WASD vs ESDF

[Snotnarok]

This new key position is ...just confusing, why would you suggest something like this? WADS is to move your character, there's no real need to hit other buttons other than the numbers which are all above WADS. Also the WADS keys are more aligned like the arrow keys especially on my curved keyboard.

This ESDF key thing is just nonsense, in a shooter what other function do you need to reach for? Here's why it's WADS, because it allows you to sit back with your arms further apart matching shoulder distance between mouse and keyboard. If you have dainty shoulders feel free to change your keys thats' why the option is there, but to suggest it's better? I can't see the use.

 

[atalanta]

I use WASD, but I put my ring finger on W, pinkie on A, and middle on D. Crouch is shift and sprint is caps, and if I have to hit either I use my ring finger for W, A, and S. I had no idea until now people don't usually put their fingers on the keys like that.

 

[yankeefan19]

I just use the arrow keys, because I hate WASD and have never heard of ESDF.

 

[Xero Scythe]

I like WASD for an actual reason. My hands are freakin' huge. I once tried to use ESDF, but my arms are so large, that they continually got in each other's way, causing me to die every damn time. It doesn't seem like much space, but I can absolutely dominate at any game that uses WASD (Only because of a bullshit reaction time- I have beaten dragsters and fighter pilots for reaction time) But you will always find me at the bottom of the rankings for a ESDF game. I'm more built for football than for Aion, so I have to have as much space as possible for my fingers.

 

[Woodsey]

What you're saying doesn't really make much sense.

With WASD my little finger is laying directly over Ctrl and Shift, the ring finger commands both Q, Tab and 1, I can reach E, F, R and V easily too.

There's basically no difference, except it's easier to reach the furthest-to-left column with WASD.

 

[Marcu5]

ESDF FTW!

The OT's post pretty much sums it up perfectly.

I think i started using it right from my very first game because i could not see capslock as a proper key (which is especially true for mp games with text chat), which meant that i couldn't use my pinky as effectively as i can with the ESDF layout.
Ff i had allowed myself to get used to WASD, i would be using that (and admittedly make better use of SHIFT and CTRL), habits are hard to change after all...

ESDF is less comfortable, as the E is a little further to the left over the D than the W is over the A

Is it just me or did that make no sense at all? granted, it's true but i think you mixed something up ^^

 

[DeadlyYellow]

One question, apart from the obvious what the hell are you talking about: You say You can Reach T G and B with little effort. I have never played a PC shooter where any of those buttons were relevant, except maybe taunting in Team Fortress 2.

The way I set my hand playing WASD, my thumb hovers over VB. There's really no hampering to movement there anyway.

Alternatively, it shouldn't really matter. Chances are you'll develop compensation for any key without really realizing it when you play.

 

[Optimus Hagrid]

RDFG, motherfuckers.

With that I have the ability to switch between any Quake weapon with ease.

(I prefer using A and Z than Shift and Ctrl)

 

[ImprovizoR]

It's personal preference. There is no best solution. I'm a CS player and I use WSAD and if I need extra keys I use mouse wheel up and down and mouse buttons 3, 4 and 5 for grenades and stuff. I use arrow keys to quick-buy in CS.
It's the only game where I have entire keyboard do what I want it to.

 

[The_ModeRazor]

Didn't think about that before... but it makes perfect sense.
Thanks for the tip!

 

[captaincabbage]

I don't really see what people are arguing about, they're one space apart. I use WASD because most games are that default and it's closer to things like the ctrl and shift keys. By default for WASD the shift key is pretty much right below your pinky anyway.

 

[MaVeN1337]

I would probably be using ESDF if my brain and muscle fiber weren't completely imprinted for using WASD.

 

[Tharwen]

I'm just used to WASD. I went to my buddy's house once and we started to play Jedi Academy.

He had the movement on arrows, space as the jump, and everything else assigned to things generally on the far left. With a right-handed mouse.

FIDDLY AS FUCK.

That... makes absolutely no sense...

I just tried switching between arrows and space a few times, and I can't imagine ever being able to do that as a reflex.

Is your friend the sort of person who plays Farmville?

 

[stutheninja]

my mouse is awe inspiring so i just map everything useful to the mouse and just use WASD cause it's closer to ~.

 

[lacktheknack]

The unalignment of the "E" is worse then that of "W", and I can't thumb "Alt" properly. Plus, I don't need more buttons.

 

[Eyhren]

http://www.pccomponentes.com/fotos/teclados/teclados_gaming/steelseries_merc_stealth_teclado_gaming.jpg

This is the reason I use WASD.

 

[Dfskelleton]

I honestly don't care. WASD is what most are set to, so that's usually what I use.

 

[Reg0]

Wasd has the shift key, ctrl and alt key closer to the pinky thus has an advantage :d

 

[tehroc]

EASDFG actually, the reason for shifting the letters is for defunct leaning keys.