Game pad vs Keyboard

[Nikita]

That looks like a sweet setup. Also I'm sure it's a lot better for your posture as well since you are not hunched over a keyboard.

It takes a short while to get used to, but I found it so much easier to use than my keyboard, which I generally never touch in most MMOs unless I need to type out a message. I never have to click an ability either. I find that if you have all of your abilities bound and memorized, you can always keep your eyes on the center of the screen where the action is, with no need to look at your skill bar.

[darkstarpoet1]

i have used both keyboard/mouse and gamepad in this game. i used a gaming board(z-board) until it went out and i have to wait for a new one to be shipped to me. during that time i went to using my ps3 controller. when my new keyboard showed up i installed it and will only use it for other games now and went full time on my controller.

i guess it's easier to say most games i use keyboard/mouse, but in xiv it is much more efficient for me to use controller. the ui is setup so much better for controller. if you take the time to set your abilities up well then a controller will drastically increase your ease of use and make the ui much more enjoyable.

[Aalryn]

Keyboard and Mouse if I'm doing anything even remotely important. The controller is fine for running around and gathering, but it's demonstrably slower than the keyboard/mouse counterpart. I have the naga mouse, which adds the advantage that I have all skills accessible without any loss of movement or delay.

I do use a controller when I play in my living room, however. There is just something relaxing about laying on the couch, playing on a 107" screen.

[Ferth]

I use just a keyboard. I have changed most of my settings to allow it to control as near to FFXI's full keyboard controls as I can make it, but there are still a few failings. Mainly in the horrendous action bar taking priority control over the arrow keys when you are in combat. I really wish the action bar controls were separate from the menu controls in the config menu. Also would like to see the return of the <stpt> macro option they added shortly before abyssea.

The game reacts FAR too slowly right now to use a mouse (the only thing I actually use the mouse for is targeting King Moggle mog when I am tanking that fight.) if the 2.0 controls work more like WoW's mouse/keyboard controls I may resume using the mouse... though really I just want to control the game like I used to control FFXI.

[Felis]

In the V1 I use a gamepad. Need to test what is best for me in V2 ^^

I use just a keyboard. I have changed most of my settings to allow it to control as near to FFXI's full keyboard controls as I can make it, but there are still a few failings. Mainly in the horrendous action bar taking priority control over the arrow keys when you are in combat. I really wish the action bar controls were separate from the menu controls in the config menu. Also would like to see the return of the <stpt> macro option they added shortly before abyssea.

You can change the "action bar up/down" keys in the keyboard config.
And <stpc> should be ingame since some patches.

[Ferth]

In the V1 I use a gamepad. Need to test what is best for me in V2 ^^

You can change the "action bar up/down" keys in the keyboard config.
And <stpc> should be ingame since some patches.

I appreciate the tips. But even though you can change the Cycle action bars (forward/reverse ) which I have done, it still defaults to the move anchor menu keys. So basically I can cycle my action bar when not in combat by holding down shift and pressing the arrow keys up or down. but once I am engaged and in active mode up or down on the arrow keys will cycle the action bar regardless of whether shift is held or not.

And I do use the <stpc> command right now, but it's function is to cycle through players visible on the screen from left to right. <stpt> allowed you to select and cycle through party members (and only party members) via the party list using the up and down arrow keys. that way they didn't need to be visible on your screen, just within targetable range of your character.

As is I use <stpc> in conjunction with f2-8, but it still has trouble with party members that aren't actually on your screen, which is not even remotely ideal when trying to cure people in a fight like the princess in CC.

[ispano]

I appreciate the tips. But even though you can change the Cycle action bars (forward/reverse ) which I have done, it still defaults to the move anchor menu keys. So basically I can cycle my action bar when not in combat by holding down shift and pressing the arrow keys up or down. but once I am engaged and in active mode up or down on the arrow keys will cycle the action bar regardless of whether shift is held or not.

And I do use the <stpc> command right now, but it's function is to cycle through players visible on the screen from left to right. <stpt> allowed you to select and cycle through party members (and only party members) via the party list using the up and down arrow keys. that way they didn't need to be visible on your screen, just within targetable range of your character.

As is I use <stpc> in conjunction with f2-8, but it still has trouble with party members that aren't actually on your screen, which is not even remotely ideal when trying to cure people in a fight like the princess in CC.

I have the anchor keys on those defaults same as you, with Shift Up/Down for the bars bound to two mouse thumb buttons, and they work flawlessly, never changing anything with the anchor. What I would suggest doing in your situation, since it's the reverse of mine since I only use Up/Down with Shift to move bars, is perhaps use different keys you may be comfortable with.

[Ferth]

I have the anchor keys on those defaults same as you, with Shift Up/Down for the bars bound to two mouse thumb buttons, and they work flawlessly, never changing anything with the anchor. What I would suggest doing in your situation, since it's the reverse of mine since I only use Up/Down with Shift to move bars, is perhaps use different keys you may be comfortable with.

My issue is more with the fact that the anchor keys default to moving the action bar at all. Ideally I'd like to have a separate set of key binds for the menu anchor keys and the action bar anchor keys.

I don't use my mouse at all and I use the arrow keys for the Camera as well as for cycling through the menu. And for that it works great. But when I'm in combat the fact that the menu anchor keys double as the "cycle through actions" keys is where everything falls apart.

Trying to set my anchor keys to something else would be incredibly confusing.

Ideally what I would like to happen is to turn off any functionality of the action bar reticle, keep my shift+up/down to cycle through bars and rely on the numerical keys to activate abilities.

That would also fix the inadvertent skill use that accompanies the horrible combat/noncombat target reticle.

But it's just not going to happen.

[Lux_Rayna]

What are you guys using? I still feel like I am wrestling with this games UI, especially on AV, CC, and Garuda speedruns. I have yet for find a targeting setting and setup that I feel comfortable with and not clumsy... Maybe it's because I play on a 42" TV and have more realestate to travel. I felt like I did back in Darkhold speed run days. Right now I use keyboard + mouse, but switch over to controller when I'm doing non intensive stuff. Mostly play WHM, BLM, MNK.

This game was made with a console in mind. I swear once you go to a game pad you'll never go back, at least for ffxiv. The control scheme is crap.

[Yves]

Just putting it out there...

I use the xbox 360 controller with the chatpad/messenger kit. There is a driver out there (unsigned) which allows it to function as a keyboard, mouse, and controller. Plus, hotkeys are incredibly nice, too. The only setbacks are that it is limited to wired controllers only (for now) and you need to boot into the unsigned mode for windows. However, it really is super awesome to have everything in one compact place. I actually write papers with my controller now...



Hit the orange button to enable the mouse via the thumbsticks