Keyboard or Controller

**Scary** · 2009-12-26 22:45

Controller for 90% of the time, and keyboard for the 10% of the time when I wished the game didn't force you to have to chat with friends/lsmates. XD. When I started the game at launch, I used keyboard for about 2 years, then all controller after that. Xbox360 gamepad is about the greatest thing for FFXI, works beautifully with hacked driver, has rumble feature, allows instant access to just about everything in the game except for chatting. I don't know how anyone who has used a gamepad for FFXI after a considerable amount of time would revert back to a keyboard. My response time is even better with controller because you can cue up the macro menu with the triggers and wait for something happening on screen and simply press the right macro there. It's way better. no lies.

**Feedmenow** · 2009-12-27 02:49

I have 16 of those "preloaded triggers" on my number pad. It's called binding.

**Shenrien** · 2009-12-27 02:54

I feel like the controller is to limiting, keyboard seems to be more freely manipulated overall, but that's just my personal opinion.

**Silenka** · 2009-12-27 05:08

I only feel comfortable using a controller, every time my adapter broke I had to use keyboard for a couple days and it was hellish, I don't know how anyone does it. I don't like using keyboard for most games, though. Thankfully I got a PS3 controller which doesn't need an adapter so it doesn't break anymore XD

I don't think using controller is slow or clunky at all, in fact it brings up macros faster imo. The only things it doesn't have is maybe the F keys for targeting specific players in a party/alliance or the key for targeting nearest npc, but the Dpad is much faster than the tab key, so it makes up for it.

**Rocl** · 2009-12-27 05:26

This is pretty much Blue vs Purple

**RyaWHM** · 2009-12-27 06:26

Good example of controller benefit, that happens to me a lot:

Conversation while running around for a quest or mission or whatever (crossing a map)

-- Keyboard guy keeps slamming into walls/rocks/trees when he talks

-- I am chatting away and running around walls/rocks/trees just fine ^^

If there is a remedy for this with keyboard-only then I really wanna know >.>

**Cesaria** · 2009-12-27 06:46

Point character around rock, auto run, type sentence, readjust path.

The other issue I have with having to constantly pick up/put down controller and keyboard is that I have RSI in my joints and shoulder problems (I'm headed for arthritis quite young in life if my family history is anything to go by) and even the constant reaching for a mouse can cause me problems quite easily - keyboard doesn't seem to be as problematic provided I buy a decently ergonomic one (used one of those split ones for years till it died and can't get another decent one as the new versions are shittacular).

I also type quite a lot of spells out manually - just the bizarre mish-mash I've developed playing over the years.

**stewie** · 2009-12-27 07:59

Originally Posted by RyaWHM

Good example of controller benefit, that happens to me a lot:

Conversation while running around for a quest or mission or whatever (crossing a map)

-- Keyboard guy keeps slamming into walls/rocks/trees when he talks

-- I am chatting away and running around walls/rocks/trees just fine ^^

If there is a remedy for this with keyboard-only then I really wanna know >.>

You can still move left/right with numpad with autorun on while talking.

**Natallon** · 2009-12-27 13:01

started on PS2 and migrated to PC but kept my controller with me
I feel so helpless when my batteries die and I have to use the keyboard for 2 seconds

**RyaWHM** · 2009-12-27 18:05

Originally Posted by stewie

numpad

hmm

thanks, I never knew that!

(it must be a windower thing though, I just tried it on my mule and it's typing 46428428428646 into the chat window)

...plus, what about these guys!

Originally Posted by fishstix

I've always used the WASD compact keyboard mode

Originally Posted by Siralin

Compact keyboard set

Originally Posted by Feedmenow

Keyboard, WASD with my left hand for moving

Originally Posted by Zellgadiss

Keyboard. Compact setting. WASD for movement.

these people can't... you hafta begin and end your sentence/comment whatever, while autorunning
(you can't pause mid-sentence, move, finish typing sentence)

(Rya) in those situations
(Rya) compact keyboard people could still
(Rya) type like
(Rya) this though
(Rya) I guess

At least I understand now, since you're able to use the numpad while typing stuff -- that was a major problem in my mind

**Zellgadiss** · 2009-12-27 19:35

Yeah people say I type like William Shatner. It's ok, I don't mind though. You'll have to admit there are times you don't type something because you don't feel like putting down the controller/picking up the keyboard/fooling aroudn with some kind of akward position.

My g/f plays on controller and she often has me type stuff to people, or if she's talking to someone she just talks, doesn't play. I do both.

**ShinseiRyu** · 2009-12-27 23:23

Dual monitors + controller. Being able to click around on firefox on monitor #2 while still moving my character wherever and not have to alt-tab like crazy. I do have a logitech G11 and randomly tell myself I need to convert to keyboard to take advantage of it.

**NynJa** · 2009-12-28 00:09

Originally Posted by Auspice

PC launch fag here; keyboard only or GTFO. You can't talk and move around with a controller.

I didnt know you could hit your WASD keys to move around while you're typing out to your LS? If you're suggesting Automove or keypad 7, you can do the very same thing while playing on a controller. And guess what, you can even NAVIGATE around with a gamepad while you're typing.

(it must be a windower thing though, I just tried it on my mule and it's typing 46428428428646 into the chat window)

goes into mine too, tried on full and compact.

**njitjk68** · 2009-12-28 00:14

Anyone have a guide on getting PS3 controller to work on FFXI PC?

**Mojo** · 2009-12-28 00:53

Originally Posted by njitjk68

Anyone have a guide on getting PS3 controller to work on FFXI PC?

I set up a PS2 controller on PC FFXI that could have windower scripts bound to different button combinations. I'm sure the same thing can be done for a PS3 controller (or any other controller, for that matter.) If this is something that interests you, I can make a post about it.

**Yugl** · 2009-12-28 02:06

Originally Posted by Rocl

This is pretty much Blue vs Purple

You're absolutely right. Controller people are like those who say it's blue (And thus, are correct). The KB/Purple people are out of their damn minds.

**Andradi** · 2009-12-28 02:21

Originally Posted by njitjk68

Anyone have a guide on getting PS3 controller to work on FFXI PC?

[link deleted]

This might be a bit outdated (upgrade to pro and such)

Most of the software seems to be available here:

http://bqron.free.fr/PS3/BT/

Obviously get the latest version of BTSix, I'd scan those though, since I haven't verified them. Once done it works just like any other controller in windows. Doesn't work with 64 bit OSes however and needs some tweaking to work with vista.

I seem to recall a much simpler method to make it work 'non-wireless' but this is what I ended up using.

**Kurai** · 2009-12-28 03:13

Controller primarily

**Rocl** · 2009-12-28 03:44

Originally Posted by Yugl

You're absolutely right. Controller people are like those who say it's blue (And thus, are correct). The KB/Purple people are out of their damn minds.

if by correct you mean mentally handicapped, i agree

**rothhaas2** · 2009-12-28 04:05

Keyboard at work (sounds like i'm working), controller at home.

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