Newbie Battlesystem Woe

[Yeargdribble]

Re: Newbie Battlesystem Woe

I've got a controller on PC, but I've found the keyboard to be far more efficient. It sucks to have to drop the controller every time you need to type something. You can easily control things with the numpad and still tab around whilst doing anything else as well.
You can get to your macros much faster on a keyboard than on a controller as well. If you're used to FPS games it takes a while to get used to the controls, but in the end, I think it will benefit you more.
I only use the controller for things like mining, fishing and farming. But when it matters in a big battle I can't afford the clunky, slowness of a controller.

[LilithAngel]

Re: Newbie Battlesystem Woe

I use the Compact mode, and I find that to be extremly easy and fast to use.

Ctrl-S: Open /say chat
Ctrl-R: Open /tell chat with the name of the last person that sent you a /tell
Ctrl-L: Open /linkshell chat
Ctrl-A: Attack/Disengage target
Ctrl-C: Check target
Ctrl-W: Weapon Skill menu
Ctrl-E: Equip menu
Ctrl-J: Job Ability menu
Ctrl-I: Inventory
Z: Walk/Run toggle
V: First-/Third-person Camera
R: Auto-Run toggle
WASD: Movement
IJKL: Camera
H: Heal
Y/N: Confirm/Cancel (respectivly)
-: Main menu
Tab: Target Select
Space Bar: Chat bar
Ctrl/Alt: Open Macros
,: Zoom out
.: Zoom in
F1-F6: Party targets
F7: Self target
F8: Closest targetable NPC (to include monsters/pets)
F9: Closest targetable PC

Hope that helps.

[Futan]

Re: Newbie Battlesystem Woe

Personally I hate using the Keyboard to play FFXI(keyboards are for chatting and macros!). The game was designed with the Playstation 2 controler in mind and it plays best when configured this way(in my opinion).
You can us a Playstation to USB adapter or you can buy a controler that wroks like a dual shock. You used to be able to get PSX to USB adapters from Linksag but they closed down...so you're stuck with Ebay to find one.

I got one from a company named DreamGear. I only use it for sports games though.

[Tsikuro]

Re: Newbie Battlesystem Woe

But when it matters in a big battle I can't afford the clunky, slowness of a controller.

...What?

[bungiefan]

Re: Newbie Battlesystem Woe

I've got a controller on PC, but I've found the keyboard to be far more efficient. It sucks to have to drop the controller every time you need to type something. You can easily control things with the numpad and still tab around whilst doing anything else as well.
You can get to your macros much faster on a keyboard than on a controller as well. If you're used to FPS games it takes a while to get used to the controls, but in the end, I think it will benefit you more.
I only use the controller for things like mining, fishing and farming. But when it matters in a big battle I can't afford the clunky, slowness of a controller.

I don't really have to drop the controller to type anyway. I can use it one-handed, and type with the other hand. Heck, I only use a few fingers on each hand to type anyway, so it's possible to type while holding the controller. I've just never found it comfortable or easy to use a keyboard with so many buttons to control a game well, since I can't easily hit the button on it I want to without looking at it, or my fingers get misaligned and I start hitting things like Y instead of T.

[Anson]

Re: Newbie Battlesystem Woe

I prefer using the controller for everything aside from chatting and text commands. The reason being that I'm not a very big fan of hand/wrist cramps or carpal tunnel syndrome.

[Bricklayer]

Re: Newbie Battlesystem Woe

I've been using numpad since I started. For me, it's very efficient. Maybe the only thing that is a bit tough is macros that are above about 6 or 7, e.g. CTRL-7. I have to take my right hand off the number pad to throw the macro, though by that time, I'm usually in battle, and not moving around much.

[Likibiki]

Re: Newbie Battlesystem Woe

I tried both when I started... I just couldn't get to grips with the controller and keyboard, when you need to type something mid-fight or while running it's not an easy/quick thing to do.

With full keyboard control, it's much easier to both for me. But that's just my preference, they added 2(well, 3, if you include compact) styles for a reason.