programmable mouse for D2 ?

I don't play World of Warcraft, but I'm aware of the existence of a SteelSeries mouse with 15 or so programmable buttons. Playing my Barb, I often find myself wanting to cast a series of Battle Command, Shout, Battle Orders, etc. and thus doing this sequence: F1, right-click, F2, right-click, F3, right-click, F4, right-click. It occurs to me that it would be handy to have a macro-programmable mouse button so that I could accomplish all that with one action. Might help other character types, too.

Am I just way behind the times here? Is there an option? Are others playing this way, and I just don't know about it?

While we're here, is there any advantage to a so-called "gaming keyboard" over a standard keyboard? If so, which one, and what does it get me?

Thanks for any helpful advice.|||I would say that a programmable mouse would be pretty cool to have although in most cases in diablo 2 the scroll function usually suffices. In the case of the battle orders and such that you go through on your barb it would save time to have the macro but its not really saving much since they are usually done once at the beginning of a run and then not thought of again until the next time or if another player joins. Sorcs would be somewhat the same as they have the chilling armor, energy shield, and t-storm. Druids would summon all of their pets, etc. etc.

Gaming keyboards only have limited advantages over standard keyboards but some definately prefer them. Here are some of the differences:

- Usually have some form of backlighting for easier to read keys in dark light settings

- Higher durability for multiple key presses that might wear down a normal keyboard faster

- Offering of hot keys that would perform multiple actions (much like your programmable mouse idea)

- Usually more eurgonomic so it is more comfortable to use over a longer period of time

- Slightly faster response time (although this is not noticeable to the human eye it can sometimes make a difference)

It really all comes down to preference, but I get by with just a standard keyboard.|||There was this in the SPF a while back.


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I think the best solution which gives maximum satisfaction is to stick with the current position of no macros. I will add it more clearly to the SP(T)F Rules though.




I wouldn't use it if you want to trade in SP|||A lot of different positions are brought up in that thread (I read through around the first four pages and the last page to see the closing position). Multiple arguements are made and I'd rather not get involved in an arguement regarding them when I dont have anything more than a standard mouse with a scroll function, haha. There were multiple good points on both side but overall I still see it as a preference of play and the time saved is fractional seconds if best.|||You can keep the right mouse button pressed down during the barb buff sequence, and tap each of the bo-keys at correct timings instead. Or just roll over keys, if sufficient fcr is available might seem easier.



Your suggestions are generally done at the software level, instead of employing expensive specialist hardware. Though that is against the conditions of battle.net, so too is the hardware option , given premise of algorithmic analogousness|||Well, I hadn't considered that a macro could be thought of as leaning toward being a bot, but now that it's been explained (thank you, Nigel IncubatorJones), I'll avoid any sort of macro or programmed key on mouse or keyboard. I'm very anti-bot, and I don't want to do anything that even remotely resembles automated play.

I tried zrk's suggestion of holding down the right mouse button while running through the shout function keys, and it's a bit like "fanning" a single-action revolver*. Anyway, casting all the shouts like that was amusing once or twice, but I won't keep doing it.

Thanks for the opinions and information, people.

* What, you've never seen a Western?|||One thing you might consider is remapping the commands to a cluster of keys that fall easily under the hand, instead of using the function keys. It's not quite as important for a barb, but for classes that switch skills a lot during play it can be a lifesaver.