• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 23:18
CEST 05:18
KST 12:18
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
Team Liquid Map Contest #22 - The Finalists9[ASL21] Ro16 Preview Pt1: Fresh Flow9[ASL21] Ro24 Preview Pt2: News Flash10[ASL21] Ro24 Preview Pt1: New Chaos0Team Liquid Map Contest #22 - Presented by Monster Energy21
Community News
2026 GSL Season 1 Qualifiers5Maestros of the Game 2 announced22026 GSL Tour plans announced4Weekly Cups (April 6-12): herO doubles, "Villains" prevail0MaNa leaves Team Liquid18
StarCraft 2
General
Team Liquid Map Contest #22 - The Finalists 2026 GSL Tour plans announced Maestros of the Game 2 announced Weekly Cups (April 6-12): herO doubles, "Villains" prevail MaNa leaves Team Liquid
Tourneys
2026 GSL Season 1 Qualifiers Master Swan Open (Global Bronze-Master 2) SEL Doubles (SC Evo Bimonthly) Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament $5,000 WardiTV TLMC tournament - Presented by Monster Energy
Strategy
Custom Maps
[D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3 [A] Nemrods 1/4 players [M] (2) Frigid Storage
External Content
Mutation # 521 Memorable Boss The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 520 Moving Fees Mutation # 519 Inner Power
Brood War
General
ASL21 General Discussion BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Data needed A cwal.gg Extension - Easily keep track of anyone [ASL21] Ro16 Preview Pt1: Fresh Flow
Tourneys
[ASL21] Ro16 Group B [ASL21] Ro16 Group A [ASL21] Ro24 Group F [Megathread] Daily Proleagues
Strategy
What's the deal with APM & what's its true value Any training maps people recommend? Fighting Spirit mining rates Muta micro map competition
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread Battle Aces/David Kim RTS Megathread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread General RTS Discussion Thread Starcraft Tabletop Miniature Game
Dota 2
The Story of Wings Gaming Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
G2 just beat GenG in First stand
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas TL Mafia Community Thread Five o'clock TL Mafia
Community
General
Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine US Politics Mega-thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books [Manga] One Piece Movie Discussion!
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion Cricket [SPORT] Tokyo Olympics 2021 Thread
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
[G] How to Block Livestream Ads
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Reappraising The Situation T…
TrAiDoS
lurker extra damage testi…
StaticNine
Broowar part 2
qwaykee
Funny Nicknames
LUCKY_NOOB
Iranian anarchists: organize…
XenOsky
ASL S21 English Commentary…
namkraft
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 2000 users

Is using custom hotkeys considered cheating?

Blogs > PokePill
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
PokePill
Profile Blog Joined March 2009
United States1048 Posts
March 19 2009 18:51 GMT
#1
Do people consider this cheating? I changed all my hotkeys to QWE layout and some guy I played with said it was cheating, even though Iccup allows it.

I mean, Iccup is only a recreational ladder after all, I only play at the D/D+ level so I don't see how it's a big deal. I can understand in leagues and tournaments it is because that's just another difficult obstacle to master, learning all the hotkeys for all the different units and being able to quickly use them.

Thoughts?

*
cgrinker
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
United States3824 Posts
March 19 2009 18:54 GMT
#2
I'm pretty sure that it gives you an unfair advantage, though whether you remap your keyboard is up to you.

Your statement about it not mattering doesn't make as much sense though. If you are at all trying to improve you are kinda shooting yourself in the foot. Also the community is probably about to shitstorm on you.
ZidaneTribal
Profile Joined September 2007
United States2800 Posts
March 19 2009 18:56 GMT
#3
might not count as cheating but it seems pretty unfair
fuck lag
PokePill
Profile Blog Joined March 2009
United States1048 Posts
March 19 2009 19:00 GMT
#4
On March 20 2009 03:54 cgrinker wrote:
I'm pretty sure that it gives you an unfair advantage, though whether you remap your keyboard is up to you.

Your statement about it not mattering doesn't make as much sense though. If you are at all trying to improve you are kinda shooting yourself in the foot. Also the community is probably about to shitstorm on you.


I didn't know where the community stood on this, so that's why I asked.

I found the guide on this website which linked to a gosugamers article so I thought maybe it was something that wasn't frowned upon.
NonY
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
8751 Posts
March 19 2009 19:02 GMT
#5
if you're purely a recreational player, i think it's fine. but any form of competition that you do, no matter how small, will be tainted. it's unfair

but sc2 will probably have built-in remappable hotkeys so if you're playing BW in anticipation of SC2, i'd say stick to it
"Fucking up is part of it. If you can't fail, you have to always win. And I don't think you can always win." Elliott Smith ---------- Yet no sudden rage darkened his face, and his eyes were calm as they studied her. Then he smiled. 'Witness.'
liger13
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
United States1060 Posts
March 19 2009 19:09 GMT
#6
ahh... i kinda hope they don add it in sc2... i like how every1 has to use the same hotkeys, but for SC1, you wouldnt be able to play in any tourneys...
I feel like pwning noobs
Xeofreestyler
Profile Blog Joined June 2005
Belgium6775 Posts
March 19 2009 19:17 GMT
#7
On March 20 2009 04:09 liger13 wrote:
ahh... i kinda hope they don add it in sc2... i like how every1 has to use the same hotkeys, but for SC1, you wouldnt be able to play in any tourneys...


Actually giving everyone the exact same hotkeys is unfair
there's more than one type of keyboard y'know
Graphics
liger13
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
United States1060 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-03-19 19:24:26
March 19 2009 19:23 GMT
#8
On March 20 2009 04:17 Xeofreestyler wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 20 2009 04:09 liger13 wrote:
ahh... i kinda hope they don add it in sc2... i like how every1 has to use the same hotkeys, but for SC1, you wouldnt be able to play in any tourneys...


Actually giving everyone the exact same hotkeys is unfair
there's more than one type of keyboard y'know

hmm, good point....

its just has always been a good feeling that the pros use the same hotkeys as i do
although how their used is a little different
I feel like pwning noobs
Lemonwalrus
Profile Blog Joined August 2006
United States5465 Posts
March 19 2009 19:25 GMT
#9
I wonder if when SC2 comes out there is going to be a thread trying to determine X pro players hotkey layout.
Durak
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
Canada3685 Posts
March 19 2009 19:26 GMT
#10
On March 20 2009 04:17 Xeofreestyler wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 20 2009 04:09 liger13 wrote:
ahh... i kinda hope they don add it in sc2... i like how every1 has to use the same hotkeys, but for SC1, you wouldnt be able to play in any tourneys...


Actually giving everyone the exact same hotkeys is unfair
there's more than one type of keyboard y'know


How many are there? I only know about AZERTY from MoC's plugin. I shouldn't think it would be too difficult to standardize if there only a few keyboards to accommodate.
Jayme
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
United States5866 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-03-19 19:29:00
March 19 2009 19:28 GMT
#11
If customizing your hotkeys was implemented into the game I don't quite understand how you could claim it was unfair.

Everyone has the option to do it... it doesn't change gameplay besides making it more comfortable for you hands because Pylon hotkey is in a stupid position.

For Sc1 though, because it isn't built in.... you have problems cropping up.
Python is garbage, number 1 advocate of getting rid of it.
GHOSTCLAW
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
United States17042 Posts
March 19 2009 19:39 GMT
#12
On March 20 2009 04:26 Durak wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 20 2009 04:17 Xeofreestyler wrote:
On March 20 2009 04:09 liger13 wrote:
ahh... i kinda hope they don add it in sc2... i like how every1 has to use the same hotkeys, but for SC1, you wouldnt be able to play in any tourneys...


Actually giving everyone the exact same hotkeys is unfair
there's more than one type of keyboard y'know


How many are there? I only know about AZERTY from MoC's plugin. I shouldn't think it would be too difficult to standardize if there only a few keyboards to accommodate.


qwerty, qwertz, azerty, off of the top of my head.

Wikipedia tells me that there are a ton for east asia as well as the middle east:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_layout
PhotographerLiquipedia. Drop me a pm if you've got questions/need help.
Kyuukyuu
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
Canada6263 Posts
March 19 2009 19:41 GMT
#13
Also Dvorak.
Durak
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
Canada3685 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-03-19 19:54:41
March 19 2009 19:54 GMT
#14
I was wondering how many people actually have problems with though. There are foreign pros from all different countries playing SC so obviously they've found a way to deal with it.

I'm sure the majority of people use qwerty. If you don't, then you could buy a $5 qwerty keyboard and/or sc2 could accommodate a few other widely used keyboards.
SaRangHaE
Profile Blog Joined July 2005
United States182 Posts
March 19 2009 19:55 GMT
#15
It's not cheating if you use it in the comfort of your own home. When you're at the competition level and play at tournaments, still it's not cheating but it will not be allow. I suppose the game was designed like that and competitors would prefer no one gets to have the slightest advantage over one another. I sustained a sports injury to my left middle finger and using shortcut keys and hotkeys has been tough as I cannot bend it like I used to prior to the injury. Reaching for keys became difficult. So I definitely understand your argument.
don't taze me bro
freelander
Profile Blog Joined December 2004
Hungary4707 Posts
March 19 2009 19:55 GMT
#16
yeah

Hungarian is qwertz and also the numbers are 0123..89 instead of 123...890
I started using English keyboard just to adjust to it
And all is illuminated.
QuanticHawk
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
United States32130 Posts
March 19 2009 20:04 GMT
#17
I never understood why people get so bent outta shape about it. It's not like he gets any kinda extra abilties from doing it. It's not like it's something you can't do to your layout. Hell, if God hated me and made me a dumbass lefty, I'd probably want to switch my layout around.
PROFESSIONAL GAMER - SEND ME OFFERS TO JOIN YOUR TEAM - USA USA USA
Pholon
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Netherlands6142 Posts
March 19 2009 20:08 GMT
#18
How about if you miss 2 fingers?

BOOYA
Moderator@TLPholon // "I need a third hand to facepalm right now"
Jayme
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
United States5866 Posts
March 19 2009 20:18 GMT
#19
On March 20 2009 04:54 Durak wrote:
I was wondering how many people actually have problems with though. There are foreign pros from all different countries playing SC so obviously they've found a way to deal with it.

I'm sure the majority of people use qwerty. If you don't, then you could buy a $5 qwerty keyboard and/or sc2 could accommodate a few other widely used keyboards.


Very very few people have REAL problems with hotkeys but it is a matter of comfort. Seeing as changing hotkeys doesn't actually give you an ingame advantage, I never saw the problem with it... or what anyone elses problem is with it.
Python is garbage, number 1 advocate of getting rid of it.
il0seonpurpose
Profile Blog Joined January 2007
Korea (South)5638 Posts
March 19 2009 20:43 GMT
#20
Can you explain your keyboard format?
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
PiGosaur Cup
00:00
#77
PiGStarcraft645
CranKy Ducklings86
EnkiAlexander 71
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
PiGStarcraft645
RuFF_SC2 214
-ZergGirl 91
StarCraft: Brood War
GuemChi 6061
Sea 2264
Noble 27
Dota 2
febbydoto16
Counter-Strike
taco 321
Super Smash Bros
hungrybox551
Other Games
summit1g10760
tarik_tv5658
C9.Mang0423
Maynarde168
ViBE132
Mew2King26
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick652
Counter-Strike
PGL141
Other Games
BasetradeTV103
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 16 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Hupsaiya 71
• CranKy Ducklings SOOP5
• sooper7s
• Migwel
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• IndyKCrew
• Kozan
• intothetv
• AfreecaTV YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
• Azhi_Dahaki37
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• Lourlo832
• Stunt746
• Rush526
Upcoming Events
Replay Cast
5h 42m
Kung Fu Cup
8h 42m
Replay Cast
20h 42m
The PondCast
1d 6h
WardiTV Map Contest Tou…
1d 7h
CranKy Ducklings
1d 20h
Escore
2 days
WardiTV Map Contest Tou…
2 days
OSC
2 days
Korean StarCraft League
2 days
[ Show More ]
CranKy Ducklings
3 days
WardiTV Map Contest Tou…
3 days
IPSL
3 days
WolFix vs nOmaD
dxtr13 vs Razz
BSL
3 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
4 days
WardiTV Map Contest Tou…
4 days
Ladder Legends
4 days
BSL
4 days
IPSL
4 days
JDConan vs TBD
Aegong vs rasowy
Replay Cast
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
Wardi Open
5 days
Afreeca Starleague
5 days
Bisu vs Ample
Jaedong vs Flash
Monday Night Weeklies
5 days
RSL Revival
5 days
Afreeca Starleague
6 days
Barracks vs Leta
Royal vs Light
WardiTV Map Contest Tou…
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-04-13
RSL Revival: Season 4
NationLESS Cup

Ongoing

BSL Season 22
ASL Season 21
CSL 2026 SPRING (S20)
IPSL Spring 2026
StarCraft2 Community Team League 2026 Spring
Nations Cup 2026
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals
ESL Pro League S23 Stage 1&2
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S2: W3
Acropolis #4
BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
CSLAN 4
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
RSL Revival: Season 5
2026 GSL S1
WardiTV TLMC #16
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
CCT Season 3 Global Finals
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.