Playing an MMO with a controller

[valho]

Started ARR with controller, can't play it without controller now

[NinjaTaru72]

Used controller for all games I could. Lol. I'm just so much faster, more accurate. And more responsive with a controller. I tried with keyboard and it's just difficult for me.

[Miste]

I played FFXI with a controller so when FFXIV 1.0 came out I kinda carried that over and made use of their similar macro system to do the same kind of play style.

After 2.0 the new cross hotbar system came and it took a bit of getting used to since it was slightly different from FFXI type macros, but once I did I find it great. I've played WoW and I used KB/M strictly for that (not sure if you can even use controller on WoW), I did PvE and a lot of PVP and it was fine, but I find the controller is way easier on my hands and wrists than KB/M.

It just seems more relaxing and comfortable to use controller, if I stay up late I can lie down or lean back and if I have to type I can just prop up for a second. If you can get used to using a controller effectively in this game you might get to like it ^^

[Yamimarik]

It's all about personal preference and what you're used to. As someone who's been a console gamer for 20+ years I picked up the controller and it made sense right away. But make me use K/M and I can't even walk around town properly.

This is basically my exact sentiment on the subject, I've played video games for about the same number of years, and being solely used to a controller only, it's hard to break out of that mold. It's just more fluid and easier for me to pick up a controller, then trying to learn how to KB/M properly on some games @.@

[Gunspec]

I switch to controller for certain types of activity, such as long stretches of gathering or when I make certain jumps for the exploration journal. But generally I have trouble with precise targeting using a controller. The auto-switch target function is pretty scatterbrained in this game (targeting a passive enemy out of range when there are two enemies smacking me in the face) and ground targeting attacks and pet movement just aren't quick enough for me.

Not to mention I love having tons of shortcuts and rows of toolbars so I can do a dozen different things without opening a menu. One toolbar for instant job changes, one toolbar for professions, one toolbar for mounts/pet/potions/companion skills, etc. I think the controller crossbar barely has enough room for combat skills.

[raela]

Not to mention I love having tons of shortcuts and rows of toolbars so I can do a dozen different things without opening a menu. One toolbar for instant job changes, one toolbar for professions, one toolbar for mounts/pet/potions/companion skills, etc. I think the controller crossbar barely has enough room for combat skills.

I have shared crossbars for job changes, mounts, misc skills, etc. Only #2-4 are unique per class (as it's only really convenient for me to use one + expanded in combat, then have a switching macro on scholar to use a third). You can easily swap out crossbars with R1+button.. DoL/DoH is R1+down for me, DoW/DoM is R1+left, and my standard out of combat stuff is R1+triangle. I just built muscle memory to easily swap to what I want without thinking much about it.

[Niqote]

I played FFXI for years with a controller, I used that same controller for FFXIV 1.0.

Now with 2.0 Controller use is faster, the UI is easier and it means I can lean back all nice and comfy while tearing apart the mob of choice ^^

The only thing was I needed to get used to the Xbox style controller since 2.0 didn't support my trusty old logitech. But I'm ok with that.

[Zfz]

Its personal preference. But I think you have way better movement control with analogue stick and buttons much easier to press then keyboard buttons.

You can move while pressing down on mouse L+R as well, which I often use. I could also select targets using the mouse while moving with my keyboard. I think essentially controller mode is very precisely optimized for the game, while keyboard-mouse mode is the usual versatility mode that can end up better or worse than the controller entirely depending on individual preferences.

Personally I find the camera control on the controller quite imprecise.

I played one on KB/mouse for awhile and could only make use of 1-6.. Cramped my hand and skills on the move were too hard. Controller is much more freeing for me.

The keyboard-mouse mode need a lot of keybinds customization. For example, my left hand covers 48 key-binds without having to move its position even 1 inch.

In the end it's all just personal preferences.

[AskaRay]

I started ARR with my keyboard/mouse... but on a laptop it's just not good, even when I plugged in my USB mouse. I ordered an adapter for my XBOX controller like as soon as I knew I was going to be playing this game a lot.

It took getting used to but now that I have my controller it's so much easier for me; I just can't do keyboard/mouse only. (I do have a few shortcuts onscreen that are accessible by mouse but nothing intense like fighting and..moving...)

[Kotemon]

I tried to use a controller for a while with FFXI on PC. About the only thing I really liked was being able to move and look in first person and have total control over the direction I was looking in.

I currently play with the PS4 controller for FFXIV. However most of the macro and dps rotations I see are all Kb and mouse with various hotbar setups. A lot of it is point and click especially with mob swapping on paladin to build hate in a group. I would really appreciate it if someone did a guide on how to set up and streamline the crossbar and controller settings so people who are trying to learn the setup or melee with out a kb and mouse can move and cycle through rotations closer to what folks seem to do with kb and mouse. Especially since we can't have as much on one row as with a hot bar. Or multiple bars that are visible making it a point and click cycle around rotations.