Modifier combo keybinds?

[Furiant]

I'm trying to bind commands using CTL and SHIFT as modifiers (i.e.: CTL+Right for 'Strafe Right') but it's only registering the first key pressed. I read some posts that implied this would be possible, but I think maybe they were only talking about controllers like joysticks and such.

I'm left-handed (left on mouse, right on the arrow keys) so this is essential for me. I'm hoping there's at least a config-file strategy that would work; otherwise it's a deal-breaker

Thanks in advance.

[Vice]

You are correct, multiple button combinations are available for joysticks and other game control devices (because they often only have a limited number of buttons).

For keyboards, all default game controls have been designed to only require single key input and are mapped to individual keys so no combinations are required. When it comes to key controls, each key is available as a stand alone single input control option with the exception of the Alt key which has its own dedicated alternate control options for certain (optional) functions. Control and Shift are individually bindable.

Every key is treated as a single input option or at a minimum, has a single input control option available for it... so no key combinations are required. A few two-layer combination are optionally available on single key control functions, such as alt-R for nearest hostile target with R for nearest ship (but a single input control option is still available in addition to the two-key combination).

So unfortunately, it would probably be a deal breaker. The only other options would be use a game control device that provides the input control functions you'd be interested in, use the arrow keys for rotation control with the Insert-End keys for strafe controls, or swap the WASD strafe/throttle controls over to the arrow keys and use a mouse flight control mode for rotations.

I will say that you would (should) not want to combine the arrow keys for rotation and strafe control using an alternate key binder as that will severely inhibit and limit your ability to perform maneuvers you'll need in combat. You'll want to control both strafe and rotation axis controls simultaneously on their own inputs, otherwise you'd have to toggle between both sets of controls (blocking one set just to control the other and vice versa). You'll need to be able to perform rotations while also managing strafe/drift, not just one or the other alone. So it would be far better to establish a control scheme that works for you and also provides persistent control of all axis inputs at the same time.

WASD with mouse flight control would be ideal, which is the default control mode. And if you move strafe controls to the arrow keys and use mouse flight control for rotation for a better left hand configuration, you'll be using a far more optimal control configuration with the arrow keys.

[Furiant]

Thanks for the reply.

Even things like R (Nearest Ship) and Alt+R (Nearest Hostile), I'd like to be able to use End and CTL+End; the ALT key isn't nearly as easy to reach, whereas CTL sits under my thumb all the time. For instance, the NumPad, which is my main bank of buttons as a left-hander. Using ALT to modify NumPad keys is just not feasible for the right hand (try it), whereas CTL is very comfortable. Also, it's really easy to miss the ALT key and hit the Windows key accidentally, which is annoying.

I get that being able to bind CTL and SHIFT directly to a command is probably nice for folks, but the utility of being able to use them as modifiers would vastly outweigh that convenience for me. CTL = one command, vs. CTL+(Key) = 20 commands.

I suppose I'll play with it a bit using the mouse as the main flight control. It would be really great if the game could accommodate left-handed play a bit better though.

[Edited on 5-30-2016 by Furiant]

[Vice]

Many left handers I know generally just swap strafe controls to the arrow keys or numpad, most other keys are accessible regardless of which dominant hand you might use. If you're right handed, you still have to move one hand or the other over quite a ways to get to the numpad keys and/or keys in the middle. If you're left handed, it just means you go in the other direction to access keys on the left side of the keyboard. And they are all changeable regardless of dominant hand. So you can move desired controls over closer to the right side of the keyboard for left hand preference, if desired.

But I would not recommend narrowing down flight control options down to only four keys, even if it were an option. It would be like trying to control braking/gas and left/right steering in a racing game all on the same two keys... but not at the same time. For example, switching between braking/gas and steering left/right with the control key... the player would be limited to accelerating/decelerating when they aren't holding the control key, then give that up and lose that control to switch to steering when they hold the control key. It wouldn't be beneficial when you need a complete set of four individual inputs for steering and braking/gas simultaneously. The same is true for this game when you'll often want to control horizontal/vertical strafe thrusters at the same time as you control rotation axis in true six degrees of freedom. That's where I'd suggest the mouse flight control with strafe thrusters mapped to the arrow keys (or perhaps the numpad) for a left hand dominate configuration. Then move any other controls you want to give priority to over toward the right side of the keyboard, if they aren't already there where you want them.