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Bravotango's "Base J" Customized Hotkeys - Page 4

Forum Index > StarCraft 2 Strategy
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Loophole
Profile Blog Joined October 2002
United States867 Posts
May 25 2011 02:49 GMT
#61
Also, I would love to point out that the only reason this isn't possible without a customizable keyboard, or using the AutoHotKey program, is that Blizzard didn't give us the ability to map the Alt, Shift, Ctrl, Tab, and mouse wheel keys. If they simply added that capability, which would be ridiculously easy for them, everyone could use setups like this in tournaments too.
"Fundamental preparation is always effective. Work on those parts of your game that are fundamentally weak." -Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
rust.oxide
Profile Joined May 2010
United States94 Posts
May 25 2011 04:14 GMT
#62
I personally use Grid and map Backspace to one of my left mouse buttons. and F1-F4 as control groups 7 through 0.

Really awesome idea, but I'm comfortable with Grid and your benefits are ones I have with Grid as it is.
Kaitlin
Profile Joined December 2010
United States2958 Posts
May 25 2011 04:26 GMT
#63
On May 25 2011 08:50 Blitztoad wrote:
Is there a way to rebind this to your keyboard faster? also, apart from the shift, and control can you change the hotkeys in the starcraft program? or do you have to do that with the custom keyboard too?


Not sure what you mean by the first question. If you mean, a better way than making the changes manually, yeah, you can copy the hotkey file I included in the OP into your Hotkeys directory and load it within the game.

For the second question, they are all changed within Starcraft. The only changes outside the game are:

1. Spacebar changed to Shift.
2. 'U' changed to Control.
3. Right Alt changed to 'Num 5', but I've since changed it to Backspace, since it seemed a little silly to remap it to something else, then change it from backspace ingame to that other thing. I cut out the middle step after I wrote this post.
4. Mouse scroll forward changed to arbitrary value.
5. Mouse scroll back changed to arbitrary value.

Other than those, everything is changed inside Starcraft.
Yoshi Kirishima
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States10343 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-05-25 04:44:05
May 25 2011 04:43 GMT
#64
Wow this seems very optimized, good work would never have thought about repositioning it to the right where your thumb can more easily hit two low keys (space and the right alt key)

Edit:

Oh so you need a custom keyboard. Would this be "allowed" in tournaments?
Mid-master streaming MECH ONLY + commentary www.twitch.tv/yoshikirishima +++ "If all-in fails, all-in again."
Kaitlin
Profile Joined December 2010
United States2958 Posts
May 25 2011 04:48 GMT
#65
On May 25 2011 11:30 TheAmpersand wrote:
Do you have a config file for the ASDF setup?


I don't have a config file for the ASDF setup.

I'm curious as to whether utilizing more mouse buttons might make the learning curve less steep for myself. Do you feel like changing your layout has made it easier for your muscle memory to develop? During tense fights do you find yourself still trying to hunt for the right keys to press?

The OP make me think of creating a hotkey setup where all necessary macro actions performed by the mouse buttons. Mouse hand would me by macro hand, and my keyboard hand would be my micro hand. I just got a Razer Naga, and I'm still trying to figure out how it would be best to take advantage of the extra mouse buttons.


I was looking at the Naga before deciding to buy the Death Adder mouse. I thought real hard about how I could take advantage of having so many buttons on the mouse. In the end, I concluded SC2 wasn't the best implementation for that kind of mouse. Some additional functionality on the mouse is good, but in the end, we need to be moving the mouse rapidly and accurately, and with 16 buttons or however many it has, I just saw a lot of potential for misclicking. Between the ability to use the scroll wheel and the two buttons on the side, one as a modifier provides a good balance, combined with the consolidated number of keys on the keyboard being used. I don't know a good way to overcome the incredible number of buttons on the side of the Naga being accurately and rapidly used, while also needing to move the mouse around.

I definitely feel changing my layout has made it easier for my muscle memory. I think of many of the things I do in game, as typing. The default setup was using hand positions and key combinations I've never used before, but with this, I am familiar. Not to mention, it's more accurate because you don't have to reach anywhere. I have no trouble hunting for the right keys to use in battle.

My biggest challenges since developing this system has been trying to figure out how to best utilize all the extra control groups I have access to lol. I literally have 3 control groups specifically assigned to harassment.

From searching through these forums it seems like its 'common knowledge' that it's better to stick with the standard layout and use the keyboard. Using mouse buttons are a 'gimmick'. I have my doubts until I try for myself. The whole idea of using the mouse wheel for tapping is brilliant IMHO.


I think that "common knowledge" depends on the context. I think it's better to use the keyboard than the mouse for most uses, however using a couple buttons on the mouse as toggles and modifiers is good. This is different than trying to hit the correct button on the Naga. As for the default layout, I think most people think the standard layout sucks ass, but since they've been using it for so long, it's difficult to change to something new, especially when you are constantly competing in various things. Not to mention, each tournament has its own rules as far as to what degree you can customize your setup.
Loophole
Profile Blog Joined October 2002
United States867 Posts
May 25 2011 04:48 GMT
#66
On May 25 2011 13:43 Yoshi Kirishima wrote:
Wow this seems very optimized, good work would never have thought about repositioning it to the right where your thumb can more easily hit two low keys (space and the right alt key)

Edit:

Oh so you need a custom keyboard. Would this be "allowed" in tournaments?


No, not unless blizzard added the ability to map the shift, ctrl, alt, and mouse buttons. You don't need a custom keyboard, you can use AutoHotKey to make the changes, which is what I'm doing.
"Fundamental preparation is always effective. Work on those parts of your game that are fundamentally weak." -Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Yoshi Kirishima
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States10343 Posts
May 25 2011 04:57 GMT
#67
@Loophole

Ok, thanks
Mid-master streaming MECH ONLY + commentary www.twitch.tv/yoshikirishima +++ "If all-in fails, all-in again."
Kaitlin
Profile Joined December 2010
United States2958 Posts
May 25 2011 05:00 GMT
#68
On May 25 2011 11:40 Loophole wrote:
To create a new hotkey file (SC2Hotkeys) just open a new notepad window and paste in the text from the OPs post. Save it as "BaseJ.SC2Hotkeys" including the quotes, which tell notepad to save it exactly as you typed it, without adding the .txt extension. The hotkey file is just a text file with a different extension. When you open up SC2, under hotkeys you'll have a new entry called BaseJ in the dropdown, and it will let you know that it has copied it to your online profile when you select it.

Changing hotkeys doesn't take as long as people think. I played BW for 10 years, and when I wanted to change my hotkeys for SC2, it only took a few games of playing against the computer and building everything I could think of to get my brain used to it. Mabye 10 - 20 ladder games later it was completely set it.

I just played 1 game vs a comp and many of the more used key combinations are already set in my head, because they are pretty intuitive.

I have one question about the setup, Kaitlin. The escape key isn't remapped. Sometimes I need it to cancel a structure. Can you think of anywhere it would work in this setup?


Yeah, this is one of the "open areas". At one point, I had changed like F1-F8 all to ESC so I could just reach up and smack "somewhere" for escape, which is pretty much what I did in the default setup, but I've also setup particular keys like 'C', something a little out of the way as ESC. In my current setup, I've been either right-clicking the ground which works in certain cases, and other times, I have been just selecting a different control group and re-selecting.

Even since writing this system, I've been tweaking it. Some things I feel are better, and other roads I've gone down haven't panned out. For example, I no longer use 'N' and '7' as control groups. I have created new control groups by duplicating others, but while holdling down Alt, to "double up". I actually have 4 control groups on my mousewheel now, scrolling forward and back, with or without the side "Alt" button being held down. Also, the 'T' control group is doubled up with an Alt modifier. When I initially thought of that "doubling up", I went a little crazy, and literally used only like 3 keys and the mouse scroll, but it was a little confusing to keep track of. So, I reduced the doubling up just a little, but I still use it.
IzieBoy
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
United States865 Posts
May 25 2011 05:06 GMT
#69
lol the DT+obs patrol XD

problem is if the guy burrows banelings with unburrow on autocast

usually the opponent can peel off a force to send through a nydus to protect his new base...
Let's Do This! Leeeeeeeeeeeeeroy Jenkins!
Blitztoad
Profile Joined January 2011
United States8 Posts
May 25 2011 21:22 GMT
#70
Kaitlin you mentioned something about the Hotkey Directory in the game? where is this?
A winner is just a loser who got more frustrated and worked harder
Kaitlin
Profile Joined December 2010
United States2958 Posts
May 25 2011 21:39 GMT
#71
On May 26 2011 06:22 Blitztoad wrote:
Kaitlin you mentioned something about the Hotkey Directory in the game? where is this?


Mine (Windows XP) is here:

C:\Documents and Settings\Kaitlin\My Documents\StarCraft II\Accounts\9999999\Hotkeys
cristo1122
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Australia505 Posts
May 25 2011 22:11 GMT
#72
onee thing that probly needs metionin g in the OP is that the black widow keyboard has the function keys moved to the right more than on other keyboards other than that I think this is an interesting setup.
ZvP imbalanced blizzards solution nerf terran
Millicant
Profile Joined July 2010
United States78 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-05-25 22:43:13
May 25 2011 22:36 GMT
#73
So I've been loving this setup for a while now and I'm definitely keeping it as my default hotkeys.

However, I made a few changes to make this easier for me:

T = Warp-in now (W from standard)
U = Control Group (used for robo and stargates)
Right Alt = Control
Side Mouse button = base camera

This makes "tapping" REALLY easy - just roll your fingers tyu tyu tyu

I don't like using the mouse for control groups tbh - I just have a hard time with it. I'm going to keep trying for my armies but it's a struggle for me.

I also didn't like having all the production facilities on one key - I much prefer them separated by type. The Warp-In key comes in handy here.

As for Control - I found I struggled when it was "U" just because I ended up shift-adding stuff to control groups quite often. Alt makes for sense to me.

And since I don't use mouse control groups much anyways, I reassigned the base cam from alt to a side mouse button.

I also assigned 5 to cancel - easy access, out of the way, and sort of the same direction as ESC would be normally.


All of that took some editing of the script. If you're familiar at all with AHK it's very easy. I can show people if they want - just post and ask
dpurple
Profile Joined November 2010
Turkmenistan592 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-05-25 23:04:55
May 25 2011 23:04 GMT
#74
Seems pretty cool. Though I didnt understand it all. I guess you have to try it out in the game to see how it all works.

I have my own custom hotkey setup that in happy with but I think I will try this keyboard script someone posted and move the ctrl and shift key. Always have pain in my pinky finger after I have played a lot.
Sachem
Profile Joined May 2011
United States116 Posts
May 25 2011 23:10 GMT
#75
I'm interested in creating a setup with similar goals, that would be viable for tournaments. Obviously, this is a gargantuan restraint, as not remapping ctrl, shift, etc is terrible in comparision to the options a j-base gives. I've just recently started playing SCII, but I've played MMOs at a competitive level, where the need for key real estate/condensing is even greater.

Initial thoughts:

try to squeeze all unit/building into the 3x4 of qwer-asdf-zxcv, hopefully smaller with mod keys.
this should allow more space to map other functions while making it easier to reach commonly spammed ones. use of a modifier key to access less commonly reached keys(think single buildings/techs) might allow even 2 rows to be possible.

Switch funtions of ctrl and alt, or maybe shift. this allows for greater reach, as switching control and alt allows for a whole new range of keys to be used.
hopefully this will allow use of tgb-yhn depending on handsize/comfort. in linking with the point above, getting rid of ctrl for unit grouping would allow for use of ctrl as a modifier reserved for less used buildings/techs/etc.

Use freed up space for more easily accessible control groups and camera locations,without losing ease of access on actions like building or teching. Ideally having all of 12345zxcvtgbyhn (15 keys, or all control groups and a couple camera ones.

Thoughts/further improvements?
Chemist391
Profile Joined October 2010
United States366 Posts
May 26 2011 00:04 GMT
#76
Wow, the system in the OP is pretty inspired. I'm going to need to see if I can apply anything to my setup.

I currently use a custom setup loosely based on LiquidTyler's.

New Ctrl Groups
+ Show Spoiler +
` - nexus
q - robotics
a - stargate


New Screensave
+ Show Spoiler +
tab - warpin location screensave


Attack is now R (1r2r3r4r feels nice). This is also convenient because nearly all protoss battle-commands are T, F, and G.

Build Assimilator: changed from A to S
Research Armor: changed from A to R
Millicant
Profile Joined July 2010
United States78 Posts
May 26 2011 02:08 GMT
#77
Chemist I also adopted a small part of that - I use a "warp in location" saved position too. I never did until hearing Tyler talk about it.

I use the "forward" mouse button to do that and the "back" for my base cam. Those are assignable in SC2 Hotkey editor btw. Just found that out today
XDJuicebox
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States593 Posts
June 02 2011 05:45 GMT
#78
By the way, if anyone wants to do this, but goes to LANs, you can just do the same thing, but change it around a little bit and leave it at ASDF. It's still a HUGE speed boost.
And then you know what happened all of a sudden?
CrAzEdMiKe
Profile Joined March 2011
Canada151 Posts
June 03 2011 01:19 GMT
#79
I recently got the Razer Nostromo and I'm going to be using a lot of elements from this hotkey setup in order to get everything running. Though obviously a case of apples and oranges and my setup will be different, a lot of the principles are identical (and inspired from) this hotkey setup.

I have a mouse with a total of 4 buttons + wheel that are customizable, and I personally love using these buttons for my control groups. I've actually almost completely stopped using my keyboard for control groups (since mousewheel up/down, thumb buttons and top left buttons are all control groups). It's SO much faster and easier to access hotkeys it's ridonkulous.

Thank you Kaitlin for inspiring me. I may not be utilizing your exact setup, but what I am developing at the moment is being purely based off of your creation and hard work, and for that I am incredibly thankful. Just the idea of getting hotkeys on my mouse has literally bumped my apm by about 10 per minute. May not sound like much, but when your apm was about 70 before, that's almost a 15% increase in apm.

On a side note in regards to thumb button base cams... What I have set up with my mouse is that it normally hits just hotkeys, but if I hold alt then it goes into cameras, and to set up a view location i just hit control + alt + mouse button, and to view it just alt + mouse button. It's really simple and allows for dual functionality on the mouse (In case you didn't notice, I love using my mouse).
Xanczor
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States254 Posts
June 03 2011 01:24 GMT
#80
too bad if you play on a macbook, first of all the touchpad in the middle with move your mouse when you don't want it to and second of all their is a "command" button between spacebar and right alt
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=100673&currentpage=22
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