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Five years ago, my son tried to get me into Path of Exile 1, but I couldn’t even get off the beach. Click-to-move felt so bad that I quit on the spot. Fast forward to now. I hit level 100 in PoE 2, with several other characters in the 90s, and decided to give PoE 1 another chance this league. CTM still felt awkward, but then I discovered controller support. Suddenly the game was smooth, responsive, and fun again.
Since I prefer keyboard and mouse to a controller, I spent a few days experimenting and used a controller emulator to map the analog stick to WASD. It feels incredible, exactly how PoE 1 should have felt for keyboard and mouse players.
Adding official WASD support wouldn’t nerf CTM or unbalance anything. It would simply give players more choice. Those who dislike CTM already use controllers; others would join through WASD. The hardcore CTM vets would stay CTM.
More players means a stronger community, a healthier economy, and livelier leagues. The analog code already exists for controllers, it just needs to be mapped to the keyboard.
WASD wouldn’t change Path of Exile 1... It would revive it!
P.S. I’m going to keep updating this thread as the discussion evolves to track both sides of the debate. Feel free to jump in and challenge me! I’ve got strong opinions on this topic, and I’m ready to defend them!
Last edited by Glassman509#2344 on Nov 12, 2025, 11:01:13 AM Last bumped on Nov 14, 2025, 2:43:49 AM
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Posted byGlassman509#2344on Nov 10, 2025, 5:10:37 PM
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Simply adding WASD support requires a complete rebalance of the game. Even Blizzard quickly rolled back WASD support in D3 because mob design is entirely based on click-to-move, and the reaction times required to flick your mouse behind and then in front of your character. When they tried it, they had Demon Hunters stutter-stepping through a map and taking no damage in a fraction of the time everyone else was. Simply removing WASD solved the problem, and no other changes were made.
This is the number one problem plaguing PoE2 and its defenses. If you are on melee or not using WASD, your damage intake is much higher than a ranged character moving and shooting while constantly breaking auto-attack range on mobs.
WASD requires the entire game to be designed around it and gives a competitive advantage to those using it, even if they do their best not to make that the case. Mobility is king since avoiding a damage source is 100% unlike any other defense.
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Posted byMoregaze#2933on Nov 10, 2025, 5:50:10 PM
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Simply adding WASD support requires a complete rebalance of the game. Even Blizzard quickly rolled back WASD support in D3 because mob design is entirely based on click-to-move, and the reaction times required to flick your mouse behind and then in front of your character. When they tried it, they had Demon Hunters stutter-stepping through a map and taking no damage in a fraction of the time everyone else was. Simply removing WASD solved the problem, and no other changes were made.
This is the number one problem plaguing PoE2 and its defenses. If you are on melee or not using WASD, your damage intake is much higher than a ranged character moving and shooting while constantly breaking auto-attack range on mobs.
WASD requires the entire game to be designed around it and gives a competitive advantage to those using it, even if they do their best not to make that the case. Mobility is king since avoiding a damage source is 100% unlike any other defense.
The claim that adding WASD would require a complete rebalance of the game falls apart under basic scrutiny. Path of Exile already supports direct movement through controllers. That means players can move freely in 360 degrees, dodge attacks, and aim skills separately from movement. That is the same concept as WASD, only controlled through a stick instead of four keys. If that system has not broken the game, there is no logical reason a keyboard version would.
The Diablo 3 comparison is outdated and irrelevant. Blizzard’s WASD attempt failed because of technical limitations and bad animation timing, not because direct control is fundamentally broken. Games like Lost Ark, Last Epoch, Grim Dawn, and even Path of Exile 2 have all demonstrated that hybrid or direct control can work perfectly fine. The old “Demon Hunter stutter-step” story belongs to another decade and another engine.
Calling WASD the “number one problem plaguing PoE2’s defenses” is pure exaggeration. Defense issues come from overloaded math, scaling, and complicated layering, not from how you move. Input methods do not change how mitigation is calculated or how recovery scales. In fact, giving players direct movement would help them play more responsively and understand positioning better, which makes defensive gameplay easier to learn, not harder.
As for the idea that WASD provides an unfair advantage, that argument dies the moment you acknowledge controller support. Controller users already have smooth analog movement, micro-adjustments, and dodge precision. Keyboard users are just asking for the same level of control without having to rely on click-to-move.
Mobility does not break the game. Inflexibility does. If controller support is acceptable, then keyboard direct movement should be too. They are two versions of the same concept. Calling one overpowered while accepting the other is pure hypocrisy.
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Posted byGlassman509#2344on Nov 11, 2025, 8:02:59 PM
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Simply adding WASD support requires a complete rebalance of the game. Even Blizzard quickly rolled back WASD support in D3 because mob design is entirely based on click-to-move, and the reaction times required to flick your mouse behind and then in front of your character. When they tried it, they had Demon Hunters stutter-stepping through a map and taking no damage in a fraction of the time everyone else was. Simply removing WASD solved the problem, and no other changes were made.
This is the number one problem plaguing PoE2 and its defenses. If you are on melee or not using WASD, your damage intake is much higher than a ranged character moving and shooting while constantly breaking auto-attack range on mobs.
WASD requires the entire game to be designed around it and gives a competitive advantage to those using it, even if they do their best not to make that the case. Mobility is king since avoiding a damage source is 100% unlike any other defense.
Diablo 2 at one point had WASD, but Blizzard removed it after some bugs were found. I don't think they ever got around to fixing it as it hasn't been put back in.
I think it would work for POE.
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Posted bytkr1990#7622on Nov 11, 2025, 9:00:32 PM
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Simply adding WASD support requires a complete rebalance of the game. Even Blizzard quickly rolled back WASD support in D3 because mob design is entirely based on click-to-move, and the reaction times required to flick your mouse behind and then in front of your character. When they tried it, they had Demon Hunters stutter-stepping through a map and taking no damage in a fraction of the time everyone else was. Simply removing WASD solved the problem, and no other changes were made.
This is the number one problem plaguing PoE2 and its defenses. If you are on melee or not using WASD, your damage intake is much higher than a ranged character moving and shooting while constantly breaking auto-attack range on mobs.
WASD requires the entire game to be designed around it and gives a competitive advantage to those using it, even if they do their best not to make that the case. Mobility is king since avoiding a damage source is 100% unlike any other defense.
The claim that adding WASD would require a complete rebalance of the game falls apart under basic scrutiny. Path of Exile already supports direct movement through controllers. That means players can move freely in 360 degrees, dodge attacks, and aim skills separately from movement. That is the same concept as WASD, only controlled through a stick instead of four keys. If that system has not broken the game, there is no logical reason a keyboard version would.
The Diablo 3 comparison is outdated and irrelevant. Blizzard’s WASD attempt failed because of technical limitations and bad animation timing, not because direct control is fundamentally broken. Games like Lost Ark, Last Epoch, Grim Dawn, and even Path of Exile 2 have all demonstrated that hybrid or direct control can work perfectly fine. The old “Demon Hunter stutter-step” story belongs to another decade and another engine.
Calling WASD the “number one problem plaguing PoE2’s defenses” is pure exaggeration. Defense issues come from overloaded math, scaling, and complicated layering, not from how you move. Input methods do not change how mitigation is calculated or how recovery scales. In fact, giving players direct movement would help them play more responsively and understand positioning better, which makes defensive gameplay easier to learn, not harder.
As for the idea that WASD provides an unfair advantage, that argument dies the moment you acknowledge controller support. Controller users already have smooth analog movement, micro-adjustments, and dodge precision. Keyboard users are just asking for the same level of control without having to rely on click-to-move.
Mobility does not break the game. Inflexibility does. If controller support is acceptable, then keyboard direct movement should be too. They are two versions of the same concept. Calling one overpowered while accepting the other is pure hypocrisy.
People like this are why trying to argue on the internet is pointless. What a load of bs.
General discussion gaming forums are almost always a cesspit of ignorance and trolls.
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Posted byAngrybagel#7431on Nov 11, 2025, 11:26:38 PM
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Simply adding WASD support requires a complete rebalance of the game. Even Blizzard quickly rolled back WASD support in D3 because mob design is entirely based on click-to-move, and the reaction times required to flick your mouse behind and then in front of your character. When they tried it, they had Demon Hunters stutter-stepping through a map and taking no damage in a fraction of the time everyone else was. Simply removing WASD solved the problem, and no other changes were made.
This is the number one problem plaguing PoE2 and its defenses. If you are on melee or not using WASD, your damage intake is much higher than a ranged character moving and shooting while constantly breaking auto-attack range on mobs.
WASD requires the entire game to be designed around it and gives a competitive advantage to those using it, even if they do their best not to make that the case. Mobility is king since avoiding a damage source is 100% unlike any other defense.
The claim that adding WASD would require a complete rebalance of the game falls apart under basic scrutiny. Path of Exile already supports direct movement through controllers. That means players can move freely in 360 degrees, dodge attacks, and aim skills separately from movement. That is the same concept as WASD, only controlled through a stick instead of four keys. If that system has not broken the game, there is no logical reason a keyboard version would.
The Diablo 3 comparison is outdated and irrelevant. Blizzard’s WASD attempt failed because of technical limitations and bad animation timing, not because direct control is fundamentally broken. Games like Lost Ark, Last Epoch, Grim Dawn, and even Path of Exile 2 have all demonstrated that hybrid or direct control can work perfectly fine. The old “Demon Hunter stutter-step” story belongs to another decade and another engine.
Calling WASD the “number one problem plaguing PoE2’s defenses” is pure exaggeration. Defense issues come from overloaded math, scaling, and complicated layering, not from how you move. Input methods do not change how mitigation is calculated or how recovery scales. In fact, giving players direct movement would help them play more responsively and understand positioning better, which makes defensive gameplay easier to learn, not harder.
As for the idea that WASD provides an unfair advantage, that argument dies the moment you acknowledge controller support. Controller users already have smooth analog movement, micro-adjustments, and dodge precision. Keyboard users are just asking for the same level of control without having to rely on click-to-move.
Mobility does not break the game. Inflexibility does. If controller support is acceptable, then keyboard direct movement should be too. They are two versions of the same concept. Calling one overpowered while accepting the other is pure hypocrisy.
People like this are why trying to argue on the internet is pointless. What a load of bs.
Says the angry guy who can only communicate in a pointless sentence.
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Posted byGlassman509#2344on Nov 12, 2025, 9:14:22 AM
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The claim that adding WASD would require a complete rebalance of the game falls apart under basic scrutiny. Path of Exile already supports direct movement through controllers. That means players can move freely in 360 degrees, dodge attacks, and aim skills separately from movement. That is the same concept as WASD, only controlled through a stick instead of four keys. If that system has not broken the game, there is no logical reason a keyboard version would.
Yeah, just ignore the fact that M/K is superior in every way by huge margin, making your more precise, faster, giving much more control in every way.
They could give controller players 50% more dmg, nobody would care anyway, completely irrelevant.
On Probation Any%
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Posted byDxt44#4050on Nov 12, 2025, 10:03:36 AM
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The claim that adding WASD would require a complete rebalance of the game falls apart under basic scrutiny. Path of Exile already supports direct movement through controllers. That means players can move freely in 360 degrees, dodge attacks, and aim skills separately from movement. That is the same concept as WASD, only controlled through a stick instead of four keys. If that system has not broken the game, there is no logical reason a keyboard version would.
Yeah, just ignore the fact that M/K is superior in every way by huge margin, making your more precise, faster, giving much more control in every way.
They could give controller players 50% more dmg, nobody would care anyway, completely irrelevant.
If mouse and keyboard were really superior in every way, controller players wouldn’t be clearing maps just as fast or faster. The game already supports full analog movement without breaking anything, so pretending WASD would somehow destroy balance makes no sense.
WASD doesn’t hand players free power, it just gives another control option that feels natural. If someone dodges better or moves cleaner, that’s skill expression, not imbalance. Acting like improved movement options would ruin the game is just outdated thinking. Nobody’s trying to nerf click-to-move, we just want PoE to stop treating modern controls like a forbidden upgrade!
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Posted byGlassman509#2344on Nov 12, 2025, 10:39:54 AM
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If mouse and keyboard were really superior in every way, controller players wouldn’t be clearing maps just as fast or faster. The game already supports full analog movement without breaking anything, so pretending WASD would somehow destroy balance makes no sense.
WASD doesn’t hand players free power, it just gives another control option that feels natural. If someone dodges better or moves cleaner, that’s skill expression, not imbalance. Acting like improved movement options would ruin the game is just outdated thinking. Nobody’s trying to nerf click-to-move, we just want PoE to stop treating modern controls like a forbidden upgrade!
It's total nonsense.
@Moregaze#2933 Explained everything very well, no need to repeat that.
On Probation Any%
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Posted byDxt44#4050on Nov 12, 2025, 11:00:32 AM
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The claim that adding WASD would require a complete rebalance of the game falls apart under basic scrutiny. Path of Exile already supports direct movement through controllers. That means players can move freely in 360 degrees, dodge attacks, and aim skills separately from movement. That is the same concept as WASD, only controlled through a stick instead of four keys. If that system has not broken the game, there is no logical reason a keyboard version would.
Yeah, just ignore the fact that M/K is superior in every way by huge margin, making your more precise, faster, giving much more control in every way.
They could give controller players 50% more dmg, nobody would care anyway, completely irrelevant.
Bro, I get it, you love CTM. You’ve been playing that way for years, and you’re good at it. Nobody’s trying to take that from you. But go look around Twitch or YouTube right now, there’s a ton of top-tier streamers still playing CTM and doing amazing. And right next to them, there are just as many players using controllers who are flying through maps like lightning. The difference isn’t balance, it’s preference.
Your average CTM player, if they switched to a controller, would instantly feel how much smoother and more natural it is. That’s all this discussion is about, freeing up input choice. If you grew up on controllers, you’ll probably keep using one. If you hate thumbsticks but love keyboards, you’ll play WASD. And if you’re one of those OG Diablo and PoE vets who mastered CTM ten years ago, great...keep doing it.
The rest of us just want the option to move how we like. It’s not that deep. What’s the problem?
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Posted byGlassman509#2344on Nov 12, 2025, 11:10:35 AM
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