How to get better with the Keyboard? - Guild Wars Forums

refer · Jan 27, 2009, 09:45 PM // 21:45

I'm new to Guild Wars (started on the 1st) yet I still am a klutz with the keyboard. Thought I would get the hang of it by now, but no... ATM I rely on the mouse for everything, but that can really slow me down. I play Mesmer too which doesn't help lol (and probably isn't the best to start with, though I did research it before... I think I can get the hang of that in time)... but just being a klutz is hampering gameplay. So I will ask... any tips or things I could do to get better? All I can think of now is just forcing myself to use WASDQERetc but that's not going very well. What about different keyboards? Don't really know about what is out there. This is probably happening because I haven't played any games in a couple years though and only console too then. Anyways, thanks. I need to get quicker in general.

update: anything else? just practicing did NOT work for me... I finished Nightfall and my skills aren't any better than they were since I started. There must be something I'm doing wrong.

kostolomac · Jan 27, 2009, 09:59 PM // 21:59

Moving with the mouse is actually better , but try to use your skills on the keyboard.

ShoGunTheOne · Jan 27, 2009, 10:38 PM // 22:38

i move with WASDQE, target with C, tab, and use mouse to use skills

personal preferance though

KIDGOOCH · Jan 27, 2009, 10:52 PM // 22:52

I guess everyone is different, being a lefty, I use the arrow keys to move, and have micro'd all the keys nearby ("?"=closest enemy, right alt=friendlies, right ctrl = enemies). I use the mouse to use skills and micro manage Heroes.

iVendetta · Jan 27, 2009, 11:05 PM // 23:05

I use my keyboard for movement, target selection, switching weapons, and the first four skills on my template. I use my mouse for last four skills, micro-management, and camera control (faster than keyboard).

You can set it up to however you wish through the options panel.

Commander Ryker · Jan 27, 2009, 11:14 PM // 23:14

I use my right hand on the arrow keys to move, although I usually hit the r first and then just steer. My left hand rests on the numbers across the top for the skills with my thumb on the space bar to attack after I've hit the c or tab for the target. The only thing I have to use the mouse for is to open chests. It works very well and I don't even have to look at the keyboard anymore to see what I'm hitting. When I got my first computer, I played doom which was all keyboard and so I just got use to it from that.

*Darcy* · Jan 27, 2009, 11:23 PM // 23:23

Only way to get better is practice. DON'T use the mouse (except to click on a chest, lol) and you will get better with the keyboard.

You can check out other keyboards. There are gaming keyboards with dedicated keys such as Ideazon's GW set. http://www.ideazon.com/us/products/keyset_gw.asp

But you would need to spend the money and it might not suit you.

refer · Jan 28, 2009, 01:40 AM // 01:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darcy

Only way to get better is practice. DON'T use the mouse (except to click on a chest, lol) and you will get better with the keyboard.

You can check out other keyboards. There are gaming keyboards with dedicated keys such as Ideazon's GW set. http://www.ideazon.com/us/products/keyset_gw.asp

But you would need to spend the money and it might not suit you.

I think I'll spend more time getting better with the keyboard than I will playing the game. How exactly do I go about that? Just choose a farming location and run around?

*Darcy* · Jan 28, 2009, 02:28 AM // 02:28

That would do it. You obviously don't want to practice while in a quest or mission with others. Go out on your own with heroes and henchmen and practice moving only with the keyboard. The h/h won't laugh at you and (as we all have found out) they will handle everything on their own if you aggro anything.

By the way, as GW2 is supposed to be mouse-less, we all need this type of practice.

silv3rr · Jan 28, 2009, 08:14 AM // 08:14

Just one suggestion for mouse use: Hold both left and right click to run+steer.

In terms of keyboarding... well there's not really much we can do for you other than you just have to practice.

Just make sure you're not doing everything with one hand.

refer · Jan 28, 2009, 11:24 AM // 11:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darcy

That would do it. You obviously don't want to practice while in a quest or mission with others. Go out on your own with heroes and henchmen and practice moving only with the keyboard. The h/h won't laugh at you and (as we all have found out) they will handle everything on their own if you aggro anything.

By the way, as GW2 is supposed to be mouse-less, we all need this type of practice.

I heard that too. Too bad they just didn't make some Guild Wars specific controller to get around the keyboard thing... I learn controllers in no time. Anyways I guess I'm off to practice some... hope I can do this. We never even learned the number keys in school lol.

Zebideedee · Jan 28, 2009, 05:15 PM // 17:15

I mostly use mouse to target, use skills and steer. My left hand is almost always hovering around left ctrl (for easier targetting of pesky hidey Monks) and Q & E to sidestep away from AOE.

Although for some reason when I made an Ele I started using the number keys to activate skills, but when I go back to playing my Nec it's the mouse to activate skills again, wierd

billypowergamer · Jan 28, 2009, 05:19 PM // 17:19

I don't know if this will help or not, but it's how I learned the keyboard. Start off just focusing on WASD, CTRL and ALT in conjunction with the mouse. Once you are comfortable with those then start looking at using other keys, I started practicing 1-4 and tab next and then started using the surrounding keys. I found that as I learned more keys I started relying on the mouse less for different functions.

Covah · Jan 28, 2009, 07:25 PM // 19:25

if you are going to quit the game because you are having trouble using the WASD keys you might aswell quit all computer games. Just keep using the keyboard and you will get used to it.

snaek · Jan 28, 2009, 07:49 PM // 19:49

gw has clunky controls...but u'll get used to it

i kno lots of wow players who like to spam and mash their keyboards....
dun do that

-make sure to try and precisely time ur skills
you may queue 1 extra skill while another is casting

-rebind ur 7 and/or 8 key skills to sumptin more closely to wsad

-weaponswitching: press escape then f1
or sidestep then f1

-auto-run is very useful and allows u to "multi-task" keyboard actions

-strengthen ur pinky/ring finger
get the hang of tabbing and shift+tabbing very quickly

-keyboard has too much work for left-hand
rebind/dualbind some keys to the numpad and ins/del/keythingy for ur rite-hand to get in on some of that action

-mesmer specific: wanding delays spell-based interupts
while i usually do recommend wanding for midline, if ur playing an interupt-based build, dun do it so much if at all

edit

Quote:

update: as lame as this sounds, I think I may unofficially quit GW (as in not play anymore but not delete my character) due to this. I just don't have the motivation or drive to learn the keyboard on my own... maybe if there was a tutorial lol, but that doesn't exist. I'd like to play but I think the time investment and frustration will be too much.

wow...r u serious? 0__o

wut games do u play?
have u never used a keyboard before?
mebe ur better off playin the games in mavis beacon teaches typing?
the racing one is pretty fun

i'd hate to see how u'd fare in the action-fps games (like gunz)

AidinSwiftarrow · Jan 28, 2009, 08:13 PM // 20:13

I put my middle finger on W, index on D, ring on A. I use the mouse to target, use skills, etc. Idk but this is perfectly fine for me.

I basically use my left hand for the keyboard unless I'm typing.

Nereyda Shoaal · Jan 28, 2009, 08:53 PM // 20:53

I had to get used to some shortcuts - N, G, L, I, R, U etc, I kept forgetting what are they for. I haven't had any issues with movement tough
Reason for this is I used to play FPS for couple of years. Using the WSAD+QE combo is like learning to walk... once learned you don't forget it
Imagine operating 18 keyboard + 9 mouse buttons at the same time

It's all down to practice. Don't let such trivial thing to spoil the joy of playing

Use WS to move forward/backward. If you want to turn use the mouse (hold the right button and turn). Then you can add QE to it. I can't suggest anything else

refer · Jan 28, 2009, 09:16 PM // 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Covah

if you are going to quit the game because you are having trouble using the WASD keys you might aswell quit all computer games. Just keep using the keyboard and you will get used to it.

I never played computer games before anyways... my computer isn't really made for gaming too. Oh well. Could still read spoilers if I still want to find out what happens in the main storyline lol. It's not that I don't want to practice but even if I do... how long will it exactly take till I get good and before I can start playing again? And will my efforts even have a payoff? Most likely they won't.

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaek

wut games do u play?
have u never used a keyboard before?
mebe ur better off playin the games in mavis beacon teaches typing?
the racing one is pretty fun

Actually I don't play any... read post. I can type fine but when it comes to applying that to gaming it abandons me. I'd rather not waste the game by just leaching or not being to proficient. Maybe if I ever do get good then I'd come back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaek

i'd hate to see how u'd fare in the action-fps games (like gunz)

lol, this. but your post was helpful for the most part. Didn't know wanding did that either, thanks.

Trylo · Jan 28, 2009, 09:22 PM // 21:22

esdf to move, a=1, q=2, r=3, t=5, c=6, v=7, b=8.

i use mouse to target players/people/move (if not strafing aka back and forth to miss projectiles)

ctrl, shift, caps lock all switch weapon sets (youll understand the usefulness of this if you get into pvp), and tab goes through enemy targets.

i have no key for 'attack called target' because generally i monk and i dont need to, but you can always click the little crosshairs symbol next to the person who called to see their target.

hope that helps!

MisterB · Jan 28, 2009, 10:22 PM // 22:22

I had a similar problem as you. I play few PC games, and I dislike keyboard/mouse game controls. I don't use either keyboard or mouse to play this game. I use a Sony PS2 controller. I have posted more in the following thread, including links to software, the configuration file I use, and a tutorial.

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10110429

Jan 27, 2009, 09:45 PM // 21:45	#1
refer Jungle Guide Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: US	How to get better with the Keyboard? I'm new to Guild Wars (started on the 1st) yet I still am a klutz with the keyboard. Thought I would get the hang of it by now, but no... ATM I rely on the mouse for everything, but that can really slow me down. I play Mesmer too which doesn't help lol (and probably isn't the best to start with, though I did research it before... I think I can get the hang of that in time)... but just being a klutz is hampering gameplay. So I will ask... any tips or things I could do to get better? All I can think of now is just forcing myself to use WASDQERetc but that's not going very well. What about different keyboards? Don't really know about what is out there. This is probably happening because I haven't played any games in a couple years though and only console too then. Anyways, thanks. I need to get quicker in general. update: anything else? just practicing did NOT work for me... I finished Nightfall and my skills aren't any better than they were since I started. There must be something I'm doing wrong. Last edited by refer; Feb 20, 2009 at 04:25 AM // 04:25..

Jan 27, 2009, 11:23 PM // 23:23	#7
Darcy Never Too Old Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island where there are no GW contests Guild: Order of First Profession: W/R	Only way to get better is practice. DON'T use the mouse (except to click on a chest, lol) and you will get better with the keyboard. You can check out other keyboards. There are gaming keyboards with dedicated keys such as Ideazon's GW set. http://www.ideazon.com/us/products/keyset_gw.asp But you would need to spend the money and it might not suit you. __________________ That's me, the old stick-in-the-mud non-fun moderator. (and non-understanding, also)

Jan 28, 2009, 02:28 AM // 02:28	#9
Darcy Never Too Old Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island where there are no GW contests Guild: Order of First Profession: W/R	That would do it. You obviously don't want to practice while in a quest or mission with others. Go out on your own with heroes and henchmen and practice moving only with the keyboard. The h/h won't laugh at you and (as we all have found out) they will handle everything on their own if you aggro anything. By the way, as GW2 is supposed to be mouse-less, we all need this type of practice. __________________ That's me, the old stick-in-the-mud non-fun moderator. (and non-understanding, also)

Jan 28, 2009, 08:53 PM // 20:53	#17
Nereyda Shoaal Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Deldrimor Warcamp Profession: Mo/W	I had to get used to some shortcuts - N, G, L, I, R, U etc, I kept forgetting what are they for. I haven't had any issues with movement tough Reason for this is I used to play FPS for couple of years. Using the WSAD+QE combo is like learning to walk... once learned you don't forget it Imagine operating 18 keyboard + 9 mouse buttons at the same time It's all down to practice. Don't let such trivial thing to spoil the joy of playing Use WS to move forward/backward. If you want to turn use the mouse (hold the right button and turn). Then you can add QE to it. I can't suggest anything else Last edited by Nereyda Shoaal; Jan 28, 2009 at 08:58 PM // 20:58..

Jan 28, 2009, 09:22 PM // 21:22	#19
Trylo Jungle Guide Join Date: Jan 2006 Guild: [Here] \| CKOD Profession: E/R	esdf to move, a=1, q=2, r=3, t=5, c=6, v=7, b=8. i use mouse to target players/people/move (if not strafing aka back and forth to miss projectiles) ctrl, shift, caps lock all switch weapon sets (youll understand the usefulness of this if you get into pvp), and tab goes through enemy targets. i have no key for 'attack called target' because generally i monk and i dont need to, but you can always click the little crosshairs symbol next to the person who called to see their target. hope that helps! Last edited by Trylo; Jan 28, 2009 at 09:26 PM // 21:26..

Jan 27, 2009, 09:59 PM // 21:59	#2
kostolomac Jungle Guide Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Serbia Profession: Me/	Moving with the mouse is actually better , but try to use your skills on the keyboard.

Jan 27, 2009, 10:38 PM // 22:38	#3
ShoGunTheOne Banned Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Undercity Guild: 泰瑞亚联盟 Profession: E/	i move with WASDQE, target with C, tab, and use mouse to use skills personal preferance though

Jan 27, 2009, 10:52 PM // 22:52	#4
KIDGOOCH Krytan Explorer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MD Profession: R/Mo	I guess everyone is different, being a lefty, I use the arrow keys to move, and have micro'd all the keys nearby ("?"=closest enemy, right alt=friendlies, right ctrl = enemies). I use the mouse to use skills and micro manage Heroes.

Jan 27, 2009, 11:05 PM // 23:05	#5
iVendetta Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Where no man has ever gone before. Guild: Syndicate Nightmare [SyN]	I use my keyboard for movement, target selection, switching weapons, and the first four skills on my template. I use my mouse for last four skills, micro-management, and camera control (faster than keyboard). You can set it up to however you wish through the options panel.

Jan 27, 2009, 11:14 PM // 23:14	#6
Commander Ryker Site Contributor Join Date: Jun 2005 Profession: R/	I use my right hand on the arrow keys to move, although I usually hit the r first and then just steer. My left hand rests on the numbers across the top for the skills with my thumb on the space bar to attack after I've hit the c or tab for the target. The only thing I have to use the mouse for is to open chests. It works very well and I don't even have to look at the keyboard anymore to see what I'm hitting. When I got my first computer, I played doom which was all keyboard and so I just got use to it from that.

Jan 28, 2009, 08:14 AM // 08:14	#10
silv3rr Desert Nomad Join Date: Mar 2006	Just one suggestion for mouse use: Hold both left and right click to run+steer. In terms of keyboarding... well there's not really much we can do for you other than you just have to practice. Just make sure you're not doing everything with one hand.

Jan 28, 2009, 05:15 PM // 17:15	#12
Zebideedee Jungle Guide Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: 55?? 57' 0" N / 3?? 12' 0" W Profession: N/Me	I mostly use mouse to target, use skills and steer. My left hand is almost always hovering around left ctrl (for easier targetting of pesky hidey Monks) and Q & E to sidestep away from AOE. Although for some reason when I made an Ele I started using the number keys to activate skills, but when I go back to playing my Nec it's the mouse to activate skills again, wierd

Jan 28, 2009, 05:19 PM // 17:19	#13
billypowergamer Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Aug 2006	I don't know if this will help or not, but it's how I learned the keyboard. Start off just focusing on WASD, CTRL and ALT in conjunction with the mouse. Once you are comfortable with those then start looking at using other keys, I started practicing 1-4 and tab next and then started using the surrounding keys. I found that as I learned more keys I started relying on the mouse less for different functions.

Jan 28, 2009, 07:25 PM // 19:25	#14
Covah Forge Runner Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Guild: Catching Jellyfish With [소N트T ] Profession: Me/Rt	if you are going to quit the game because you are having trouble using the WASD keys you might aswell quit all computer games. Just keep using the keyboard and you will get used to it.

Jan 28, 2009, 08:13 PM // 20:13	#16
AidinSwiftarrow Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lion's Arch Profession: R/Mo	I put my middle finger on W, index on D, ring on A. I use the mouse to target, use skills, etc. Idk but this is perfectly fine for me. I basically use my left hand for the keyboard unless I'm typing.

Jan 28, 2009, 10:22 PM // 22:22	#20
MisterB Furnace Stoker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Planet Earth, Sol system, Milky Way galaxy Guild: [ban] Profession: W/	I had a similar problem as you. I play few PC games, and I dislike keyboard/mouse game controls. I don't use either keyboard or mouse to play this game. I use a Sony PS2 controller. I have posted more in the following thread, including links to software, the configuration file I use, and a tutorial. http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10110429