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

[Puffitt]

To the OP,

Keyboard is well worth a purchase just for chatting and navigation. The PS4 should recognise any USB keyboard and mouse. I use a Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse setup and it works great.

At the end of the day the investment wont just be for your PS4 or this game, you can use it on your smart TV, PC, PS4 web browsing etc. so will be worth the purchase.

[LordPhantomhive]

To the OP,

Keyboard is well worth a purchase just for chatting and navigation. The PS4 should recognise any USB keyboard and mouse. I use a Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse setup and it works great.

At the end of the day the investment wont just be for your PS4 or this game, you can use it on your smart TV, PC, PS4 web browsing etc. so will be worth the purchase.

I also use the wireless Logitech, used it on xbox 360 for FFXI and for ps3 on 14 and it works great. It costs a little more but I've tried cheaper brands and they were terrible.

[Rev1170]

I use a cheap wireless keyboard to talk since you really do need it, but play on my controller. I have it set up perfectly and have played so many MMOs it feels great not being over the keyboard all day.

[Kittitacho]

I setup an entire hotbar with nothing but emotes for when I want to be lazy, that's something else you can do as well as the macros until you can get a keyboard. it's simplistic but at least you'll be able to communicate.

[Llamaskull]

Thanks, all!
You have convinced me - the keyboard is in.
I have a USB keyboard set up with my pc (my wife is probably not going to be thrilled if I steal it for extended periods so I'm probably gonna have to get a second one). I'll be trying it out tonight.
Also, I'm on Lamia if anyone wants to kick around, though I'm still pretty low- level so I won't be terribly useful for a but....

[Kittitacho]

If I was on your server I'd definitely help you out. Hope the wife doesn't get too angry XD

[Llamaskull]

If I was on your server I'd definitely help you out. Hope the wife doesn't get too angry XD

Nah, I think she'll be fine, if I only use the keyboard for a day or two and then get my own. What I WILL have trouble with is convincing her to make a character and try it out herself- she IS interested, but intimidated by the interface.

[Naria]

Sadly I'm on Sargatanas, but I hope you have a good time in the game! A new keyboard shouldn't be expensive, I'm using one that around 20$.