Guild Wars 2

I’m just wondering how other people manage with the controls?

My only other MMO experience has been Final Fantasy XI and XIV. Those both are games of a much slower pace where groups stand in place and focus on a single target.

I’m finding it tough to manage GW2’s chaotic action. I use the standard controls — right hand on the mouse and left hand for WASD and the ability keys.

I just feel like I’m doing something wrong, though. It feels strange that in such an action-based game that I have to give up the ability to move (pressing the WASD keys) to use abilities (number and function keys).

Am I missing some trick here?

It requires a different mindset, certainly, and perhaps a different approach to the way in which you interact with the game (and thereby the keyboard and mouse).

I would recommend that alongside the use of W,S,A,D that you utilise the Right Mouse Button (RMB). By holding this down, it gives you free movement of the camera while still allowing you to move in all directions, thus removing the need for keyboard “turning”.

In addition, I would sincerely recommend you visit The Heart of the Mists and practice movement with the RMB held down. Once confident with this, specific to camera panning, begin targeting and fighting against the target dummies.

It is also well worth while rebinding your keys from 7-10 onwards to buttons around WSAD or if you have, on additional mouse buttons. This should also include the ability to dodge. This will reduce your need to remove your fingers away from WSAD/Space. I would also recommend that you learn to use your left hands index finger to use keys 1-7 (if it isn’t a stretch).

I really cannot stress enough how important utilising the RMB is and that in your case, practice will make perfect. You’ll quickly begin to discover that you don’t have to sacrifice any movement what-so-ever.

To provide you with an example of my own setup, using a Razer Naga:

Keys 1-6 – Remain unchanged.
Keys 7-10 – MB4, MB5, MB6, MB7.
Dodge – MB3
Jump – Space
Forward – W
Back – S
Strafe Left – A
Strafe Right – D

Good luck!

Lewis pretty much nailed it all. The one thing I would like to add is that I changed 7-A, 8-D, 9-C, and Elite – z. It’s okay right now but my main thing is I need to break the habit of using A/D to turn when I’m not using my mouse.

I’ve seen people do this with Q, E,R, but I strafe a lot more (in kiting) than when I turn.

Like everyone else has already said it’s about finding what best works for you. I have a mouse with 2 side buttons and the scroll wheel that you can also click. Below is my setup (Necromancer)

Weapon Skill 1 – E
Weapon Skill 2 – R
Weapon Skill 3 – Mouse Button 3/4 (can’t remember which right now)
Weapon Skill 4 – Mouse Button 3/4 (can’t remember which right now)
Weapon Skill 5 – Mouse Button 5 (mouse wheel click)
Heal – Shift + E
Utility 1 – Shift + R
Utility 2 – Shift + Mouse Button 3/4
Utility 3 – Shift + Mouse Button 3/4
Elite – Shift + Mouse Button 5
Profession Mechanic – Q
Weapon Swap – Shift + Q
Forward – W
Back – S
Strafe Left – A
Strafe Right – D
Dodge – C

Pretty sure that’s it…

Wow, such a simple solution, can’t believe I didn’t think of it.

Thanks everyone for the detailed responses. Can’t wait to get things situated!

Also for targeting and just freeing up your mouse to click skills you can just hit TAB which has always been the best thing for me. I find that guildwars has always been easy to manage with default keybindings

My buddy has been complaining of wrist issues, and he solely tries to ‘keyboard it’ while using the mouse strictly for moving his view. I do just fine, using the mouse for my skills as well. This allows me to not have to take my hands off WASD. So, add that with getting a mouse with side buttons for maybe the two most used skills, and you’ll find your having a much easier time.

My suggestion would be to make your most used item, target nearest enemy, and bind it to the easiest to hit “extra” mouse button. Then you can focus more on clicking on skills and not the bad guys.

I use the Razer Naga mouse. I speak the truth that my skill level has greatly increased FOR ME.

Simply because I never enjoyed remapping keys so the Naga works great for me.

Yeah, changing your key binds it pretty much required for most MMOs. I can’t beleive that games are still defaulting A and D to turning instead of strafing. It’s just insane. Who uses keyboard to turn when Mouselook is so much easier?

I actually use all of the defaults with just a few small exceptions.
I changed A and D to Strafe Left / Right.
I changed ` to Z for weapon swapping and F1 to Q

This helped me immensely. There was just no way I could ever hope to find the F1 or ` buttons in the middle of a chaotic fight.

Razer Naga….Get it

Razer Nostrodomu (left hand key pad) with gaming mouse for right hand

Okay, I ordered a Razer Naga. I hope it’s awesome.

My controls so far are WASD for movement, 123QE for weapons, ZXC for the utility skills (I hit them with the thumb), and healing and elite mapped to two extra buttons on my mouse.

I’ve got a mouse with 2 extra buttons, and my setup is:
WASD- movement
Q,E- strafe
1-4 unchanged
5- ctrl+MB4
6-MB4
7-Shift+MB4
8-MB5
9-Shift+MB5
Elite (0) – MB3
Dodge is defaulted at V, to reach easily with my thumb.

I use the logitech G13. There is a semi- steep learning curve with it though :P Go look up a picture of it. So I use my left hand on the G13. My thumb uses the joystick to move (assigned QEWS) I use my right hand normal mouse to turn and rotate camera. My G13 left hand also controls all my attacks in any easy to reach location. I only use the keyboard for typing.

I suck at controls too lol so thanks everyone for their tips. But here’s something interesting that I jus accidentally found out by chance… Idk if this works for everyone but it’s not something I set or changed…

When I click and hold left mouse button AND right mouse button the character moves forward with full control of the camera so you can just turn the view around and the character will be running towards whatever direction you pointed… Useful also bc u can look up and down as well, full control.

I’m still trying to incorporate this little trick but it leaves your entire left hand free for whatever else you need to do… Though youll need to cover strafe left right. Does this work for other people? Or is it just me?

Another useful thing I find is the use of the about face turn in your control options. Helps for everything esp combat when something is behind u, u immediately spin around,

i use the RMB+LMB for running sometimes too. leaves my left hand free for.. a coke! lol
but usually only if i know i am going straight from point 1 to b without stopping. and then left hand can be used for skills that add swiftness, for e.g.

i currently have only changed A + D to strafe and gotten rid of keyboard turning. i have the Razer Naga as well and i LOVE it. it’kittena fast. have it only 2nd to lowest speed and is by far better than anything i’ve used before.

planning to rebind keys as well. in PvE it’s fine, but sometimes during WvW when needing to use all skills from 1 – 0, i tend to use both hands for the keyboard, and then i lose mobility / camera angles on the mouse.

in mind it’s:
Class skills – F1, F2, F3 unchanged
Weapons – 1-5
Wep swap – Q
Heal – E
Movement – WASD (w/ strafe)
6-0 – ZXCV
Dodge – R and double tap

i like having face turn as well, but will have to remap that now. maybe to B

not the biggest fan of using extra buttons on the mouse, but will maybe get used to that for next enemy or even heals or dodge maybe