Curse

TheRaven · Jan 11, 2007, 06:35 PM // 18:35

I have pretty strong feelings about this one. I say the optimal setup is whatever you are comfortable using. Threads like this one are good for learning different ways that your interface can be controlled, but ultimately it's a personal preference and what works well for 1 person may feel very awkward to you.

I use the keyboard exclusively to move my char around and to target and attack. I only use the mouse to click on my skills. I rarely use the number keys for skills, however if I am using a running build where I'll almost never attack I'll switch to numbers for the skills.

Here's a funny story... I was in a group with some guildies doing one of the jungle missions in Prophecies. We were zooming right along killing monsters left and right when we noticed that one of our group had lagged behind. His screenname was greyed out off the radar. Here's an approximate of the conversation that followed....
Us: "Hey, Will! Where are you?"
Us: "Will, you there? Are you AFK"
Us: "Will?"
Will: "Arrrrghghhhh!!!!"
Will: "Just finish without me"
Us: "What's wrong?"
Will: "My dog just knocked the mouse off the desk"
Us: "ROFL!"
Will: "It's in pieces on the floor."
Us: "LOL"
Us: "Bad Dog!"
Will: "I can't move my character."
Us: "ROFL! Hey, Will, 1 word: Keyboard"
Us: "Yeah, just use the keyboard and catch up."
Will: "I can't. I need the mouse to move."
Us: "Use the arrow keys to move!"

Well, Will eventually tried the cursor keys and caught up but he didn't play very well with them at all. I'm the exact opposite. I've tried moving/running with the mouse and just cannot get the hang of it.

Daysy · Jan 11, 2007, 06:36 PM // 18:36

One thing that would make life easier is being able to set a default camera angle to a key. It's most annoying ending up in overhead view (like after being resurrected) and then having to fiddle with the mouse to get the proper angle again.

crimsonfilms · Jan 11, 2007, 06:40 PM // 18:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightblade

Never use keyboard for movement. NEVER! The backward movement not only awkward, but it is slow!!! It's a lot better to just click and have your character turn around and run.

Pressing X is more efficient if you want to turn around.
And keyboard allows you to strafe to reduce damage while being trained. You can't strafe properly with mouse.

lightblade · Jan 11, 2007, 06:42 PM // 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Smit

And you wonder why they make such nice criticals on you?

If you're running so slow, they're just going to attack and kill you anyway. If you're running faster than attacker, you won't get hit, so where's the critical come from? If you're running slower than attacker, what's the point of running anyway?

Xero Silvam · Jan 11, 2007, 06:42 PM // 18:42

this is what I use primarily for monk.

[targetting, movement]
Tab= Nearest foe, (ring finger, pinky)
Q= Next foe, (ring)
W= forward, (middle finger)
A= strave left, (ring)
S= backward, (middle finer)
D= strave right, (pointer)

[skill activation]
1-8= skills, (only use 1-4, and 5 if my hand is closer to there than x)
x= skill 5, (middle)
left alt= skill 6, (thumb)
f= skill 7, (pointer)
c= skill 8 , (pointer)

[gear]
f1-4 are weapon sets.
f1= shield/melee weapon of fortitude combo, (middle)
f2= focus/melee weapon of enchanting combo, (middle)
f3= high energy set, (pointer)
f4= energy hiding set. (pointer)

shift is vent.

Movement is mostly right-mouse and a/w/d/s. Targetting is really easy as a monk for keeping an eye on enemies (press q and e respectivly) to powerdrain stuff.

Quote:

If u want a perfect example of good keyboard use check Tommy equals FTW from Team Quitters. Always before doing a healing spell he changes his weapon set... That's really freak

it's not that hard, I do this for enchantments. :-( If you do it often enough you get used to it. As a monk, using a mouse isn't the greatest idea of movement since you need to focus on the wrong section of the screen. (battleground) instead of your selected target (in my case warriors, so I can see spikes coming) and the party screen. You should also have a enlarged compass so you don't even need to look at the screen to know the positioning.

Patrick Smit · Jan 11, 2007, 07:26 PM // 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightblade

If you're running so slow, they're just going to attack and kill you anyway. If you're running faster than attacker, you won't get hit, so where's the critical come from? If you're running slower than attacker, what's the point of running anyway?

They dont use bulls strike, rush/sprint, and other skills to get to you?

Believe me 1.4 times max damage. or a nice backup taking some average damage with the benefit of a shield is way better (as i said making sure u stop them by using another as bodyblock), but you better flee ^^

jaibas17 · Jan 11, 2007, 07:32 PM // 19:32

for gvg, mostly I use keys 1-4, tab, c, v, x, alt, ctrl, space, and mouse buttons. thats all

Swamprob · Jan 11, 2007, 07:35 PM // 19:35

I received a z-board for xmas and it's the bomb. It took me about two days before I found it preferable to a regular keyboard, and now I have trouble playing without the z-board. Totally customizable, and very worthwhile, and usable for many games.

Brother Andicus · Jan 11, 2007, 08:16 PM // 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grolubao

Never needed so strafe in GW.

If u want a perfect example of good keyboard use check Tommy equals FTW from Team Quitters. Always before doing a healing spell he changes his weapon set... That's really freak

If you have truly never needed to strafe I hope I never have the misfortune to be in the same group as you.

And all good monks focus swap, so its not freaky at all. Its not quite as prevelant as it used to be as there are less drain mesmers about, but I guess Tommy just likes to keep in good habits.

Alex Morningstar · Jan 11, 2007, 08:22 PM // 20:22

8 button mouse ftw.

Ulivious The Reaper · Jan 11, 2007, 08:26 PM // 20:26

ooh i use both.. mouse for selecting (unless its called then i instantly hit T) and keyboard for movement/strafing.. all tho i hear mouse has some advantages over keyboard while moving..

Phenick · Jan 11, 2007, 08:49 PM // 20:49

What about Zoom Level? what level does everyone use?

I used to have a middle zoom where it fealt very 3rd person but not WAYY out there, now i use a really close up one because when in PvE it helps me feel more involved...

roku-dragonslayer · Jan 11, 2007, 09:10 PM // 21:10

How do you set up to have the numbers select that party member on a normal keyboard?

Jeff Highwind · Jan 11, 2007, 09:28 PM // 21:28

Keyboard = movement, kiting, skills, targeting, zoom, all that good rot.
Mouse= smoother camera movement, compass commands.

Taurucis · Jan 11, 2007, 10:08 PM // 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by roku-dragonslayer

How do you set up to have the numbers select that party member on a normal keyboard?

Undo all key commands for F1-F8. I think that gets rid of Weapon Slots and inventory bags. Opening inventory bags isn't incredibly useful if you need to react quickly, and you can set your weapon slots to something else. Set Select Party Member 1 to F1, Party Member 2 to F2, and so on. I haven't gone past 8 though.

Firebaall · Jan 11, 2007, 10:16 PM // 22:16

Check out a Nostromo N52 Speedpad.

Built like a tank, and has macro support!

Rhedd · Jan 12, 2007, 12:31 AM // 00:31

Phht.
If you're going to drag this conversation off onto peripherals, on page one, Grolubao mentioned the PERFECT device; an Ergodex.

I bought one recently, and it's one of those things like electricity and microwaves. You wonder how humans lived before they were invented. ^_^

http://www.ergodex.com

Grolubao · Jan 12, 2007, 01:12 AM // 01:12

Here's a pic of my setup for GW: