Playing on PS4- is it really better to get a USB keyboard?

[Llamaskull]

So I just started two days ago, got up to level 10 as an Arcanist and have yet to start doing dungeons. My plan to deal with communication in the dungeons is to set up macros, and probably end up spamming the "I'm new, playing on PS4 and don't have a keyboard" macro.
I've seen it recommended that getting a USB keyboard is a good idea. I have a few questions about that. Firstly, I don't type particularly well to begin with so I wonder if it will be any better. Secondly, do I have to switch the overall control scheme to keyboard or keyboard and mouse to use the keyboard for chat inputs? Thirdly, how much chatting is really going on in dungeons? It seems, from my limited WOW experience, that most people kind of just know what to do and the chat is minimal.

[Taecyeon]

Yea I was also thinking about getting a keyboard. I love this game on the PS4 but chatting is a pain. Even just talking to people in and around the towns are hard. As soon as I get the message typed the person runs off lol.

[Rezoslip]

PS4 USER HERE. CONTROLLER FOR PLAYING. KEYBOARD FOR CHATTING. WORTH EVERY PENNY. WOULD NEVER GO BACK TO CONTROLLER ONLY FOR TALKING

[Elice_Brigadd]

You can use a keyboard for chat without switching to mouse/keyboard control. For me, once I set up the keyboard, any time I start typing on the keyboard it automatically starts typing in the chat window. Very convenient.

[Tule]

1. I would imagine it would still be faster, but I have no idea. Thats something for you to know. How long did it take you to type this thread? Would it have been longer with an on-screen keyboard?

2. No. Typing on a keyboard has nothing to do with the control set up. Just plug it in and start typing.

3. Not much. I hardly use mine outside of FC/LS chat. However, there are moments when players are new to certain dungeon mechanics and it would be best to have a way to communicate with them. Maybe you'll need to explain something to them. Maybe you need to discuss who will handle certain things. I imagine for a lot of these you could have macros to say "Yes, I know" or "I'll handle the doors" or something, but its always better to type out a more personalized and coherent message. I hate when I get a robotic answer from someone, especially if they end up failing their job. Then I wonder if they really knew are were just BSing with a vague confirmation.

[Underlord]

I own a ps4 and have keyboard. I use controller mainly but switch to keyboard when chatting. Its not difficult to use at times. But my fc has people that play on pc, ps3 and ps4. And for the mIdst we use Teamspeak. Its faster then typing and allows for dinner fun and banter with the grind. If using a keyboard I suggest knowing the command to reply, shout and such as it will help greatly.

[Maero]

Yes and PS4 has true keyboard support so you may keybind just like on a PC.
The usb keyboard i have used on PS3 work fine on PS4 as well

[Kittitacho]

the keyboard is completely worth it. If you like to be lazy like I do and lay down while you play I recommend a wireless keyboard

[Naria]

I'd say it is better. In leveling dungeons if you are going to play a DPS you can mostly get away with macros like /p Hello! /p Thanks for the party! /p Understood etc. Chatting does not happen frequently in dungeons but when it does it tends to be important. If you are going to play a healer or a tank a keyboard will save you a lot of headaches at any level. For many other aspects of the game you need a keyboard unless you are going to run exclusively with people using voice chat. Few things piss people off faster at 50 when trying a new dungeon/primal/raid etc as people not responding/participating when trying to figure out strategies. Some of the lvl 50 dungeons like The Lost City of Ampador have to have certain roles assigned to different people for boss fights and the exact method changes some depending on what people are comfortable with.

Unless they are only using voice chat you will need a keyboard to talk to your Free Company and/or linkshells. You will definitely need it if you plan on talking with the general population frequently or if you want to help a new team member in the Duty Finder. After all MMOs are meant to be a social game. I was a pretty slow typist prior to playing MMOs; view it as a fun way to practice! Everyone mistypes/spells sometimes so people are generally understanding about this and most the time you can figure out what they meant anyways.

In order to use a keyboard for the PS4 the only thing you need to do is make sure that direct chat is enabled (its either under character or systems settings I don't remember which). -.-; That way when you use the keyboard it will automatically enter it into the chat bar, otherwise the keyboard defaults to controlling the character. The chat channel defaults to "say" or /s. I tend to switch it by clicking on the little speech bubble next to the chat bar to which ever channel I'm using most frequently at the time.

[Niwashi]

Having a few pre-planned statements in macros helps you say those things you can anticipate without having to type during the run (which for slow typists can be helpful even if they do have a keyboard). But a keyboard gives greater flexibility for being able to respond to questions if you hadn't anticipated them to have a macro set up. I think you'll eventually decide a keyboard is useful, but if you plan ahead enough to have some macros set up, it's not essential that you have it before your first dungeon run.

The most common way of handling keyboard input on PS3/PS4 is with what's called a "Direct Chat" option. That means that whenever you start typing on the keyboard it automatically goes to the chat bar, but the controller is used for everything else (controlling character skills and movement, etc.) That option can also be turned off in Character Settings for players who prefer to use keyboard shortcuts for controlling actions, the way PC players more commonly do.