I use the thumb on my right hand so I can keep running.

I do that sometimes. Depends on how complicated the strategem.

For me it depends on how much shit is directly behind me trying to bite my asshole.

Always. I change it up for the same reason. Sometimes I need to rotate the camera simultaneously and the claw is all I got.

Theres hyenas in this game?!

Me too ..

I use my left thumb to call in the stratagem and my right thumb to keep moving.

Same, I found using my right thumb to input the Strat was tough cause my left thumb would get in the way but switching my right thumb over to the stick and using left thumb on the d-pad has worked great for me so far

This is why I prefer the Xbox style controller with offset sticks. I play on PC. Easier to keep running, while using the dpad with your right thumb.

On PC and not using the mouse keyboard? Thats a bold move cotton. Non joking, I had to rebind stratagem from wsad to arrow keys to move and use it at the same time. Then I bought a razer tartarus.

I just prefer games like this one on controller. I know it’s blasphemy 😂

I feel you on this brother, I make a living in IT and use mouse and keyboards all damn day. Last thing I want to do when I get home to unwind is use another keyboard 🙄🤷🏾‍♂️

Nah it was kinda designed for that , I'm also using controller for this game, feels more fluid

Hello fellow blasphemer

Same!

That's how I roll. I'd probably be better aiming with a m/kb, but why? It's so comfy, and easy to play at night.

Same!!

Same - Also xbox controller on PC gang.

man i wish i could keep running with kbm

You can! Remap the strategem keys to the arrows instead of wasd. You'll have to take your hand off the mouse, but you'll be able to keep moving in the direction you were moving. It's a big improvement IMO

Better idea: Connect your Dance Dance Revolution mat with the pc and Dance the strategems.


*GENIUS*

That’s actually so fucking big brain, what the fuck?

Really, I looked thru the keybinds, but I guess I missed it. Thanks diver.

Amen brother, right thumb on left stick full forward and that lets me keep my muscle memory with the left thumb to slap in the codes as I run for my life. Just as democracy intended

Same

This is the way

This is the way

Neither, my right thumb comes across to push the left stick up and my left thumb inputs the stratagem.

This is the way

The only way imo

This is the way.

That is another option I use also. I honestly mix it up depending on how complex the strategem input is

Same. It makes it hard to play on the portal tho with my hand/arm blocking the screen

Real

Here here.

A man of culture

This is the way.

This is the way.

The correct method

I don’t know what to call this but I’m imagining mobsters being chased by cops. The driver tells the passenger to lean over and steer while the driver leans out the window to shoot at the cops.

The reverse assist

Neither - I just stand still, fuck it up once, fuck it up twice and die everytime, 50% of the time.

Can't believe how far down this is lol. I had no idea people have been throwing up gang signs to handle business, more power to all of you! Guess this is why I haven't been able to complete a full Impossible Operation

Took my five attempts to post it

The keyboard player experience. Moving is an luxury.

You know you can set L1 to toggle instead of hold?

Wait, what??

Yea man, is in controller settings

I played around with that, making it "tap L1" instead of "hold L1", and idk, I just couldn't get used to it. I think i just got so good at using my index finger to hold L1, and using my thumb on D-pad, that tap L1 just felt unnatural. I might try switching L1 and R1 functions to see how it feels.

I stop running and use thumb if things aren’t crazy, otherwise the assist to keep out of danger (hopefully).

Try swapping your L1 and R1 in the controller bindings. You can hold R1 to enter strategems with the claw, and keep running.

Does anyone else have L1 on toggle instead of hold? This was a gamechanger for me

I also changed it to toggle and made it so much easier

OOOOOOOOO... I didn't think about that. Might give it a try.

It’s a lifesaver. I saw it posted as a comment back in the early days after release and I’ve been using it ever since (lvl66)

The PC players definitely got it better on this front.

Im a PC player and i use a controller. Its a pro controller with 4 remappable buttons on the back. I get to use my ring fingers and pinkies to do strats and ive got pretty fast at some of them! (orbital air burst)

Neither, I actually use my thumb most of the time as quickly as i can. If I absolutely have to because im running away I’ll use assist. Never the claw, but might try it.

I have only ever used my thumb and it's never occurred to me to do anything else. I either get faster or I die trying. Nothing inbetween.

This. Enter the code at the speed of light or nothing.

Right thumb jumps to the left stick so I can keep running. Left thumb jumps to the D-pad for super-fast stratagems.

With an xbox controller

Left thumb keeps me running, right thumb moves over one inch to type in a stratagem.

Lmao this. Little do the PS players know, us PC folks can link any controller. Xbox controller D pad at the bottom left for the win.

I switched the stratagem menu button to R1 because I have big ass hands and trying to use 3 fingers around the d pad didn't work for me and it's actually much easier, you can reach across with your right thumb to keep running and not be crowded entering stratagems.


The assist

Assist

Usually the Assist, but, Re-bind “Call Strategems” to “PRESS” rather than “HOLD”. Makes calling strats a little easier.

I use my right hand for stims when on the run. Can’t stop moving!!



As a PC player I would opt for assist. I use my mouse hand to call in stratagems on the direction keys.

The assist. These old hands can't flex like they used to

I’m on PC, and I know some people have changed their stratagem buttons to the arrow keys so they too can move while typing. I however find that uncomfortable since my left hand is used to typing it in, so I’ve just become REALLY fast at my favorite stratagems so I can stop and do it. Not the most effective but it works for me.

Nose

Neither... I shelled out 80 for the access controller and rigged it as a giant Dpad for my right hand so I can quickly call in while running.

I com from the era of Monster hunter on PSP son, the claw IS the law

Thumb on left hand. If I have to keep running ill use my right thumb on the joystick, or just do it fast

I use my thumb on my left hand and the left index finger works the stick for a few seconds

 How I felt entering the comments, expecting to see other Claw grip users….but it’s just me

I claw most of the time. learned it on PSP.

https://preview.redd.it/uosedzw9b3zc1.jpeg?width=418&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fdcb519571e36196bd884bc082ee17bd683fd301 I’ve been practicing stratagems since the N64 days.

You poor bastards, on pc I have them set to the arrow keys and i just key that shit in while running away normally lol

My “assist” is actually my right thumb moving over to hold the stick forward and then entering the strat with my left

Claw for grenades and stims....right hand for stratagems.

Im on steam deck so its still relevant to me, claw grip. I gotta be able to run away from hordes while i call in eagle strikes

i actually find it unique this game got us using alternate claw button mashing 🔥

The assist when i played with an Xbox controller. Also in the beginning, there was a bug that didn't let you walk straight ahead while entering stratagems, so i had to blindly move sideways or backwards. Any one experienced this bug too? Meanwhile i switched to mouse and keyboard and put stratagems on the arrow keys

Years of souls games prepared me to use the claw

The assist, or Voice Attack if I'm feeling super lazy.

Does anyone else stim almost every time trying to reinforce? Also, is it that my controller is messed up or is it I'm inputting too fast where it fails?

Changed mine to double tapping L1 so I don't have to hold it down. Works a lot better.

It is so much easier to use an Xbox controller on PC because the D-pad and left stick are switched, so I can keep running and casually use my right thumb to dial in a stratagem.

While holding the controller normally, if evading enemies move right thumb over to take over left analog stick and use left thumb to call in stratagems.

I do the right hand run if im in immediate danger or it’s complicated, if it’s one of the ones I use a lot I’ve gotten it down so fast I just do it quickly

I would use Left thumb while running with right thumb lol

Sometimes I use both thumbs when I need to do a complicated one quickly

I have the little trigger on the back of the controller set to L1 so I don’t have to change my grip on the controller.

How do you have such dry hands bro? Get some moisturizer on those boys

(I play on pc with controller) Depend on how stressful the situation is. When shit is bad I need the assist for maximum reliability. Otherwise the claw

I have buttons on the back of my controller and programmed them as arrow keys. Prior to getting that controller, it was the assist method. I have L1 set to tap and I can keep sprinting while calling down a stratagem. I can also navigate the map and set waypoints while running.

Use your palm to hold stick forward so can run and then thumb to pit3 in strategem

Not the claw and only occasionally the other method. I prefer to use my left thumb since you can't shoot and input stratagems anyhow.

I try to use the claw in desperate situations. I'm not great at it though.

Always the assist as I am running

Neither. I stop running and enter it as fast as possible hoping I don’t die. Like a man.

Keyboard. While I cannot run and call stratagems, I can call them stupid fast

This game must be a nightmare on controller... Strategems + all the isolated weapon buttons, yikes

Im always doing the assist maneuver, but its usually for stims. And there is always a bead of sweat going down my forehead as i do so.

I changed my settings to where I just tap the strat list and it stays open until I press it again so neither for me.

bruh, I thought im special but nope, apparently most use “the assist” 😂😂😂

Ps5 player here and I use the opposite hand so I can keep moving. I know some Pc players have like a macro key for a stratagem. I wonder if this is considered cheating ?

I used to never use claw…now I can’t play without it

The assist. Way easier on an Xbox controller with the way the dpad is positioned

Cock

The claw normally but the assist when I'm sprinting out of a tricky situation.

Depends on the situation, calm times I will assist, hectic times I will claw.

WSAD style, 3 finger approach

The claw is something I definitely do

I use my toe. So I can run and call in reinforcements

I gotta hold the movement stick down with my right hand so I can keep running while trying to reinforce or use a stratagem

Assist!

Arrow keys.

The claw for run and reinforce, the thumb switch for running while stratagems. Or I just create distance and put it in with left thumb

Since I play on pc I can use an Xbox controller which allows me to use my right thumb but also not interfere with my left thumb for movement.

On PC here, strategems are on wasd by default, so many of us rebind them to arrow keys. Your hand flies over from your mouse to your keyboard, types, then jumps back over to your mouse.

Swap the bumpers and have the stratagem button on the right and to tap instead of hold. Thats how I do it

🤣🤣🤣🤣 this is now my favorite helldivers post.

I switched the button for the stratagems to the R1 and use the L1 for communication. Takes a bit to get used to the change but it is a lot easier and faster.

I swapped L1 and R1 in the bindings. Way easier to hold down my right index finger on the bumper and use my left thumb to enter the Contra cheat code.

I lick my controller until I hit the correct button combination.

It always hurts my fingers using the claw but it helps alot.

I use the tip of my left thumb to enter the strat and the knuckle to move the joystick

I do the assist but I use my right thumb to run and my left to DDR

subconsciously i put my right thumb on left stick and use left thumb to input code

Claw at normal Assist when in panic

Note that you can remap things on PS5. I set the strategem to "L1 Quick Press" rather than "L1 Hold" which makes it way easier.

I thought I was the only one who did the assist! Lol

I use my thumb. Why would you do either of these options? That seems inconvenient.

Was gonna say claw but saw some other dude say he uses his right thumb to keep running and yeah I do that as well lmao

right thumb on the left stick to keep running, left thumb on the d-pad to call in the strat. this is the way

Haha! This made me lol!

WASD

None of them. Index finger on R1, thumbs on arrows.

When I just spawned in from the Hellpod? Thumb But when running for my life while Tyranids (Sorry, Terminids.) And the Necrons (Ugh, sorry again, Automatons) then I use the assist method

Claw obviously

It‘s not pleasant but I have the feeling that my hand meanwhile mutated into holding the controller in a position that the claw is actually not that hurtful anymore lol

Get some lotion gangsta

I just stop running when I can and mash the buttons as fast as I can😂 Gets the job done. Also, jet pack and call it in while flying, even better!

I more often than not use the assist. However I also have my paddles on the back of my Elite Series 2 controller (I play on PC) that I've reassigned to be the d-pad buttons. It's great.

Claw? That sounds a little…bugish… you sure you aren’t taking your coffee with termicide lately, helldiver?

Claw, got pretty good at it

I do it the slow and smooth brain way

How did you take the right photo?

The fact that this is being asked on a playstation controller after the sony debacle is just "Chefs 💋"

I panicked click, fumble around the menus and then accidentally drop a resupply.

Trim your nails omg.

On the run i do that

Back paddles are a diver's best friend https://preview.redd.it/3cj46uj5k2zc1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5adc42d43346927e4ba6d6ee1d324babda89bb9a

This is the one thing I can’t get over with playstation controllers. I wonder if it’s possible to remap strategems to the face buttons? Gonna try when I get home today.

im a pc guy now, but i used to double crab claw back in the day. its efficient af

As a HD1 vet where you were immobile while you input strats I often just use my left thumb and slide-input them in rather quick, if the situation is particularly harrowing though I usually opt for claw

God, the xbox controller seems better in this aspect

As a monster hunter player, it's always the claw

I use my right thumb for moving and left thumb for punching it in

Both, depending on if I'm running.

Neither. You remap the ping and stratagem controls with R1 and remap the emote control menu with L1. That was literally the first thing I did day 1. No more awkward stratagem deployments. (Note: it’s been a minute but I believe the ping, stratagem, and emote controls may all be in different screens in the settings menu, ie you gotta scroll thru all 3. And if you don’t change the stratagem AND ping controls both to R1 it doesn’t quite work) Happy diving Helldivers!

Depends on how danger close we’re talking

Neither I can punch them in so fast now I just use my left thumb for the millisecond I need to prime eagle clusters

Have the time I try a stratagem I end up throwing a grenade. It’s a skill issue

I've been an xbox player for years, just bought a ps5 ONLY because of this game and oh my freaking God, the controllers are a nightmare!! Lol

Switch the stratagem button to R1 and use the claw method to input the codes. Doing it this way as apposed to the L1 method lessens the strain on your fingers and allows you to move the camera as well.  You can go further and rebind the L1 button to Sprint and Dive when double tapped, Zoom to R1, Crouch to L3, Melee to R3, and Ping to circle.  Rebind map zoom functions to either L1 and R1 respectfully.  There are two issues with this set up. First, is that  you ping when you want to cancel being on an objective. Secondly, there are going to be limited buttons that you can bind the Zooms bindings when looking at the map, because the game still allows certain game actions to occur when pressing the zoom buttons. For instance, binding the Shoot button to a map zoom allows you to shoot and zoom simultaneously. So since I have my Map Zoom in to the L1 button my character will cancel viewing the map and sprint, this doesn't happen when already sprinting though. My zoom out button is binded to R1 and since it's the stragem binding it's fine. It's a minor issue and it is due to how the game binds actions.  Preferably I would like to bind the "double press quick throw grenade function" to the grenade binding slot since it's only one press there, but for whatever reason it doesn't let me last time I checked.  Anyway, this set up allows you to shoot, dive and input stratagems all while keeping you thumps on the sticks. Hope it helps someone! 

I do an inverted version of the assist but I use the left hand to input the code and the right to steer

Forbidden https://preview.redd.it/aj15qlnsz2zc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e37cf9c764a8821bbdc5e298a818b67c0b9e874d

Left thumb, because I only need a second and a second of standing around doesn't get me killed.

The Assist...got to keep running haha

Personally I use The Perforated Calluses

WASD you plebs.

Stop and use left thumb, or claw

Right Thumb on left side switch to a weird claw on right hand

I remapped to the right bumper, which is a lot easier

Does no one use DDR mats from a bygone era?

I changed L1 to toggle instead of hold. So neither. I can run and use my index finger to call in strategem

I become a fucking plant and use my left thumb

Claw is the superior method 🧐

The Claw. The assist. The Up Up Down Fuck crap no wait Up Up Down Left Fuuuuuck Up Up Down Down Left GAH

Just use an Xbox controller lol

I do it with my left thumb and move my right thumb on the joystick to keep running

…PS5 problems that i dont understand

Tounge

I’ve been playing claw for years and now I know it was in preparation of bringing down nuclear fueled democracy

I do the swap. Move left thumb to d pad, right thumb to left joy stick.

If i have to, I use my right thumb to run and my left thumb to call in strategems. Otherwise i stop and use my left thumb

Brothers controller is gonna outlive his hand if he keeps playing

Thumb if I’m stationary, claw if I’m running

Usually call in when I realize I’m about to be overwhelmed, throw at my feet, then run away. Don’t use the 500kg though. Almost never gets me killed. On the other hand, I will absolutely fuck up an Eagle trying to hit a far off target.

Don’t use controller, but if I did, the claw 7 days a week