An issue with keybindings

[RopeDrink]

I imagine a lot of people that use keyboard have their abilities on the first hotbar bound to 1-=

Not me. Sure, I use the number buttons and with mods, but not for core buttons.

(Hotbar)
SHIFT+A
SHIFT+S
SHIFT+D
SHIFT+F
SHIFT+G
SHIFT+H
CTRL+A
CTRL+S
CTRL+D
Z
X
R

(Other Hotbar)
SHIFT+Q
SHIFT+W
SHIFT+E
SHIFT+R
SHIFT+T
CTRL+Q
CTRL+W
CTRL+E
G
C
V
T

(Side Hotbars)
(1-4 - No MOD) for utility buttons: like Sprint, Tank Mitigation, etc. Buttons you don't press as much as rotation buttons but you want easy access to on the fly.
(1-4 + SHIFT) for other important cooldowns you aren't spamming but press frequently enough that you want them nice and accessible.
(1-4 + CTRL) for Pet or Trust controls -- basically, buttons I won't be pressing overmuch but want easy access to. CTRL is a pinky button - much more awkward than SHIFT.

Aside from ALT+W (my Limit Break bind), I avoid the ALT key. It's easy to press with the thumb and you have easy access to it, but don't press it enough to warrant a more comfortable keybind.