8

Intro
I play RTSs (Starcraft 2, specifically) and now realize that I want to use more than the 1 - 5 digits to bind my army / buildings / etc.

Problem
I cannot precisely hit the 7 - 0 (neither Ctrl + 7 - 0 nor Shift + 7 - 0) keys without looking on the keyboard (my right hand controls the mouse, of course).

Question
Do you know an easy way to hit 7,8,9,0 with the left hand?
Is there some mark that my hand could use (e.g. the right Ctrl) or something else?

I don't want to buy any additional device. My question is all about behavior, not environment. Plus, you probably know that pro-gamers use a normal keyboard and are totally fine with it.

For example, right now I realize that if I rotate the keyboard clockwise a little, access to 7 - 0 becomes easier.

Improve this question
2

6 Answers 6

Reset to default
5

I have 6 and 7 remapped to F2 and F3 for my production buildings and main bases. If you have all your production on F2 you can just tab through them to select the different types.

Also, if you're Protoss you can just hit W to select all warp gates.

Improve this answer
2
  • Great idea. I've already mapped ~ to 0. I used to have F2..F4 for camera but now I realize that I can use a bit awkward Alt+1 to recall and something like shift+F5 to bind camera. So... I can bind 0 to ~, 7..9 to F2..F4 and I'm done! For now it's a best answer. Thank you!
    – Meta
    Feb 23, 2011 at 10:32
  • I've tried and it works!
    – Meta
    Feb 23, 2011 at 13:10
6

I use this mouse: Razer Naga

Maybe a Naga would be good for you (or mouse with a similar button layout). It would definitely allow you to get to all your hot keys easier (I've used it in SC2 for just such a reason).

Improve this answer
2
  • Obviously, this isn't strictly for left handed number access, but I figured I'd post another option.
    – Rapida
    Feb 23, 2011 at 0:13
  • good idea I thought about it. But this way my right hand will execute more actions that left do. I give a + for this answer and will change OP
    – Meta
    Feb 23, 2011 at 5:36
3

How about a standalone numpad that you can place on the left side of your keyboard? That way you'd be easily able to hold shift or ctrl while uniquely identifying which number you were pressing. Something as simple as this seems like it would do pretty well and is cheap. For a more expensive option, you could get something like the Microsoft Sidewinder X6 that has a numpad that is able to be locked into either side of the keyboard.

Improve this answer
2
  • I think that with external numpad I'll have same troubles - I will not be able to precisely and fast click on device that lies near a keyboard. Please see edit section in OP
    – Meta
    Feb 23, 2011 at 5:44
  • Upvoted, but of course a cheaper alternative is to switch to mousing with your left hand, and operating the keyboard with your right. A lot of "pro" gamers do this, despite being naturally right-handed.
    – T.E.D.
    Sep 18, 2017 at 20:42
1

I'm used to my hand straying quite a bit from the homerow and general 1-handed typing (no, not for that) and what I do is just hit Ctrl/Shift with my thumb and the actual number with my pinky.

Improve this answer
1
  • actually I believe that pro-gamers use this. But I found an answer more 'natural' for me. Thank you.
    – Meta
    Feb 28, 2011 at 7:01
0

What kind of keyboard do you have? If you can get used to an ergonomic keyboard, you might find it easier because the keyboard is split. Mine has the number keys like this:

123456  7890
Improve this answer
1
  • I've tried with microsoft ergo 4000: left hand makes a bit longer way to right side of keyboard and precision still low...
    – Meta
    Feb 23, 2011 at 5:46
-1

Move the keyboard about 50cm to the left and use the numpad.

Improve this answer
0

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .