[Halstrom]

I’m currently working on some aspects of my APM and I’ve been thinking about the following question:

Is it a good or bad habit to use keyboard macro’s (e.g. Logitech G keys) or is it better to learn standard keyboard keys?


I currently use G keys for common functions like making probes (G1). The macro’s simply replace key combinations such as ‘4e’, which selects my hotkeyed Nexii and build a probe. It means I can often hit a single key to quickly build a probe. I also use a ‘4c’ for chrono boost, and a ‘be’ macro to build a pylon with a probe selected.

My concerns are these:
- Am I taking my hand too far left to be efficient (away from the main hotkeys)?
- Is this a bad habit that would screw me over if I went to LAN comps (or would I be likely to be able to take my keyboard)?
- Is there some other reason this might be ‘bad learning’?

I tried to switch last night to just using ‘4e’ but I sucked at it bad.

Thoughts?

[matthras]

I honestly do not know the specifics, so take what I say in the next paragraph with a grain of salt:

It's apparently against the ToS, therefore if you plan on competing in tournaments/LANs I would strongly discourage you from doing it. That's the only reason I would be worried about developing 'bad habits' because obviously you're getting used to a setup which isn't allowable in tournaments, which means adjusting to a standard setup during a tournament would put a massive dent in your mechanics. Apart from that, if you're just laddering and playing non-competitively, I honestly don't see why it should be a problem. It's a game, you're meant to enjoy it. Play it the way you like.

You should also check out customising a couple of your hotkeys. There's also a 'Grid' setup that may be easier to adhere with (I get the impression that you want to minimise hand movement over the whole keyboard).

With regards to 'changing' how you do things, it just takes consistent practice. You can't just change it once and hope to get it right and consistent the first time. If you feel it doesn't work out for you then try remapping a hotkey or using some other combination (Liquid'HuK puts his first Nexus on '0' even though it's very far from 'E' because of BW habits where the hotkey for Probes back then was 'P' - sure, he can change it but if he's so comfortable with it to the point where effects on his play is minimal, then he doesn't really have a reason to change it)

Experiment a little. Maybe you just don't adhere to standard practices and hotkeys like others do

[Nobunaga]

I think it's only against the ToS if you macro your button to do more than one action, ie make a key select all your barracks and build marines, but it's okay to to make your macro key select all barracks.

[dannnyds]

i tried using the macro keys on my keyboard once, but went back to the normal way of doing it as it felt more comfortable to me

[Yonge]

it if works for you, by all means do it!

can't say i ever use mine. I set them up but i found myself clicking macros when i didn't want to, so i'd start building an scv but then 4 marines at the same time. and they seemed a lil inflexible for me. I don't use the same strat every single game so i might accidentally press the build marines button but i'm actually wanting to build marauders so it just used my money up for no real reason...

went back to normal playing...at least if I stuff up my keys there, generally doesn't affect anything...

cept for the times when I'm pressing s to kite...then i accidentally click all my scvs and stop mining...bah!

[SkyBreaker]

The general rule (according to Blizzard) regarding macro-keys is that they can only represent one key-stroke, not more. For example, on your Logitech keyboard - you could rebind the G1, G2, G3, G4 key to 6, 7, 8 and 9 respectively - however you cannot have them set as CTRL+4, 4E or any other combination as that is in violation of the Blizzard's EULA/ToS.

But in my opinion, you should just get used to playing the game with the normal hot-keys (and adjusting the ones which can be adjusted in the menu to your liking) and over time you'll improve & become faster and you won't even see the need for macro-keys. :]

[AxSGRiM]

IMO, it's a choice thing as long as you don't break the ToS with your keyboard macro settings.

[Nemo]

On our BNet forum (The French one), Blizzard Admins said that using a macro-key that allow you to represent multiple key-stroke was forbidden and that using them could drive to the ban of your account. Not really sure if they have implemented automatic detection for that already or not, but you should certainly not use those macro-keys like that anyway (but using those for single stroke action is OK).

People were raging cause in the same time Blizzard was advertising those keyboards. :-))

[Halstrom]

WOW.......the ToS seems a bit crazy considering they were marketing those keyboards. I'd expect if they monitor it at all it would only be in the GM level.

Personally I think I might start and re-learn. I'm at a stage where I don't mind breaking my game a little to get some long term benefit, and I haven't struck the idea of tournaments off the list.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

[Next_rim]

Speaking from my wc3 experience, it is much better to play on standard Hkey layout. I always played standard, and I've had plenty of rage moments when "M" moving my Lich into enemy army instead of "N" nova of said army But my clanmate had custom keys, and he couldn't attend LAN tournaments, because the rules banned custom hotkeys.

On the other hand, 99% of all casual and non-pro tournaments are held online now, and you can safely play from home.

[Nobunaga]

The hotkeys are stored on the cloud now too, so it should be pretty easy to set them up when at tournaments.

[HunGeR]

If your only planning on playing ladder, I would keep with the G keys.

If not, I would learn normal keys. I would learn normal keys anyway as it seems kinda like "cheating" if you bypass the learning curve.

But, you know, it is very useful.

[waleeed1234]

BnetId: matthras.568 Race: Location: Melbourne, Australia Total Posts Made: 83 # 2
matthras
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I honestly do not know the specifics, so take what I say in the next paragraph with a grain of salt:

It's apparently against the ToS, therefore if you plan on competing in tournaments/LANs I would strongly discourage you from doing it. That's the only reason I would be worried about developing 'bad habits' because obviously you're getting used to a setup which isn't allowable in tournaments, which means adjusting to a standard setup during a tournament would put a massive dent in your mechanics. Apart from that, if you're just laddering and playing non-competitively, I honestly don't see why it should be a problem. It's a game, you're meant to enjoy it. Play it the way you like

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waleeed