ESDFy Your Gaming

Post by **Deadfast** » 2011-01-11 15:34

DonDOOM brought up the subject of me using a bit weird control configuration in this image.

What you can see there is the ESDF keys configuration. It's not as fancy as it may sound, it's pretty much just WASD except one key to the right. And yet it can make so much difference, especially with a controls heavy game such as Arma 2. I have been using it for over 3 years and not once did want to go back.

The main advantage is that by moving by one key on each row to the right you gain one easily accessible key in each row to your left. Without having to move away from your movement keys you have easy access to 16 keys (not counting the numerical row and Left Windows). That is 3 more than with WASD. It might not seem that much but trust me, 3 keys can make all the difference.

Unfortunately as everything in the world even the ESDF layout has its downside - virtually every single game nowadays comes with WASD layout as the default. That means you have to reconfigure the entire controls scheme. With the aforementioned Arma that is a major pain - some experts claim the game has an infinite number of keys you'd have to re-assign. That is why I recommend starting with something easier - PR:BF2 or BF2 in general is a good start. It worked for me

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On Rhino's request you can download my PR:BF2 ESDF Controls.con file here.
Shut down the game, overwrite the existing file in My Documents\Battlefield 2\Profiles\001*\Controls.con and start it again.

* Number is based on the position in the account login list: 1st = 001, 2nd = 002, etc.

ESDF pros:

3 extra usable keys
Using Ctrl won't break your little finger
Homerow marker on the F key allows for quick hand positioning
You'll be special, Epoch totally digs that!

ESDF cons:

Will take a while to get used to
Games need to be reconfigured
Tilda (~) might not as easily reachable as with WASD on some keyboards

That about concludes it this not-really-PR-related blog post. Before any suggestions for crucifixion are spoken let me just say I will be happy to write about something much more related to Arma 2 modding if requested. Suggestions regarding posts about scripting, dialogs and some basic configs will be welcome. Everything else is out of my area of expertise so I'd rather avoid those than start spouting some nonsense

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supahpingi · Post by **supahpingi** » 2011-01-11 15:52

lifes will never be the same :O

Post by **Rhino** » 2011-01-11 16:03

you could upload a controls.con for PR:BF2 with your setup

I may give it a go, but my Saitek Cyborg K/B has different material on the WASD keys which when mixing normal and WASD keys feels a little odd on the fingers

General Dragosh · Post by **General Dragosh** » 2011-01-11 16:10

So tru so tru dat

cyberzomby · Post by **cyberzomby** » 2011-01-11 16:13

Cool! I might be trying this out tonight

Post by **Deadfast** » 2011-01-11 16:23

[R-DEV]Rhino;bt5819 wrote:you could upload a controls.con for PR:BF2 with your setup

I may give it a go, but my Saitek Cyborg K/B has different material on the WASD keys which when mixing normal and WASD keys feels a little odd on the fingers

That is a good idea, I'll edit it in.

EDIT: And done.

L4gi · Post by **L4gi** » 2011-01-11 16:58

Ive never had any problems with WASD. Enough buttons for everything! Might work better in ARMA2 tho.

Cheeseze · Post by **Cheeseze** » 2011-01-11 17:59

But now I can't double you!

Post by **AfterDune** » 2011-01-11 18:07

Been doing that way over 15 years

. You have more buttons on the left that you can assign, it's as simple as that.

The only game I don't use it with is ArmA, as every button has a meaning.

ESDF is the way to go, that's for sure

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NyteMyre · Post by **NyteMyre** » 2011-01-11 18:46

ESDF pros:
* Using Ctrl won't break your little finger

It does more then WASD for me :s

MCI · Post by **MCI** » 2011-01-11 18:51

What are the weapon cycle (f) and enter vehicle (e) keys set to?

Post by **AncientMan** » 2011-01-11 19:15

Meh, it's further away from TAB, which I press constantly to see how awesome I'm going

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Post by **Deadfast** » 2011-01-11 19:17

MCI;bt5827 wrote:What are the weapon cycle (f) and enter vehicle (e) keys set to?

Weapon cycle is Y, get in/out is G.

Aedrill · Post by **Aedrill** » 2011-01-11 19:43

NyteMyre;bt5826 wrote:It does more then WASD for me :s

Same here. I might try this one but... What actions are you using the extra keys for? In ArmA of course.

JackAttack91 · Post by **JackAttack91** » 2011-01-11 20:45

lol this might work for you, but i'll stick to wasd, esdf just feels weird and uncomfortable, like my pinky isnt quite long enough to reach shift or control :/

Post by **epoch** » 2011-01-11 22:55

[R-DEV]AncientMan;bt5828 wrote:Meh, it's further away from TAB, which I press constantly to see how awesome I'm going .

What he said ^^^

Deadfast - you're a freak.

Post by **Deadfast** » 2011-01-11 23:30

[R-DEV]epoch;bt5832 wrote:What he said ^^^

Deadfast - you're a freak.

See, I told you!

You'll be special, Epoch totally digs that!

MCI · Post by **MCI** » 2011-01-12 14:53

[R-DEV]Deadfast;bt5829 wrote:Weapon cycle is Y, get in/out is G.

So what about picking up kits? (default: G) Does that go to H or something?

Post by **Deadfast** » 2011-01-12 18:52

MCI;bt5835 wrote: So what about picking up kits? (default: G) Does that go to H or something?

Assigned to B.