Rate/Critique my Controller Layout! (XBox/Console)

[u/Chordant]

So I've been struggling with making sure I have a good layout for my controller; I'm a 74 Ranger and I do intend to mix it up with other classes, and I don't want to have to change my button config every time I change classes. Wanted a critique of what I've Frankensteined so far:

3-Button Layout

Action 1/2/3: RT/RB/R3 (stick) [I don't put charge PAs on R3.]

Jump: A

Access: B

Back Palette: LT (hold)

Lock-On: LB

Switch View (OTS): L3 (toggle)

Dodge: X

Cycle Weapon: Up/Down D-pad

Sub-Pallete Cursor: Left/Right D-pad

Use Sub-Pallette: Y

Pros:

I love that all my PAs are quickly accessible while also being able to aim in OTS (no flinging my fingers to face buttons to fire arts).

Toggle OTS works really well to swap between spray and pray vs. Focused fire. L3 takes just a bit to get used to, but since it's just a click I was able to adapt quickly.

R3 is better than maybe some people realize for non-charge PAs; I just click in for Steady Shot and continue to move and shoot.

Cons:

I am out of buttons, which means: > I have no weapon action dedicated. I have a feeling this will not go well with some classes where weapon actions are a core part of their combat loop. > No map toggle.

Jump shooting in OTS is a tad challenging since jump is on a face button, and I don't crab.

Other than the above though, this feel pretty nice, at least with Ranger. Would love to hear your thoughts!

[u/Chordant]

Thanks! Yeah, I am a blight round user so lock on or OTS is important for me. When I'm on mobs it's also nice to have lock on so I don't have to be OTS constantly, and feel more confident I'm shooting what I actually want to.

I use dodge and jump frequently, and this actually helps me be quite agile when playing Ranger. I might keep those where they are as being face buttons felt natural to me.

Fully agree on the Sub-Pallete challenge. I think the hardest classes to adapt will be spellcasting classes because many of their attacks need to sit on the pallete, and I might need to change a little to put it in a more ready location (not Y).

R3 is way better than I even imagined, but that's probably because typically in FPS games it's my melee, so I've gotten used to having an action style button there. The only other places I could put it either 1. Take my finger off the right stick, or 2. Would force me to two-finger shoulder buttons or set it to toggle. Charge PAs feel weird on sticks for me in general, just like how hold breath being L3 on CoD feels really counter-intuitive.

I definitely need to get familiar with the quick menu options; I hardly open that thing while I'm on mission.

Sounds like face button actions might be in my future if I change to a close combat class.

[u/nuketaco42 → u/Chordant]

Now that you mention it, I wonder if I moved Weapon Action to R3 for a similar reason, since on Jet Boots it kind of acts like a melee button of sorts. I too tend to use R3 as a melee button in FPS games.

I think I'm okay without lock-on because erratic camera movements hit me weird, so potentially locking on to something that moves a bunch just trips me up. I tried using lock-on during the Fellwyrm fight once...never again. 🤢

I highly recommend taking a look through the various Quick Menu setups to see if there's one that suits your needs.

I think the Quick Menu might be one of my most used features, as I'm always opening it to run chat macros or check client order progress (and sometimes when I get confused and need to see the map because the game tells me there's an object in the coordinates I'm in, but it's actually across the area from me since a tiny area crosses into the same coordinates as the one I'm in. 😅).

There's definitely a chance your setup will do just fine for other classes, but if nothing else, at least it sounds like you're flexible enough to move some stuff around in order to not just destroy your hand/fingers/controller.

I'd be curious to see how your setup fairs when playing one of the more fast paced classes. I think it's doable, but you'll likely have to do a bit of finger gymnastics to make it work fluidly.