I need suggestions for a beginner-friendly set of keybindings utilising the basic Thrustmaster USB joystick, and the razer Tartarus V1. however, just joystick and keyboard bindings would help massively. thank you!
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Newcomer / Intro Need help finding a good control scheme
- Thread starter yoloninja
- Start date
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- help help needed
If you want my opinion - that joystick is next to useless for ED. As far as I can see, it provides 3 dof and 5 buttons - not nearly enough. Even a gamepad would give you 4 dof and 14 buttons, and that is already stretching it.
If you still want to use it, though, I'd start with the basic kb+m control scheme (ED's default controls) and then map roll and pitch onto the stick, throttle onto the throttle lever and primary fire, secondary fire, weapons deployment onto the buttons. Depending on your flying/fighting style, either heatsinks or SCBs on one of the remaining buttons, the other for momentary switching of either FA-off or silent running.
Pro tip: if you decide to map silent running onto one of your 26 joystick butttons (should you get such a stick), don't map it as "toggle". The last time I accidentally toggled it, it took me until 100% heat to even notice it, and I was at 170% when I finally found out which button I had used for that...
If you seriously want to play ED with a stick, get a twist stick. That way, you can at least map all three rotational axes to the stick. Alternative would be pedals for yaw. If you then add a throttle with an analog thumbstick (or a second stick), you can get all 6 axes on analog controls.
If you still want to use it, though, I'd start with the basic kb+m control scheme (ED's default controls) and then map roll and pitch onto the stick, throttle onto the throttle lever and primary fire, secondary fire, weapons deployment onto the buttons. Depending on your flying/fighting style, either heatsinks or SCBs on one of the remaining buttons, the other for momentary switching of either FA-off or silent running.
Pro tip: if you decide to map silent running onto one of your 26 joystick butttons (should you get such a stick), don't map it as "toggle". The last time I accidentally toggled it, it took me until 100% heat to even notice it, and I was at 170% when I finally found out which button I had used for that...
If you seriously want to play ED with a stick, get a twist stick. That way, you can at least map all three rotational axes to the stick. Alternative would be pedals for yaw. If you then add a throttle with an analog thumbstick (or a second stick), you can get all 6 axes on analog controls.
Did you miss their point about using it in conjunction with this:
Totally agree that the joystick is not very good for use in Elite - but if it is what they have already then with the Tartarus they have no issues with buttons - no doubt the game will grab them and encourage them to replace the stick in time.
Thanks for the picture - no didn't miss it. A few more buttons, but still not enough axes. You'd still need to map lateral and vertical thrust and yaw to digital. Possible, sure, but not something I'd recommmend.
If they have the hardware lying around, it's possible to use it.
edit
Damn it! I didn't realise it was for the v1. The v1 has 4 fewer keys. Hopefully @yoloninja will get something useful out of the post still.
It's fine for Elite, actually - I've used a Tartarus v1 for quite a while with Elite when I first got the game, and have used the v2 a little, although as Mr. Handy points out once I got properly into the game I bought a HOTAS system. You just need to prioritise which controls you want within easy reach. The macro functionality is not to be sniffed at either.
I can't provide you with a fully-mapped profile XML, as I have a custom layout that bears little resemblance to the default binds file and only really use the Tartarus for my docking macro. You can create a custom layout using the default keyboard map on the Tartarus though. I recommend that, and the following controls for the game.
On the Tartarus (I love mine!), I'd go for:
Damn it! I didn't realise it was for the v1. The v1 has 4 fewer keys. Hopefully @yoloninja will get something useful out of the post still.
It's fine for Elite, actually - I've used a Tartarus v1 for quite a while with Elite when I first got the game, and have used the v2 a little, although as Mr. Handy points out once I got properly into the game I bought a HOTAS system. You just need to prioritise which controls you want within easy reach. The macro functionality is not to be sniffed at either.
I can't provide you with a fully-mapped profile XML, as I have a custom layout that bears little resemblance to the default binds file and only really use the Tartarus for my docking macro. You can create a custom layout using the default keyboard map on the Tartarus though. I recommend that, and the following controls for the game.
On the Tartarus (I love mine!), I'd go for:
- Vertical and lateral thrusters: WASD (keys 08, 12, 13 and 14) This is WASD, the default mapping for menu navigation; the menu inputs will override the thruster inputs.
Throttle 50% and 75%: Scroll wheel forward/backJust use the throttle.- 75% throttle is a sweet spot for station approaches - get to 75% at 6 seconds, and you won't overshoot the station in supercruise.
- 50% throttle is the optimal speed setting for manoeuvring in real space (the middle of the "blue zone."
- You might also wish to consider thrust forward/back on 10 and 15. Alternatively, you could map them to 20 (defaults to space, but you can change that easily in Synapse) and the small round key above the D-pad. These inputs are useful for adjusting speed in close combat to keep you right on a ships rear quarter. YMMV.
- Menu switches: 01 (left panel), 02 (comms panel), 03 (roles panel), and 04 (right panel)
- Targeting: the D-pad. Next target (D-pad down), previous target (D-pad up), next hostile (D-pad left) and highest threat (D-pad right).
- Boost: 06
- Shift key: 19. This key is not an action key, but if you press a key in combination with another, it acts as a new key.
- You could set 19+D-pad up/down/left to target wingman, for instance. 19+D-pad right could map to target wingman's target.
- Docking macro: 11, 16, or 05. I attach my docking request macro. You need to change the file extension to .xml before importing it into Synapse - the forum software doesn't allow uploading of .xml files. The macro assumes your left panel has been left on the targets tab, and that your menu navigation keys are default in the game bindings. It also deploys landing gear after 7 seconds, assuming you have deploy landing gear mapped to L.
- Enter FSS: 17
- Enter DSS: 18
- Leave FSS/DSS: the button on the top of the stick next to the hat. Alternatively, 05.
- Chaff: 06 or 11
- Shield cell bank: 06 or 11
- Silent running: 19+05/06/11 (if you need it - you don't actually need silent running to get into a station without being scanned.)
- Energy distribution: SYS - hat left; ENG - hat up; WEP - hat right; Balance - hat down.
- Lights/landing gear/cargo scoop/night vision: Shift (19)+hat.
- This could also be used for panel access.
- Panel navigation: hat up/down/left/right.
- Panel select: fire.
- Panel back: the button on the right of the hat.
- Chaff: 19+the button on the right of the hat.
- Fire: trigger
- Secondary fire: the second trigger on the front of the stick.
- Switch firegroups: Tartarus 19+secondary fire
- Stow hardpoints: Tartarus 19+fire.
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The stick has a twist axis.
I don't think it does actually. The spec reads 3-axis and since there is a throttle on the side I suppose that just leaves x and y on the stick.
Oh. In which case, @yoloninja - buy a new stick!