[PS4] Flask controls

As someone who played the game since beta on pc and is now a casual console player i have to say that for me the biggest detriment of the console version is the flawed flask control.

The regular gameplay of having 3-4 flasks up on cooldown isn't really possible and even when remapping the flask buttons to r2 and l2 it is very hard to press 4 buttons as well as running and attacking every couple of seconds.

My suggestion would be to add the option to bind flasks to the same key. That way you could bind your cd flasks to r1 and your situational flask(s) to l1 or something. Imo that wouldn't be any advantage over the pc controls since pressing 4 adjacent keys on keyboard is much easier.

I can sympathize as I play on the Xbox.

But, I also now have an XBox "Elite" controller I just started using. It makes the issue of rotating flasks a bit easier. Though, it's far from intuitive for me at this point. (Muscle memory is improving, though.)

The PS4 has it's own version of "Elite" controllers. Third-party products, from what I can tell, but with the appropriate tools to customize them, either should work.

The better thing is to first ask GGG IF they can test these controllers to let PS4 players that the control mapping tools for them do not cause any problem. Once they give the go-ahead... Well, you'll need to buy one if you want your life to be easier. (For XBox, an "Elite" controller is around $180.00 and it's a bit overpriced, IMO. But... there's no competing products because "Micro$oft.")

You can get cronusmax device for 60$ and bind keys how you like, even run a macros.

Thank you for your suggestions but there's a problem with simply rebinding the buttons:
If you rebind R1 and L1 to the same button for instance, you will no longer be able to reorganize your stash tabs or perform other actions that normally require either button to be activated individually.

Besides: i don't think you should be forced into buying expensive peripherals in order to use a mechanic that is as core as regular flask use.

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jaav wrote:

You can get cronusmax device for 60$ and bind keys how you like, even run a macros.

That's just an adapter, though, right? It doesn't actually "add buttons that are easier to reach." And, using macros and the like "might be" outside of the EULA or at least frowned upon by GGG/someone?

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Hassgranate wrote:

...Besides: i don't think you should be forced into buying expensive peripherals in order to use a mechanic that is as core as regular flask use.

I agree.

On XBox, one can use the left, up, and right, D-Pad controls to access the second, third, and fourth flasks. It's terribly cumbersome, though, and basically requires one either learn to reach over with one's right thumb or figure out the mechanics of still using the directional joystick on the left while thumbing the D-Pad... It ain't easy. :)

An Elite controller, for the XBox, adds four paddles on the bottom that can be easily accessed by one's otherwise unoccupied fingers.

But, like you, I don't like the fact that the only way to make it easy to access game controls is to buy an expensive controller. I bought one on impulse and didn't use it for a year... I started it using a couple of weeks ago when I had issues with my standard controller. It DOES make a huge difference, but I'm still fighting muscle memory and end up using the DPad sometimes in a pinch.

To be honest, though - GGG doesn't have much of a choice. This is what happens with just about all PC games when they get ported to consoles. And, it's a major topic that PC players complain about when they get a game ported from consoles.

XBox now "supports" Mouse and Keyboard controls. But, it's only supported for a very limited number of games. For myself, I don't want that can of worms opened up as I want to still be able to play PoE while sitting in my "comfy chair." :)

I don't see an issue. I have no problem having all flasks up at once, and even better it comes without the carpal tunnel inducing piano flasking ala keyboard.

Just use your left thumb to press the d-pad buttons in a circular motion, all three nearly at once. Takes less than a second.

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RentalCookie127 wrote:

I don't see an issue. I have no problem having all flasks up at once, and even better it comes without the carpal tunnel inducing piano flasking ala keyboard.

Just use your left thumb to press the d-pad buttons in a circular motion, all three nearly at once. Takes less than a second.

I don't see how that isn't a huge time loss with my build because i would have to let go of the left stick and therefore stop running. Which i don't want to do. Because i gotta go fast.

At that point the advantage of having the flasks up wouldn't outweight the fact that i'm stopping every couple of seconds to gulp down said flasks.

I also like to complain prolifically but just know that you are not at a disadvantage because of your controller.

And fine, I get your point. But if you get good, which you probably will, you will also get real good at pressing and doing whatever the heck you want with your controller without stopping anything. I put my index finger on the left thumb stick to move around while the thumb presses all flask buttons on the d-pad in under a second.

My point is that you just need to git gud, and you will if you play more.

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My point is that you just need to git gud, and you will if you play more.

So your point is that there is no reason to improve the controls because you can awkwardly manage to press the required buttons?

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Hassgranate wrote:

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My point is that you just need to git gud, and you will if you play more.

So your point is that there is no reason to improve the controls because you can awkwardly manage to press the required buttons?

Much like playing Monster Hunter on PSP, there just isn't enough buttons on the controller for all of these functions. Which, ironically, is where the above "technique" is derived from. It works much better on a PS4 controller, however, due to the symmetrical layout which allows you to curl your index finger across the 'left', 'up', and 'right' portions of the d-pad. It's awkward, yes, but not unreasonable.