Would I be stupid to use a Gamepad on PC, or is it viable?

neiljwd

I was really impressed with the interface when I tried it with a pad, it's not just using a thumbstick to move the mouse, works great.

But as a very inexperienced lapse player potentially returning, I don't know if it's viable and I'd be cool to try to use it, or just hamstringing myself and my enjoyment.

I don't mean for top 5% world firsts viable, just day to day convenience and mobility etc.

newtinmpls

I tend to play with a group - there are four of us all on PC, one strongly prefers to use a gamepad approach and it seems to work really well for him.

Frankly he is an amazing player.

Nestor

It is like all things, what you are used to is what you will play best with.

However, if you do have an affinity for Keyboard and Mouse, it is the most flexible control arrangement. And, there are some things you have to put the controller down and type on the keyboard. Mostly in the Menus, dealing with Addons, Chat etc.

There are also MMO Mouses that have lots of buttons that controller centric folks pick up on rather quickly, so that is like a Hybrid method.

amm7sb14_ESO

By gamepad, do you mean like an X-Box controller?

I'm on PC and that's what I use. For myself personally, it is wildly more comfortable for me. For PC games, I *typically* prefer the keyboard and mouse, but for ESO, I need the controller. I think it's because each skill is a different button, and instead of trying to stretch and contort my fingers across the keyboard, it's all right there at the touch of my thumb.

So yes, I would say that it is viable. In my personal preference, it is preferred.

Oreyn_Bearclaw

It absolutely limits your available number of inputs, which by definition is a disadvantage. I have seen people in world record trial runs using a game pad on PC. It certainly can be used effectively. It is also certainly, a judgement call.

I believe Mouse/Keyboard combos to be a superior input system than a controller, in almost any type of game, but some games I do prefer a controller (recent star wars game is a great example). ESO is not on that list. I have made more than one attempt to give it ago, but they were all laughable failures if I was doing anything but fishing.

SpacemanSpiff1

my friend uses a gamepad. he does high-end trial score pushes and achievement runs.

p00tx

Most of us coming over from Console have brought over our Elite controllers, and it seems to be working great so far. I still use hotkeys on the keyboard for some add-on functions, but it's not difficult to mesh the two. The Elite (vs a standard controller) will give you some extra functionality too that can help bridge the gap a bit.

SidraWillowsky

I use a controller and have no issue with keeping up with K/Mers... Good LA/second ratio, good DPS...people are actually pretty flabbergasted when they find out that I play in gamepad mode. Granted, I do have two extra bumper buttons on mine, which makes it much easier to play on a controller bc I don't have to ever use the D pad since I've got weapons swap and drink potion mapped to those. The default D pad controls for those makes it hard bc you have to remove your left thumb from its joystick to weapon swap or consume a potion.

Regardless, I've never noticed any huge handicaps on the controller.

goldCoaster

I would never play any video game with a mouse and keyboard.

LOL pointing-and-clicking.

ghost_bg_ESO

if you play other games too with controller you will be ok, eso has decent controller support, sometimes i miss mous and keyboard, but confort to play with controller on big tv from couch worth it

Dusk_Coven

I believe the ESO stream team streamer Tianlein is on PC but doesn't necessarily use keyboard and mouse because a controller works and feels better somehow for certain things like simply moving around.
Check out her stream and maybe ask her about it.

josiahva

I use a PS4 controller on my PC, it works great for most content, but there are 2 disadvantages:

1. Less precise targeting....the only time this really becomes an issue for me is in places like vFH last boss as I am tanking and there are 4-8 ads up while I am trying to keep a ranged taunt on the boss...those ads get in the way of controller targeting...not so much mouse targeting. This really only happens in very small arenas though.
2. The camera speed is just a LOT slower with the controller. This is no problem in PvE, but in PvP its a severe handicap to learn to play around. IE: streaking through an enemy and turning to re-target them...you can still do it with a controller, but you need to anticipate a lot more and start turning in the middle of the streak, but its pretty miserable when a templar comes up to you and runs around in circles jabbing you....your camera speed just isnt fast enough to keep up the way you need in that specific situation.

There are some advantages that offset this though:

1. Movement and positioning is much more precise...you can place your character with MUCH more precision exactly where you want them, you can also control the exact speed at which you move much more precisely. The default with keyboard is a jog, unless you are blocking, with a controller there are an infinite amount of speeds between a dead stop and a jog that are easily controllable via the joystick...this comes in handy in places like vFH last boss again when moving back from the volcanoes, you can control the spread much more precisely by better controlling your retreat.
2. There are far fewer times you accidentally hit a skill you don't mean to, its far easier to fat finger a keyboard than it is a controller pad.

In the end, I feel its a wash and really just depends on how you like to play, there is no perfect interface.

BisDasBlutGefriert

I normally use mouse and keyboard. But I had a work accident and crushed my left hand recently . Pressing on keys kills my fingers and sends shocks through them using keyboard. Now I switched over to Xbox controller and am honestly surprised how well it works!!! Granted, I can only use the base of my fingers to hit L1 & L2 bumpers, it’s been going great!! Definitely worth a try! Takes a bit to get used to the menus, but otherwise works just fine play wise.

Edit: I should add that I'm writing this using my thumbs on an iPad.

Ectheliontnacil

BisDasBlutGefriert wrote: »

I normally use mouse and keyboard. But I had a work accident and crushed my left hand recently . Pressing on keys kills my fingers and sends shocks through them using keyboard. Now I switched over to Xbox controller and am honestly surprised how well it works!!! Granted, I can only use the base of my fingers to hit L1 & L2 bumpers, it’s been going great!! Definitely worth a try! Takes a bit to get used to the menus, but otherwise works just fine play wise.

Edit: I should add that I'm writing this using my thumbs on an iPad.

Damn I hope you can recover swiftly!
Good to hear you can still play the game in spite of your injury.

Vermintide

If you have a mouse with assignable buttons to use for skills, instead of the 1-5 keys with your left hand, it will be better than a controller.

However if you have a standard mouse with only normal buttons, and you're stuck trying to awkwardly smash all your skills while twisting your fingers into some arcane claw position to keep a finger on the WASD keys... A gamepad is definitely better.

Basically it's a big advantage in this game to be able to independently move while still hitting your skills and light attack/block buttons.

Aznarb

Just pick what is better for you.
I've friend who play with pad and doing well so...

Kadoin

Yes, do it in first person for extra fun...

Nemesis7884

k+m is probably easier and more precises, i also think animation cancelling is a lot easier

I however have been playing on gamepad for yeeeeeeeeeeears now becaues i find it simply much more comfortable..in fact, the ability to play wth gamepad on pc (which i think was originally not possible) was the reason i returned to the game after beta/launch...

I am a gamepad fanboy though and play all pc games I can (except strategy and the such) on gamepad on the couch because my pc is connected to a giant 4k tv as screen and I would NEVER go back

Playing Skyrim or the such on a 70 inch 4k tv is a totally different ball game

Josira

I use gamepad. I have a couch,and a pc connected to a wide screen tv. when using keyboard I have to use it on my lap so I play with an Xbox One controller whenever I can.
My 'Desk' is an old office chair that ive taken the back off of,so I can put my keyboard and mouse on it when im not activly using said keyboard and mouse.

idk

It comes down to what works best for you. If you can do all that needs to be done in combat with a gamepad and do it better than any other setup then there is no reason to not. I would not be surprised if some top players use a gamepad. I have known some elite players use a traditional mouse which means all movement and skills are on the keyboard which I find awkward. They do great.

Guyle

Totally viable, I use a gamepad and I do fine. If you are used to using one it will be easier than mouse and keyboard for you. I know some ppl who were top tier raiders that used gamepads, like contenders for highest dps in vAS hm for a specific class kind of top tier - and I would say that outside of pvp, vAS hm is the hardest for gamepad users. It can be rough in pvp on a gamepad though.

Soriana

No, you would not be stupid to use a gamepad/controller. I have been playing with a controller since closed beta, way before gamepads were even an option in game. I have tanked every single bit of content in the game and have many vet DLC HM trials and dungeon clears so it is entirely possible. Find what is comfortable for you and go with it!

Ruder

josiahva wrote: »

I use a PS4 controller on my PC, it works great for most content, but there are 2 disadvantages:

1. Less precise targeting....the only time this really becomes an issue for me is in places like vFH last boss as I am tanking and there are 4-8 ads up while I am trying to keep a ranged taunt on the boss...those ads get in the way of controller targeting...not so much mouse targeting. This really only happens in very small arenas though.
2. The camera speed is just a LOT slower with the controller. This is no problem in PvE, but in PvP its a severe handicap to learn to play around. IE: streaking through an enemy and turning to re-target them...you can still do it with a controller, but you need to anticipate a lot more and start turning in the middle of the streak, but its pretty miserable when a templar comes up to you and runs around in circles jabbing you....your camera speed just isnt fast enough to keep up the way you need in that specific situation.

There are some advantages that offset this though:

1. Movement and positioning is much more precise...you can place your character with MUCH more precision exactly where you want them, you can also control the exact speed at which you move much more precisely. The default with keyboard is a jog, unless you are blocking, with a controller there are an infinite amount of speeds between a dead stop and a jog that are easily controllable via the joystick...this comes in handy in places like vFH last boss again when moving back from the volcanoes, you can control the spread much more precisely by better controlling your retreat.
2. There are far fewer times you accidentally hit a skill you don't mean to, its far easier to fat finger a keyboard than it is a controller pad.

In the end, I feel its a wash and really just depends on how you like to play, there is no perfect interface.

You can Increase gamepad camera speed from Usersettings.ini file, you can make it times faster than default from UI

Mayrael

When it goes to quallity of controller it's mostly matter of preference, when it goes to utility, keyboard and mouse wins definetly. There are hundreds of shortcuts, bindings etc. that make playing so much more fun.

bharathitman

I started playing the game with a controller, but now I use a combination of both controller & kb/m depending on the situation

1. Controller when doing serious combat stuff such as dungeons, trials and pvp (in combat)
2. KB/M when doing overland content such as story, writs and other random things. KB/M is way easier in many of these situations, I have a key bind which lets me switch between controller & kb/m so I make good use of it

Unified_Gaming

neiljwd wrote: »

I was really impressed with the interface when I tried it with a pad, it's not just using a thumbstick to move the mouse, works great.

But as a very inexperienced lapse player potentially returning, I don't know if it's viable and I'd be cool to try to use it, or just hamstringing myself and my enjoyment.

I don't mean for top 5% world firsts viable, just day to day convenience and mobility etc.

I use a gamepad on pc and make videos for pvp and do well. The input method doesn't make you good or bad - mouse has better rotation speed so can help but beyond that not much difference.

neiljwd

Wow so many replies, lovely people! Sounds like it has wonderful implemntation thatthe community appreciates withno glaring omissions or over sights. Good stuff.

jecks33

after 3 years on ps4 now i play eso on pc with my ps4 controller and works well.

(Lulu, one of the best dd in eso, plays with a controller too)

Moyra74

I play with an Xbox PC controller because mouse and keyboard gave me RSI symptoms. Haven't looked back since. Very comfortable indeed. Granted, my controller is somewhat less responsive sometimes, but as I don't play PvP or anything too sensitive I don't mind much. I still use keyboard and mouse for some situations; I have found that the bank or a vendor gives me a too messy interface when using the controller. Other than that: great.

relentless_turnip

I use an elite controller, works really nice for me. I have dodge roll, interrupt, weapon slot and quickslot on the back paddles.

I prefer the pc UI though, so I use the automatic option under gameplay options.

Alienoutlaw

controller is fine, as for camera speed this can be adjusted in your user settings file in the documents folder, my cam speed
on controller is as fast as a mouse.
here are my settings
SET GamepadSensitivityFirstPerson.2 "0.72000003"
SET GamepadSensitivityThirdPerson.2 "2.85999990"