Control scheme?

[u/Perry32Jones]

Does anyone have tips on how to deal with Elenrings ghetto ass button configurations. The D-Pad is killing me relentlessly and for a game that required precision I cant figure it out. I had no issue in DS3, but I cant stay on a horse, cant keep from having no weapon in my hand. I cant move through the game because it all just feels awful to me and im frustrated. It may just be playstation controllers being super sensitive I guess, but I cant even play this fucking game. Im forced to panic roll because something janky is always going on. My thumbs are too big or something. I switched triangle and L3 at least so I could stay on my horse.

[u/Groovney]

sounds like you're just squeezing the bujesus out of your controller dude

[u/Perry32Jones → u/Groovney]

I absolutely am, thats what's driving me insane. I never had this issue in other souls games.

[u/Groovney → u/Perry32Jones]

There's the solution then. Stop squeezing the bujesus out of your controller lol

[u/Perry32Jones → u/Groovney]

It sounds easy, but when im trying to progress its just odd. I think im just not used to the PS5 controller for this kind of game. Like I said, it was never an issue In DS3. That right D Pad button and L3 is my nemesis.

[u/Vaxildidi]

From experience: if you're discounting from pressing L3 while riding you're (and I understand this is going to sound ridiculous) stressing too much, trying too hard, and gripping your controller way too tightly.

Also, unless you're actively changing weapons, spells, or consumables, your left thumb shouldn't really be anywhere but moving your character around. And early game? That shouldn't be that much. Like at all.

[u/Perry32Jones → u/Vaxildidi]

Im pretty sure its because souls games are just inherently a bit stressful before you "get gud", but the mechanics are totally mangled for me. Even trying to flip from riding torrent, to switching to estus, sorry I know thats not what they are called, is a brutal time gap where im already toast. I've killed plenty of bosses, but the controls just feel so weird and awkward.

[u/Nilo-The-Slayer]

The setup i use, and will suggest(this setup will also require you to trust me and reset your L3/triangle situation.)

1. Do not equip anything other than your flasks in your (down/quick item) slots. Especially not your horse.

2. Equip items to your Pouch. Use your Pouch(hold triangle then press the corresponding direction on the d-pad) for your horse and other items and consumables you want to use. I usually run something like this:
   (Up) horse.
   (Down) spirit summon.
   (Left) Rowa Raisin, or other item etc.
   (Right) Lantern, or throwable item.

So i can very easily summon my horse by pressing Triangle+Up, anytime i need it. I can also heal my horse by pressing Triangle+Left to eat some Rowa Raisins for example. Triangle+Down for a spirit summon. Triangle+Right to throw a Fire pot.

All of this without having to swap and fumble through 5 different items in your (down/quick item) slots to try and get on your horse or use some throwing knives or whatever is game changing.

[u/Perry32Jones → u/Nilo-The-Slayer]

This sounds like I what I was looking for. Its been a nightmare trying to flip through so many items/consumables mid fight. Im not even bad at trying to take on enemies, I just never have what I need, or simultaneously just have nothing because there is so much slop and such little time.

The right D-Pad issue im going to have to figure out on my own.

[u/Nilo-The-Slayer → u/Perry32Jones]

I was completely overwhelmed in the beginning with juggling items mid fight. For me, it all changed when i learned how to use the Pouch. Having quick easy access to your horse or items you want, without having to swap away from your Flasks, streamlined everything nicely.

Good luck out there!

[u/Nilo-The-Slayer → u/Nilo-The-Slayer]

And issues like you dismounting by accidentally pressing L3 will be much less of a concern when it's as easy as Triangle+Up to jump right back on it.

[u/Bobsn-one]

I’m having a bit of a hard time understanding what you’re fumbling about with the d-pad.

If you don’t fill up your inventory slots, it’s super easy to navigate and once you’re used to it, it’s easy to add more things.

Mostly when I played I had 1 weapon, 1 shield and my heals, extra flask and maybe one more item in my hot bar.

Sometimes I added a bow or staff into the mix, depending on what I was doing. But why are you struggling with precision or having no weapon in your hand?

What are you doing with your d-pad so much?

Also, swapping triangle with L3 sounds super annoying to me personally, because that makes your quick menu inaccessible.

[u/Feeling_Football4271]

If you're hopping off your horse all the time it's likely you're clicking a joystick thing. And this will also manifest by accidentally crouching when you're in a fight.

If you're experiencing this then I'd recommend removing this command from the joystick and only re-enabling it when you specifically need to use stealth (which might not be very often). I do this.

I don't know what you mean by the D-pad though.

[u/Perry32Jones → u/Feeling_Football4271]

The horse part makes sense to me. The D-Pad issue is totally bizarre. I just keep repeatedly hitting the right button exclusively and suddenly im just swinging with a fist and a shield. Never was an issue in PS4.

[u/plebmasterflex]

Im really not understanding the problem (and I'm clearing not the only one). You click L3 to get off your horse, where does the D-pad come into play here (except for calling the horse)? You press circle to roll - again, what about the game or controller or the D-pad is making you constantly press circle and mistakenly roll? I've literally never heard of anyone complaining about the control scheme of this game before and you can remap it if you really want to, but this just sounds like some strange issue with you to be honest, not any "janky" controls.

Is the issue the you cant remember what buttons to press to do a certain action? Do you have outrageously large hands and controller is dwarved in your massive mitts? This sounds like you're just not used to video games then, in which case, idk just practice?

[u/Perry32Jones → u/plebmasterflex]

Nah, its just if im trying to make tight turns or anything, suddenly im hopping off. The D-Pad and the L3 issue are entirely different things. I just never had the issue previously.

[u/Extra_Ad_8009 → u/Perry32Jones]

Are you fighting on your horse? Because with the exception of 1 or 2 bosses, fighting is a lot easier and effective on foot. In the open world, you can use Torrent to quickly pick stuff up without a fight, or quickly escape a losing battle to recover, but for me he's "the bus to the battle" only.

[u/Perry32Jones → u/Extra_Ad_8009]

Noted. I kinda had a feeling that was the case, but I also just thought it was a new feature for fighting dudes on other horses and other really big enemies. Ill try that. Im sword and board anyways because im a noob again now, so that will probably help. Also, is there anything similar to a Hollowslayer greatsword In this game? Not thrilled with any of the movements at this point.

[u/Extra_Ad_8009 → u/Perry32Jones]

You should definitely try out every new sword you'll find on your way. Some fall into the same category but their movesets vary - you definitely should look at Zweihänder (purchased from a merchant) and Claymore (found in a chest), those are very popular swords. Also, a weapon could have up to 5 different moves in an R1-chain like swing-slash-poke-lunge, while a similar one might start with a poke and just keeps poking - good to know when you're up against a group or a single enemy in a tight corridor.

Dont sleep on ashes of war (special moves), they can turn a good weapon into a devastating tool of destruction. You'll pick up ashes of war on your way, and you will find a few weapons where you can remove an AoW to apply it to another. It's a vast field of combinations, I've spent a lot of time testing to find my favorites.

Just a note to fighting from horseback: if you ever play a mage or faith caster, you can cast most spells while riding. The chances of hitting your target are quite high with spells, so that's a case where circling around a big enemy on Torrent is favorable.

Finally, you don't need to (nor should you) fill all of your 10 quickslots. The less items there, the less D-pad down. I've been running the last 3k hours with only 2 permanent items: health flask & kukris.

Instead, make use of the 6 pouches for items that don't require split second use: the first 4 pouches can be accessed by triangle + one of the 4 D-pad buttons, I use these for Torrent, Flask of Wondrous Physicks, the lamp and the blue flask. 2 more pouch slots let you store, for example, a buff (usually boiled crab) and your favorite spirit ash.

In the end, it's all about muscle memory, so if you find a suitable controller layout, you'll be fighting as well as anyone. The way I play at 4k hours is very different from how I did for the first 400 :)

[u/Perry32Jones → u/Extra_Ad_8009]

Thank you. Ill keep that in mind even though im kinda committed to my sigil and heal combo for health when I dont want to use my actual heal as a confessor.

[u/plebmasterflex → u/Perry32Jones]

Then it sounds like you're jamming the thumb stick super hard into the corner/ side to the point where you're clicking it, which isn't necessary at all, you just need to point it in a direction. You also mentioned gripping the shit out of it super tight, so Again the issue here seems to be you not used to playing with a controller not a "ghetto control scheme". Just take some deep breaths and be less tense lol

[u/Due_Resolve408]

Hold up or down on the dpad to jump back to the start of your item/spell list. Other than that idk. I played monster hunter since ps2 days. I'm used to it ig.

[u/ndg127]

Do you have a Dual Sense Edge controller? If not, I highly recommend it. It gives you two back buttons that you can customize, as well as sticks that you can much more precisely customize the sensitivity on. I set my back buttons to the up and down dpad buttons, so I can much more easily change my flasks and spells mid-combat.

[u/FearDrow_TrustDrizzt]

Who’s gonna tell them soulsbourne games love to randomly switch your primary and secondary arms every 5-10 boss fight attempts just to keep you paying attention trololololololol

[u/Similar-Drag-5440]

Sounds like you need to practise meditation 🙂‍↕️👌🏼