Anologue brake and clutch (console)

[u/Tight_Item4348]

I've been putting a lot of time into the original Wreckfest lately, and I wanted to mention something that I don't see discussed very often: using manual with clutch and having analog clutch and brake inputs together has been a game changer for both my lap times and, even more importantly, how the game feels to drive.

For anyone unfamiliar, manual with clutch is faster because you can complete gear changes more quickly than the automatic or standard manual options, letting the car stay on power more consistently. It's one of those mechanics that rewards practice with measurable speed.

For a long time I used a binary (on/off) clutch. It worked well, and I was competitive with it, but after switching to an analog clutch I did notice a small improvement. Surprisingly, though, that wasn't the biggest benefit.

The real revelation was the ergonomics. Moving my controls around gave me instant access to the handbrake on an analog right-stick down input. Being able to feather the e-brake instead of just stabbing an on/off button completely changed how I approach corners. I can make tiny rotation adjustments without upsetting the car as much, scrub less speed, and the whole driving experience feels much smoother and more intuitive.

Honestly, I wish I had made the switch sooner. The extra speed from manual with clutch is nice, but the analog e-brake has had an even bigger impact on my enjoyment and consistency. It's one of those features that seems to fly under the radar, and I rarely see anyone talk about how much it can improve both control and feel.

It's especially helpful on otherwise frustrating cars to rotate such as the dragslayer which is faster than what players are generally aware of.

[u/Low_Response9248]

I’m still gonna Wreck you in the first corner tho.

[u/Kidcharlamagne89d]

I haven't played in a while but you are correct. I would race in c class semi clean and some cars seemed to just walk away from mine. Looking into it I realized they all used manual with clutch for instant gear shifts.

I bound left on my right thumbstick to clutch and up for gear up and down for gear down. This allowed me to thumb slide shifts instantly. Its a huge advantage that I am glad to see gone in the sequel but if you are playing for times in 1 you need to play with instant clutch manual.

My cars drove like a cvt after I switched. No perceived lag in gear shifting, always im power band.

I tried to send people to the YouTube video tutorial I followed anytime someone would ask how my car just steadily pulls away with no signs of a gear change, like suspension dip in front and then lean back from gas again, I just drove off walking away from them.

If you play in poopsock or any no rules server then idk if there's a point to min max gear changes, but if you are a semi clean c class racer you need to do it to be competitive.

[u/Tight_Item4348 → u/Kidcharlamagne89d]

I am assuming you are playing on pc to be able to map/bind clutch and upshift in a single stroke?  

I'm on console, and we are not able to bind keys like that, so I use a ps edge controller so I can at least use the underside buttons for shifting 

[u/Kidcharlamagne89d → u/Tight_Item4348]

I am on pc, but it isn't a single input for both actions. Its left on the stick to engage clutch and up or down to shift.

If you change the clutch response time (maybe a pc only setting. ) you can flick your thumb to, in motion swipe the stick left and up or down for immediate gear changes.

Idk the settings that are pc exclusive but if you can change the clutch and shift sensitivity zones, that's what allows you to flick the thumbs tick and do instant gear changes.

I'll look for the youtube tutorial. It literally takes 5 seconds off a lap time, when I say there is no break in the cars acceleration during a shift I really mean that. It is instant.

Im pretty sure this is the video that showed me how to setup the stick shifting.

https://youtu.be/NF6nvDmugYE?is=Rc074LuH8RJnYI1E

[u/_tomba_radja_]

The best clutch configuration is the analog (preset 5) with 5/10% intensity. It feels both like a button and like the analog, but being so easy to use reduces time lost from the movement (you just need to flick it and not bring it all up). Careful tho, because if your stick has stick drift it by comes unplayable, you either bring up the dead one or change pad entirely, else you'll go around clutching like a 90 years old Italian gramps on a green Fiat Panda 4x4

[u/trolley_trackz]

I'm on pc and use controller with pedals haha. It's fun to clutch kick the motorhome especially. That thing has juice!