Just to post some images for those that don't know what grid is\does.

Basically if you know how to use a keyboard, you know all the hotkeys for SC2, and best of all. You don't have to jump around the keyboard manically.

The thing I like best is that I am a very visual person and can connect the icon location with the hotkeys placement on the keyboard "grid." This makes using hotkeys much faster even if it a command\button that I don't use frequently.

Nutshell

United States41 Posts

May 03 2010 02:33 GMT

#23

I could swear I just read an interview that said sc2 release will have an editable text file for all binds. Maybe it was a dream, but if anyone could find that interview please post a link.

onmach

United States1241 Posts

May 03 2010 02:34 GMT

#24

If they switched patrol and attack, that would be pretty potent. I would have to relearn everything though. And a lot of spells tend to be on the bottom of the square, like the queen inject for example. But still not bad at all.

Gallimatias

France95 Posts

May 03 2010 02:37 GMT

#25

I find the grid keys unusable (because of attack on T), but then again the same is true about terrans standard keys (because of bunker, turret and lift/land keys) so I find myself swapping between them.

I have been using a customized grid in wc3 for years and in other video games (all have custom keys ofc) I always make damn sure I dont have to use any keys beyond the fifth column so reaching for something like L and U just isn't in my skill set.

crate

United States2474 Posts

May 03 2010 03:01 GMT

#26

On May 03 2010 10:09 roark wrote:
I am new to RTS and SC2 and I thinking switching to grid was the best thing I have done so far to get better.

With grid you completely negate not knowing where hot keys are. All your hot keys correspond to the button layout.

I don't have to guess where a hot key is and am much quicker with hot keys now as a new player.

You do have to learn where each picture is though.

I've played BW on-and-off for 8 years or so now and I don't know which icon is where on the grid (and this is a 3x3 grid); I don't know where most stuff is in the SC2 grid either.

I admit it's a little bit less work to find what each hotkey is in the grid layout, but if you're looking for hotkeys in the middle of a match then you're missing the advantage of using hotkeys in the first place in that match.

I'm not trying to say that the default hotkeys are better. I think both systems are fine and if you prefer one go for it (and hotkeys really should be completely customizable anyway), but I don't personally see that grid hotkeys are definitively easier to learn. I certainly see how they would be for some players though.

roark

United States187 Posts

May 03 2010 03:36 GMT

#27

On May 03 2010 12:01 crate wrote:

Show nested quote +

The benefit isn't really that one is "better" or "faster" than the other. And I can see how many people who played SC1 for many years wouldn't want to switch.

I however am a blank slate. The beauty of the grid, is that, I don't know where anything is anyway.

If I use the typical hotkeys, I can't just look at the building\unit icon and instantly be able to press a button. So if I am in a battle, or macroing with grid: even if I don't know the hotkey -- I don't have to search for it. Once I see the location of the icon on the unit\building grid pane I instantly know the proper button to press without having to look or move my hand on the keyboard. That is the power of grid for me.

With the standard layout like if I wanted to lift a building and didn't know the hotkey I would have to: click the button, or hover over the icon - find the hotkey - then look on the keyboard allll the way over to L. Super unproductive especially for noobs with 0 APM.

I also am not stuck on old conventions like a-move, etc. Also being a former heavy FPS gamer having my hand near the grid layout keys is much more natural.

EDIT:

I admit it's a little bit less work to find what each hotkey is in the grid layout, but if you're looking for hotkeys in the middle of a match then you're missing the advantage of using hotkeys in the first place in that match.

This is also not as relevant because I am talking about being new anyway. I don't know where anything is in the first place. So often as I get accustomed to the game I have to search for a button here or there.

The longer you have played SC the less benefit you get from GRID layout.

vesicular

United States1310 Posts

May 03 2010 04:10 GMT

#28

I voted "why is T attack-move", but other than that, I do actually like the grid keys. Everything is so close, it's easily to learn quickly (visual), and if you forget a key you just glance over and know what to hit.

Still, that damn T key. ugh.

IndecisivePenguin

United States771 Posts

May 03 2010 04:14 GMT

#29

I never really tried them because I never felt inclined to. I might someday though, just to see what it would be like. I still really enjoy knowing the real hotkeys for units and techs though, so I'm not too sure how well I will receive this method haha.

McCain

United States187 Posts

May 03 2010 04:33 GMT

#30

On May 03 2010 11:33 Nutshell wrote:
I could swear I just read an interview that said sc2 release will have an editable text file for all binds. Maybe it was a dream, but if anyone could find that interview please post a link.

Don't have the link but it's real, Sc2 will have that functionality at release. Wc3 did as well.

bodysnatcher21

Australia147 Posts

May 03 2010 04:53 GMT

#31

What happens to the Protoss warpgate hotkey (W) when using the grid setup?

roark

United States187 Posts

May 03 2010 04:59 GMT

#32

On May 03 2010 13:53 bodysnatcher21 wrote:
What happens to the Protoss warpgate hotkey (W) when using the grid setup?

It becomes [ Y ].

Typically with grid I have my fingers on:

[ Q ] [ W ] [ E ] [ R ] [ T ] -> [ Y ]

So you just reach one to the right with your pointer finger.

spinesheath

Germany8679 Posts

May 03 2010 06:40 GMT

#33

Where is the "I use custom hotkeys" option on that poll?

I am very unhappy with all the standard hotkey setups, especially since the removal of cast-on-wireframe. The left-handed versions actually are the best for zerg imo (better placement of the town cam button aka backspace) but they still aren't so great.

Sniggle

United States21 Posts

May 03 2010 06:47 GMT

#34

Warpgates on Y and attack move on T makes it unplayable for me.

StarMasterX

United States113 Posts

May 03 2010 07:05 GMT

#35

I've always used grid hotkeys. They make things so much easier. T for attack move really isn't that big of a deal, but yes I wish it was 3x3 like SC1 instead of 5x3. Oh well.

Onlinejaguar

Australia2823 Posts

May 03 2010 07:10 GMT

#36

I like the grid hot keys. just seems more intuitive to me personally.

Spaceninja

United States211 Posts

May 03 2010 08:06 GMT

#37

I tried out grid and thought it was kinda cool until I realised that attack was "t", and immediately switched back.

Spaceninja

United States211 Posts

May 03 2010 08:09 GMT

#38

I think your thinking of this.

but i could be wrong.

liq3

Australia34 Posts

May 03 2010 08:12 GMT

#39

I played 300 (about 200 as random) games of SC2 learning all standard hotkeys before the patch that put in grid keys. I switched and haven't looked back. Took a good 20 games before I become proficient enough to not be hurt badly by the change. Still don't know them all, but hey, I didn't know all the standard ones anyway (damn upgrades).

Everyone complaining about T being attack-move... It's no harder then A. Just takes a bit to get used to. Gotta switch finger and all that jazz.

Shenron

United States105 Posts

May 03 2010 08:40 GMT

#40

Got used to the regular ones already. Also, Zerg spawn larva and Drone spawn being the same key would be devastating for me.