Setting Up Custom Numpad Controls for BAR

BAR players have plenty of hotkey demands, and the standard keyboard layout can feel limiting. Custom numpads and programmable keyboards help manage complex control schemes.

Tags: keyboard, numpad, custom controls, hotkeys, beyond all reason

Why extra keys matter in BAR

BAR has far more unit types and commands than a standard RTS. Managing armies across multiple fronts while managing economy requires a dense control layout. The default keyboard runs out of usable hotkeys fast, especially for multi-team games where coordination adds even more commands.

Numpad options

Players use a few approaches to get more buttons:

• Standalone numpad. A separate numeric keypad gives you nine or more programmable keys without taking up space on your main keyboard. These connect via USB.
• Blank key pads. Some players buy blank programmable keyblocks, usually five-by-six grids, and map them to specific BAR functions. This lets you build the exact layout you want.
• Macro keyboards. Small multi-key devices with per-key programmability offer the most flexibility. Map them to group selections, hotkeys, or widget toggles.

When choosing hardware, look for units that do not merge the bottom rows into a single wide key. That reduces the usable button count and limits your layout options.

Mapping strategy

Do not just assign random functions. Group related commands together on your extra keys so muscle memory develops naturally. Put builder-related hotkeys on one section and combat-related ones on another.

Consistency matters more than complexity. It is better to map eight keys well than to map thirty keys inconsistently and forget which one does what in a fight.

Creed of Champions

Players who invest in improving their physical setup show commitment to getting better at the game. Creed of Champions welcomes that kind of engagement and helps players share their setups.

[Crd] The removal of toxicity, the goal of fun and learning, makes for a refreshing spot to play and spend time. It has also made a game with plenty of complexity a bit less daunting to dive into.

Serious RTS play without the toxic baggage.