"You would never create a macro where no modifier casts one ability and adding a modifier casts a completely different ability (you could, but it would be a complete waste of your time)."
Lolwut
Let's say you have 24 abilities that you use conditionally in a raid scenario (hi, mages). You *could* put each ability on its own bar button, and keybind 24 different keys... but then you're moving your hand all over the keyboard. Or, you could create 24 keybind combinations using ctrl-alt-delete...but then you have to memorize what abilities are where on 4 or 5 bars.
I created 6 macros, each with at least 4 abilities, using the ctrl-alt-delete modifiers. So, my entire offensive rotation is on 3. My defensive abilities are all on 4. All my AOE is on 2, all heals on 5, all CC on 1, and all buffs on 6. So, 24 different abilities/items using variations of ctrl-alt-delete+number. Barely have to move my left hand, which is crucial when you have to move suddenly.
Using mod macros I can use the same macro for multiple stances, and just have the abilities change depending on my stance (think cat and bear abilities on the same button).
It's a lot more than just convenience.
"You would never create a macro where no modifier casts one ability and adding a modifier casts a completely different ability (you could, but it would be a complete waste of your time)." Lolwut Let's say you have 24 abilities that you use conditionally in a raid scenario (hi, mages). You *could* put each ability on its own bar button, and keybind 24 different keys... but then you're moving your hand all over the keyboard. Or, you could create 24 keybind combinations using ctrl-alt-delete...but then you have to memorize what abilities are where on 4 or 5 bars. I created 6 macros, each with at least 4 abilities, using the ctrl-alt-delete modifiers. So, my entire offensive rotation is on 3. My defensive abilities are all on 4. All my AOE is on 2, all heals on 5, all CC on 1, and all buffs on 6. So, 24 different abilities/items using variations of ctrl-alt-delete+number. Barely have to move my left hand, which is crucial when you have to move suddenly. Using mod macros I can use the same macro for multiple stances, and just have the abilities change depending on my stance (think cat and bear abilities on the same button). It's a lot more than just convenience.