Looking for Competitive Control Schemes + Tips

[Gillz]

I've been a player of Tetris for a while now (I actually come from competing competitively in Quake) and I decided to ask some questions here. I hope you can all help.

First off, my control scheme seems bad (Up = Rotate Right, C=Rotate Left, Shift=Hold, Down=Slow drop, Space=Hard Drop, Left/Right=Left/Right)

What is the 'ideal' control scheme that competitive players use? Mine seems awkward, and I don't think I'm dropping as fast as I could be. I've been a Tetris DS player mostly (7200-7300 rank, give or take) and I prefer the DS, but it's obvious it can't be used for the PC  

Secondly, are there any Windows settings that you tweak for Tetris? (For example, I thought that the key repeater settings under the Control Panel might help). I'm just looking for the 'norm' of what settings are used.

Thirdly, I assume Tetris Friends is the main platform for playing competitively? I'm probably going to have to shell out the $5 or $10 to buy the DAS/ARR settings (Recommendations on that?). Are there any other PC platforms that players use? (I'll be also getting Tetris Party Deluxe for the DS in the next few days)

Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated. Also, if anyone wants to play some 1v1s in the future, I'd be more then willing to play some games, if anyone could even give me tips that'd be awesome  

[ohitsstef]

One thing you can look into, is using two separate keys for rotation:
one for left rotation and another for right rotation

this is my set up (it is Blockbox default)
left: left
right: right
soft drop: down
hard drop: up
hold: spacebar
left rotate: z
right rotation: x

TF definitely has a lot of players on there.. but I don't think it's the best game =P
A lot of users on here play Blockbox, TOJ and Nullpomino. You can look into those games.. they let you use Das and stuff for free  so no need to spend money (except TOJ.. but we have a patch for it..) . If you want to play TF though you can do a survey.. or a "trial" thing to get free rubies.

If you're planning on actually becoming a "serious competitive tetris player" you can go onto Blockbox and practice on their single player modes.
40 lines : speed
Driller : downstacking
Survivor : downstacking
Classical : special forms  and if you reach a certain level you will unlock the TGM modes

blockboxgame.com

[crzy242]

people use different controls all the time, its up to you to find the control scheme thats the most comfortable.
you dont have to use real money to get rubies, try doing some free offers and surveys.
sadly, tf will probably be the game used for competitive tetris, but try all the other clones out there too, because they help you to develop alot more skills alot better than TF does

[Ravendarksky]

I would assume since you like playing DS tetris that you are used to moving with your left hand and rotating with your right. Sticking with this may be easier.

Perhaps use WASD for movement and whatever feels comfortable for hold/left/right rotate.

My setup is pretty standard:

Left - Left
Right - Right
Down - Soft Drop
Up - Hard Drop
Z - Left Rotate
X - Right Rotate
Shift - Hold


If you want to get serious about playing competitively I would suggest first simply getting good at playing very quickly and downstacking (one player modes on blockbox or nullpomino).

These games play much faster than TF as there is no delay when lines are cleared, faster soft drop etc.

[briannn]

first of all, don't pay money for rubies! there are easy ways to get rubies for free.
second of all, your control scheme is fine. fastest players maserati and koreans use similar scheme as you.

[Someone2knoe]

You should just make your own control set up that is comfortable, be sure to use strong/fast fingers for more common buttons. I recommend using controls that conform to the natural shape of your hands when they are resting.

When I started taking tetris seriously I improved a lot through blockbox (blockboxgame.com). The 40L(sprint) world record is on blockbox. Its very very smooth and very good quality tetris. You can change they key repeat rate and how long it takes for that to kick in.

You can even make the repeat rate instant, so once it kicks in the piece will go directly to the wall. This is incredibly useful for fast play. And its free lol.

Add me on TF : Someone2Knoe


My blockbox controls:

Left: Left arrow
Right: Right Arrow

Softdrop: Down Arrow
Harddrop: Space

Left Rotate: A
Right Rotate: D
180 Rotate: S

Hold: W

[Azure-]

As someone used to DS/GBA (Lockjaw) controls, I personally like keeping movement for my left hand, rotation + hold for my right, like what Ravendarksky was suggesting.

Left: H
Right: K
Soft Drop: J
Hard Drop: U
Left Rotate: [
Right Rotate: ]
Hold: \

I used WASD for movement before, but I found that having your hands closer together is a lot more comfortable for me...

[larrytetris]

You should just make your own control set up that is comfortable, be sure to use strong/fast fingers for more common buttons.

Agreed. If you play a string instrument, for example, your left hand should be pretty nimble (assuming you play a right-handed instrument), and you'll have no problem using most or all of your left fingers.

I've played piano and cello. My key settings are as follows:

Function - Key - Finger

Left - Left - Right ring
Right - Right - Right index
Rotate clockwise - Up - Right middle
Rotate counter-clockwise - A - Left ring
[180 Rotation, for Nullpo and Blockbox] - F - Extended left index
Soft Drop - Down - Right middle
Hard Drop - Space - Left thumb
Hold - D - Left index

My left hand is essentially home row typing shifted one key to the left. Right hand is on the arrow keys.


For tips, it would vary across your game of choice. Since you seem to be considering TF, I'll fire off some quick TF tips.
1) Combos are overpowered! If playing a combo player, send lines ASAP.
2) Perfect clears are overpowered! Again, send lines ASAP.
3) Back to backs will add 1 line. However, if you can hit a 2/3-combo containing a Tspin or tetris, it's not worth keeping the back to back.
4) TF has slow soft drop. That makes the strength of tetrises greater relative to Tspins than would other games, though Tspins will still be faster (just by less).
5) Learn finesse. Search finesse in the help/strategy forums! Earn some rubies by completing offers, doing the daily lottery, or doing ruby arena challenges.

[arf]

honestly, the only thing I use my left hand for is to hard drop. oh.. and hold. everyone has their own different controls and their own way of playing. you just have to develop your own, and find out what you're comfortable with as long as you can utilize all the different functions in the game.

just some tips
-put your keys close together so your hands don't stretch out too much. all my keys are near the center of the keyboard. (left hand: s, d / right hand: u, i, o, j, k, l)
-it takes a lot of practice to get used to new controls. don't expect to get used to it right away, and don't give up and change controls too soon.
-MAKE SURE you use left AND right rotate and learn to become as finesse as possible. learn to get each piece to its desired position with minimal key inputs.

[DannyBars]

i honestly think as long as your controls are not uncomfortable, require you to reach to far, or are severely unabalanced they will be fine. the bb controls i use are different from most people on the site and it really hasnt slowed me down, do what you know and stick to it, itll be fine, practice is what matters i think the controls u use are almost irrelevant(almost)

[friendship]

Hey Gillz! i recognize your name from purepwnage. good to see you're getting back into tetris

i actually use a control scheme almost exactly like yours and can physically hit speeds of ~150 tpm before my brain stops being able to keep up. trying to change it would probably take a couple of weeks, at least, and it probably wouldn't help as much as just getting better with your current controls would

[caffeine]

1. Learn general technique.
2. Learn to start off every game with at least a TSD.
3. Play every day.
4. Make your goal to beat the very best player you can think of 10 - 0.
5. Drop out of school.
6. Don't get a girlfriend. Choose porno.

Good luck!

[Gillz]

Hey Gillz! i recognize your name from purepwnage. good to see you're getting back into tetris

i actually use a control scheme almost exactly like yours and can physically hit speeds of ~150 tpm before my brain stops being able to keep up. trying to change it would probably take a couple of weeks, at least, and it probably wouldn't help as much as just getting better with your current controls would

Friendship! I definitely remember you  How have you been?

I agree with what most people here are saying (including you). No sense of changing the control scheme since it's what I'm most comfortable with. Also, changing wouldn't really result in an increased performance.

[Maii04]

1. Learn general technique.
2. Learn to start off every game with at least a TSD.
3. Play every day.
4. Make your goal to beat the very best player you can think of 10 - 0.
5. Drop out of school.
6. Don't get a girlfriend. Choose porno.

Good luck!

LOL

increase speed to sub 50 0r 40 for 40L

[L-mino]

5. Drop out of school.
6. Don't get a girlfriend. Choose porno.

done. and done. not tetris related tho.