So... How do you guys move?

[Jeeed]

Not technically new but this is my first mmo so wasd movement is still new to me (used to moba/arpg mouse movement by clicking a ton). I watch videos and the way other peoples' cameras/characters move around seems a lot more organic than what I do. I put my controls on legacy mode and rebound a/d to strafe and turn camera with mouse, as per some suggestions I got once, but it still feels suboptimal? I play smn/blm so switching from backpedaling and keyboard turning to being able to run backwards and sideways without keyboard turning has helped a ton with dodging aoes, but I'm looking to try out autoattack-based classes eventually and it seems like my setup is going to gimp my dps. The movement with constant clicking/dragging if I'm trying to kite or something (or running up those stairs in coerthas...) also makes it feel like... I shouldn't be doing that.

Anyway, I'm just looking for some assurance really. legacy controls with a/d on strafe and turning with my mouse. Good/bad?

[Huskell]

I think you're just not used to it. I used ASWD for a long time and it becomes second nature. Most people hold right click to lock the camera and move. You can try what you want, but try not to use clicking places to move, that will only get in the way.

Actually, I'm only using the mouse to move, but it's not something you should try, because it's not similar to MOBA, or anything.
Two buttons at same time = forward
Scroll = auto-run

I also have two buttons on each side of the mouse (those to go back and forward pages)
Left side: strafe left and right
Right side: backpedal and jump

It makes combos a lot easier because I can simply bind 4 columns to all the skills on all the bars. But forget I said that, don't try this at home.

[AskaRay]

I guess it just depends on what you're used to..
the few times I have to use my keyboard I use WASD to move. I usually use my controller though and that's much more natural feeling to me. When I play melee, I lock on to targets and my character automatically moves around them so I'm not facing away from the enemy and losing out on autoattacks. (so then if I suddenly need to run away I can un-lock on and run instead of awkwardly back away...)

[LalafellDown]

legacy controls are the best for me. I like to control the camera with my mouse, more freedom.

[TSLsmokey]

truthfully... I don't use a keyboard. If you're having difficulties, I'd say give a controller a try. Despite what some claim, you still get a lot of mileage out of the cross-hotbar and can mess with it to an absurd degree. I have access to all the actions I need on my hotbar from any class and it's very easy to switch between each hotbar, with each hotbar having a max of 16 actions assigned to different button combos. And movement... Well movement is very natural with the control stick on the controller.

[Bourne_Endeavor]

As someone who has played on both keyboard/mouse and controller, I find the latter more forgiving in terms of movement. But if you're playing SMN, you may find fiddling around with cross hotbars annoying. I know some players who use QWES, though I think you simply need to practice more to develop that muscle memory. It took me ages to shift from controller to keyboard because I've been a console gamer my entire life. Do some easy dungeon runs and spend an hour or two hitting a dummy. You'll eventually get a better feel for it.

[Kitfox]

I use QWE for forward/strafing and mouse for turning with Legacy camera settings. It's great for melee classes and gives good control over the direction you're facing, while also giving the freedom to look around while not moving.

[Sakuraluna]

I've been using the number pad for movement and directional keys for camera movement since XI. Could never get used to the whole WASD thing.

[Teiren]

You won't lose any serious auto attack damage from not facing the enemy for a second or two, don't worry. The auto attack timers are around the same as the GCD, and the timer counts from your last auto attack regardless if you're facing the enemy or not. Even if you lose, at most, one or two auto attacks over the course of an entire fight, that's not going to gimp your DPS.

That said, I don't know how people on keyboard do it. Controller seems so much better to me, but it's just preference combined with your type of keyboard or controller.

[Frizze]

I watch videos and the way other peoples' cameras/characters move around seems a lot more organic than what I do.

This is because the people making those videos are practiced players who have taken the time they needed to get comfortable with the control setup they have. In all likelihood, youve watched videos of people who control the game in different ways and you never knew the difference.