PC FPS and control setup

[ddockery]

Alright, I'm getting back into FPS o the PC (older ones that I never played) and was wondering what the best supposed key layout is. They all seem to set to different defaults, and I'd like a couple of standard ones to try out instead. So far WASD for the movement seems to be best.

[Bratwurst]

This is my personal preference, I don't even know if it's a standard or if anyone else uses it at all. ZXC = straff left, forward, straff right, S&D as backwards, that leaves Shift for running, Alt for crouch and big ol' spacebar for jumping. You maximize the array of letter keys you can reach with your fingers for other stuff like flashlights, doors, etc.

[calthaer]

It really depends on whether or not you're playing a game that uses Lean, Walk / Run / Sneak options (like Thief: TDP), and stuff like that. Sometimes WSZXC is ideal for that.

If it's just a standard blow-em-up fastfragfest, then WSAD is your mantra.

[davidbrit2]

I find my right hand is much better with a keypad, so I use a rather unorthodox layout.

Mouse: left hand
Right button: fire
Left button: alt-fire

USB numeric keypad: right hand (I use an iBook, so I need an external one)
8: forward
5: backward
4: turn left
6: turn right
7: move left
9: move right
1: previous weapon
3: next weapon
0: jump (Use your thumb. The right arrow key works well for this on a full-sized keyboard.)

Then just map other keys on the keypad for various game-specific functions like crouch, weapon hot-keys, etc. This is the best control scheme I have found so far, but Prime Hunters on the DS with D-pad and stylus has been giving it a run for its money. Ha ha.

[it290]

I often take the WASD setup and bump it over a space, leaving me with ESDF. that means I can use the A key as an extra key for something or other, like zoom or some other bind. Of course this is more useful for online games than single player games. For single player I usually just leave it at WASD.

Also, for some games (Quake series in particular), I bind jump to my right mouse button. So much nicer than using the spacebar, IMHO.