Mouse/Keyboard setting preferences

[WillPal]

I've just started playing Arma 2 OA (~6hours, still in boot camp) and I'm having a hard time getting comfortable with looking around and aiming at targets. I play on high settings and get very playable fps so it's not a performance issue it's an operator issue.

I understand that this is very player dependant and it goes by feel but I was hoping some more experienced players could give me their thoughts on aimer dead zone, high/low mouse sensitivity on the x/y axis, special keyboard binds, head bobbing etc.

The reasons why you have the settings are more important to me, not the the specific values. I think if I read some theories on why you use your settings it will help me figure out what my goal is.

Thank you in advance for your wisdom.

PS. I'll be ready to try the campaign soon and I'd really like to play Co-op so if anyone is interested pm me or add me on steam: WillPal1

[Jedra]

For me;

I turn head bob off altogether - it may be there for realism, but it makes me feel ill! That kind of realism I can do without!

I turn off mouse smoothing in the Control options as I find it gives me a quicker response and less lag. I think the turn rate is restrcited by the engine anyway so you are never going to get to the stage where you are turning 180 degrees in 0.00001 miliseconds!

I unbind hold-breath from the right-mouse button and bind it to one of my other mouse buttons. This allows me to zoom with the right mouse button without getting winded because I held my breath for too long.

Other than that I haven't really made any control changes (exception being mapping my G940 control system for air flight).

The main thing to remember is that this isn't a 'twitch' shooter like CoD of BF series, so I don't think that sub-milisecond response rates are necessary. It's more about identifying your target, steadying your aim and firing in a controlled manner.

[Tonci87]

You should consider to change the key for switching optics. The / key on the Numpad requires that you take one hand off the mouse or the keyboard. I changed that to Strg+Right Mouse button

[SmallBlackSheep]

The most important setting IMO is indeed aiming deadzone.

Interestingly in the original OFP I had no problems with the default setting, which can indeed feel kinda sluggish if you're playing "normal" FPS games usually.

Since I played lots of other games between ArmA and ArmA 2, I set the deadzone to zero when I picked up ArmA 2. Feels more intuitive to me now.

I also upped the Y sensitivity by one or two clicks.

Edit:

The main thing to remember is that this isn't a 'twitch' shooter like CoD of BF series, so I don't think that sub-milisecond response rates are necessary. It's more about identifying your target, steadying your aim and firing in a controlled manner.

Agreed.

You should consider to change the key for switching optics. The / key on the Numpad requires that you take one hand off the mouse or the keyboard. I changed that to Strg+Right Mouse button

Didn't know this was possible, thanks for the heads up tonci!

[Angus S]

I wish you could have a different mouse sensitivity for aircraft and infantry

[WillPal]

Thanks for the input guys, I'm still tinkering with everything. I tried to make hold breathe ctrl+rightclick but it turned red and showed CTRL so I'm not sure how to do it either.

I agree deadzone is important I've tried it maxed, 0'd out, now I play at about half. I think you're right that we've been conditioned to be turned off by a deadzone because of all the other games we play so I may turn it all the way down and see how I like it.

I'm curious as to why you would have different sensitivities for each axis, I know the default has Y higher, I just can't figure out why.

[Rye]

Recommend seperate key for transition to secondary. If you're an infantry guy... I use ~... other people I know use something more conventient to them but it's all how you work, not them.
I have deadzone off. Sensitivity around 3/4+. Smoothing around 1/8th. And with a 5,600 dpi capable mouse, a good mouse pad and clean laser you're set.
If accuracy = bad, suspect the mouse!

[Angus S]

I use 2x right mouse button to change to secondary and it works really well once you're used to it

[.kju [PvPscene]]

There are many things to improve:
# Use the two toggle stance keys instead of three separate keys
# Use temporary sprint and walk (shift and ctrl for example) to get smooth transition between movement
# Put lean to mouse 4 and 5
# Steady aim to tab
# Easy access to zoom in and out is also important

I posted my profile back in the day.
It has many adjustments to improve the controls.

See also: Game configuration [PvPscene]

[SmallBlackSheep]

I'm curious as to why you would have different sensitivities for each axis, I know the default has Y higher, I just can't figure out why.

With the default settings Y felt a bit slower than X to me, so I upped Y.