PC Gamers, I Seek Your Advice!

[Free Thinker]

While talking to my friend on skype, he mentioned steam, and I mentioned getting TF2. I of course, in my ignorance, thought 360 version first. I forgot about the whole Microsoft patch issue, and he reminded me. So he told me get the PC version instead. Now I have one problem with PC gaming, FPS games. Through my life of having a controller in my hand, I can't comprehend owning whoever I see with a keyboard. So, how easy are regular keyboard controls, or is there a controller for the PC for such games like TF2 or CounterStrike?

 

[megs1120]

Before long, keyboard and mouse controls feel like second nature. Just give it a shot and stick to it.

 

[The Amazing Tea Alligator]

If you use a controller, you'll get the floor mopped out of you. I can't reccomend a keyboard and mouse enough. Once you get used to it, you'll see the difference.

 

[MikailCaboose]

Well, my first FPS's were on the PC so...
Well, I think that if you have say, a 360 controller, you can use it with your PC. You may have to have another program, I'm not sure, but if you can't get used to the keyboard, I guess trying to do that might help you.

 

[teh_Canape]

yes, there's controller support for TF2 and CS, but only 360 pad allowed, and it's a pain in the ass to properly tell the game to use it =P

as for keyboard+mouse, it's simple

1-5 for weapons, WASD for movement, space bar for jumping, Ctrl key for crouching, Tab key for scores, Shift for walking (usually), Left Mouse button for shooting, Right Mouse button for class specific stuff, Y for global chat, U for team chat, and Mouse Wheel for weapons cycling

 

[Frankydee]

I usually take keyboard over controller anyday, but I've always had a nice balance of both PC and console gaming so either way works quite frankly.

Give yourself a few days and you'll get used to it.

 

[Jasper Jeffs]

They're not very difficult to learn, all the buttons might look daunting or whatever, but you're only really going to use the arrow keys or WASD, and you'll pick up aiming with the mouse soon enough. Then when you're comfortable you can assign shit to the other keys so you're *ahem* "pro".

 

[procyonlotor]

"Mouse and keyboard" is pretty much the most advantageous control scheme available. You'll get used to it in no time.

Frankly, I can't imagine owning anyone with a 360 controller.

 

[Dr.Sean]

Keybaord > Controller. Simple as that.

Here let me make it simpler.

W goes forward
A goes right
S goes back
D goes left

Move the mouse around and click on people's heads.

 

[Free Thinker]

yes, there's controller support for TF2 and CS, but only 360 pad allowed, and it's a pain in the ass to properly tell the game to use it =P

as for keyboard+mouse, it's simple

1-5 for weapons, WASD for movement, space bar for jumping, Ctrl key for crouching, Tab key for scores, Shift for walking (usually), Left Mouse button for shooting, Right Mouse button for class specific stuff, Y for global chat, U for team chat, and Mouse Wheel for weapons cycling

Wait, that easy? I used to play WoW! Well then, I think I just might go get it now.

 

[Icarion (aka Stockholm)]

I grew up on the PS2. I just got tf2 two weeks ago. I kick some ass at it (im humble too). The controls are really easy and intuitive. Go for it

 

[Wodan]

Once you go keyboard and mouse you never go back! muahahahahaha! Joking aside. Give it an honest shot and you will be fine. I love both controller and K+M gaming. Controller for when I am feeling casual and K+M for when I feel hardcore.

Anyone else have the controls to CS ingrained in their minds? I can load the game up after not playing it for 10 years and still know all the shortcut keys for my ak47+deagle+armor+flashnade+HEnade. I don't know whether that's a good thing or bad thing >.> heh...

 

[teh_Canape]

Wait, that easy? I used to play WoW! Well then, I think I just might go get it now.

yeah well, that's standard PC FPS mapping, of course, with the new brand of shitty consolized PC ports, it's getting more complicated (yes Call of Duty 2 and forth, I love you, but right now I'm looking at you and your control mappings)

besides, FPS controls are usually fully customizable

 

[DeeWiz]

Just buy the orange box (best $30 you'll ever spend) and b4 you go online play through the half life series and portal, not only are they still some of the best games ever made but by the time your done mouse+keyboard will be second nature. Valve believes in "player training" as part of the gameplay, so you'll learn without even knowing it.

 

[Dylan Voyda]

When you just start out use as little of the keyboard a possible and use more and more of the keyboard as you go. Most games don't require that much of the keyboard right off the bat so it will help the controls grow on you. If the game has custom controls make the keyboard controls fit the way you logically think they should work.

 

[TheLefty]

This is the same way i felt. The controls weren't that bad, but coupled with my crappy computer it was really bad. I'd suggest making sure it works (or not having a crappy computer).

 

[The Lost Big Boss]

The only reason people who play consoles think that controllers are better is because of aim assist. Try to use a controller without it and it will be horrible.

 

[Scout Tactical]

yes, there's controller support for TF2 and CS, but only 360 pad allowed, and it's a pain in the ass to properly tell the game to use it =P

as for keyboard+mouse, it's simple

1-5 for weapons, WASD for movement, space bar for jumping, Ctrl key for crouching, Tab key for scores, Shift for walking (usually), Left Mouse button for shooting, Right Mouse button for class specific stuff, Y for global chat, U for team chat, and Mouse Wheel for weapons cycling

Wait, that easy? I used to play WoW! Well then, I think I just might go get it now.

You will find that aiming accurately, especially while moving, is considerably faster and easier.

 

[The Rogue Wolf]

A lot of people will tell you to use WASD, but I've never been comfortable with that myself, so if you want an easy way to start off on PC shooters, try getting used to using the following keys:

Arrow keys- movement (don't have to worry about mistakenly moving your hand and then having to look down to remember where the keys are)
0 key on numpad- reloading (easy to hit with your left thumb)
Right Shift- sprint/run
Right Control- duck/crouch
Enter- use
Delete/End/Page Down (above arrow keys)- these are good keys to use for special abilities, and I like to use End for voice enable
Backspace, backslash- good for things you'll use once in a while, like scoreboard, inventory, etc.
Mousewheel button- jump
Mousewheel- switch weapons

Now, I'd recommend getting a gaming mouse that has thumb buttons, so that you can set a couple more abilities you use semi-regularly to a place you can get to easily (but don't assign them for anything where you'd have to hold them down; that makes moving the mouse a little more difficult). If you prefer using numerical keys to immediately select weapons, try using the 1-9 number keys (and make sure Num Lock is on).