I’m trying to find a key bind setup that doesn’t require a lot of finger stretching, or awkward binds. I’m playing a holy priest primarily, but I like my key binds to be somewhat consistent across characters. The ‘`’ through ‘5’ keys are doable, as well as Shift-’`’ through Shift-‘5’. Ctrl-binds feel somewhat awkward to me, and Alt-binds are super awkward for me to hit.
What setup do you use that feels comfortable?
qertsfgzxcvb
123456
shift variants of all those + d/w/a
then you have your mouse buttons. you can also assign harder to press keys like y/7 for lesser used spells
What Amnesty said. Those keys have the most efficient placement. With a lil stretch, you can toss in F1-F4.
Shift+(1-4,Q,E,MouseWheelUp,MouseWheelDown,MB3,MB4,MB5)
Ctrl and Alt varients of that.
That gives plenty of keybinds, least 3-4 bars of binds
Q, Alt-Q, Shift-Q
R, Alt-R, Shift-R
E, Alt-E
F, Alt-F, Shift-F
Z, X, V, S, CapsLock
1-6, Alt 1-6
Mouse Button4, Alt Mouse Button4, Shift Mouse Button4 and a few others.
Also use a naga so have side keys but those are mainly targeting binds.
Try to keep similar abilities bound to the same key across specs and classes, Like R being a short dps cooldown/buff to maintain or resource gain (slice and dice, bloodrage, enrage, ect) or Shift-R being big dps cooldown. Alt-R being usually something related to a supportive cooldown/self heal.
Q-s being my defensive, Q - short cd, Alt Q med cooldown, shift Q long cd.
Es and Fs and G being more offensive based abilities, combo point builders, finishers, ect.
Alt 1-6 = trinkets, longer non as frequently used big cooldowns.
Stuff like that.
You can have two key bind for each function. If possible, swap the S and numeric 5 keys. The F, J and 5 keys have a bump for touch typists can easily find these keys without looking down.
Remap A and D to strafing and get used to left/right click hold for rotating camera or camera/character. Use ` and reuse Q and E for first three buttons of bottom right toolbar. Remap default R, F and V to something else appropriate. Then add them to 5, 6 and 7.
Doing this, you’ll have 6 additional hotkeys in easy reach and you shouldn’t need to look down to find them.
A mouse with thumb buttons is also useful for additional hotkeys.
Or, just go buy an Orbweaver.
QEF1234 + 1-6 on the keypad of my mouse
Shift and alt variants for all of those.
Pet attack and return bound to mousewheel up and down.
Left handed so I use the keypad and buttons close by. Its sufficient for me without needing to use modifiers.
Look into addons that will make healing a bit easier.
I just 1-6 and Q-Y and then shift, control, and alt variations if needed.
I mostly use 1-6, f1-f4 (sometimes f5), R T Y F G, m1 m2 m3 m4 m5, and ~
Sometimes shift+1-5 if I’m feeling spicy
Shift + Space for trinket.
1-5, TGB and everything to the left of those three keys.
Use an xbox controller and wowconsole / wowmapper.
Very comfortable and easy to play with.
Another choice is a g600 mmo mouse. I used this before my carpel tunnel and it was amazing.
Q E R T F G Z X C V 1 2 3 4
Then use shift, ctrl, and alt modifiers for those. I also use a razer DA so MB 4 and + scroll wheel up and down.
I use the vuhdo raid frames to assist me with key binds and mouse-over macros.
I end up using click/right click, shift click/right click, ctrl click/right click for my direct healing spells.
I use the keys around WASD for non targeted, offensive or self cast spells, so QERTFZXCV.
Then I use mouse-over keybinds for the same keys above for targeted spells and abilities. So pressing “E” will do something different if I am hovering my mouse over someone’s raid frame then if I am not hovering.
This set up has allowed me to use any spell or ability I want quickly and without having to glance at my keyboard and minimizes my risk of fat-fingering the wrong key, since none of them require a stretch.
Orbweaver and Red Dragon 901. Only time I really need the keyboard is chat.
SDF for movement
123456
QWERTY
AGH
ZXCVB
40 keybinds including SHIFT variant. You can also use mousewheel, mouse buttons and scrolling for at least 6 more binds if you want more.
I used ESDF for movement (shift the movement keys 1 key right). Put all the keybinds around those keys.