Determine if you prefer using a controller or keyboard for FFXIV.
Determine if you prefer using a controller or keyboard for FFXIV.
Final Fantasy XIV has been my companion since 2.0b. I disliked it on PS3 and its controller, but it became my favorite on PC with the ability to link skills to every button on my Naga's 12 extra buttons. I still play on PS4 though, finding the cross hotbar tricky—extra button presses for switching skills and holding R2 or L2 feels frustrating. Roulettes as a White Mage are still my favorite, especially relaxing on the sofa with the controller in hand. What about your FFXIV setup? Which controller do you prefer and why?
But it ultimately comes down to muscle memory. After you learn how to operate a controller, pressing buttons becomes as quick as hitting whatever appears on your Naga. You also don’t need to keep L2/R2 pressed since pressing the button isn’t necessary. When you feel ready again, just switch those two buttons and you’re good. The only issue would be targeting accurately. Still, as a WHM I simply use “switch to target’s target” whenever I want to DPS. But I’m sure the controller doesn’t offer a quick way to pick party members. A keyboard is still useful for chatting.
I completely agree. Setting up hotbars on new PCs or consoles can be tricky, especially when muscle memory leads to mistakes. Cloud-based HUDs would really help. Perhaps my initial experience with XIV on PS3 made me hesitant, as most of my MMORPG play was on PC. Now I understand what you meant. During casting, it only requires two presses each time—no need to hold down. Still, I sometimes hold down when not in practice to remember keybinds. On the controller, I usually cycle through party members using Up and Down on the D pad, which seems to automatically select my party. I think I haven’t tried all the available controls yet. Thanks for the helpful feedback! It’s great to see XIV players here.
I mainly use Keyboard & Mouse constantly. I also have the PS4 edition, so when I play there I switch to a controller and it took some time to get comfortable. Once you learn your hotkeys, they become muscle memory. I still favor a M&KB since it's quicker and more precise for clicking targets compared to using a d-pad.
Unless you're playing very far from a TV, I don't see the need for a controller when the game supports using a mouse and keyboard even on PS4. Certain levels are more challenging with a controller, while others are simpler, but ultimately it depends on personal preference.
From a keyboard and mouse viewpoint I have trouble grasping but I can recognize the ease of a controller and its hidden advantages (personally). I prefer it more because it feels less stressful. It’s simply another way to get familiar. Just like painting with paper or a tablet, maybe?
I like the feel of moving on a controller, but I began playing FXIV with a mouse and keyboard. Switching to a controller on my PC was challenging for me when trying to do my monk combos, so I went back. The controller movement is much smoother, though I can't give up the keyboard shortcuts I used before.
I share your thoughts on movement—it's much more fluid and natural. I stick to the older camera setting and manage my motion using the right-click mouse more. It provides comparable smoothness, though a better transition into walking isn't quite there yet.
I understand tanking, but I usually heal more with a controller. I tend to be less eager to heal during fights.