City of Heroes: Live Forum Archive

I still click the little power buttons in the tray

Ad Astra

By Ad Astra,
Posted on: 2009-06-03 09:47 in Player Questions

 

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My UI...it's the same on every single character...even brand-new characters open up tray4 and tray5.


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Ohh, not bad. I like how 4 and 5 are stacked.

Even on newer characters, I stack 1/2/3 very early. Attacks go to the left, defensive toggles/heals to the right. AoE attacks (or later "larger" melee attacks) go in the second tray, less often used powers or temps go in the third. Generally anyway.

On my mastermind, I haven't really used binds (I know, I know) so I added two columns to the right of my regular tray (I recently switched to a widescreen monitor; after doing so, I never moved my main trays all the way to the right so I had the space). I forget the exact size. But they have things like the rocket packs, base teleporter, ouroboros, market teleporter.

Oh, and I still click, click, click. Movement is from steaming ahead with 'w', then angling with 'q' and 'e'. On teleporters, I activate the reticule with '1' or 'alt-1' then point and click.

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I wish they had a lock on the trays like they do in EQ2. Would make it so much nicer for us fat fingered folks!

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Not at a comp I can check ATM but I believe there is an option to lock trays.

 

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I click but most people find it weird that i use the arrow keys to move rather than my mouse.

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I do that as well.

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I'm pretty sure this isn't the optimal way to play. Actually, I know it's not. There's a lot of times I hit the "Next tray" arrow instead of the first power and likely end up dying as a result. I just can't seem to get my fingers used to reaching up to hit the 1 through 5 buttons with any kind of accuracy. For some of my most used powers, I have binds on q, e, t, g, v, and c, but those powers are usually the things I don't want in a tray, like fly and leadership pool powers, or pet summons. I just started a kheldian (yay 50 club) and I know I'll be using the q and e keys for shapeshifting binds.

What are better ways to play? Should I force myself to use the number buttons? I've heard of using the numpad, but I don't want to take my hand off the mouse.

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I use numbers on the keyboard above the WASD, and the mouse for camera control. I alternate between WASD and the mouse for movement naturally. I think it comes from playing FPS games.

Clicking icons is too slow and would drive me insane if I had to play that way.

I only use numpad for MMs for petcontrols where movement isn't all that important. I also bind some things that I use rarely but like to have on hand to the numpad, but it's not something I commonly use.

Quote:
Originally Posted by eltonio View Post
This is over the top mental slavery.

 

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I click but most people find it weird that i use the arrow keys to move rather than my mouse.

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I used to use the arrow keys, but I've fallen out of that. I still occasionally do it for the few times I want both hands on the keyboard, but still primarily use WASD.

Quote:
Originally Posted by eltonio View Post
This is over the top mental slavery.

 

Posted

I only use the keyboard myself. I play mostly on my laptop, but occasionally I will play on a desktop. I have my alternate trays keyed in (intuitively for me) to slide right and left as I press the left or right alt keys. This works for me. I even tried using a mouse the other day, and it didn't work so well.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. (pun intended)

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<qr>

Get a Belkin Nostromo N52 hand pad. You won't be disappointed.

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OK this may be a really stupid question but how do you all remember what keys to hit, I think that is the main reason i click because i can "see" what i want.

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Like I said, I just bind to keys that are really close to things I hit all the time and that makes them easy to find. Q and R are easy because they're just above left and right strafe. A long time ago, I got used to using R and F for autorun and follow, so the keys T and G are just to the right of those and also easy to find. C and V are likewise easy to hit because of position.

I try to keep them to the same function no matter what character I'm using. T and G are typically travel powers (fly and hover, super and combat jump). Q and E I use for toggles and summons. V is my "panic button," whether it's personal force field, phase shift, or god mode.

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Posted

Tray clicker.

I use the keyboard for movement and targeting and don't really see how clicking on the tray slows me down at all... now in a really laggy situation I find the number keys are more reliable than button mashing but not necessarily faster. And I'm with Philly... I don't play the same character 2 nights in a row enough to reflexively know which key is which power.

If the reason to use them is reliability or if you tend to concentrate on one character for long periods of time, then I can totally understand being a keyboard power user. However, I still think using combo keys for any reason, and especially power trays, seems a lot slower to me than just pressing the button and not worth the effort.

 

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I use numbers on the keyboard above the WASD, and the mouse for camera control. I alternate between WASD and the mouse for movement naturally. I think it comes from playing FPS games.

Clicking icons is too slow and would drive me insane if I had to play that way.

I only use numpad for MMs for petcontrols where movement isn't all that important. I also bind some things that I use rarely but like to have on hand to the numpad, but it's not something I commonly use.

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This is exactly what I do. Nearly all my characters are melee fighters, so the attacks are always in tray 1 where I can most easily use the number keys.

However, I've been playing my PB recently so I've got to figure out how to switch trays so I can do that for the different forms!

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Posted

I'm actually able to play faster, by clicking powers in the tray. I use a Logitech Tracball which only requires the movement of my thumb. Since I turn the speed settings all the way up on my mouse, I can move from one side of the screen to the other with the slightest movement.

So, while I focus on moving and jumping with the keyboard, I can have a whole set of powers queued with the slightest movement.

The only characters I have that use more than 3 power trays are my Masterminds and Kheldians. Those usually have 6 -7 trays open at any given time. My monitor settings are 1680 x 1050, widescreen.

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Add me to the Tray Clicking Crowd

At least for my 2nd and 3rd Power Trays...I use the Std movement keys + 1-0 for the 1st Trays Powers and I also use the F1-F4 keys for green/purple/blue/yellow insps...All other powers etc I click...

I always put the same type of powers in the same spots depending on the AT I am playing at the time…heh

Basic DOT attacks slots [1] – [4]

Sniper Attacks always in slot [5]

Cone Attacks always in slot [6]

Heals…Slot [7] Single Target or [8] AoE
Or
Additional Cone/AoE Attacks…Slot [7]
AoE Attacks…always in Slot [8]

Travel Power…Slot [9]

Run/Sprint…Slot [0]

Having memorized the keys by touch makes such a huge difference...I never have to look at what I'm keying...Especially because I am Macro & Key Bind dyslexic, if I had these guys I would be in serious trouble …so no Binds/Macros for me…

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I hardy ever touch the mouse. Save for powers like O portal which exists mostly hidden in a tray 4 behind my inspiration tray.

I use the arrow keys near the numpad for my movement needs, which leaves my other hand mostly free for tabbing targets and hitting the number keys, plus alt or control plus numberm with some powers bound to the numpad like speedboosting/healing/shielding teammates.

I don't suffer from altitis, I enjoy every minute of it.

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I still click the powers (waiting on some "expert" to call me a n00b)

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Unlikely to happen, except perhaps in jest.

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Posted

i am a weird hybrid player
i use the numbers above WASD 1-5
and the second tray numbers ALT1-ALT5
but that's about as far out as i trust my left hand, beyond number 5 i click the powers in the trays. but it works well for me.

i've just recently hit 50 and made 2 Khelds, so coming up with an easy way to switch between power trays for different forms is becoming increasingly difficult. and since i can't be bothered to learn macro's and binds i setup the different forms on trays 6 and 7 (or whatever the last two normal numbered trays are) and cycle thru the first slot when i change.

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Posted

I hit keys and use a basic layout for all my toons

tray 1 to 3 is general powers:

tray 1:
- 1 to 6 is attacks/controls (if on a controller) in the order of my attack chain [4 being taunt on toons that have it],
7 is numpad 0 (useful click)
8 numpad 1 (usually useful clicks)
9 numpad 2 (usually useful clicks)
0 numpad 3 (usually useful clicks)

tray 2:
1 to 4 are attacks (Alt+1 to 4 is easy to use)
5 is bound to Z (usually click location power or enemy toggle)
6 is bound to X (same as above, and fly down is V)
7 is my autopower
8 is numpad 4 (toggle)
9 is numpad 5 (toggle)
0 is numpad 6 (toggle)

tray 3 is utility

1 is self destruction (keying Alt+Ctrl+1 is hard to do by mistake )
2 is bound to T (travel power)
3 is bound to Y (secondary travel)
4 to 7 is junk (Crey pistol etc...) or empty
8 is numpad 7 (toggles/accolades)
9 is numpad 8 (toggles/accolades)
0 is numpad 9 (toggles/accolades)

tray 4 is side by side to the inspirations with veteran rewards and useful temp powers/rest

I use a Logitech g15 so for MM play and chat binds, I use those.

I move with the arrow keys so unless I have a click location, my hands never leave the keyboard.

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I click... a couple of SG-mates like to give me hell for it. :P

But then, I'm always moving in combat, jumping around or hovering like crazy. To the point that a friend got dizzy and had to stop watching my screen. I use a Saitek Eclipse II keyboard, and a Logitech G9 mouse. I play with the resolution on the mouse cranked to the max, so I don't have to move it more than an inch to traverse my entire 22" screen. Once I got used to it, I found I could click powers much faster than having to move my fingers off the movement keys to type them. I still have the occasional problem of switching trays, however.

As for power trays, every new character gets the three main ones open. Frequently used powers (attacks, controls) in top tray, ones that don't need to be used as often in the middle (toggles, buffs), and travel and such in the bottom. They also get a tray 4 above the inspiration tray, shaped like a square, for teleporters, portals, temp powers, and the like.

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i useLogitech Rumblepad 2

Left stick movement. right stick camera. buttons 1, 3-8 powers. button 2 jump, button 9 previous tray. button 10 next tray. 4-way button for targeting.

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Yup.

I use a game pad also.

however I use the number pad and top row numb keys for non essential powers and toggles.

I do however, use the mouse to activate menus (map, contacts, enhancements screen, etc)

EDIT: On my khelds I have 8, 9, and 0 on the top row keys bound in a macros to, HUMAN, DWARF, and SQUID respectively.

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I still click the powers too! Nothing wrong with that.

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Same here.

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Ditto.

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Yeppers, same here. Just don't like using the numbers. Click FTW!

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What are better ways to play? Should I force myself to use the number buttons? I've heard of using the numpad, but I don't want to take my hand off the mouse.

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I'm a big fan of the Nostromo N52 Gamepad, for the same reason. Though it doesn't get as much use now that I've gotten the Logitech G15 set up with frequently-used commands...

About my 4th year into gaming I got sick of the hand cramping over a keyboard and got a Ideazon Fang. Probably the best gaming investment I ever made. Also a standard gamepad with native computer support can be used. The game software has innate emulation for those types of controllers.

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I am a partial clicker, I use most of the number keys for my powers except for on my characters with a power that you must choose a location for IE ice slick, TP, etc..... just more comfortable for me, and I after 3 or 4 years of playing I JUST realized that CNTRL+number and ALT+number access your second and third trays(I am slow I know)

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