How to Play Descent With a Controller
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2016 2:22 pmFor some of you may know that I use a controller to play Descent. I want to share why I use a controller, what kind of controller, and the programs needed.
There are a couple of reasons why I use a controller over a mouse + KB or joystick is that :
1) Easier on the hands, I remember being a joystick player and after a few matches my hand would hurt tremendously. Now, I can play hours with my hand hurting.
2) Easier to play Descent on the big screen in my living room.
3)Maneuverability AND Accuracy. If Descent was a traditional FPS, then I would have to agree that a mouse has an edge over a controller, but because Descent isn't how fast you can click and aim this makes this option more appealing. On a controller you are holding all the flight controls at the same time meaning so you can click the necessary buttons faster.
For a while its been concluded that you can't play Descent and be "good" on a controller. I want to show everybody what I use.There are various controller options pilots can use.
1) First I use the Xbox Elite Controller. This controller has all the necessary buttons for full range of motion without any restrictions.
Here is the back end
The buttons on the back are my slide up/down, bank right/left
Since Descent (right now) isn't controller friendly, you need some programs that help it make it run.
You need the Xbox Accessories app(Windows Store), Xpadder( google it) or something similar, SharpKeys(Google It) for the optional recommended Chat pad.
i) The Xbox Accessories app is needed for the paddles at the bottom end of the controller. Because Windows doesn't add these paddles as additional buttons, we need to map them to existing buttons on the face of the controller. (This was the biggest bummer of my entire set up). I use the D pad to map to the paddles.
ii) Because Descent isn't controller friendly you need a program called xpadder. It is a program that maps controller, joystick inputs to the keyboard or mouse. I use it for my trigger buttons because Descent views the trigger buttons as axes and can be only used for throttle, bank etc. Xpadder can be used for setting double tap commands to the buttons for more flexibility in game.
iii) The chat pad is highly recommended addition to the controller. Its pretty much a small qwerty keyboard for your controller
The chat pad is only for Windows 10 and will not work for anything older. For the most part the chat pad is plug and play, but there are two buttons, the x1 and x2 buttons that is a exclusive feature for xbox one( which has various functions on xb1). This will not work for windows 10. That's where sharp keys come into play. I map the x1 and x2 buttons to the f8 and esc buttons on the chat pad for a complete controller experience. I don't have to take my hands off the controller to type away in descent. I also use the chat pad for random buttons functions like energy converter or toggle bomb. The chat pad has a mic mute and volume controls to manage your headset.
2) If you are not scared and want to play Descent on a standard Xbox One Controller, well you can. All you need is the xpadder program and the optional sharpkeys if you want the chat pad. You don't need the Xbox Accessories app because you don't have any paddles to map to. I will upload configs for both elite and standard controllers.
Note: The only thing about playing Descent on the standard controller is that you are hindered from quickly pressing buttons for quick maneuvers. With my config, I fixed that (sorta).
Note: If you want a controller, but if the elite is to expensive(which it is) there are other options. The Power A Fusion Controller which has the buttons at the bottom, but it is not compatible with the chat pad. Another expensive option is the scuff controller, it too has the buttons on the back end. Again not combatable with the chat pad.
There are a couple of reasons why I use a controller over a mouse + KB or joystick is that :
1) Easier on the hands, I remember being a joystick player and after a few matches my hand would hurt tremendously. Now, I can play hours with my hand hurting.
2) Easier to play Descent on the big screen in my living room.
3)Maneuverability AND Accuracy. If Descent was a traditional FPS, then I would have to agree that a mouse has an edge over a controller, but because Descent isn't how fast you can click and aim this makes this option more appealing. On a controller you are holding all the flight controls at the same time meaning so you can click the necessary buttons faster.
For a while its been concluded that you can't play Descent and be "good" on a controller. I want to show everybody what I use.There are various controller options pilots can use.
1) First I use the Xbox Elite Controller. This controller has all the necessary buttons for full range of motion without any restrictions.
Here is the back end
The buttons on the back are my slide up/down, bank right/left
Since Descent (right now) isn't controller friendly, you need some programs that help it make it run.
You need the Xbox Accessories app(Windows Store), Xpadder( google it) or something similar, SharpKeys(Google It) for the optional recommended Chat pad.
i) The Xbox Accessories app is needed for the paddles at the bottom end of the controller. Because Windows doesn't add these paddles as additional buttons, we need to map them to existing buttons on the face of the controller. (This was the biggest bummer of my entire set up). I use the D pad to map to the paddles.
ii) Because Descent isn't controller friendly you need a program called xpadder. It is a program that maps controller, joystick inputs to the keyboard or mouse. I use it for my trigger buttons because Descent views the trigger buttons as axes and can be only used for throttle, bank etc. Xpadder can be used for setting double tap commands to the buttons for more flexibility in game.
iii) The chat pad is highly recommended addition to the controller. Its pretty much a small qwerty keyboard for your controller
The chat pad is only for Windows 10 and will not work for anything older. For the most part the chat pad is plug and play, but there are two buttons, the x1 and x2 buttons that is a exclusive feature for xbox one( which has various functions on xb1). This will not work for windows 10. That's where sharp keys come into play. I map the x1 and x2 buttons to the f8 and esc buttons on the chat pad for a complete controller experience. I don't have to take my hands off the controller to type away in descent. I also use the chat pad for random buttons functions like energy converter or toggle bomb. The chat pad has a mic mute and volume controls to manage your headset.
2) If you are not scared and want to play Descent on a standard Xbox One Controller, well you can. All you need is the xpadder program and the optional sharpkeys if you want the chat pad. You don't need the Xbox Accessories app because you don't have any paddles to map to. I will upload configs for both elite and standard controllers.
Note: The only thing about playing Descent on the standard controller is that you are hindered from quickly pressing buttons for quick maneuvers. With my config, I fixed that (sorta).
Note: If you want a controller, but if the elite is to expensive(which it is) there are other options. The Power A Fusion Controller which has the buttons at the bottom, but it is not compatible with the chat pad. Another expensive option is the scuff controller, it too has the buttons on the back end. Again not combatable with the chat pad.
