Arknights Endfield Controller vs Keyboard vs Touch – Pros and Cons for Each Input

Controller, keyboard+mouse, and touch all work well in Arknights: Endfield, but each is better for different tasks: controller for relaxed combat, keyboard+mouse for precision and AIC, touch for on‑the‑go play. The most efficient setup for many players is a hybrid: controller/KBM on PC or PS5, touch when you’re on mobile.

Controller (PC, PS5, Mobile via Pad)

Pros

• Very comfortable for combat and exploration, with full support on PC, PS5, and mobile controller mode.
• DualSense/Xbox-style pads get good haptics and a “console” feel, which many beta testers preferred for long sessions.
• All core actions—movement, camera, attacks, skills, AIC tools—are mapped cleanly to sticks, face buttons, and shoulders.

Cons

• Menus and AIC factory building are slower and more clunky; you move through options one by one.
• In‑game button remapping is very limited; some players dislike default dash/attack binds and must rely on external tools to change them.

Best for:

• Combat-focused sessions, story play, and casual exploration on PC/PS5 or phone with a pad.

Keyboard + Mouse (PC)

Pros

• Most precise camera and cursor control, ideal for AIC factory layout, menus, and map work.
• Lots of hotkeys for opening maps, team menus, AIC blueprints, etc., making management faster than with a controller.​
• Mouse wheel and middle button give very quick target lock and switching in combat.​

Cons

• Some find chaining attacks, dodges, and skills less natural than on a controller.
• Certain keybinds (e.g., Protosync menu) are locked and not fully remappable in‑game, which can be awkward on non‑US layouts.

Best for:

• Precise AIC/base building, UI-heavy tasks, and players who like shooter/MOBA-style controls.

Touch Controls (Native Mobile)

Pros

• Designed specifically for phones: virtual joystick left, attack and skill buttons right, with auto‑hiding UI outside combat.
• Haptic feedback for hits, skills, and interactions helps you “feel” timing.
• Always available—no extra hardware needed—so it’s perfect for dailies and short sessions.

Cons

• Screen space is limited; mis-taps (especially on ultimates) are more common, especially on smaller devices.
• Long, high-difficulty sessions can be more fatiguing than using a controller or KBM.

Best for:

• On‑the‑go daily play, farming, and lighter story segments when you’re away from PC/PS5.

Recommended Use by Player Type

• Desk setup (PC):
  • Controller for combat/exploration, keyboard+mouse for AIC and menus—a combo many beta testers settled on.
• Console (PS5):
  • Stick with DualSense, which testers describe as “flawless” for Endfield’s combat; accept that menus are a bit slower.
• Mobile-only:
  • Use touch with adjusted sensitivity and slightly enlarged skill buttons; add a Bluetooth controller if you want a console feel on the couch.

Ultimately, the best input is whichever lets you dodge reliably, hit skills without hunting for buttons, and manage AIC without fighting the interface, which is why a hybrid approach tends to feel best once you have access to multiple devices.