Better PC Controls
So, the original PC controls are pretty lackluster, so much so that I rebinded most of the controls entirely. These are the keys I am using. This is based on v1.03, but I know of 1.05's unlocked keybinds. I will update it if anything changed. Feedback is appreciated.
I mostly moved keys closer to the mouse/WASD area based on how frequently you use them, and certain keys can be left out entirely if your combat build doesn't uses them. i.e. if you go eiher light or heavy attack build, you can move the other key further away, as you will almost never use it. There are no story/item spoilers, but I do spoil how often you will use X action, so if that bugs you, go to TLDR.
TLDR versions are at the bottom.
A few notes (and requests for CDPR):
The keybinds are listed by order of appearance in the menu options. I usually offer more than one key based on your preference, but they should not conflict with each other and there should be enough options provided if they do conflict. TLDR versions are at the bottom.
Sprint/Toggle Sprint: Left Shift and/or Alt, depending on your preference. Bear in mind that Toggle does not work at all for other Sprint actions such as fast swim, or horse sprint. Else you would only need one. If you prefer to hold, you only need one. Until CDPR fixes the Toggle issue and/or implements the "tap to toggle, hold for 2sec+ to hold" like every other game, you need two keys. Mine are Toggle on L.Shift, and Sprint (hold) on Alt.
Toggle Walk/Run: Y
You will only use this once in a blue moon for staring at pretty graphics or "immersion" at best, move it as far away from WASD as possible. I am amazed that this is the only toggle action without a "hold", given that everything else seems to default to "hold".
Jump/Roll: Space
These two can share a keybind. If you prefer to use Space for Dodge, consider moving Jump/Roll to Alt/Left Shift. For whatever reason, Jump does not work in combat, nor Roll outside combat, thus there is no reason to seperate them. In fact there is virtually no reason for them to be seperate keybind options until that is fixed.
Lock on Target: Z or Tab.
Z if you do not use it often, Tab if you use it often. I personally attack whoever comes closest, but if you prefer to focus on one enemy often, use Tab. The Selector Screen will be rebinded, don't worry.
Interact: E or F
Both are common choices in games where use/interact is common. I personally always used E, but as E was parry in W2, place interact on F if you want to keep that because of muscle memory.
Modify Attack Type: None.
Given that this Modifier can only modify one thing and exactly one thing, any modifer key would be better suited to being dedicated to whatever it modifed. Why the hell does this exist? Even worse, don't put it on Shift, that's a frequently used key that you need for more important stuff.
Fast/Strong Attack: Left Mouse, other on T. Most frequently used one on Left Mouse.
You should only need one, because your skill tree will only be able to focus on one. Unless you choose to go full swordsman path, but even then you won't need both before level 30 ish, and even then Battle Trance/Defence + 1 Attack is better than 2x Attack paths imo, as you will will only attack with one at a time, so leave the other key on something like T. Bear in mind the Ciri sections mess this up a little, so you may need to change your keybinds during them. But iirc she only uses light attack, heavy attack is a charge bar special like signs.
Use Witcher Senses: Right Mouse or Mouse 4/5 if you have a better mouse. Alt/Ctrl/L.Shift if you can handle holding those for ages. **T/Y/G/H/B/N* if you have Marcos/Autohotkey
Why on earth is this hold only? Why? Because of that, I have to put it on a Mouse button, for no other reason than because it needs to be on during all that walking in the searching phrase of a quest and you cannot bind it near WASD as that would be even more painful to hold. Also, it is usable in combat, so trying to bind another action over it like Dodge is a no go. CDPR, Please add a Toggleable version. Otherwise if you know how to use autohotkey or if your keyboard supports macros, you can bind a toggleable version to T/Y.
Parry/Counterattack: F/E or None.
F/E depending on what your "interact" is not on. E if you prefer to keep legacy keys from W2 (muscle memory). Note that dodge is better vs monsters most of the time, parry/counter is really only used vs humanoid opponents so it's possble you could get away with not ever using it. Dodge is used vs both monsters and humanoids, but parry is better for humanoids in terms of forcing openings.
Cast Sign: Q or Middle Mouse, if you have better mice: Mouse 4/5 or access to keyboard macros/autohotkey: None
Q if you go swordsman/alchemist. Middle Mouse or 4/5 for Sign path. Maybe you could even bind it to Left Mouse and move Attack to Middle Mouse, I haven't played sign build much. Because you need to select a sign and then cast it, this wins a slot near WASD. CDPR, please enable fast-cast as a option so I can get rid of the key, otherwise you could autohotkey/marco it to fast-cast when you press a select sign button, but sign builds will probably still want Cast sign as an option.
Toggle between Signs: Mouse Scroll or None.
If you prefer memorising the sign order and scrolling it, keep it. Otherwise that precious key could be used for some other common action. You won't need it because you have 5 dedicated select sign options that are far more reliable. If you want it for some reason, you cannot bind it to anything else because it doesn't have seperate Left/Right options, thus you are stuck with the odd Mouse Scroll Wheel keybind. Mouse space is precious on a 3 button mouse anyway.
Use Quick Action Item: Middle Mouse, R or T or Mouse 4/5
Middle Mouse if you have nothing else to put there and you use bombs/crossbow frequently. Other Quick Action Items like torch or the other two quest items are pressed very infreqently (not spoiling it, you know what I am talking about if you have them). You at best use the bombs/crossbow infrequently, only 2-4 charges per bomb and the crossbow for the occasional flying/underwater mob, so you could possibly get away with a R/T keybind if you do not like it.
Dodge: None or Mouse Scroll Wheel or ** L.Shift/Space/Right Mouse** if those do not conflict with previous bindings. Mouse 4/5 if you have access.
Now this is tricky, I am using a 5 button mouse, so I don't know how to work this for 3 buttons. However you can double tab W/A/S/D to dodge in that direction, so if you prefer that, you can safely leave it on none. And yes, Mouse Scroll Wheel is surprisingly viable and responsive for this, both directions can be used because of the single bind.
Roll: *see "Jump" *
Call Horse: X or T/Y/G/H/B/N
Not used very often, probably once every 30 seconds, only when you are out of combat and only when you are standing still. So X is fine if you don't wish to put other things there. The x button is always awkward to press when using WASD so you won't be putting many frequently pressed actions there. T/Y/G/H/B/N otherwise.
Gallop/Ganter: Alt/Shift aka whatever you binded Sprint (hold).
Another stupidly inconsistent decision. Shares a Key with Sprint (hold), so bind it to that and don't bind it to anything else. There is no toggle version. It is double press then hold to sprint, single hold to fast-walk.(rant)Really, CDPR, was Toggle Run just an afterthought? Please add the option seperate these to be consistent and add toggle options. Yes, that's 4 keys, but at least it's much easier to use.The only reason to have this mode is to save space, but then you should be able to use the toggle Walk/Run key for that, given that there is no stamina cost for fast-walk, therefore walk on horse is all but useless for anything other than sightseeing/immersion. It is also horribly inconsistent with Geralt's walk/fastwalk/sprint controls.
Dismount: E or whatever you binded to interact
Shares a key with interact, as you cannot use interact while on a horse, there is no reason to bind it to anything else.
Stop Horse: X or whatever you binded Call Horse
Shares a key with Stop horse, , there is no reason to bind it to anything else.
Surface: Space or whatever you binded jump/roll.
Shares a keybind with them, no need to bind it elsewere really. Can't use at the same time as those other two for obvious reasons, cough, unlike the situation between said two.
Dive: C or V
Depends on which you prefer. The other could be used for Consumable #2. Does not share a key with Sprint because fast swim is a thing.
Quick Access Menu: Ctrl or Tab or T/Y/G/H/B/N
If you prefer a blatant console selector screen for selecting signs, then this is a frequent action. If you would rather use the dedicated sign buttons or the scroll wheel, then this drops down to infrequent action, because you don't switch Action Items very often. You'll likely swap crossbow/bombs once or twice per combat at max, with the very rare quest item/torch.
Bear in mind that unlike in W2, it is press once to bring up, press once to select. Therefore Ctrl/Tab or any unbinded T/Y/G/H/B/N is okay. It is more relaxing to use, but slower. However, muscle memory can be a curse here. Also, Tab is easier to press so Lock Targer might already be binded there as I've mentioned before.
Consumables (1 and 2) : R & V, or F1 &F 2. or 1 & 2 if you don't care about the signs.
The reasoning is that you use food very often, but otherwise only potions can be placed there. So put food in R (a close button to WASD) and the other potion in V. Food is very frequent, used between 5-30 seconds depending on which, but potions can be anywhere between 20secs-1min. However both still need to be accessable enough to be pressed in combat with good accuracy.
Draw Swords (Steel and Silver): 6 & 7, F1 & F2 or F3 & F4 depending on what you used for consumables/signs.
No no no, you virtually never use this and the game likes to auto-draw/sheath them. Until that is changed, there is no need for them except for when the auto system screws up, which is quite often. They certainly do not deserve the precious 1/2 button slots, even for that reason. Put on the F buttons if that is your thing, or 6/7, which is harder to reach. Putting them on 1/2 is a waste, trust me.
Select Sign: 1-5 (1,2,3,4,5)
There is nowhere else to put them. Swapping signs is used very frequently in every build in any reasonable difficulty. F5 is reserved for quicksave, so F1-F5 is out (not even changable with unlock keys). 3-7 is only decent if you would rather put consumables on 1/2, but R/V can then be freed for signs/other stuff, it is better not to have freqently used buttons on 6/7. Be sure to memorise which key you binded which, and move your favourite signs towards the left (1,2,3,4 are the best and most easy to press).
Change objective: if by some miracle those keys are not binded, Ctrl or Alt, otherwise T/Y/G/H/B/N
Used once in a blue moon to switch your objective when you start/complete part of a quest. Don't need it near WASD.
Former Locked Keybinds: Aka everything from Glossary to Gwent Deck
Consider moving G/B to P/semicolon, if you need G/B for the previous actions. Otherwise keep these as they are, they are on the right side of the keyboard, perfect for "press once rarely to check some info" buttons.
TLDR versions will be posted later. I only have a personally tested build for full light attack build specialisation tree, 5 button mouse + keyboard. I could draft one for 3 mouse. If anyone posts TLDR versions for other builds, you'll have my thanks.
---------- Updated at 05:55 AM ----------
TLDR for light attack build, 3 buttons mouse and keyboard
Sprint: Alt
Toggle Sprint: Shift
Toggle Walk/Run: Y
Jump: Space
Lock On Target: Tab
Interact: E or F
Modifiy Attack Type: None
Fast Attack: Left Mouse Button
Strong Attack: None, add one if you care for Ciri sections, but she doesn't need them.
Use Witcher Senses: Right Mouse Button
Parry/Counterattack: F or E
Cast Signs: Q
Toggle between signs: None
Use Quick Access item: Middle Mouse Button
Dodge: Mouse Scroll Wheel (yes you read that correctly, up/down is the same)
Roll: Space
Call Horse: X
Gallop/Canter: Alt
Dismount: E
Stop Horse: X
Surface: Space
Dive: C
Quick Access Menu: Left Control
Consumables slot 1: R or F1
Consumables slot 2: V or F2
Draw Steel Sword: F3
Draw Silver Sword: F4
Select Sign: 1
Select Sign: 2
Select Sign: 3
Select Sign: 4
Select Sign: 5
Change Objective: T
Rest (formerly locked): keep as before.
So, the original PC controls are pretty lackluster, so much so that I rebinded most of the controls entirely. These are the keys I am using. This is based on v1.03, but I know of 1.05's unlocked keybinds. I will update it if anything changed. Feedback is appreciated.
I mostly moved keys closer to the mouse/WASD area based on how frequently you use them, and certain keys can be left out entirely if your combat build doesn't uses them. i.e. if you go eiher light or heavy attack build, you can move the other key further away, as you will almost never use it. There are no story/item spoilers, but I do spoil how often you will use X action, so if that bugs you, go to TLDR.
TLDR versions are at the bottom.
A few notes (and requests for CDPR):
- You can only have 1 keybind per action, would be nice to have at least two on a pc game.
- It would also be nice to have two seperate control schemes, one for in and out of combat.
- Some actions can share the same keybind, but the game is very unclear about this. I will list the ones I know of.
- Signs must be selected and then casted via the cast sign button. Pressing the dedicated hotkey does not quick-cast them. Very odd, given that the Witcher 2 had this, and it would free a key.
- If you want to change the WASD movement keys, there were quite a few threads on reddit. I don't have the links yet.
- Togglable actions are generally very weird. Very VERY inconsistent keybinds, choices and bugs. I personally prefer toggle for everything, others may have the other way around, so please FIX this, CDPR.
- The Alt keys are considered one keybind, but L.Shift/R.Shift are seperate.
- The Mouse Scroll Wheel is also considered one keybind, not seperate for up/down.
- As of the 3th patch (v1.04), you may change the locked keybinds by ticking an option.
- F1-F4 are not used by default at all afaik. F5 is quicksave and not rebindable, so F1-F5 signs are a no go.
- autohotkey, an extensive, open source scriptable hotkey program, can make your life easier. It is free (open source), but requires some simple coding knowledge. However, Some here might script one for you if you are lucky. I will do it if I feel like it.
- similarly, if you have them already or money, macro keyboards or extra button mice will make your life easier.
The keybinds are listed by order of appearance in the menu options. I usually offer more than one key based on your preference, but they should not conflict with each other and there should be enough options provided if they do conflict. TLDR versions are at the bottom.
Sprint/Toggle Sprint: Left Shift and/or Alt, depending on your preference. Bear in mind that Toggle does not work at all for other Sprint actions such as fast swim, or horse sprint. Else you would only need one. If you prefer to hold, you only need one. Until CDPR fixes the Toggle issue and/or implements the "tap to toggle, hold for 2sec+ to hold" like every other game, you need two keys. Mine are Toggle on L.Shift, and Sprint (hold) on Alt.
Toggle Walk/Run: Y
You will only use this once in a blue moon for staring at pretty graphics or "immersion" at best, move it as far away from WASD as possible. I am amazed that this is the only toggle action without a "hold", given that everything else seems to default to "hold".
Jump/Roll: Space
These two can share a keybind. If you prefer to use Space for Dodge, consider moving Jump/Roll to Alt/Left Shift. For whatever reason, Jump does not work in combat, nor Roll outside combat, thus there is no reason to seperate them. In fact there is virtually no reason for them to be seperate keybind options until that is fixed.
Lock on Target: Z or Tab.
Z if you do not use it often, Tab if you use it often. I personally attack whoever comes closest, but if you prefer to focus on one enemy often, use Tab. The Selector Screen will be rebinded, don't worry.
Interact: E or F
Both are common choices in games where use/interact is common. I personally always used E, but as E was parry in W2, place interact on F if you want to keep that because of muscle memory.
Modify Attack Type: None.
Given that this Modifier can only modify one thing and exactly one thing, any modifer key would be better suited to being dedicated to whatever it modifed. Why the hell does this exist? Even worse, don't put it on Shift, that's a frequently used key that you need for more important stuff.
Fast/Strong Attack: Left Mouse, other on T. Most frequently used one on Left Mouse.
You should only need one, because your skill tree will only be able to focus on one. Unless you choose to go full swordsman path, but even then you won't need both before level 30 ish, and even then Battle Trance/Defence + 1 Attack is better than 2x Attack paths imo, as you will will only attack with one at a time, so leave the other key on something like T. Bear in mind the Ciri sections mess this up a little, so you may need to change your keybinds during them. But iirc she only uses light attack, heavy attack is a charge bar special like signs.
Use Witcher Senses: Right Mouse or Mouse 4/5 if you have a better mouse. Alt/Ctrl/L.Shift if you can handle holding those for ages. **T/Y/G/H/B/N* if you have Marcos/Autohotkey
Why on earth is this hold only? Why? Because of that, I have to put it on a Mouse button, for no other reason than because it needs to be on during all that walking in the searching phrase of a quest and you cannot bind it near WASD as that would be even more painful to hold. Also, it is usable in combat, so trying to bind another action over it like Dodge is a no go. CDPR, Please add a Toggleable version. Otherwise if you know how to use autohotkey or if your keyboard supports macros, you can bind a toggleable version to T/Y.
Parry/Counterattack: F/E or None.
F/E depending on what your "interact" is not on. E if you prefer to keep legacy keys from W2 (muscle memory). Note that dodge is better vs monsters most of the time, parry/counter is really only used vs humanoid opponents so it's possble you could get away with not ever using it. Dodge is used vs both monsters and humanoids, but parry is better for humanoids in terms of forcing openings.
Cast Sign: Q or Middle Mouse, if you have better mice: Mouse 4/5 or access to keyboard macros/autohotkey: None
Q if you go swordsman/alchemist. Middle Mouse or 4/5 for Sign path. Maybe you could even bind it to Left Mouse and move Attack to Middle Mouse, I haven't played sign build much. Because you need to select a sign and then cast it, this wins a slot near WASD. CDPR, please enable fast-cast as a option so I can get rid of the key, otherwise you could autohotkey/marco it to fast-cast when you press a select sign button, but sign builds will probably still want Cast sign as an option.
Toggle between Signs: Mouse Scroll or None.
If you prefer memorising the sign order and scrolling it, keep it. Otherwise that precious key could be used for some other common action. You won't need it because you have 5 dedicated select sign options that are far more reliable. If you want it for some reason, you cannot bind it to anything else because it doesn't have seperate Left/Right options, thus you are stuck with the odd Mouse Scroll Wheel keybind. Mouse space is precious on a 3 button mouse anyway.
Use Quick Action Item: Middle Mouse, R or T or Mouse 4/5
Middle Mouse if you have nothing else to put there and you use bombs/crossbow frequently. Other Quick Action Items like torch or the other two quest items are pressed very infreqently (not spoiling it, you know what I am talking about if you have them). You at best use the bombs/crossbow infrequently, only 2-4 charges per bomb and the crossbow for the occasional flying/underwater mob, so you could possibly get away with a R/T keybind if you do not like it.
Dodge: None or Mouse Scroll Wheel or ** L.Shift/Space/Right Mouse** if those do not conflict with previous bindings. Mouse 4/5 if you have access.
Now this is tricky, I am using a 5 button mouse, so I don't know how to work this for 3 buttons. However you can double tab W/A/S/D to dodge in that direction, so if you prefer that, you can safely leave it on none. And yes, Mouse Scroll Wheel is surprisingly viable and responsive for this, both directions can be used because of the single bind.
Roll: *see "Jump" *
Call Horse: X or T/Y/G/H/B/N
Not used very often, probably once every 30 seconds, only when you are out of combat and only when you are standing still. So X is fine if you don't wish to put other things there. The x button is always awkward to press when using WASD so you won't be putting many frequently pressed actions there. T/Y/G/H/B/N otherwise.
Gallop/Ganter: Alt/Shift aka whatever you binded Sprint (hold).
Another stupidly inconsistent decision. Shares a Key with Sprint (hold), so bind it to that and don't bind it to anything else. There is no toggle version. It is double press then hold to sprint, single hold to fast-walk.(rant)Really, CDPR, was Toggle Run just an afterthought? Please add the option seperate these to be consistent and add toggle options. Yes, that's 4 keys, but at least it's much easier to use.The only reason to have this mode is to save space, but then you should be able to use the toggle Walk/Run key for that, given that there is no stamina cost for fast-walk, therefore walk on horse is all but useless for anything other than sightseeing/immersion. It is also horribly inconsistent with Geralt's walk/fastwalk/sprint controls.
Dismount: E or whatever you binded to interact
Shares a key with interact, as you cannot use interact while on a horse, there is no reason to bind it to anything else.
Stop Horse: X or whatever you binded Call Horse
Shares a key with Stop horse, , there is no reason to bind it to anything else.
Surface: Space or whatever you binded jump/roll.
Shares a keybind with them, no need to bind it elsewere really. Can't use at the same time as those other two for obvious reasons, cough, unlike the situation between said two.
Dive: C or V
Depends on which you prefer. The other could be used for Consumable #2. Does not share a key with Sprint because fast swim is a thing.
Quick Access Menu: Ctrl or Tab or T/Y/G/H/B/N
If you prefer a blatant console selector screen for selecting signs, then this is a frequent action. If you would rather use the dedicated sign buttons or the scroll wheel, then this drops down to infrequent action, because you don't switch Action Items very often. You'll likely swap crossbow/bombs once or twice per combat at max, with the very rare quest item/torch.
Bear in mind that unlike in W2, it is press once to bring up, press once to select. Therefore Ctrl/Tab or any unbinded T/Y/G/H/B/N is okay. It is more relaxing to use, but slower. However, muscle memory can be a curse here. Also, Tab is easier to press so Lock Targer might already be binded there as I've mentioned before.
Consumables (1 and 2) : R & V, or F1 &F 2. or 1 & 2 if you don't care about the signs.
The reasoning is that you use food very often, but otherwise only potions can be placed there. So put food in R (a close button to WASD) and the other potion in V. Food is very frequent, used between 5-30 seconds depending on which, but potions can be anywhere between 20secs-1min. However both still need to be accessable enough to be pressed in combat with good accuracy.
Draw Swords (Steel and Silver): 6 & 7, F1 & F2 or F3 & F4 depending on what you used for consumables/signs.
No no no, you virtually never use this and the game likes to auto-draw/sheath them. Until that is changed, there is no need for them except for when the auto system screws up, which is quite often. They certainly do not deserve the precious 1/2 button slots, even for that reason. Put on the F buttons if that is your thing, or 6/7, which is harder to reach. Putting them on 1/2 is a waste, trust me.
Select Sign: 1-5 (1,2,3,4,5)
There is nowhere else to put them. Swapping signs is used very frequently in every build in any reasonable difficulty. F5 is reserved for quicksave, so F1-F5 is out (not even changable with unlock keys). 3-7 is only decent if you would rather put consumables on 1/2, but R/V can then be freed for signs/other stuff, it is better not to have freqently used buttons on 6/7. Be sure to memorise which key you binded which, and move your favourite signs towards the left (1,2,3,4 are the best and most easy to press).
Change objective: if by some miracle those keys are not binded, Ctrl or Alt, otherwise T/Y/G/H/B/N
Used once in a blue moon to switch your objective when you start/complete part of a quest. Don't need it near WASD.
Former Locked Keybinds: Aka everything from Glossary to Gwent Deck
Consider moving G/B to P/semicolon, if you need G/B for the previous actions. Otherwise keep these as they are, they are on the right side of the keyboard, perfect for "press once rarely to check some info" buttons.
TLDR versions will be posted later. I only have a personally tested build for full light attack build specialisation tree, 5 button mouse + keyboard. I could draft one for 3 mouse. If anyone posts TLDR versions for other builds, you'll have my thanks.
---------- Updated at 05:55 AM ----------
TLDR for light attack build, 3 buttons mouse and keyboard
Sprint: Alt
Toggle Sprint: Shift
Toggle Walk/Run: Y
Jump: Space
Lock On Target: Tab
Interact: E or F
Modifiy Attack Type: None
Fast Attack: Left Mouse Button
Strong Attack: None, add one if you care for Ciri sections, but she doesn't need them.
Use Witcher Senses: Right Mouse Button
Parry/Counterattack: F or E
Cast Signs: Q
Toggle between signs: None
Use Quick Access item: Middle Mouse Button
Dodge: Mouse Scroll Wheel (yes you read that correctly, up/down is the same)
Roll: Space
Call Horse: X
Gallop/Canter: Alt
Dismount: E
Stop Horse: X
Surface: Space
Dive: C
Quick Access Menu: Left Control
Consumables slot 1: R or F1
Consumables slot 2: V or F2
Draw Steel Sword: F3
Draw Silver Sword: F4
Select Sign: 1
Select Sign: 2
Select Sign: 3
Select Sign: 4
Select Sign: 5
Change Objective: T
Rest (formerly locked): keep as before.
