Elden Ring is a contender to be the game of the year this 2022. Hundreds of thousands flocked to the game on its release and until now, it still peaks at more than 30,000 thousand players worldwide.
If you are still new to the game or you are planning to get into Elden Ring, you might be wondering what is the best way to play.
Should you play it with a controller? Or can you play Elden Ring with a keyboard and mouse and enjoy it at the same time?
Today, we’ll talk about which input is better with Elden Ring. Mouse and keyboard or controller?
Can You Play Elden Ring With A Keyboard & Mouse?
Yes, you can play Elden Ring with a mouse and keyboard on your PC through Steam. You just have to configure your key binds because the game was not built with a mouse and keyboard input in mind.
Playing Elden Ring is up to personal preference. Some people grew up with consoles and their muscle memory is already there for controller. But for newcomers, controllers might be too hard to grasp at first and mouse and keyboard reigns supreme as their input.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both options. You just have to decide if you are willing to put up with playing with a disadvantage for a while.
Should You Use A Mouse And Keyboard In Elden Ring?
With both the controller and mouse and keyboard available at your disposal, should you still push through with ditching the controller?
The game is built with a controller in mind thus using a controller has an advantage when it comes to key binds and button layout.
Moreover, the skill button on the mouse and keyboard has no default key bind. You need to drop by the Menu’s and fix your key binds there.
Sometimes, the game will also show controller prompts instead of keyboard prompts. It would show up a letter that you need to press such as Y, but it is actually pertaining to the Y-button on a controller. You will then have to change it on the Menu once again.
In the end, the controller wins when it comes to the superior Elden Ring input. It is excellent to use and the developers have optimized the inputs for a controller.
However, if you are really more confident in using a mouse and keyboard then go ahead with it. Elden Ring is meant to be enjoyed and it would defeat the purpose of having fun if you are going to push through with an input that you are not comfortable with.
Disadvantages Of Using A Mouse And Keyboard To Play Elden Ring
There are multiple disadvantages if you are going to use a mouse and keyboard to play Elden Ring. The game runs fine at the moment but if these issues are fixed, it would be way better.
You cannot rebind two major keys
Elden Ring allows key bind remaps in-game. But two of the most commonly used keys are stuck and cannot be changed at all.
First, the Main Menu is fixed to the ESC key so you will have to deal with it whenever you play the game. On the other hand, the Main Menu is very accessible on the controller. It is bound to the Start key on a controller – which is the ideal place.
Second, the Map button is locked to the letter G and yes, you heard it right. You cannot rebind the map button to, for example, the letter M. It is one of the most common key binds from other games so it feels a little awkward that you need to press G to enter the map.
You cannot set individual hotkeys for inventory items
As mentioned earlier, Elden Ring was made with a controller in mind hence the inventory items are mapped to the controller’s D-Pad. If you are using a controller then it is easy to press the D-pad and instantly use an item.
However, this is not the case if you are using a mouse and keyboard.
The inventory items are mapped to the arrow keys. In theory, this is a no-brainer because it easily mimicks the up-down-left-right keys of the D-Pad. There is a problem with this default key bind though.
Having the D-Pad or inventory items set to the arrow keys means that you need to let go of your mouse or your other keys in order to press them. If you are letting go of your mouse, then you will be a sitting duck and your enemies will easily kill you. The same goes if you let go of your other hand.
On the other hand, if you are using a controller, a quick switch from the left thumbstick to the D-Pad will not hurt you too much. It does not take a lot of time too.
The double keybindings need improvement
Elden Ring has a feature wherein you can bind keys to both your mouse and keyboard. This is neat especially if you need to press multiple keys at the same time.
However, as much as the double keybinds are great, it would have been better if it was more extensive. It is only limited to a few buttons and is not thorough.
Also, there are a lot of gaming mice out there with their own software for macros. If you use one, then you are out of luck. Elden Ring does not recognize third-party software macros.
Should You Use A Controller To Play Elden Ring
Yes, if possible. Controller players have an advantage in Elden Ring because of the button placements and extensive button remaps.
Using a controller will allow you to press multiple buttons quickly or simultaneously. You can dodge, attack, and use an item without letting go of your controller.
Moreover, you gain another advantage if you are using a controller with paddles as you can map more functions to them.
Why is keeping your hands on your controller important? Because in Elden Ring, a fraction of a second might be the determinant if you would live or die.
To summarize, controllers have better button placements, easier controls, and extensive button remaps. It is a no-brainer to choose a controller but only if you already have access to one.
Wrapping Up
Elden Ring can be played with a mouse and keyboard and you will still have fun playing. However, gaming controllers have a lot of advantages in this game. It will surely provide a better gaming experience.
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