Should I play with a joystick or mouse?

[NobleJms]

I am currently playing the game using a mouse, which for me is really wonderful, reminding me of that fantastic Freelancer game. But last night after getting my ship destroyed three times in a row, I wonder whether it's my skill using the mouse or I should just "upgrade" to a joystick?

What are you guys playing the game with?

[Aures]

Mouse and keyboard but I am thinking about upgrading to something fancy with pedals, sticks and trackIR.

It helps that I have a Lycosa keyboard and Copperhead mouse, most people playing with keyboards can't mash nearly as many keys as I can.

It is good to learn the game with mouse and keyboard. Means you can play it at other people's computers. And, like you said you can use it as an excuse for why others are killing you (although it probably has nothing to do with it .

[Parapilot]

Personally even if I was slower on a joystick I would still use it. To me its all about the experience of flying. I really don't think you can expect to be better at the game using a joystick over a keyboard and mouse or vise versa. To me the joystick just lends itself to greater realism and more enjoyment of the game. Only my opinion.

[NobleJms]

I just keep dying and not sure what I did wrong. I am doing some attack missions at Olympus, it should be relatively easy no? I am currently using the most basic ship hull (the one that you begin with), with repair system c3 and shield boost c3. I've also upgraded my lasers and cannons. So I think I'm doing okay equipment-wise. Perhaps it's really my skill piloting the ship?

[SeeJay]

I liked playing Freelancer with mouse/keyboard but found my X52 much better for EM.

A lot of programmable buttons to keep everything at your fingertips. It's a must when you fight
really good people out there saince they're really fast and skillful.

Thee are a few threads that cover combat skills. For Olympus your equipment is enough. Just keep practicing and never be still. Strafing past enemys is a good start. Join MP and others will help you as well.

[Edited on 2010-11-15 by SeeJay]

[Ravenfeeder]

I use the Logitec Extreme 3D Pro, it's not expensive, easy to set up, and has around a dozen programmable buttons. Just my opinion, but, I'd say that a joystick is a must for this game especially for combat, either against AIs or PvP.

[NobleJms]

Thanks Raven. I'll go to Bestbuy today and pick one up.

[Aures]

I am trying to figure out what joysticks to get. I am pretty sure I am going to get a TrackIR so that is easy. I guess most pedals are more or less the same so that shouldn't be too much of an issue.

I am thinking of getting two joysticks, not sure whether they are going to be the same or different but I could use some recommendations. I am looking for something really high end, money is no concern. Can people offer some advice about what they think the best joystick money can buy is? I am digging around the net but more discussion never hurts.

[Parapilot]

Originally posted by Aures
Can people offer some advice about what they think the best joystick money can buy is? I am digging around the net but more discussion never hurts.

I am sure you know the two really exxpensive ones are the Thrustmaster Warthog and the Saitek x-65F. I just recieved a X-65F on Fri. I have it boxed back up and ready to send back (currently own a X45). For the life of me I could not get the axes to center. Today surfing the net I came across Saiteks solution. They ask you to go into the registry and delete a few entries and what not. I guess I will unbox it again and try their solution though I am not confident. The reason why I say, is when selecting different force settings the zero position jumps from one spot to another. That doesn't sound like just a calibration problem to me. If it consistantly stayed in one spot when selecting different sensitivities I would be more confident. So far my opinion of the X-65F is not good. I think i could really get into the force sensing though. I am going to give it one more shot tonight and see if I can get the thing to work reasonable well. One thing I don't like about the force sensing is it is very difficult to apply one axis without inputting into another. I am hoping that will be overcome with skill and practice.

I was considering the Thrustmaster Warthog but there doesn't seem to be very many consumer reviews yet. To be honest with you I'm not sure why I am even looking at all since I really love my Saitek X45. I guess I am falling prey to the old "If It Cost More It Must Be Better" mentality. Good luck with your selection.

Added 11/16/10:

Unboxed it again and tried the calibration fix outlined by Saitek. Still no change. Centering way off. Call Saitek and they tried real hard to get it to work with no avail. Now they want me to exchange it. I have gotten to know this product pretty well in the last few days and I think there some major issues with their thinking and electrical design.

[Edited on 11-16-2010 by Parapilot]

[Dingo]

I use a x52 pro, and I love it. That said, KB and mouse is actually very well done in this game. Overall a programmable joystick will get you more, but the KB mouse combo is really good for precision positioning when say, shooting down missles. So if you're stuck with the mouse and kb for a while, dont despair, its not that bad....even though i whined and complained all the time.

[Atollski]

I use a Saitek P2600 gamepad with a couple of shift states - the programming software means it doubles up as a mouse and can use toggle lock buttons (useful for the Alt + F2 hold down, or constant inertial forward)

The idea of two joysticks is great - would be great with a mech game, especially if they were force feedback.

Although I'm still not particularly amazing in combat, I fare roughly the same whether using the pad or mouse/keyboard

[Aures]

Thanks guys.

Great stuff Parapilot, thats exactly the kind of info I need. I want the best regardless of cost, not just the most expensive one I can find:).

It will be a little while before I make any kind of decision. I am quite an obsessive shopper. I'm quite inclined to go with one that does not rely on springs, but some of the alternatives like the X-65F sound like they have issues as you point out.

I still have my old sidewinder force feedback. That seemed like a great solution, no wonder so many people still use them.

I'll start hunting around for a TrackIR, great time to buy stuff from the states due to our exchange rate.

[NobleJms]

Originally posted by Eclipse
I started playing Evochron Renegades with the Extreme 3D Pro, it's a great controller in my opinion.
The single most important skill you can acquire for combat is turning IDS on/off and using the afterburners at the right times. With IDS off missiles have a harder time tracking you and countermeasures are FAR more effective.
Never approach a hostile group of AI head-on, use strafing thrusters to keep your direction of movement at an angle relative to where you are facing.

Hey Eclipse, I just picked one up from Best Buy, though I'm not too sure about how to configure it. Which buttons do you put IDS On/Off button and afterburner at? Also what functions do you use the joystick HAT for (strafing or viewing cockpit)?

[Ravenfeeder]

I didn't put the IDS on/off on to the joystick, just left it on the keyboard (space). If you're in combat you don't have the time to hunt around for a key on the joystick, much easier to thump the space bar.

You might note that the installation of the Logitec 3D Pro eleminates the windows joystick calibration. To calibrate the joystick go to control panel, game controllers, and then hold down the shift and Ctrl keys whilst left clicking on "properties".

The config I use, in ME, is 1 2 4 and 3.

Good luck, enjoy!

[Aesir Rising]

Originally posted by NobleJms
What are you guys playing the game with?

~ $25 for a Logitech Wingman 3D Pro. The features I wanted included:

• USB interface
• twist handle for rudder control
• POV Hat switch (which I map to strafe thrusters, not POV)
• nough buttons to manage weapon selection and targeting
• price

I'm used to joysticks and for many years had a full HOTAS setup for flight sims. I lose track of where I am when I'm trying to fly in game using a mouse, and dislike trying to roll with a RMB or strafe with key combos, so I had to get a new joystick for this game.

[Edited on 11-16-2010 by Aesir Rising]

[Bouli]

Hi all,


I am using a Thrustmaster T Flight Hotas X. It costs less than 35$, has 12 buttons and 5 axles (that are programmable), the handle is twistable, there is a hat, the throttle is detachable and it is compatible with PC and PS3.

[Galaxian]

KB + Mouse is arguably a 'faster' set up for some, but using flight controls makes 'flying' more fun.

I have a TM Cougar with an FSSB conversion from these guys:

http://www.realsimulator.com/html/fssb.html

I'd never go back to regular stick now. The Force Sensing bit isn't for everyone I'm sure, but for me it's the only way to fly.

The FSSB is spendy and new Cougars are tough to find if you wanted one, but it's currently the best setup available IMHO.

CH makes great gear and is arguably better out of the box than the TM gear, but the Force Sensing bit is where it's at for me and I like the F-16 stick layout.





[Edited on 11-20-2010 by Galaxian]

[Edited on 11-20-2010 by Galaxian]