[G] Fleet Keys - Refined Hotkey Systems

A: I created the original version of Fleet Keys (now named "Element"), as a hotkey layout that uses Grid as its template. This allowed for a great amount of simplicity and allowed me to condense all of the important game commands and groupings into one neat and tidy system for each race. This was great, and still works great, but I needed to take it a step further. From there, I designed Alloy. Alloy is built upon a Standard template with the majority of Element's key features incorporated into it. Features such as the layout of the Control groups and Cameras being the main ones. Being Standard-based, it provides much more flexibility for players looking to personalize the layout even more. The result of this concept is a powerful layout that borrows as much as it can from Element, while further "optimizing" Element's greatest features. Alloy exists for those who feel like Element doesn't provide them with enough, and is considered to be the most advanced and arguably "better" of the two. Many different people with their own preferences will use these layouts, so Alloy's customization options answer them directly and them some.

A: Yes. They must be released as different versions fitted for each expansion. As Blizzard adds new units and commands with each expansion, the hotkey landscape slightly changes as well. By the end of Legacy of the Void, there will be a series of systems for players using each expansion, for each game mode (multiplayer/campaign).

I will keep each version of Fleet Keys as similar as possible across each expansion and game mode. Transitioning to each expansion won't cause you trouble, provided that players download and use the proper files according to their keyboard type/race and game mode. Remembering to use the campaign and multiplayer versions separately is critical as those two game modes are vastly different.

A: Here is the current supported list for all races, as of April 30th, 2013:

If anyone out there is willing to pitch in on creating other versions that they feel should be included, then by all means, make it and send it to me and I'll create a download folder/link for it. Or, wait for me to include more, which is not a guaranteed way to get the one you want.

Fleet Keys Alloy
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Fleet Keys Element
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A: That feature was removed in early April, 2013 across all Fleet Keys systems. If you feel as if you'd enjoy this option, feel free to re-apply yourself it in the game's hotkey editor. For Protoss, it can re-applied by assigning your Select Warp Gates alternate binding to "Alt". With Zerg, have your Queen Control Group bound as an alternate to Alt as well. It's cute, it speeds up your Injects and Warp-ins, but it's not for everybody.

A: Really? I must have overlooked something in the bindings for that file. Please, before sending me the details, make sure you "Downloaded" the hotkey file and did not "Save As", as the file will contain unbound keys if that's the case. If there are indeed unbound keys that were overlooked, feel free to send me the details here: eneyseekay999@gmail.com or leave a detailed message here on the Team Liquid thread or my PM box and I will try to fix it as soon as I can. Thanks in advance for the heads up!

A: Absolutely! This is a system meant to be released to many people, some of who may not have the luxury or want for the use of extra Mouse Buttons. Both systems Element and Alloy were made using a Razer Abyssus, and a standard Das Keyboard, so there are no added bells and whistles of any kind required to use Fleet Keys. The only exception to this may be the Middle Mouse Button, but I don't think that will be an issue with many people people as they are extremely common (despite me being hesitant to use MMB in the first place). I see extra Mouse Buttons as an additional resource, and thus, not something to base Fleet keys around. Would the Fleet keys systems benefit from using them? Sure they could! But they are strictly optional. If you were to use the side mouse buttons I would highly recommend binding "Select Next Subgroup" and "Select Previous Subgroup" to them.

A: These are not meant to be used frequently, or at all, in Alloy's current form, so keep that in mind whenever you see a strange out-of-the-way binding. Unless you see an obvious miss-bind for a common command (that isn't Stop), then don't worry. This binding trend doesn't apply to Element, as the commands are tied to Grid.

Regarding the Stop command; Hold Position works better in every way, as it still allows your unit retaliate without your unit being kited away. This also serves a huge role when playing Zerg and performing the Backspace method of Injecting. Stutter-stepping is also business as usual when using Hold Position, so there are no known consequences as a result of this choice. Ghosts would be a unit that suffered as a result, but they have the Hold Fire/Weapons Free command, so there was no downside to the decision.

A: This can be changed at any point, as it's merely the default suggested binding. Before making the change without actually trying testing it in-game, check out the Pros/Cons listed here.

Pros

• With production on Alt+Q,W,E,R, you aren't moving outside your normal required range to monitor and produce from your production structures. Your thumb doesn't have to really move at all either if you are using the edge of Space Bar when pressing it with your thumb.
  
• It's a convenient, rolling motion. This is important for rapidly monitoring your production queues in a flash. When you have a multitude of production facilities (applies mostly to Protoss and Terran), viewing all production in a quick, comfortable, rolling motion makes the monitoring process quicker. The rolling motion of Tab>Q to build workers keeps you right on top of your production keys while macroing as well.
  
• Q,W,E,R for Zerg can keep you on top of your Injects while focusing on a specific map location that isn't back home in your base. Cycling through your first 3 hatcheries whenever you get a chance can display your exact progress of the Inject timers on your Hatcheries. Since Grid is adopted to house pretty much all of the production commands, Q,W,E,R will also house Drones, Overlords, Zerglings, and Roaches-- your most frequently morphed units as Zerg.
  
• Q,W,E,R is in line with Tab, and if you use your pinky for Tab, you can access all of your production without moving your fingers from Q,W,E,R (with index pressing R). Being mindful of the Alt modifier when you want to build army units will be your only real barrier to overcome should you keep this configuration.
  
• Q,W,E,R is one key away from all of your intended Unit Control Groups (1 to 4 or 5). Q,W,E,R, when commanding units, is also shared with Patrol, Hold Position, Attack, and Move. This makes jumping to a Unit Control Group, giving an order, and jumping back into production as close as possible. Again-- be mindful of Alt.
  
• Q,W,E,R is one key away from your first 4 Camera Locations, which is often set as bases, especially if you plan on Injecting with with Camera Locations. You have plenty of options for jumping back to your base and the ease of accessing these cameras while using Q,W,E,R can't get any closer or convenient given the rest of the layout.
  
  Cons
  
• If you are not mindful of Alt, you can accidentally center your camera over your production facilities. Not always desirable, but not always a bad thing, as it can prompt you to manage your base. Still, this point should be listed as a potential con.
  
• You'll be pressing Alt to queue up army units as Terran and to some extent Protoss. To some, this can be a deal breaker. Keep in mind that if you are using 5,6,7 for production, you are moving all the way out to those keys, pressing them, and pressing a specific key that may not be in the immediate vicinity. With the Q,W,E,R configuration, you aren't moving your thumb much or at all, and you aren't moving your fingers much or at all on Q,W,E,R, so this all comes down to a matter of preference really. Still, it is a con that some are noted to dislike. Feel free to move your production Control Groups to 5,6,7,8 or wherever you feel that they are the most comfortable, but try it out for a bit first!
  

If you have no previous knowledge of Grid, this image will give you an idea of how unmodified Grid handles hotkeys. Fleet Keys Element adheres to Grid as displayed, whereas Alloy condenses and optimizes it. For example, you will see Build Basic and Build Advanced on Z and X. In Alloy, this is condensed to A and S, bringing it much closer to the rest of your keys. In most cases with Alloy, you will be primarily using Q-E, A-D for the majority of your commands. This is possible because Alloy was built on top of Standard, while mimicking a condensed Grid. Also keep in mind that Alloy handles Unit Commands like Attack, Hold Position, etc. in a different but much more efficient way than is shown here, as there is no reaching for R or T for your Unit Commands--only Q,W,E).

With the Terran & Protoss layout, you have the option to use Space Bar (the Smart Key) for your most common/favorite abilities and commands. Check out the cheat sheet for most of the default Smart Key bindings (located on the far right).. The Smart key was originally introduced to assist players with performing their favorite and frequently-used commands. This allows players to take their Space Bar and bind one command to it, per different Command Card. The Smart Key is just one more option to take advantage of, and the fact that it is an alternating keystroke in many situations means it's almost always going to be quicker to use. Here are a few common examples of Smart Key sequences:

• Select Probe/SCV -> A (or Space), Space, Click for Supply Depots/Pylons.
  
• Select Stalkers -> Space, click for Blink.
  
• Select Marines -> Space for Stim.
  
• Select Sentries -> Space click for Force Fields.
  
• Select Orbital or Nexus -> Space for Chrono or MULEs.

Now consider that every unit/structure can and does have a Smart Key binding like the examples, and it becomes clear how much utility this really offers. Combine this in some situations with Rapidfire and the advantages stretch out even further.

This is a way to let the fingers do their work, while letting your thumb take on some of the burden that would normally require you to reach 1 or 2 keys away from where your fingers would normally want to be. It gives players a lot more control over what the layout can do for them at any given time or in select situations. While the default Smart Key bindings are sufficient for most players, the fact that it has full customization options really let players tailor it to their own specific needs should they ever find themselves wanting to squeeze more out of it.

This feature is not included by default in the Alloy and Element Zerg layouts (Alloy Zerg can support it though). Some reasons why it is not included by default:

• Players typically use Space Bar for Injects. Often times, players un-bind the Base Camera command from Backspace to Space Bar. It's a very "at-home" and familiar binding for many Zergs out there. Many also believe it's one of the most simple and optimal one.
  
• Lack of important Zerg unit abilities that benefit from the Smart Key.
  
• Zerg's low reliance on building production. Zerg has a much lower need for quick access to their structure hotkeys. Apart from Hatcheries and static defense, you don't need frequent access to structure hotkeys like you do for things like Pylons and Supply Depots.
  

Although Alloy uses this binding to a much more sophisticated degree than shown here (Element as well), you should get a good idea of how this ability behaves in-game if you don't already know. Khaldor was kind enough to give me a shout-out for my work on re-introducing rapidfire to the community (despite me being one of the last to formally present it :p) so that was really cool. In this video he shows you the binding that is changed, and how to "spam" with it.



Also, here are some notes I made when testing out most, if not all applicable abilities when used with the Rapidfire Ability Key (could use editing here and there I'm sure). This is by no means something you absolutely have to read, as there is a fair bit of text. Skip to the end to see the notable results.

PROTOSS
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TERRAN
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ZERG
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Some Key Points Overall

Enhances the speed of Creep Spreading by a considerable amount. This works amazingly for spreading Creep when there are many active Creep Tumors that require propagation. Simply put, it saves you a lot of that normally requires excessive time and effort spent clicking.

Mouseless Injects. Since you are able to target Hatcheries with the Spawn Larva ability, you are also able to confirm the target with the Rapidfire binding. When binding the Rapidfire Ability Key to the same key as Spawn Larva, you are able to perform Backspace method Injections without a mouse by selecting Queens, Spawn Larva key, then hold Shift, then Spawn Larva+Next Base for each base. Sounds like a lot, but it's really easy when done in-game.

Warp-ins during mid and in late-game situations can be sped up by spamming a particular unit. Fairly useful, depending on the game state. Lategame Zealot harass comes to mind as common use.

Snipe can be used in a near-identical way as the pre-nerf Snipe did. Snipe now does 25 (+ 25 to Psionic), instead of 45 flat damage. This nerf was applied in patch 1.4.3.

The rapidfire feature can help out in certain situations where you slip on your macro with your Nexus or Orbital Commands. A great way to dump that energy FAST should you ever need to.

The Rapidfire key can work against you. It's not a safety blanket or a means to outperform otherwise better players-- so if you are mindful of it, and use it intelligently as a tool used to speed up repetitive clicking actions, you can't go wrong.

Crank up the scrolling sliders to as fast as possible . This is highly recommended for anyone who scrolls via Drag Scrolling or Mouse Scrolling (aka Edge Scrolling).
For Drag Scrolling, this will reduce the distance your mouse will be forced to move drastically when going from one corner of the map to the other.
For Mouse/Edge Scrolling, increasing this will cut out the time required when holding your cursor on the edge of the screen.

Disable the Alt + Tab function and the Windows Key.
Fleet Keys uses both the Alt and Tab keys quite a bit, so disabling these two options is absolutely critical. Alternating between them can cause you to "Tab out" during a game. How do you minimize the game after disabling Alt-tab? Well....

In Starcraft 2 on Windows PC’s there are currently 2 (as far as I know) alternative methods to tab out or minimize the game, even if you have Alt-Tab and the Windows key disabled.
[list][*] Method 1: Ctrl + Esc. Minimizes game and behaves as if the Windows key was pressed, this method works the best. Use this one.
[*] Method 2: Left Alt + Right Alt + Tab. Do this 1 to 3 times quick for it to kick in. A strange method for sure, but it's relevant and useful should Method 1 ever fail you.
Make sure your other game settings are adjusted.

If you are unsure about what settings to use for now, check out these videos, or similar videos and guides like it:

Lowko's Settings and Gameplay Options - StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm (5:20)
JaK's Optimal Settings for Starcraft 2 (Short Version) (2:13)
JaK's Optimal Settings For Starcraft 2 (Long Version) (12:14)
Hybrid Graphics Settings 2.0 thread by Existor and JaKaTaK (Recommended for those who want to delve deeper into settings)

When adding to the Q-R Control Groups, you can instead use Ctrl+Q-R to add units to them as opposed to adding them by pressing Shift+Alt+Q-R (Fleet Keys' default adding method for Q-R). What this does is it eliminates one keystroke for the adding action, and can make adding multiple units/structures to things a bit smoother.

However, you can always just double-click the unit/structure, and then add, so it's really up to what individual players are more comfortable with. Although this can be seen as a potential improvement, it is not intuitive, as Shift+Key adds to the majority of Fleet Keys' Control Groups, and Shift+Alt makes more sense given other bindings. Essentially, with the Ctrl+ method, you are making the adding process smoother by eliminating a keystroke, but at the cost of the hotkey flow of Fleet keys. You aren't on Alt after adding to jump directly into other commands, and you can't jump into Shift+Commands for units and rallies after adding to the group without moving your pinky up and down from Shift and Ctrl. So despite its increased efficiency in a vacuum, it does have various subtle drawbacks.

After testing, it was found to be a useful feature that some players liked and some not so much. It was decided to at least be included in the Additional Info section despite not being a feature of the default Fleet Keys layout files. If you like the idea of using Ctrl to add to the Q-R Control Groups, then feel free to go ahead and try out these bindings. You can download the tester files featuring these changes through the main download links, or here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/a34d7t3iq6hwpeq/xE4ZRyBxDU

If you would like to add these in manually, you certainly can. The game's UI will allow you to make the changes yourself, or you can even change these bindings in Notepad by opening up your .SC2HOTKEYS files (Right Click>Open with>Notepad) and changing the commands to what is listed under here.

For Adding to Control Groups
ControlGroupAppend0=Control+R
ControlGroupAppend7=Control+Q
ControlGroupAppend8=Control+W
ControlGroupAppend9=Control+E

For Creating Control Groups
ControlGroupAssign0=Shift+Alt+R
ControlGroupAssign7=Shift+Alt+Q
ControlGroupAssign8=Shift+Alt+W
ControlGroupAssign9=Shift+Alt+E

The first place I saw this being used was in JaKaTaK's "TheCore" layout. Players wondered how it would work in Fleet Keys so we tried it out. There were lots of mixed results, but I decided to leave it as an option because some like adding to CG's this way.

Despite being a one-man show here, it would be a crime to not mention the many community members who volunteered their time to at least answer my questions and do a lot of checking/critiquing/testing along the way. Hopefully this list will only grow, but for the time being, here you are: