What controllers work best?

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09-18-2009, 10:21 PM
KillEveryone

What controllers work best?

I just bought a Logitech MX 518 and am quite happy with it. I am wondering if anyone tried a WOW mouse. It has lots of keys but I don't know if it will work with DDO. I will never use it for WOW, don't like that game. Played it but I want to be able to block on my own. Not trying to start a WOW or DDO competition(my mom likes to play WOW), it is just my personal taste. I do like to play other first person shooters though and was wondering a bit about it. I have checked some reviews on a WOW forum and some of those people didn't care for it either so I decided on the Logitech. Like everything else, it typically is personal preference and I have so far liked Logictech, but I am curious if anyone on here that plays WOW and/or used one, has had a chance to try it out with this game.

I have been thinking about getting a game pad to shorten my keyboard so that the keys are in a bit more of a logical place instead of having them spread so far left and right. The "mini keyboards" have the keys around your hand in what I think is a better placement for quickly locating the keys.

Has anyone used one of these with DDO or do you just stick with the mouse and keyboard.

Does the keyboard still function if the game pad is plugged in? I assume it does if typing is needed, but I have never tried one out.

Would it be better just to get a gaming keyboard? I do need a new keyboard because some of my keys are getting a bit sticky but if a gameing pad works better then I may just stick with my board and get a pad and once I start typing my keys loosen up. They only get sticky when I give them a minute to sit. A bit odd but then, the board is ancient(the PC came with Windows ME if that gives you an idea) School had taken a big chunk of change and time, now that I have graduated, I can get on with the fun. YEAAAAAA!

I checked the reviews but none really go into detail with too many specific games. None that I have played yet. So far I like the Belkin Nostromo n52te. It fit nice with my hand and it feels like I can hit the keys with more ease than the keyboard, but it doesn't have as many keys as the Warrior and it is a bit pricy. The Ideazon Zboard Fang Gamepad ZGP-1000 has more keys but I have not had a chance to actually feel one out and it looks like it is only available online, and then you have to search around a little for one. The Wolfking Warrior command pad looks like a better arrangement than the Ideazon and the price is better than the Belkin, at least what I have found, but it doesn't have that nice place for your hand that the Belkin has. Saitek Cyborg Command Unit doesn't look like something I like but I go for function over looks any day.
09-18-2009, 10:51 PM
Velexia

I use these, high quality stuff. (Click Image for Link)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...BL._SS500_.jpg
09-18-2009, 11:01 PM
PopeDX

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillEveryone

I do need a new keyboard because some of my keys are getting a bit sticky

This thread is gonna get off-track quick.
09-19-2009, 12:54 AM
KillEveryone

Quote:

Originally Posted by Velexia

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...BL._SS500_.jpg

I've used those on the PS systems. The PS3 is smoother that the previous controller but I still found the mouse to be smoother when playing the same game on my PC. I've checked out a couple of fps on the PC that was also released on the PS# just to see what the difference is. Usually the PC has more stuff and I liked using the mouse/keyboard combo more with some aspects. It is nice having all the pertinent buttons(jumb, block, attack) at my finger tips with a gampad like that, but DDO has a lot of stuff(lots of spells) that makes me unsure of that style of controller.

Is the controller as smooth as a mouse or is it like playing on a PS? I think that the PS is a little jumpy sometimes and I am not always able to line up a shot on a smaller target very easily. I can typically do that better with a mouse.

I am guessing that you have to use a keyboard to use more of the commands. How does the controller play? That style of controller has crossed my mind a few times but I've never tried one on my PC so I don't know how they play.
09-19-2009, 12:57 AM
Orratti

I use a 10 button joystick and a 5 button mouse. I tried the playstation type controller but found the camera a little difficult to control. I use a modifier key on the mouse to change my joystick to a 20 button joystick. I am always in mouselook and the only time I have to use the keyboard is to type or hit f1-f12 when I'm playing cleric. Setting up my hotbars efficiently took a good while though but now that I got it down wouldn't change for anything. The mouse controls the camera and the joystick controls all the movement and character actions. Its sweet, kinda like driving a tank maybe.
09-19-2009, 01:05 AM
leviathan

I have been playing with an X-box 360 controller for 3 years and I like it a lot, but I have never been a kyeboard player.

I really only play melee focused toons though. I don't know how it would work out with a caster or cleric with the limited buttons you would probably have to use keys on the board still.
09-19-2009, 01:05 AM
Femanon

The best controllers in my mind have a gamecube or xbox configuration, PS2 was a terrible design choice that is a hold over from a popular console that wanted to be conservative and leave the analog in a less important and used position.

If you can find the best of both worlds, a game cube controller with an Xbox style soft Dpad and a real second analog stick, go for that, currently I'm stuck with a crummy PS2 controller,
09-19-2009, 04:27 AM
Velexia

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillEveryone

I've used those on the PS systems. The PS3 is smoother that the previous controller but I still found the mouse to be smoother when playing the same game on my PC. I've checked out a couple of fps on the PC that was also released on the PS# just to see what the difference is. Usually the PC has more stuff and I liked using the mouse/keyboard combo more with some aspects. It is nice having all the pertinent buttons(jumb, block, attack) at my finger tips with a gampad like that, but DDO has a lot of stuff(lots of spells) that makes me unsure of that style of controller.

Is the controller as smooth as a mouse or is it like playing on a PS? I think that the PS is a little jumpy sometimes and I am not always able to line up a shot on a smaller target very easily. I can typically do that better with a mouse.

I am guessing that you have to use a keyboard to use more of the commands. How does the controller play? That style of controller has crossed my mind a few times but I've never tried one on my PC so I don't know how they play.

I have a very nice setup with my controller, with the D pad being hotbar 1, 2, 3, 4 and then with a modifier key 6, 7, 8, 9. 5 and 10 are one of the thumb buttons with and without the modifier key.

So basically, without bothering with the keyboard or mouse I can...

Move in all directions and strafe as well as pitch, attack, block, tumble, jump, use 10 hotbars, voice chat, cancel, navigate NPC dialogue, enter quests, select end rewards, target next: interactable/enemy, interact with target, bring up the map, loot all... and that leaves me with a few buttons + modifier left unused.

Sadly, before Mod 9 I could use "Target Next Interactable" to target other players, or doorways, and that is no longer possible ;_;

So I just keep the mouse pointer near my character's head and can use doors with my interact button when the pointer is over it... and for targeting players I quickly hit one of the F keys.

Also, when you swap to FPS mode, you basically have and entirely new setup (so you could say, make a set up special for your cleric)
09-19-2009, 05:09 AM
Shima-ra

I've been using the xbox360 since game launch and I'm sure it is one of the best controller ever made.

Not only does it have a very good design, but it has taken a horrible beating over the year and it still looks and perform as new.

Its setup so I can use it with both hands if I wanna lounge back, but I mainly only use the left side in my left hand and the mouse in my right hand.
Pretty much just like you have to keep your hand over the keyboard only to use A-W-S-D 99 % of the time, xept that can be simply covered with your thumb.

I really think being comfortable is important.
02-04-2010, 05:09 AM
ShastaHawk

Quote:

Originally Posted by Velexia

I have a very nice setup with my controller, with the D pad being hotbar 1, 2, 3, 4 and then with a modifier key 6, 7, 8, 9. 5 and 10 are one of the thumb buttons with and without the modifier key.

So basically, without bothering with the keyboard or mouse I can...

Move in all directions and strafe as well as pitch, attack, block, tumble, jump, use 10 hotbars, voice chat, cancel, navigate NPC dialogue, enter quests, select end rewards, target next: interactable/enemy, interact with target, bring up the map, loot all... and that leaves me with a few buttons + modifier left unused.

Sadly, before Mod 9 I could use "Target Next Interactable" to target other players, or doorways, and that is no longer possible ;_;

So I just keep the mouse pointer near my character's head and can use doors with my interact button when the pointer is over it... and for targeting players I quickly hit one of the F keys.

Also, when you swap to FPS mode, you basically have and entirely new setup (so you could say, make a set up special for your cleric)

I had serious doubts that one of these keypads would work with such a game as DDO. You have me thinking that it may so I'll most likely be picking one up in the next couple days
02-04-2010, 05:42 AM
sephiroth1084

Gamepads w/ DDO you say...

A Guide To Using A Gampead With DDO

My set-up and logic behind my choices are in the first post, while others have contributed their own control schemes and notions throughout the thread as well.

In short, I've been using the Logitech Dual Shock II for the entirety of the 2+ years that I've been playing DDO, and haven't had a regrettable moment (after I trained myself to not jump when trying to trip :rolleyes: ). Using this gamepad, I've run an intimitank, pure wizard, and an archer with rogue skills up to 20, and have a monk, barbarian, stealthy rog/wiz, pure assassin rogue, and a few other characters scattered between levels 5 and 18. Base on that experience I think that I can safely quash any doubts leviathan might have. :cool:

Don't completely eschew your mouse and keyboard; the gamepad works for everything you want to do in game (except typing, obviously), but the M&KB still make navigating dialogue and vendor boxes, and throwing out a lot of buffs considerably faster. If I'm in an position that's awkward to deal with a M&KB I'll still use the gamepad for these functions, but tend to put it down if I'm doing a lot of selling or buffing.

Try it out, and see if you like it! :) Also, if you end up trying out something different than has already been posted in the thread, please contribute your own set-up!
02-04-2010, 11:42 AM
chessmaster4242

http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/...19-S01?$S640W$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826169019

'Nuf said. This thing rocks for playing games where you need macros and lots of hotkeys. I love this thing.
02-04-2010, 11:52 AM
sephiroth1084

Quote:

Originally Posted by chessmaster4242

http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/...19-S01?$S640W$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826169019

'Nuf said. This thing rocks for playing games where you need macros and lots of hotkeys. I love this thing.

Didn't Freddy Krueger have one of these?
http://www.retrogamingconsoles.com/w...ower-glove.png