Spiral Knights - [Obsession w/ Optimization] Keyboard/Mouse vs Xbox Controller

[Obsession w/ Optimization] Keyboard/Mouse vs Xbox Controller

8 replies [Last post]

Sun, 05/27/2012 - 23:57

Metagenic

I want to be able to play super effectively by using a good control setup. Therefore I would like to ask: is the standard keyboard and mouse or the Xbox controller more optimal? Also, which functions should be mapped to which keys/buttons?

Some things I want to be able to do

- Switch to a specific weapon instead of scrolling through 4 weapons
- Rapid weapon cycling for good dps (Nalrayi showcased this trick in one of his videos)
- Use specific vials/capsules at the right moment (I have a very mild motor coordination disability which doesn't hamper my gameplay but currently makes pressing the number keys very inconvenient)
- Toggle autotarget (for the same reason, I just can't hold down left shift while using WASD)

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 00:30

Coatl

Keyboard + mouse is better

Keyboard + mouse is better for all type of gaming. You have more mobility and flexibility, as well as coordination.
I tried using a PS3 controller to play Spiral knights but I tell you know it just feels clunky.

You can't even gun with a controller accurately enough.

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 02:11

Headbash

I use a controller and so do

I use a controller and so do my real life friends. It's true you loose some precise aiming but with auto target it's very playable. You should use KBM for gunning in lockdown though ;p. It seems a controller will suit you well for what you listed. I use a xbox360 controller. I use move news -left stick, face news -right stick, attack - right trigger, shield left trigger, pots dpad, weapons abxy. I put auto target off on press left stick, and voicetotalk on press right stick. this actually leaves 4 buttons free. http://wiki.spiralknights.com/Gamepad

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 02:34

Psychodestroyer

.....

"but with auto target it's very playable"

Oh fsck.

No offense.

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 02:55

Sillysam

Hope this helps

I think it's more of a personal preference than optimization.
You're more flexible with KBM, but a controller is more comfortable, and you don't need to worry about pressing wrong buttons.
I'd say stick with KBM if you're gunslinging, as the precision is more important.
I prefer playing on my controller playing with swords and bombs, I find the 360 degrees of movement is better than the what you get with WASD
But the setup I use locks the direction my character is facing to where it's moving, so some might not like that moving from KBM

Current settings:
Left stick - Move + Facing
D-Pad - Belt
X - Shield
A - Action/Attack
B - Next weapon
LB - Previous weapon
RB - Autolock (default on, so holding it turns autolock off)

To fit your requirements, you can map weapons to right stick

If you need to aim independantly from your movement, you can use the following setup:
Left stick - Move
Right stick - Facing (aim)
D-pad & XYAB - Belt & weapons
LT - Shield
RT - Action/Attack

This allows you to have at least 4 keys you can map (LB RB Left and Right stick press) to autolock
The Back and Start buttons can also be mapped, alternatively you can use them for vials/weapons, applies to the other setup as well

This is just a template, you should map the functions to what suits you best

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 03:03

Tsubasa-No-Me

Yep, Psycho Called it.

Here are some facts... Just putting them out there.

AA makes you instantly aim perfectly towards the closest target that you are facing.
AA Increases the effectiveness of almost any swords in LD.

On the flip side:

Auto Aim does the aiming for you, thus means it takes not skill to aim
Auto Aim is made for newbs who don't know how to play the game yet. It gives them a crutch so they can survive.

And inference from the above: If you are using Auto Aim, you must have no skill, and be a noob.

I mean, if you are not crippled, there is not need to use a crutch.

If you can aim, the you have skill. If not, you don't have skill, and thus your kills and damage are mostly irrelevant, because you did not do it. The PC did.

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 03:16

Psychodestroyer

Eep.

I knew that was coming, it was only a matter of 'who' and time.

Although Tsu, Gunwise, AA will aim perfectly at your target at the time the button is clicked. Guns with slow bullets or shooting at a striker dashing straight past you probably won't connect.

Also, having it means they can't fire strategically. They can't shoot down the bomber before he places his bomb if there's someone within about 15 degrees of the target closer to you, or the guy in a group holding a water glob/firepot, or that explosive block those enemies are walking past.

Idk about swords. I dunno how AA changes to compensate for combo movements, if at all.

Aslo, these guys are using a Gamepad. Aiming accurately is sorta hard without a precise mouse, although I've seen an IRL acquaintance play Halo Sniper only, or CoD and their aim (there's only a slight bullet gravitation on Halo, no actual on/off AA) is GODLY. My friend's kills were right on the crosshairs when he fired, and with quickscoping sometimes.

Chill plox?

Ple-az-eh?

Pwease?

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 03:34

Metagenic

fyi

the only time I use AA is when I'm attacking Vanaduke's mask, as server lag makes it difficult for me to free aim on it without accidentally comboing into a fireball

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 05:54

Fradow

The best control setup in my

The best control setup in my opinion is a G13 + a Razer Naga (look it up on Google). Well, SK doesn't have that much shortcuts so you can swap the Razer Naga for any mouse, really, but the gamepad on thumb of the G13 is a must. Here are why you should use that :

- a mouse allows you to precisely aim for your target, whereas a Xbox controller only allows you 8 directions. Unless you are a bomber, you'll have issues hitting multiple mobs at once, because auto-aim doesn't do that : you have to aim yourself to hit multiple mobs reliably (which improves your dps much more than anything else).

- a thumb pad for movement let's you use only one finger instead of at least 2 (often 3) using a regular keyboard. That's one or 2 fingers readily available for other things.

My setup is :
- aim with mouse (of course)
- left click attack, right click shield, the rest of mouse buttons are unused for SK
- move on thumb, pinky for auto-aim toggle (same position as shift on a regular keyboard) and the 3 other fingers for weapon switch (only direct selection, I don't need rolling, which is a lost of time and not precise at all) and vials (that's 2 lines of 4 buttons)

I can't find any way to have something more effective.

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[Obsession w/ Optimization] Keyboard/Mouse vs Xbox Controller