I only really started taking the layout seriously after DT released.

This setup omits collectable items. I find it's more of a necessity on controller/XHB, so it'll be on that.

Note: I haven't leveled this up to 100 yet.

Hotbar 1: Starting with the single target filler, regen, and DoT on the first row. Next row has the WHM-specific actions. The rest is the same: heal, weak AoE heal (in case of sync-down), esuna, zoomies, weak heal (ONLY for sync-downs that the normal heal isn't there), sprint.

Hotbar 1: My healers tend to follow this format, with the exception being Sage of course.

Row 1: Single target, regen, DoT Row 2: The job specific goodies. These are three cards. Row 3: Stronger heal, weak regen (in case of roulette sync), esuna Row 4: Zoomies, weak heal (in case of roulette sync), sprint.

Hotbar 1: The good ol 1-2-3 combo on top, then the single + AoE oGCDs along the right side, then the legacy spot for Sprint. Next row down is AoE 1-2 combo. Then next row is the ranged and gap close, which thankfully still works as a free damage button in 7.0. Then the two bursties.

Hotbar 2 (ctrl): A few oddities in here. Top left is the burst hitter. Next is technically the alternative 3 in the 1-2-3 combo, since it felt more fluent to press 1, 2, ctrl+2. Next is the single-target spender. This was just built on the rotations as I leveled up and placed these actions accordingly. On row 2, bloodwhetting and the AoE spender just had to be neighbours. Row 3 has the job-specific mitigations, although now that I re-read the tooltip, Thrill and Bloodwhetting could be great vertical neighbours. Row 4 has the straight up heal, low recast time shield-a-friend, and team shield.

Hotbar 1: Similar format based on my first tank (GNB). 1-2-3 combo on top. MP-spending oGCDs along the right side. Next row is the AoE 1-2 combo. Then the ranged and gap closer. Then the "bursts" for DRK, and lastly, the grandfathered seat for Sprint.

Hotbar 2 (ctrl): Looking at the first 2x2, single target on top, AoE on bottom; GCD/gauge spenders left, oGCDs middle. Then we have the odd one out, the AoE puddle of hurties. Rampart and reprisal are where they are for all my tanks. Third row also has the job-specific overall high mitigation, then the specific mitigation (DRK is magic, while GNB is phys). While DRK doesn't have a plain heal button, TBN is as close as it gets. While this one has a 60s recast, I decided Oblation gets to take this one for having two charges and can be put on a teammate. Bottom right is the team mitigation.

This was my first tank job that I actually worked on, and paved the way for all my other tank jobs to use a similar setup.

Hotbar 1: On top there's the 1-2-3 combo. Along the right side down, there's the oGCD, and AoE oGCD. Second line is the AoE 1-2 combo. 3rd row is the ranged action and gap closer. Last, there's the two burst window related actions - the hit-harder button, and the free cartridges button. And the sprint has always been there for all the jobs. Sprout carryover.

Hotbar 1: White mana on the left side, black mana on the right side. Single target above, AoEs below. Both/neutral down the middle. I used to put acceleration on Hotbar 3, but it's better this way for quick succession to the relevant actions.

Hotbar 2 (ctrl): The 1-2-3 melee combo on top. I usually have my gap close/make on those two middle positions. Sleep, lucid, cure, and the DPS buff are just rollovers from my old hotbar as Summoner, my first job, and that was before I put more thought into hotbar setups. AoE and run+gun spenders on the bottom row.

Now that I've actually tried controller fishing for a bit, this is how it's sorted.

XHB1 RT/RH: Actions here are grouped together for simple line fishing that does not involve mooching.

Finally

With the Dawntrail update, a lot of the dragoon actions have been condensed. Try it out!

7.1

Just copied Nanaki's

Display with: [L2]→[R2]  [Cycle Up - Right]
Display with: [R2]→[L2]  [Cycle Up - Left]
Set Selection (Drawn):   [Hotbars 1, 3]

• Clockwise from True Thrust & Potion, hit R2 ⭘🗙⬜︎🛆 in order, double-weaving the R2→L2 ✜ and R2 ✜ abilities after each.
• After R2 🛆, switch hotbars (R1) and loop R2 🛆⭘🗙⬜︎🛆.
• Double-weave evolved R2 ✜ abilities as they become available.
• Weave Wyrmwind Thrust after each second Raiden Thrust; this may be delayed up to Drakesbane to fit nearby buff windows.
• Continue to use Life Surge on Heaven's Thrust or Drakesbane, checking charges at each High Jump to prevent overcapping.
• Continue to weave all other OGCD's every 30/60/120 seconds, as indicated by their cooldowns.

Modified Opener: These bars pair abilities on R2 ✜ by their cooldown durations, to allow easy double-weaving and identification of when they should be pressed.

My basic layout for all jobs. Hotbar 1 single target, hotbar 2 AOE. The focus of each is their respective core GCDs, and then I mimic the OGCD on each so switching isn't required unless going from AOE to single target situations or vice versa. Nastrond is used quite a lot in double weaves so I have it on both sides for ease of access. Expanded hotbar 3 for job specific potions, food, movement, role actions, extras I want access to regardless of single target or aoe situations. Hotbar 4 is shared quick access to whatever ya want on the WXHB.

I use a mmo gaming mouse from razer called the Naga, the 3x4 grid is the exact layout as my mouse buttons. Hot bar 2 goes like this from left to right, top to bottom: 1, 2, 3, 4, Q, E, R, T, 5, -, =. The - and = are left and right on my mouse wheel, 5 is reserved for long cooldowns. Hot bar 3 is the same as 2 but with shift being held. The empty item between Piercing Talon and Battle Litany is a health Pot.

this is good. it makes a lot of sense and feeds into the combos. may need to revise it post dawntrail but we'll see what dawntrail brings.

• Buffs on top. (Ordered according to the optimal rotation)
• Weaponskills in the middle. ("Cross" shape on both sides)
• oGCD attacks below. (Parallel to top oGCD buffs)
• Extras in top corners, sides. (General: `~ 7 , Job: Ins H )
• Role actions on shift. (Prefer AQWRTG but ZXCV available)
• Consumables on alt. (Potion: Alt+W, Tincture: Alt+R) (Companion actions = placeholders)

[Hotbar 2] Left fingers: Ring or Pinky 1 2 3 Tab Q W Ins A `~ Z X C

Dragoon XHB - Current

Thought process

• GCDs on face buttons so movement is easier while rolling gcd
• OGCDs put roughly in order of pressing (e.g. lance charge ->Litany -> clockwise following gcd order)
• WXHB and Expanded XHB are shared on Hotbar 2 so I can see the Expanded because double tapping is annoying and 32 slots is plenty for most jobs
• Macro is placeholder for Pot
• Hotbar 3 is for easy switching to during 3+ encounters and so they don't waste space, leaving room to add reminder macros or move anti kb to a face button
  • There are 3 free buttons (4 if you remove leg sweep) if you want to add aoe anyway
• Sprint as a macro on the left thumbstick (L3) so you can press it while moving

XHB 1 Single target XHB 2 Multiple target