons, or switching between flying and running at the click of a button, etc... it definitely makes life easier. I especially like it on superspeeders with flight (like my PB) since I us SS for travel but can quickly fly over any obstacles.
By the "targeting bind," do you mean for teleporting? It has the bind set-up which will turn on the targeting circles when you press your Shift key, use the standard Shift+Lbutton for teleporting (or pick another button if you want), and you can optionally turn off all the other windows on your screen while teleporting.
As I indicated before, you have to play with it a bit to get it to work well. I have a standard set-up that I use with all new characters, where they use the Speed-on-Demand for running. The SoD is really great for characters who have high-demand toggles, like my Fire Controller with Hot Feet, or the Ice Controller with Arctic Air, as you do not have to toggle in and out of sprint, just to get a decent movement speed.
LOCAL MAN! The most famous hero of all. There are more newspaper stories about me than anyone else. "Local Man wins Medal of Honor." "Local Man opens Animal Shelter." "Local Man Charged with..." (Um, forget about that one.)
Guide Links: Earth/Rad Guide, Illusion/Rad Guide, Electric Control
My guess would be that papa is referencing the very popular Void/Quantum targeting bind. Whether it's there or not I can't say, I'm way too much of a control freak to trust my binds to CityBinder, though I've heard good things about it.
Iscariot's Guide to the Tri-Form Warshade, version 2.1
I'm sorry that math > your paranoid delusions, but them's the breaks -- Nethergoat
P.E.R.C. Rep for Liberty server
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My guess would be that papa is referencing the very popular Void/Quantum targeting bind. Whether it's there or not I can't say, I'm way too much of a control freak to trust my binds to CityBinder, though I've heard good things about it.
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It's not in CityBinder as a standard bind, but because of CityBinder's PowerBind system, it can literally handle any bind you throw at it. If you just want a key that selects certain foes, just create a Simple Bind and type the bind command into that simple bind. Even if CityBinder doesn't understand the exact command, it will save the command and generate it along with everything else.
I'm also updating it to work better with the Kheldian forms so that when you're detoggled, or after a rez or logon, hitting your dwarf key will always toggleon your dwarf power, even when CityBinder's system already thinks you're in Dwarf form. Likewise for Nova.
I have a couple of other things to fix, but I think it's high time for another release of CityBinder.
I tried the form change bind at the top of this topic. It didn't work gave the error that the goto_tray command wasn't found. Anyone got ideas?
Can you post the bind that you are using?
Do you mean this bind:
Goto_tray <tray number>
If so, you should be typing in the number of the tray instead of "<tray number>" So the bind should look like this:
/bind g "goto_tray 1"
This bind will switch the bottom tray to tray 1. Also you need a space between tray and 1 . That was a mistake I made early on.
/bind t goto_tray 2$$powexec_toggle_on bright nova
That is the bind i used. I just cut/pasted it to my coh screen and got the error message mentioned earlier. my power bar was on tray 2 when i did this if that makes a difference.
Hmmm...
Ok, logged in my character and tried to copy the bind into the chat window. I got the same error msg after that. I think it may be due to the binds being bold in the guide (sry, made them bold for ease of reading ), but copy/paste does not work. You have to type them in manually.
Remember, for massive bind changes, it is easier to edit your binds by going to the keybinds file located in your CoH program file. Just use the "bindLoad" bind located at the end of the guide to load your changes when done.
Edit: I have pm'd CuppoJo to see if I can make a change to the guide to discourage copy/pasting and I will also try to make them not bold anymore. Sry for the inconvenience.
No prob. actually enjoyed the guide overall. I'll correct my bind in game and see whats up. Thanks
This is a guide for Key Binds and Macros pertaining to the Peacebringer. If you have never used Key binds or Macros before, youre gonna want to start using them now. This guide will not go through a step by step process on how to bind, but I will review the basics of Bind/Macro writing in general. If you have a Kheldian to play with, then you probably have at least heard of Binds and Macros. In this guide I will be focusing on the Peacebringer power sets Luminous Blast and Luminous Aura. For the Warshades out there, you can simply substitute your power names for any of the Peacebringer ones. Also, Iscariot has some great binds listed in his guide Iscariot's Guide to the Triform Warshade
Why is it helpful to use Key Binds or Macros for my Peacebringer?
The Kheldian power sets are unique in that you can shape shift from one form to another, and the powers available in one form are not available in the other two. So, when you are in Human form you cannot use powers available in Nova form. Key binds and Macros make the process of switching forms and using powers available in that form much more efficient. So, when you switch from Human to Bright Nova you dont have to go hunting for your Nova attacks in the power trays.
Key Binding basics
Some things to remember when using Key Binds and Macros:
You cannot make your character into an automaton. City of Heroes will only allow one power to be turned on by a Key Bind or Macro at a time. You can, however, turn off as many powers as you want with a single bind. This is useful info later on as many of the binds I have turn off several powers while activating one.
Certain keys should never be used when Key Binding. These are; Q, W, E, A, S, D, X, the Space Bar, the Right and Left Mouse Buttons, and any of the Number Keys (use the Numpad Keys instead). Basically, leave the movement keys alone.
Caps dont matter. Binds are not case specific, so you can type them in all caps if you want to. It makes no never-mind.
Please stay away from adding emotes or sayings to your binds. Remember you will be changing forms a lot as a Peacebringer. Combat is fluid and the situation demands may change quickly. You may need to be blasting away one minute, and healing yourself up or activating build up the next. This is totally a personal choice, mind you, but your teammates will not be happy having to hear Now I must enter NOVA FORM!!! each time you shape shift.
What are Key Binds and Macros?
Key Bind: Combination of in-game functions- slash commands, powers, emotes or speeches- bound together to be executed by a single hotkey.
Macro: Similar to a Key Bind except that the custom command is bound to a button on your Powers Tray.
Quick Glossary of Key Bind commands used in this guide:
Powexec_name <power name>
Turns the named power on and off each time the key or macro button is pressed.
Powexec_toggle_on <power name>
Toggles the power on each time the key or macro button is pressed. The power will stay on until you either click the actual power button or use another Bind or Macro that turns it off. Edit: This command can be used to violate the afore-mentioned rule that you cannot turn on more than one power with a key bind. Although, you will have to hit the key again for each power you wish to turn on. The powers will turn on from last in the bind to first. See the Stealth/Super Speed bind below for an example.
Powexec_toggle_off <power name>
Toggles the named power off each time the key or macro button is pressed. Used when you need to turn off one or more toggles in a bind or macro.
Goto_tray <tray number>
Switches the bottom tray to the tray you have designated. Why switch trays? The answer is simple; place the powers for the designated form in a corresponding tray. When I change to Human form my bottom tray switches to tray 1 where all of my human attacks are. When I change to Bright Nova form my bottom tray switches to tray 2 where all of my Nova attacks are.
Goto_tray_alt <tray number>
Switches the middle tray to the tray you have designated.
Goto_tray_alt2 <tray number>
Switches the top tray to the tray you have designated.
$$
Separates commands in a bind.
Ok, all that is great, but can I actually Bind something now!?
Now lets get down to the meat and potatoes of how to make binds for your Peacebringer. The reason I gave all the info above is so that you can be a bit more creative in your binding. If you know the foundation of how to bind you can make binds that fit your play style. Rather than me just giving out a list of here are the binds I use. So anyway, here are the binds I use. Feel free to substitute any key or just copy and paste into your chat window. I am simply listing the key that I have it bound to for personal convienience.
Bright Nova:
/bind t goto_tray 2$$powexec_toggle_on bright nova
Activates Nova form, and switches to power tray 2.
White Dwarf:
/bind y goto_tray 3$$powexec_toggle_on white dwarf
Activates Dwarf form, and switches to power tray 3.
Human Binds:
Note: You can use any of the below binds when already in human form. They will simply activate the power at the end of the bind.
Shining Shield Bind
/bind g goto_tray 1$$powexec_toggle_off bright nova$$powexec_toggle_off white dwarf$$powexec_name shining shield
Turns off Nova and Dwarf, switches to power tray 1, and activates the shining shield. Pressing the same key again will turn off the shield. This is a very popular version for switching to human form. Substitute any power at the end of the bind as needed. You can also substitute powexec_toggle_on instead of powexec_name to keep the toggle on until you manually turn it off.
Combat Flight/Energy Flight Bind
/bind f goto_tray 1$$powexec_toggle_off bright nova$$powexec_toggle_off white dwarf$$powexec_name combat flight$$powexec_name energy flight
Turns off Nova and Dwarf, switches to power tray 1, and activates Energy Flight. Pressing the button again will switch you to Combat Flight. I also have added into my bind powexec_toggle_off sprint to save on endurance if I activate flight from a sprinting mode.
Stealth/Super Speed bind
/bind SHIFT+F "goto_tray 1$$ powexec_toggle_off White Dwarf$$ powexec_toggle_off Bright Nova$$ powexec_toggle_on stealth$$powexec_toggle_on super speed "
Turns off Nova and Dwarf, and switches to power tray 1 just like the other binds in this guide. This bind will also turn on both toggles, starting with Super Speed, when the "shift+f" key combo is pressed twice.
Quantum Flight Bind
/bind numpadenter goto_tray 1$$powexec_toggle_off bright nova$$powexec_toggle_off white dwarf$$powexec_name quantum flight
THE PANIC BUTTON! Turns off Nova and Dwarf, switches to power tray 1 , and activates Quantum Flight. Having it bound to the numpad enter key makes it a quick and easy panic button to reach. I also add to this one powexec_toggle_off shining shield$$powexec_toggle_off sprint$$powexec_toggle_off super speed to save on endurance.
Hey! What about the Macros?
For any of the binds listed above simply substitute /macro <name> instead of /bind <key> and you will get a handy dandy little Macro button on your power tray to press to your hearts content. Heres an example using the Shining Shield bind:
/macro Shield goto_tray 1$$powexec_toggle_off bright nova$$powexec_toggle_off white dwarf$$powexec_name shining shield
You will then get a button on the first available slot on your Powers Tray marked "Shield."
Miscellaneous Binds:
/bind mbutton target_enemy_near
This bind helps to quickly target the closest enemy for a melee attack.
/bind TAB "target_enemy_next$$target_custom_next void$$target_custom_next quant$$target_custom_next cyst"
Tab will con through enemies as normal until a Void, Quantum, or Cyst is in sight then it will default to targeting only that mob. Great for finding Quantums hiding in the back of a big crowd or for targeting Cysts surrounded by tons of Unbound Nictus. Some suggest adding in target_cusom_next sapper I have that bound to another key and only use when Im on Malta missions.
/bind SHIFT+L "bind_save"
This bind will save your current bind set to the default keybinds file found in your CoH game folder. You can open up this file and edit your binds without having to type them out one at a time in the chat window. As with any bind remember that any key will do, so bind the key you wish to use.
/bind L "bind_load"
This bind will load your current bind set from the default keybinds file found in your CoH game folder. You may wish to use a key that is found outside the chatting keys so that you dont accidentally load the wrong set of binds. I use this key because it helps me remember L for load.
Some parting thoughts:
I am sure that there are many more great binds out there that I have not covered in this guide. This is only intended to be more of a get ya started guide for Peacebringer newbies. Please feel free to add any that you find useful to this thread. Remember when binding, the sky is the limit, so make binds for all the situations you can think of. Dont be afraid to experiment and try things out. I constantly have the notepad open and I am always tinkering with my binds trying out new combos to make my Peacebringer more efficient. Good luck out there!
Acknowledgements: (yeah, like I thought all this up on my own )
1. City of Heroes Game Manual for some definitions
2. Primas Official City of Heroes Game Guide taught me the basics of Key Binding
3. Xemisis for some great binds for switching power trays
4. Papaschtroumpf for his wicked bind for finding Voids, Quantums, Cysts and Sappers
5. Many other posters on the boards whose names I have forgotten and cannot find their original posts.
6. Last, but not least, my wife for putting up with my CoH game habit, bearing my child, and helping me by previewing this guide.