Controller or KB/Mouse?

[Frost Mage]

This question is mainly directed towards PC Skyrim players, as they have the choice to use either a keyboard and mouse or a gamepad, or if you're a console player who has played with both, what is your preference?

[Mauin]

I'll take my spastic keyboard and mouse any day over a controller. They might be worn out (and have minds of their own), but at least I can aim with them.
That's always what I've had the most problems with when using a controller: I just can't aim with them. At least with a mouse I can actually aim.
Well, that and I'm faster with a keyboard and mouse. My hands are made for typing, and that's just what they'll do. Controllers? Meh, I'm clumsy as anything with them.

[Spelling Police]

Keyboard and mouse - partly because I'm much more comfortable with that setup for first-person games, partly for faster turning/aiming, and partly for more keys. I like having a button to open the map, and unless I'm mistaken about the gamepad setup (which is entirely possible) it doesn't have as many hotkeys as keyboard does. Even 8 isn't really enough to be convenient for a character who uses more than a few shouts/spells, I think.

[toast123]

Keyboard and mouse - partly because I'm much more comfortable with that setup for first-person games, partly for faster turning/aiming, and partly for more keys. I like having a button to open the map, and unless I'm mistaken about the gamepad setup (which is entirely possible) it doesn't have as many hotkeys as keyboard does. Even 8 isn't really enough to be convenient for a character who uses more than a few shouts/spells, I think.

the controller hotkeys do have over 8 slots as it no longer uses the 8 directions of the d-pad. as for aiming I've been playing xbox for so long my accuracy would probably the same if i were playing with a keyboard

[kailay]

Definitely keyboard. For the same reasons as already mentioned.

[Sir_Cuthulhu]

I'm more comfortable with le keyboard and mouse.

[DikaSmausha]

This should get a poll. I would ultimately say Keyboard/Mouse because of the hot keys.

[Haravikk]

I definitely prefer controller; I mean I do miss the accuracy of the mouse and keyboard, but in general everything feels a bit more fluid on a controller, except obviously when I'm lining up shots with a bow that just won't hit, but that's one of the trade offs you make; plus I'm no good at ranged combat on either platform anyway. It's also easier for longer periods I found, more comfortable, plus you can lounge around in just about any position and still manage to play; as an habitually restless sitter this is necessary for me

My only gripe with the controller is that the menus are rubbish, particularly the favourites menu as a mage, as you still end up with too much scrolling. I was a bit disappointed the favourites menu wasn't in separated categories (to use the other d-pad arrows) or even a radial menu, since it would have been much quicker to use. As it is on the controller if you're not playing a warrior or rogue then the favourites menu really slows down the action. Not a problem for controllers on the PC I guess, as I'm sure there are some good mods to improve the favourites menu, but I do most of my controller gaming on my console as I don't really like gaming on the PC overall (and I can't get my controller to work with it either).

[The Tom]

I play with a controller because on my slightly ageing PC, especially with the number of mods I have installed, Skyrim averages about 26 fps which is just slightly too laggy to be comfortable. Playing with a controller somehow makes it easier. Skyrim's a slow-paced game, so precision doesn't really matter to me. And the UI mods aren't enough to make me switch back to the mouse. I do the same for other games that are slightly too intensive for my PC, like Just Cause 2. It's like the slower turning speed smooths everything out.

That said, I'm a pretty big Unreal Tournament fan, so for any game that requires even some precision I turn the settings right down and the mouse sensitivity right up, because that's what I'm used to. Skyrim just isn't one of those games - I'd rather have everything looking fantastically pretty than turning all the settings down just to play with a mouse.

a radial menu

I wonder, given that the UI uses Scaleform which is flash-based and so we can mod it, whether it would be possible to make something like this.

[Haravikk]

a radial menu

I wonder, given that the UI uses Scaleform which is flash-based and so we can mod it, whether it would be possible to make something like this.

I believe so, and it would be great for pure controller play, but unfortunately for console players, who will be the majority using controllers, mods are still out, so we're stuck with the linear favourites menu. Splitting the [favourites/quick-select] menu into categories for different directions on the d-pad would probably be the easiest, e.g - a left-hand, right-hand, shouts and a powers list, just to help keep things sane, since some spell casters may not dual-wield all their spells, and assuming the left and right hand menus didn't actually limit the hands you can assign the items to it could let you choose how you categorise those, for example, spells on the left and staffs on the right, even if you use them in different hands.

Anyway, it's a bit off topic, but it would work for both controllers and keyboard users, rather than the single favourites list.

[The Tom]

I'm happy with just pressing the button I want the weapon/spell/whatever to be assigned to, and now that I think about it, it seems easier with a controller because the right hand button actually corresponds to the right hand. The radial menu would just involve less scrolling, which is nice in the favourites menu, but in the regular inventory it doesn't bother me because I don't let my inventory get so large that I have to spend several minute browsing it.

What would be nice is to have four different menus for each of the controller's directional buttons. Say, up for weapons, down for magic, left for scrolls and right for misc. Or even keep the two hotkeys and have two radial menus. Perhaps if someone makes it, and it really takes off, it could be included as standard in the future. Finishing moves, the backwards speed tweak, shield bashing, mounted combat and lots of other things all came straight out of Oblivion mods.

Agh, you're right, this is a little offtopic. Point is, I use the controller because I find it easier - but it could stand to be even easier than it is.

[Haravikk]

Say, up for weapons, down for magic, left for scrolls and right for misc. Or even keep the two hotkeys and have two radial menus. Perhaps if someone makes it, and it really takes off, it could be included as standard in the future.

Ah, that's actually what I meant, I should have said favourites or quick select menu instead of just menu

[POMC S117]

I personally prefer a controller over a Keyboard and Mouse. To me, the controller offers more fluidity than the K/B.

[Dark Spark]

Game controller.

I need to start killing things right away. Can't afford the time re-tooling to the keyboard interface.

[Avron the S'wit]

I'm in the keyboard and mouse camp. I mean, I'm playing on the PC, so it's just what comes with it - and I have never disliked it. I find you can be much more precise with this combination, not that it's ever really affected me. I keep my controllers for my console and my keyboard and mouse for my PC.

I'm so boring.

[AeraDunmerMoon]

If I am doing archery, give me a keyboard and mouse. I'm way more accurate with that setup. If I have melee weapons, give me the controller. I've never done a spellcaster, so that has yet to be determined.

[Evil-i]

As I understand it, lock picking has only one barrel rotation speed when using keyboard/mouse. When using a controller, the barrel speed is controlled by the amount of stick deflection. It's possible to rotate the barrel very slowly, thus possibly saving a few fragile-as-potato-chips lock picks when they begin to vibrate in higher-difficulty locks. It's not a big deal, but it might be a positive feature for maybe five or six people on the planet.

[Mod-Loving Wood Elf]

Wait a minute, controllers don't get hotkeys? Good God.

Anyways, I've only played with controller on Oblivion, but I can safely say that Mouse/Keyboard is my preferred choice when it comes to Oblivion and Skyrim.

Keyboards simply have more buttons. Mouses simply are WAY more sensitive, giving better accuracy, at least in first-person mode. But it all comes down to personal preference, in the end.

[DikaSmausha]

Wait a minute, controllers don't get hotkeys? Good God.

Anyways, I've only played with controller on Oblivion, but I can safely say that Mouse/Keyboard is my preferred choice when it comes to Oblivion and Skyrim.

Keyboards simply have more buttons. Mouses simply are WAY more sensitive, giving better accuracy, at least in first-person mode. But it all comes down to personal preference, in the end.

They only get two hotkeys.