RIFTSTORM Keyboard and Gamepad Controls

RIFTSTORM combat lives or dies on movement and dodge timing. Confiction Labs documents keyboard layout presets and two gamepad schemes in the official player guide, and this page translates that into a practical reference for squads preparing for Steam Early Access on the planned August 11, 2026 release. Configure inputs before you enter PADDOCK Contingency missions or demo operations—always-online sessions do not forgive fumbling through Settings mid-fight.

Opening the Controls menu

Access controls from any safe house or pause state:

1. Press ESC on keyboard or the Menu button on gamepad.
2. Select Settings.
3. Open the Controls tab.

From here you switch keyboard regional layouts or gamepad presets. Individual key rebinding may be available per action—verify in Early Access because pre-launch builds sometimes limit customization.

Keyboard layout presets

RIFTSTORM supports three regional keyboard layouts. Pick the one that matches your physical keyboard so printed key caps align with in-game prompts:

Layout	Typical regions	Notes
QWERTY	US, UK, most international English	Default for most Steam players
AZERTY	France, Belgium (French)	A and Q positions swap vs QWERTY
QWERTZ	Germany, Austria, Switzerland	Y and Z positions swap vs QWERTY

Switching layout remaps movement and ability keys to the correct physical positions. If you travel or use a laptop with a different regional keyboard, re-check this setting on first launch.

Common keyboard actions (QWERTY baseline)

Preview builds and demo coverage commonly report these defaults—confirm in your build because Early Access may tune bindings:

Action	Typical QWERTY binding
Move	WASD
Aim	Mouse
Fire	Left mouse button
Dodge (invulnerability dash)	Spacebar
Active skills	Number keys or mouse side buttons (verify in-game)
Interact / use	E or F (verify in-game)
Menu	ESC

Dodge is the highest-priority bind. It grants brief invulnerability through enemy telegraphs and environmental hazards—critical when Weapon Scarring is on the line during a failed extract.

Gamepad layout variants

Controller players choose between two official gamepad layouts. Confiction Labs states the primary difference is which button triggers Dodge and which triggers the Third Active Skill (often a Weaver-specific ability separate from the two core actives).

Because exact face-button labels can vary by controller and build, treat the presets as:

Preset	Dodge placement	Third Active Skill placement
Layout A	Face button set #1	Face button set #2
Layout B	Swapped vs Layout A	Swapped vs Layout A

How to choose: In the tutorial safe zone, test both presets against a training dummy or low-threat encounter. Pick the layout where:

• Dodge sits on a button your thumb reaches without claw-gripping.
• Third Active Skill does not share accidental presses with dodge or jump.
• You can fire and dodge simultaneously if your Weaver demands it.

Document your choice for co-op partners. Mixed input squads should call abilities by name—“Starling mark” not “Y button”—during How to Co-op sessions.

Gamepad action reference (conceptual)

Action	Typical placement
Move	Left stick
Aim	Right stick
Fire	Right trigger
Dodge	Layout-dependent face button
Skills	Bumpers / layout-dependent face button
Menu	Menu / Start button

Co-op input consistency

Three-player online co-op via Steam Lobby means three independent control schemes may collide. Reduce friction:

• Host confirms everyone’s layout before selecting a Threat Level mission.
• Frontline players (see Squad Composer) need the most reliable dodge bind—they face melee elites in Rift Exposure Zones.
• Wave Control players spam area skills; ensure those binds do not conflict with ping or mark systems if added later.
• Elite Hunter players need stable aim and skill fire while kiting—mouse players often take this role, but controller aim assist (if present) may shift that meta during Early Access.

Demo and Early Access differences

The Steam demo ships four pre-leveled Weavers and simplified systems, but controls access follows the same Settings path. Use demo sessions to finalize binds without risking Forge Center gear. Early Access adds more Weavers—Rook, Starling, Hertz, Botsy, and Caracal—and each may introduce a third active skill with unique animation locks. Re-test binds whenever you main a new Weaver.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Likely fix
Dodge feels one frame late	Check fullscreen vs borderless; verify SSD install per System Requirements
Wrong keys after OS language change	Re-select QWERTY/AZERTY/QWERTZ in Controls
Gamepad layout feels inverted	Swap between the two official presets
Cannot pause to rebind	Return to safe house hub between missions

Related pages

• Controls Hub — Overview and pre-launch checklist.
• Getting Started — Mission loop after inputs are set.
• Weavers — Ability-heavy kits that stress skill bindings.
• Trio Comps — Squad roles that inform who needs the fastest dodge response.

RIFTSTORM has not fully launched yet; treat binding tables here as official-structure guidance confirmed against preview builds. Re-run the tutorial after major patches if combat feels unresponsive.