What Controller do you use?

For those that do use a controller (I don't have the skill to use mouse-keyboard).

DualSense gave me rough hand cramps back when EW released. I tried it again now with DT and got the same results, so I've been jumping around a few different ones lately. Perhaps this might be better to ask on Reddit, but I've been curious what other folks have been using.

I've also tried XBox, DS4, Switch Pro, and 8BitDo's Ultimate. The Switch Pro's been the best overall while the DS4 has worse face buttons but better triggers for me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Azurarok

(I don't have the skill to use mouse-keyboard).

---

Its funny you say that, cause I think the exact same towards controller users. lol!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Azurarok

For those that do use a controller (I don't have the skill to use mouse-keyboard).

---

I always find it interesting how people can do better with a controller. I tried it and couldn't do it at all for this game. I've been playing MMOs for too long on PC I suppose.

I still use a controller for other games though. I have a Gulikit King Kong Pro. Works pretty well, I also like it has hall effect sticks.

Back on PS4 I used a Razer Raiju because of the toggle paddles on the back - the weight was pretty full on initially but I got used to it pretty quickly for the ease of the paddles. The interchangeable stick height was also really handy if you needed a wider or closer grip depending on your hands.

I'm on PS5 now and use the DualSense Edge, again for the paddles mostly as they're significantly kinder to use with arthritis for me and work great with the WXHB toggling. Weight isn't too bad, don't have cramping issues myself with it, but that'll be dependent on hand-size for people -- just having a more relaxed grip thanks to the paddles helped a lot. The DualSense triggers are... awful for an MMO. You can at least on the Edge hard-lock the pressure of them so you don't have to squeeze so deeply in if you didn't like the paddles.

I started using the Gamesir TK 4 Kaleid. It has Hall effect joysticks/triggers which I heard is good. What I like particularly about this controller is that it is lightweight, making it easy to hold for extended periods of time, and has mechanical switches for the buttons so they are very responsive. It uses a XBOX360 layout, which I had to adjust to coming from Sony controllers but it seems to work just fine (had to make a few keybind changes). I also ended up using the buttons on the back as replacement for the bumpers.

From worst to best, I've used...

PS3 - Buttons are mushy, analogues are gross, triggers may accidentally activate if you have it on your lap.
XBOX Series - Wish I could say I liked these, but out of three purchased, I had two die on me in less than a year. I won't ever be wasting money on these.
PS4 - Not terrible, but not that remarkable either. It's fine.
Switch Pro - The controller feels wonderful, and the digital triggers are honestly way better than analogue ones. Two issues: First, the D-Pad is borderline unusable, and it's the only controller with which I've accidentally used a different skill when trying to press something on the D-Pad. The second issue is that the controller pretty much requires SteamInput to work on PC. If you can tolerate the D-Pad and you've had bad experiences with the DualSense, this is probably the best modern option.
XBOX ONE - They just don't make them like they used to. My XONE controller lasted for some 5+ years before it started drifting.
DualSense - Easily the most comfortable controller I've ever used, and the HD rumble is really nice... too bad the fking thing is already showing signs of drifting. I love the controller, but it seems it wants to die on me. Maybe I'm just unlucky. Getting a SteelSeries Stratus+ next time.

Takeaway: If DualSense bad for you, stick to SwitchPro. It's a really well made controller.

Standard PS5 controller works like a charm.

I switched to controller last year because of carpal tunnel after playing with keyboard and mouse for years. I got a third party controller at first called 8BitDo Pro 2 Wired resembling a PlayStation controller (since they're most comfortable to me) but the LB/RB buttons (L1, R1) became mushy after just a year of use so I returned the products since it was still under warranty.

I bought myself a DualShock4 and works like a charm. Both fit my hands great because I have smol hands.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lolnotacat

I always find it interesting how people can do better with a controller. I tried it and couldn't do it at all for this game. I've been playing MMOs for too long on PC I suppose.

I still use a controller for other games though. I have a Gulikit King Kong Pro. Works pretty well, I also like it has hall effect sticks.

---

For me it's just how my brain is wired. I used to play games with M&KB but went to college and started to only have time for stuff on handheld consoles. When I graduated I just stuck to home consoles until the past few years. When I tried using M&KB after so long of not using it, I just lost the ability to do it. Which is weird because I can use a keyboard fine for typing, but my brain just doesn't want to accept M&KB movement in any game now.

As for the OP, I use the DualSense but I have pretty small hands so I have difficulty with Xbox controllers.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NoOneofConsequence

Its funny you say that, cause I think the exact same towards controller users. lol!

---

A friend who uses Mouse-Keyboard gave me that response too. I told them I can't imagine doing precision movement with it and they told me they can't see how I do it with an analog stick. It's neat how the game works as well as it does for both control schemes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by faiarrow

Back on PS4 I used a Razer Raiju because of the toggle paddles on the back - the weight was pretty full on initially but I got used to it pretty quickly for the ease of the paddles. The interchangeable stick height was also really handy if you needed a wider or closer grip depending on your hands.

I'm on PS5 now and use the DualSense Edge, again for the paddles mostly as they're significantly kinder to use with arthritis for me and work great with the WXHB toggling. Weight isn't too bad, don't have cramping issues myself with it, but that'll be dependent on hand-size for people -- just having a more relaxed grip thanks to the paddles helped a lot. The DualSense triggers are... awful for an MMO. You can at least on the Edge hard-lock the pressure of them so you don't have to squeeze so deeply in if you didn't like the paddles.

---

The 8BitDo has back paddles so I'll try and see if I could make use of those. Do you just map L2R2 to them? I've been interested in trying an Edge, but they're just so pricey.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DiaDeem

Switch Pro - The controller feels wonderful, and the digital triggers are honestly way better than analogue ones. Two issues: First, the D-Pad is borderline unusable, and it's the only controller with which I've accidentally used a different skill when trying to press something on the D-Pad. The second issue is that the controller pretty much requires SteamInput to work on PC. If you can tolerate the D-Pad and you've had bad experiences with the DualSense, this is probably the best modern option.

---

The D-pad's definitely a weak point with these yeah. The tape trick can work wonders with that.
Steam's caused me issues with it a few times (button layout goes haywire and some buttons get stuck) and having to keep the window in focus to use it's a bit annoying too. I've ordered an adapter recently so I don't have to go through Steam.

My hands are big, so the Xbox 360s old design, and the current design for the Xbox one and series s/x controllers are what I use due to it making my hands free of cramps after a long session. Never really had problems with them so far. Ps5 controller is fine, but my hands start feeling cramped after a short couple hours, so I only use it seldomly and when Im pretty much wanting to couch play for a short time

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Azurarok

The 8BitDo has back paddles so I'll try and see if I could make use of those. Do you just map L2R2 to them? I've been interested in trying an Edge, but they're just so pricey.

---

Yeah Edge is an ouch price point, but the investment has genuinely saved my left hand since I was in so much pain playing on the standard DualSense after a year with the adaptive triggers.

I've got my paddles set to L2/R2, double toggling them for WXHB is cruisy and has no issues, good response time. Definitely give it a shot if you've got an option to do so on the 8BitDo! It changes the entire way you grip the controller so I found it didn't cause my hands to lock up horribly or make my left index stop flexing because of inflammation. YMMV but hey, if it can help worth a shot!

Dualsense Edge though and is great for the game though sadly ffxiv doesn't support it properly with its extra buttons and also everytime the controller disconnects or is plugged in again you have to alter the ffxiv.cfg file to remap buttons but I find it the most comfortable for me to use.

Im maybe used to it but I find the dualsense perfectly fine ?

I did the whole m1s-m4s prog on it and didn’t had any issue

I use an Xbox controller.

Switch Pro with either Steam Input or 8bitdo Universal Wireless Adapter v2 in xinput mode

Use to use my 8bitdo SF30 Pro+ but the Switch Pro is more comfortable and reliable than anything else I've tried (DS3, DS4, etc)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lolnotacat

I always find it interesting how people can do better with a controller. I tried it and couldn't do it at all for this game. I've been playing MMOs for too long on PC I suppose.

I still use a controller for other games though. I have a Gulikit King Kong Pro. Works pretty well, I also like it has hall effect sticks.

---

As a former WoW and SWTOR player, first time I tried FFXIV during ARR (and never stopped lol) it kinda felt....¿¿Wrong?? playing the game with KB-Mouse and I instantly plugged in my controller. Omg It felt like finding Gold. And when I learned about double presses of R2/L2 and that I could open instantly more bars with alternate presses of L2-R2/R2-L2 it was mindblowing. I really can't come back to WoW or Swtor because now I cannot play with KB-Mouse xD, the damn game spoiled me hard.

I started playing with an Xbox360 controller, then over the time i swapped to the DualShock 4 and now the glorious Dual Sense. Thinking on swapping to a Switch Pro controller but it lacks the touchpad and in don't like that the triggers are just buttons (its confier but my muscle memory cannot handle it xD)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lolnotacat

I always find it interesting how people can do better with a controller. I tried it and couldn't do it at all for this game. I've been playing MMOs for too long on PC I suppose.

I still use a controller for other games though. I have a Gulikit King Kong Pro. Works pretty well, I also like it has hall effect sticks.

---

For various reasong i add to swtich from PC to Console at the beginning pf the year.... I always played MMO on PC with KB+M since 1999.
At first i was very skeptical about controler fotFFXIV, so i hesitated a bit before trying...

7 month later.... i don't want to come back on KB+M for FFXIV ^^

As for my Controler, I use the PS5 default one, the one that came with my console.

I use a duelsence on both ps5 and pc, for me the shape of the controller and it's weight suit me to the ground, if it is charging I tend to use my switch Pro controller.

I've been using the low-end (~$60) Xbox series X/S for about 4 years now, and it still looks and acts like new

My only complaint is that the buttons aren't silent

I use PS5 controller and Xbox One controller.

I mainly play on PS5 so the Xbox is just if I happen to be on PC. But I prefer the PS5 cuz for whatever reason FFXIV controls give me some bad hand cramps with the Xbox controller.

I can play any other PC game for hours with it but FFXIV maybe 1-2 hours before my hands cramp.

KB+M used to be my bread and butter for all games but my poor setup means my back and neck hurts so controller is just easier especially as I get older.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Azurarok

For those that do use a controller (I don't have the skill to use mouse-keyboard).

DualSense gave me rough hand cramps back when EW released. I tried it again now with DT and got the same results, so I've been jumping around a few different ones lately. Perhaps this might be better to ask on Reddit, but I've been curious what other folks have been using.

I've also tried XBox, DS4, Switch Pro, and 8BitDo's Ultimate. The Switch Pro's been the best overall while the DS4 has worse face buttons but better triggers for me.

---

If you have some money to spare and are on a PC, the Scuff Envision/Pro is a very solid controller with good sticks, mechanical buttons, and a trigger-lock to reduce the amount of pressure you need to put on R2 and L2. It has the same stick positioning as a Dualshock controller. My next one will probably be a FlyDigi Vader 3 Pro or Apex 4 though. I'd like hall effect sticks.

DS4 via bluetooth. I have a 5.0 bluetooth dongle with low latency. Works like a charm.

Xbox Series X.

Though annoyingly enough, the xbox one first wave had clicking noise and double clicking issues. Second wave solved the noise issue... Series X returned the noise issue...

None fixed the double clicking issue, too often when i press B in a menu it will go two steps back >.<.

i use a logitect controller with keyboard and mouse on my computer it works well for me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Azurarok

DualSense gave me rough hand cramps back when EW released. I tried it again now with DT and got the same results, so I've been jumping around a few different ones lately. .

---

I'm a PS5 user who still uses the DualSense, and gosh this controller really is a downgrade from the PS4's in that regard; something about the new shoulder buttons (which you're almost constantly holding down while playing FF14) is just awful for my hands. I'll definitely be watching this thread to find out if there are better options that function with the PS5.

As an aside, it's frustrating nonsense that the PS4 controller doesn't work with the PS5 version of games (including FF14).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DracotheDragon

I use a duelsence on both ps5 and pc, for me the shape of the controller and it's weight suit me to the ground, if it is charging I tend to use my switch Pro controller.

---

Does your Switch Pro Controller work with the PS5? Do you need any sort of extra devices to make it work? I'm looking for non-DualSense options for my PS5.

I'm using an 8bitdo ultimate wired and it's a really good controller but it hurts me to use it. My hands are very small and my joints are hypermobile so it gets very uncomfortable. I prefer the x-box style stick positions but so many permutations I see place the buttons so far into the centre of the controller with huge outward protruding shapes that really make them so bulky and awkward to reach across comfortably. I'm always on the lookout for a viable alternative but I've never found anything that really looks suitable. The comfiest controller I have ever used is actually the plastic joy-con holder that came with my switch. I have issues with the joycon d-pad and the sticks feel awful to use too, but that layout and sizing was so so comfortable and I'm really annoyed the switch pro doesn't have the same layout.

Started out playing FFXIV on PS4. Took a break mid-Shadowbringers and came back just before Endwalker, and decided to make the switch over to PC at the same time.
Unfortunately, after playing on a PS4 controller for years I now have something of a mental block with mouse and keyboard with this game. I used mouse and keyboard for WoW, for SWTOR and pretty much all of my PC games... But with FFXIV? Can't be done. So I've just stuck with the PS4 Dualshock controller and it's done me well... Right up until ability bloat on classes has me drawing up mental pros and cons lists of what *really* needs to be on my hotbars. But we make do. /shrug

I use a wireless Xbox One controller that's still going strong after maybe 7 years now. With a controller I can sit comfortably and not strain my back, neck or wrists over a keyboard.

I use the DualSense.

I can see it being a problem and causing those sorts of issues, especially if you have smaller hands. The DualSense is significantly larger than any of the previous DualShock controllers.

Standard PS5 controller. I cant do keyboard and mouse. The muscle memory on controller to not having to look at a hotbar is god tier.

I play on PS5 and use the standard dualsense controller to play and a keyboard for chat only. It's comfortable for me. Good luck in your search.

I bought a Snakebyte FFXIV Controller years ago because it was close to an actual PS controller and forgot about it. Only when I actually started to play FFXIV I started to use it. I did try with mouse and keyboard but I found it easier to move and fight with a controller. Is till have it.
Then I used a GXT controller.
Now I use a Logitech G F310.

Tried the rear buttons on the 8BitDo Ultimate. I can probably pull it off if there's another pair for L1/R1 so I'm going to give a Vader 3 Pro a shot since it has that and adjustable triggers. I do think Switch Pro's short digital triggers do make quite a difference compared to an Xbox/8BitDo/PS4's analog ones, especially with this game.

I may give my DualSense a hair trigger mod at some point depending on how the Vader feels but I'm also thinking my reaching for the left stick with my right thumb to move while using the d-pad might've also contributed to my problems, so I might need to stick with the staggered layouts.

I just link up my Dualshock 5 via Bluetooth.

I started playing FF XIV first on PS4 with Dualshock 4. When I switched to playing on Laptop I stuck to Dualshock 4, connected via USB to my Laptop. I'm totally not used to playing on keyboard, so continuing using the controller was a no-brainer for me. Also playing this game on keyboard and mouse is putting some severe muscle pain on my arms, shoulders and fingers after a while.

Never ran into technical issues with the controller so far.