Playing an MMO with a controller

[File2ish]

Currently I primarily play on the PS3 (occasionally play on PS4 and PC, but PS4 is used by family and my laptop isn't quite up to snuff to do anything other than crafting and SCH healing Sastasha-Copperbell).

I came from FFXI and played with a PS2 controller on PC with a D-Input adapter and later a PS3 controller with the motioninjoy driver iirc (with Better DS3 when it came out of course, did not want that other one since it HAD to be online), played a bit of XIV 1.0 like that as well (at the 6-10FPS my laptop could push out at lowest settings). I came to the game with the full intention of playing with a controller.

Then the Cross Hotbar was introduced to 2.0 and is actually very good; much better than selecting a spell/ability/weapon skill through a menu or even through the macro shortcut bar thing like it was in XI and XIV 1.0.

I haven't had much experience playing with a mouse/KB layout on PC yet, laptop keyboard isn't ideal for it nor is the cheap USB keyboard I use to type on my PS3 and PS4. As soon as I get enough spare cash I'm gonna build a new rig finally, and eventually get a good clicky mechanical gaming keyboard to go with it :P

I'll definitely try mouse/keyboard again for XIV, but the controllers for this game is not nearly as bad as some people might think. It's not a perfect control setup, but neither is mouse/kb haha. All personal preference as I'm sure many people stated in this thread.

[seekified]

I play on PC using an Xbox One controller (previously an X360 wireless) by choice. When I started closed beta it was because "it's Final Fantasy, it should be played with a controller" but around 2.2 I put a lot of thought into it and couldn't find anything except for waymarking that I would do better with a keyboard. Movement is also far more fluid with a thumbstick, which is a huge deal for me as a DRG since it makes stuff like Elusive Jump and flank positioning a tiny bit quicker and more precise.

So yeah, I play with a controller and I'm not the least bit hampered by it as a player.

[Cynthis]

Carpal tunnel syndrome. I don't get it with controller and health is more infinitely more important than 100% max performance in a game even if mouse/keyboard was clearly better which I seriously doubt it is. I did try it in the alpha before the controller support was added. My movement was horribly choppy but I am sure I could have got better at that. The pain in my back and arm would never make it worth it though.

[Eye_Gore]

Watching some videos of it and omg. That seems looks incredibly tedious. I dont think i would ever give up a keyboard and mouse for a controller for an MMO.

Hmm I guess I would say the exact opposite. Playing on a PS4 I find it very easy to play with a controller. I have a simulation game on my PC that is all pretty much point and click and for the most part it doesn't feel like I'm playing a game, its like a frantic web search. It just comes down to preference.

[Moqi]

The only games I play on PC are graphic adventures and simulators (Roller Coaster Tycoon, The Sims) because they only require a mouse. I can type without looking at the keyboard but when I'm playing I'm always pressing the wrong buttons. Controller is just so much easier and comfortable.

[KarstenS]

I don't get it with controller and health is more infinitely more important than 100% max performance in a game even if mouse/keyboard was clearly better which I seriously doubt it is

Shiva Ex 4 man. And as you can see, the guy is using gamepad.

[Kagalli]

I have XIV on PS4, but i don't know, everything seems a lot slower for me when playing on it, not gameplay wise, but stuff like accessing my inventory, or crafting tab, etc, etc. Maybe i'm just not used to it but i find playing on a PC a lot easier.

[seekified]

I have XIV on PS4, but i don't know, everything seems a lot slower for me when playing on it, not gameplay wise, but stuff like accessing my inventory, or crafting tab, etc, etc. Maybe i'm just not used to it but i find playing on a PC a lot easier.

Select is your friend for UI stuff.

[raela]

I have XIV on PS4, but i don't know, everything seems a lot slower for me when playing on it, not gameplay wise, but stuff like accessing my inventory, or crafting tab, etc, etc. Maybe i'm just not used to it but i find playing on a PC a lot easier.

I put commonly used menu things as shortcuts in out of combat hotbars (or in the case of crafter's, the craft log is on my bar with all my skills).

[Jamein]

Targeting is easy, as someone mentioned press L1 and the up/down controlls on the d-pad and you cycle through your enemy list, or press L1 or R1 during combat to cycle through them, use the up/down buttons to cycle through the party list, and left/right to cycle through targets on your current target filter setting. Trust me as a Paladin, when you finally figure out the ease of targeting with a controller you can split your rotation over 3 or more enemies if you must without a problem. And as a healer you can quickly pick an alternate party member to the one you keep targeted (tank) to receive a heal or other spell. Controller targeting is at least as easy and accurate as mouse keyboard. I'd contend that it's possibly quicker and easier to play on a controller than on mouse/keyboard.

While I will agree that controller targetting is fantastic in this, to say it could be more precise/quicker and easier than a mouse is just something I can't agree on I guess.

You just stated the process which is press L1/R1 and cycle through or hold L1 and press up and down and cycle through and I think ultimately that is the point, you have to cycle. I make one single click on a mouse, that I can move over the mob/enmity list within a split second and it is done.

I play on my PS4 from time to time and I agree the controller is very very good in this game and doesn't put you at a disadvantage by any means, but I just cannot agree that it's more precise than a mouse, as for hotkeys and keybards vs crossbars, an arguement could be made for both, it's what is comfortable for you. Personally I like being able to switch my bindings on the keyboard to give me everything I need, but that's from years of playing MMO's. I also have a Razer Naga which makes it absolutely amazing and far better than a controller imo.