The Ultimate Beginner's Guide on How To Set Up a Controller to Play World of Warcraft in 2023

[@lukewilson8084]

This is just what I have been looking for, as someone who plays this game for far too many hours on weekends, I didnt even know about controller support! Gonna try and adjust myself in the hybrid setup too

[@Renfail]

There's add-ons as well if you end up wanting to dive deep down the rabbit hole if hybrid isn't working for you.

[@lukewilson8084]

@@Renfail thank you for the heads up, I’ll have a look and see what’s what

[@puppethound]

If you are using the controller for just chill game play, eg. Quests, Gathering materials, pretty much casual LFR or leveling in dungeons. I suggest the following macro called a "Cast sequence" macro: /castsequence [options] reset=(condition) action1, action2, action3 For instance: /castsequence reset=30 Piercing Howl, Hamstring ***30 being the amount of seconds until the macro resets back to the first ability if the button isn't pressed. I set mine to 1 second and the wait is just the global cool down, so you can spam a sequence of actions and if you are like me, I just hit what ability is off cool down. Like I said, it's not optimal is some cases, but it works, even in dungeons and you won't feel like dead weight. Caveats: The macro is case sensitive and the action must be spelled just like the tool tip reads. Also between actions or commands there must be a comma followed by a space. These are easy to write and you can find more info all across the internet. I say this because you can then macro all single target attacks to one button, then all AoE skills to one button, this is so you can use more abilities on one button without having to use modifiers like ctrl or shift, which can be set to LB and Rb respectively. While this is not the "pro way" of setting up your abilities, it still works. I did the same thing for Guild Wars 2, which I set up the controller to resemble ESO on the Xbox, so my buttons did pretty much the same thing, eg Summon mount, open map, use my ultimate or whatever. I did this because ESO on console is already setup obviously and the transition was seemless. I hope this helps. Playing with a controller is really Master Race, hunched over a M and KB is for those who like neck, back stiffness and carpal tunnel.

[@tristanvelazquez5706]

This is genius, thank you!

[@sethandbeans1876]

I'm 39 and recently developed some serious joint issues that have made it harder for me to play on mouse and keyboard. It may take relearning quite a bit of muscle memory, but I definitely appreciate this video. Thank you.

[@Renfail]

Best of luck!

[@amandalynne829]

I have cerebral palsy, and need to use a controller as well as keyboard and mouse. Your video was super helpful. Thank you so much!

[@Renfail]

You're welcome!

[@86hands]

How do I move an ability from one action bar to another like where you just drag an ability to re slot it somewhere else?

[@Renfail]

you just drag it. Need to have hotkey dragging enabled in the options

[@alexgoldstein7997]

Thanks friend enjoying playing this game much more this way. Steep learning curve but very fun game.

[@Renfail]

fun times ahead!

[@jeremybeadle7961]

The last time I used keyboard and mouse for gaming was the Amiga 500. Thanks for this.

[@Renfail]

Cheers

[@rupturedguts7328]

I am the same am to old and need something less stress on the wrists

[@BubbleoniaRising]

Good on ya, bud! I can definitely see how this would be useful for dragonflight races, even if you never used it for regular gameplay.

[@Renfail]

I just cleared a few of those this morning, actually. I don't know that I would have been able to do it with mouse =P

[@MrChancyG]

thanks man great video

[@Renfail]

thx

[@PconeMelon]

Thanks a bunch for this! I’ve got the same issues with my hands & arms in the past few years but still want to keep playing and the controller is a godsend for me. Has anyone had the issue where the left stick is controlling both character movement and cursor movement at the same time? Any ideas how to fix that? Thanks!

[@Renfail]

Cheers, and no idea about the issue you are having.

[@johnnychipello919]

Thanks for the great video! Its nice not having to use an add on for the controller!

[@Renfail]

Absolutely.

[@dibooooooo]

thank you very much for this guide! my english is not the very best, but i finally understood how to configure the controller. for the time being i'm only interested in ingame fishing. if it works the way i want it to, i'll continue testing.

[@Renfail]

have fun

[@manic_miner]

Would love to use my controller but it is constantly connecting/disconnecting. Any ideas? Windows 11, controller firmware is up to date. Thanks!

[@Bewefau]

Help, on windows 7 when I try to use wireless the movement control sticks are way off and backwards but its fine when its usb plugged in.

[@Ezudane]

Thanks for the vid. I was hoping for a bit more on targeting party members for heals and chat interactions. I have a steam deck which has a virtual keyboard so I was hoping to use the controller 100% for all functionality.

[@Renfail]

You can program buttons as you wish; so you can set up your target buttons however you want, and your heal buttons the same.

[@Ezudane]

@@Renfail much appreciated and I value your expertise. When healing on Kb/M I would select my target with my mouse on the raid/partyframe and use the shortcut. What is the best way on a controller to do the same quickly? For reference I've been paying FFXIV for the last few years and they used the d-pad to rotate targeting with team members. I have no frame of reference to know if this is the best way possible, bearing in mind healing in WOW is harder and needs better reactions.

[@Renfail]

@@Ezudane you can literally map whatever you want to whatever hotkeys you want, so if you want the d-pad as the selection for your party members, you can set it up that way

[@jersbowman]

First of all, fantastic guide, thank you! Have you (or anyone reading this) ever run into an issue where if you go AFK and controller disconnects, it will not reconnect. When this happens I have to logout and restart the game. This doesn't seem to happen with any other game where I use a controller. I've tried reloading the UI but doesn't seem to help.

[@Renfail]

Nope, haven't had any issues.

[@Cosmic_Nomad]

So I wasn’t putting the space in between . That’s why it wasn’t working. Now I can move around with my controller, but my inputs still show the keyboard. Trying to figure that out now! lol. Thanks for the video 🙏🏻

[@Renfail]

The inputs are explained in this video :)

[@Cosmic_Nomad]

@@Renfail I ended up having to log in and out a few times . Works now, just need to map . Thanks for the help!

[@jacksparrow5480]

Do I have to redo my controller settings every time I login be because it doesn't save when I disconnect form the game

[@Renfail]

mine save automatically.

[@spud312001]

Returning player. I gave not played since MOP. I like yourself am a little older and my wrists and fingers are not as nimble as they used to be. So over the moon to know I can use a Xbox controller to play wow. I also main play a hunter and was wondering what add ons you use and anything else I should need to know to make my playing more fun. Cheers for the video. Plus new subscriber.

[@Renfail]

Enjoy :)

[@drewdabrew4745]

This makes playing on the steam deck easier than ever !!

[@vincentholguin3415]

Hi had a question when im attacking sometimes i try to use my right trigger for my ability but wont work because the mouse arrow shows up and i have to kinda move around its annoying in mythic keys when im trying to attack and i cant

[@Renfail]

that's an issue with your keybinds for interact

[@vincentholguin3415]

@@Renfail ah ok thank you ill check that out

[@duttdits]

I've been using a curseforge addon, and while it serves its purpose, it's clunky feeling. I'm definitely removing it and switching to this. Thanks for the guide!

[@Renfail]

cheers

[@JH48092]

Does anyone know how to setup the left joystick to strafe when pressing left/right on it. Also, does anyone know how to turn character with right joystick?

[@Renfail]

No idea

[@nightboard9926]

The problem I'm running into is as a healer. I can't cycle through my party members to select which ones to heal. I have the options of "Nearest" and "Previous". So, If I have to run one direction and heal the target behind me, he's screwed, 'cause it wont target him. Is there some kind of setting that will let me tab through party members in a predictable manner?

[@Renfail]

I made targeting macros that I use the D-pad for

[@XbandTv]

Is there a way to "export" the gamepad keybindings from my Desktop after setting them up, so I can "import" them onto my laptop? To avoid having to set everything up from scratch all over again?

[@Renfail]

not that I'm aware

[@XbandTv]

@@Renfail darn. I was hoping there was a gamepad conif file i could just copy and paste to another machine

[@edwardackley8707]

great video :), now can you use foot pedals with the controller? (ie for shift, ctrl, alt)?

[@Renfail]

I have zero clue

[@edwardackley8707]

@@Renfail thx lol looks like going to have to play around with it

[@halloweenholiday4446]

Ren I got a question about console port addon. It was working perfectly with bagnon addon. But out of the blue I no longer can move my cursor over my bag items .it's like console doesn't "see" it on screen. Can you tell me if you dealt with this and how to handle it

[@Renfail]

I don't use any addons, so I can't fix that for ya

[@Bullpen_banter]

Thank you for this guide. One question…when ever I interact with an NPC my mouse goes away and I can’t use the controller to navigate thru the NPC if that makes sense. It makes me use my actual mouse but I want to be able to control the cursor with the joysticks and my controller. How do I fix this?

[@Renfail]

No idea. I use the mouse for NPC interactions

[@winifix]

ConsolePort solves that 100%, no mouse needed after setup is done.

[@Sorapis420]

Thankyou ❤

[@Renfail]

Welcome!

[@richadvice7844]

Does this work on classic servers?

[@BeePea-w7k]

Thanks for this. Do you know how to invert X and Y axis?

[@Renfail]

No, sorry

[@Sentient_Haze16]

You can invert the mouse in the native WoW settings and it will immediately translate to your controller at least as far as the camera goes.

[@MKS7710]

Does this work for Classic as well?

[@Renfail]

No, only retail

[@orang-utanklaus8998]

Thank you for the good explanation,...stay healthy and much success 😇✌

[@ypaut]

thanks!

[@jacksparrow5480]

How do I get rid of the mouse hand its not going away im using a controller it's being weird

[@Renfail]

No idea

[@pamelabrandt1742]

I bought a Rog Ally , I am wondering , if I change everything for that system , will I still be able to play on my computer . I still like to use my computer .

[@Renfail]

good luck :)

[@danielstelzer8370]

Use console controller addon instead

[@dackerman123]

The issue is that when you use keybinds, they are stored server side. So you either have to make duplicates of the config files and swap them, or deal with constantly rebinding keys when you go between controller/kb-mouse

[@AsuraTraitorr]

I hope it works better once WoW comes to Xbox & Playstation (it has to eventually) I've been playing FF14 on controller for 10 years and the controller support on that game is AMAZING. You can do EVERYTHING without tweaking or having to do work arounds (including high end difficult content) Hopefully Blizzard gets inspired by them and adds better a native controller support. One dayy !! XBOX WoW is definitely coming hopefully.

[@Renfail]

It already has native controller support, you just have to configure it, and it's highly unlikely it's ever coming to consoles.

[@AsuraTraitorr]

@@Renfail ah by native support I meant default key binds and configured by blizzard and not having us players do all the work. And dont say that !!!! Keep hopes up and hopefully it does now that Microsoft owns blizzard. Wow on consoles will be a huge plus for everyone.

[@diamondfinger]

They explicitly said they have no plans to bring it to console anytime soon, but they are giving players all the opportunities to play the game with their preferred input method thus allowing controller support - that is not a sign that it'll come to console by any means. Console Port definitely shines light as to what it could look like, but consoles would be at an extreme disadvantage due to lack of support with AddOns. Most if not all of players doing any end game content uses AddOns.

[@luigisposato5495]

@@Renfail ff14 on xbox now, anything is possible , i hope XD

[@blackmantis9216]

@@luigisposato5495ff14 was on ps as well… that don’t mean anything

[@gress12000]

How do you have 2 pets out and fighting?

[@Renfail]

Beastmaster spec

[@fsfs4]

tanks for the guide but if you use the add-on and torn off the action bar from the add-on the game work perfect with controller and no need to use the mouse again

[@Renfail]

I'm not interested in add-ons.

[@dead3nemy398]

What classes/specs would you say are easiest to play with controller?

[@Renfail]

Anything. You can set up hotbars and macros however you want which means there isn't really an "easiest" persay, as it just depends on the person.

[@heatherriggs3031]

I am using e l v u i. Edit mode does not highlight my bars. So how am I supposed to change the key binds? Well , I kind of figured out some of it , but There are some things I don't know how to Bind. And I have to use my finger on the touch screen such as looting... I'm old also, and my learning curve is not as great as it used to be. I'm just getting very frustrated

[@Renfail]

No idea; I don't use mods, so that's something you'll have to figure out.

[@easportssucks4347]

I've kinda had the opposite happen since I started to get older. My thumbs are FUCKED. It might be my work, but depending on the game controllers just kill my thumbs. I've had my wrist issues too, but I gotta be able to grip things with my thumbs, kind've a big part of being a human lol

[@Renfail]

weird stuff for sure. everyone ages different

[@winifix]

Neuro-Link for you, or Dreams they dont charge a monthly subscription.

[@jacksparrow5480]

Can't find it and is beastmaster easy with controller

[@Renfail]

I find it easy.

[@ice1981x]

How is the controller in PvP?

[@Renfail]

Couldn't tell you, as I don't PVP.

[@jacksparrow5480]

Im on your server and if its not to much trouble can you reply to me what macros your using so i can do the same ones plz sorry for asking its better for me if its written sorry

[@Renfail]

Just a simple /assist macro

[@jacksparrow5480]

What server you on na or eu and what alliance

[@Renfail]

It's all in the description text

[@Jamoinmoin12]

Is it possible to play fire mage good with Controller?

[@Renfail]

Yep

[@Jamoinmoin12]

@@Renfail thank you

[@jacksparrow5480]

What are the macro you use

[@Renfail]

There's another video somewhere on that

[@alexchesss]

ok it's admirable thank you. But I would like to know something. In the different pvp scenarios, you always try to cc some player (usually the healer or another as necessary) while hitting the current target. It is essential to keep an eye on the "focus" for this. So how can you easily set focus with a controller? Because this is the essential thing. The rest can be avoided, but not this. With my Dk I can perform a lethal draw on a player without even focusing using mouseover... No one really explains it because it is simply NOT feasible? I would like something honest. I'm having some problems with my neck and shoulders and it would be good for me to not completely give up the game while using the hands that are perfect...

[@Renfail]

don't PVP so I have no clue

[@alexchesss]

@@Renfail Let's see, I don't want to sound surly, but what does bacon have to do with speed?... Isn't focus done in PVE???

[@caesarvanvulpen2967]

For arena, it would probably be easiest to make three macros with "/focus [@arena1]", "/focus [@arena2]", and "/focus [@arena3]" and keybind those seperately, or "/focus [@target]" to make your current target your focus if you want to keep the number of keybinds down.

[@juergenblaeul944]

I suppose I'm searching for an Super Ultimate Beginner's Guide because I can't figure out how to keybind R2+X.

[@Renfail]

It's literally in the guide how to keybind

[@lonewiso]

This is going to be useful once WoW hits gamepass

[@Renfail]

we'll see

[@Mando7788]

Whats the actual reason they Are not bringing wow on Xbox or PlayStation?

[@Renfail]

Who cares? I'll play it where it's at

[@akoyisangpinoy4705]

i played ff14 with a controller b4. it was a pain. so many skills to press.

[@Renfail]

I didn't have any issues on the PS4; loved it.

[@winifix]

ConsolePort !!!

[@Renfail]

i prefer the native solution

[@thisisntthewholesomefuture649]

Controller support isn't good enough.. Not compared to how excellent FF14 is with controller comfort. Blizzard needs to do better. They should've literally copied FF14 outright.

[@Renfail]

ahhh yes, another entitled gamer.

[@thisisntthewholesomefuture649]

​@@Renfail You can't be serious? If this isn't sarcasm... Controller support is like the minimal you could ask for.. Accessibility for so many reasons is important. It's 2024 in a subscription based game.. and you have to buy the base game and every expansion afterwards. It's a controller! It's a Billion dollar company!

[@trickedouttech321]

why would you? That is my question. unless you have a disability ?

[@Renfail]

Why wouldn't you? It's the difference between sailing the seas in a wooden ship to travel abroad versus flying a private jet; I'll take the private jet every time and make the journey in mere hours compared to those who remain stuck in the past taking months to make the same journey.

[@BubbleoniaRising]

I mean... he literally talks about his tendonitis in the first minute of the video. Not sure how you missed it.

[@Renfail]

Some people, right? lol@@BubbleoniaRising

[@Sentient_Haze16]

I'm going to do this simply because I grew up on controllers since PONG and Atari 2600. Mostly, I can't type for shit and I'm tired of having to click everything.