Playing an MMO with a controller

[sarehptar]

My controller died in the middle of Titan Ex once because I wasn't paying attention to the battery. While dead, I quickly switched to keyboard/mouse mode thinking I'd be able to at least get the fight done--and hey, Titan never even hit me once after that! ...Because I walked myself off the edge within three seconds.

People who can play with keyboard/mouse seem completely strange to me. Any time I try, the movement feels so imprecise and all the different keys... Blech.

Though it has its issues (targetting on controller does pretty much suck, even with custom targetting settings), the ease of movement and the hotbar far outweigh the negatives in my opinion.

[Gardes]

I don't know how people do it but I can't press 6-0 on the keyboard with their left hand without looking at the keyboard mid play. My KB set up usually ends up with 3 stacked bars going from 1-5 plus other around-wsad shortcuts. Still, that usually ends up making my left hand do all the work and left+right mouse hold to do precision running just doesn't feel right.

Plus, performing an uncommon set of actions (combat actions done in an order you dont usually do because a certain fight requires you to) feels better on controller because each of the actions have a distinct way of activating them, especially when they're on different sets. Then hand motions you do for everything on your kb hotbar are largely the same. Some may argue that it's better that way because it's faster but I prefer the former and my hands are fast enough for it.

[Zfz]

I bind my keys this way:

Bar 1 = 1234qerfzxcv
Bar 2 = shift+1234qerfzxcv
Bar 3 = alt+shift+1234qerfzxcv
Bar 4 = alt+1234qerfzxcv

I don't find that my left hand is going all the work because during combat I often hold down my left mouse button and swivel the camera to check on patrols, look at party members outside my view etc.

As for actions, if you are able to touch type, each set of keybinds are distinct. It's like playing the piano. All the keys are essentially the same actions, or maybe two different actions, but you just know they're distinct keys due to their relative position.

That said, though, I find controllers better for my gathering sessions because it doesn't fix my arms at the rigid positions that the keyboard-mouse mode require. It's more relaxing on the controller for me.

[EorzeasNTM]

I first played FFXI on ps2, so it just felt natural for me to play on a controller when I switched to pc. Started FFXIV on PS3, and again have stayed with controller on pc.

BUT I loved playing GW2 with my keyboard and gaming mouse that has 12 buttons on the side!

[Elysaine]

I've been a gamer since the late 80's. First console and later PC. Playing MMO's since the last 10 years.

For me personally the keyboard + mouse combination is the one that works for me. When playing FF-X or GTA Vice City on my old PS2 for example I keep running into walls. While with I the WASD combination I can navigate a labyrinth without problems.

[Jamein]

Played all MMO's with Keyboard/mouse and when I first got FFXIV i started with the controller, it was nice it was responsive and was definitely a great way to play.

However I then went back to my PC and keyboard/mouse and honestly, nothing compares. I will do casual raiding on the PS4 like WoD and my crafting/gathering and fates etc, but for Final coil its keyboard and mouse all the way. I much prefer the precision.

It is all down to preference, i also have a razer naga which just makes PC gaming a dream.

[RhynAzullo]

In FFXI I was keyboard only and tried that in FFXIV 1.0 as much as possible, but since 2.0 I've been using controller exclusively. I tank and DPS no problem with it. The scholar in my static uses a gamepad too and he's an absolute beast. All about what you're most comfortable with, as others have said.

[Skeith-Adeline]

I play on a controller. I don't see anything hard with it. I share your opinions of the controller, on the Keyboard/Mouse however. Movement is jarring and my fingers aren't spiders (even though I'm a pianist)

[Hayward]

I wish more MMOs supported controllers. I play on my MacBook Pro and the keyboard is not positioned well enough for me to keep my hands atop the keys for very long.

[AkashiXI]

This is the same type of debate that fighting games get when it's controller vs. fight stick. It's simply a preference, as you can play both ways optimally depending on your style. There are some advantages over others (healing is significantly easier on kb with mouse macros vs. a controller cycling through the party list), but the game was designed around ease of access on both accounts. I always tell new players to enjoy whichever comes more natural to them.

Personally, I'm a controller user. I have been since FFXI, and I love the immersion I get from playing with one.