Controller or Keyboard Mouse?

[Kingkat54]

Just interested about using the K/B or Controller for this game? Thoughts?

[Enzymehardcore]

currently I use both in combination. Everything works great so far, you just have to set your desired configuration first. Only the automatic aiming with the Abrams doesn't work so well when lasering/aiming with the controller.

[orcbuster]

Keyboard and mouse is by far the best config for all applications. Game controls are primarily designed around those. You can use other options but they will in general provide inferior precision and precision is usually what you need for the majority of engagements.

[Kingkat54]

Thanks for the reply's.

[dschunk]

Definitely ⌨️ and 🖱️

[Zero]

Neither, because I have a flight sim setup, turret controls with a good joystick (+keyboard) is so much better. Mouse can't compete in that regard, but still better than a controller. Analog still is not precise though (no hall sensor) and has a very short leaver to do small and precise adjustments.

joystick (with hall sensor, not analog) > mouse > controller

[CrazyhorseB34]

I use both methods at same time... Problems switching back and forth. Best bet is key board and mouse.

[Kingkat54]

I also am not a fan of the same "K/B" buttons are used in multiple inputs. Like "RMB" used to aim ,and move turret. Kinda confusing to me. Should be able to re assign all input. Perhaps in the future.

[wildtime]

Finding a control scheme that is intuitive to you is more important than the hardware itself. If you're more used to first person shooters, you might be more comfortable with the mouse/keyboard combo. World of Tanks/War Thunder users might prefer the XBox type controllers. I'm more of a HOTAS user, but that's because I've modified the joystick and throttle to my needs. If money isn't an issue, you can spend a few thousand dollars at AFVSim to buy a control system based on the Tank/AFV of your choice. However, you'll have a more enjoyable experience concentrating on the screen rather than hunting for the right buttons to press.

[Kingkat54]

Pretty much. Coming from the fps arena, I have to remember that this isn't about being fast, as much as precision. Have been practicing a lot,and it is making more sense. Tried both controller,and a joystick. I am better with KB/mouse.

[uncle_p]

I've always used my HOTAS setup, but as the game gets more challenging I'm finding the precision of the joystick not so great for things like aiming ATGMs. I started taking my hands off the stick to look around, as the mouse moves infinitely faster than using the joystick.

I came here specifically to look for this topic, I think I'm gonna, slightly regretfully as I quite like using my HOTAS (even though it's about the cheapest one that can easily be used with DCS) and drop the stick to see if it helps me not get pantsed so often by the AI. I've noticed that I know what I need to do, but either I can't get something to move fast enough, or the cursor isn't quite going where I want it to.
I kinda went through this with the Combined Arms addition to DCS, and what I ended up with was dropping the joystick but retaining the throttle and pedals.

In this case, I might retain the rudder pedals which I use for forward/back (right/left).

BTW - I don't use any intermediate software so there's no way to tune the 'stick, as the game doesn't (yet?) have the ability to do this. Maybe those who are getting along with using a HOTAS have something like TARGET to tweak curves etc.

[orcbuster]

I find HOTAS to be a fair bit less precise and much less responsive than mouse and keyboard. Its also not a great translation to the typical gunnery controls used on tanks so it does not make it more authentic either.

[Zero]

Originally posted by uncle_p:

I've always used my HOTAS setup, but as the game gets more challenging I'm finding the precision of the joystick not so great for things like aiming ATGMs. I started taking my hands off the stick to look around, as the mouse moves infinitely faster than using the joystick.

I came here specifically to look for this topic, I think I'm gonna, slightly regretfully as I quite like using my HOTAS (even though it's about the cheapest one that can easily be used with DCS) and drop the stick to see if it helps me not get pantsed so often by the AI. I've noticed that I know what I need to do, but either I can't get something to move fast enough, or the cursor isn't quite going where I want it to.
I kinda went through this with the Combined Arms addition to DCS, and what I ended up with was dropping the joystick but retaining the throttle and pedals.

In this case, I might retain the rudder pedals which I use for forward/back (right/left).

BTW - I don't use any intermediate software so there's no way to tune the 'stick, as the game doesn't (yet?) have the ability to do this. Maybe those who are getting along with using a HOTAS have something like TARGET to tweak curves etc.

What stick do you use? Contrary to @orchbuster, for me it is the opposite. Especially small movements like tracking targets for you automatic lead, is easier for me with a stick.

However the stick must be precise enough so you WONT habe to tweak any curves. You want a linear 1:1 curve and NO DEADZONE.

I do have a VKB Gladiator NXT. It is all about preference, I guess.

Side note: I hope they will implement track IR some time in the future.

[GeekFurious]

I use keyboard & mouse but have been thinking about setting up my HOTAS that I have used maybe once... that's how I used to play Steel Beasts.

[deees]

I think the problem with using a joystick in this game is that there doesn't appear to be stabilization applied to the control. IRL, tanks with modern fire control system, the gunner is aiming a stabilized mirror/sight, not the gun. The movement of the joystick should be filtered to alter a force vector just like the mouse. The reticle should smoothly move based on that vector. This would allow better tracking of targets and more accurate shooting.

This would also lower the requirements for the joysticks used for players who don't have joysticks with 16bit precision.

(The developer has mentioned problems with the controller input code, but it isn't a high priority.)

[uncle_p]

Originally posted by Zero:

Originally posted by uncle_p:

I've always used my HOTAS setup, but as the game gets more challenging I'm finding the precision of the joystick not so great for things like aiming ATGMs. I started taking my hands off the stick to look around, as the mouse moves infinitely faster than using the joystick.

I came here specifically to look for this topic, I think I'm gonna, slightly regretfully as I quite like using my HOTAS (even though it's about the cheapest one that can easily be used with DCS) and drop the stick to see if it helps me not get pantsed so often by the AI. I've noticed that I know what I need to do, but either I can't get something to move fast enough, or the cursor isn't quite going where I want it to.
I kinda went through this with the Combined Arms addition to DCS, and what I ended up with was dropping the joystick but retaining the throttle and pedals.

In this case, I might retain the rudder pedals which I use for forward/back (right/left).

BTW - I don't use any intermediate software so there's no way to tune the 'stick, as the game doesn't (yet?) have the ability to do this. Maybe those who are getting along with using a HOTAS have something like TARGET to tweak curves etc.

What stick do you use? Contrary to @orchbuster, for me it is the opposite. Especially small movements like tracking targets for you automatic lead, is easier for me with a stick.

However the stick must be precise enough so you WONT habe to tweak any curves. You want a linear 1:1 curve and NO DEADZONE.

I do have a VKB Gladiator NXT. It is all about preference, I guess.

Side note: I hope they will implement track IR some time in the future.

I have about the cheapest stick that works as a proper HOTAS, the T-16000. And when I use it, the camera view starts randomly drifting. I know it's not a problem with the stick config (deadzone etc) as I've tried all that and it works in everything else.
Since I wrote that I've completely weaned myself off my HOTAS and I'm doing much better just with keyboard and mouse. This is a bit of a shame, as I like using my stick but some combination of settings, stick and the phase of the moon means I can't get it working properly in GHPC. I'm not blaming the software, obviously you are having a great old time. But even when I get it working fairly well (and use the mouse to halt the drifting thing) my aim is slower, when I guide an ATGM it's very hard to keep it pointed whereas with the mouse I just press the mouse button 2 and the target locks soild. I just can't get this working on my setup.
Anyway, have fun and enjoy your considerably better HOTAS than mine. Maybe if they implement track-IR, and I don't have to use the joystick to move camera view I'll try again. That's what seems to make it work in ARMA, DCS and (cough) Tank Platoon and I'm not a gamer so I started with Track-IR, I''m just not used to guiding my view with anything other than my head.