Introduction
The purpose of this guide is to help you understand some helpful concepts on how to make efficient and comfortable keybinds with a traditional mouse+keyboard setup in Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV). New and veteran players alike can find useful tips inside.
The principles inside are good ideas to follow in order to systematically create a setup that makes sense. That being said, keybinds are also largely personal preference and subjective to each individual player. So your goal should not be to copy anybody else’s setup, but rather to understand the fundamental concepts about how to make good keybinds. Then you can experiment on your own to find out what works the best for you.
Basics of Keybinding
What is keybinding?
Keybinding is the act of assigning skills, items, marcos, menus, etc. to various input methods. The most common of these are keyboard keys, MMO mouse buttons and controller buttons. We’ll be focusing on assigning combat skills of the Disciples of War and Disciples of Magic jobs to a traditional mouse and keyboard setup. A guide for controller players is coming soon and the link is [here](WIP)!
A keybound skill looks like 
. In this example the Astrologian skill
Why Keybind?
FFXIV has a lot of skills for combat. While it’s possible to click on their icons on the hotbar, it’s simply easier, faster, and more comfortable to assign them to keyboard keys or mouse buttons that are readily accessible.
Coming up with a good keybinding scheme before you invest many hours in playing, will improve your performance level in game, as well as your physical comfort level in the long run.
How to Keybind?
Click images to enlarge!
First make a few hotbars visible by going to System [ESC] -> Character Configuration -> Hotbar Settings -> Display. Most players start with three or four for combat jobs, but can always add more later for any reason.
Then drag skills from your action menu onto the desired hotbars. These are found in: Character(drop down menu) -> Actions and Traits -> Actions. The default key for the action menu is [P]
Lastly assign the corresponding spots on the hotbars to keyboard keys or mouse buttons by going to System(ESC key) -> Keybind -> Hotbar. Make note of your hotbar number so that your keybinds correspond correctly!
Valid Keys for Keybinding
Almost all keys on the keyboard are valid keys to be used as inputs for skills on the hotbar, with some exceptions such as [Caps Lock] and [Windows]. All letter keys such as [T] and [Z], number keys such as [3] and [5], and function keys such as [F1] and [F5] are valid candidates. Those are among the most commonly used.
In addition, there are also modifier keys that can be used in combination with the aforementioned standalone keys. Those modifier keys are [Shift], [Ctrl], and [Alt]. They are the only way to use a combination of two keys to execute a single keybind input. They’re created and executed by pressing the modifier key first and then the standalone key (or simultaneously). For example, [Shift+R] and [Ctrl+3].
Various special mice also have buttons that can be used as keybinds. Some of them are standalone mouse buttons you can directly bind to a spot on the hotbar. Some of them re-map to other inputs, such as the number keys on your keyboard. In this case, pressing a mouse button would be the equivalent of pressing the keyboard key it’s mapped to. Consult the instruction manual of your mouse to find out how to reprogram its mapping.
Guiding Principles of Good Keybinds
While there is no “perfect” or “correct” way to make a setup, it’s still extremely beneficial to learn some good keybinding habits and understand why they might be beneficial to you. Here are some ideas you may want to keep in mind.
List of Tips and Tricks
- Use keys that are close and easy to reach (and find out what those are for you), such as the ones around the WASD direction keys. Good candidates include but are not limited to [Q], [E], [R], [F], [T], [G], [C], [V], [Z], [X], [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], as well as any MMO/special mouse buttons you may have. Note that you may find some keys more comfortable than others. For example [F] is more likely to feel better than [G]. Since it’s closer to your hand’s natural position and requires less movement. Try reaching for many possible keys and see which ones feel the best to you.
- Use modifiers to expand the amount of available keybinds. By adding [Shift], [Ctrl] and [Alt] to your existing keys, you can more than double it. For example, having [F], [Shift+F] and [Ctrl+F] will give you 3 separate keybinds. But be aware a combination of two keys is generally harder to use than standalone keys.
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Put the most frequently used skills on the “best” keys, aka the most comfortable and easily reachable keys. For example a main spammable skill like White Mage’s
Glare can be put on [E], [R], or [F], which are single input, non-modified keys that are very close to the natural resting position of your hand and can be repeatedly pressed with your index finger with speed and comfort. -
Put skills that you need to use while moving on accessible keys. This way you can freely move and use a skill at the same time. For example Scholar’s
Ruin II on the [F] key is something you can press and move at the same time. -
Put abilities that you need to oGCD weave and need target switching for on accessible keys. This way you can quickly execute them without clipping (delaying your next GCD). For example, these include damage abilities that DPS jobs need to double weave such as Summoner's
Fester andTri-disaster , or heal abilities that healer jobs need to use with target switching. -
Put the most time-critical skills on keys you can execute quickly. For example, instant oGCD healing abilities such as Scholar's
Lustrate fall into this category. This way, if anything goes wrong and someone needs a split second heal, that can be reliably done. -
Put other skills that are niche, don’t really conflict with movement, and aren’t time sensitive on “worse” keys. Skills that you rarely used in an urgent fashion can be relegated to less important real estate. For example Dragoon’s
Battle Litany is only used once every 3 minutes. Dancer’sShield Samba can only be used every once 2 minutes at most. Some role actions likeRepose andFoot Graze almost never see usage. -
Consider a local theme that makes thematic sense. For example, [F], and [Shift+F] could be AST card related actions such as
Play andMinor Arcana . The entirety of [G] and its modifiers could be AOE damage skills. such as Bard'sQuick Nock andRain of Death . -
Consider a local theme that makes sequential sense. For example, weaponskill combos of DPS jobs such as Ninja's
Spinning Edge →Gust Slash →Aeolian Edge combo could be put on [1] → [2] → [3], [R] → [F] → [T], [Q] → [E] → [R], or three MMO mouse buttons that are next to each other. Or [F] → [Shift+F] could be a GCD into an oGCD weave combo such as Summoner'sRuin II →Fester . These are movements your hand can fluidly make in quick succession. - Have some consistency and common practices across multiple jobs. For example healers’ instant single target heals could be put on [E]. All basic DPS combos can be put on [R] → [F] → [T]. Personal damage buffs can be put on [C]. And Sprint can always be on the same key regardless of job.
- Keep the keybinds visually organized on the hotbar. For example it’s probably best to keep [1], [2], [3], [4], [5] next to each other on your hotbar, instead of spread out. You might even make your hotbar’s shape look like the side of your MMO mouse buttons if you use them. This way it’s easier for your brain to make visual connections between the hotbars and the physical devices.
- It’s okay to click on some skills. Not everything needs to be keybound. If you have rarely used skills and don’t know how to squeeze out more keybinds you feel comfortable with, put them on your hotbar without a bind and just click them.
Examples of Keybind Setups
The following are some of my personal keybinds for various jobs. Most of it is using as many of the above guiding principles as possible. But some of it is also just arbitrary personal preference and muscle memory. The first row includes the standalone keys, the second row is using the [Shift] modifier and the third row is using the [Ctrl] modifier.
You might want to make some connections and see how the examples relate to the above concepts. The important takeaway here is not to copy what I do, but understand why so you can more easily apply good habits to a setup that works best for you.
Example Gallery
Conclusion
Hopefully after reading this guide, you’ll have a better idea about how to make your own dream keybind setup that will serve you well in all the upcoming hours of playing Final Fantasy XIV.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with various setups and remember you can always change them at any time. Sitting down for an hour or two to really think about and test out keybinds can be well worth the time in the long run. It’s also an on-going process of self discovering. Sometimes you won’t even know what feels the best until you have tried it!
GLHF fellow adventurers!
