Changing the default key bindings

[Mithril]

One of the most used commands, Rest until completely maxed, uses a capital R which creates a lot of not needed finger strain. Should be changed to something not needing two keys to be pressed. Like r.

Better yet, the most commonly used commands should be placed on the now not used keys on the keypad where one hand always rests in close proximity. So maybe for example Rest until maxed, Get, and Look, and a Cancel action command, should be placed on the keypad.

[Fela]

Great idea, considering my notebook doesn't have a keypad and working around movement restrictions (diagonal arrows anyone?) this causes already unnerves me...so let's just pile more functions on keys not everybody has.

[darkgod]

Hehe
But I agree 'r' would do just fine instead of 'R'

[Mithril]

Great idea, considering my notebook doesn't have a keypad and working around movement restrictions (diagonal arrows anyone?) this causes already unnerves me...so let's just pile more functions on keys not everybody has.

Well, there are two sets of default key bindings. One could be for notebook users and one for those with a complete keyboard.

I really think that this is one of the most significant improvements one can make. Increasing keyboard ease of use by minimizing the distance the fingers and the hands have to travel will make the whole game feel much better.

Another problematic key is the Escape key that you use quite often to cancel commands. On a complete keyboard it often requires looking down and lifting the entire hand in order to press it. Afterwards you have to repeat the process in order to put the hand back in the normal position. So I think that there should be an alternative binding to one of the unused numpad keys.

[darkgod]

But the numpad is used for movement too

[Mithril]

But the numpad is used for movement too

But there are four unused key on a normal numpad. Numpadaddition, Numpaddivision, Numpadmultiply, and Numpadsubtract. These could be used for alternative bindings of Rest until maximized, Get, Look, and Cancel action (Escape). Numpadenter is fine as it is as an alternative to Enter.

[Mithril]

There are also Numpadinsert and Numpaddelete that could be used for some other commands. Maybe Use item and Use talent. Or maybe Inventory and Drop item are more common.

[Mithril]

Notebook users would be enormously helped by having the alternative set of movement keys as a square, which include the diagonal keys as on the numpad, instead of on the arrow keys.

[Fela]

Is customized keybinding via options planned?

That would probably solve all those issues

[darkgod]

Hum.. err ...
Did you ever try pressing Escape, and selecting "Keybinds" ?
It's been there since the first betas, maybe before

[Mithril]

Is customized keybinding via options planned?

That would probably solve all those issues

A lot of users do not know about the current option to change key bindings as can be seen in this thread. Also it makes the game a nicer experience for new players if the default key bindings are optimized.

[Fela]

Hum.. err ...
Did you ever try pressing Escape, and selecting "Keybinds" ?
It's been there since the first betas, maybe before

Umm..well, i _thought_ i had seen that, but figured since people were complaining, that i misremembered.
Am at work, so could not check it out right now.
(i.e. I might even be able to run the client without anyone noticing, but it is so terribly slow here - don't know why - that it's just too bothersome to even start it)

[darkgod]

Probably bad/non-existant opengl drivers.

As for not knowing the option, I believe most people assume all games to have the option to bind keys, it's just that roguelike players are used to utterly hopeless "UIs"
And yes I agree good default bindings, are good, although I still question the validity of binding them to unlogical keys on the keypad.
When I try a new game I press 'i' to get an inventory window without reading a manual, it's just logical

[Mithril]

Probably bad/non-existant opengl drivers.

As for not knowing the option, I believe most people assume all games to have the option to bind keys, it's just that roguelike players are used to utterly hopeless "UIs"
And yes I agree good default bindings, are good, although I still question the validity of binding them to unlogical keys on the keypad.
When I try a new game I press 'i' to get an inventory window without reading a manual, it's just logical

Well, only if one has played roguelikes before. Since there are two sets of default keys one set can be the logical keys and one set can be those that require less hand and finger movements.