This is my first hotbar. I start all my combos with L2 + Square, then it is like a flowchart. My dots are on the right side (Mutilate on top, Shadow Fang on bottom). Gust Slash is to the right of Spinning Edge, and then Dancing Edge is Up while Aeolian Edge is Down. I keep my mudras on the left most side, and off global cooldowns like assassinate and mug on the less used buttons.


This is my second hotbar, where I keep abilities that are rather set and forget, or rarely used. The only exception is my L2 hotbar, which I use the expanded hotbar for. I'll explain that below.


If you go to Character Configuration, Hotbar Settings, Cross, you will find an option that says Enable expanded controls with sumultaneous L2 and R2. By setting mine up so that "Display with L2 -> R2" says "Cross Hotbar 2 - Left" that means I almost never have to switch hotbars in battle. If I ever need to check the status of trick attack, kassatsu, or any of my potions, I can quickly press L2 -> R2 and the hotbar below will appear.