test content
What is the Arc Client?
Install Arc

How should pilot maneuvers work on consoles?

Given the difficulties of keymapping so many different abilities on console controllers already, I'm curious how they're planning on implementing the pilot escort/warbird/raptor maneuver abilities (the burst forward/backward or roll left/right). On PC it's done either with a clickable onscreen interface or by double tapping w/a/s/d, but pretty much all of the console controller buttons are being used up at the moment.

A couple ways I can see this working:

1. The ship ability "pilot maneuver" is bound to the L1 or L2 slot (which is used for devices or non-boff abilities). You click whichever button (l1 or l2) and then move the left stick in the direction you want to maneuver. This would make it a two-step process as opposed to the PC variant, so it would be slower unfortunately.

2. Click in the stick while steering (left stick on ps4, clicking it while turning left/right or pitching down/up would activate the maneuver). The problem here is that clicking in the left stick is already bound to equalizing your shield facings, though the two controls being on the same stick wouldnt be a bad thing - your shield facings would equalize while doing the maneuver, which could improve survivability.

Anyone else have any ideas on how this might work out? The dpad buttons cant be used since they're already utilized for throttle, power allocation, scanning, and full impulse/all stop. Preferrably it needs to be a control system that is easy and intuitive to use but doesnt overlap with any commonly used abilities in combat (like the boff abilities).

Comments

  • leemwatsonleemwatson Member Posts: 5,602 Arc User
    It will be the same as PC. Why bother over-complicating things?
    "You don't want to patrol!? You don't want to escort!? You don't want to defend the Federation's Starbases!? Then why are you flying my Starships!? If you were a Klingon you'd be killed on the spot, but lucky for you.....you WERE in Starfleet. Let's see how New Zealand Penal Colony suits you." Adm A. Necheyev.
  • telbasta7386telbasta7386 Member Posts: 761 Arc User
    Maybe because were using an extremely limited controller?
  • bonzodog01bonzodog01 Member Posts: 147 Arc User
    The Klingon Raptors burst forward is already mapped in the RB/R1 function wheel where you have your shield batteries, cloaking and so forth. It has to be something where you hold down the RB button, use the right stick to roll around to it, then press the trigger to activate it. Its a big process, which is why everything else has to be set to auto activate so you can concentrate on simply steering the ship and setting off the manual functions.
    XBox One - NFV Rylon - T6 Kolasi Siege Destroyer
    British Imperial Armada
  • telbasta7386telbasta7386 Member Posts: 761 Arc User
    Well the burst you're talking about (if I'm thinking of the right one) is a console ability, and all console abilities are on the same mapping (L1 for ps4, R1/RB I guess for xbox?). The pilot maneuvers are a built in ship mechanic, rather than a console, and have to be accessible on top of console abilities. Hence the dilemma on where to assign them.

    That's why I was suggesting possible alternatives rather than using up the already-limited real estate of our action buttons. Left stick click-in while moving left/right/up/down would be a good quick way to execute the pilot maneuver, but would also be using the same keybinding as equalize shield facings (which is also left stick click-in).

    The only other place I can see putting it is on L2/left trigger (I guess it'd be right trigger for xbox? not sure about their control scheme) plus a direction, but L2 is currently used as the keybinding wheel for things like evasive maneuvers and captain abilities.
  • fairliedaft#6238 fairliedaft Member Posts: 3 Arc User
    Why not just have it work the same way? If you played Minecraft on console you already know that to sprint you tap the stick forward twice. Why not do the same thing? It's not too difficult to do, wont mess with controls in any way I can really envision plus it would be a quick an easy way to perform those maneuvers. I don't know about you guys, but I would much rather tap the stick to the side twice to do a barrel roll than dig through my already cluttered radials to do it, especially in a tight spot.
  • bwleon7bwleon7 Member Posts: 310 Arc User
    I would think that double tapping your direction key would work. That's what PC does.
    Dr. Miranda Jones: I understand, Mr. Spock. The glory of creation is in its infinite diversity.
    Mr. Spock: And the ways our differences combine, to create meaning and beauty.

    -Star Trek: Is There in Truth No Beauty? (1968)
  • telbasta7386telbasta7386 Member Posts: 761 Arc User
    Just seems really awkward to me to double tap with a thumb stick
  • alcyoneserenealcyoneserene Member Posts: 2,414 Arc User
    I use a joystick on PC partly as well for space battles, and cannot handle the double-tap feature since it's unreliable and often triggers when I'm simply moving the ship. I simply click the thruster icons with my mouse, and verify the lock option stays locked for double-tap (there's a bug since release day of pilot ships where it toggles itself off).

    On PC I too would welcome some alternative to toggling thrusters. Perhaps a keybind to combine a joystick or keyboard button with double-tap while that key is pressed at the same time.
    Y945Yzx.jpg
Sign In or Register to comment.