Healing with Controller Vs. Mouse/Keyboard

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Originally Posted by Calyanare

I've found the opposite to be true for me. I can't target the mob I want (as DPS; haven't tried tanking yet) using the controller to save my life,

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I had the same problem UNTIL I found the custom targeting filters that aren't enabled by default. If I hit left shoulder button + B the targeting filter changes to "Enemies" (it's written on the screen) and now the left right targeting will only select things to kill. I also use it in FATE on my healer to cycle only through players so I can toss some heals out of my group, Left shoulder + X. It's awkward at first but its sooo useful once you get the handle on it.

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Originally Posted by Sanadaiyeve

I don't use the mouse at all and am all keyboard. I have my action keys on alphabet my party keys on the number keys above the alphabetical ones and my movement, camera, and menu keys are the right number pad. Its no issue moving out of an aoe and using actions this way, for me. I think this is why I don't use a mouse. Switching over to use a mouse is mentally choppy for me just as you feel navigating movement and action with one keyboard hand. I feel ya!

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My brain just exploded....

Healed AK last night with Keyboard. I will say that the ease of placing my fairy and AoE fields was crazy nice BUT in the end I found myself watching where my mouse cursor was for my MO macros instead of enjoying the fight and the movement was just crazy hard for me to get used to. I will be using controller for most everything I think. However, the potential to be faster in 8man situations is simply really strong with mouse/keyboard. So I am unfortunately still undecided which I want to keep using. ><

Also, with the Dpad you can scroll over a target and force an Embrace on them without actually targeting them and dropping target on the mob. Because there are no pet macros yet this isn't doable with keyboard/mouse? At least I couldn't figure it out. Plus the controller just lets me sit back and relax so much more cause I don't gota be up at the keyboard and stuffs. I hate being a libra and not being able to make decisions for the life of me.

I keep my cursor by the name plates and use autorun (middle mouse button/wheel) a lot. I also use manual run (L/R mouse buttons) to move out of the way of AOE. It takes some practice getting used to moving your cursor just outside the nameplates to move and then quickly getting to your heal target again, but I do it rather well. I could not imagine targeting and moving and casting with only a keyboard. I could see it somewhat with a controller, but considering all of my keybinds (a,s,d,f,q,w,e,r,t,y,c,v and SHIFT + all of those) for spells, I cannot imagine how one would be as responsive with (my perceived) controller limitations.

My system worked best with WOW and a druid because I could just stay on autorun casting instant spells to keep moving. Unfortunately, with this game, casting an instant spell on anyone other than you stops autorun--something I think needs to be fixed. Either way, I love the way I do it, and the compliments I get as a healer.

Play PS3:

I have never felt like I coudln't do it. That said, my first romp in 2.0 was to level ac/sch (healed all dungeons up through praet on my first runs) so I got practice from the get go.

Realy the GCD is your friend. You have plenty of time to select your next target during the GCD.

Field/fairy placement: its awkward turtle at first, I wont lie. But, I've gotten used to it and rather like it now. I find I can easily pre-aim one or two casts before I want to use one of these abilities and get them off. Even on summoner I've got to the point that placing flare doens't slow down my rotation. It is a bit odd at first, and maybe even clunkier than ti should be, but I can't really think of another option that wouldn't butcher the interface.

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Originally Posted by Jarlax

I use a Razor Orbweaver and a Razor Naga. I effectively use 36 hotkeys and move without ever moving my hands just fingers.

A controller can't compare

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Uh, controllers can switch between two sets of 16 slots (32 slots total) with a press of a bumper (or cycle through all 8 sets for 128 slots.) So yeah, they can.

I play using a ps3 controller because of my lifestyle (sometimes able to play on comp, sometimes need to play on ps3). I would have a huge headache trying to switch back n' forth between the X bars and the normal horizontal bars

With that said, if I had the choice, my favorite setup in any and all MMOs is a mouse + gamepad (g13). It was hard to switch back (I wish my ps3 could do this combo!). For those trying to switch to keyboard, but find it awkward, I highly recommend giving this a try. It's great for one-controller users because you still move using a thumb stick. When I play mmos I only use the keyboard for talking, the rest is all macroed to the mouse or gamepad.

Don't get me wrong, however. To each their own, and I think while it definitely takes more focus to heal with a controller, it's still definitely duoable, and people have to stop putting blame on others for no reason. Just figured I'd mention it because of some saying they tried to do it with a kb and hated it.

I can't seem to find a happy medium for myself. I love the controller, but it is slower to target. I have tried going back to keyboard many times. Tried <mo>, tried <me>-<8> on keyboard, tried F1-F8 targeting. I basically have to choose between targeting faster, or being able to move out of AE stuff. And well, I'm sure anyone I group with would rather I be just a little teeny bit slower at targeting that being dead all the time.

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Originally Posted by Ceol

Uh, controllers can switch between two sets of 16 slots (32 slots total) with a press of a bumper (or cycle through all 8 sets for 128 slots.) So yeah, they can.

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Yeah, it's no where near as good. Takes too long to switch sets. If you press the modifiers too quickly after you switch sets, it remains on the previous set until you leave go of the modifier and using the combination buttons to change sets is just too slow.

Main problem with healing is the massive increase is target time though.

While you can heal with a controller, it's just not as good as a M&K.

I'm not WHM 50 but I'm playing on the PS3, I never had trouble to target either PT member or Mob w/o any lost of time. It's quite easy to target what you want with the filter and the engaged/disengaged.