Comprehensive PC Keyboard Commands List for MGSV

This is a comprehensive guide to the PC keyboard and PC mouse commands to perform more than 100 in-game actions in Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain. I prepared this guide because, even two years after the game's release, I could not find a list of commands that was simple, easy to read, or really complete.

This guide was originally published by me, as a Steam player guide, on April 21, 2017 and has been undated several times. It is copyrighted by me. Individual players may make a copy for their own use. However, this guide should not be copied, duplicated, translated, or otherwise distributed without my specific consent.

List Organization

This list is organized alphabetically by command. The first line of each entry provides the command name. The second line provides the PC keyboard key(s) and/or PC mouse buttons used to execute that command. I have added notes, on the third line, to a few of the commands to provide additional information about that specific command.

Some commands which have the same effect are listed more than once because I want to include the search terms by which different players search for the same command. I want to reduce the frustration of trying to find a command when you can't remember the specific terminology the author used but you are sure you remember it is on the list someplace!

Errors and Corrections

If you find an error in this PC keyboard/mouse command information let me know and I will correct it, if necessary. Please provide the correct keyboard and/or mouse input required to execute this command correctly in the game.

If you know a PC keyboard/mouse command that I have missed, please let me know and I will consider adding the command to this list. Please provide the keyboard and/or mouse input required to execute the command in the game.

Commands A - C

Activate bionic arm's special functions
With arm equipped using the 3 key, hold Q, then select appropriate number from offered options.

Backward movement
S

Binoculars
F

Binoculars, zoom in or zoom out
V

Call horse
Q plus 2

Change camera position
V

Change image on your cardboard box
Press device key (4). Highlight the cardboard box. While continuing to hold the 4 key, press the G key. A small image will appear on the iDroid. Release the G key to apply this specific image to your cardboard box.
Note 1: To cycle through the available images press and quickly release the G key.
Note 2: There are a total of 6 possible images and these images are obtained by finding these image posters in enemy locations.
Note 3: Each image has an effect on a spedific types of enemy.

Change position on horse
C

Chance stance
C

Charge the stun arm device
With the stun arm selected using the the number 2 key, hold the right mouse button down. The stun arm will begin charging as indicated by the gray bars filling under the device's image. Depending on the level of your stun arm, you may have up to 3 bars. The first two bars fill rapidly but the 3rd bar takes a little longer (about 12 seconds total to fill all 3 bars). Once the finally bar is filled you will hear a sound (which I don't know how to describe and is not very loud) to indicate maximum charge. To discharge the stun arm press and release the left mouse button.
Note: The stun arm seemed pretty useless to me until I researched it's maximum level. With a fully charged level 3 stun arm you can knock multiple players unconscious, including those above you in towers or walkways, and even those inside buildings. Enemies knocked unconscious with the stun arm will remain stunned for a minimum of 1 minute and maximum of 2 minutes, 30 seconds. Try the stun arm out for some fun.

Close menu
Esc

Combat roll
Aim weapon, press and hold shift then press A (to roll left) or press D (to roll right).

CQC
L mouse button
Note: CQC is an abbreviation for close quarters combat. CQC is an important element of game play and is useful throughout the game.

CQC - choke
After grabbing enemy, hold down L mouse button until the victim collapses
Note 1: Choking an enemy using this sequence incapacitates the enemy for approximately 9 minutes (yes nine minutes - I have timed it several times)
Note 2: It is NOT possible to move while performing a CQC - choke.

CQC - consecutive knockouts
L mouse then follow in-time the on-screen prompts
Note: It is possible to knockout multiple people in one continuous action if they are standing close to one another.

CQC - "get down"
After executing a CQC - "hold up" command, press Q then select "get down" from the the options
Note: Enemy in a "get down" position will remain neutralized until another soldier calls out to them OR the entire enemy force goes on combat alert.

CQC - grab/restrain
L mouse buttton then tap and hold L mouse button
Note: It is possible to move while restraining an enemy.

CQC- hold up
Get within CQC range and aim your weapon, after the enemy drops their weapon and raises their arms, select appropriate number from the offered options.

CQC - interrogate
L mouse then press and hold Q to display various interrogation options

CQC - kill
L mouse then press and hold Q to display the kill option (the skull), and press E

CQC - punch
L mouse button

CQC - restrain
Hold L mouse button

CQC - stab
L mouse then press and hold Q to display the kill option (the skull), and press E

CQC - strike
Rapidly press L mouse button, without moving
Note: This will deliver a maximum of 5 punches and the enemy will be knocked unconscious on the last hit. This effect lasts longer than a tranquilizer round.

CQC - throw
Move adjacent to enemy, then move in any direction as you double tap the L mouse button
Note: A throw will knock an enemy out but does not last as long as a tranquilizer round. Knock out time from a throw does increase if the enemy is thrown against a wall.

Crouch
C

Commands D - G

D-Dog (buddy) command
Hold Q then select appropriate number from the offered options

D-Horse (buddy) command
Hold Q then select appropriate number from the offered options

D-Walker (buddy) command
Hold Q then select appropriate number from the offered options

Denote C4
With the C4 showing as equipped, hold the R mouse button then press E once for each charge
Note: C4 may be deonated any time after placement as long as the player is within reasonable range of the explosive. Make sure a buddy is not too close - they can be hurt by the explosion.

Deploy decoy
After throwing decoy, hold R mouse button and then press E
Note: Decoys must be deployed immediately. You can not place a decoy and deploy it later.

Dive forward
Space
Note: This is quickest way to reduce visibility to the enemy. Be careful though, because you will move forward and may fall off a cliff or building roof if you execute this command too near the edge.

"Fast travel" in a cardboard box around Mother Base
Walk onto a cargo loading zone. Press device key (4). Select the cardboard box you wish to use from those in your current device load out. Release the 4 key and the cardboard box will cover you. After the player is covered press E and select your Mother Base platform destination from the locations offered.
Note 1: Mother Base cargo loading platforms are located near the helicopter platform on the 1st deck of each platform.
Note 2: This method of moving between Mother Base platforms is faster than using the helicopter or driving.

"Fast travel" in a cardboard box between map locations
Walk onto a loading platform. Press device key (4). Select the cardboard box you wish to use from those in your current device load out. Release the 4 key and the cardboard box will cover you. After the player is covered press E and select your destination from the locations offered.
Note 1: Using the loading platform located in numerous outposts, a player may move to any other discovered loading platform on the same map.
Note 2: Loading platforms are “discovered” when the player removes the “invoice” found on a sign adjacent to each usable loading platform.
Note 3: This method of moving between map locations is faster than walking, riding, driving, or flying however, the locations are often in the middle of an outpost so expect immediate discovery if the area has not already been cleared of enemies.

Find a dropped/lost personal weapon
If a player accidentally drops/exchanges their own weapon when picking up an enemy or prisoner, the item can be found by looking for a white marker on the iDroid map . The white marker indicates the location of the dropped/switched weapon. If the player returns to this marker's location on the map the weapon can be found and picked up.
Note: This marker indicates the location of the last equipped weapon only.

Find a lost personal vehicle
If a player forgets where they left a vehicle on the map and wants to find that vehicle for use or extraction, the vehicle can be found by looking for a green marker on the iDroid map. The green marker indicates the location of the "lost" vehicle. If the player returns to this marker's location on the map the vehicle will be found.
Note: This marker indicates the location of the last used vehicle only.

Flashlight attached to weapon, on/off
T

Fire weapon
L mouse button

Forward movement
W

Give order to buddy (dog, horse, Quiet, or walker)
Hold Q then select from appropriate number from the offered options

Go prone
Hold C

Commands H - L

Help
H

Hide in a cardboard box
Press device key (4). Select the cardboard box you wish to use from those in your current device loadout. Release the 4 key and the cardboard box will cover you.
Note 1: Cardboard boxes are most useful if they match the terrain. This is why there are several different cardboard box patterns available for development and use.
Note 2: Cardboard boxes will deteriorate rapidly in the rain and then disappar completely leaving the player exposed. There is a waterproof version of the cardboard box that can be developed.
Note 3: It is possible to add an image to the outside of a cardboard box to provide additional confusion to the enemy. See the command "Change image on your cardboard box" for the appropriate commands and additional information.
Note 4: It is possible to use the binoculars while covered by a cardboard box!
Note 5: Cardboard boxes offer a type of fast travel in some situations. See the command "Fast travel in a cardboard box" for details.

Hide while sitting in the driver's seat of a truck
C
Note: This will cause the player to get down and hide inside the truck's cab.

Hide while riding D-horse
Look left and press C to hide on right side of D-horse or look right and press C to hide on the left side of D-horse
Note: This will cause the player to cling to the side of D-horse, opposite of the direction you are looking, presenting the enemy a smaller target to that side.

Hold up
Get within CQC range and aim your weapon, after the enemy drops their weapon and raises their arms, select appropriate number from the offered options

Hold up - lay down
Get within CQC range and aim your weapon, after the enemy is "held up", open the interrogation menu and select the appropriate number from the offered options

Hold up - take weapon
Press the ready button (R mouse button) in the middle of any CQC sequence

iDroid
Tab

iDroid tab 1
With iDroid open, press 1

iDroid tab 2
With iDroid open, press 2

iDroid tab 3
With iDroid open, press 3

Item device
4

Jump across a gap or jump between two objects
Stand near the edge. An onscreen prompt will often appear if a jump is possible. Press A then press E.
Note 1: The onscreen prompt does not always appear when this type of jump is possible.
Note 2: Using this two key sequence will cause the player to jump from one object to a nearby object and can be used to rapidly cross areas full of shipping containers or across nearby walkways, including many with guard rails, or rooftops.
Note 3: You can practice this jump sequence on containers and elevated platforms on Mother Base and get a good idea of the various results of this keyboard sequence.

Knock/Lure
With bionic arm equipped using the 3 key, hold Q and select appropriate number from the offered options
Note: Makes the arm generate a sound that may attract a nearby enemy to investigate.

Lean from cover
R mouse button

Leave empty cardboard box behind
While lying inside a cardboard box, press space
Note: This will cause the player to dive forward out of the cardboard box and leave the empty cardboard box on the ground.

Left movement
A

Lie down in a box
C

Light on weapon on/off
T

Light on searchlight on/off
X

Lights on vehicle on/off
X

Lure enemy using "knock"
With bionic arm equipped using the 3 key, hold Q and select appropriate number from the offered options
Note: Makes the arm generate a sound that may attract a nearby enemy to investigate.

Commands M - P

Make noise with bionic arm
With bionic arm equipped using the 3 key, hold Q and select appropriate number from the offered options
Note: Makes the arm generate a sound that may attract a nearby enemy to investigate.

Mark enemies, prisoners, vehicles, animals, resources or other objects using binoculars
Place object in middle of view and press L mouse button

Mark location on iDroid map
With map open, place cursor on location and use L mouse button to mark

Menu contols (iDroid help)
H

Minimize map to corner of screen
T

Mount D-horse
E

Mount D-walker
E

Mount Quiet
We wish!

Move between elements in iDroid
Arrow keys

Move backward
S

Move forward
W

Move left
A

Move right
D

Move to the the left/right in iDroid
1 to move to the left or 3 to move to the right

Open iDroid
Tab

Pause game
Esc

Pickup item
Hold R
Note: Be careful you don't accidently drop/exchange your own weapon when picking up an enemy or prisoner. You may drop the last weapon you were carrying and not be aware of it. If you do drop/exchange your weapon unintentionally, look for a white marker on the iDroid map where you dropped/switched the weapon. If you return to this white marker on the map you will find your original weapon.

Place marker on map
With map open, place cursor on location and press L mouse button

Primary weapon
1

Prone
Hold C

Commands Q - R

Quick change item device
4

Quick change support device
3

Quick change primary weapon
1

Quick change secondary weapon
2

Quick dive
Space

Quick dive left
A plus space

Quick dive right
D plus space

Quiet (buddy) commands
Hold Q then select appropriate number from the offered options

Radio
Q
Note: Provides additional information about locations, missions, or enemy personnel.

Ready weapon or device
R mouse button

Reload
R

Remove a marker from iDroid map
Use mouse to position the cursor over desired marker then press L mouse button

Remove all markers from iDroid map
Press up/down arrow key to change on-screen prompt to "remove all markers", then press space

Remove box covering player
L mouse button

Return to normal passage of time (stop smoking)
As time passes on your wristwatch, press 4 at the point at which you want speedup time to end
Note: Time resumption does not happen instantly, so plan ahead.

Ride an extracted container out of the area
Climb on top of the container, then extract the container normally using the E key, but DO NOT release the E key
Note: Player will be returned directly to the airborne control center (ACC) - no helicopter pickup needed.

Right movement
D

Roll to the left from a prone position
While lying prone, aim your weapon, press and hold down the shift key, then press A, and release the shift key

Roll to the right from a prone position
While lying prone, aim your weapon, press and hold down the shift key, then press D, and release the shift key

Roll to the right of left continuously from a prone position
While lying prone, aim your weapon, press and hold down the shift key, then press A (to roll left) or press D (to roll right), but DO NOT release the A or D key.
Note 1: Player will continue to roll until the A or D key is released.
Note 2: If the player stands up rather than rolls, it is probably because the player was not aiming their weapon when the A or D key was pressed.

Run - dash
Shift

Commands S - T

Scope
Q

Scope, switch magnification
V

Secondary weapon
2

Slide down an object
While on object, hold C
Note: This will quickly move the player down a ladder or pipe.

Slide in a cardboard box
While covered with a cardboard box, press C key to stand upright and immediately press space key to dive forward.
Note 1: This will send the player sliding forward on the bottom panel of the cardboard box.
Note 2: As long as the space key is held down the forward slide will continue if the terrain slopes downward.
Note 3: A slide can be performed in water, if the waterproof cardboard box is used.

Smooth traversing
Hold E as you move
Note: Allows the player to climb a ladder or jump a barrier during movement without the need to stop and press a separate command key. This is very useful and saves time.

Speed-up the passage of time (start smoking)
4 then select the cigar from the items' list and then press space
Note: Unlike most other items, after selecting the cigar you must press space to actually initiate the speed-up of time.

Stand up from a crouch position
Shift

Stand up from a prone position
Shift

Stand up in a box
C
Note: This will cause the player to stand upright with the box still covering the body from head to foot.

Stun arm use
With the stun arm selected using the the number 2 key, hold the right mouse button down. The stun arm will begin charging as indicated by the gray bars filling under the device's image. Depending on the level of your stun arm, you may have up to 3 bars. The first two bars fill rapidly but the 3rd bar takes a little longer (about 12 seconds total to fill all 3 bars). Once the final bar is filled you will hear a sound (which I don't know how to describe and is not very loud) to indicate maximum charge. To discharge the stun arm press and release the left mouse button.
Note: The stun arm seemed pretty useless to me until I researched it's maximum level. With a fully charged level 3 stun arm you can knock multiple players unconscious, including those above you in towers or walkways, and even those inside buildings. Enemies knocked unconscious with a level 3 stun arm will remain stunned for approximately 9 minutes. Try the stun arm out for some fun.

Support device
3

Suppressor on/off
G

Switch betwen run/dash
Shift

Switch between walk/run
Ctrl

Switch camera position from right to left when in 3rd person or shoulder view
V

Switch iDroid tabs, left
1

Switch iDroid tabs, right
3

Switch sides in helicopter
S
Note: This allows player to use weapons on both sides of the helicopter.

Switch zoom magnification or levels on binoculars or weapons
V

Throat slit
After enemy is restrained using CQC techniques, press Q, then press E

Throw off box covering player
L mouse button

Commands U - Z

Un-mark soldiers, prisoners, vehicles, animals, resources, or other objects using binoculars
Place object in middle of view and press L mouse

Use
E

Use binoculars
Hold F

Walk - run
Ctrl

Weapon flashlight on/off
T

Weapon view, change
F

Zoom binoculars or scopes
V

Zoom in maps
E

Zoom out maps
Q

Change log

April 21, 2017 Initial release.

April 22, 2017 Added the command "Jump across a gap or jump between two objects".

April 23, 2017 Added additional notes to the "Slide in a cardboard box" command.

April 25, 2017 Fixed an alphabetizing error in the Commands A - C section.

April 26, 2017 Added the command "Remove box covering player" as a additional search option for "Throw off box covering player" and edited information about the command "Jump across a gap or jump between two objects".

April 27, 2017 Added the commands "Fast travel in a cardboard box around Mother Base" and "Fast travel in a cardboard box between map locations". Fixed spelling and grammar errors.

May 15, 2017 Fixed a spelling error.

October 6, 2017 Added the commands "Charge the stun arm" and "Stun arm use".

December 26, 2017 Add the commands "Find a dropped/lost personal weapon" and "Find a lost personal vehicle".

January 5, 2018 Fixed two spelling errors.

February 10, 2018 Fixed command for "Hold up - take weapon". Try this out. It looks pretty cool on screen and getting an enemy's weapon away from them is always a good idea! Thanks to "intelfx" for pointing out the problem with my sequence for this command.

February 17, 2018 Adjusted the time an enemy is rendered unconscious by the "CQC - Choke" command. Thanks to "intelfx" for pointing out that I had not provided the correct length of time for the effect of this command.

February 18, 2018 Adjusted the time an enemy is rendered unconscious by the "Stun arm use command". Thanks to "intelfx" for pointing out that I had not provided the correct length of time for the effect of this command.

My Other Comprehensive PC Keyboard Commands List

I have also created comprehensive pc keyboard commands list on Steam for the games Witcher 3 and Red Dead Redemption 2. Check them out if you are playing these fun but command filled games.