Don't have HOTAS or joystick

[Briareos]

I don't have a HOTAS setup or a joystick, but I do have a Razer Wolverine Ultimate controller. Can I still be reasonably effective at playing DCS?

[Insônia]

effective ? Not a chance.
Playable? You will have you fun time. But still handicap.

One hand on controller (pitch and roll)( l1 l2 throttle if you get used to). one hand on keyboard/mice (for avonics and everything else)

Still better than nothing.

You will sacrifice situation awareness or part of control in order to process certain avonic operation w/o hotas.

[Insônia]

If you willing spend extra times figure out use modifiers to swap functions, you probably can achieve keyboard free in fc3 aircraft with controller that have extra buttons.

But in full hifi modules. You have to get hand out and touch mice then get hand back on controller x multiple times. Then it was most inefficient thing to do in combat. From my experience, I won't bother program my input layout. Just one thumb stick for control surfaces. Use mouse click avonics and head looking.

[startrekmike]

While some might argue to the contrary, playing DCS with a keyboard (or any high-end flight or driving sim for that matter) with a keyboard is not really feasible. Keyboard keys can only really do full on or full off inputs and in a sim like DCS, that is simply not going to work in any way that will allow you to have fun.

A controller MIGHT be feasible but even that will come with some difficulties since the analog sticks on controllers have such a short throw and you have so few inputs to work with.

At the very least, I would suggest getting a cheap joystick to get started on. It still won't be the experience you get with a HOTAS setup but at least it will get you started.

[dan]

*In my opinion* you need a stick, throttle and head tracking to be effective. Since for me effectiveness and fun are tied together, those three are a must for me.

Stick is important for precise control and the crap ton of buttons for mapping controls.

Throttle is very useful for formation flying and air to air refueling. The extra mapping buttons and axes also make things a lot easier. Things like TDC, countermeasures are meant for throttle.

Head tracking is essential for situational awareness. This applies to everything from finding airfields, targets, buddies, checking 6 and how to maneuver to/around them.