I decided to write a guide on creating your own personal custom hotkey setup. I feel like a comfortable hotkey setup is an essential part of your SC2 gaming experience, and it is not talked about enough.
The goal of this guide is to provide you with the information to create a custom hotkey setup that is personalized for your preferences. I am going to discuss specific aspects of the standard hotkey setup and grid setup that are inefficient, and then propose solutions for them.
I hope you will read this guide, pick out a few things that seem useful to you, and try them out in-game.
1. THE GOAL
Why would you want to spend time to create a custom hotkey setup? The goal is to improve the efficiency with which you issue your keyboard commands. This efficiency breaks down into three points:
Speed
With the standard hotkey setup, some keyboard commands require you to hit keys that are far apart in rapid succession. You will often be able to execute these commands faster if the keys are closer together. One example would be a zerg injecting his hatcheries using the 'backspace method'.
Reduced Fatigue
With the standard hotkey setup you will be moving your hand all across the keyboard, often having to move your entire arm to hit different keys. With the right hotkey setup you can use your wrist as a pivot and barely have to move your arm.
Memory
The standard setup has done a decent job at making the hotkeys easy to remember, as there is a strong correlation between the unit/upgrade names and the hotkey. However, this comes at the cost of speed and requires you to remember a lot of different hotkeys.
When you assign your own custom hotkeys, you can greatly reduce the amount of hotkeys you need to remember.
2. SHORT HOW-TO
Skip this section if you already know how to reassign your hotkeys.
+ Show Spoiler [How to reassign your hotkeys] +
Go the the Menu (either in-game or in the Battle.net menus) and select 'Hotkeys':
+ Show Spoiler +
Create a new hotkey profile:
+ Show Spoiler +
Select a name for your hotkey profile. I used my account name:
+ Show Spoiler +
You can now click on any unit or structure and assign new hotkeys to their skills:
+ Show Spoiler +
You can also reassign global hotkeys like camera location hotkeys:
+ Show Spoiler +
3. OVERVIEW OF THE STANDARD HOTKEY SETUPS
Let's take a look at what hotkeys are being used by the standard setups. Note how the essential keys are spread out all over the keyboard.
Standard - Terran
+ Show Spoiler +
Standard - Zerg
+ Show Spoiler +
Standard - Protoss
+ Show Spoiler +
Grid
+ Show Spoiler +
As you can clearly see in each of the setups, there are some unassigned keys on the left side of the keyboard. The Grave (~), CapsLock, Windows, and F2-F4 keys may all be rebound to something useful (more on the CapsLock and Windows key later).
Hopefully by now you are starting to see some of the possibilities a custom hotkey setup might bring.
4. MY OWN HOTKEY SETUP
At first I wasn't going to go into my own hotkey setup, but all of the suggestions I am making are ofcourse partially based on my own hotkey setup. Therefore, I think I should be discussing my own hotkey setup and the philosophy behind it.
First I will give you an overview of my hotkey setup in the same way I've done with the standard setups discussed in section 3. Here it is:
+ Show Spoiler [Overview of my hotkey setup] +
As you can see, my hotkey setup is very compact and centered on the left side of the keyboard. The biggest difference with the standard setup is this:
I'm using only 12 hotkeys for unit control/unit production/upgrades, as opposed to the 23 (!!) hotkeys the standard terran hotkey setup requires.
This is huge, as it allows for great freedom in reassigning other hotkeys like the control group and camera hotkeys. My setup is very similar to the grid setup in this regard, and I like to think of my setup as a hybrid between grid and standard.
The best feature of my hotkey setup is the new assignment of control group hotkeys. My unit producing structures are bound to QWERT, and most of my macro is taking place using these keys in combination with the ASDF keys.
My micro is done with the 12345 keys (army) and again mostly the ASDF keys. These keys are very easy to press in conjunction with the Shift key, which is important.
If you are interested in my exact setup, you can find it in the spoiler (directly copied from the .SC2Hotkeys file).
+ Show Spoiler [My custom hotkeys] +
[Settings]
[Hotkeys]
Music=F10
Sound=F9
PTT=BackSlash
ChatDefault=Enter
DialogDismiss=Grave,Escape
MenuAchievements=F7
MenuGame=F5
MenuMessages=F6
MenuHelp=F8
LeaderResources=S
LeaderIncome=A
LeaderSpending=D
LeaderUnits=W
LeaderUnitsLost=R
LeaderProduction=Q
LeaderArmy=E
LeaderAPM=F
ObserveAllPlayers=Tab
ObservePlayer8=Shift+1
ObservePlayer9=Shift+2
ObservePlayer10=Shift+3
ObservePlayer11=Shift+4
ObservePlayer12=Shift+5
ObservePlayer13=Shift+6
ObservePlayer14=Shift+7
ObservePlayer15=Shift+8
ObserveSelected=T
NamePanel=Shift+G
StatPanelResources=Shift+A
StatPanelArmySupply=Shift+S
StatPanelUnitsLost=Shift+D
StatPanelAPM=Shift+F
ToggleWorldPanel=
AlertRecall=F1
CameraFollow=Alt+F
ControlGroupAppend0=Control+T
ControlGroupAppend1=Control+1
ControlGroupAppend2=Control+2
ControlGroupAppend3=Control+3
ControlGroupAppend4=Control+4
ControlGroupAppend5=Control+5
ControlGroupAppend6=Control+Q
ControlGroupAppend7=Control+W
ControlGroupAppend8=Control+E
ControlGroupAppend9=Control+R
ControlGroupAssign0=Shift+T
ControlGroupAssign1=Shift+1
ControlGroupAssign2=Shift+2
ControlGroupAssign3=Shift+3
ControlGroupAssign4=Shift+4
ControlGroupAssign5=Shift+5
ControlGroupAssign6=Shift+Q
ControlGroupAssign7=Shift+W
ControlGroupAssign8=Shift+E
ControlGroupAssign9=Shift+R
ControlGroupRecall0=T
ControlGroupRecall6=Q
ControlGroupRecall7=W
ControlGroupRecall8=E
ControlGroupRecall9=R
GameSpeedDec=Minus
GameSpeedInc=Equals
IdleWorker=Period
MinimapColors=Shift+F9
MinimapPing=Control+D
MinimapTerrain=Shift+F10
QuickSave=Backspace
ReplayPlayPause=P
ReplayRestart=Backspace
ReplaySkipBack=9
ReplaySkipNext=0
ReplaySpeedDec=Minus
ReplaySpeedInc=Equals
ReplayStop=BackSlash
SelectionCancelDrag=Grave,Escape
StatusAll=Shift+F1
StatusOwner=Shift+F2
StatusAlly=Shift+F3
StatusEnemy=Shift+F4
SubgroupNext=Space
SubgroupPrev=Shift+Space
TeamResources=F4
TownCamera=6
WarpIn=F2
CameraSave0=Shift+B
CameraSave1=Shift+H
CameraSave2=Shift+Y
CameraSave3=Shift+N
CameraSave4=Shift+J
CameraSave5=Shift+U
CameraSave6=Shift+7
CameraSave7=Shift+8
CameraView0=B
CameraView1=H
CameraView2=Y
CameraView3=N
CameraView4=J
CameraView5=U
CameraView6=7
CameraView7=8
[Commands]
250mmStrikeCannons/Thor=F
ArchonHallucination/Sentry=X
AutoTurret/Raven=F
Baneling/Zergling=D
BanelingNest/Drone=V
Banshee/Starport=F
Barracks/SCV=D
Battlecruiser/Starport=Z
Blink/Stalker=F
BonesHeal/Stetmann=I
BroodLord/Corruptor=D
BuildCreepTumor/Queen=D
BuildCreepTumorPropagate/CreepTumorBurrowed=F
BuildTechLabFactory/FactoryFlying=C
BuildTechLabStarport/StarportFlying=C
Bunker/SCV=Z
BunkerLoad=C
BurrowDown=G
BurrowUp=G
CalldownMULE/OrbitalCommand=D
Cancel=Grave
Carrier/Stargate=D
Charge/Zealot=I
CloakOff=V
Colossus/RoboticsFacility=F
ColossusHallucination/Sentry=G
CommandCenterLoad=Z
CommandCenterUnloadAll=X
Contaminate/Overseer=F
CorruptionAbility/Corruptor=F
Corruptor/Larva=X
CyberneticsCore/Probe=X
DarkShrine/Probe=X
DarkTemplar=Z
Domination/Nova=F
DutchPlaceTurret/Swann=F
EMP/Ghost=F
EngineeringBay/SCV=F
EvolutionChamber/Drone=F
EvolveCentrificalHooks/BanelingNest=A
EvolveChitinousPlating/UltraliskCavern=S
EvolveGlialRegeneration/RoachWarren=A
EvolveInfestorEnergyUpgrade/InfestationPit=A
EvolveTunnelingClaws/RoachWarren=S
EvolveVentralSacks=F
ExperimentalPlasmaGun/Raynor=F
Explode/Baneling=F
Explode/BanelingBurrowed=F
Extractor/Drone=A
Factory/SCV=D
Feedback/HighTemplar=D
FighterMode=F
FleetBeacon/Probe=C
FusionCore/SCV=F
Gateway/Probe=D
GatherProt=I
GenerateCreep/Overlord=F
Ghost/Barracks=F
GhostAcademy/SCV=Z
GhostHoldFire/Ghost=Z
GravitonBeam/Phoenix=F
GravitonBeam/Urun=F
GreaterSpire/Spire=F
GuardianShield/Sentry=D
Hallucination/Sentry=V
Halt=C
Hatchery/Drone=C
Heal/Medivac=I
Hellion/Factory=A
HerculesLoad/Hercules=C
HeroNukeCalldown/Nova=G
HeroNukeCalldown/Tosh=G
HighTemplar=F
HighTemplarHallucination/Sentry=Z
HireDevilDogs/MercCompound=S
HireDukesRevenge/MercCompound=G
HireDuskWing/MercCompound=V
HireHammerSecurities/MercCompound=D
HireHelsAngels/MercCompound=X
HireKelmorianMiners/MercCompound=A
HireSiegeBreakers/MercCompound=Z
HireSpartanCompany/MercCompound=F
Hive/Lair=Z
HunterSeekerMissile/Raven=V
Hydralisk/Larva=Z
HydraliskDen/Drone=A
Immortal/RoboticsFacility=D
ImmortalHallucination/Sentry=F
InfestationPit/Drone=D
InfestedTerrans/Infestor=D
InfestedTerrans/InfestorBurrowed=D
Infestor/Larva=C
Interceptor/Carrier=F
Interceptor/Selendis=F
Irradiate/ScienceVessel=F
Lair/Hatchery=Z
Land=G
Lift=G
Lower/SupplyDepot=F
Marauder/Barracks=S
MassRecall/Artanis=D
MassRecall/Mothership=D
MedicHeal/Medic=I
Medivac/Starport=S
MindBlast/Tosh=F
MindControl/HiveMindEmulator=F
MissileTurret/SCV=X
MorphBackToGateway/WarpGate=C
MorphMorphalisk/Queen=F
Mothership/Nexus=D
MoveHoldPosition=Slash
MovePatrol=Tab
Mutalisk/Larva=V
NanoRepair/ScienceVessel=I
NeuralParasite/Infestor=V
Nexus/Probe=C
NovaSnipe/Nova=D
NukeArm/GhostAcademy=F
NukeCalldown/Ghost=G
NydusNetwork/Drone=F
Obliterate/Spectre=D
Observer/RoboticsFacility=A
OdinBarrage/Odin=F
OrbitalCommand/CommandCenter=D
Overlord/Larva=S
PhasingMode/WarpPrism=F
Phoenix/Stargate=A
PhoenixHallucination/Sentry=V
PhotonCannon/Probe=Z
Probe/Nexus=S
ProbeHallucination/Sentry=A
ProtossAirArmorLevel1/CyberneticsCore=S
ProtossAirWeaponsLevel1/CyberneticsCore=A
ProtossBuild/Probe=V
ProtossBuildAdvanced/Probe=F
ProtossGroundArmorLevel1/Forge=S
ProtossGroundWeaponsLevel1/Forge=A
ProtossShieldsLevel1/Forge=D
PsiStorm/HighTemplar=F
Pylon/Probe=S
Queen=A
Raise/SupplyDepotLowered=F
Rally=P
RallyEgg=I
Raven/Starport=D
RaynorSnipe/RaynorCommando=F
Reactor/Barracks=V
Reactor/BarracksFlying=V
Reactor/Factory=V
Reactor/FactoryFlying=V
Reactor/Starport=V
Reactor/StarportFlying=V
Reaper/Barracks=D
ReaperSpeed/BarracksTechLab=F
Refinery/SCV=A
ReleaseMinion/Nova=V
Repair=G
ResearchBattlecruiserEnergyUpgrade/FusionCore=S
ResearchBattlecruiserSpecializations/FusionCore=A
ResearchBurrow=G
ResearchCharge/TwilightCouncil=A
ResearchDurableMaterials/StarportTechLab=S
ResearchExtendedThermalLance/RoboticsBay=D
ResearchGhostEnergyUpgrade/GhostAcademy=S
ResearchGraviticBooster/RoboticsBay=A
ResearchGraviticDrive/RoboticsBay=S
ResearchHallucination/CyberneticsCore=D
ResearchHiSecAutoTracking/EngineeringBay=D
ResearchHighCapacityBarrels/FactoryTechLab=A
ResearchInterceptorLaunchSpeedUpgrade/FleetBeacon=A
ResearchNeosteelFrame/EngineeringBay=F
ResearchNeuralParasite/InfestationPit=S
ResearchPersonalCloaking/GhostAcademy=A
ResearchPsiStorm/TemplarArchive=A
ResearchPunisherGrenades/BarracksTechLab=D
ResearchRavenEnergyUpgrade/StarportTechLab=F
ResearchSeekerMissile/StarportTechLab=D
ResearchShieldWall/BarracksTechLab=A
ResearchStalkerTeleport/TwilightCouncil=S
ResearchStrikeCannons/FactoryTechLab=D
ResearchWarpGate/CyberneticsCore=F
ReturnCargo=D
Roach/Larva=A
RoachWarren/Drone=D
RoboticsBay/Probe=F
RoboticsFacility/Probe=D
SapStructure/Baneling=I
Scan/OrbitalCommand=F
SelectBuilder=Slash
SensorTower/SCV=V
Sentry=S
SetBunkerRallyPoint/Bunker=P
SiegeMode=F
Snipe/Ghost=D
SpawnChangeling/Overseer=D
SpectreHoldFire/Spectre=Z
SpectreNukeCalldown/Spectre=G
SpectreWeaponsFree/Spectre=X
SpiderMine/Vulture=F
SpiderMineReplenish/Vulture=D
SpineCrawler/Drone=Z
SpineCrawlerRoot/SpineCrawlerUprooted=F
SpineCrawlerUproot/SpineCrawler=F
SporeCrawler/Drone=X
SporeCrawlerRoot/SporeCrawlerUprooted=F
SporeCrawlerUproot/SporeCrawler=F
Stalker=D
StalkerHallucination/Sentry=D
Stim=F
Stimpack/BarracksTechLab=S
StopGenerateCreep/Overlord=Z
StopPlanetaryFortress/PlanetaryFortress=Tab
SummonNydusWorm/NydusNetwork=F
SupplyDrop/OrbitalCommand=A
TechLabBarracks/Barracks=C
TechLabBarracks/BarracksFlying=C
TechLabFactory/Factory=C
TechLabStarport/Starport=C
TemplarArchive/Probe=Z
TerranBuild/SCV=V
TerranBuildAdvanced/SCV=F
TerranInfantryArmorLevel1/EngineeringBay=S
TerranInfantryWeaponsLevel1/EngineeringBay=A
TerranShipPlatingLevel1/Armory=F
TerranShipWeaponsLevel1/Armory=D
TerranVehiclePlatingLevel1/Armory=S
TerranVehicleWeaponsLevel1/Armory=A
TheMorosDevice/Raynor=C
Thor/Factory=D
TimeWarp/Nexus=F
TossGrenade/Raynor=V
TossGrenadeTychus/TychusCommando=F
Transfusion/Queen=V
TransportMode/WarpPrism=V
TwilightCouncil/Probe=A
Ultralisk/Larva=G
UltraliskCavern/Drone=Z
UltrasonicPulse/Spectre=F
UpgradeBuildingArmorLevel1/EngineeringBay=V
UpgradeToPlanetaryFortress/CommandCenter=F
UpgradeToWarpGate/Gateway=V
VikingFighter/Starport=A
VoidRay/Stargate=S
VoidRayHallucination/Sentry=C
Vortex/Artanis=F
Vortex/Mothership=F
WarpPrism/RoboticsFacility=S
WarpPrismHallucination/Sentry=Tab
WeaponsFree/Ghost=X
YamatoGun=F
Zealot=A
ZealotHallucination/Sentry=S
ZeratulBlink/Zeratul=F
ZeratulStun/Zeratul=D
ZergBuild/Drone=V
ZergBuildAdvanced/Drone=F
Zergling/Larva=F
hydraliskspeed/HydraliskDen=A
overlordspeed=D
zergflyerarmor1=S
zerggroundarmor1/EvolutionChamber=D
zerglingattackspeed/SpawningPool=S
zerglingmovementspeed/SpawningPool=A
zergmeleeweapons1/EvolutionChamber=A
zergmissileweapons1/EvolutionChamber=S
5. THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
Keep the following things in mind when working on your custom hotkey setup to achieve maximum efficiency.
Think in command sequences, not individual commands
This is extremely important. Even if all hotkeys are comfortable for you to hit, certain combinations might not.
For example, you want to return to your base and build a supply depot. This happens very often. You've rebound your camera hotkeys to F1-F4. Now you will hit the sequence F1 - B - S. No matter what fingers you use, it will require some hand stretching/finger bending to complete. This is what you want to avoid, especially on these command sequences that you execute so often. Which brings us to the next point:
Some commands are used more often than others
You will want to use the most comfortable hotkeys for the commands you use most often. This is where the standard hotkey setups fall short, and consequently this is how you will improve your efficiency the most.
What hotkeys are comfortable for you depend on the way you position your hand and your keyboard. For me, the QWER and the ASDF keys are probably the most comfortable to hit.
Some hotkeys are bound to multiple units
If you rebind the 'Stop' command, the hotkey will be rebound for all units (protoss/terran/zerg). This might seem obvious, but in some specific instances this is very counterintuitive.
For example, you cannot bind 'Train SCV' to 'A', because this interferes with the 'Attack' command on a Planetary Fortress.
There are other examples as well. You will unfortunately just have to work around these inconveniences.
Modifier keys
Keep in mind that you will want to issue some of the commands in combination with a modifier key. The most common example is issuing command chains using the Shift key. Make sure the basic unit commands (attack,stop,hold position,patrol) are easy to hit in combination with the Shift key.
Also keep this in mind when selecting your hotkeys for control group creation. You need to be able to hit Ctrl and Shift in combination with the hotkey, so make sure you can hit these combinations comfortably.
Some commands cannot be customized
Certain commands are built into the game and cannot be customized. For example, Ctrl + clicking on a unit will select all units of that type on the screen. Shift + clicking on a unit will add it to your current selection. You cannot alter this, except if you were to remap the Shift and Ctrl keys on your keyboard, which I do not recommend.
Keep this in mind when assigning for example your Idle Worker key. You are stuck with Ctrl as a modifier for selecting them all, and you will need to select a hotkey that is easy to press in conjunction with Ctrl.
Avoid misclicks
You don't want to accidentally disable your sound during an important match. As was mentioned in a recent GSL cast, this is the cause of 90% of their 'technical difficulties'.
Make sure you leave the commands you don't use unbound or bind them on the far right side of the keyboard. These commands may include Toggle Music/Sound, Toggle Minimap colors/terrain, Camera rotate/zoom, and possibly others.
6. SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS
I will now adress the problems I have with the standard setup, and I will suggest how to solve them. Some of these suggestions require you to change other hotkeys as well.
Note that not all problems might apply to you, as every player has his/her own preferences. However, I strongly urge you to read at least the 'Control Groups' section.
Global
Control Groups
+ Show Spoiler +
Problem
The key combinations for assigning control groups 7, 8, 9, and 0 are extremely hard to press.
Improvement
The key combinations for assigning control groups 7, 8, 9, and 0 are extremely hard to press.
Improvement
- Rebind the control groups that are difficult for you to reach to the first row of letters under the number keys.
For example, rebind groups 6-0 to the Q,W,E,R,T keys. See how easy you can use every control group now? However, this requires a lot of rebinding of unit skills. If you do not wish to make such a huge change, you can also just rebind 9,0 to Q,W. This won't conflict too much with other hotkeys. - Use the Shift modifier instead of the Ctrl modifier to assign control groups.
Ctrl is further down the keyboard, requiring a bigger stretch than the Shift key. The Shift key is also bigger, allowing you to reach for 7,8,9,0 more easily. You can use Ctrl for the 'add to control group' hotkeys, as those are less commonly used.
Camera Locations
+ Show Spoiler +
Problem
The key combinations for creating camera locations are hard to press.
Improvement
The key combinations for creating camera locations are hard to press.
Improvement
- Rebind camera locations 1-4 to F2-F5.
This is a very easy fix as it does not require you to rebind any other hotkeys. F5 is still quite far out though, so I prefer to rebind them to F1-F4 and rebind the 'Idle Worker' hotkey elsewhere. - Rebind camera locations 1-4 to unused letter keys.
This requires some more rebinding, but I prefer to have the camera locations 1-4 on B,H,Y,N. This way I can just use my wrist as a pivot to hit these keys. The F-keys are quite far out and require me to lift my arm.
Base camera
+ Show Spoiler +
Problem
The 'Backspace' key is far out on the right side of the keyboard.
Improvement
The 'Backspace' key is far out on the right side of the keyboard.
Improvement
- Rebind to Grave (~)
This is a very easy fix as it does not require you to rebind any other hotkeys. Many players make this adjustment. You could of course choose any other key that is easy for you to reach. Some players do not use this function at all and leave it unbound.
Idle Worker
+ Show Spoiler +
Problem
F1 is quite far out on the top of the keyboard, making it hard to press in conjunction with Ctrl to select all idle workers.
Improvement
F1 is quite far out on the top of the keyboard, making it hard to press in conjunction with Ctrl to select all idle workers.
Improvement
- Rebind to Windows key
If you are looking to rebind this key, you could put it under the Windows button. The Windows button is easy to hit in conjunction with Ctrl in order to select all idle workers. More information on using the Windows button can be found later in the guide.
Race hotkeys - General
I am not going to discuss each specific unit / structure. However, I will give you some general ideas you might find useful in setting up your custom unit and structure hotkeys.
Units - Spells
+ Show Spoiler +
Problem
Each spellcaster unit has unique skills and consequently these skills have unique hotkeys. This is inefficient as it requires you to remember all of the hotkeys and the hotkeys may not be optimal.
Improvement
Each spellcaster unit has unique skills and consequently these skills have unique hotkeys. This is inefficient as it requires you to remember all of the hotkeys and the hotkeys may not be optimal.
Improvement
- Pick the same, easy-to-access hotkeys for all of your skills.
Since you will be using your unit skills a lot, you should pick one easy-to-access hotkey for your primary skill and one for your secondary skill. Consequently, you will be using the same hotkey for Stim, Blink, Fungal, etc. The units with more than one skill will use the same secondary skill hotkeys you assign.
This solution will remind you of the grid setup. The idea is similar, but now you can set up whichever hotkey you want for each individual skill.
Units - Patrol, hold position
+ Show Spoiler +
Problem
Patrol is very far on the right side of the keyboard, making it hard to press in conjunction with Shift. Hold position is quite far out as well.
Improvement
Patrol is very far on the right side of the keyboard, making it hard to press in conjunction with Shift. Hold position is quite far out as well.
Improvement
- Rebind Patrol and Hold Position to Tab and CapsLock.
This may require some rebinding of other hotkeys, but Tab and CapsLock are easy to press in combination with the Shift key. It also makes sense to have all the basic unit commands next to each other (Tab for Patrol, CapsLock for Hold position, A for attack, S for stop). - Rebind Patrol to Q
Many people seem to do this as it doesn't require you to rebind other hotkeys. It is an easy fix to the default P-hotkey far out on the keyboard.
Units - Build (Advanced) structures
+ Show Spoiler +
Problem
The 'B' and 'V' buttons are not optimal in combination with the hotkeys for some of the structures. Also, the hotkeys for structures are inconsistent across races.
Improvement
The 'B' and 'V' buttons are not optimal in combination with the hotkeys for some of the structures. Also, the hotkeys for structures are inconsistent across races.
Improvement
- Rebind 'B','V' to 'V','F'.
'B' is quite a stretch for one of the most used hotkeys. I prefer to bind it to 'V'. I then rebind the 'V' (advanced structure) to 'F'. - Use the same hotkey for similar structures across races.
This might be useful for people playing multiple races. I use the same hotkey for supply depots, pylons, and overlords. Same for assimilators/extractors/refineries, forge/ebay/evo chamber, etc. This allows you to store these actions in your muscle memory for all races, while playing only one race.
Structures - Upgrades
+ Show Spoiler +
Problem
Upgrade hotkeys are different for each building, requiring you to remember all of them. Also, some of the hotkeys are very far out.
Improvement
Upgrade hotkeys are different for each building, requiring you to remember all of them. Also, some of the hotkeys are very far out.
Improvement
- Rebind all upgrades to 'A','S','D','F' (Grid-style)
You can pick other hotkeys ofcourse, but having a grid style hotkey system for upgrade structures is quite nice. You will not have to remember the hotkey for each upgrade, and you can pick easy-to-access hotkeys for them.
Structures - Training units
+ Show Spoiler +
Problem
The hotkeys for training units are different for each building, requiring you to remember all of them. Also, some of the hotkeys are very far out.
Improvement
The hotkeys for training units are different for each building, requiring you to remember all of them. Also, some of the hotkeys are very far out.
Improvement
- Rebind all units to 'A','S','D','F' (Grid-style)
Same story as upgrades. You can pick other hotkeys ofcourse, but having a grid style hotkey system for unit training structures is quite nice. You will not have to remember the hotkey for each unit, and you can pick easy-to-access hotkeys for them.
If structures have more than four possible units, these units can be bound to the row of letters under ASDF, 'Z','X','C','V'. These hotkeys may be less desirable though, as they require you to bend your fingers to press them.
Structures - Cancel
+ Show Spoiler +
Problem
'Esc' is quite far out on the top of the keyboard.
Improvement
'Esc' is quite far out on the top of the keyboard.
Improvement
- Rebind to Grave (~).
Not many people will be comfortable with this, as the 'Esc' button is pretty much ingrained in everyones brain. However, the Grave key is in the same corner as Esc, just a little closer, and therefore requires less hand movement to hit.
Race hotkeys - Terran
Structures - Lift and Land
+ Show Spoiler +
Problem
The 'L' hotkey is very far out on the keyboard.
Improvement
The 'L' hotkey is very far out on the keyboard.
Improvement
- Rebind to 'G'
Easy fix, but might require you to rebind some hotkeys. Alternatively you might want to rebind it to another easy-to-access key that does not require you to rebind other keys.
Structures - Tech Lab and Reactor
+ Show Spoiler +
Problem
The 'X' hotkey for Tech Lab may be hard to hit.
Improvement
The 'X' hotkey for Tech Lab may be hard to hit.
Improvement
- Rebind the 'X' to 'C', and the 'C' for Reactor to 'V'.
Again, quite an easy fix. Moves the hotkeys for the addons one key to the right, enabling you hit both of them with your index finger.
Units - Ghost
+ Show Spoiler +
Problem
The Ghost requires a bazillion different hotkeys for its skills.
Improvement
The Ghost requires a bazillion different hotkeys for its skills.
Improvement
- There is no easy way to go about this. Use your easiest to access keys for snipe and EMP. Cloak and decloak will be the same as your banshee. Improvise for the other hotkeys.
Race hotkeys - Zerg and Protoss
I haven't run into any race-specific problems for Zerg and Protoss.
7. USING CAPS LOCK AND THE WINDOWS KEY
As I mentioned earlier, you might want to incorporate the CapsLock or the Windows key in your hotkey setup. Both have undesirable secondary effects though. In order to use them without trouble, you could rebind them to another key on your keyboard. I used a free program called KeyTweak to rebind my CapsLock to '/' and my Windows key to '.'.
I definitely recommend this program, as it would be ashame not to incorporate these easy-to-reach buttons in your hotkey setup. It's really easy to use and it's free. You can get it here:
KeyTweak
There's another free program which is apparently easier to use. It's called AutoHotkey and you can find it here:
AutoHotkey
8. CONCLUSION
This concludes my guide on custom hotkey setups. I hope you learned something and will get to work on creating a hotkey setup that will provide you with maximum efficiency!
Of course this guide is not complete, and I am very open to suggestions from others on specific key rebindings or just general advice. Please leave a reply, and I will try to keep this guide up to date.
Cheers!