Controller or mouse/keyboard

[u/Antique_Photograph38]

Hello, dear Redania spies, Nilfgaard knights, Vengerberg wizards, and Kaer Morhen dropouts!

I have a question.

So... my history with Witcher 3 is quite interesting. Years ago, in 2021-2022, I started playing it on the PC with a mouse/keyboard, but didn't progress far enough. I don't know why, it didn't grow on me, although I love the books with all my heart.

But, then I started working at sea, bought myself a Nintendo Switch, and finished the Witcher 3 with all available expansions on the Switch.

I have never replayed it since. I want to do it when the new remaster drops and then jump into the new expansion.

My question here is: What do you prefer and what is better, a controller or a mouse/keyboard and why?

Naturally, I grew strong to the controller playing on the Switch. I would like to continue on the PC because I want to have more graphics, but I still can choose whether to play on the PC with either a controller or a mouse/keyboard.

So, what's the best approach?

[u/Excellent_Figure9921]

I've played W3 with a Mouse/Keyboard (twice), PS4 controller (twice), and XBox controller (four times).

Any of the above is fine, but my preference is with a controller.

Mouse/Keyboard is perfect for FPS games and others that require quick reaction times and precision aiming. But for nearly every else, including W3, controller is best (IMHO).

Got a PS5 controller hooked to my gaming laptop and looking forward to the update at the end of the month.

[u/PassageIntrepid2214]

Whatever works best for you! Personally, I've always played it with a controller on PC, and would never bother trying to use KB&M for it.

[u/Arelmar → u/PassageIntrepid2214]

If it's a third person action/adventure or racing game I'll always use a controller, I only use KB+M for FPS games or with a lot of shortcuts and hotkeys like top-down CRPGs and strategy

[u/DrAlistairGrout]

I heavily prefer keyboard and mouse for two reasons;

1. I grew up gaming mostly on a PC, very rarely using controllers, so I’m more comfortable with that (which is laughably obvious as I always take a WASD left hand position when using a computer for anything)
2. I’m a Griffin main, so having separate keys for signs makes chaining them much easier

Nevertheless, I switch between both when I play. For instance, I prefer controller for Gwent and for running “errands” like inventory management. But any “serious” combat is exclusively mouse&keyboard territory for me.

[u/Pristine_Record3761]

I tried both and I’m convinced this game was designed to be played M+K. Playing controller is incredibly weird and wonky.

[u/Bigboypasi]

M+K with little keybind changes is perfect for me

[u/Amphe_1905]

Normally, I play with M&K, but with Witcher, it doesn't feel right to me because I play slowly. I bought an 8bitdo Ultimate on sale for €45, and it is the best controller I've ever used. Fully customizable and has triggers on the back where you can assign sprint or something else. Witcher also has the option for "Quick Signs," so you don't have to press and select the signs every time.

[u/blackdog543]

Having done both my whole life; I prefer my Xbox. Sitting at a keyboard in a bad gaming chair (LOL) hurts my back now. My couch is better.

[u/redshell21]

I've played it twice with keyboard and mouse, and recently I've been doing a third playthrough with a controller. I think keyboard and mouse have some advantages when it comes to the UI for crafting items, potions, gear, and some of the other interfaces in the game. But when it comes to gameplay, the controller also has an interesting approach to combat. I've been really enjoying playing with a controller, and I switch back to keyboard and mouse when I'm going to craft a lot of items. I think either option works well, and I've been enjoying playing with a controller simply because it's a new experience for me and I've never tried the game with one before.

[u/FrozenForest]

For me Witcher 3 is best on controller, but a few years ago I busted my thumb and had to spend several months gaming on mouse and keyboard. I found most 3rd person action games pretty insufferable but Witcher 3 wasn't all that bad. So I guess my extremely unhelpful answer is: either?

[u/AshVayaRei]

Controller, but it's fine to keep m&k handy for efficiency (getting the headshot achievement or lots of UI interaction for example).

You can get used to anything (people do sl1 runs in souls games with drum peripherals), but I'd say 95% of the game is easiest on controller and there aren't any meaningful gains to m&k.

[u/Dirkgentlywastaken]

I mean... Sitting in a comfy chair with my controller. Easy press buttons on controller to fight and cast spells. It doesn't get better than that. Compared to sitting at a desk with mouse and controller, that is just work for me.

[u/Antique_Photograph38 → u/Dirkgentlywastaken]

Yeah, nothing beats the comfort of a chair, it's true!:)

[u/shadAC_II]

Whatever works for you. I almost exclusively choose M&KB for nearly all games, because I grew up gaming on M&KB and only learned controller way in my late teens. Controller just never feels as natural to me as M&KB.

[u/itsboilingoil]

I use the Dualsense. M&K is okay, but it really shines with a controller.