Question for absolute noob to PC gaming

jclementi9 · May 2014

Hi guys, just got the game and am loving it so far. This is the first game ive played on a PC as i traditionally use a console.

My noob question of the day is, What is the optimal placement of my left hand with standard controls for this game? I am not used to using a keyboard for movement and then reaching to the numbers for skills. Should my middle finger be on W? Ring finger on W? Any advice on would be appreciated to help make the transition from controller to keyboard.

Thank you and sorry for the noobness lol

Klimarov · May 2014

WASD is your movement, W being forward with middle finger and S being backwards with middle finger

Hawke · May 2014

Birdie finger on W (and switch to S), Ring Finger on A (and switch to Q and Z) and your index finger on D (switch to E and F and X and C) and thumb resting on the space bar.

That is how your hand should be at rest... in my opinion only... others play differently.

Now, I am really gonna screw with your head.

Just play with a controller.

Sorpaijen_ESO · May 2014

Alternatively, you could ignore WASD entirely like I always have. I use the number keypad to the far right of the keyboard. The keys are all nicely arranged in horizontal and vertical rows, instead of that skewed WASD system.

I use 4 and 6 for left and right, 2 and 5 for back and forward, divide for inventory (I access it a lot, and from there I can access any other menu), numpad-enter for jump, plus for crouch, subtract for all the windows commands for which ALT is the default... 0 is weapon swap, decimal is ultimate, abilities are mapped to 1, 3, 7, 8 and 9 and multiply is my Quickslot use button.

The only thing I have to leave the numpad area for are Delete (Synergy, which I rarely use), Backspace (weapon sheathe), W for Walk Toggle if I feel like roleplaying and H for horse mount (to dismount, I just crouch-uncrouch quickly).

GeeYouWhy · May 2014

Use this: steelseries.com/us/products/keyboards/steelseries-merc-stealth

My favorite keyboard.

crowfl56 · May 2014

there are some very nice gaming keyboards out there, do a search and check them out. Could be worth your time.

Hawke · May 2014

@GeeYouWhy I used to own the original Zboard.. It was by far the most awesome keyboard I owned (followed by the razer stealth ultimate). The problem I had with steelseries was that the driver support was utter and total crap. It started good, then it just vanished overnight.

If they have decent driver support now, it could be a keyboard worth getting.

Before my Zboard, I played first person shooter games like a nooblet with my arrow keys. Then the Zboard got me out of that silly play style and now I am far more comfortable using my WASD buttons.

GeeYouWhy · May 2014

@hawke They merged with Steel Series and they at least stabilized the drivers and I haven't had any problems with it for a few years. They still provide layout updates as well.

Hawke · May 2014

@GeeYouWhy that is good stuff then!

kccaine · May 2014

I think it really comes down to personal preference. Depends on your flexibility, muscle memory, twitch response, hand size, and finger length. I generally drive with a trackball and only deal with keybound, non-movement abilities on the keyboard (much to the chagrin of my guildies.)

Sue_D_Nim · May 2014

If I were still using a desktop, I would sooooo get an Ergodex keyboard. I've wanted one for years. That's the one where you can put the keys anywhere - just stick them down where they're comfortable to reach - and each key is programmable.

(And don't pile on the hate because I game on a laptop. I have physical issues that make it impossible to use a desktop for prolonged periods, and who wants to limit their gaming sessions to a span measured in minutes?)

JosephChip · May 2014

Don't use numbers on your keyboard to activate skills. Buy a Razer Naga or a Logitech G600 and use your right hand thumb.

Hawke · May 2014

@JosephChip I have the naga epic, which for SWTOR I had 40 things on my hotbars, so my active stuff stun, stun break, heals, etc would be all on my mouse. It works.

6 Buttons though... Not really needed as much. But if you have that kind of mouse already, awesome!

JosephChip · May 2014

Hawke wrote: »

@JosephChip I have the naga epic, which for SWTOR I had 40 things on my hotbars, so my active stuff stun, stun break, heals, etc would be all on my mouse. It works.

6 Buttons though... Not really needed as much. But if you have that kind of mouse already, awesome!

The number of skills isn't the only factor. You have to consider that, if you use the numbers on the keyborad, you are moving your left hand away from wasd and briefly lose control on your character's movement every time you activate a skill (and reaching for number 5 with your index is very unconfortable). On the other hand (pun intended) your right thumb is just sitting there being useless. A mouse with side keys makes a game-changing difference.

Caroloces · May 2014

I just got the Corsair Vengeance K70 just for this game! It's quite the beauty with mechanical keys, and special WASD keys with textures to differentiate them from the others. Selective backlighting is also very nice!

Pele · May 2014

You can use your bluetooth console controller with your PC. Get a program like GlovePie, bind ESO's keys to the controller, enjoy!

Sue_D_Nim · May 2014

I just got a Naga Epic, and now instead of the arthritis in my fingers and having to play the keyboard like a piano ... I'm going to get tendonitis in my thumb!