BAR control layout and hotkey presets you should know about

Build menu looks different from older videos

If you watched a BAR tutorial and the build order in the menu seems reversed, the reason is almost certainly the control layout. BAR defaults to the Grid layout now. Older content creators often used Legacy, which sorted units differently by cost. The Grid layout organizes units by role and tech tier, which most players find more intuitive once they are used to it.

New players should stick with Grid. It is the default for good reason. Legacy is available if you need the older sorting, but you will be learning on an interface the community has moved away from.

Switching control presets

BAR supports multiple hotkey presets you can change at any time. The configuration files sit in the game directory under the luaui configs folder. The num keys preset defines alternative keybinds for numbered factory queues. Edit the file and reload the game, or swap presets through the in-game settings panel.

The formation movement keys are Ctrl-click and Alt-click. Most players bind their most-used commands to the number row for factory control. Hotkey presets are global settings, so they carry across all maps and matches.

Practice the new layout

Spend a few skirmish games on Altair Crossing getting comfortable with the Grid menu. Find your builder queue and factory queue without rushing. Once the muscle memory clicks, the role-based sorting speeds up production decisions compared to the old cost-sorted layout.