Arrow keys vs WSAD keys

[Maximilian]

What the hell?? 32 to 5??? Since when did everyone ditch the arrow keys! Look at WSAD!! The W isnt even directly above the S its terrible!

The downtrodden minority of arrow keyers will make a comeback, in a few years time there wont even be WSAD keys on the keyboard!! Yeah! You wanna type a word with those letters in it? tough! type somthing else!

 

[Aikouka]

First off, it's WASD not WSAD.

I agree with the other person about WASD (or variants like ESDF) keeping more space between your keyboard hand and your mouse hand. I used to use the arrow keys and I found myself having to move my keyboard too often (I have fairly big hands). I switched between the Arrow Keys and WASD without any issues and I have no problem.

 

[jman19]

Originally posted by: Aikouka
First off, it's WASD not WSAD.

Doh, I thought it was, but I didn't trust my memory

 

[KeithTalent]

If I were left-handed I would probably use arrows, but since I am not I use WASD.

KT

 

[hg403]

Originally posted by: CP5670
I use 2468 on the numpad in everything and just move my keyboard to the side whenever I want to play a game. They are aligned correctly unlike WASD, but also have a lot of extra keys nearby unlike the arrow keys. I typically use 0 for jumping, . for reloading and enter for crouching, which still leaves several keys for other things.

I use the numberpad too, been using it since Quake 1. 5 is reload, . is jump and other keys vary with game. I also invert my mouse which my friends think is insane

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: KeithTalent
If I were left-handed I would probably use arrows, but since I am not I use WASD.

KT

very perceptive

i prefer WASD

[not wSAD]

i have a perfectly good nostromo N52 speedpad which is superior to the KB in every way ... but i still use the KB ... habit

 

[meltdown75]

WASD 4 lyfe

 

[43st]

Arrow keys? LOL! Are we playing Commander Keen or something?

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: 43st
Arrow keys? LOL! Are we playing Commander Keen or something?

Arkanoid

 

[Maximilian]

Originally posted by: hg403

Originally posted by: CP5670
I use 2468 on the numpad in everything and just move my keyboard to the side whenever I want to play a game. They are aligned correctly unlike WASD, but also have a lot of extra keys nearby unlike the arrow keys. I typically use 0 for jumping, . for reloading and enter for crouching, which still leaves several keys for other things.

I use the numberpad too, been using it since Quake 1. 5 is reload, . is jump and other keys vary with game. I also invert my mouse which my friends think is insane

Ill add that as a poll question. Never thought about the numpad before.

Also screw WASD, its WSAD to me.

 

[Elderly Newt]

neither.
right click = forward
a&d = strafe
s = jump
x = backwards
c = duck

 

[Maximilian]

Originally posted by: Elderly Newt
neither.
right click = forward
a&d = strafe
s = jump
x = backwards
c = duck

Ok ill add an "other" option

 

[CP5670]

Originally posted by: hg403

Originally posted by: CP5670
I use 2468 on the numpad in everything and just move my keyboard to the side whenever I want to play a game. They are aligned correctly unlike WASD, but also have a lot of extra keys nearby unlike the arrow keys. I typically use 0 for jumping, . for reloading and enter for crouching, which still leaves several keys for other things.

I use the numberpad too, been using it since Quake 1. 5 is reload, . is jump and other keys vary with game. I also invert my mouse which my friends think is insane

I started using it in Descent and Doom (although I had my right hand on there with those games) and have stuck with it since then. It works very well as long as you have room to move your keyboard around your desk.

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: Elderly Newt
neither.
right click = forward
a&d = strafe
s = jump
x = backwards
c = duck

wow, that is one convoluted setup you have there. Is that for all games, or one in-particular?

KT

 

[meltdown75]

I went to a LAN party a couple years back and some dude was using a huge joystick to play FPS games... like one of the ones people use for flight sims.

That's not all... he brought along his projector setup and overpriced Dell box.

I took special satisfaction in pwning him repeatedly in COD multiplayer.

 

[zodder]

Soviet, I have my FPS games set up just as you do. Screw WSAD, WASD, DSAW, or whatever the hell it is! LOL

 

[SoulAssassin]

I used to use the arrow keys back in the day with Doom/II, ROTT, etc (left hand for switching weapons/doors, right hand control direction) but I think it was probably around the Quake I days when you actually had freelook that WASD became popular. When you had to have a hand on the mouse it became much harder to move your hand from the arrow keys to the number keys to switch weapons.

 

[pontifex]

add another poll askign whether you are left or right handed.

i'm willing to bet that the people using arrow keys are left handed.

if you're right handed, thats too close to the mouse and also there's much more reach to get to other keys. also the arrow keys are too close together, more comfortable for wasd.

 

[skace]

It can be very difficult for someone to realize that WASD is superior. Because the first time you change your key controls will be awkward and you will do worse.

I remember a specific point in Quake1 when I used to look with the keyboard. And I had heard other people used the mouse and wasd. I thought it was fvcking stupid for several weeks because I was still a pretty damn good player. But at the time there was a lot of people like me who used the keyboard for everything, so that was the only way I was able to remain competitive. When I first switched to mouse/wasd it took me several weeks of getting used to where certain keys were, the right mouse sensitivity, etc. But then it all fell into place.

So yea, I can understand why someone would look at it and go "what the sh!t is that?!" But trust me, it's the best for a reason and you really should give it a try.

 

[CP5670]

I used to use the arrow keys back in the day with Doom/II, ROTT, etc (left hand for switching weapons/doors, right hand control direction) but I think it was probably around the Quake I days when you actually had freelook that WASD became popular. When you had to have a hand on the mouse it became much harder to move your hand from the arrow keys to the number keys to switch weapons.

I used to mostly play the Descent games in those days, where a mouse wasn't needed and I could have the other hand near the enter/apostrophe keys. I think the first mouselook FPS I played heavily was Unreal, by which point you could use the mouse wheel to switch weapons.

if you're right handed, thats too close to the mouse and also there's much more reach to get to other keys.

It depends on where your keyboard is placed. I'm right handed and but find 2468 to work fine since I push the keyboard about a foot to the side when I start any FPS game. Although I use my right hand on it equally well in some non-FPS games that don't need a mouse, like Freespace 2.

So yea, I can understand why someone would look at it and go "what the sh!t is that?!" But trust me, it's the best for a reason and you really should give it a try.

It's only superior if your desk is too small to move the keyboard around. Unless you're talking about a keyboard only setup as opposed to the usual mouse/keyboard system.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: pontifex
add another poll askign whether you are left or right handed.

i'm willing to bet that the people using arrow keys are left handed.

if you're right handed, thats too close to the mouse and also there's much more reach to get to other keys. also the arrow keys are too close together, more comfortable for wasd.

i am willing to *bet* that most people who use WASD are right-handed

i can use either hand equally well but am using my *left* with WASD as it has become a *habit* and i DO write with my right hand [preferring the 'normal' slant]

BTW, i *tried* the arrow keys long ago ... i think it used to be more *popular*... the WASD has *simply* become a habit
[if i use the arrow keys the mouse goes in my left hand ... does anyone use arrow keys with the mouse on the right?
:Q

--or WASD with the mouse on the left?
:shocked:

i want a better poll

 

[skace]

Originally posted by: CP5670
It's only superior if your desk is too small to move the keyboard around. Unless you're talking about a keyboard only setup as opposed to the usual mouse/keyboard system.

It's superior because you don't have to move your keyboard around. My desk is in my sig, trust me its not too small.

 

[Cutterhead]

I actually use RDFG instead of WASD. That frees up a lot more keys to the left for me to easily access with my pinky finger (QAZWSX and shift). It's especially helpful for games that require a lot of key bindings; I have pretty much everything surrounding my left hand bound to something.

 

[CP5670]

Originally posted by: skace

Originally posted by: CP5670
It's only superior if your desk is too small to move the keyboard around. Unless you're talking about a keyboard only setup as opposed to the usual mouse/keyboard system.

It's superior because you don't have to move your keyboard around. My desk is in my sig, trust me its not too small.

Then you have to live with staggered key positions instead. These key layouts are all similar enough that none can be considered universally "superior." It all depends on what you're used to.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Cutterhead
I actually use RDFG instead of WASD. That frees up a lot more keys to the left for me to easily access with my pinky finger (QAZWSX and shift). It's especially helpful for games that require a lot of key bindings; I have pretty much everything surrounding my left hand bound to something.

it sounds like you would be a perfect candidate for a *speedpad*

i am just too lazy to switch ...


i think i will *force* myself

... no matter how you look at it, a KB is just not 'perfect' for gaming.