The WASD Elephant in the Room

Grim Dawn Development Updates
206

Probably repeating what’s been already said.

But if it allows for example moving :arrow_down: by holding S while being able to quickly shoot / aim :arrow_up: by clicking :computer_mouse:, even if character has to turn around / stop, then it breaks balance a bit IMO.

Because currently with :computer_mouse: you have to move the cursor some distance to achieve this behavior. And with :video_game: you need to change the position of the stick (+ other disadvantages of :video_game: play)

I expect all serious players to use WSAD for non-melee builds if it’s implemented this way. But I reserve the right to be wrong.

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207

See OP tqFan.

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208

I read that but just like for some other people in the thread, it’s not 100% clear to me - the mouse aim in particular. Because not being able to move and shoot at the same time like in PoE2 is a given.

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209

I would greatly appreciate it. After playing PoE 2 and Last Epoch with wasd it feels so bad going back to clunky clicking. I’m fine with there being turn animations and such, I just wanna not have to spasm my mouse around. I’m honestly baffled that there is a dodge skill but no wasd because I cannot figure out how it’s supposed to be useful. (Just reinstalled today on my tour of ARPGs while I wait for PoE 2 stash sale. Paused on bridge looking up WASD.)

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210

It’s simple:

  • Evade is on space bar which is pressed with the left hand thumb.
  • Left hand fingers press the number keys to use skills. I have also bound the potions to Q and E.
  • Right hand controls the mouse to aim the cursor, LMB/RMB to move and use skills.

There may be better layouts for other players but this one works great for me.

I wonder how WASD players handle piano builds with 8+ active skills. I guess a mouse with many extra buttons could be useful, or no mouse at all and all skills are bound to the num keypad. How do PoE2/LE players bind their skill keys? Do these games even have piano builds?

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211

I don’t see the connection. The use of dodge can be summed up as “hit spacebar when you’re about to get sundered”.

Well, WOW has had WASD and piano since forever, so it can work. Different type of game obviously. I very much agree that the game should continue to feature and support builds with 8+ active skills.

Anyway, to throw in my 2 cents on this topic, I don’t see a need for WASD in Grim Dawn.

212

I would love WASD to be implemented into the game, regardless if the Run and Gun is part of it. I just much rather move around with one hand and aim/attack with the other. Because my mouse has a bunch of buttons, I tend to put all skills on there anyways.

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WASD would optional, nobody would force you to use it

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I don’t care if they enable WASD, as long as it’s after the expansion is released.

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Wrong, as devs explained, WASD would require the gameplay to fundamentally change in design.

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No. It would if they implemented run and gun. Which they aren’t going to do.

The gameplay would be the same as using a controller.

217

The same would be so that you cannot use mouse for aiming whatsoever :thinking: Do you think that’s what we’re gonna get? :thinking:

218

Having re-read the OP, specifically the second paragraph, yes. The mouse would aim, but you’d have to stop to cast.

Isn’t that how the controller works? That’s what the second paragraph indicates, at least to me.

219

With controller, you aim and move with the left stick so WSAD working the same would be aiming and moving with WSAD.

If you have 2 separate things for moving and aiming (not the case with with controller or m&k currently) then you have an advantage regardless of whether you have to stop to cast or not I think. For some builds at least.

220

Then only use the controller scheme you want?

Not sure what advantage you would get, and over whom?

221

I mean WSAD + Mouse being better than just Mouse (or just Controller of course). For some builds.

222

Do you have metrics to show this?

And better for whom?

If you use your current choice of control scheme and Crate implements their WASD, then does it change your gameplay? If so, how?

223

Just logical thinking atm of course. With mouse to alternate moving backwards and shooting (kiting) you have to move the cursor constantly up and down. With WSAD + Mouse you won’t have to do it I think. You can keep cursor in the same spot, it should be faster to do it.

For everyone in the kiting scenario.

If I do X and then I do X then of course nothing changes. I don’t understand the question :thinking:

I’m just saying that it is my prediction that the new control scheme will provide optimal performance. For some builds during some activities. Since you won’t have to spend time on moving your cursor to move backwards / aim forward.

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224

Ok, but if you don’t use the new control scheme, then it doesn’t impact your gameplay.

Which was my point to the person stating it would.

225

if something is more optimal over another thing, it impacts balancing
just like how the game right now isnt’ being balanced with controller play in mind (because non of the top/OP performance feedback is made with it)
should something prove beneficial to the point people use it, it will then become a feedback factor when someone posts an overperforming result if that’s then in part based on using the new control scheme over the default/if you don’t get the same top results from the base scheme.
So yes, it might indeed impact your gameplay if said gameplay gets balanced with X controls in mind over another that you’re then not using/switching to.

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