I wonder if some of you have tips from transitioning to controller to keyboard besides practicing more with the keyboard. Last time I had Windows machine was like 15 years ago, but I had been playing with Xbox D4 since June last year. Obviously, I am more used with the controller. Back in D2, I only use keyboard but that was a LONG TIME AGO (and console versions don’t even exist yet back then).
With my controller I can land combos like 1000x faster (exaggerated) compared to keyboard. With a controller, if I want something, I just do it. With keyboard, if I want something, I have to translate first in my mind the keys, and then do it. It’s like when you are learning a foreign language. You do some intermediate translation in your mind first.
As a side note, I am able to plugin my Xbox Series Elite controller with my PC, and the game is able to detect it flawlessly as if I was playing with my Xbox. I am really SURPRISED how good the controller integration is with D4 (Battle.net version) + Windows 11 + Xbox app. It’s like flawless.
I would highly recommend getting a Razor Tartarus. I don’t even use my keyboard for games anymore. And I’ll be able to use the thumb joystick for WASD now.
Sorry, I know this is a bit of a tangent to your topic but thought I would post it anyway.
I don’t mean to state the obvious, but why not just continue playing with a controller? Is there any reason for you to switch over?
Also going from controller to keyboard/mouse is going to feel backwards regardless. I’ll give an example. With a controller you typically move your character with your left hand, and use actions with your right (for the most part). Mouse and keyboard is backwards, using the mouse (typically in the right hand) for movement, and using the keyboard (typically with the left hand) for your actions.
Your brain already has the muscle memory for your controller as you’ve been only playing the game with a controller, left with movement, right with actions. Now with the change for WASD this might make it easier for you to transition from controller to kb/m.
As it stands right now, until the season though, you’d have to reprogram your brain to think opposite of what it does now with the controller, and that only comes with practice and time spent building the memory muscle.
I had the same problem when first trying out emulators. The original keybinds on emulators used the arrow keys on a keyboard for movement with the action keys being on the left side of the keyboard. I tried it for all of 5 minutes before I changed the keybinds around. My brain just couldn’t fathom using my right hand to move my character with those keybinds.
First time I heard of this. Gotta Google what this thing is lol. Thanks for the tip btw.
Edit:
Just saw it and checked a bunch of YouTube reviews. This reminds me of those Logitech hand shaped mices. It looks promising. I am just not sure if it’s good to invest in another device or if I’m gonna use the thumb joystick, why not just stick with my controller then? Ergonomics though this Tartarus seems way better than a keyboard.
Because I have new gaming PC and gotta use this to the max lol. But on a serious note, I feel once M+K is mastered, you can do better than someone who has mastered a controller. It’s true with my FPS experience, but not sure yet if it’s the same with RPGs.
One glaring disadvantage with controller is you can’t land certain skills with precision, or evade in any direction you want. With a controller I got to turn my character to the direction I want to before I could evade.
For now, I will use the controller with this PC but still serious with mastering M+K. I have no issues with M+K with Last Epoch though, so not sure if this is just muscle memory. PoE was also easier with M+K (though not sure if it’s just because the PoE console version sux compare to the PC).
Just like when you learned the controller, or anything else, really. You just have to build the muscle memory for it. Practice, keep doing it, that’s all you can do! Although, in your position… the first step would be to take advantage of the fact that you’re not ‘settled in your ways’ yet - you should remap the keys to the configuration that is most comfortable/logical to you. And then practice with that.
Yes and no. M+K and controller have different advantages and disadvantages. M+K will give you more speed and precision with certain skills. It also simply gives you more options and flexibility - since you can bind many more keys to different things. Controller will give you more comfort and precision for general movement, it’s easier to spam abilities quickly, and have fast access to the most important skills. It really depends on what build you’re doing.
And this here is the best thing. PC users can not only just plug in their XBOX or PlayStation controller and go, but we can also hot swap dynamically between M+K and controller. So even if we’re using controller for general gameplay, we can use the mouse for menus, inventory management, skill selections, etc.
Let me explain it this way, I have played FPS games forever but I play on my numpad. Switching to WASD on my new 65% KB is ridiculously hard for me. Because my muscle memory is set to the numpad. I can play other games on WASD no problem, just not shooters like OW or Apex.
Just force yourself to do it for 7 days then start the next week with the same mindset. Coming from controller you will not be fighting an existing set of muscle memory. So hopefully easier.
i only use the keyboard for opening the karakter sheet/map and mount for the rest all my controles are on the mouse (corsair simicar) lots of buttons 13 there.
Id wait until they implement WSAD movement before trying. Even though its how it worked in the 90’s… click to move is really dumb compared to a thumbstick. Its literally going backwards. Don’t do it.
Im glad WASD is coming because Ive always used that with my 12 button mouse when PC gaming. So glad that I wont have to use the archaic point and click anymore.
For OP, as others have said, just practice with what works best for you. I do think WASD with a gaming mouse would be an easier transistion since you are use to a controller. But even that is going to take practice and time.
I just got my Razer Tartarus V1 yesterday. It TOOK A WHILE to ship and arrive due to stock issues in Amazon (what a surprise). 2 weeks since the day you posted this.
It feels weird using it at first but after playing a couple of hours with Counter Strike 2, it felt more comfortable than using my keyboard. I went it with D4. It’s definitely better than playing with the keyboard. The joystick though isn’t as great as my Xbox Elite controller but good enough. I still need practice with this tool but overall, I’m liking this Razer Tartarus than my keyboard – simply the ergonomics are better when playing with games. Also this one can work like a pseudo Hitbox controller for fighting games like Tekken and Street Fighter.
I looked online and lot of folks don’t like this Tartarus. This reminds of the Intuous Wacom tablet/pen for photo editing. A lot of mouse/keyboard photo editors didn’t like it. But I like it.
Also, I just hit level 44 and beat capstone for WT3 today after 9 days with this Tartarus. Moving my a$$ to play Season 3 was a slog btw.
Map your cooldowns to your face buttons and everything else to your triggers. Essentially, prioritize your most used skills on your triggers and everything else to your face buttons.
Also, remap target lock on to your L3 & display loot to R3 analog sticks.
Mount controls: R2 Dash, R1 Attack and B to Dismount
*edit, duh, disregard this. This was not what the OP was asking.