So I'm happy to provide the updated Xpadder profile for anyone who is interested in using an Xbox 360 pad or similar controller to play GW2. This is not compatible with Mac, but unlike the previous iterations before HoT it will work on any version of Windows including 8 and 10!
If not using an X360 pad, for example for those with XB1 controllers, you can download
X360CE which allows you to use any controller as though it were a 360 pad.
Setup is very simple, and only needs to be done once. Best of all, GW2 stores control keybinds server side so you can take your gamepad solution with you to any other PC and it'll work fine!
Download: Full Package Here (It's only 4 files!)
This package has
everything you need to be set up and play GW2 with a 360 pad.
This is using a slightly newer but still 100% freeware, legit legacy version of Xpadder. For the cautious/paranoid who don't want to use the .exe from my git package, here is a link to the installer for Xpadder hosted on a tech site:
http://techapple.net/2015/06/tutorial-to-configure-gamepad-using-xpadder-for-windows-78-110/
Setup:
1. Extract all files to any folder (your GW2 folder works fine).
2. Right-click on Xpadder.exe and set these Compatibility options.
If you're on Windows 7, it should work without these settings. If you encounter any issues, just check "Run as administrator."
3. Use these settings and keybinds in GW2 (for the keybinds, I set things in the secondary column, so you can still use your own keybinds for actual keyboard play):
4. Open Xpadder.exe. It will launch in your tray in the bottom right.
That's it! If your 360 pad (or alike) is set up properly in Windows devices, you should see this without any other wrangling:
Features:
- Compatible with any class.
- Familiar, ergonomic action game-like mappings.
- Full camera, zoom, and targeting control through gamepad.
- Toggle between Action Camera and Cursor Mode, with access and control over map; access to inventory, hero screen and more for basic functions without a mouse.
- Advanced bindings such as autorun, stow/draw weapons, HUD-less screenshots, and about face.
- Does not interfere with basic mouse/keyboard control when desired.
Controls:
Hit F9 on the Keyboard once to toggle Action Cam and then grab your gamepad.
Basics
(RB is your
Utility Toggle and is held down in combination with related buttons for many functions)
Left Thumbstick = Move character
Right Thumbstick = Move camera
RB + Right Thumbstick up/down = Zoom in/Zoom out
X = 1 attack/autoattack (main-hand)
Y = 2 attack (main-hand)
B = 3 attack (main-hand)
LB = 4 attack (offhand)
LT = 5 attack (offhand)
L3 (Click left stick) = Weapon swap
RB + X = 7 skill (utility)
RB + Y = 8 skill (utility)
RB + B = 9 skill (utility)
RB + LB = 6 skill (heal)
RB + LT = 10 skill (elite)
A = Jump
RB + A = Interact
RT = Dodge (hold RT to Show Nameplates/Show interactive objects on screen)
D-pad Up = F1 mechanic
D-pad Right= F2 mechanic
D-pad Down = F3 mechanic
D-pad Left = F4 mechanic
RB + D-pad Down = F5 mechanic
RB + D-pad Right = Special mechanic (story specific actions)
Start = ESC
Back = Toggle Action Camera/Cursor Mode
Targeting
While holding RB, flick the right stick left or right to cycle through available targets.
R3 (Click right stick) = Target whatever is directly under your cursor
RB + R3 (Click right stick) = Call out selected target for Party
RB + L3 (Click left stick) = Select an already-called target
Cursor Mode
Hold the Back button to enter Cursor Mode, which will disable Action Camera until you release Back.
(In Cursor Mode
RB = Left Click
RT = Right Click
X = Hero menu
Y = Map (Map control: RB + Right stick to zoom in and out, map will recenter around cursor when zooming in; Hold RT to pan map around)
B = WvW menu
A = Inventory
Start = ESC/Close Menu
Advanced Controls (this stuff is in no way necessary to play and enjoy the game, but still neat things to do without putting down your controller):
RB + D-pad Up = Autorun
RB + D-pad Right = Stow/draw weapons
RB + D-pad Left = Toggle walk/run
(Underwater) RB + Hold D-pad Down = Swim down
Back + LT = About Face (Hold Back, Hit LT to quickly reverse direction)
(In Cursor Mode) D-pad Left = Show/hide chat window
(In Cursor Mode) D-pad Up = Take screenshot
(In Cursor Mode) D-pad Right = Disable/Enable UI
(In Cursor Mode, while UI is present) D-pad Down = Take HUD-less screenshot
(In Cursor Mode, hovering over a skill) LB = Set autoattack (useful for Guild Rushes for sonar skill)
Tips:
- Play with the in-game Camera Rotation Speed to find an aiming sensitivity that you like.
- If anything feels weird, just try moving around a bit and the control scheme should reset to normal. Remember you can easily close any open windows with Start.
- Your Zoom level controls the actual position of the crosshair on your screen. Generally, you want to be zoomed out to the point where it is at the highest point possible to make AoE aiming easy. You can zoom in on the fly if you need to cast something at your feet for example. Note that the crosshair position is fixed on-screen according to your zoom level, independent of character height or viewing angle (see below).
- Without a target selected, your skills are aimed directly at your crosshair. Because of this, for many skills (especially projectiles and cleaves) you may find yourself having no need to target at all. However, it is still useful if, for example, your next target is something behind you or has another targetable creature obstructing it, or if you plan to use a movement skill to reposition yourself before moving your camera.
- All of the different AoE targeting options are compatible with this solution. I prefer the normal way, but you should feel free to experiment and see what you like best. You can also try Autotargeting and Promote Skill Target though I find they slightly hinder the "action game" feel.
Changes from previous versions of the solution:
For Gamepad vets around here, these are the major things that are different now that will take a little getting used to.
- No more AutoHotKey at all! With Action Camera, Xpadder is the sole, super-lightweight app needed to pull this off.
- With the Disable Action Cam hold-toggle in game, the Back button can be held to access Cursor Mode, which should dramatically reduce or eliminate getting "stuck" in the wrong set.
- X is Left Click rather than the 1 key; while this has no major effect, it does make it very convenient to quickly interact with certain popups (for example, NPC dialogue or Guild Mission prompts) without entering Cursor Mode.
- Clicking the right stick to target what is under your crosshair is a feature I've completely adapted to not need, but can be very useful.
Give this a shot if you're interested in playing with a 360 pad! It's a lot more natural in practice than it looks, I promise.
If you have any questions or any trouble setting it up, feel free to PM me.