[VID / Guide] Animation Cancelling (Finger Filming) / Keyboard Layout

Thogard

Hey everyone!

Animation cancelling is one of those things that is hard to show how to do with just in-game footage, so I put together a video that shows my keyboard and mouse layout. I overlayed the footage of my actual keyboard on top of my in-game recording. I also showed my different keyboard bindings and what I find to be the optimal layout for PvP and PvE.

enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB08rpRaNl0

Note: in the video I am using an MMO mouse for my skill bar. You do NOT need an MMO mouse in order to animation cancel.. but it helps a TON with mobility while animation cancelling. I strongly recommend it, but if you prefer to have your ability keys on your keyboard, just imagine yourself pressing that button instead of the mouse ability button.

Turelus

Oh nice. This will help a lot of people I think.

Thogard

Turelus wrote: »

Oh nice. This will help a lot of people I think.

Thanks!

MLGProPlayer

You definitely don't need an MMO mouse to effectively animation cancel.

Thogard

MLGProPlayer wrote: »

You definitely don't need an MMO mouse to effectively animation cancel.

You do in PvP, for the reasons I mention in the video.

IlCanis_LupuslI

Thogard wrote: »

Hey everyone!

Animation cancelling is one of those things that is hard to show how to do with just in-game footage, so I put together a video that shows my keyboard and mouse layout. I overlayed the footage of my actual keyboard on top of my in-game recording. I also showed my different keyboard bindings and what I find to be the optimal layout for PvP and PvE.

enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB08rpRaNl0

oooh now the same for a xbox controller setup please ^^

Vapirko

Cool man. I think this right here is why a lot of people think macros are being used. Should definitely get my skills off the 1-5 keys, that’s something I haven’t thought about doing. Need a new mouse for that.

MLGProPlayer

Vapirko wrote: »

Cool man. I think this right here is why a lot of people think macros are being used. Should definitely get my skills off the 1-5 keys, that’s something I haven’t thought about doing. Need a new mouse for that.

Just use more ergonomic keyboard mappings. I use Q, E, Z, X, C, R for skills (plus tab for potions and alt for synergy) so that you never have to let go of WASD to cast. Dodge roll and bar swap are bound to back/forward keys on mouse.

Seri

Vapirko wrote: »

Cool man. I think this right here is why a lot of people think macros are being used. Should definitely get my skills off the 1-5 keys, that’s something I haven’t thought about doing. Need a new mouse for that.

Part of it is personal preference I think. I couldn't get the hang of skills on my mouse (I use 1-4 and R, with '5' for ult), but I did put ult, barswap, sprint, mount, autorun, and push-to-talk all on additional buttons on my mouse, plus bash/break and synergy being scroll-wheel up and down. I will admit that I can't strafe during some skill-presses though.

Thogard

Vapirko wrote: »

Cool man. I think this right here is why a lot of people think macros are being used. Should definitely get my skills off the 1-5 keys, that’s something I haven’t thought about doing. Need a new mouse for that.

Thanks!

Making the switch definitely boosted my level of play by a pretty big amount. There are just too many quick roly polies or circle strafers and if you take your fingers off of WASD for even a second you'll miss. Furthermore, it really is easier to ani cancel correctly if you do everything with just one hand and use the same finger for all the skills.

Bevik

Thanks. I was thinking about buying an MMO mouse anyway but this adds 1 more reason. Any suggestions for an MMO mouse?

Thogard

Bevik wrote: »

Thanks. I was thinking about buying an MMO mouse anyway but this adds 1 more reason. Any suggestions for an MMO mouse?

Almost everyone I know uses the Razer Naga Hex V2.

Just be sure you get the 7 button version, not the 20 button version.

Royaji

Thogard wrote: »

Bevik wrote: »

Thanks. I was thinking about buying an MMO mouse anyway but this adds 1 more reason. Any suggestions for an MMO mouse?

Almost everyone I know uses the Razer Naga Hex V2.

Just be sure you get the 7 button version, not the 20 button version.

Hex V2 is the 7 button version. The 20 button one is just called Razer Naga.

zyk

Thogard wrote: »

MLGProPlayer wrote: »

You definitely don't need an MMO mouse to effectively animation cancel.

You do in PvP, for the reasons I mention in the video.

It's not required, no. One can cancel with the default ability bindings and still remain highly mobile.

MMO mice aren't viable for a finger grip style and maybe some claw grips. I have a hybrid claw/finger grip that I won't change for ESO.

LadyAstrum

I haven't fully perfected the animation cancelling thing, but I use my old faithful Logitech G600 mouse and couldn't imagine trying it any other way.

Thogard

Royaji wrote: »

Thogard wrote: »

Bevik wrote: »

Thanks. I was thinking about buying an MMO mouse anyway but this adds 1 more reason. Any suggestions for an MMO mouse?

Almost everyone I know uses the Razer Naga Hex V2.

Just be sure you get the 7 button version, not the 20 button version.

Hex V2 is the 7 button version. The 20 button one is just called Razer Naga.

Ah, good to know, thank you.

Thogard

zyk wrote: »

Thogard wrote: »

MLGProPlayer wrote: »

You definitely don't need an MMO mouse to effectively animation cancel.

You do in PvP, for the reasons I mention in the video.

It's not required, no. One can cancel with the default ability bindings and still remain highly mobile.

MMO mice aren't viable for a finger grip style and maybe some claw grips. I have a hybrid claw/finger grip that I won't change for ESO.

I spent a long time using the default ability bindings. I'm 31... ESO was definitely not my first MMO, so it was harder for me than most to make the switch.

I fought it for as long as I could, but eventually i came to the realization that i was just getting out maneuvered too often.

For mag / range, it might not be as big of a deal. But if you're a stam / melee character, it truly is a requirement at the highest levels of PvP. I dont know of any top-level stam PvPers that don't use an MMO mouse. Please don't put me in an awkward situation by naming people and me having to say that they aren't top level

zyk

Thogard wrote: »

For mag / range, it might not be as big of a deal. But if you're a stam / melee character, it truly is a requirement at the highest levels of PvP. I dont know of any top-level stam PvPers that don't use an MMO mouse. Please don't put me in an awkward situation by naming people and me having to say that they aren't top level

That's kind of irrelevant as 99%+ of players aren't top level. Regardless of where you rank anyone in ESO, it's definitely possible to cancel and maneuver without an MMO mouse. It may be an advantage, but it's *far* from required as I am sure many will attest to.

Thogard

zyk wrote: »

Thogard wrote: »

For mag / range, it might not be as big of a deal. But if you're a stam / melee character, it truly is a requirement at the highest levels of PvP. I dont know of any top-level stam PvPers that don't use an MMO mouse. Please don't put me in an awkward situation by naming people and me having to say that they aren't top level

That's kind of irrelevant as 99%+ of players aren't top level. Regardless of where you rank anyone in ESO, it's definitely possible to cancel and maneuver without an MMO mouse. It may be an advantage, but it's *far* from required as I am sure many will attest to.

That's a good way to look at it. Not a requirement, but definitely an advantage. Cheers.

fierackas

Interesting watch, thanks

Bevik

Was actually thinking of a Logitech, Razer or Corsair. But 17 buttons on a Corsair might be a bit too much.

I don't do top tier PvP nor PvE but a good mouse always an advantage.

red_emu

Bevik wrote: »

Thanks. I was thinking about buying an MMO mouse anyway but this adds 1 more reason. Any suggestions for an MMO mouse?

I could recommend Logitech G502 with 5 mapable buttons that aren't a circle on the side. I find their placing more natural. Bought it especially for ESO and my level of game play has definitely improved!

Thogard

red_emu wrote: »

Bevik wrote: »

Thanks. I was thinking about buying an MMO mouse anyway but this adds 1 more reason. Any suggestions for an MMO mouse?

I could recommend Logitech G502 with 5 mapable buttons that aren't a circle on the side. I find their placing more natural. Bought it especially for ESO and my level of game play has definitely improved!

That looks like a great mouse, and it costs the same as the one I use. If my razer ever breaks down I'll have to try that one out. Thank you for the add.

MLGProPlayer

Bevik wrote: »

Was actually thinking of a Logitech, Razer or Corsair. But 17 buttons on a Corsair might be a bit too much.

I don't do top tier PvP nor PvE but a good mouse always an advantage.

One thing to keep in mind is that MMO mice aren't ideal for shooters, if you play those as well. They usually use mediocre sensors and typically aren't conducive to more "FPS grips" like claw/fingertip.

As I do a lot of FPS gaming, I always get a top notch FPS mouse and just map MMO skills to my keyboard. I used a Corsair MMO mouse briefly with GW2 but returned it as I found it useless (it didn't give me a noticeable edge over using keyboard mappings).

Violynne

Mangeli200194 wrote: »

oooh now the same for a xbox controller setup please ^^

I can help with this.

Step 1: Get an Elite controller
Playing this game on a standard controller is brutal. I can't do it. The Elite allows for customized setup, including trigger response, button mapping*, and joystick response time. The buttons and joystick hardware is built better and latency of wirelesss is reduce (this is an extreme factor!).

Step 2: Set the paddles
Place no more than 2 paddles underneath the controller (it can hold 4, but the other two make holding the controller uncomfortable for many, including myself). Where you put those two should be comfortable to you. I highly recommend using the forward slots because your middle finger can easily touch them without much thought.

Step 3: Map your paddles*
While ESO doesn't give us full button mapping, the Elite does via its paddles. You can assign any option of the controller to a paddle (sadly, no macros). This action does not replace/swap the original buttons!

For example, I have LT on the right paddle and D-pad Left on the left paddle. Swapping weapons is as easy as bumping the paddle. I'm sure you can see where this is going.

Step 4: Customize the settings
You'll need the Accessories app for this, but once downloaded, it'll "connect" with the Elite controller.
There, you can modify trigger reaction (I recommend moving the sweet spot 1/8th from the start, and narrowing the field for faster response) and the joystick response (I use delay as I found instant too responsive).

Of course, you'll want to set it up as you desire.

Step 5: AC like a boss!
If you play a sorc, you'll notice AC almost instantly either by weapon swapping or dodge rolling. NBs may not notice it as easily, but in time, they will (usually with dodge rolling).

Trying to take a video like the above would actually be harder to do because the paddles make it difficult to overlay. But AC is so, so much easier on the Elite to perform.

I can't recommend this controller enough for this game, despite its hefty price tag.

Bevik

MLGProPlayer wrote: »

Bevik wrote: »

Was actually thinking of a Logitech, Razer or Corsair. But 17 buttons on a Corsair might be a bit too much.

I don't do top tier PvP nor PvE but a good mouse always an advantage.

One thing to keep in mind is that MMO mice aren't ideal for shooters, if you play those as well. They usually use mediocre sensors and typically aren't conducive to more "FPS grips" like claw/fingertip.

As I do a lot of FPS gaming, I always get a top notch FPS mouse and just map MMO skills to my keyboard. I used a Corsair MMO mouse briefly with GW2 but returned it as I found it useless (it didn't give me a noticeable edge over using keyboard mappings).

I have a Corsair FPS mouse with a Sniper button so I have 8 maappable buttons. But it's not an MMO mouse so the buttons are far. Never used an MMO mouse before so it's hard to choose.

Merlin13KAGL

Personally, I think the articulating mount you have on the left for emergency snacks is the best part of your setup.

OdinForge

Good video hopefully people learn some of the concepts described there. It's not too often someone takes it upon themselves to make tutorials on these things.

zyk

Thogard wrote: »

zyk wrote: »

Thogard wrote: »

For mag / range, it might not be as big of a deal. But if you're a stam / melee character, it truly is a requirement at the highest levels of PvP. I dont know of any top-level stam PvPers that don't use an MMO mouse. Please don't put me in an awkward situation by naming people and me having to say that they aren't top level

That's kind of irrelevant as 99%+ of players aren't top level. Regardless of where you rank anyone in ESO, it's definitely possible to cancel and maneuver without an MMO mouse. It may be an advantage, but it's *far* from required as I am sure many will attest to.

That's a good way to look at it. Not a requirement, but definitely an advantage. Cheers.

I just don't want players to think the lack of an MMO mouse is a reason not to cancel. Everyone can benefit simply by light attacking immediately before using abilities the same way they currently do and by swapping bars, when appropriate, immediately after the an ability is used --two things that are very easy to do with a little practice.

There are other cancels of course, but mastering those two is a good place to start. I find the main mistake most make when learning to cancel is trying to do too much at once by emulating a an experienced canceller.

Personally, I utilize cancels of all types in AvA without an MMO mouse and my play styles are usually very mobile. I can move freely and cancel at the same time np. I actually find melee to be easier to cancel with, especially DW and 1HS, as staff attacks are a bit clunky.

I have tried the G600 and was annoyed by the mild input lag and squishy side buttons. I'd like to try the Naga Hex at some point.

Thogard

Merlin13KAGL wrote: »

Personally, I think the articulating mount you have on the left for emergency snacks is the best part of your setup.

Ha thanks! It’s actually an articulating arm rest though. I separated my left shoulder a while back and even after it had healed most of the way I was just in too much pain letting it hang free for long periods of time. I couldn’t find a chair that brought the arm rests high enough so I got that set the arm rest at whichever level was most convenient.

Voxicity

So these are the kind of people I'm fighting against in Cyrodiil

I feel so much better about myself now, thank you!