Stop using Page Up and Page Down

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

There are lots of ways to control your Tank in Tanki Online.

Whatever you use, it all comes down to your personal preference in the end.

 

Still there 's one particular group of keys I personally feel they have two much better alternatives!

These are the Page Up and Page Down keys for the camera control.

These PU and PD keys are normally situated quite poorly on a standard keyboard and are not easy to reach.

IMO the best alternative is Q and E and you even have the possibility to use [ and ]

 

Many Tankers already use these very well situated alternative camera-keys Q and E and I would

advice you to experiment a bit with them if you still use Page Up and Page Down.

 

 

Here is a further look at two "QE Control Schemes":

 

- WASD  + QE (first picture)

- Arrows + QE (second picture)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Option 1 ( WASD with Q and E , see the first picture ):

 

WASD is a lot less popular than the Arrows keys, still there are some benefits on the closely

grouped WASD keycombinations.

 

With your Lefthand you move your tank with WASD and for the cameraview you use Q and E,

 

Ringfinger:       A (steering left) + Q (zoom to tank-from-above view)

Indexfinger:      D (steering right) + E (zoom towards horizon view)

Middlefinger:     W+S (driving for- and backwards)

 

With the Ringfinger you also push Tab to view the score and with the Indexfinger you

can push F for dropping the Flag, or T to open the Team Chat.

 

One of your thumbs can be used for the space-bar for all your shooting,burning,healing, freezing etc. actions.

 

When Smart Cooldown drugging ;) you can simply and quickly activate your supplies with the

same three WASD-fingers: your Ring-, Middle- and Indexfinger.

 

 

With your Righthand and more specific your Index- and Middlefinger you move the turret with the two < and > keys. 

Push P with your Middlefinger to take a well-deserved break an

use your Pinky to Chat and kill/delete yourself if needed.

 

(btw. I completely removed the Caps Lock button: used to push it accidentally...)

 

 

Side Note: with WASD + QE you can easily use the cameraview in combination with your rotating turret.

By doing this you can get a really quick scan on the current battle situation: pretty usefull in my experience!

 

It 's easy to perform if you get the hang of it: cameraview QE is controlled by the lefthand and

turretrotation < and > by the righthand. Dividing those controls over two hands means your fingers will

stay in a comfortable position.

 

In the meantime I can keep on driving my tank because my left middlefinger is always controlling W (forward)

and S (backward).

Besides that it 's easy to lift my indexfinger from E to D so I can make a quick right turn and the same ofcourse

applies for my ringfinger that can make easy transitions from Q to A to make a left turn and vice versa.

 

 

Option 2 ( Arrows with Q and E , see the second picture ):

 

The best Arrowkeys set-up in my view.

 

Almost the same as the Option 1 WASD with the only two differences that instead of WASD you use

the Arrow keys with your Righthand

And instead of < and > you use Z and X with your Lefthand.

 

In the picture it 's fairly easy to see that it would be much more natural to use Q and E.

 

Your righthand would almost certainly have to move as well to make it possible to reach the

Page Up and Page Down keys.

The use of QE means that all controls are in easy reach again and can be pushed with your fingers

without the need to move your hands.

 

This one is used by the huge majority of Tankers.

So you yourself should know how it 's done. ;)

 

 

Option 3 ( WASD with [ and ] , rather exotic and therefore no picture ):

 

Another WASD alternative could be to use the [ and ] keys for the cameraview.

In this case your Righthand gets a lot more involved in the actual gameplay.

( Q and E are not used at all in this Option 3 WASD)

 

Your Lefthand does the same as in Option 1 (WASD) minus the Q and E keys.

 

Your Righthand could probably do this, to keep your fingers in a comfortable position:

 

Indexfinger: < and >

Middlefinger: [  (and P)

Ringfinger: ]

Pinky: Enter and Delete

 

If really skilled you could perform three vital actions all at the same time with WASD Option 3:

move your tank in every direction, rotate the turret/weapon ánd also change the cameraview.

At least if your mind doesn 't get overloaded...

Anyone uses this or something very similar?

 

 

Well, that 's all. Here you can share your thoughts and personal set-ups.

Edited September 13, 2014 by Lord-of-the-Snipers

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

reserved

[Eragon 13,876]

What the...  :huh:

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

What the...  :huh:

Well, there is no denying that that is a thought.

 

Thanks!

[Promissory 569]

Thanks... I guess

Good for beguinners Ill say

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

Thanks... I guess

Good for beguinners Ill say

You 're welcome.

 

It is directed to beginners. And it 's certainly not that good IMO.

I would have liked to make a comprehensive controls guide, but I rather play and enjoy the game:

so I came up with this half-baked version.

Also wonder if such a guide would actually be of any use, because most beginners

simply don 't start with reading the forum...

 

 

If you are already an advanced player like yourself and used to a certain set-up,

there is no need to change anything.

Especially the choice of playing with Arrows or WASD (the latter too often neglected though imo)

should be done in the early stages of your Tanki Carreer.

If your mind is fully adapted to WASD or Arrows, it is very difficult to change to the other one.

 

Only if even an already advanced player, still uses Page Up and Page Down he can fairly easily make the

transition to Q and E for the cameraview (PU and PD are not as imprinted in the mind like WASD or Arrows are)

and will improve his gameplay almost instantly!

 

The best game control-keys are the ones that 'll put your hands in a natural and relaxed position.

Even more important in my view is that every control-key is in reach of your fingers

without the need to move your hand.

When you have to "travel across your keyboard" you loose precious micro-seconds, that can decide over a

victory or a loss.

 

WASD-QE and Arrows-QE are both very good set-ups!

Don 't understand at all why in the Tanki Wiki under Tank Controls, the Page Up and Page Down keys

are still proposed as the first option in the picture: http://en.tankiwiki.com/Tank_controls

 

Would be nice to see it changed, so I will put that as a proposal in "Ideas and Suggestions".

Edited September 12, 2014 by Lord-of-the-Snipers

[hogree 4,179]

Brilliant writing mate, to be frank. However, I do think Page-Up and Page-Down has a rather simple role in gameplay. I've adapted to using it, as a player for nearly 4 years now, and since I started playing at the meagre age of 11, I settled into my Arrows-ZXC-PageUp/PageDown without really thinking. It's really hard to change now. But I do see the need for people to consider other controls.

 

Here was my opinion on the issue of Keyboard Controls which I published about a year ago. 

 

"Mastering your Tanki Keyboard"

[Amagi 1,728]

I've been playing for more than 3 years already and this control scheme does not bother me one bit, even during the first time i've played it.

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

^^Thanks Hogree. Reading your educated opinion about this post, makes me at least feel better about it! :)

 

A much better feeling than the reply you get from some Hy6 who uses Prodigi in XP 's and worse is even proud

on that. And I 'm not talking about Xx-Like a boss-xX or Stinger911.

 

 

Read your own guide "Mastering your Tanki Keyboard" before and liked it a lot.

Just read it again and found out that I missed your view on WASD with [ and ] as camera keys.

Option number 3 in my post. (still possible copyright infringement: don 't sue me please...)

 

The only difference is the positioning of the fingers. I feel that controlling < and > with just the indexfinger places

your hand in a more natural position without the need to move your hand.

On the "other hand" I am lefthanded myself, so I actually don 't have a clue... :D

 

Would be nice to hear an opinion of a player who uses the WASD with [ ] set-up.

Though not much chance I think, I assume it 's rather exotic.

 

Really like the way you question your own use of the Page Up and Page Down keys.

And I would like to ask: "why don 't you give QE a go?": but I won 't.

You as a Generalissimo do have PU and PD most likely fixed into your mind!

Edited September 12, 2014 by Lord-of-the-Snipers

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

I've been playing for more than 3 years already and this control scheme does not bother me one bit, even during the first time i've played it.

 

I do understand that completely, it 's just that I enjoy to dive into the (technical) background of Tanki Online.

Besides that I do feel a game should advice the best control options right at the start,

without players having to find out those on their own.

 

Btw Nature happens also to be one of my interests, so who knows I might even make

a topic about the Flora that can be found spreading around the Maps in TO! :P

[hogree 4,179]

Would be nice to hear an opinion of a player who uses the WASD with [ ] set-up.

Though not much chance I think, I assume it 's rather exotic.

Extremely exotic. I expect only about 10 Generallisimos MAX in the entire game use that combination.

[thenewgamer_the_dark 20]

I Use WASD And Q E Always They Are Wasy Too Easy And Can Be Coordianted With One Hand!

[Superlative 500]

The wasd and the q & e I assume are common ? :P

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

The wasd and the q & e I assume are common ? :P

No, but does that mean they are wrong?

 

Question for you Bluelight1209 (sended a PM also): can you easily use your cameraview while rotating your turret?

(by doing this you can get a really quick scan on the current battle situation, pretty usefull in my experience)

 

With WASD with QE you certainly can, because cameraview QE is controlled by the lefthand

and turretrotation < and > by the righthand.

 

In the meantime I can keep on driving because my left middlefinger is always controlling W (forward)

and S (backward) and besides that it 's easy to lift my indexfinger from E to D so I can make a right turn

and the same ofcourse for my ringfinger that can make easy transitions from Q to A

to make a left turn and vice versa.

Edited September 12, 2014 by Lord-of-the-Snipers

[Superlative 500]

No, but does that mean they are wrong?

 

Question for you Bluelight1209 (sended a PM also): can you easily use your cameraview while rotating your turret?

(by doing this you can get a really quick scan on the current battle situation, pretty usefull in my experience)

 

 

Yes, you can. It helps you "lively" assess the battle field. I use it every time. Oh, and you can call me blue. :P

[Superlative 500]

 

Yes, you can. It helps you "lively" assess the battle field. I use it every time. Oh, and you can call me blue. :P

[pizzaslad 471]

I am sorry but I do not understand this topic. What is the problem?

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

Yes, you can. It helps you "lively" assess the battle field. I use it every time. Oh, and you can call me blue. :P

Ok blue, could you be a little more specific how you "lively" assess the battlefield?

 

Which keys do you press for cameraview and turretrotation (simultaneously?)

And if you press cameraview and rotation what fingers do you use?

[Sblvr 31]

Sorry, but i dont like it too much, i use the page up and down keys alot.

Maybe u can modify ur idea a bit like, customizeable controls. ;)

My laptop has the page up and page down keys close ro the arrow keys, which i use to move around.

Edited September 13, 2014 by Sblvr

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

I am sorry but I do not understand this topic. What is the problem?

There is no problem. It 's just a topic about Tank Controls.

 

Especially a beginner would benefit in my view if he/she wouldn 't use Page Up

and Page Down for the cameraview.

My advice is to use the camera with Q and E for both Arrows and WASD.

That 's the main purpose.

 

If a Tanker reads this, is interested he might try QE and maybe

he would find it easier to control than PU and PD.

 

Do you use Page Up and Page Down?

Well, if you have no problems with them, simply keep using them!

It 's just a suggestion: the title "Stop using Page Up and Page Down" is

only there to draw some attention.

 

Besides I 'm interested how other Tankers use their keyboard.

If they use WASD or Arrows, what they use for cameraview,

if there are [ ] users out there etc.

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

Sorry, but i dont like it too much, i use the page up and down keys alot.

Maybe u can modify ur idea a bit like, customizeable controls. ;)

My laptop has the page up and page down keys close ro the arrow keys, which i use to move around.

 

Customizeable controls are already there in a way:

Tanki Online has already got three! ( PU/PD, [ ] and QE ) options to use your camera. ;)

 

It could be that in your case with a smaller laptop keyboard the Page Up and Page Down keys are

close at hand.

So that you only need to move your fingers to press them and can keep your hand still.

In that case you simply got another perfect set up!

 

With a regular (Windows) PC keyboard, the distances between the keys become larger.

In that case the Page Up and Page Down keys are most likely in a "worse" position.

 

Arrow keys can be a perfect solution on a crampy laptop keyboard because your fingers get more "room".

As long as you can ten finger type on whatever keyboard: you can also use WASD.

 

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

Did some edits on the original topic.

 

- also included a picture of an "Arrow keys + QE keyboard"

- added a sidenote of WASD cameraview combined with turretrotation

- minor improvements

Edited September 13, 2014 by Lord-of-the-Snipers

[abdullahtss 5]

i use option 1 but cross-hand, it is a lot better as i am right handed

[Lord-of-the-Snipers 1,620]

i use option 1 but cross-hand, it is a lot better as i am right handed

Yes, that 's another possibility.

 

One example of cross-hand Arrows inside Tanki 's Team:

http://en.tankiforum.com/index.php?showtopic=224078&page=2&do=findComment&comment=3969452 :)

Edited October 3, 2014 by Lord-of-the-Snipers

[abdullahtss 5]

yeah but i use wasd and,./