DTHPWN
Legend
Thank you for visiting my keybinding guide! Hopefully this will help any player to improve their game, whether you are a beginner or a veteran player!
Now, you may have smaller hands than I do, or a different keyboard configuration, or whatever. No matter what the case is, DO NOT COPY MY KEYBINDINGS - ADAPT THIS METHOD FOR YOUR OWN USE! From a PvP standpoint, keybindings can make or break you. Whatever you do, pick what you want to use and STICK WITH IT! Don't change them every other day because it's uncomfortable or you aren't used to it. Once you have your bindings set, it can take 1-3 weeks of regular play to get comfortable with them. The BEST way to do this is to start a new character with your new bindings and level it up. This allows you to use each ability several thousand times with your new keybind, learning one at a time instead of trying to learn them all at once. Repetition = muscle memory, muscle memory = faster reaction time, faster reaction time = winning.
My personal keybinding system was derived from Worganfreman's guide (Worganfreman's Keybinding Guide - Forums - World of Warcraft). I am a very logic-minded person, so I really enjoyed this guide's logical approach to keybinding. I have adapted a few things to my own personal taste, as you should also do. Below is an image of what my keybinding layout looks like on a keyboard:
The GREEN keys are movement keys.
E - Move Forward (only used when mouse-looking behind my character or panning camera around, otherwise I use mouse to move forward)
S - Strafe Left
D - Strafe Right
A - Backpedal (only used on rare occasions...I purposely did not bind this to an ability as you cannot use shift or ctrl modifiers with it)
SPACE - Jump (of course)
The RED keys are suggested for your primary abilities, aka 'mashable' abilities. These will be the ones you will be using the most and will need to have quick and easy access to. I typically bind more potent, longer cast time, or finishing moves to these same keys with a SHIFT modifier.
The ORANGE keys are suggested for abilities and macros that are 'fast reflex' abilities, such as CCs, interrupts, defensive/survival cooldowns, etc. You won't be using these all of the time, but you need to have them close by for quick and easy access when you do need them. I typically bind longer-lasting CCs or abilities that are similar in effect or relate to one another somehow (i.e.: Evasion/Combat Readiness or Gouge/Blind or Hemorrhage/Rupture) to the SHIFT modifier on the same key. The key to success with this particular group of keybindings is to use abilities with similar effects on each different class with the same keybinding. To explain this better, I will give an example: My Rogue's interrupt ability (Kick) is on the "T" key...My Hunter's Silencing Shot is on the same key...My Shadow Priest's Silence is on the same key...My Mage's Counterspell is on the same key. You get the idea...all interrupts/silences are on the "T" key for me. Same goes for short/long CCs with the "G" key for me. My G/Shift+G are: Rogue's Gouge/Blind, Hunter's Scatter Shot/Monkey Stun, etc. The exception to this rule is with my healers. All of my healers' offensive and defensive abilities are typically bound to SHIFT modified keys to allow most, if not all, of my main healing abilities to be bound to non-modified keys.
The YELLOW keys are suggested for abilities and macros that you will not be using frequently or will have some time for planning when getting ready to use them, as it requires a bit more thought to do so. Typically used for long cooldowns, utility macros, and sometimes CCs or situational abilities/macros.
In my game interface settings, I also set CTRL as my FOCUS CAST key. This means that if I use any ability (not including macros) whille holding the Ctrl key down, it will use that ability on my focus instead of my current target. If you would like to incorporate this option into a macro, as it will not work with macros without specifically telling the macro to do so, you need to put "[mod:ctrl,@focus]" in between the "/cast" and the name of the ability and add a ";" and duplicate the ability name after that, like this:
Although, in this case, it would be better to just put the Kick ability in that slot rather than creating a macro for it. However, If we wanted to make a macro for Mutilate with a /startattack before it to make sure we begin auto-attacking if we don't have enough energy to cast Mutilate, it would look like this:
Ok...this isn't a macro guide so I will move on. However, if you ever need help with a macro please don't hesitate to get ahold of me in game or by PM here. I am a programmer at heart and if it can be done in a macro, I can probably figure it out!
One more thing to note is that I use a 5-button mouse. I HIGHLY recommend that you have at least 5 buttons (Left click, Right click, Middle click+scroll wheel, Mouse button 4, Mouse button 5 - 4 and 5 are typically positioned side-by-side near your thumb) on your mouse. My old mouse also had side-scroll capability, which could also be re-mapped to any key on the keyboard (I used the left and right bracket keys, respectively) which was great. My current mouse is a RAZER DeathAdder, which only has 5 buttons, but it is perfect for me and feels amazing in my (rather large) hand. I also recently purchased a RAZER BlackWidow Tournament Edition Stealth Keyboard. This is a fully mechanical keyboard that uses the Cherry MX Brown switches (same actuation force as the Cherry MX Reds, except with tactile feedback, but nearly silent compared to the 'clicky' Cherry MX Blues. It's the perfect in-betweeny key switch for gaming and typing!) and is also 'tenkeyless' - this basically means that the number pad that is present on the right hand side of most keyboards is missing. This creates a smaller footprint and allows you to get your mouse closer to center so that your shoulders are properly aligned while gaming. I have only been using this keyboard for a few days now, but I must say that I am in love with it and I almost immediately noticed an increase in my WPM while typing on it vs. my laptop keyboard. I will run some tests with it on TypeRacer to find out for sure.
Ok...as an EXAMPLE, I will list my OLD level 85 Subtlety Rogue's keybindings here (listed from Left to Right for bottom bars and Top to Bottom for side bars):
>>Main Action Bar:
F-Macro: /startattack /cast Backstab
R-Hemorrhage
T-Kick
G-Gouge
V-Evasion
C-Dismantle
X-Sprint
W-Shadowstep
Y-Shiv
H-Macro: /cast [mod:ctrl,@focus]Deadly Throw; Deadly Throw /cast Throw
B-Macro: /cast [@focus] Shadowstep /cast [@focus] Kick
Q-PvP Trinket/Every Man For Himself
>>Bottom Left Action Bar:
Shift+F-Eviscerate
Shift+R-Rupture
Shift+T-Kidney Shot
Shift+G-Blind
Shift+V-Combat Readiness
Shift+C-Feint
Shift+X-Slice and Dice
Shift+W-Preparation
Shift+Y-Cloak of Shadows
Shift+H-Fan of Knives
Shift+B-Macro: /cast [@focus] Redirect /cast [@focus] Kidney Shot
Shift+Q-Damage/Burst Trinket (to show cooldown only - trinket is macroed in with Shadow Dance)
>>Bottom Right Action Bar:
Mouse Button 5 (Forward Thumb Button)-Macro: /cast [combat,mod:alt] Cloak of Shadows /cast [combat] Vanish; !Stealth
Shift+Mouse Button 5-Macro: /use 13 /cast [@whoeveriwant] Tricks of the Trade /cast Shadow Dance
Mouse Button 4 (Rear Thumb Button)-Macro: /cast [mod:alt,@player] Bandage; Recuperate
Shift+Mouse Button 4-Smoke Bomb
Mouse Button 3 (Middle Mouse Button/Scroll Wheel Button)-Healthstone or HP Pot
Shift+Mouse Button 3-Nothing
Srollwheel Up-Macro: /cast [@mouseover] Tricks of the Trade
Shift+Scrollwheel Up-Macro: /stopattack
Z-Ground Mount
Shift+Z-Flying Mount
`-Macro: /castsequence Deadly Poison, Crippling Poison
Shift+`-Macro: /use Food /cast !Stealth
>>Leftmost Side Action Bar:
1-Macro: /focus arena1
2-Macro: /focus arena2
3-Macro: /focus arena3
4-Macro: /cast [@arena1] Blind
5-Macro: /cast [@arena2] Blind
6-Macro: /cast [@arena3] Blind
7-Bandage (current target)
Not Bound
Not Bound
Not Bound
Not Bound
End-Macro: /m
>>Rightmost Side Action Bar:
Shift+1-Macro: /cast [@arena1] Dismantle
Shift+2-Macro: /cast [@arena2] Dismantle
Shift+3-Macro: /cast [@arena3] Dismantle
Shift+4-Macro: /cast [@arena1] Gouge
Shift+5-Macro: /cast [@arena2] Gouge
Shift+6-Macro: /cast [@arena3] Gouge
Shift+7-Macro: /concede /duel
Not Bound
Not Bound
Not Bound
Not Bound
Home-Hearthstone
Ok, so I know there are several things going through your head. One of which, I am sure, is 'how do I open my bags or character pane or PvP pane or Achievements pane' and so on. For any functions originally bound to these keys or directly adjacent to any of them (U, J, & N), I use the ALT modifier with the key that was originally bound to that function, i.e.: Alt+C opens Character pane; Alt+B opens all Bags; Alt+N opens the Class Spec window. It will take some getting used to, but I promise it will be worth it to avoid accidentally opening your Guild Information window in the middle of an arena match.
Well, hopefully you will get some good out of this guide and put it to use! See you on the battlefield!
Now, you may have smaller hands than I do, or a different keyboard configuration, or whatever. No matter what the case is, DO NOT COPY MY KEYBINDINGS - ADAPT THIS METHOD FOR YOUR OWN USE! From a PvP standpoint, keybindings can make or break you. Whatever you do, pick what you want to use and STICK WITH IT! Don't change them every other day because it's uncomfortable or you aren't used to it. Once you have your bindings set, it can take 1-3 weeks of regular play to get comfortable with them. The BEST way to do this is to start a new character with your new bindings and level it up. This allows you to use each ability several thousand times with your new keybind, learning one at a time instead of trying to learn them all at once. Repetition = muscle memory, muscle memory = faster reaction time, faster reaction time = winning.
My personal keybinding system was derived from Worganfreman's guide (Worganfreman's Keybinding Guide - Forums - World of Warcraft). I am a very logic-minded person, so I really enjoyed this guide's logical approach to keybinding. I have adapted a few things to my own personal taste, as you should also do. Below is an image of what my keybinding layout looks like on a keyboard:
The GREEN keys are movement keys.
E - Move Forward (only used when mouse-looking behind my character or panning camera around, otherwise I use mouse to move forward)
S - Strafe Left
D - Strafe Right
A - Backpedal (only used on rare occasions...I purposely did not bind this to an ability as you cannot use shift or ctrl modifiers with it)
SPACE - Jump (of course)
The RED keys are suggested for your primary abilities, aka 'mashable' abilities. These will be the ones you will be using the most and will need to have quick and easy access to. I typically bind more potent, longer cast time, or finishing moves to these same keys with a SHIFT modifier.
The ORANGE keys are suggested for abilities and macros that are 'fast reflex' abilities, such as CCs, interrupts, defensive/survival cooldowns, etc. You won't be using these all of the time, but you need to have them close by for quick and easy access when you do need them. I typically bind longer-lasting CCs or abilities that are similar in effect or relate to one another somehow (i.e.: Evasion/Combat Readiness or Gouge/Blind or Hemorrhage/Rupture) to the SHIFT modifier on the same key. The key to success with this particular group of keybindings is to use abilities with similar effects on each different class with the same keybinding. To explain this better, I will give an example: My Rogue's interrupt ability (Kick) is on the "T" key...My Hunter's Silencing Shot is on the same key...My Shadow Priest's Silence is on the same key...My Mage's Counterspell is on the same key. You get the idea...all interrupts/silences are on the "T" key for me. Same goes for short/long CCs with the "G" key for me. My G/Shift+G are: Rogue's Gouge/Blind, Hunter's Scatter Shot/Monkey Stun, etc. The exception to this rule is with my healers. All of my healers' offensive and defensive abilities are typically bound to SHIFT modified keys to allow most, if not all, of my main healing abilities to be bound to non-modified keys.
The YELLOW keys are suggested for abilities and macros that you will not be using frequently or will have some time for planning when getting ready to use them, as it requires a bit more thought to do so. Typically used for long cooldowns, utility macros, and sometimes CCs or situational abilities/macros.
In my game interface settings, I also set CTRL as my FOCUS CAST key. This means that if I use any ability (not including macros) whille holding the Ctrl key down, it will use that ability on my focus instead of my current target. If you would like to incorporate this option into a macro, as it will not work with macros without specifically telling the macro to do so, you need to put "[mod:ctrl,@focus]" in between the "/cast" and the name of the ability and add a ";" and duplicate the ability name after that, like this:
Code:
/cast [mod:ctrl,@focus] Kick, KickAlthough, in this case, it would be better to just put the Kick ability in that slot rather than creating a macro for it. However, If we wanted to make a macro for Mutilate with a /startattack before it to make sure we begin auto-attacking if we don't have enough energy to cast Mutilate, it would look like this:
Code:
/startattack
/cast [mod:ctrl,@focus] Mutilate; MutilateOk...this isn't a macro guide so I will move on. However, if you ever need help with a macro please don't hesitate to get ahold of me in game or by PM here. I am a programmer at heart and if it can be done in a macro, I can probably figure it out!
One more thing to note is that I use a 5-button mouse. I HIGHLY recommend that you have at least 5 buttons (Left click, Right click, Middle click+scroll wheel, Mouse button 4, Mouse button 5 - 4 and 5 are typically positioned side-by-side near your thumb) on your mouse. My old mouse also had side-scroll capability, which could also be re-mapped to any key on the keyboard (I used the left and right bracket keys, respectively) which was great. My current mouse is a RAZER DeathAdder, which only has 5 buttons, but it is perfect for me and feels amazing in my (rather large) hand. I also recently purchased a RAZER BlackWidow Tournament Edition Stealth Keyboard. This is a fully mechanical keyboard that uses the Cherry MX Brown switches (same actuation force as the Cherry MX Reds, except with tactile feedback, but nearly silent compared to the 'clicky' Cherry MX Blues. It's the perfect in-betweeny key switch for gaming and typing!) and is also 'tenkeyless' - this basically means that the number pad that is present on the right hand side of most keyboards is missing. This creates a smaller footprint and allows you to get your mouse closer to center so that your shoulders are properly aligned while gaming. I have only been using this keyboard for a few days now, but I must say that I am in love with it and I almost immediately noticed an increase in my WPM while typing on it vs. my laptop keyboard. I will run some tests with it on TypeRacer to find out for sure.
Ok...as an EXAMPLE, I will list my OLD level 85 Subtlety Rogue's keybindings here (listed from Left to Right for bottom bars and Top to Bottom for side bars):
>>Main Action Bar:
F-Macro: /startattack /cast Backstab
R-Hemorrhage
T-Kick
G-Gouge
V-Evasion
C-Dismantle
X-Sprint
W-Shadowstep
Y-Shiv
H-Macro: /cast [mod:ctrl,@focus]Deadly Throw; Deadly Throw /cast Throw
B-Macro: /cast [@focus] Shadowstep /cast [@focus] Kick
Q-PvP Trinket/Every Man For Himself
>>Bottom Left Action Bar:
Shift+F-Eviscerate
Shift+R-Rupture
Shift+T-Kidney Shot
Shift+G-Blind
Shift+V-Combat Readiness
Shift+C-Feint
Shift+X-Slice and Dice
Shift+W-Preparation
Shift+Y-Cloak of Shadows
Shift+H-Fan of Knives
Shift+B-Macro: /cast [@focus] Redirect /cast [@focus] Kidney Shot
Shift+Q-Damage/Burst Trinket (to show cooldown only - trinket is macroed in with Shadow Dance)
>>Bottom Right Action Bar:
Mouse Button 5 (Forward Thumb Button)-Macro: /cast [combat,mod:alt] Cloak of Shadows /cast [combat] Vanish; !Stealth
Shift+Mouse Button 5-Macro: /use 13 /cast [@whoeveriwant] Tricks of the Trade /cast Shadow Dance
Mouse Button 4 (Rear Thumb Button)-Macro: /cast [mod:alt,@player] Bandage; Recuperate
Shift+Mouse Button 4-Smoke Bomb
Mouse Button 3 (Middle Mouse Button/Scroll Wheel Button)-Healthstone or HP Pot
Shift+Mouse Button 3-Nothing
Srollwheel Up-Macro: /cast [@mouseover] Tricks of the Trade
Shift+Scrollwheel Up-Macro: /stopattack
Z-Ground Mount
Shift+Z-Flying Mount
`-Macro: /castsequence Deadly Poison, Crippling Poison
Shift+`-Macro: /use Food /cast !Stealth
>>Leftmost Side Action Bar:
1-Macro: /focus arena1
2-Macro: /focus arena2
3-Macro: /focus arena3
4-Macro: /cast [@arena1] Blind
5-Macro: /cast [@arena2] Blind
6-Macro: /cast [@arena3] Blind
7-Bandage (current target)
Not Bound
Not Bound
Not Bound
Not Bound
End-Macro: /m
>>Rightmost Side Action Bar:
Shift+1-Macro: /cast [@arena1] Dismantle
Shift+2-Macro: /cast [@arena2] Dismantle
Shift+3-Macro: /cast [@arena3] Dismantle
Shift+4-Macro: /cast [@arena1] Gouge
Shift+5-Macro: /cast [@arena2] Gouge
Shift+6-Macro: /cast [@arena3] Gouge
Shift+7-Macro: /concede /duel
Not Bound
Not Bound
Not Bound
Not Bound
Home-Hearthstone
Ok, so I know there are several things going through your head. One of which, I am sure, is 'how do I open my bags or character pane or PvP pane or Achievements pane' and so on. For any functions originally bound to these keys or directly adjacent to any of them (U, J, & N), I use the ALT modifier with the key that was originally bound to that function, i.e.: Alt+C opens Character pane; Alt+B opens all Bags; Alt+N opens the Class Spec window. It will take some getting used to, but I promise it will be worth it to avoid accidentally opening your Guild Information window in the middle of an arena match.
Well, hopefully you will get some good out of this guide and put it to use! See you on the battlefield!
Last edited by a moderator: