POSTED BY CASHIE!!!
Keybindings do infact help in pvp(and in pve too ofc) just stating this fact and showing some pics does not help... i'll be going over a few things that might help: 1. User Interface The Blizzard standard UI allows for a maximum of 5 bars+5 accesible by switching stances and/or the first bar. For a total of 10. 5 visible at the same time max. Depending on your class and macro usage you will be needing 3-4 bars for your abilities. (And possibly a few more for changing stances or non-combat stuff, mounts, heartstone, etc.) If you feel comfortable using addons and think you are in fact able to configure them properly... I highly suggets using an addon like bartender or dominos instead of the standard action bars, since addons are a lot more customizable and mostly easier to keybind. If you don't fell comfortable with addons or are not able to configure them properly, stick with the standard interface for now. Addons won't do you any good in that case. 2. Possible Keybindings and access. Since most people will be using WASD for movement and the mouse for camera/targeting i will be suggesting some possible keys to use. (ppl using nostromo or similar will know how to keybind i guess and ppl using arrow keys for movement...yeah, just quit. if u are using the mouse to move you can use wasd as additional keybinds) 2.1. Possible Keys to use - Numbers: use only the numbers you can actually use while on WASD that will most likely be 1-5, maybe 6. keep these as they are. - letters, same here. use letters u can reach while on wasd Suggestions: Q and E (if you still use a and d to turn and q and e for strafe either rebind strafe to a/d or instead use a/d for keybinds) T, F while these have some basic functions like attack, they are not really useful and easily rebindable for ability usage G this is last target in the standard keybinds...if u feel comfortable targeting with your mouse or using another button for last target ... rebind for ability usage. C the Character panel...rebind for ability usage. (if u are using this alot to open your char panel i suggest placing abilites w/o cooldown here and/or not movable while casting on C till u get used to it....dismounting because u use a skill when u just wanted to open your Char panel can be deadly) R the instant back whisper....rebind if you aren't using it much or are comfortable using another keybind for the back whisper (i use Z instead) V used to show healthbars normally. Rebind, you won't be needing that much anyways. X,Y while these could be easily rebound...i don't really suggest it since is painful to reach them while using wasd...if u are comfortable reaching them...go for it. Tab Key..used to target enemies, unless you are highly comfortable with and indeed able to target your enemies perfectly fine with your mouse I suggest keeping this as it is. F1-4 these can be still quite easily reached while using WASD, but are bound to targeting yourself +party members 1-3. If u do not have to target your party members frequently...rebind. This leaves you with around 15-20 Keybinds. 2.1.1 Mouse If u do have a mouse with more than 2 buttons you can choose to rebind them to abilities. You can also rebind your scroll wheel (although i don't suggest it) I will not be going more in-depth concerning the binding of your mouse keys, since this is highly dependable on your mouse and you will have to see for yourself what is available to you and what you are comfortable using in combat. 2.2. Modifiers Possible Modifiers are Shift, Control and Alt. Shift is the one u will be using most of the time, since it's not bound to anything by standard. Bind all your keys +shift and ..yay...u just doubled the number of keybinds accessible. Still need more? You can either use Control or Alt Control is the standard modifier for attacking/casting on the focus target while alt is the standard modifier for casting on yourself. Depending on your class/role and preference you can choose either modifier (you can also change the modifier for selfcast/focuscast.) If u don't need either of them you can use both modifiers for additional keybinds. 2.3. Access You should be only using keys that are indeed easily accessible, that much is clear. But easy is not always the same. Using Shift + 3 is still quite easy right? But using 3 is easier. That means u will be wanting to bind the more basic, frequently used keys to the easily accessible ones and abilities that u do not use as much(e.g. the ones with a big cooldown or that u just don't need that much) Since you get your abilities not in the best order while leveling you might have some bound to a less easily accessible key, while u are in fact using them a lot more frequently. Upon reaching lvl 90 it would be best to completely rearange all your skills, to ensure that they are infact bound the best way. 3. Macros and their relation to interface, modifiers and keybinds. Depending on your class and specialization you might be needing some macros (i will not go over macros specifically here or how to use/setup them, google these or whatever). Macros can do some quite usefull stuff: -Bind multiple abilities to one key. -Use a modifier to access an other ability or another target(e.g. focus target) -Various other stuff i can't think of right now, duh. So what does that mean for us and our keybinds? Binding multiple skills to one key: This can free up keybinds by using on key to circle through various abilities or using items, etc. Highly recommended to do so, if it is infact advantageous/possible for your class/role (you can also bind different talent abilities /spec abilities to one key if u find yourself switching these alot) Use a modifier to access an other ability or another target(e.g. focus target): I'll start with the easy stuff: attacking focus target with a modifier. You propably won't be using alot of abilities on your focus target (stun, silence, dispell, heal, and so on mostly) so you won't need one modifier completely for targeting the focus. But maybe for some abilities. Macros allow you to do exactly that. Be sure to keep the corresponding keybindings free if u want to use a macro with a modifier to attack focus. Using a modifier your accessing a different ability in a macro with the same target. Normally u will not have to use this. Reasons one for having too do this: You ran out of spots on your action bars to put your skills/items/whatever. Reason number two: your interface is too crowded and you want to clean it up. Downsides? You won't have access to these abilities via mouse clicking. You won't see the cooldown on these abilities. My suggestion: use an addon that allows you to use more action bars/crowds your screen less. You don't really need macros for that. 4. Getting used to your keybinds This is essential. I won't do you any good trying to work with keybinds unless you are used to them. This will take time. Clicking some abilities you are not used to is not a shame and won't make a big difference (eg.: the ability with the huge 10min cd on the far far side of your keyboard with a modifier) But try using more and more keybinds as time goes by. This will help your performance. Example of keybinds used by me: Meh can't really think of anything else now. Might go over it again later. Edit: As a response to some of the posts above me Keybinds do not equall skill or gear. They will increase the performance for anyone. Pro with top gear doing 10kills for one death but not using keybinds? Using keybinds might give you even more of an edge so you end up with 11kills and no deaths instead. Low skilled with crap gear doing 1 kill per 10 deaths and no keybinds? Using keybinds might give you that little push to do 2 kills with 9 deaths instead!
