Macros - What's the Bottom Line?

ThePonzzz · October 2016

After an evening of getting ganked pretty hard in Cyrodiil (Haderus), I was curious if there is an official stance on using macros. I know they are frowned upon by the community at large, but are they against the rules in any way? Getting killed before any animations happens gets pretty old pretty quickly. But since I use a G910 Orion Spark and a G502 Proteus Core...can't beat 'em, join 'em! I'm sure each alliances has someone on every campaign doing this stuff, but there is an AD archer on Haderus that just abuses the hell out of it.

SirAndy · October 2016

Against the TOS, been stated many, many times.

A quick search should give you plenty to read about the subject.

Alucardo · October 2016

Macros are against the ToS. You're not allowed to use any third party software that automates instructions in the game. So yeah, macros are definitely a no-no.

Lava_Croft · October 2016

You can freely use macros, there is no reliable way for ZOS to confirm that you are macros.

Rohamad_Ali · October 2016

Lava_Croft wrote: »

You can freely use macros, there is no reliable way for ZOS to confirm that you are macros.

It's the sad truth . No one has been even warned for macros .

TheDarkRuler · October 2016

Well other companies certainly DO have their methods of determine if someone uses macros.
Like checking the key pressing time. No human always has the same trigger speed when pressing keys. That could be a very simple way to check with a client sided program. If a player presses the same combo in the very same speed 5-6 times in row that's a macro and an automated report should go from the client game to the server.

That's how it is done in a couple of games i've played so far.
So why not here?

@ZOS_GinaBruno @ZOS_KaiSchober @ZOS_JessicaFolsom

Bakven · October 2016

I will say though, as much as gankers annoy me, (and I have an idea on who you're talking about if you play PC on the NA server) but it is possible for people to kill you without macros and do it before you can really react.

Don't always assume someone cheats, it could just be some people are really good at ganking or using their playstyle

Alucardo · October 2016

TheDarkRuler wrote: »

Well other companies certainly DO have their methods of determine if someone uses macros.
Like checking the key pressing time. No human always has the same trigger speed when pressing keys. That could be a very simple way to check with a client sided program. If a player presses the same combo in the very same speed 5-6 times in row that's a macro and an automated report should go from the client game to the server.

That's how it is done in a couple of games i've played so far.
So why not here?

@ZOS_GinaBruno @ZOS_KaiSchober @ZOS_JessicaFolsom

They can also detect third party software like AHK (auto hot key) and actually prohibit it from working. ESO sadly, does not

WatchYourSixx · October 2016

In the defense of said archer...

I've recently started playing PvP after being a dedicated PvE'er. I started a build with a very simple idea in mind.. doing the most damage I can before my opponent has time to react. A sniper, if you will. I found it is very easy to create a build and execute it decently. I can get 10-14k crits from stealth on my focused aim, and following it up immediately with a 2nd focused aim + weave + poison injection.. I can kill anyone in anything less than heavy armor/25k health. In about 2.2 sec.

In that case, it's all about execution. Now whether or not my opponent can see all my skills, that's not my problem.

raasdal · October 2016

Macros are not allowed. Search the forum or google it.

But it is also irrelevant since that is not what you are complaining about. Macros has nothing to do with the archer you mention. What you are experiencing is Animation Cancelling. Search forum or google for massive reading content.

ThePonzzz · October 2016

Automated via third-party and macros are not the same thing. The TOS says no automation. Macros are still a keystroke, which mean you are at the keys and doing the work. It's not the same thing. I see nothing in the TOS about macros at all. Automation is botting. There is a big difference. I've read the TOS before coming here, in section 2 D about Game Mods, there is no mention of macros, nor any mention to macros on the entire TOS. Hence this thread.

As for your response, @raasdal, it's both. In order to fire off the 5 attacks before the animation hits, he's using the macro to do it. I'm well aware of the animation cancelling of light attack, ability, and bash. This isn't directly like that. It's one light attack and 4 abilities.

Lava_Croft · October 2016

ThePonzzz wrote: »

Automated via third-party and macros are not the same thing. The TOS says no automation. Macros are still a keystroke, which mean you are at the keys and doing the work. It's not the same thing. I see nothing in the TOS about macros at all. Automation is botting. There is a big difference. I've read the TOS before coming here, in section 2 D about Game Mods, there is no mention of macros, nor any mention to macros on the entire TOS. Hence this thread.

As for your response, @raasdal, it's both. In order to fire off the 5 attacks before the animation hits, he's using the macro to do it. I'm well aware of the animation cancelling of light attack, ability, and bash. This isn't directly like that. It's one light attack and 4 abilities.

Macro's are automation. Instead of pressing several buttons to do several actions, you only press a single button to do several actions.

ThePonzzz · October 2016

Lava_Croft wrote: »

ThePonzzz wrote: »

Automated via third-party and macros are not the same thing. The TOS says no automation. Macros are still a keystroke, which mean you are at the keys and doing the work. It's not the same thing. I see nothing in the TOS about macros at all. Automation is botting. There is a big difference. I've read the TOS before coming here, in section 2 D about Game Mods, there is no mention of macros, nor any mention to macros on the entire TOS. Hence this thread.

As for your response, @raasdal, it's both. In order to fire off the 5 attacks before the animation hits, he's using the macro to do it. I'm well aware of the animation cancelling of light attack, ability, and bash. This isn't directly like that. It's one light attack and 4 abilities.

Macro's are automation. Instead of pressing several buttons to do several actions, you only press a single button to do several actions.

It's not though. It needs to be spelled out that macros are against TOS, and that's sort of why I was asking. Because in many other games, a macro does not equal automation. And since you typically purchase a peripheral with macro abilities, it's not spelled out as a cheating tool. Automation is when you leave the keys unattended and still perform actions. This would be like when ESO was first launched and people were botting delves.

Ashtaris · October 2016

It has been spelled out by ZOS here on the forums that Macro's, software that automates the pressing of a sequence of keys, is against the TOS and not allowed. If you want to do a search on the forums, I'm sure you will find the official ZOS response somewhere.

Although I've been tempted on using Macro's in the past because so many others are using them, I've resisted the temptation so far. Mainly because if I kill a fellow player in PVP, or monster in PVE, it's because I'm getting gud, not because I know how to program a stupid macro.

ThePonzzz · October 2016

Ashtaris wrote: »

It has been spelled out by ZOS here on the forums that Macro's, software that automates the pressing of a sequence of keys, is against the TOS and not allowed. If you want to do a search on the forums, I'm sure you will find the official ZOS response somewhere.

Although I've been tempted on using Macro's in the past because so many others are using them, I've resisted the temptation so far. Mainly because if I kill a fellow player in PVP, or monster in PVE, it's because I'm getting gud, not because I know how to program a stupid macro.

I have searched the forums. I've never seen a ZOS name say anything. I've seen a lot of players say it though. It would be nice if a ZOS mod or dev could lock it down though.

And that's the thing, when I first started my journey in PvP, it was all "get gud" or "l2play" when you get ganked. And so I did. And 2 years later, I am good, and I solo just about all the time now. But the macro'ing on Haderus has been getting a lot more noticeable.

Could anyone here who knows a thread where ZOS chimed in and spelled it out be willing to paste it here? Spending the last 5 minutes searching, I've found no official stance. And prior to me making this thread, I found nothing on the forums or TOS.

I'm curious how ESO detects macro usage though, since you can mash keys to get the same results in some cases (like light, ability, bash). Easier to macro, but definitely able to do that in one fluent keystroke motion.

Crispen_Longbow · October 2016

ThePonzzz wrote: »

Ashtaris wrote: »

It has been spelled out by ZOS here on the forums that Macro's, software that automates the pressing of a sequence of keys, is against the TOS and not allowed. If you want to do a search on the forums, I'm sure you will find the official ZOS response somewhere.

Although I've been tempted on using Macro's in the past because so many others are using them, I've resisted the temptation so far. Mainly because if I kill a fellow player in PVP, or monster in PVE, it's because I'm getting gud, not because I know how to program a stupid macro.

I have searched the forums. I've never seen a ZOS name say anything. I've seen a lot of players say it though. It would be nice if a ZOS mod or dev could lock it down though.

And that's the thing, when I first started my journey in PvP, it was all "get gud" or "l2play" when you get ganked. And so I did. And 2 years later, I am good, and I solo just about all the time now. But the macro'ing on Haderus has been getting a lot more noticeable.

Could anyone here who knows a thread where ZOS chimed in and spelled it out be willing to paste it here? Spending the last 5 minutes searching, I've found no official stance. And prior to me making this thread, I found nothing on the forums or TOS.

I'm curious how ESO detects macro usage though, since you can mash keys to get the same results in some cases (like light, ability, bash). Easier to macro, but definitely able to do that in one fluent keystroke motion.

ZOS says it right in their Terms Of Service (TOS) that everyone accepts to play the game.

You agree not to use any hardware or software or any other method of support that is not authorized by ZeniMax or that may in any way influence or advantage Your playing abilities, or influence or advantage Your use of the Services. Third party tools, the use of ‘bots’, “speed hacks”, “deep-link”, “page-scrape”, “robot”, “spider”, algorithm or other programs that copy or monitor any part of the Services (including, but not limited to, the Game(s) and/or forums).

ThePonzzz · October 2016

Crispen_Longbow wrote: »

ThePonzzz wrote: »

Ashtaris wrote: »

It has been spelled out by ZOS here on the forums that Macro's, software that automates the pressing of a sequence of keys, is against the TOS and not allowed. If you want to do a search on the forums, I'm sure you will find the official ZOS response somewhere.

Although I've been tempted on using Macro's in the past because so many others are using them, I've resisted the temptation so far. Mainly because if I kill a fellow player in PVP, or monster in PVE, it's because I'm getting gud, not because I know how to program a stupid macro.

I have searched the forums. I've never seen a ZOS name say anything. I've seen a lot of players say it though. It would be nice if a ZOS mod or dev could lock it down though.

And that's the thing, when I first started my journey in PvP, it was all "get gud" or "l2play" when you get ganked. And so I did. And 2 years later, I am good, and I solo just about all the time now. But the macro'ing on Haderus has been getting a lot more noticeable.

Could anyone here who knows a thread where ZOS chimed in and spelled it out be willing to paste it here? Spending the last 5 minutes searching, I've found no official stance. And prior to me making this thread, I found nothing on the forums or TOS.

I'm curious how ESO detects macro usage though, since you can mash keys to get the same results in some cases (like light, ability, bash). Easier to macro, but definitely able to do that in one fluent keystroke motion.

ZOS says it right in their Terms Of Service (TOS) that everyone accepts to play the game.

You agree not to use any hardware or software or any other method of support that is not authorized by ZeniMax or that may in any way influence or advantage Your playing abilities, or influence or advantage Your use of the Services. Third party tools, the use of ‘bots’, “speed hacks”, “deep-link”, “page-scrape”, “robot”, “spider”, algorithm or other programs that copy or monitor any part of the Services (including, but not limited to, the Game(s) and/or forums).

Again, they chose not to use the term macros in their list of examples. None of their examples are macros.

I'm not being difficult here, I'm looking for a clear and concise answer from ZOS.

Crispen_Longbow · October 2016

ThePonzzz wrote: »

Crispen_Longbow wrote: »

ThePonzzz wrote: »

Ashtaris wrote: »

It has been spelled out by ZOS here on the forums that Macro's, software that automates the pressing of a sequence of keys, is against the TOS and not allowed. If you want to do a search on the forums, I'm sure you will find the official ZOS response somewhere.

Although I've been tempted on using Macro's in the past because so many others are using them, I've resisted the temptation so far. Mainly because if I kill a fellow player in PVP, or monster in PVE, it's because I'm getting gud, not because I know how to program a stupid macro.

I have searched the forums. I've never seen a ZOS name say anything. I've seen a lot of players say it though. It would be nice if a ZOS mod or dev could lock it down though.

And that's the thing, when I first started my journey in PvP, it was all "get gud" or "l2play" when you get ganked. And so I did. And 2 years later, I am good, and I solo just about all the time now. But the macro'ing on Haderus has been getting a lot more noticeable.

Could anyone here who knows a thread where ZOS chimed in and spelled it out be willing to paste it here? Spending the last 5 minutes searching, I've found no official stance. And prior to me making this thread, I found nothing on the forums or TOS.

I'm curious how ESO detects macro usage though, since you can mash keys to get the same results in some cases (like light, ability, bash). Easier to macro, but definitely able to do that in one fluent keystroke motion.

ZOS says it right in their Terms Of Service (TOS) that everyone accepts to play the game.

You agree not to use any hardware or software or any other method of support that is not authorized by ZeniMax or that may in any way influence or advantage Your playing abilities, or influence or advantage Your use of the Services. Third party tools, the use of ‘bots’, “speed hacks”, “deep-link”, “page-scrape”, “robot”, “spider”, algorithm or other programs that copy or monitor any part of the Services (including, but not limited to, the Game(s) and/or forums).

Again, they chose not to use the term macros in their list of examples. None of their examples are macros.

I'm not being difficult here, I'm looking for a clear and concise answer from ZOS.

They don't have to list every example. A Macro is software or hardware that influences your abilities. Its standard TOS verbiage.

Crispen_Longbow · October 2016

Also here is a quick thread where ZOS has already said Macros are against their TOS.
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/235461/can-you-get-banned-for-using-macros/p2

Thank you for providing the quote, @Idinuse, using macros is against the terms of service. We certainly don't mind a thread being created to ask about this, but this is starting to delve into more detail than is acceptable on the forums so we are locking this thread.

ThePonzzz · October 2016

Crispen_Longbow wrote: »

ThePonzzz wrote: »

Crispen_Longbow wrote: »

ThePonzzz wrote: »

Ashtaris wrote: »

It has been spelled out by ZOS here on the forums that Macro's, software that automates the pressing of a sequence of keys, is against the TOS and not allowed. If you want to do a search on the forums, I'm sure you will find the official ZOS response somewhere.

Although I've been tempted on using Macro's in the past because so many others are using them, I've resisted the temptation so far. Mainly because if I kill a fellow player in PVP, or monster in PVE, it's because I'm getting gud, not because I know how to program a stupid macro.

I have searched the forums. I've never seen a ZOS name say anything. I've seen a lot of players say it though. It would be nice if a ZOS mod or dev could lock it down though.

And that's the thing, when I first started my journey in PvP, it was all "get gud" or "l2play" when you get ganked. And so I did. And 2 years later, I am good, and I solo just about all the time now. But the macro'ing on Haderus has been getting a lot more noticeable.

Could anyone here who knows a thread where ZOS chimed in and spelled it out be willing to paste it here? Spending the last 5 minutes searching, I've found no official stance. And prior to me making this thread, I found nothing on the forums or TOS.

I'm curious how ESO detects macro usage though, since you can mash keys to get the same results in some cases (like light, ability, bash). Easier to macro, but definitely able to do that in one fluent keystroke motion.

ZOS says it right in their Terms Of Service (TOS) that everyone accepts to play the game.

You agree not to use any hardware or software or any other method of support that is not authorized by ZeniMax or that may in any way influence or advantage Your playing abilities, or influence or advantage Your use of the Services. Third party tools, the use of ‘bots’, “speed hacks”, “deep-link”, “page-scrape”, “robot”, “spider”, algorithm or other programs that copy or monitor any part of the Services (including, but not limited to, the Game(s) and/or forums).

Again, they chose not to use the term macros in their list of examples. None of their examples are macros.

I'm not being difficult here, I'm looking for a clear and concise answer from ZOS.

They don't have to list every example. A Macro is software or hardware that influences your abilities. Its standard TOS verbiage.

Language is very important, so it's odd to not list the more basic offensives in the TOS. As you can see by reviewing any other TOS when it comes to violations that can result in termination of your account.

Crispen_Longbow wrote: »

Also here is a quick thread where ZOS has already said Macros are against their TOS.
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/235461/can-you-get-banned-for-using-macros/p2

Thank you for providing the quote, @Idinuse, using macros is against the terms of service. We certainly don't mind a thread being created to ask about this, but this is starting to delve into more detail than is acceptable on the forums so we are locking this thread.

Thanks for pasting something with a ZOS admin on it. That's what I was looking for.

Lava_Croft · October 2016

ThePonzzz wrote: »

Crispen_Longbow wrote: »

ThePonzzz wrote: »

Ashtaris wrote: »

It has been spelled out by ZOS here on the forums that Macro's, software that automates the pressing of a sequence of keys, is against the TOS and not allowed. If you want to do a search on the forums, I'm sure you will find the official ZOS response somewhere.

Although I've been tempted on using Macro's in the past because so many others are using them, I've resisted the temptation so far. Mainly because if I kill a fellow player in PVP, or monster in PVE, it's because I'm getting gud, not because I know how to program a stupid macro.

I have searched the forums. I've never seen a ZOS name say anything. I've seen a lot of players say it though. It would be nice if a ZOS mod or dev could lock it down though.

And that's the thing, when I first started my journey in PvP, it was all "get gud" or "l2play" when you get ganked. And so I did. And 2 years later, I am good, and I solo just about all the time now. But the macro'ing on Haderus has been getting a lot more noticeable.

Could anyone here who knows a thread where ZOS chimed in and spelled it out be willing to paste it here? Spending the last 5 minutes searching, I've found no official stance. And prior to me making this thread, I found nothing on the forums or TOS.

I'm curious how ESO detects macro usage though, since you can mash keys to get the same results in some cases (like light, ability, bash). Easier to macro, but definitely able to do that in one fluent keystroke motion.

ZOS says it right in their Terms Of Service (TOS) that everyone accepts to play the game.

You agree not to use any hardware or software or any other method of support that is not authorized by ZeniMax or that may in any way influence or advantage Your playing abilities, or influence or advantage Your use of the Services. Third party tools, the use of ‘bots’, “speed hacks”, “deep-link”, “page-scrape”, “robot”, “spider”, algorithm or other programs that copy or monitor any part of the Services (including, but not limited to, the Game(s) and/or forums).

Again, they chose not to use the term macros in their list of examples. None of their examples are macros.

I'm not being difficult here, I'm looking for a clear and concise answer from ZOS.

They didn't choose the word 'macros' because that clearly defines a single thing. This kind language is set up to cover a broad spectrum of different things.

Imagine real world law regarding say, stealing. Either it can state every single possible way you could steal something or it could just state you aren't allowed to steal.

ThePonzzz · October 2016

Lava_Croft wrote: »

ThePonzzz wrote: »

Crispen_Longbow wrote: »

ThePonzzz wrote: »

Ashtaris wrote: »

It has been spelled out by ZOS here on the forums that Macro's, software that automates the pressing of a sequence of keys, is against the TOS and not allowed. If you want to do a search on the forums, I'm sure you will find the official ZOS response somewhere.

Although I've been tempted on using Macro's in the past because so many others are using them, I've resisted the temptation so far. Mainly because if I kill a fellow player in PVP, or monster in PVE, it's because I'm getting gud, not because I know how to program a stupid macro.

I have searched the forums. I've never seen a ZOS name say anything. I've seen a lot of players say it though. It would be nice if a ZOS mod or dev could lock it down though.

And that's the thing, when I first started my journey in PvP, it was all "get gud" or "l2play" when you get ganked. And so I did. And 2 years later, I am good, and I solo just about all the time now. But the macro'ing on Haderus has been getting a lot more noticeable.

Could anyone here who knows a thread where ZOS chimed in and spelled it out be willing to paste it here? Spending the last 5 minutes searching, I've found no official stance. And prior to me making this thread, I found nothing on the forums or TOS.

I'm curious how ESO detects macro usage though, since you can mash keys to get the same results in some cases (like light, ability, bash). Easier to macro, but definitely able to do that in one fluent keystroke motion.

ZOS says it right in their Terms Of Service (TOS) that everyone accepts to play the game.

You agree not to use any hardware or software or any other method of support that is not authorized by ZeniMax or that may in any way influence or advantage Your playing abilities, or influence or advantage Your use of the Services. Third party tools, the use of ‘bots’, “speed hacks”, “deep-link”, “page-scrape”, “robot”, “spider”, algorithm or other programs that copy or monitor any part of the Services (including, but not limited to, the Game(s) and/or forums).

Again, they chose not to use the term macros in their list of examples. None of their examples are macros.

I'm not being difficult here, I'm looking for a clear and concise answer from ZOS.

They didn't choose the word 'macros' because that clearly defines a single thing. This kind language is set up to cover a broad spectrum of different things.

Imagine real world law regarding say, stealing. Either it can state every single possible way you could steal something or it could just state you aren't allowed to steal.

Not sure I am following your analogy. They list a few. They could have easily included macros there.

But I appreciate @Crispen_Longbow for taking the time and linking ZOS weighing in on it officially. I'll just report it every time I see it.

Rohamad_Ali · October 2016

They say it in the TOS , problem is they don't have away to detect keyboard and mouse macros . They can detect 3rd party software but no one is getting warnings on ma or use that I've heard of .

ThePonzzz · October 2016

Rohamad_Ali wrote: »

They say it in the TOS , problem is they don't have away to detect keyboard and mouse macros . They can detect 3rd party software but no one is getting warnings on ma or use that I've heard of .

Kind of a conundrum to put something in your TOS that you can't enforce. Either way, I'll just report it as I see it with screenshots and timestamps.

Berenhir · October 2016

ThePonzzz wrote: »

Automated via third-party and macros are not the same thing. The TOS says no automation. Macros are still a keystroke, which mean you are at the keys and doing the work. It's not the same thing. I see nothing in the TOS about macros at all. Automation is botting. There is a big difference. I've read the TOS before coming here, in section 2 D about Game Mods, there is no mention of macros, nor any mention to macros on the entire TOS. Hence this thread.

As for your response, @raasdal, it's both. In order to fire off the 5 attacks before the animation hits, he's using the macro to do it. I'm well aware of the animation cancelling of light attack, ability, and bash. This isn't directly like that. It's one light attack and 4 abilities.

Macros cannot ignore global cooldown.
Macros cannot ignore global cooldown.
Macros cannot ignore global cooldown.
Macros cannot ignore global cooldown.
Macros cannot ignore global cooldown.
Macros cannot ignore global cooldown.
Macros cannot ignore global cooldown.
Macros cannot ignore global cooldown.

What you experience is probably just a normal lag or the so called macroslicing, which has nothing to do with macros but with errors in ESO's source code design.

ThePonzzz · October 2016

Berenhir wrote: »

ThePonzzz wrote: »

Automated via third-party and macros are not the same thing. The TOS says no automation. Macros are still a keystroke, which mean you are at the keys and doing the work. It's not the same thing. I see nothing in the TOS about macros at all. Automation is botting. There is a big difference. I've read the TOS before coming here, in section 2 D about Game Mods, there is no mention of macros, nor any mention to macros on the entire TOS. Hence this thread.

As for your response, @raasdal, it's both. In order to fire off the 5 attacks before the animation hits, he's using the macro to do it. I'm well aware of the animation cancelling of light attack, ability, and bash. This isn't directly like that. It's one light attack and 4 abilities.

Macros cannot ignore global cooldown.
Macros cannot ignore global cooldown.
Macros cannot ignore global cooldown.
Macros cannot ignore global cooldown.
Macros cannot ignore global cooldown.
Macros cannot ignore global cooldown.
Macros cannot ignore global cooldown.
Macros cannot ignore global cooldown.

What you experience is probably just a normal lag or the so called macroslicing, which has nothing to do with macros but with errors in ESO's source code design.

It's a light attack, 2 poison injections that are animation cancelled, a heavy attack and snipe/lethal, it's done within a second. They can reproduce it pretty often, so whatever that is.

driosketch · October 2016

Here, found the past thread for you.

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/comment/1826830/#Comment_1826830

ThePonzzz · October 2016

The language is still weird. MollyH highlights one portion...

software that permits You to use Services without human input are examples of methods not authorized by ZeniMax

But by definition, a macro requires human input to be activated. We're not talking about botting or scripting. We're talking about activating a keystroke to perform multiple actions. By this thread, I would assume MollyH isn't clear on what a macro is or we're back full circle in that a macro is allowed as long as the user is there performing the action.

PeggymoeXD · October 2016

You're not allowed to use third party tools/software which includes macro's. But it also includes cheat engine. So yeah what I'm trying to tell you is go for it because the ToS agreement is a joke.

FriedEggSandwich · October 2016

ThePonzzz wrote: »

Rohamad_Ali wrote: »

They say it in the TOS , problem is they don't have away to detect keyboard and mouse macros . They can detect 3rd party software but no one is getting warnings on ma or use that I've heard of .

Kind of a conundrum to put something in your TOS that you can't enforce. Either way, I'll just report it as I see it with screenshots and timestamps.

Unfortunately no evidence you can provide can prove whether or not someone used a macro.

driosketch · October 2016

ThePonzzz wrote: »

The language is still weird. MollyH highlights one portion...

software that permits You to use Services without human input are examples of methods not authorized by ZeniMax

But by definition, a macro requires human input to be activated. We're not talking about botting or scripting. We're talking about activating a keystroke to perform multiple actions. By this thread, I would assume MollyH isn't clear on what a macro is or we're back full circle in that a macro is allowed as long as the user is there performing the action.

It's worded awkwardly, but it's not that hard to understand.

To clarify this a bit, using a third party program - in this case it would be your keyboard's profile software - to perform any game function is a violation of the ESOTU terms of service.

The phrase "change the game play experience" includes having third party software macros that automatically perform emotes. The game play experience in this case would be that it is designed to have you - the player - performing these actions manually, and by using a macro you are changing the game play experience.

-So we understand that even the software that allows you to program keys is considered third party.
-Emotes, on PC, are done by typing / + the "comand" into chat. e.g. /sit
-If you map a key so one press does all that instead of the five keystrokes it would normally take, that's considered automation and against the TOS

TL:DR Doing with one keystroke that which should take 2 or more presses is considered automation and against the TOS.

Now if you wish to try and lawyer the point, or argue definition on the forum, you're just going to waste energy going in circles. Everyone should be aware that ZOS has full discretion here in any disciplinary action if you get caught. So operate with all due caution.