Overview
The debate between using a mouse and keyboard versus a controller in Fortnite is heating up.
So what better time to consider which is the better choice for good?
On one side, mouse and keyboard users often mention a mouse’s precision and speed for aiming, allowing for fast and more accurate targeting. The keyboard also provides many valuable keys for commands and key binds, which can be vital for competitive games. This combination typically makes the mouse and keyboard the best choice for games that require accurate aiming and fast micro, such as Fortnite.
Controllers, on the other hand, offer a different set of advantages. The analogue sticks on controllers provide smoother and more unstable movement, which can benefit certain gameplay styles, particularly in games designed with consoles in mind.
Aim assist, a feature in many console games helps bridge the gap in precision between controllers, mice, and keyboards, allowing controller users to compete more evenly. This aim assist can sometimes make controllers a better choice in close fights where fast and precise aiming is less useful.
The preference between mouse and keyboard also depends on how the game was designed. Some games, like Halo and Call of Duty, are optimized for controllers with essential aim assist, making controllers competitive or even superior in these environments. In comparison, games without aim assist, or those designed for competitive PC gaming, often see mouse and keyboard as the only choice due to the precision and speed involved.
Ultimately, the choice between mouse, keyboard, and controller boils down to personal preference, comfort, and game design. Some players find the design and feedback of a controller more enjoyable, while others prefer control and versatility.
What Fortnite Players Should Choose
For console and PC players diving into Fortnite for the first time, there’s a choice to be made: stick with a controller or switch to a mouse and keyboard. While hardcore fans of shooters like Call of Duty might swear by the mouse-and-keyboard combo, Fortnite plays by a different set of rules.
Using a mouse and keyboard typically offers much more control over aiming and movement. But in Fortnite, things aren’t so straightforward. New players might be drawn to a mouse and keyboard because that’s the go-to for other shooters, yet controller users have an edge when it comes to aiming, all thanks to Fortnite’s infamous aim assist feature.
It Has been a hot topic of debate among players; however, unlike other shooters, Fortnite isn’t just about getting that perfect shot.
Aim assist, exclusive to controllers, helps even the playing field since joysticks don’t allow for the quick reticle adjustments a mouse offers. When aiming down sights, aim assist makes the reticle momentarily lock onto enemies’ heads, a feature far more pronounced in Fortnite than in other games. This quirk has led many top-tier Fortnite players to prefer controllers over mouse and keyboard, which is quite the opposite in other esports.
The Pros and Cons of Using Controllers in Fortnite
Aim assist is the main draw for controller users. Players can enable it by going to the game’s settings menu, selecting controller options, switching to advanced settings, and cranking up the aim assist strength.
Since most of Fortnite’s weapons are hitscan (meaning their shots instantly hit where you’re aiming without having to account for bullet travel time), setting aim assist to 100% gives controller users a significant edge over mouse-and-keyboard players, who must aim with precision to land their shots.
But there’s a catch. Fortnite’s building mechanics are much more complex to manage with a controller. Rapidly throwing up walls and ramps against opponents is crucial on high-ranked Fortnite accounts, and on controllers, this is harder due to the quick camera movements needed to build and edit structures on the fly. Even with aim assist, controller players may find it challenging to compete with skilled builders.
So, while controllers might help with aiming, they can be a disadvantage in Fortnite’s building battles. Players must weigh this trade-off carefully based on their strengths and play style.
