Anyone use their thumb?

Akill_

United Kingdom80 Posts

November 13 2010 22:54 GMT

Hey guys, im getting a little irritated at my play because in more than 50% of my games im constantly missing hotkeys for almost everything(control groups and spells mostly, but also building hotkeys), i also mentioned to a friend who plays sc2 that i use my thumb for C/V/B. He said it was the weridest thing he ever heard lol.

Do i have bad form and is it the reason why im struggling to hit hotkeys?

Does anyone have some useful tips for getting hotkey skills back on track? i really feel this is keeping me back from enjoying the game and thus progressing in it

IcyPringle

Canada210 Posts

November 13 2010 22:56 GMT

Ya I've never heard of anyone using their thumb. Maybe your trying to hard and moving to fast, I have very low apm but every action counts for me.

Lennon

United Kingdom2275 Posts

November 13 2010 22:56 GMT

I wouldn't use your thumb since it's imprecise.
Sounds like you've just got to play more until you hit the correct key 99% of the time.

sjschmidt93

United States2518 Posts

November 13 2010 22:56 GMT

I've never heard of that (using thumbs for those keys, that is)

I'm actually a super faster typer and have awful form. I only use 5 fingers (excluding thumbs for space bar) when playing/typing. Also, I only use left shift, never right shift.

I don't think it's a big deal. You need to do what feels right and not what others do. If you want to fix it you can try, but it's kind of like a batting stance or a free throw shot in prosports. It's what you think feels best.

KillerPlague

United States1386 Posts

November 13 2010 22:57 GMT

i think the only time i use my thumb is for the space bar, but i don't think missing hot keys is your problem. just continue working on the basics and you will improve. hotkey control comes later

NihiLStarcraft

Denmark1413 Posts

November 13 2010 22:58 GMT

I don't use my thumb for B and V either but I'm very certain I've seen Nada actually do this in SC2 (I think it was in of Artosis' videos from IEM Cologne).

PROJECTILE

United States226 Posts

November 13 2010 22:59 GMT

I use my thumb for 7-0 hotkeys. It's actually much more precise, since you don't actually change your hand position except to pivot your wrist. After a short time you learn to do it on feel so you don't have to look at what key you're pressing. I've become extremely fast at using all my hotkeys this way.

GHOSTCLAW

United States17042 Posts

November 13 2010 23:00 GMT

Daria

Australia500 Posts

November 13 2010 23:01 GMT

I only use my thumb for SpaceBar (shows recent events such as drops on your mineral line), but other than that my left hand does everything else

Two_DoWn

United States13684 Posts

November 13 2010 23:01 GMT

#10

I use my thumb for spacebar, other than that i just move my hand around quite a bit.

Meatt

United States98 Posts

November 13 2010 23:01 GMT

#11

not a great player here, but someone who's gone through the same thing recently. As unhelpful as this might sound, it was just practice for me. I used to actually look down at the keyboard way too often just so that i didn't miss a key. Try to pick a control group setup that's semi-logical(like not putting your cc/nexus/hatch on 1) and stick to it, don't change. For even just one day, focus on the "eyes" in your fingers, and get used to the spacings that you need to be jumping around on, and make sure you can get back to your main c-group number after a B or N or 0 or something. meh, hope this helps a bit. practice, and stick to a setup.

cHaNg-sTa

United States1058 Posts

November 13 2010 23:02 GMT

#12

Well, I use my thumb for space bar. That's about it though. You don't really need it otherwise. Just give it more practice

Pharax

Canada62 Posts

November 13 2010 23:02 GMT

#13

I use grid setup and use my left thumb for c, x and sometimes z. Pretty useful when your other fingers are closer to the qwert and 1234 keys.

Zestypasta

United States61 Posts

November 13 2010 23:02 GMT

#14

Lol finally someone understands! haha. Yea I use my thumb too. It actually works better imo because I only use my left thumb for letters while i use my right for spacebar exclusively. So instead of having one useless thumb, they are both doing something.
I don't have any problems with hotkeys. In fact, that is kind of my forte in starcraft haha.

take pride in your thumb imo.
Just practice.

TheRabidDeer

United States3806 Posts

November 13 2010 23:03 GMT

#15

im a lefty, but i use my thumb for control and space bar

BenKen

United States860 Posts

November 13 2010 23:03 GMT

#16

I use my thumb, but I play Nazgul style: left hand on mouse, right hand on keyboard.

ktp

United States797 Posts

November 13 2010 23:03 GMT

#17

I use my thumb for C/V/B/Spacebar. I think its totally ok.

b0lt

United States790 Posts

November 13 2010 23:04 GMT

#18

???

How do you guys not use your thumbs for hotkeys? It's probably my second used finger for hotkeys.

1a2a3a, hold position, 55v66v etc for queen injection, vi/u for infestor pit/ultra cavern, and probably more stuff I can't think of

Comeh

United States18919 Posts

November 13 2010 23:08 GMT

#19

My main concern with using my thumb would be straining my arm - it feels uncomfortable and unnatural to use my thumb on anything but the spacebar.

Roblin

Sweden948 Posts

November 13 2010 23:09 GMT

#20

started in silver, climbed my way to platinum, have 65 average APM and was born with no left hand.

no, I do not use the thumb on the keyboard hand, I don't have one!

as a matter of fact, I use a total of 2 hotkeys, other than (1) for hatcheries and (a) for a-move, I'm a clicker, sad truth, doing my best to use (v) for inject larvae, I'll do my best to keep getting better, wish me luck

susySquark

United States1692 Posts

November 13 2010 23:10 GMT

#21

On November 14 2010 08:04 b0lt wrote:
???

How do you guys not use your thumbs for hotkeys? It's probably my second used finger for hotkeys.

1a2a3a, hold position, 55v66v etc for queen injection, vi/u for infestor pit/ultra cavern, and probably more stuff I can't think of

Well since i use 1 for my main hatch/cc/nexus, i do 2a3a4a using ring, pinky, middle, pinky, index, pinky. I use backspace to cycle through hatches, and index for V.

seodoth

Netherlands319 Posts

November 13 2010 23:11 GMT

#22

Well when i play wow, i use lots and lots of hotkeys: `, 1 tm 0, -, =, f1 t'm f5, R, T, F, G, C, V, Z, X also alt R, alt 1tm3, alt F, mouse buttons (total 3) and alt + middlemouse buttons. For all these buttons i use my fingers and never ever a thumb ^^ Only for the spacebar to jump and type

I dont think you using your thump should be the cause of the problem. If you use it, it means you are familliar with movement so it shouldnt cause any problems. My best advice is to practice the use of hotkeys a lot. Maybe to the Blizzard challenges, where you only can use the hotkeys? Or play vs computer. It takes a quite some time to get accustomed to hotkeys and having that muscle memory. So.. practise, practise, practise

FindingPride

United States1001 Posts

November 13 2010 23:11 GMT

#23

i use thumb. ;0 its great for B ( gotta use the side of your thumb)

Bibbit

Canada5377 Posts

November 13 2010 23:15 GMT

#24

I use thumb if I need to hotkey something to 9 or 0. I also used thumb in bw when marines were 'm.'

But thats about it.

Sanguinarius

United States3427 Posts

November 13 2010 23:15 GMT

#25

thumb = alt and control

Weasel-

Canada1556 Posts

November 13 2010 23:17 GMT

#26

In BW I know really would would put his thumb on M then hit up all his barrackses with his finger hotkeys. Since SC2 has MBS, I would say that there is really no reason to use your thumb for anything since you don't need to hit all those hotkeys as fast.

agtemd

Canada362 Posts

November 13 2010 23:19 GMT

#27

I use thumb, i've always thought thumb was the only way to hit b/v/c/x/alt. I never miss my thumb keys either. When i press b or v i crossover my index finger to hit the corresponding building key. Never miss my buttons, Weird :S

Pro]ChoSen-

United States318 Posts

November 13 2010 23:19 GMT

#28

Some people use their thumb to hold down the left Ctrl when they hotkey, this seems horrible to me. When I wanna hotkey I just apply pressure with the left side of my left hand and my Ctrl key is sticking up. But I guess if you have a keyboard with flat keys you would need to actually press a key, gosh I can't imagine, that would make it so much slower.

jhNz

Germany2762 Posts

November 13 2010 23:19 GMT

#29

i use my thumb only for the space bar, one of the most imporartant keys in the whole game.
now that i think about it, i think i even use it for B and V from time to time. actually i'm not really sure o_O
seems pretty viable to me, to use it for B and V...

Bearigator

United States233 Posts

November 13 2010 23:19 GMT

#30

I use my thumb for certain things. Mostly for hotkeying things to 0/9/8

fiskrens

Sweden196 Posts

November 13 2010 23:19 GMT

#31

Thumb used for VBNM and spacebar, I couldn't really play without using my thumb, 5v5v5 for example(queen inject).

edit: now when I think about it, how the hell do people build stuff using standard settings without using his thumb?

Goobus

Hong Kong587 Posts

November 13 2010 23:21 GMT

#32

I use my thumb every day. I don't know how you'd really pick up objects without thumbs.

Wolf

Korea (South)3290 Posts

November 13 2010 23:24 GMT

#33

I use my thumb sometimes. Just use whatever feels most comfortable to you, and you'll be fine. If you find that not using your thumb works better in the future, then of course, change your style. But don't really worry too much about it.

Ko1tz

France493 Posts

November 13 2010 23:26 GMT

#34

I do use my thumb for the ctrl key and some other hotkeys...I have it kinda easier 'cause i'm a lefty ^^

Discerpo

263 Posts

November 13 2010 23:30 GMT

#35

I personally don't get how you can push C/V/B without using your thumb... but that's because I played WoW almost professionally and had to have my fingers over the W and number keys at all times while pushing those keys.

Enervate

United States1769 Posts

November 13 2010 23:40 GMT

#36

For most people, pressing buttons in alternation using a thumb and index finger or middle finger is far slower than index finger and middle finger or middle finger and ring finger. Thumbs are naturally clumsy. This is learned by most piano players. Also, I don't see why you would choose to use your thumb for c/v/b unless you type those keys with your thumb as well, in which case that is incorrect form.

But honestly, if you feel you do fine with it, just do it. Do whatever feels the best to you.

leeznon

United States255 Posts

November 13 2010 23:41 GMT

#37

I use my thumb to hit the space bar (sometimes).
So I can quickly switch to a battle.

laste

Bulgaria242 Posts

November 13 2010 23:48 GMT

#38

This is such a huge mindfuck.

After typing a post about how I use only my thumb and how anything else is so much harder, I just realized I use my index, middle finger and my thumb for the letter C depending on the word. its really trippy. depending on where my other fingers are positioned after hitting different letters for the different words I use one of three.

Bondator

Finland120 Posts

November 13 2010 23:53 GMT

#39

That's awful. With the exception of hold position those keys leave my thumb under middle of my palm which feels super uncomfortable. Unless you're left handed and use right hand on keyboard, then I could possibly understand using thumb on keyboard. But I suppose all of this is highly dependent on the size of hand and keyboard used.

I actually use my thumb on shift and ctrl, but only because I have them here:
[image loading]

I've been using my mouse like that for years, and it's awesome. Not just in Starcraft, but with everything. It makes ctrl-grouping, shift-adding and many other tasks super fast and comfortable. It does however make your mouse a tiny bit less precise when using them, so I still use keyboard ctrl/shift on certain things.

Insanious

Canada1251 Posts

November 13 2010 23:55 GMT

#40

i use my thumb for c v b and space simply because I'm an fps player really and I used c v b in fps games so....

raynpelikoneet

Finland43270 Posts

November 13 2010 23:59 GMT

#41

I use my thumb for "c" and "spacebar".

lol i just started wondering why i don't use it for "v" and "b" too, guess i'm not used to it.. ^^

Selkie

United States530 Posts

November 14 2010 00:04 GMT

#42

I use a trackball mouse, so I use my thumb to click.

I have no idea how I'm able to use it by the way...

Super_bricklayer

France104 Posts

November 14 2010 00:05 GMT

#43

Funny, that topic makes me realize that if i use my thumb for V and C with my queens ( to inject and plant tumors ) i don't use it for build, when i want to build something ( B or V ) i move my hand and use the index.

drlame

Sweden574 Posts

November 14 2010 00:06 GMT

#44

On November 14 2010 08:09 Roblin wrote:
started in silver, climbed my way to platinum, have 65 average APM and was born with no left hand.

no, I do not use the thumb on the keyboard hand, I don't have one!

as a matter of fact, I use a total of 2 hotkeys, other than (1) for hatcheries and (a) for a-move, I'm a clicker, sad truth, doing my best to use (v) for inject larvae, I'll do my best to keep getting better, wish me luck

Dude that's amazing, mad props. 65 APM is also quite high without using any hotkeys at all.

to the OP: I also used my thumb in the beginning, a habit after playing so much FPS, the way I practiced was that I played on a really high chair - or low table -. The reason being to keep my hand "free", i.e not leaning on the wrist or anything (I'm talking about the keyboard hand). This way you can move it more freely and removes the mental restraint you get. When you switch up the position your hand is in, you also switch up the way your muscle memory works, what this means is that you start from scratch without thumb.

gogogadgetflow

United States2583 Posts

November 14 2010 00:07 GMT

#45

I think the bottom line is that what's holding you back isn't your thumb. Just practicing whatever will make you better.

Also @ the guy with 65apm and no left hand, fighting! bro.

btlyger

United States470 Posts

November 14 2010 00:08 GMT

#46

I use my thumb for every lower-middle key. c-m

I cant imagine using anything else tbh, and I'm surprised to see a lot of people saying not to use it.

AdahnSC

United States376 Posts

November 14 2010 00:12 GMT

#47

using thumb for cvb seems like a poor decision because then when you want to build a command center or cannon for example thats BC which would require you to tap two buttons in a row with your thumb, much slower than B with your pointer and C with your middle.

Lobo2me

Norway1213 Posts

November 14 2010 00:14 GMT

#48

If I press a button before I press something on the bottom row, I normally use my thumb for bottom row(6c for chrono boost, 6v for larva inject and so on). If it's those buttons first I use another finger (bc for building spine crawlers for example).

wizard944

194 Posts

November 14 2010 00:14 GMT

#49

I use my thumb when I play terran. I have my command centers as 1 and I hit s with my thumb to build scvs. Also when I hotkey anything to 7 8 9 or 0, I use my thumb to hit the control key

pQylling

Denmark139 Posts

November 14 2010 00:16 GMT

#50

I always use my thumb for space/b/v/c because my thumb naturally falls over the b key when i hold my hands in the normal position, it's just much easier.
except when i build a command center or the like, i use my thumb for b and my index finger for c.

AdahnSC

United States376 Posts

November 14 2010 00:17 GMT

#51

On November 14 2010 09:14 Lobo2me wrote:
If I press a button before I press something on the bottom row, I normally use my thumb for bottom row(6c for chrono boost, 6v for larva inject and so on). If it's those buttons first I use another finger (bc for building spine crawlers for example).

this makes a lot more sense to me since when pressing 6 your hand is in an upward position so your thumb should naturally be around the cvb area.

helokity

Canada47 Posts

November 14 2010 00:25 GMT

#52

my friend has or had a keyboard for his sc1 tournaments, about 85% of the keys were ripped off of it so that he wouldnt hit the wrong key with 9000 apm. might work for you if you have extra keyboards lying around

vicariouscheese

United States589 Posts

November 14 2010 00:26 GMT

#53

this guys a baller

thumb for B, V, M, L, H, P, 8-0, and space obviously. the only problem is with a command center, sometimes i tell it to load scv's instead of build planetary fortress when i miss the p... thinking about switching to grid.

hellsan631

United States695 Posts

November 14 2010 00:34 GMT

#54

If you watch this video, at around 32 seconds, Nada even uses his thumb for b/v.

When he builds his command center, the only finger down there is his trumb. As you can see, it pivots around and hits b then his middle finger hits C. Do note though, that the keyboard video is off sync and lower fps then the game play video, so the actual key pressing happens about a split second later (i think its actually like 5-10 frames or so, lol).

I have around 140 or so sc2 apm, and use my thumb for BV, but not space bar. I use the index finger of my mouse hand for that, Pinky for control.

For uses of build cannon or command, i use my thumb for B, then my index of the same hand for c or v.

Seriously, for those who say using the thumb is bad, i would really like to see a pro gamer use anything but the thumb for build commands seeing as its the most efficient way to use your keyboard hand.

LunarC

United States1186 Posts

November 14 2010 00:40 GMT

#55

I use classic hotkeys, so I use my thumb pretty frequently

I think its a good habit, because it gives your hand the flexibility to use the full range of conrol groups from 1-0.

Flying_Cake

Canada117 Posts

November 14 2010 00:41 GMT

#56

Wait... you guys don't use your thumb? I guess each one of us has its own style.

My stance:

Little finger: Shift
Ring finger: A
Middle finger: S
Index: E
Thumb: B

LoLAdriankat

United States4307 Posts

November 14 2010 00:46 GMT

#57

It depends on my hand position at the heat of the moment. If my index finger is closer to B and V, I'll use it. If my thumb is closer to B and V (which means my index finger is probably near a hotkey or control group), I'll use my thumb.

dignity

Canada908 Posts

November 14 2010 00:57 GMT

#58

I use my thumb exclusively for alt, probably because I used to play warcraft 3 a lot and so, like moon said in that video, not as much as a need for apm.

Wr3k

Canada2533 Posts

November 14 2010 01:01 GMT

#59

spacebar bro

EZjijy

United States1039 Posts

November 14 2010 01:05 GMT

#60

The only button I'll ever hit with the thumb is the spacebar and thats only when I hear a nuke. My thumbs too fat and short to be of any use.

kaztah

Norway1221 Posts

November 14 2010 01:07 GMT

#61

I use my thumb for spacebar and for constant alt-spamming for the healthbars. It's basicly a built in reflex from playing Warcraft 3 and I don't really think about it. Rest of the fingers just fly around on the keyboard and takes care of all the other hotkeys really.

vyyye

Sweden3917 Posts

November 14 2010 01:07 GMT

#62

What the hell? People don't use their thumbs? That's like only using one finger for both your right and left click. Never had trouble using it either.

I use it for CVB solely though, especially helpful when injecting, 66v77v88v99v would be extremely awkward without the thumb.

PartyBiscuit

Canada4525 Posts

November 14 2010 01:08 GMT

#63

I tilt my keyboard on an angle when I play so I don't think I make use of my thumb.

Ygz

England370 Posts

November 14 2010 01:15 GMT

#64

I use my thumb also, mainly for 'v' - Larvae inject and in other games I use it frequently.

Pinky resting on CNTRL
Middle resting on W
Thumb resting on SB

I'd find it super weird not using my thumb hah. I noticed a lot of people use the 'alt' key, I NEVER use that key, I find it so uncomfortable.

wooozy

3813 Posts

November 14 2010 01:21 GMT

#65

i can't imagine 55v66v77v without using my thumb. o_O

EoR

Ireland127 Posts

November 14 2010 01:26 GMT

#66

I use it for space bar/c/v/b, seems kind've imprecise but I cba fixing it at this far on stage.

FaCE_1

Canada6184 Posts

November 14 2010 01:32 GMT

#67

I use my tumb alot in FPS but never in RTS

KevinIX

United States2472 Posts

November 14 2010 03:57 GMT

#68

I don't really use my thumb at all. Over years of playing MMORPGs I've gotten pretty good at hitting 1 through 0. I keep my fingers on asdf like I'm typing and use my index finger for anything on the right side of the keyboard.

MrMotionPicture

United States4327 Posts

November 14 2010 04:01 GMT

#69

It really all matters on what is comfortable for you, I would think.

FliedLice

Germany7494 Posts

November 14 2010 04:03 GMT

#70

V, B, N, M

i guess those are the only buttons i use my thumb for

GolemMadness

Canada11044 Posts

November 14 2010 04:05 GMT

#71

I've never heard of anybody using their thumb for anything other than the space bar. Change up your form.

Delarchon

Finland132 Posts

November 14 2010 04:19 GMT

#72

Right ctrl with thumb + 8, 9, 0. Have to look at the keyboard for a sec when i do it thou.

I used to have a hotkey problem where i messed up my scouting probe and building probe. When that happened I stopped playing for a second and thought about what just happened. Turned out that I was holding my hand too low on the keyboard and accidentally would hit ctrl sometimes and mess up the hotkey groups. Changed my form and now it never happens again.

tmtx

71 Posts

November 14 2010 04:36 GMT

#73

I, U, L, M, Space..

rsol

Australia117 Posts

November 14 2010 04:41 GMT

#74

On November 14 2010 10:07 kaztah wrote:
I use my thumb for spacebar and for constant alt-spamming for the healthbars. It's basicly a built in reflex from playing Warcraft 3 and I don't really think about it. Rest of the fingers just fly around on the keyboard and takes care of all the other hotkeys really.

I do this too and it has the advantage of making you look like a baller apparently

Spiegel

Australia79 Posts

November 14 2010 04:44 GMT

#75

I assume that I use my thumb, at some point. I mean its right there. seems a shame not to use it.

Silidons

United States2813 Posts

November 14 2010 04:46 GMT

#76

keep both pointer fingers on f and j... thump is only for alt/space (for generally typing fast)

i played WoW for years so my typing skills increased tenfold since you have to type a lot during PvP/Raids. i type 100+ wpm...keeping pointers on f and j is needed!

Noxie

United States2227 Posts

November 14 2010 04:49 GMT

#77

Always use my thumb on spacebar... i couldn't imagine using it for b/c/v ... i keep my left hand really active around the keyboard.. its not very stationary so that might be the difference.. I am guessing you must keep you're hand pretty solid on the board in order to use you're thumb so actively

Akill_

United Kingdom80 Posts

November 14 2010 05:11 GMT

#78

hey guys, thanks for the responses.

Im in mid diamond and do exclusively use the hotkeys, when im practised and warmed up i hit 200+ apm. My main reason for posting this question was that in the heat of a game i usually have a good margin of error over some hotkeys when before in my life as a gamer i've very rarely missed keyboard keys, was trying to discern if there was any real reason for this, note i've never played a game as intense as sc2 before now though.

Im putting it down to practise and am going to grind through it. btw i dont exclusively use the thumb for the bottom keys as often i will BN/BG/VB/BF with middle finger and index. Also my keyboard is rather old and slimey, i'll get a new one.

ty liquidians

Ksyper

Bulgaria665 Posts

November 14 2010 05:17 GMT

#79

I use it for the spacebar.

Beneather

Canada451 Posts

November 14 2010 05:22 GMT

#80

I use it to set up my hotkeys. I cant use it for anything else becuz it would just be uncomfortable to move it up to press a key.

Bambipwnsu

Canada698 Posts

November 14 2010 05:23 GMT

#81

I believe there was a VERY old thread about this where legionnaire posted how he did 1a2a3a4a5a...although i guess for sc2 the maximum you really need is 1a2a3a

. You could dig up that thread and check it out if you want.

You can also youtube boxer's keyboard perspective which you get to see how he manages via the keyboard. Its a youtube video.

tianGO

Argentina591 Posts

November 14 2010 05:26 GMT

#82

I only use it to hit the space bar, and I rarely do that.

Adonisto

Canada191 Posts

November 14 2010 05:27 GMT

#83

I use my thumb for c/v/b and spacebar but mostly for ChronoBoost. When you're used to it, it's actually pretty convenient.

aztrorisk

United States896 Posts

November 14 2010 05:29 GMT

#84

Classic. Never heard of anybody using their thumb. Only use your thumb for spacebar. I can type 80 words per minute without looking at the keyboard

index finger for v and b
middle finger for c

It helps to learn how to type correctly. I have no problems with hotkeys.

Keldrath

United States449 Posts

November 14 2010 06:27 GMT

#85

idk why you wouldnt use your thumb. your hand has 5 digits. seems like using all 5 of them rather than just 4 would make a lot more sense.

Agh

United States1045 Posts

November 14 2010 06:32 GMT

#86

kiwi uses his thumb for ctrl

lolcakes

Logo

United States7542 Posts

November 14 2010 06:54 GMT

#87

On November 14 2010 15:27 Keldrath wrote:
idk why you wouldnt use your thumb. your hand has 5 digits. seems like using all 5 of them rather than just 4 would make a lot more sense.

Yeah this. I use my thumb for cvbm & space and have no accuracy or speed issues as a result of it.

ZomgTossRush

United States1041 Posts

November 14 2010 06:56 GMT

#88

I use my thumb on my right hand for hotkeyinhg 0 and 9. It took a really long time to get used to but it helps alot.

Triscuit

United States722 Posts

November 14 2010 07:54 GMT

#89

When I was at MLG Dallas, I actually noticed that a lot of players use their thumbs to hit control. I'm pretty sure a couple of the people I saw doing that were TLO and Machine.

eu.exodus

South Africa1186 Posts

November 14 2010 08:04 GMT

#90

On November 14 2010 08:02 cHaNg-sTa wrote:
Well, I use my thumb for space bar. That's about it though. You don't really need it otherwise. Just give it more practice

thats why i think using your thumb for shorcuts is a bad idea. You will more than likely keep hitting space accidentally. Could be annoying as hell. I only use it for control and shift

NeVeR

1352 Posts

November 14 2010 08:08 GMT

#91

I use my thumb for right ctrl.

Helluva

United States651 Posts

November 14 2010 08:11 GMT

#92

I only use my thumb for control (for hotkeying units) and space bar (current action.)

Firebolt145

Lalalaland34503 Posts

November 14 2010 08:19 GMT

#93

Thumb for Space, and sometimes B/N.

zylog

Canada943 Posts

November 14 2010 09:55 GMT

#94

Is it that unusual to use the thumb when playing? I know my hands aren't that big, so many that helps with my mobility, but I use the thumb on the keyboard all the time when my right hand is on the mouse. I also used to play the piano, so my thumb is actually way more dextrous than my other fingers. It can tuck under my palm and extend out towards the right ctrl/shift buttons.

waxypants

United States479 Posts

November 14 2010 10:04 GMT

#95

One guy here says NaDa uses his thumb and I know Really uses his thumb. Both are extremely fast. I imagine a ton of progamers use their thumbs. So yeah, it's fine unless their is an obviously faster and easier way to do a particular key sequence.

lynx.oblige

Sierra Leone2268 Posts

November 14 2010 10:10 GMT

#96

I don't know why there's any thumb hate at all in this thread. I use my thumb all the time: space bar, b, v, for ctrl+9 & 0. That's just brood war, now in SC2 I use it to hotkey f5f6f7f8.

Grummler

Germany743 Posts

November 14 2010 10:21 GMT

#97

I use my thumb for Y-V and spacebar. I am pretty surprised how uncommon that seems to be. Works good around the 2000 point region, though.

Godstorm

Romania845 Posts

November 14 2010 10:24 GMT

#98

I use my thumb for c/v/b too lol i didn't realize it's not common.

mardi

United States1164 Posts

November 14 2010 10:27 GMT

#99

I might start using my left thumb for v. So far in sc2 and sc1 i only used it for 8,9,0.

elKa-ThE-FeArEd

Sweden177 Posts

November 14 2010 10:34 GMT

#100

Thumb for b v c and hotkey 7-0 played 10 yrs and always used it.
not using my thumb would fuck up my game ^^

Keiras

Czech Republic57 Posts

November 14 2010 10:50 GMT

#101

From the reactions in this thread, i suppose, it all depends on the default position of the hand. If someone uses the "typing" position, ASDFspacebar, it's understandable that he uses thumb just for the spacebar. If someone uses some kind of "gaming" hand position, such as shiftAWDC for FPS games or shiftASDB in my case, it's quite convenient to use the thumb for lower line keys in addition to the spacebar.

However, when you start playing, you usually don't think about the ideal place for your hand. You just go for the position, that seems natural and you are confortable with. Therefore I wouldn't bother asking, whether you are allowed to have your hand placed like that, and I would just stick with what feels natural for me and play more to improve the precision over time.

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