Does anyone actually use the number row keys for abilities?

Langeston

The first thing I did when I got ESO was bind my skills to the buttons on my mouse. (G9x) I don't have the ability to move with WASD while simultaneously using 1-5 to execute abilities. Well I broke my G9x today trying to clean it, and my G502 will not be here until tomorrow. I logged in to see if I could weather a day using the number row and....LOL, no. Does anyone play that way? I could barely do a delve, let alone any PVPing. If you can, hats off to you — you are a better man than I.

MjolnirVilkas

Yes.

OolongSnakeTea

I used to for almost four years, and then I went over to the naga-hex mouse where I am slowly learning to use the numbers in the circle where my thumb is at.

But I've used 1-5 numbers with alt keys since EQ days.

Solariken

Yeah I use 1-5

I know it's a handicap vs an MMO mouse but I'm at least thankful to have roll, bash, and weapon swap bound to mouse buttons.

Kiralyn2000

I use the numbers. I can't manage a mouse with lots of buttons, so that's not an option. (I grab the mouse securely on the sides, so side buttons are a total no-go for me. I grip my PS4 controller pretty hard, too, so those "pro" controllers with paddles & buttons on the back would also likely be a disaster.)

Of course, I'm no pro, so using the number keys doesn't hurt my total-lack-of-a-rotation at all.


In the end, it's all in what you're used to. I've been playing games with WASD and the number row for decades (and haven't ever trained myself to a many-button mouse), so that's what works for me. /shrug

Agenericname

Yup. I've done all the content I've done that way, pvp, vma, trials, etc.

PvP it seems to matter a little less though to be honest.

Langeston

Man, I must just really suck. I just don't have the manual dexterity to move and use the number row at the same time. For example: how can you move forward (W) while using ability 2 or 3? Don't both require you to use your middle finger?

Araneae6537

Yes, took me a while to actually click the skill I intended but you learn, just like typing (which is rather different having WASD as your home so it was a learning process for me as well). I’ve been getting fancy gaming mice but never forced myself to learn using more than the two buttons. I’m glad that ESO forced me to learn to use the keyboard for skills as in other games I just clicked on the skill icons with my cursor — terrible, I know! But as you’re experiencing, once you’re used to playing one way, it is very uncomfortable and clunky trying something substantially different.

Agenericname

Langeston wrote: »

Man, I must just really suck. I just don't have the manual dexterity to move and use the number row at the same time. For example: how can you move forward (W) while using ability 2 or 3? Don't both require you to use your middle finger?

If you like the mouse better, stick with it. Whatever helps you enjoy it.

3 isn't as bad, 2 is more problematic. Put a passive ability there or a skill that is rarely used.

pdblake

Yes. And arrow keys for movement.

Barta057

I use the mouse for movement and then 1-5 to use abilities. If you hold both mouse buttons you move~ If I need to strafe, then hold them and A-D and keep using the numbers.

Bexy

I'm the opposite, I tried to use an MMO mouse and I just found it too uncomfortable, I gave up after a few days.

ChunkyCat

mice are gross

Dagoth_Rac

I use 1-5 for abilities and WASD for movement. I am not pulling 100k DPS, but have Flawless Conqueror, and have cleared most of the Vet Trials. If it is any consolation, I am utterly flummoxed by controllers. I played Halo and Halo 2 on PC and when they made Halo 3 an XBox exclusive, I played it on XBox 360 and was utterly incompetent. I had to set the difficulty to Easy just to see the story and even then it was something of a struggle. Those controllers with their 17 joysticks and 83 buttons and 14 paddles and god knows what feel, to me, like you need to be Eddie Van Halen or Joe Satriani to play with them.

Different things work for different people. Who knows why. Whatever works best for you, go for it!

Langeston

Bexy wrote: »

I'm the opposite, I tried to use an MMO mouse and I just found it too uncomfortable, I gave up after a few days. I suck.

I don't think I could use an MMO mouse either, I just use gaming mice. The one I had had just enough buttons for abilities 1-5, and my ultimate. Those mice with 15 buttons would likely confound me as much as the number row.

Barta057

Langeston wrote: »

Bexy wrote: »

I'm the opposite, I tried to use an MMO mouse and I just found it too uncomfortable, I gave up after a few days. I suck.

I don't think I could use an MMO mouse either, I just use gaming mice. The one I had had just enough buttons for abilities 1-5, and my ultimate. Those mice with 15 buttons would likely confound me as much as the number row.

It's not that bad, I found Anarchy Online, Everquest, and Final Fantasy XI to be much worse to control.

In those games you had to like.... Move your legs and top half separately. I think in AO you even had to use IJKL to move your top half and WASD to move your feet?

Xerikten

started playing these online games in 2002. only used the wasd for more than 5 minutes before I went to arrows, and num pad / mouse. I have to remap some keys but I don't miss hit keys/buttons.

cyclonus11

I do, even though I have a Naga.

Gythral

Yes
When did you last see a left-handed MMO mouse!!!

emilyhyoyeon

I use the numbers and I have no idea how people use mouse buttons for abilities without messing up their aim haha

mayasunrising

Yes. I've always done it that way and never had issues. The only change I've made is linking my execute ability hotkey to my mouse wheels down scroll. Otherwise everything else is keybound.

Turelus

I use them.

tmbrinks

I essentially use the default keybindings for everything as well. Hasn't kept me from doing anything.

Canned_Apples

I use 1 and 2, and bind the rest + weapon swap and dodge to my mouse.

MartiniDaniels

Yeah, and I bet vast majority uses them. I use 3 button mouses all my life and don't plan to change this habit for extra 1k dps in ESO or whatever.

NBrookus

100% yes. But then, I can't use a traditional mouse at all.

Probably the top thing that keeps me on ESO despite all the warts is that it is very flexible for people with alternate setups. If an MMO mouse with 58 buttons works for you, that's just another alternate setup.

Mancombe_Nosehair

I used them for the first year or so, until someone here suggested using the number keypad instead. I use the mouse left handed, so it works for me. I also use the arrow keys to move (and swap the text chat and jump keys around).

Eruceninde

It’s all how you learned to play. People do different ways because of what’s comfortable to them and what they are familiar with. Anyone could learn to play a different way if they practiced at it.

zyk

Langeston wrote: »

Man, I must just really suck. I just don't have the manual dexterity to move and use the number row at the same time. For example: how can you move forward (W) while using ability 2 or 3? Don't both require you to use your middle finger?

You can develop muscle memory that allows you use multiple keys with each finger. For example, when I use my middle finger to press W to move forward, I use my index finger to press 3. When I use my index finger to press D to strafe right, I use my middle finger to press 3.

Aurie

My muscle memory is primitive to say the least. I use the mouse buttons on my Logitech G700, but that interferes with fine control of the mouse, because my left thumb is constantly moving off the side of the mouse to press an ability button. It is better than trying to work with WASD and 1 to 6 at the same time with one hand though. Practise doesn’t help that much.

I really miss being able to mouse-click abilities on the skill hot bars like in other games.

.

D0PAMINE

I use both. 1, 2, 3, wep swap are mouse, 4, 5 and 6 for Ult with keys.