I tried KB+M to start and have since moved to controller. It feels so much better with controller. I've even got some friends to convert. While targeting may not be as precise, it has not cause me any real provlems. Also, I think it's easier to control your character's movements and dodge with controller.
this post was submitted on 01 Jul 2023
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Diablo
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The controller isn't as effective, but my God is it more comfortable and relaxing for me personally.
I played Diablo 1 for a few sessions many years ago and always assumed keyboard + mouse would be the only way I’d play the games when I finally got round to them, but after playing IV on my Steam Deck I’m having the same difficulty adapting.
I think it’s just because I spend the majority of my play time using a controller. I’m playing all four games simultaneously at the moment:
- Diablo + Helltide (with DevilutionX) - 90% Steam Deck, 10% KB + M
- Diablo II Resurrected - 100% Xbox
- Diablo III - 100% KB + M
- Diablo IV - 90% Steam Deck, 10% KB + M
Ironically, III feels like it might be suited to a controller more than I and II, but I have it on PC and can’t find a good way to use a controller with it.
Either way I’m having a blast finally catching up with this series, I’m not sure what took me so long!
Wow, I only now realize that there are people for that it feels weird to play with a keyboard + mouse certain games, for me it is really weird to play shooters with a controller
Sure, but we're talking about Diablo, not fps. I'm pretty sure the vast majority of PC gamers play FPS/moba with m+kb instead of controller lol.
I don’t think there’s many classes that benefit from mkb over controller. Maybe some of the necro builds?? Back to your question though, I make left click “move only” because I hate attacking mobs when I’m trying to reposition.
I switched to controller recently because of this and not being able to stand in place and attack without moving.
I honestly feel controller is a lot more enjoyable. My only gripe is navigating the inventory but it's such a non issue when your mouse is right there.
maybe it's too late but as with all other games of this type: holding shift let you attack without moving, even when there's no enemy in range
I actually tried this and it didnt work.
I played a lot of similar games and they all have that. I was surprised Diablo didnt. Maybe I disabled it?
Could be, there is a setting which allows you to seperate attack/move/interact. But hey, stick to the controller if you like it more^^ It's all about options
Same experience for me, except I started on keyboard/mouse with necromancer. After around level 40 or so I swapped to controller because it was more comfortable, despite being objectively worse for targeting corpse explosion.
This is basically the only game outside of like RDR2 or GoW that I prefer a controller for.
I switch between pc and my steam deck to play Diablo 4. I like it very much and when I use one or the other I'm very quickly adjusted to the different use.
On PC I move my skills to asdf, potion on g. I used to use the spacebar for forced standstill, but now use it for dodge. This way I can keep my hand on the keyboard for doing most things in the game.
Middle mouse button to open inventory, side button 4 to force and button 5 is for my escape scroll because I play hardcore.
I also made the ingame cursor bigger through settings, so it's easier to track it in busy areas.
Steam deck is makin me like the controller more. Just more fun.
I went from kb+m to PS5 controller or playing on my Steam Deck.
I find this style of game works so much better with a controller and honestly it's hard to go back to KB+M. Right now all I miss out on is chatting quickly.
To chat quickly on steam deck, I use the blizzard mobile app and whisper friends with it. But yeah major drawback.
Kb+m is a staple of Diablo games but as someone who has played them all I think controller is wayyyyy better. I don’t really get the accuracy argument because I don’t feel like I really ever miss any shots or are at some disadvantage. Plus if you have the ps edge or Xbox elite controllers you will enter god tier country because of the paddles!
What part feels weird for you? If it’s the mouse side of it you can play other RTS or MOBA games that you don’t have the muscle memory on to start connecting things, if it’s the keyboard you can always remap them to something more comfortable. I remapped my abilities to the home row instead of 1-5 since it’s more comfortable for me and doesn’t mess with my LoL muscle memory.
I have actually thought about going the other direction and using a controller because I find the pointing and clicking annoying with my barb.
Yes, Barb and melee in general plays far better on controller aince you don’t need to precisely click each enemy to target.
The flipside is that ranged classes can feel less precise to aim and can auto target the wrong thing sometimes. Movement skills can also feel bad if they go the wrong direction.
i would say muscle memory. Try a new char/class with mouse and keyboard this may work^^
First diablo I play with a controller.
It's pretty good. But I get annoyed by the targeting, middle of a big batte?
Let's shoot that barrel off to the side instead of the mobs in front of us!
Pushing in right analog stick lets you toggle between auto targeting (default) and manual targeting. Manual targeting keeps the red icon above one enemies head and you move the right stick to switch between enemies. That way you can choose who you're targeting.
I tried to use manual targeting for some of my druid skills (trample) but couldn't get the hang of it. It was too much to micro manage while trying to stay alive in a fight. You may find it works for you though.
It is kinda essential for bosses though, at least with a kiting class/build. Went from „this is impossible „ to acing one immediately.
I can't fathom how you'd even play Diablo with a controller, just stick with it.
I play on PS5 and always wonder if I could use a mouse + keyboard. I'm too lazy to just try it myself. Anyone know the answer?
Well you literally can’t use a keyboard and mouse for D4 on the consoles if that helps.
Having tried both I prefer controller, but there are some situations/classes where M&K feels more precise. the biggest annoyance for me on M&K is when I'm trying to move and accidentally attack an enemy. A nice change I've found is turning off the toggle in the menu that binds move/interact and I set my basic attack as another key instead of my left click, and then I set left click as move and interact only.
They both have advantages and disadvantages I find. There are different contexts where one is better than the other. Controller is really nice and comfortable for chill sessions, M+K provides better accuracy and control which may or may not matter depending on what you're doing and what class you're playing.
I prefer controller because I play high 90% of the time.
I did the other way around, started playing a rogue with KB+M, ended up switching to a controller around level 25, then I switched to the spinny barb and have been spinning with a controller since.
I play most of my games with KB+M, I had to dust off my controller for this game, but it feels good, there are ups and downs for both, you'll only find out which one you prefer the best for this particular game after you try it on your own, for me it ended up being a controller, for you it could be KB+M.
You're just going to have to adapt to the differences. I felt the same way about playing Diablo 3 with a controller on my buddy's PS4 back when it came out, having only ever played Diablo and Diablo clones with M&KB on PC before.
Just time. I started on controller also as an arc lash sorcerer. But was getting a weird misfire situation on controller when I'd proc raiment of infinite. I'd tp, pull all mobs in, then my character would just stand there like an idiot despite me mashing the crap out of the A Button.
Switching to kb/m took a bit to become intuitive but now that it is I am able to actually demolish groups of enemies that were completely destroying me before.
I started with kb+m and moved over to controller. With my particular setup, it's better for longer play sessions to use a controller and I like being able to have move bound to it's own area with no other interaction.
As for going the other direction, you'll need to find a set of key binds for skills and particularly for rogue make sure you set left mouse to only move, which means that your mouse is pretty much only in charge of aiming and getting you around.
I actually prefer KB+M for precision on things like Penetrating Shot damage on consecutive hits. However, there’s no way to walk with KB+M. And I just like strolling or swaggering through a place, especially when I first reach a new area. It’s like immersion vs precision, and it really bugs me that I can’t have both! 😆
I always stick with keyboard as well, also played all the previous Diablo games like that, but weirdly enough in this game it felt awkward. I'm playing with an 18 button MMO mouse, so I mapped skills, potion and evade to the thumb buttons and that's working great for me now.
If you do it long enough I'm sure you'll get used to it.