This is probably my second "real" mmo, *not counting the free ones i've tried* the first being DAOC. And let me tell you, the controls were hard for me to get used to in this game.
using the whole keyboard wouldn't be a problem if the mouse wasn't required for aiming. It's really difficult, even when you can also use the numpad for spells, *which helps on certain occasions*
Did anyone change the controls up? Feel free to give me your advice if you too felt awkward playing and switched the hotkeys up. *Course, it varies from keyboard to keyboard.
For me, I didn't find it difficult for the most part, it felt similar to an over the shoulder version of bloodline champions, a game I'd recommend you try if you're into PvP. The only real qualm I had with the system, was past 5, the number keys get kind of hard to reach. I think for the next BWE, I may try out switching 7, 8, 9, and 0 to E, R, T, and Y. I also changed dodge rolling from moving twice to Q.
I used the keyboard-based setup during the BWE, with my skills on the numpad. I was pretty happy with it, cause that's what I'd always used in MMOs, so it was familiar, and I could always be on the move. The only thing it suffers in principal is the short delay in going to the mouse to click-target or put down an area effect, but the A/D turn speed could use a boost.
This time around I tried a different, mouse-based approach just to see what the elitist PvP jackanapes are ruffled about (I was berated on the GW2 suggestions forum for supporting increased keyboard turn speed). I left the weapon skills on 1-5, put the heal on E, the elite skill on Q, and the utility skills on Z-X-C. I'm fairly confident with double-tapping to dodge, but I bound that to my mouse's thumb button too. This setup felt pretty good. Sometimes I forgot where I put the keybinds, which had me accidently using my heal skill when I meant to strafe, but I'm guessing that would just take time to become second nature. Plus, it means I always have the mouse to target with.
I'm going to be moving some things to mouse buttons if possible. This is a more active MMO - more like a fighter or an FPS. Personally, moving with WASD and trying to hit abilities on1-6 is a pain in the butt - I've always hated it, but gotten along. Until now. What I really would like is a better mouse/controller that I can map my abilities to (like a Razor). This is the route I'll be heading. WASD for movement and mouse for turning/strafing.
Typically I do WASD (middle finger on "W" key) and then use "E" for target nearest enemy and "F" for target self. Target self isn't so important nor is target ally so far as I have seen, since everyone heals themselves. I haven't played classes yet that need these other keys so I may use them for targeting next enemy or something.
Double tapping to dodge is not working so hot as my keyboard is the cheapest one ever made and it doesn't' respond so good. I'd like to map this to a single key stroke, besides double tapping is just requiring 2 signals to get to the server vs. one. Now that's just wasteful
I generally stick with the default keybindings, but I have changed a few things for GW2. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, I've bound Dodge and Heal to my 2 thumb buttons on my mouse. It's very useful to be able to dodge instantly, without double-tapping. I bound "C" to target closest enemy. "Q" and "E" to strafe left and right, though I may change that. Finally, I got annoyed at having to reach all the way up to F1 as a Necro to activate Death Shroud, so I bound it to "Z". This is slightly easier to hit than F1 when you're in a hurry, although I found that even though I re-bound F1 to "Z", both keys still worked.
I generally found the keybindings ok. The hardest thing I found was playing as an Elementalist, and having to reach up and hit F1 - F4 to activate the different attunements. When I play, I use the mouse to turn, and WASD(QE) to move. Like sylvinstar, I pretty much always have my middle finger on "W" to move, so to hit F1 - F4, I either have to stop moving and use my middle finger to hit them, or contort my hand in a weird way.
It would be useful to be able to Shift-key bind skills.
WASD for movement. It's easier for me to strafe than to turn my character (FPS tendencies).
Turn by holding down the right mouse button.
Shift for dodging.
Q = Heal
E = Elite
Z - X - C = Utility
Works well for me.
Deadpan snarking isn't.
That looks like a decent setup. I'll give it a go next time, see how I get on. Although I'll keep dodge & heal on my mouse thumb buttons. I also need to find a button for looking directly behind you (Z in GW1, I think it was).
I keep thinking to myself to see if I can map the controls to a wireless xbox controller for the fun of it, but been too lazy to look into it however.
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I have been accustomed with the wasd movement. I've played star wars jedi knight jedi outcast and academy, those two games the default way to move is those four buttons. Only thing is that with those games, mouse was the aiming AND attacking. *Unless you count force powers, which was the f button.*
So having all the attack buttons ontop of my moving buttons, while 1-4 aren't too much of a problem, 5-0 I tend to have to look at the keyboard to make sure i don't misclick.
I am with Zid on the strafe vs. turn. holding the the right mouse button as well.
It definitely takes some getting used to. Couple this with my age and I struggle a bit too. However, I find absolutely refreshing to have to counter and move about instead of standing there munching a sandwich pressing 1...2....3.....
Its a simple world for complicated people
My thoughts exactly oneeyered.
I was mapping my weapon skills to the 1-5 buttons on my mouse and 6 as weapon swap. Then moved my utilities/heal over to 1-5. This worked well for me in the BWEs, but I'm sure I'll swap things around once the game gets going for real.
@jiminy
Yeah, I have pretty much figured out that I want a warmouse for my movement in this game..just a matter of putting together the money. Having hotkeys on top of the mouse is so much easier.
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