Add a hybrid Mouse/Keyboard WASD option where the S key makes character step backwards and the A & D keys are used for strafing (for positioning purposes). W or point-click to move

Feedback and Suggestions
1

Like the title says, a hybrid Mouse/Keyboard (WASD) option (while still allowing players to point-to-click to move or to move with the W key) would be nice where the A and D keys are used for strafing and the S key is used for stepping backwards.

Players wanting to actuallty run back the other way? can simply point-to-click in whatever direction. Again, this is what a hybrid Keyboard/Mouse option would look/feel like with (WASD) functionality.

This hybrid Mouse/Keyboard (WASD) option will be nice for players wanting a more strategic gameplay experience while still allowing players to point-to-click to move if they want to.

The strategic aspect of the idea here kicks in when you are ‘facing’ your enemies vs. your character running the other way altogether. It keeps the combat more ‘engaging’, especially against Bosses with AoE/line-of-path ground effects.

That is what purpose having this hybrid ‘option’ for Keyboard/Mouse (WASD) will serve. Sure, it may not be everyone’s ‘playstyle’ of combat, and for those players, don’t Enable it.

Thank you for looking into this : )
Xalviloph

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Eh… You can’t attack while moving in this game (unless it’s Warpath or something). So unless they change the combat systems, there is no reason to add this at all.

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What are you talking about? This post is not about ‘attacking while moving’ but about changing the functionality of how the A, S, and D keys work while also allowing players to point-to-click to move. So the idea I proposed is not going to affect Skills at all, only the way in which your character moves/navigates.

Since we’re on the subject, though, there is an option on the Skills Bar to Attack/use an ability while moving as you hover over enemies. The hybrid Mouse/Keyboard WASD option I proposed would not affect its functionality.

So yea, we will still be able to do this (nothing will change in that respect)

Note: The tooltip below is just little misleading because it suggests you won’t be able to move when it says ‘instead of moving’. even though after killing enemies your character will resume moving again.

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I’m talking about moving backwards and strafing in an isometric top-down aRPG.
This is not a FPS, nor an MMO.
So, the real only reason to have said functionalities in an aRPG, is if you’re allowed to attack while moving.

I’m really trying to understand your reasoning on why would it add strategic combat if the only difference is where your character is facing while moving, nothing else.

Honestly, this is more like a visual preference only, since gameplay will be completely untouched.

1 Like
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TL;DR: The general point is everyone has a different ‘combat style’ preference. LE being an FPS/MMO or not is besides the entire point. WASD functionality is already here in the game, therefore, there is more than just the 2 options we are currently given where it can be expanded upon (as suggested in the OP for a third, all-in-one option between the two current options).

Furthermore, the ‘Keyboard Movement (WASD)’ option literally says it is ‘experimental’, which suggests its going to be expanded upon from a development standpoint, as it should be.

Your counterpoints really don’t hold water.

For example, before PoE 2 pulled the trigger on WASD functionality, players were skeptical about its implementation in an ARPG. But then when players got their hands on it? most players liked/loved it.

So no, you’re wrong when you say the hybrid Mouse/Keyboard WASD option I propose is nothing more than a ‘visual preference’.

The strategic aspect of the idea kicks in when, yes, you are ‘facing’ your enemies vs. your character running the other way altogether. It keeps the combat more ‘engaging’, especially against Bosses with AoE/line-of-path ground effects.

Being able to ‘attack while moving’ or not is not the reason I proposed the idea. The idea proposed serves more in terms of ‘avoiding’ being hit, especially against Bosses, but in a more streamlined way.

LE being a FPS/MMO or not is therefore besides the point. The proposal in the OP will actually affect the flow of combat in a different way/style to be played.

Not only that, the hybrid Mouse/Keyboard WASD option would be ‘optional’ (not Enabled by default) and if players like you don’t like it then simply don’t Enable it. Everyone has different ‘combat style’ preferences.

Example of logic: If someone threw a remote control at you, would it make sense to turn 180 degrees the other way to avoid getting hit or… would you side-step to the left or the right? Exactly. Running the other way in a linear direction would increase your chances of still getting hit vs. making a more unpredictable movement side-step to the left or the right.

Facing your back against an aggressor/enemy makes no sense regardless of the game’s genre. Combat is combat. Giving players the option to ‘face’ their enemies isn’t going to hurt LE at all.

You seem so hellbent on being against an idea that is not going to negatively affect you [or anyone else] at all if 1. it’s not your cup of tea and 2. you don’t Enable the option altogether.

Personally, I really dislike the current iteration of the ‘one’ option we are given for (WASD) functionality. It feels rigid, stiff, and janky. Hence, the reason for this post for another option.

I honestly don’t know how/why you undermine the idea by chalking it up to a mere ‘visual preference’. That point you made makes no sense to me but to each their own :slight_smile: