Keybinding Guide: World of Warcraft

[Tumblebeer]

I recently remade all of my keybindings, and when I did, I actually had this guide in front of me, following it.
If there's any interest, I guess I could post my specific keybindings, with a little explanation with what I was thinking about them.

I did this to prepare for the upcoming expansion, what with the number of abilities changing and all.

I will also repeat my previous suggestion of taking the time to change the bindings you have right now, since it's like the best time ever to do a complete, awesome overhaul.

[munky]

Very cool. Just started playing again after a long break. Learning a mage for the first time and this helped me take my play to the next level. I bind d, f, g > strafe left, forward, strafe right and then can move while easily getting to w, s, and c. Then I use buttons 3, 4, 5 on my mouse and have two modifiers (shift and alt) on mouse. So really I can use my mouse for 9 spells I need fast and on the move. Lastly, I can use r for blink and rocket jump...T, G, and V are right there too. I basically copied your guide exactly, but shifted my hand over to the right so I wouldn't have to mess with tab, caps, shift, ctrl, windows key, and alt.

[Agent Sardan]

Nice made me rethink mine. Of course I do things a little differently. Back in the day when I first started playing hours at a time I would get the mouse cramp. So i tried use a game pad and that worked well (lots of key binds) using the SHIFT, shift, ctl and alt. Though I do have to put it down to type. Still tweaking it for Mists though

[Nactax]

Everywhere I'm looking, it says that It's not possible to restrict changes in modifier keys to specific programs. Does that mean you also use mouse keys for these things when you're playing other games or just browsing the web?

[Tumblebeer]

Profiles!
Most, if not all, mouse (and programmable keyboard) software support using different profiles for different activities. Some give the option to switch proflies automagically when you start the game/program, and others with a keybind.
Using the mousebuttons is a wonderful productivity boost for almost everything, not just gaming. Make full use of your expensive peripherals!

[malloot]

Hey Tumblebeer, Thnx for making this awsome guide.
I have a question for you, you are saying that the mousethumb is the best keybind spot. I have been thinking for a while now about making a mouse that has wasd pad on it in the space of normal extra mouse buttoms, the best would be in the form of an old toshiba laptop "knob" that was used to control the mouse. The idea would be to place that on the thumbrest position and use it to strafe and move forward while using mouse to turn. That make the use of wasd (or esdf in your case) free for normal keybinds. Allot of people dont really understand the idea becuase like in your guide they say my keybinds are fine. I wanted to know what you think about it and if you would use it if it existed.

[Tumblebeer]

I probably wouldn't use it, because I think it would be too slow in changing directions. Imagine doing the "classic rogue strafedance while someone is stunlocked" (check a video from vanilla if you don't get it :)) while having full control of your mouse... Not only would it be pretty slow, but I think you would loose some control of the mouse, unless you're like crazy coordinated with your right hand.
If you want to try it however, there are gamepads that have a thumbstick for the left thumb. Like the Razer Nostromo, or clearly inferior alternatives from other manufacturers.

If you do, let me know how you liked it. I've been thinking about it myself, but dismissed it as "not worth trying". Still intereseted though.

[o0Bacardi0o]

... maybe look at the zboard steelseries for 19.99 euro ? then you dont need special skilled keybindings...

[Tumblebeer]

I don't really see how using the zboard would help anything?
In fact, it would reduce the amount of good keybinds with a fair amount, and increase finger travel time by loads and loads. Also those "special" (in the retarded kind of way) keys supposedly have a horrible membrane base.

Everyone is free to do as they please, I personally wouldn't touch that with a stick.

I still recommend getting a good mouse (the most important part), then get a keyboard with the specific characteristics you want.
I personally require a few macro buttons, and I've recently fallen in love with the cherry mx red switches (after having used brown for a short while). That way you can tailor everything to your needs and wants. And it's alot better as well. winwin.

[EGOMZEZ]

This is great and I am making changes because of it. I like the tips to keep the keyboard hand as stationary as possible and to use the modifier keys on the mouse. My keybindings were a mess, but I have been trying to make them better. I found the ones i made involved some odd finger stretching and a heaping amount of looking down at my hands instead of the stuff at my feet.

Your esdf suggestion is intriguing.I never used keyboard for moving so this is even more difficult to me. The only key I kept a finger on was the ctrl and it was my pinky. I bought a Razr Nostromo because it was enough like the keyboard. It also let me get rid of capslock which often leaves me shouting at people.

It did take mapping out what i wanted, but I had to map out what I had first. Thanks for the spreadsheet suggestion too.


As someone who has to learn moving with keybinding I have some questions.

Should I always keep three fingers on strafe left, back, strafe right'?

What about binding movement keys to do additional things using modifiers? As opposed to having esdf and all it's modifier combinations be just movement?

I am starting with movement on a level of modifiers. shift +a and such. I tried an all out change but wow was that a disaster and I can just imagine how I would fare in my raid group. For now I just need to get my arms and hands used to the new equipment. I also got something like a naga but really i just mapped all the buttons on the thumb side to 2 things cause my selective motor skill on my thumbs sucks. Muscle adaption is a bit harder than remapping in my brain.