Mouse vs Joystick

[Algenor]

Hey everyone,

i read in many threads that most people prefer to play ED using a joystick rather than using mouse/keyboard, that's understandable. I am however used to mouse/keyboard gaming since when i was a child, and moreover a joystick would be another expense that i'm not very much willing to take after the beta purchase

My question is : would playing with mouse/keyboard be an important handicap for me ? Would players using joysticks have a considerable advantage?

Thanks for your answers

 

[bassman]

My question is : would playing with mouse/keyboard be an important handicap for me ? Would players using joysticks have a considerable advantage?

IMO having a dedicated throttle makes a lot more odds than mouse vs joystick. I dont feel at any disadvantage at all using a mouse.

 

[forger]

nah, i used to play only with hotas, now my hotas died and while i am awaiting for replacement i play with stick+keypad, there are pros and cons to any setup just make sure you bind everything you really need

main thing is to setup your input devices and get used to them 100%, only after that you can start developing your flight and fight style. my style without throttle changed a little and first 3 days were hard and confusing but now it's back to normal as my brain made new shortcuts so all comes out naturally again

i would advise investing in pedals much more than in anything else, as 2 more axes controlled by legs means you can do much more, but all depends on amount that you practice, don't expect to be even medium after weeks, it takes months to be good enough and probably many years to master it

 

[Adept]

An Allegiance squadron buddy of mine was top gun dogfighter in that game with mouse & kb (I used joysticks, he was better), and he took to mouse piloting in Elite like a duck to water.

I don't think you have to worry. It will require learning new skills, but you can totally play with a mouse just fine.

 

[Algenor]

Thanks for your answers, i'll consider buying more equipment in the future if i really enjoy the game, in the meanwhile i'll stick to my trusted mouse/kb combo since you say i can enjoy the game with it

 

[forger]

Thanks for your answers, i'll consider buying more equipment in the future if i really enjoy the game, in the meanwhile i'll stick to my trusted mouse/kb combo since you say i can enjoy the game with it

np

check these videos

he is best pilot i know and there are some videos with M/KB that he did specifically because there were cmdr's that told him that hotas are superior, but he uses rudder pedals with any hand input devices

 

[Tomtom]

You should do fine with KB and mouse, it might take some getting used to (well it did for me anyway) but once you've got the controls fine tuned it to suit you it works very well.

I've also used the PS3 and XBox 360 controllers and they're great, again it's just a matter of setting them up right and away you go! Then I can put the game on the telly screen and kick back in my recliner for a more casual gaming session - but the shortage of buttons on the controllers means you'll need a keyboard (or VoiceAttack) to hand (or mouth?). I have a small bluetooth keyboard for this that suits me just fine.

Now though I mainly play with a HOTAS setup. I feel that this gives me the best control but it's a little more than that - having stick and throttle adds to the immersion, and makes it very easy to forget that I'm not actually flying a spaceship about. Or am I?

That's just my 2 pennies worth anyway

 

[Adept]

Thanks for your answers, i'll consider buying more equipment in the future if i really enjoy the game, in the meanwhile i'll stick to my trusted mouse/kb combo since you say i can enjoy the game with it

This may surprise you, but I suspect the ultimate addition for you would be the CH Pro Throttle to go with a really good gaming mouse. That way you'd have not only throttle control and a ton of buttons, but also an analogue thumb-joystick for controlling translational thrust.

 

[Lasse B.]

If you want immersion, use a joystick with throttle + pedals. If you want precision, use a mouse and some additional input device like a keyboard or a SpaceNavigator.

 

[insanephoton]

This may surprise you, but I suspect the ultimate addition for you would be the CH Pro Throttle to go with a really good gaming mouse. That way you'd have not only throttle control and a ton of buttons, but also an analogue thumb-joystick for controlling translational thrust.

That's a really good suggestion, because the weakest part of kb/mouse I've found is the throttle control. I really struggled with using the mouse wheel as throttle so reverted to using W/S keys. The problem with mouse wheel was that the throttle seemed to constantly return to zero. I manage to use the thruster reasonably well using keyboard, though it may lack some of the precision of using an analogue input device

 

[JamesBondage]

Hey everyone,

i read in many threads that most people prefer to play ED using a joystick rather than using mouse/keyboard, that's understandable. I am however used to mouse/keyboard gaming since when i was a child, and moreover a joystick would be another expense that i'm not very much willing to take after the beta purchase

My question is : would playing with mouse/keyboard be an important handicap for me ? Would players using joysticks have a considerable advantage?

Thanks for your answers

im kind of in the same boat, as i've used mouse and keyboard since childhood.. and i've never really owned/used a joystick before. but i feel like its really going to be needed to enjoy elite, not just because the controls will be more fluid, but because you'll be that much more immersed in the game. Instead of just playing another game, you'll feel like your in space!

 

[flexy123]

You cannot beat the "feeling" but also the intuitiveness of controlling your ship/playing the game with a good STICK & THROTTLE. You are seriously missing out playing this game with k/b!

If money is an issue, look into the Thrustmaster Hotas X, also use hardware buy/sell forums and look around, maybe ebay even.

 

[Im_Lost]

That's a really good suggestion, because the weakest part of kb/mouse I've found is the throttle control. I really struggled with using the mouse wheel as throttle so reverted to using W/S keys. The problem with mouse wheel was that the throttle seemed to constantly return to zero. I manage to use the thruster reasonably well using keyboard, though it may lack some of the precision of using an analogue input device

Set the increase and decrease throttle separately, don't use the axis setting with the wheel. Then set it to 10% increments. Works perfectly then

 

[flexy123]

>
(Pedals...) as 2 more axes controlled by legs means you can do much more
>

I consider a stick with TWIST much,much more intuitive. I would be entirely lost without a twist on my stick. Please consider that the OP mentioned that money is an issue for him...so I don't think stick, throttle AND pedals would be an optimal solution for him.

 

[Gelbrock]

If you want immersion, use a joystick with throttle + pedals. If you want precision, use a mouse and some additional input device like a keyboard or a SpaceNavigator.

Well said.

Although I would take it further and dump the mouse too.

If you can use just keyboard you will have a very slight advantage over even the most expensive joystick or mouse set up in terms of speed/reaction time.

But that's just very minor. If immersion is in anyway a factor then go for a joystick, pedals, thrusts etc...

The advantage would be the difference it takes to move your entire hand 5 cm to the left (to turn left) on a joystick compared to the time it takes to press your finger down 0.5 cm on a key... obviously keys are faster.

BUT....

It takes years of practice I think and ultimately its down to personal preference.

Using wireless keyboard I get a slight immersion kick whenever my batteries run out and I have no control over the ship until I can replace them again...

Its the only time I use the f word... but it can be a giggle if you can manage it before death arrives...