Game pad vs Keyboard

[ispano]

Keyboard mouse is really the worse setup, technically. If we remove player skill from the equation it would go like this:

Full Keyboard
Controller
Keyboard+Mouse

Imo full keyboard is clearly the absolute best because everything is in one place. Additionally, it has greater potential for customization because there are a LOT more keys to bind. Everyone knows how effortless it is to type with a keyboard; playing a game with a keyboard is basically the same thing. It does take a lot of getting used to..like remembering what is binded where and getting used to "typing" in that language. But once you do there is nothing more efficient.

Controller is basically like keyboard with less buttons to bind. But really that is only a very small knock against it. You could argue its equal to keyboard, but I still give the edge to keyboard because of its full functionality and greater customization. As has been said, you can't type with most controllers..although some controllers do have a keyboard. Whether a controller is better than a full keyboard will depend largely on the game's control scheme and how keyboard bind friendly it is.

The worst option is a keyboard+mouse. It cuts the keyboard essentially in half, giving you few keys to bind, and leaving a lot of skills out of reach. Clicking skills takes too long, clicking to target is not reliable. Most casual gamers will obviously be more comfortable with the "point and click" setup, but as at technical instrument it is definitely inferior. I don't really see how we can argue its not.

Naturally player skill makes up for all these things, but there's no way a keyboard/mouse is technically more efficient.

If you're clicking abilities with a KB/Mouse setup, most will say you're doing it wrong. I won't since that's player choice. However when you use a KB/Mouse, the mouse is for movement and targeting, not clicking skills, if you want to use it to it's full potential that is. Thumb buttons on the mouse make it even better, ie things like the Naga (I despise Razer products, but it does what it advertises) This gets debated time and time again, and people bring preference into the picture. Comparing one input method to another without the human variable, KB/Mouse will outshine a gamepad in a game of this design unless severely handicapped on purpose.

[Firon]

If you're clicking abilities with a KB/Mouse setup, most will say you're doing it wrong. I won't since that's player choice. However when you use a KB/Mouse, the mouse is for movement and targeting, not clicking skills, if you want to use it to it's full potential that is. Thumb buttons on the mouse make it even better, ie things like the Naga (I despise Razer products, but it does what it advertises) This gets debated time and time again, and people bring preference into the picture. Comparing one input method to another without the human variable, KB/Mouse will outshine a gamepad in a game of this design unless severely handicapped on purpose.

You sound like the pro fighting game players that say you can't win with using a controller cause it limits you, then they proceed to loose to several controller users >.>.

[ispano]

You sound like the pro fighting game players that say you can't win with using a controller cause it limits you, then they proceed to loose to several controller users >.>.

oi... you mean the ones that bring the human variable into the discussion? Which i'm specifically saying not to and compare the two on their own merits? The same variable most people here are leaving in the equation? No, i'm not one of the "KB/Mouse Master Race types" I look at what the inputs are capable of and compare based on that.

[Lux_Rayna]

If you're clicking abilities with a KB/Mouse setup, most will say you're doing it wrong. I won't since that's player choice. However when you use a KB/Mouse, the mouse is for movement and targeting, not clicking skills, if you want to use it to it's full potential that is. Thumb buttons on the mouse make it even better, ie things like the Naga (I despise Razer products, but it does what it advertises) This gets debated time and time again, and people bring preference into the picture. Comparing one input method to another without the human variable, KB/Mouse will outshine a gamepad in a game of this design unless severely handicapped on purpose.

No it wont. I've already explained to you that a keyboard and mouse gives you much less to work with. Basically you cut out over half of your keyboard. So thats half of your keys that are now useless and cant be binded. On top of that, you trade all of those keys for a mouse that possesses the function of two keys at most (camera movement and targetting). You cannot say that is better...you took away more than you gained.

[ispano]

You gained better targeting precision and speed, and many mice have SEVERAL buttons outside of right and left click. Mine only has 4-7 depending on how I set it up, Naga has more but I don't like Razer products. Unless I need 30, 40, or even more hotkeys, i'm set. In fact with my mouse I typically have 6 functions using buttons on it alone, another 6+ using Modifier keys.

So, yes, I CAN say it's better. Not to mention my comparison is against a gamepad. Not a standalone keyboard. Keyboard keys are all on/off, there's no.... precision to movement and such with a keyboard. Even a Gamepad is better for movement than a keyboard alone.

[Gokulo]

I play 1.0 with a PS3 pad but I can't actually wait to switch to kb+mouse when 2.0 hits.

[Lux_Rayna]

You gained better targeting precision and speed, and many mice have SEVERAL buttons outside of right and left click. Mine only has 4-7 depending on how I set it up, Naga has more but I don't like Razer products. Unless I need 30, 40, or even more hotkeys, i'm set. In fact with my mouse I typically have 6 functions using buttons on it alone, another 6+ using Modifier keys.

So, yes, I CAN say it's better. Not to mention my comparison is against a gamepad. Not a standalone keyboard. Keyboard keys are all on/off, there's no.... precision to movement and such with a keyboard. Even a Gamepad is better for movement than a keyboard alone.

No. You. Cant lol.

First of all precision with a mouse is entirely dependent on the user. I thought we were leaving player skill out of the discussion.

Secondly an MMO does not require aiming..only on/off targetting. Hitting a button is faster and does not miss. Ever. Moving and clicking is clearly inferior to hitting a button. Mouse is only good where aiming is required...like an fps.

Thirdly, regardless of how many buttons your mouse has, if you are using it to point and click it is inferior.

Finally, a gamepad is superior to a mouse for the same reasons. Buttons are faster than point and click. They never miss. They can do everything a mouse can +more.

[Tonkra]

They never miss. They can do everything a mouse can +more.

well at least targeting with a controller has its disadvantages.

with mouse+keyboard you can aim via TAB (we know how bad this works sometimes, when you have more than 10 friendly/foe targets) or via mouseclick. and mouseclick is in some situations just better. its more direct.
like in egoshooters, where keyboard + mouse is far more superior than any controller.. you cant say anything else.


i play FF14 for most of the time with keyboard only and mouse just for changing the angle sometimes.
Tab the target (or click it), chose your skillnumber on the keyboard and just confirm with pressing [enter]. some people seem not to know, that enter works as confirmation of the skill action ;XD



and i dont like the idea to play with controller and then when you have to write into the chat, that you have to lay aside the controller each time.

[Fensfield]

and i dont like the idea to play with controller and then when you have to write into the chat, that you have to lay aside the controller each time.

Just to chip in on this bit of the argument, there is one thing seems like it's being overlooked..

You don't have to set aside your controller to type - at least I don't have to. In fact, if you play with a controller, I at least find it has the advantage of keeping me able to play while I use the keyboard to type. Perhaps I'm a little more adept at one-handed typing than most, but the way I see it, as it is now I have two choices:

1: Use controller.
Able to type with one hand and manipulate one side of the controller with the other. In other words, I can still move around while I type. I'd even be able to continue to issue commands with a little finger gymnastics, were it not that typing messages locks out doing so. And as a very minor side benefit, I don't have to hit space to type because it lets me put the game in chat specific keyboard mode.

2: Use the keyboard and/or mouse.
From my perspective, this option poses the greater disadvantage. Without the controller, if I press space to begin typing then I lose the ability to play completely until the message is sent, because the game stops taking commands from the keyboard because it's being used to send a message, whereas with a gamepad I'd still have some semblance of control.

Just last night I was kiting the magitech Vanguard at the end of Castrum Novum. Were it not for the gamepad I'd have had to stop running to type, and my keeping up communication with the rest of my party would have gotten me and maybe several others flattened.

[KumaAkuma]

As a left handed player I use a mouse in my left hand and the numpad + arrow keys with my right hand. I switch actionbars with the up and down arrow. It's a very easy way to play the game, but the set back is that I don't really use any macros except for gear swaps.