Dear Dev/Gamepad Users. Level 60+ Solution/question

[Daniolaut]

I saw this in the letter to the producer.

Q: I play on a gamepad, but with the new actions added at level 60, I’m having a tough time finding space to place them. I’m assuming we will eventually reach level 70 and 80, so I think it’s going to be even tougher when there are more skills. Can you look into addressing this in some way?

A: One of our ideas for how to address this is actually the double cross hotbar, but we would like to keep the next expansion and the actions to come in the future in mind as we develop features.

Here is my personal answer to this. I have plenty of open spaces.

The only issue here is I dont know if this is exactly possible on PS3/PS4. I know the settings are, but I dont know about using the regular hot bar part. This is in fact possible on PS4.

Its probably very helpful, when using this set up, to turn off "Enable auto hotbar switching when drawing/sheathing weapon." Located:
System>Character Configuration>Hotbar Settings>Custom tab>"Set selection"

If for whatever reason the images at any point become unusable, here is the text guide for using these settings:

Go to:

"System>Character configuration"

On the left side click

"hot bar settings"

Then on the top pages/tabs highlight

"Display"

Highlight/select hotbar 1 (or any number of your choosing.)

Then,

Highlight/select hotbar 7 (or any number of your choosing.)

Then tab over to "Sharing"

and select/highlight "Cross hotbar hotbar 3" (The number three is suggested, or whichever you use for gamepad settings "select/confirm."
*******EDIT: I actually do use hotbard 4 instead of 3 here, because cycling from hotbar 3 would put you on hotbar 4 next, as 4 comes after 3, which can be even more confusing than simply accidentally pressing confirm.******

Then tab over to "Cross"

Then select/highlight "Enable customization when weapon in drawn"

Then select/highlight "hotbar 1, hotbar 2 and hotbar 4." (the number three is not ideal as then you would need to use another number that isnt gamepad setting select/confirm, and can cause problems with accidental button mistakes.)
******EDIT: again, I suggest hot bars 1, 2, 3, instead of using 4, as using 4 for shared hotbar lets you cycle back to 1 after instead of 4, since 4 comes after 3.******

Then under "system" "HUD layout" align the two keyboard and mouse hotbars you selected earlier to mimic the cross hotbar and assign common abilities across different classes such as Limit break, or invigorate and youre good to go. Enjoy your extra space!

(Note: you might need to go under the "sharing" tab, and select the keyboard/mouse hot bars you selected earlier, such as hot bar 1 and 7, if you play multiple jobs.)

In this picture i show the settings to utilize the "keyboard/mouse" hot bars to mimic the "cross hotbar" looks

[/HB]


This image shows how i control which hot bars under what circumstance.
***I only use 3 Hot bars while fighting.***



This image just gives a bit more information regarding my settings.



This image shows visually how i set up the two "keyboard/mouse" hotbars to mimic the "Cross hotbar"



The same image as above but closer.





These images show the hot bars as displayed.

hot bar 1


hot bar 2


hot bar 3


"hidden hot bar"

[/HB]

[Daniolaut]

As you can easily see in above "click to show" images i have PLENTY of empty spaces.


Description:


I use hot bars 1-3 while in combat.

Internal Release, Blood Bath, Raging Strikes, Invigorate and "limit break" are shared by many classes, thus i use them in a "hidden hot bar"

To access "hidden hot bar" I simply hold R1 then press Square. If i then press R1 again it brings me to hot bar number 1.

Its very simple, and the two "keyboard mouse" hot bars show me if Blood for Blood, invigorate etc are ready to be used.

The only down side is i use Square instead of "X" as my hidden hot bar. This creates a problem with twitch reflexes, and sometimes you open the drop menu of the enemy youre fighting, or opens the map.

If Square-Enix allowed me to erase all actions under Square i could remove this issue. Or i could reassign the hot bar to X, but, i play all classes including crafting and gathering classes and that would take probably hours to change it and i'm lazy, and its not really worth it seeing as i rarely rarely make this mistake.

[Daniolaut]

Additional note:

These settings and gamepad in general does not hinder a players ability.

I personally cleared turn 10 the second week it was out, and cleared the floor 4 savage dummy as item level 205 dragoon with well over 700 in accuracy, no food or potions.

So please, this thread is meant to be helpful to gamepad users and have the dev reconsider changing how the gamepad system works as it works wonderfully right now. Not a "gamepad users just need to get a PC and play keyboard mouse" nonsense thread. Thank you.

[Genaxx]

If you condensded hotbar 3 into hotbars 1 and 2 you could have your hidden hotbar as R1 + X

I have a simular set up to you, but just use a single horizontal hotbar for long cooldown skills to see when they are ready. So I dont have to switch to check.

[Daniolaut]

If you condensded hotbar 3 into hotbars 1 and 2 you could have your hidden hotbar as R1 + X

Yup, i'm just too lazy to change it.

Another reason i chose 3 hot bars is for future space if needed.

Currently hot bar 1 is my "single target" hot bar two is "area of effect" and hot bar three is "finishing moves" and "stances" etc.

I have a simular set up to you, but just use a single horizontal hotbar for long cooldown skills to see when they are ready. So I dont have to switch to check.

I use keyboard/mouse hot bars 6 and 7 aligned in such a way they look exactly like the cross hotbar so I know exactly what spots they are in. I also do not have to switch to check. Thank you though.