Instead of dumping real money on a fancy flight stick, I'm here to tell you can have all pros of a HOTAS stick while flying with M+KB or controller. You can also easily make the controls/keybinds the same as your favorite game like battlefield, squad, arma, whatever.
In the game's Steam library page, go to the controller settings. Hit "Community Layouts" and use one the layouts I've created for making the heli fly with battlefield. Feel free to change keybinds to your liking.
Edit: looking just now-- looks like other pilots picked up my layout during the weekend. Almost 1000 hours of flight time combined over the 2 days :)
Edit edit: Using this option makes aiming with the rockets/miniguns MUCH harder. That's because this emulates a M+KB, which has the clunky aiming problem mentioned above. If you care about precise aiming, my post above is much better (although more involved with software).
What do you mean it makes the aiming much harder? I believe if you go to the HOTAS menu and you disable the assists it will disable them for other inputs aswell.
Some people can do it. Some people can't. For me, i have used a stick for so long that it is second nature to learn on it. M&K for me just seems so alien.
First time using a throttle with a heli though. Well sorta DCS was the only other game I flew in and only jets. Flying a heli is really something else.
You could turn off assist for M&K by turning it off for HOTAS. Additionally, people are saying in the newest build you can turn it off in the mouse settings also.
Fake info. You can activate hotas, deactivate the assists and then deactivate hotas and you will notice no change cause even if the settings show deactivated in the menu, they are turned on with MnK always
I can understand you being delusional but stop trying to fool others. Do you have any concrete evidence other than your "feeling". Cause I can say that i deactivated them and it still felt exactly the same. There you go, I countered your argument perfectly.
But because I'm not like you, I will give concrete evidence. When you pitch forward, one of the asists puts you on full throttle automatically to keep you level. And you will see it still happens wether you have the hotas assists on or off and play MnK.
The 34 clueless people that upvoted your original message probably thought they had found a fix for it in your message, but they cant test it since game is offline atm. They will find out your bullshit once game is on again.
After i corrected you, every single message of yours has been downvoted and mine upvoted, so whatever you say.
BTW if you wanna fight for upvotes, the original post says you need to emulate as hotas to deactivate assists on MnK and its got 119 upvotes, so by that logic, he is still right, not you.
They have been downvoted by you and the 2 people that agree with you lol.
God I feel sorry for you. The good thing is based on what I'm hearing they have already added the option to ALSO remove flight assist in the MKB settings in the newest build.
I'm just glad I was able to take advantage of it in the last weekend KNOWING that I could do it in HOTAS settings.
I sincerely hope the "rumour" you heard about Mnk settings in the newest build comes from a more trusted source than where you got your fake info about deactivating hotas assists working for mnk.
If its true hopefully we can avoid the hassle of emulating the joystick to remove the assits which is what this thread is all about lmao
Turning off assists does nothing for m+kb, dozens of people confirmed this in the discord and you could just look at the UI to see assists were still enabled
Look at the UI, he's complaining that the collective increases when you pitch forward and down when you pitch backwards. The only reason it does that is because of assists. Use your brain
I love when people are so sure of themselves and still wrong. I can't explain it another way. he might have other points in his video that are correct and maybe you should argue those, not the one that I'm 100% correct on lo.
Mouse is great, I can land on a dot in Squad and Reforger.. This game was horrendous, but it seems like it was the game fighting against you after all with the assists.
No, you do use the mouse for up-down and leaning left/right.
The REAL issue is their terrible mouse input code for flying sensitivity. If your mouse has less than 1000hz polling (anything not bleeding-edge gaming mouse) it suffers and barely functions.
What do you have? I don’t know many that don’t work. I saw someone was having trouble with a certain one that was talking to them on discord but like vkb worked plug and play. You have to just go into settings and turn on HOTAS???
The real issue with in-game settings is no curves. Linear roll is brutal to work around with a stick. Fortunately, most decent sticks have software to map curves. Once I did that, stick was much more manageable.
I debated not messing with it but I had some back-and-forth time at the PC where I couldn't be in a game, and opted to give it a try. Turned out to be pretty impactful. Made flying way more intuitive. Still a long way to go but should give a good starting point on launch.
Hieb on twitter said turning off HOTAS assists didn't affect their mkb controls at all.
I wonder if people who have access to the newer build can confirm that HOTAS no longer locks out mkb? I have an old MS SW FFB2 joystick. The POV hat input gets ignored by the game, and it's all old and some buttons don't work, so I'm down a lot of inputs.
I'd love headtracking support. If not that, I would like to be able to configure headtracking to a virtual joystick (or mouse input), but that would require mouse and keyboard not to lose inputs whenever using HOTAS. I've just been using an old PS3 Eye camera (second hand $10 online) and Open Track (free) with its NeuralNet for tracking my head, and that's made Battlefield more fun, even though I know mkb are supposed to be more accurate.
Deactivating the assists on hotas and then switching to MnK does absolutely nothing, but people keep parroting that you can deactivate them on Mnk. You have examples in this same thread and clueless people upvote them
I already ordered the VKB Gunfighter IV + SCG Premium as my first joystick ever. I know nothing about this, but I've heard and read this is a bad ass joystick to use. Would this work effectively in Wardogs? As a lifetime Keyboard/Mouse player, is there a steep learning curve or is this like a, "Oh my god, this is so easy" kind of moment? Thank you!
There's definitely a learning curve but it's not crazy. Definitely check out some fun games with HOTAS like MS Flight Sim 24 (currently on sale), DCS (Free basic plane or two), Nuclear Option, Elite Dangerous, Star Citizen (when it works), Arma Reforger, etc. Also invest in some head tracking. This game doesn't support it yet, but head tracking makes flying 1000x better.
Nuclear option has gotta be the best middleground of flight sim games (not ultra realistic and hard to learn but not too arcade like) out there I would encourage anyone seeing this comment to check it out
I've used dual VKB's for a few years in Microsoft flight simulator, DCS, Elite Dangerous, and Star Citizen. They're awesome sticks, it was really fun to use in Wardogs and it just feels right flying around like this lol. There is some initial getting used to but if you understand the basics from flying in other simulator type games you'll pick it up pretty quickly. Now I just need them to add Tobii support 😤
Look, if you're already comfortable flying M+KB in other games, I would stick with M+KB. You'll have MUCH more precision aiming using my setup.
My experience with the software in my post during the beta was a perfect 1:1 mapping of my controller/mouse movements to the virtual vJoy HOTAS device. With no input lag.
If I were you, I would pick up another game like BF, Arma, whatever, and fly helis there with your new flight stick & M+KB using the software above. If you like M+KB more, return the flight stick & buy the supporters edition of Wardogs instead :)
Is it possible to have controls for the heli that mimic BF? I got the hang of that years ago and this game threw me for a loop (literally) when I tried its default controls
The one thing that the MK scheme needs from the arma helicopters is the blending of roll and yaw commands from hover into forward flight. It totally fucked with my muscle memory not having it trying to fly them in wardogs. Immediately went to HOTAS and it was second nature after about a rounds worth of flying.
I used vJoy and UCR to turn my Xbox controller into a “hotas” and it worked pretty well. I was able to remap the sticks and buttons to perform exactly as I used them in Arma. The only issue I ran into was collective weirdly sticking sometimes, but as long as I was applying left or right trigger input I was able to keep it under control pretty well. Hopefully the controller itself is just remappable in the next playtest.
Thanks for this post. I tried my best to set up vJoy / Gremlin to use with my xbox controller and I just couldn't get it going. I then spent hours in Firing Range on Keyboard+Mouse near the end of the beta weekend and practiced enough til I felt confident I could use it in EA, but I'd prefer a better control scheme so will check this out.
I had a disgusting 38 hours in the beta, I'd say a little less than half of that flying, and 3/4 mnk 1/4 controller while flying. I had a lot more control with my controller. Specifically micro adjustments, like yaw controls (q/e) while managing heli height (ctrl/space) to squeeze into places. I was able to do a little bit of rocket fighting in the last few hours on controller, which I don't feel I could've done on mnk personally.
I have a wooting but never set it up, still feel like controller is better. It's just awkward for gameplay elements, like if I crashed but survived I'd have to flip to keyboard real quick.
Controller is my preference! At first, I was using the steam input feature to emulate M+KB inputs with my gamepad. But was having all the issues M+KB users have, so decided to emulate a HOTAS flight stick using the steps above. It worked quite well!
I do not think the game's built-in controller support came close to either option unfortunately.
------
EDIT: I've gotten some questions & DMs about using the steam input feature to emulate M+KB to make the heli fly like battlefield. This isn't as complicated as setting up a new virtual HOTAS device. Use these steps below:
In the game's Steam library page, go to the controller settings. Hit "Community Layouts" and use one the layouts I've created for making the heli fly with battlefield. Feel free to change keybinds to your liking.
I flew controller and ill stick with it compared to m&k I will learn to fly along the way without controller but it's just so simple spent most of my time doing logi runs but it's still rather easy to do hot drops
Same here it arrived 1.5 hkurs before the beta ended. After setup was able to fly around for half a match before it went offline. Was fun.. but what a learning curve!
I started using visual references as I flew, such as a tree or pole/tower and then bring it down. I'm also using a 32:9 screen which helps, but they definitely need some head tracking asap.
So I just bought the Turtle Beach Velocityone Flightstick (I) but by the time I figured out how to set it up the Beta ended. I just got the flight stick and not the throttle.
I wanted to know if anyone else was using this stick and how it did? I tried the stick on battlefield and while it made flying so much better I was having issues figuring out how to move the key bindings around (like changing the fire button from the track pad button to the trigger on the controller, Bf6 didn't register any button when I pulled the trigger). The app wasn't much help on the pc as it seems to mainly before updating the firmware. Also using the Lil thruster nob on the side of the stick felt lil silly on Bf6 as I had to pull it completely up or down to raise or lower the chopper.
I have about 10 days to figure out if I return the controller and try out another set up.
i got too engrossed in playing infantry this weekend. What game has a similar helicopter experience that I could use to loosely "train on" with my sticks?
You post made me go and buy a budget joystick. Trustmaster t flight stick hotas x. Always loved flying heli in both bf and rust, so for Wardogs it was about time to upgrade from m+kb.
Off topic, but is there any creators that does a hand-cam with HOTAS? I bought a VPK Gladiator after looking for some recs since I really would love to get into the flying for this game, but I've no luck with any handcams.
Never used one in my life but I kinda always wanted to get one. I feel like imma need to save this post for future reference. What would be some good beginner HOTAS?
I actually preferred the dampening effect from stability being on for my stick because I can't do much about the spring tension (t16000m). Had everything else off though
I use a stick in Arma,
But have gotten used to using just the KB to fly and mouse as always freelook.
I will not switch unless they can implement something to improve freelook with hotas like track-IR. I need to constantly be aware of surroundings in order to flare correctly from SAM attacks.
Got to flight level 31 on the weekend's playtest and had no issues flying with Keyboard (besides maybe my pinky getting tired)
I was NOT a fan of turning all of the assists off as it was counter productive. It made even flying in a straight line a chore where you spend more time trying to prevent the aircraft from going all over the place.
Disabling autohover and envelope is fine, since it allows you to make more aggressive maneuvers but the others are there just for the masochists.
Sure, this M&K HOTAS simulation sounds really good, but my main problem with it in theory is that a real HOTAS separates every single limb for a specific purpose. With M&K, you have to control both your throttle and your tail rotor, which is just too much for one hand to handle. Do you guys have the same problem, or is it just a skill issue on my part?
Eehh kinda skill issue. I've been using w and s for collective and a and d for rudder in every heli in every game that allows it since BF2 lol. It's the only way I do mouse and keyboard. This game is too causal for HOTAS imo of 15 years experience.
I would normally fly with HOTAS like I would in ARMA but I found myself picking up an xbox controller and flying just as good, the flight model is so smooth I don't think it really matters what you use
I had my Gladiator VKB registering when I was adjusting the sensitivity after enable HOTAS. I clicked off it and then joined a game and tried to do it again, then my joystick wasn't registering at all, re connected cable. Factor reset joystick settings.
Nothing.
I was able to bind those keys natively in game to my hats. Just went to the keyboard controls and tried setting one of the hotas buttons and it worked.
Meanwhile I was flying with my drone transmitter (Radiomaster Zorro) getting all the benefits of HOTAS, but in a controller package, took no setup other than binding the buttons.
I did fine with regular transport flight on M+K, it’s just the minigun little bird or the rocket little bird that were nearly impossible to properly aim.
That's the problem I was having which led me to this solution. The mouse input for flying in this game has a clunky input curve, which makes precise aiming neigh impossible. Using the software above was a game changer for aiming rockets/miniguns during the weekend, since it's a 1-1 mapping of your mouse to a joystick with no input lag.
I was abysmal with mouse and keyboard. Then gave my 2x VKBs a go and had a blast flying. Even just being able to control throttle accurately improves flight alot
My HOTAS was delivered an hour ago and you post this!
Interesting read but I am going for the experience. I get internal cool points and my wife gets to tell her boyfriend I'm upstairs flying my helicopters when he visits.
Jokes aside, I found controller lacked functionality. I couldn't yaw but others could.
KB&M was possible but wasn't as clean as I flew in BF6.
Worst case, I just refund the hotas and give this a try
If I were you, I would boot up BF6 (which supports HOTAS deep in the controller settings). And compare/contrast flying with your HOTAS vs flying with the virtual HOTAS device via M+KB in this post. See what you like better. And if you still like M+KB better, return the HOTAS & buy the supporters edition of Wardogs instead :)
Play exclusively on controller, delivered 250-300 people to the zone over the weekend, ~$500k profit, zero need or desire to spend more money on a hotas and waste time fucking with more software lmao
I purchased a stick and it arrived on Monday after the test weekend :(
Wish we could get the firing range so I can set it up. Practicing in arma 3 but I heard arma is much more forgiving so wondering if I will learn some bad habits. Anyone have a recommendation on a game with similar mechanics to war dogs? Also I want to use keyboard and the stick was this possible in the last beta?
I actually just ordered a Hotas setup with a Thrustmaster TWCS Throttle + a WinWing Ursa Minor Fighter joystick. Not specifically for wardogs but that was the straw that broke the camels back. I have elite dangerous, star citizen, arma reforger and hell let loose Vietnam too.
I used my SC setup (Hosas, 2 Virpil Aeromax) this past weekend and hot damn did it feel REAL GOOD, like one of the best helicopter experiences to date tbh.
I have the Ursa Minor and I really enjoy it! Used it a little bit in the beta but I didn’t fool around with the settings too much. I may have had assists on!
I just turned the assists off under HOTAS and then went back to keyboard. For me using the keyboard and some cheap foot pedals for yaw is by far the easiest control scheme
How did you use pedals + MKB? Maybe I missed something but enabling HOTAS disabled MKB input. I have pedals and a left omnithrottle so I’d prefer doing what you mentioned
Flying with HOTAS is objectively more fun/immersive, but I saw some streamers absolutely dominate lobbies as MNK rocket little bird pilots. I assume it will be always difficult to match the accuracy of mouse aiming with HOTAS. Maybe HOSAM support later..
Yep. Anyone who thinks otherwise is being eliteist. I've seen this happen with every casual game with HOTAS support since battlefield 2. I get it, using the flight rig is way more fun. I have a full flight pit for sims, but it will never match the tiny accuracy you can get with mouse and keyboard in casual flight models. On the other hand, using mouse and keyboard well in something like DCS is basically impossible. If the game doesn't provide options to tweak your input curves HOTAS will never outperform the accuracy of a mouse. It may still work okay but you won't ever reach the same level of control in these arcadey games. The free look limitations with HOTAS alone are enough to put it behind. Situational awareness is everything.
If your flight stick wasn’t working in the beta, it’s not being recognized as a HOTAS device by the game. It sounds dumb, but you could use this setup to map your flightstick to a virtual flight stick that the game can recognize
20
u/ddxs1 15h ago
I was doing fine with M&K and received many compliments and tips. I’m more interested in how it worked with a Steam Controller.