# PC gamers: which fingers do you use with WASD? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 4, 2007, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-gamers-which-fingers-do-you-use-with-wasd/386644 "2007-01-04T04:12:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-gamers-which-fingers-do-you-use-with-wasd/386644/41 "2007-01-07T18:57:57Z")
Index, middle, and ring for me. I do have a rolly-middle-button mouse, but I usually just use my middle finger on the number keys for that. [QUOTE=Ethilrist] Depends on the game. I’m kind of spacing on how MW4 worked… I should probably reload that and play it again (It’s Solaris time!!!). That game had basic turning like in all other shooters, torso twist, and side view, so it was a bit confusing at times. [/QUOTE] For MW4 I used WASD for basic controls and the numpad for the complicated controls and jumpjets and so on. Probably the only shooter I don’t use a mouse with. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2007, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-gamers-which-fingers-do-you-use-with-wasd/386644/42 "2007-01-08T02:48:57Z")
[QUOTE=DeadlyAccurate] A to jump, Z to crouch (both left pinky finger) I think I started this setup back in the Duke Nukem 3D days, but it might’ve been from Doom 2. [/QUOTE] Probably Duke 3d, I’m pretty sure that’s the default key setting because I still use that and I learned on duke 3d. ---
**Author:** ![anamnesis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@anamnesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anamnesis)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-gamers-which-fingers-do-you-use-with-wasd/386644/43 "2007-01-09T04:25:31Z")
[QUOTE=Raguleader] I have pinky on A, ring on WS, middle finger on D, and my index finger rests on the F key. Yaknow, like you’re SUPPOSED to do on a keyboard. 😛 Invariably, I have to remap the controls so that Crouch is moved from Ctrl to C, where it SHOULD be. 😃 [/QUOTE] Finally, there is another! I figured I was all alone in a sea of sameness, which is funny since everyone else thinks their layout is unique but they use the same three fingers everybody else does. Us home-rowers need to stick together, Ragu. I remap crouch to C as well. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-gamers-which-fingers-do-you-use-with-wasd/386644/44 "2007-01-09T04:52:19Z")
Wow, I think I read all the responses, and was surprised that no one used ASDF. It’s been a while, but I think my Unreal Tournament days were: A - Forward S - Strafe Left D - Strafe Right F - Backwards. R - Reload V - Crouch Space - Jump G - change weapon E - Enter a room / open a door ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-gamers-which-fingers-do-you-use-with-wasd/386644/45 "2007-01-09T06:24:51Z")
[QUOTE=anamnesis] Finally, there is another! I figured I was all alone in a sea of sameness, which is funny since everyone else thinks their layout is unique but they use the same three fingers everybody else does. Us home-rowers need to stick together, Ragu. I remap crouch to C as well. 🙂 [/QUOTE] Indeed! I mean, it makes sense that C should be short for “Crouch”. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-gamers-which-fingers-do-you-use-with-wasd/386644/46 "2007-01-09T12:44:40Z")
[QUOTE=John DiFool] Am I the only one who uses his arrow keys instead? In which case I switch between up/down arrow using my middle finger, pinky only for the Ctrl key (usually mapped as Jump)… [/QUOTE] arrow keys as well ---
**Author:** ![Coil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Coil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coil)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-gamers-which-fingers-do-you-use-with-wasd/386644/47 "2007-01-09T13:25:31Z")
I use index/middle/ring on both WASD and arrow keys. Better control in those three fingers I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-gamers-which-fingers-do-you-use-with-wasd/386644/48 "2007-01-09T18:22:22Z")
My main WASD-using game isn’t a shooter, it’s City of Heroes/Villains. I mostly use the pinky-A/ring-WS/middle-D configuration, but I sometimes shift to the left if I’m using the tab key (which cycles through available enemy targets) or the control key (which I usually map to location-targeted effects like teleport). All three of those fingers dart up to the number keys frequently in combat as I use them to fire powers. I like to keep my index finger free to use the binds I have scattered over the rest of the keyboard (toggling armor powers, travel powers, special targeting binds, shapeshifting binds…the index finger controls them all). ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2007, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-gamers-which-fingers-do-you-use-with-wasd/386644/49 "2007-01-09T18:43:10Z")
[QUOTE=SenorBeef] Are any of you arrow key people any good at the games? I mean, if you played online for death matches, would you get slaughtered? Just wondering. [/QUOTE] when I was playing Tribes alot I had to change my name once every couple weeks or people on the other team would recognise me and leave the server. I have always hated the wasd set up due to the cramped and offset controls. at games where I am new I tend to run middle of the pack right from the first game so even when I am learning I do better than average. there is hope though…I just picked up a lovely new toy. [http://www.ergodex.com/mainpage.htm](http://www.ergodex.com/mainpage.htm) I love it. pick up the extra keys if you are a gamer though, the 25 it comes with are a little short for most games. ---
**Author:** ![shamrock227](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@shamrock227](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shamrock227)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2007, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-gamers-which-fingers-do-you-use-with-wasd/386644/50 "2007-01-10T00:11:38Z")
Another arrow key person here. I try to WASD but I can just never get comfortable with it. Luckily this has never been an issue with any game I have played so far. Of course, you did ask about FPS and I only play RPGs (and I never PVP, because I suck at it) so that may make the difference. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2007, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-gamers-which-fingers-do-you-use-with-wasd/386644/51 "2007-01-10T00:50:23Z")
[QUOTE=shamrock227] Another arrow key person here. I try to WASD but I can just never get comfortable with it. Luckily this has never been an issue with any game I have played so far. Of course, you did ask about FPS and I only play RPGs (and I never PVP, because I suck at it) so that may make the difference. [/QUOTE] I have an idea as to why you suck at PVP, and probably at FPSes. ---
**Author:** ![shamrock227](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@shamrock227](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shamrock227)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2007, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-gamers-which-fingers-do-you-use-with-wasd/386644/52 "2007-01-10T16:05:47Z")
[QUOTE=fetus] I have an idea as to why you suck at PVP, and probably at FPSes. [/QUOTE] Nah, it’s not that. I just suck at them in general. (And, I’m old. My very first video game console was **Pong** , for heaven’s sake). I play slowly: See the mob. Consider the mob. Find the Cleric. Target the Cleric. Charge! (ok that makes it seem way slower than I really am - but I aint fast) and PVP and most FPS are too frenetic and intensive for someone who still thinks _Zork_ is one of the best games ever. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a solid player. I don’t just play cookie cutter toons with cookie cutter skillsets - I really understand my toon and how she works, so if there’s someone else calling targets for me, I’m golden. So, while I don’t doubt that you’re correct and WASD would probably enhance my play, probably not enough to make that big a difference. (PS - I was never good at PacMan or Space Invaders at the arcade, either :D) ---
**Author:** ![jbowen73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@jbowen73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jbowen73)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2015, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-gamers-which-fingers-do-you-use-with-wasd/386644/53 "2015-11-25T20:37:30Z")
I use the natural home Keys… my fingers still have lots of options. A = Forward S = Backwards D = Left Strafe F = Right Strafe E = Jump W = use X = crouch q = sprint/walk whatever the game t = talk g = give 1 = weapon 1 2 = weapon 2 3 = weapon 3 4 = weapon 4 Still have access to options for c, ~, 5, v, b, t, shift, ctrl, alt (NEVER USED) and space. Some combos are not possible but it is rare… which cause me to shift my hand slightly… my strange combos would be a jump - strafe left - combo… which is impossible with this setup but does it really matter? I could remap the jump to the space key but I find my left thumb is useless… even when i naturally type. I have recently been using the space bar as a push to talk option. Doesn’t require me to use often easy to get to and if I accidentally tap the space… oh well. asdf … are the natural home keys and have the least amount of physical movement when typing naturally. I’ve tried the wasd stuff at various times but I’m at a keyboard a lot… typing… not gaming. It just comes natural for me for this setup. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2015, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-gamers-which-fingers-do-you-use-with-wasd/386644/54 "2015-11-27T04:58:44Z")
I’m pretty sure the use of WASD was just because most people want to use the mouse with their right hand, and most keyboard drawers or desks don’t give you enough room to make it comfortable to use the Num Pad with their left hand. (Though I’d think you’d want to remap down to 5, just so you don’ have to move your fingers as far. And, yes, I use 432 (piano fingers) like most people. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2015, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-gamers-which-fingers-do-you-use-with-wasd/386644/55 "2015-11-27T06:26:12Z")
Like most people, A = ring W/S = middle D = index. Pinky handles Tab/Shift/Ctrl while index also covers R/T/F/C/V. Thumb is space (usually to jump). It’s become so natural that I don’t even have to think about shifting my fingers over from gaming mode to normal typing mode. A bunch of modern games (mostly made-for-console-with-PC-as-an-afterthought games) like to assign a function to L-Alt, which is really, really, really awkward. That one always gets remapped. I can’t see how one could even use that key while simultaneously moving. > [@BigT](#): > > I’m pretty sure the use of WASD was just because most people want to use the mouse with their right hand, and most keyboard drawers or desks don’t give you enough room to make it comfortable to use the Num Pad with their left hand. Vampire The Masquerade: Redemption had an odd control system with all movement & other functions handled via mouse, with camera perspective controlled with the arrow keys. Very awkward setup. ---
**Author:** ![Peanut\_Gallery](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/838e76/32.png) [@Peanut\_Gallery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanut_Gallery)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2015, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-gamers-which-fingers-do-you-use-with-wasd/386644/56 "2015-11-27T15:58:42Z")
I remap every game to avoid WASD. F4 is up/forward. F2/F3 strafe/turn left. F5/F6 turn/strafe right. N is down/backward. My hand is more relaxed than keeping my fingers bent over WASD allows. Easy access to the number row for skills, and BHJM with the thumb. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2015, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-gamers-which-fingers-do-you-use-with-wasd/386644/57 "2015-11-27T18:09:19Z")
Lefties are lucky. We get to use easily found keys for non-mouse inputs. Numpad: 4,5,6,8 for basic movement. 1 is often for crouch and 0 for jump. 7 and 9 for often used quick commands like grenades, grab. +, Enter and 0 (if not used to jump) are big keys for quick common stuff like reload and use. 2, 3, and “.” for seldom-used stuff. /. \* and - for more manage-y stuff. PageUp and PageDown for things having to do with up or down. The other arrow keys (in easy reach of the thumb) for movement modifiers or miscellaneous. If I had to use letter keys, it would be more error-prone to press the right key without looking. It’s like there’s someone helping make life easier for us behind the scenes. Hail Satan [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-gamers-which-fingers-do-you-use-with-wasd/386644.md?page=2)