Healers Controllers or keyboards

I use keyboard/mouse. Mouse has 9~12 usable buttons which takes care of most used healing skills/spells. For PC controller users, are you folks using a PC specific model, or DS3 through third-party software?

I played all of 1.0 with a controller (also main healed) I always found it easy to do. And in 2.0 it is even easier that I have found.

When it comes down to what is better well that is based on you personal preference :)

Keyboard for me it's always feels natural.

Not only can you scroll party members with just the DPad, you can adjust what exactly you scroll through when your weapon is sheathed or unsheathed, as well as 4 other scrollable options. You can set up to where L1+Triangle only cycles through enemy targets, L1+O can cycle through NPC's and so on.

I like using a controller and using the targeting sets makes targeting easier. enemies only, allies only, ext. I just find it easier to control since I'm a console gamer at heart. (I play on PC)

I use a DS3 with my PS3 controller, wired through a USB cable. I would prefer something PC specific, I would sometimes move the the USB cable in a way that disconnects it and turns on my PS3 console, then I have take a minute to turn Off the PS3, turn my controller off and load the driver and stuff on DS3. A bit of a hassle, but most of my gameplay has been smooth and good experience. I can easily switch between cross bar sets back and forth, during battles.

I disliked healing, because the way it filers targets. I was ok during Phase 2 of the beta, when gamepads were compatible for testing and the target system was unfiltered. Now I'm killing all my party members and friends. I didn't use the target filter settings yet. I think I should try that out when I can.

I've been using the gamepad exclusively. Up/down for party members and left/right with friendly-filter for FATEs. This approach has saved at least one person's proverbial bacon: during a phase 3 FATE my screen was totally blocked by giant goats but thanks to the left/right targeting mechanism I was able to find and heal everybody. I have enjoyed mouseover macros in past games, but those relying on them should be mentally prepared for that moment when your clicking is obscured by goatbutt.

The ability to choose subtargets and queue spells means you're not losing any efficiency no matter what control scheme you use. With the tank as your main target, you can start casting a heal and immediately begin choosing your next victim patient. As you pick an action for the subtarget, your aim automatically jumps back to the tank. I've done my share of whack-a-mole and this is about the happiest I've ever been spamming Cures. :)

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Originally Posted by Caedeia

I use keyboard/mouse. Mouse has 9~12 usable buttons which takes care of most used healing skills/spells. For PC controller users, are you folks using a PC specific model, or DS3 through third-party software?

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I've used both, but my years-old 360 controller gave out and my sister had a spare PS3 controller and let me use it. Both have worked really well.

I seem to have a hard time healing with a controller on this game. on 11 it was ok, but i think it has more to do with the fact that i started out playing this game on a keyboard and mouse and now i'm trying to use a controller. i just got to get used to it.

Keyboard and mouse with mouseover macros. Aside from the obvious benefit of not needing to click on a target before healing them, it also allows you to heal while DPSing more easily since you don't have to reacquire your DPS target every time you need to heal somebody.

I tried the controller briefly and while it was alright and nice for playing while leaning back in your chair questing I don't think I'd enjoy it much for regular play. As a control scheme it doesn't really bring any benefit over KB/M (aside for the "comfy" factor) so I'd rather just play with that anyway.

Controller is much easier to use for me with Arcanist during fates. Just switch target and drop a dot. rinse and repeat

Funny...ive been comfortable with the keyboard and mouse for years over the controller....yet im one to admit it seems alot quicker on the controller
....not sure what ppl are missing here....unless you have just never tried it and are saying i prefer k/m over controller without trying the other?

I wish I could use the gamepad more but it bugs out on my PC too much so I just use the keyboard. Still though I can see healing on the controller being very smooth.

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Originally Posted by Lucroarna

Just so anyone's aware, on a controller, all you need to do to target your party members is up and down on the D-Pad, there is no difficulty in targeting party members at all.

Target ting enemies is similarly easy, as all you need to do is press the A/X button, and it will instantly select the closest enemy target. Sometimes carby can get in the way, but all you need to do is move forward, or move to the left or right. I just like being able to kick my feet up and enjoy a dungeon instead of getting swass and hunch-back syndrome.

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Not to mention if you set your targeting type to Enemies you can use Up/Down for party members and Left/Right for enemies. It's actually quite nice if you're doing multiple things.

I bought a razor Orbweaver, makes playing this game a lot better. I liked the controller, but I got frustrated with the targetting and opening menus, equiping gear, etc.. is too slow. Also having to have to press the triggers everytime when switching targets to cast skills was annoying.

Dualshock 3 Sixaxis

I'm technically fine with either, but I prefer a gamepad.

Keyboard and mouse... wanted to try it on the PS3 controller during P4 but I couldn't get the game to download to the PS3 :(

I didn't mind using the controller in 1.0 but, I'll be using the keyboard for the start of ARR.

Controller controls are too confusing for me. Heck, I'm still getting the hang of mouse and keyboard controls as far as efficient healing/DPSing is concerned.

Controller. Only because of my experience in FFXI. Running, turning, panning has always seemed natural - that includes targeting. All cross-over games, from the XBOX and PS3 on the PC like Border Lands 2 etc... work very well using the controller.

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Originally Posted by Kessie

Keyboard and mouse... wanted to try it on the PS3 controller during P4 but I couldn't get the game to download to the PS3 :(

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You can connect a PS3 controller to a PC with the USB cable you use for charging. Just download and install the Scarlet Crush Drivers and you're set.

The PC client even has options to have your button layouts be shown as either the Xbox 360 or PS3 controller buttons.

man for a healer it needs to be keyboard all the way! screw the controllers they offer half the speed for casting. now for damage dealers (melee specifically) I see no reason a controller wouldn't work but casters are a must for the elite.

keyboard plain and simple but then im used to using the F1~ keys to change group targets.that and i dont have a very compatible controller (the PS3 controller on a PC requires a third party driver program to run properly). but i can see controller working just fine with the setup they have.

I find the best controller to try is the Wired 360 Controller as it has native support as it's a Microsoft product. I've had the controller knocked out on a few occasions because of my cats and just plugging it back in it works fine, no need for rebooting the game. 3rd party drivers to use the PS3 controller are finicky and are not supported by MS. Logitech used to have good controllers but I'm not sure if they are any good anymore as I'm using my wired 360 controller and it does all I need it to do.

Keyboard/Mouse.
You can swap targets WAY faster and accurately with it.

I use controller for leveling and doing some easy dungeons.

But anything that needs attention goes to KB/M. The targetting is just far and away better.

Target an enemy without randomly aiming at someone's carbuncle? I got that. Scrolling through enemies? I got that. Scrolling through party list? I got that. Mouseover heal without losing my initial target? I got that. Click someone who's low HP and about to die, instead of having to cycle through a bunch of other people? I got that. Controller's just way too slow.

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Originally Posted by Len

All of those things are possible with the controller if you configure the settings properly and are familiar with using it.

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I used a controller most of Beta. When I set my "target only enemies" filter, it still kept targetting Carbuncles. Mouseover isn't possible. Directly targetting someone instead of cycling isn't possible. Best you could do is a target tank macro, unless you plan on macroing all 24 players in your raid.

But this isn't a KB/M vs gamepad argument. It's what works for you. Gamepad had a lot of shortcomings for me.

Gamepad in my left hand and mouse in my right. Yes a bit strange combination but it's surprisingly comfortable and works rather well.

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Originally Posted by Capita

Target an enemy without randomly aiming at someone's carbuncle? I got that. Scrolling through enemies? I got that. Scrolling through party list? I got that. Mouseover heal without losing my initial target? I got that. Click someone who's low HP and about to die, instead of having to cycle through a bunch of other people? I got that. Controller's just way too slow.

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All of those things are possible with the controller if you configure the settings properly and are familiar with using it.

keyboard/mouse for me.

Controller for me. Macro's come in handy for healers.

KB/M is the only way to play WHM... some end game FC's wont allow players to play WHM if they use controller

So, a bit off topic, can anyone recommend a bluetooth keyboard they've found that works well for PS3?

I want to play cnj on my PS3 but I fear the targeting might make me a bad healer.

controller!

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Originally Posted by Breaubant

So, a bit off topic, can anyone recommend a bluetooth keyboard they've found that works well for PS3?

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I have the Logitech Cordless MediaBoard Pro for PS3. It works great.

As much as I love the controller in this game, I'm not use to it. Thus I use the mouse and keyboard.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...38042314_o.jpg

My heals are on the second bar - the ctrl+# one, so all I do is nudge the ctrl with my pinky knuckle and hit the numbers. For selecting, I use the mouse, tracing the health bar with the arrow.

Keyboard/mouse for me, it feels like second nature to me so changing would be counterproductive at this point.

KB/Mouse only. There should be an option to exclude handicapped controller players from the duty finder imo. Can't really trust a healer using a controller.

Controller all the way.