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Key bindings allow you to bind or designate your character’s abilities to particular keyboard (or mouse) keys. By default World of Warcraft (WoW) binds a number of keys for you already, such as M for map and L for Quest Log. You are able to add to or even replace current key bindings through the key bindings option within your game menu. By simply adding your abilities to your action bars you can search for a particular action bar slot in the key bindings list and assign any key to it that you want. Make sure that you check the “Character Specific Key Bindings” checkbox at the top of your key bindings screen to ensure you only set up hot keys for that character.

Clicker’s vs Key binder’s

If you are new to WoW it is more than likely that you are a clicker and rely solely on your mouse to perform your characters abilities. I myself was a clicker when I first started out because I thought memorizing a bunch of keys required too much effort and why bother if I could just as easily do everything using my mouse. It took me over a year to give key bindings a go and realize the benefits they provide.

The transition from pure clicker to a keybinder can be difficult and quite frustrating. So I would suggest to only start off by binding 1-5 of your most essential abilities. These abilities should be given the “sweet spots” or the most accessible keys, so that they can be hit very quickly regardless of what else you may be doing at the time (i.e. strafing). Then it is a matter of practicing in order to truly memorize your bindings. You may initially need to look at your keys on occasion and yes, it might feel a bit awkward and frustrating, but you will become more comfortable and better over time and you can start adding more keys to your setup.

Gaming peripherals

I personally believe that the equipment you use can make a big difference in the success you have as a gamer. Gaming peripherals are making it easier than ever to take your gaming to the next level. For example a gaming mouse is a very convenient way to add additional key bindings as most come with at least 2-3 extra buttons. Similarly gaming keyboards are designed to provide a more accessible arrangement of keys. For those of you curious I’m currently using a WolfClaw Type II Gaming Keyboard and a Logitech G3 Laser Mouse. Please see my current key binding setup for my Combat specced rogue below.

From the image you can see that my starting base are the w, a, s, d movement keys and I have setup my ability key bindings around that. This setup takes care of about 95% of my abilities, and makes sure that I am prepared for any situation that may arise. This setup works for me, it may not work for you, but I firmly believe that once you have practiced your set of hot keys and you become comfortable with them, you’ll be a much more effective player.

No perfect system

Please note that there is no perfect key binding setup that all the pro player’s use. You have to arrange your bindings to suit your play style and ability with the keyboard. For example, a player with long fingers may have a setup different to a player with short fingers due to the larger number of keys they have easy access to. In fact you may have to try out a few different setups to figure out what works best for you.

Built for speed

If you want to be a competitive gamer you will have to use key bindings, period. Reaction time is everything, especially in PvP. A properly constructed set of key bindings will result in quicker more responsive usage of your abilities and hence improvements in performance in most aspects of the game. You don’t want to have to think about your next move and strain to find it on your action bar. And you definitely don’t want to change your focus to your action bar to choose a spell or ability when you should be focusing on what you are doing.

The fewer abilities you have to click the better. Remember, your hand on the mouse, no matter how fast and precise, will never be able to outmatch your memorization of the keyboard. With key bindings you only have to worry about choosing your next ability, then it’s simply a matter of the second nature finger-to-keyboard reactions kicking in to do the rest.

The best PvP’ers out there play based purely on memorization, reaction, and knowing their character. It’s through this memorization that they are able to make decisions faster and execute them.

For a great resource on key bindings and hot keys visit Zuggy’s Hot Keys Guide. Zuggy provides some useful information about building bindings for speed on a normal keyboard layout. Definitely worth a look!