I’m not sure why the functions work as they do at the moment, but being able to attack towards mouse direction but blocking/skill use being bound to character direction is really weird.
From my understanding, controller play does not have this issue, so I’m not sure what’s going on that M+K has this be the default.
I understand there is the suggestion to use a controller, but seeing how this is a Steam release on PCs I feel like M+K gameplay should be prioritized over controllers, at the bare minimum they should have the same experience but that is clearly not the case.
It’s the same for both m&k and controller. You can’t control the direction in which your character is looking or casting spells WITHOUT target lock. But with target lock on you can move around your target facing it at all times with block on or while charging a spell. And when you play on controller it becomes much more obvious because right stick movement is only used for consumable selection. While it obviously could be used for more accurate target selection with auto lock turned on (not just auto lock on/off as it is now on right stick click) or more precise rune usage, attacking and blocking against multiple targets. The same way mouse could be used for it too, and much easier than on a controller imo.
It’s actually wild that it’s the first time I see someone complaining about this. I plan to create a topic on this issue too after some testing and thinking. Ranged gameplay with either runes or bow is impossible without target lock and target lock needs improvements too. But we should be able to play without it. There should also be control options for rune usage like normal cast, quick cast on key down and on key release. Most runes use quick cast on key down, some use quick cast on key release like the ones you can charge, obviously. But there’s also a rune on some of fire staffs that even shows its AoE before cast if you hold the key (it is quick cast on key release) and adding this to all other runes with some AoE or projectile, especially if it has limited range, would be extremely helpful.
So that’s what my friends who mainly play on controller have been telling me but my experience says otherwise.
I have auto target on, since as you say it’s basically impossible to aim without, and my distance to the enemy does not matter.
I’m never strafing the enemy unless I am only walking around them. Any sort of blocking or rune use seems to just break auto target and the character is stuck blocking in the last direction.
I have tried using controller and it’s working as you describe. As soon as I turn it off, making sure to have it completely disconnect since I know there are issues with steam still recognizing controllers even if they are off, the weird functionality goes back into play.
It has frustrated me to the point that I actively avoid using shields and try to use runes that don’t care much about directionality.