Hello, I'm a Frustrated ArmA noob

[Eizen]

Hello everyone,

I've had A2OA for a few months now, but I'm having trouble with all the controls. I've never been very good at kb/m pc shooters, but a colleague suggested it, and it was cheap at walmart, and I'd just built my new computer last year, and it's spec meets or exceeds all the recommended specs.

The game runs nicely on my machine at 1080p, but I play from my easychair on my 47" tv. As a result I have a slim mini keyboard (picture a laptop kb and touchpad), which doesn't have all the keys it needs to control the game. I have also got a Belkin/Razr Nostromo Speed Pad n52te, and MS Sidewinder X8 mouse, but I'm still struggling just to get everything configured without conflicts. The other option is I have an older (pre-xinput) Logitech rumblepad but that isn't even pressure sensitive, and the game won't register double taps or long presses on it.

The mouse, the game pad and the speed pad all have their own profiling software. Anyone else use these controllers with any success and have a profile they would share?

Thanks in advance for any help. My patience is sorely tested with these things. It looks like a great game, but after trying to configure the controls for 4 hours and still not coming up with a workable control scheme I'm about ready to give up on pc games altogether. I have tried the search function and armastack to no avail.


Regards,
Eizen

system spec:
OS - Win XP Pro 32bit
mobo - ASUS M4N78 PRO
chip - AMD Phenom II 720BE @<hidden> 3x3.2ghz
RAM - 4GB OCZ SLi series DDR2-800 (~2.5gb actual usable)
GPU - BFG GTX260 OC Maxcore 896mb
HDD - Samsung 1.5 TB in 2 used partitions, 32mb cache, sata 3.0, 5400rpm

[Muahaha]

Hi Eizen,

Arma is indeed a great game but the controls are sometimes really overwhelming. I do not have your set of kbo/mouse combination but what I can suggest maybe is to sacrifice certain actions or combine certain actions by double tapping the same key.

for instance, i combined stand ( "c" key) and hop over action (x2 "c") key into the same key. Or compass ("k") key with watch (x2 "k"). Something along that line. That will save some of your buttons for other most frequently used actions.

Some actions I really rarely use I never map it into the control scheme which probably also available via action menu, for instance aircraft controls like flaps up/down which is also in the action menu. I think you get the picture.

Hope it helps.

[maturin]

ArmA can be challenging without a numpad. I've gotten everything to work on my laptop keyboard except for a handy hold breath keybind (only need it for sniping anyways).

What exactly haven't you gotten bound yet? The trick is identifying the superfluous controls.

[Eizen]

Thanks for the suggestions. I didn't think to double up commands like that... what are some of the menu type commands I can skip binding? Also, anyone able to bind left and right mouse wheel clicks?

Ideally i'd prefer my rumblepad for running around, as well as driving/flying and basic fps functions. But I should be able to bind any of the necessary secondary controls to my keypad and just take my left hand off the controller when I need to use the compass or watch. do you really need to look at the watch? =)

Another hour or two before I can play. =/ But I see a faint light at the end of the tunnel.

[Muahaha]

It actually depends on the play style you like, I play mostly sp and rarely mp, so if i need to i'll sacrifice those comm keys for others, neither do I play planes or tanks more than I play as infantry. So infantry functions are priority than the rest.

watch is important for those that play co-op or time based missions, other than that it's for you to remind yourself to go to sleep for work tomorrow.

No clue bout the mouse wheel clicks tho.

[HR4 Elite]

I use as you can see from my sig below, Razer Nostromo (left hand) keyboard centre, and Rat5 mouse right hand. Now I know exactly how you feel, I was the same having had the standard easy console controls of the 360 etc, however persevere its well worth it, I have had the sim now for 6mths and am still learning and tweaking my set-up, the Nostromo is my basic lean, move left/right, hop over etc I will list just some controls to give you an idea of how I have it at present;

01 = change fire mode, grenade etc
02 = lean left
03 = move forward (run)
04 = lean right
05 = deploy weapon (ACE)
06 = GPS
07 = move left
08 = move backward
09 = move right
10 = hop over
11 = move to keymap 2 (takes me into order mode for any troops I have to deploy)
12 = stand
13 = crouch
14 = prone

Now the side keypad that the nostromo has is as below:
Up = move left
Down = move right
Forward = move forward
Back = move back

The button above the keypad = stay zoomed in
Mini space bar = change to keymap 3 (takes me into sniper mode, which involves slightly different config)

Left mouse wheel:

Forward = take weapon down (relax)
Back = hit the floor fast (prone) very handy for quick reaction
Mouse wheel click = third person view (I use this when I am making missions only, I only play the sim in first person view)

The Nostromo has 3 keymap configs at present which cover most of the basic and indeed not so basic moves etc.. It can be configed for 8 keymaps which would more or less cover the whole sim, but the keyboard is handy for the less reactive commands (when not in combat).

My Rat5 has 3configs, I only use 1, as follows:
Left click = obviously fire (or do command)
Right click = aim, weapon up ready to fire
Mouse wheel = scroll commands (the usual)
Side switch 1 = walk slow
Side switch 2 = freelook (very handy to look around whilst moving)
Sniper button = ultra low DPI for sniping.
Centre button to rear of wheel = alter DPI speed (4 settings)


The Nostromo lean buttons fit perfect for my hand size, with the ability to be able to shift left or right with the onboard keypad plus lean using the two buttons, a very good set-up for looking, peeping around corners etc.. whilst having the Rat5 for the shot, should there be one..

For flying you can config right mouse fly (move the chopper or whatever)
Nostromo on the left for, thrust, flaps etc...

Hope this gives you a little idea, but to be honest it is all down to your own pref, I put my left hand onto the Nostromo and looked to see where my fingers were i.e. Where were the places to put the must have controls in combat, it sort of fell into place from there..

I am bound to have forgotten something, so you will have to forgive me for that..

[Leon86]

If you dont mind a configuration hell you can download the Windows speech recognition macros tool from the microsoft site and command al your dudes by screaming something in the microphone.