How to create key combos in PC games

In many games you repeat the same combinations over and over: run and jump, crouch and dodge, a sequence of abilities. Creating key combos in PC games lets you launch that whole sequence with a single press, at the same pace every time. In this article you'll see what a combo is, why timing matters so much and how to create an auto-combo step by step in Macro Quantic Pro's Game Mode. First, a reminder: always check each game's rules.

What a key combo is

A key combo is a sequence of keys and clicks pressed in a specific order and with precise timing between them. For example: hold one key to run, press another to jump and a third just before landing.

Doing it by hand takes practice and, even so, it doesn't come out the same every time. A recorded combo saves the sequence and repeats it identically. In Macro Quantic Pro, that's called an auto-combo.

Why timing matters

In a combo, the order of the keys is only half of it. The other half is the interval between presses. Many in-game actions only work if they're chained at just the right moment: a little earlier and the game doesn't recognize them; a little later and they arrive too late.

Think of an illustrative example: jumping and, just before landing, pressing an attack key. If the second press arrives when the character has already landed, the action doesn't come out as you expected. By hand, hitting that moment depends on your steadiness on each attempt. Recorded, it repeats the same way.

That's why "press A, then B" isn't enough. You have to press B exactly so many milliseconds after A. In game macro guides, such as the one from allthings.how, the waiting time between actions comes up again and again as the variable that decides whether the macro works.

Macro Quantic Pro's auto-combos record the exact interval, in milliseconds, between each key or click, and play it back the same way.

How to create an auto-combo in Game Mode

Auto-combos are created from Game Mode, the Game Mode section of the program. It takes three steps.

1. Add your game

Open Game Mode and press Add game. You have three options:

• Import from Steam: finds the installed Steam games and adds the ones you tick.
• Microsoft Store: the same for Microsoft Store games and launchers such as the Minecraft Launcher.
• Add manually: for any other game. You enter the name, the executable, the platform and, if you like, a cover image.

2. Record the combo

On the game's card, press the auto-combo button. The game's Auto-combo tab opens.

1. Press Record combo.
2. Press the keys or clicks in the order and at the pace you want.
3. Stop pressing: the combo saves itself. If you make a mistake, Esc cancels the recording.

3. Turn it on

Leave the Active combos switch on. In the match, pressing the combo's first key runs the whole combination, without having to open the panel.

The Macro Quantic Pro website uses combos called "Sprint", "Crouch jump" and "Dodge" as examples. They're illustrative examples: every game has its own keys, so record yours.

To play, press Play on the card. Steam and Microsoft Store games open through their platform. For games added by hand, only the panel opens, so you start the game yourself.

Customize the panel

Each game has its own in-game settings, in the Edit game tab:

• Show and hide overlay: assign a key of its own to open and close the panel in that game.
• Always show FPS: shows the frames-per-second counter. The first time, it asks for administrator permission.
• Overlay transparency: sets how much of the game shows through the panel, from 20% to 100%. By default it's at 90%.

The panel during a match

During the match, the panel appears folded at the edge of the screen, so it doesn't get in the way. When you open it, it has four tabs:

• Record: to make a new recording without leaving the game, with its counters and live activity.
• Macros: your macro library, with its folders and the option to play in a loop.
• Auto-combo: your combos for that game.
• This game's settings: the same in-game settings, which save themselves.

Tips for recording a good combo

These tips are general and will help your combo come out right the first time:

• Practice before recording. The combo will repeat exactly as you record it, timing mistakes included.
• Record only what's needed. The fewer extra presses, the cleaner the combo.
• Test it in a quiet area of the game before using it in an important situation.
• If it doesn't come out right, record it again. It's faster than trying to fix it.

Before you use it

A recorded combo is a form of automation, and using macros may be forbidden in some games, especially competitive online ones. Before turning on an auto-combo:

• Read the game's terms of use and code of conduct.
• If it isn't clear, ask the official support or forums.
• Don't use combos in games that forbid macros.

Macro Quantic Pro doesn't guarantee that a game allows its use. The responsibility lies with each player.

Free plan limits

On the Free plan you can use the Game Mode panel for 1 hour of play, followed by 1 hour of waiting. With the 7-day free trial and the Starter, Pro and Enterprise plans there's no such limit. Check the plans on the pricing page.

If what you want is to repeat keystrokes outside games, for example in work programs, the page on how to automate key presses explains that use.

Create your first combo

If you want to record your combos, you can download Macro Quantic Pro for free from the Microsoft Store. The 7-day trial includes Game Mode with no time limit.

Frequently asked questions

What is an auto-combo?

It's a combination of keys and clicks recorded for a game. When you press the first key in the match, the whole sequence runs at the same pace you recorded it, without opening the panel.

Can I use Game Mode with Steam games?

Yes. You can import the Steam games you have installed, as well as Microsoft Store games. The program finds them on your own computer and you tick the ones you want to add. Other games can be added by hand.

Does the timing between presses change?

No. The auto-combo saves the exact interval, in milliseconds, between each key or click, and repeats it the same way every time. If you want a different pace, record the combo again.

Is it free?

You can use Game Mode on the Free plan, with a limit of 1 hour of panel use followed by 1 hour of waiting. The 7-day trial and the paid plans don't have that limit.

Sources

• allthings.how: How to set up an AFK macro in Grow a Garden 2