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Move Selected Token With Arrow Keys

October 06 (12 years ago)
MapTool does this.

When you have a token selected, pressing the arrow keys with will move the token, the "D" key will "drop" the token (which is less intuitive, perhaps, than it could be), and Escape will reset the movement to the starting position (which is not relevant to Roll20 as long as it doesn't display move paths... which it should!)

I suggest Roll20 should have the arrow keys move a selected token, at least.
October 06 (12 years ago)
I suggest Roll20 should have the arrow keys move a selected token, at least.


That only would work for square grids, though. What do you suggest for moving tokens along hexagonal grids?

I know other apps that use the numeric keypad for moving tokens in both kinds of grids.

October 06 (12 years ago)
Sure, I could get behind that.

I'm just guessing, but I'm pretty sure the only difference between those two methods from a development perspective is "num lock".
October 07 (12 years ago)
Axel Castilla
KS Backer
Also, since there are RPG systems in which - unlike D&D 3.5 - facing matters, like AD&D 2ed and many others, a couple of keys for rotating and turning token orientation or facing would be necessary for having complete control of token movement and displacement via keyboard.

Besides, in some game systems, change of facing is regarded as movement as well:

This is from the GURPS Basic Set: Campaigns book (the optional Tactical Combat section)





If the numeric keypad can be used for moving tokens, maybe the two keys above 8 and 9 in the numeric keypad (/ and *) can be assigned to rotate them to the left and to the right, respectively, for an square or hex side in each keystroke.

A complete set of keys for moving tokens can be really useful for showing to the GM the step-by-step path that a token is following, in real time, for displacement in a given turn, instead just dragging the token with the mouse and dropping it at its destination point, too often leaving the GM with questions such as:

"What has been your actual path in the map for ending there? Did you really managed to avoid stepping into the *secret* trap at your side? Is this going to provoke an 'Attack of Opportunity'?"





October 07 (12 years ago)
Implementing facing—or not—is a separate issue altogether (and a deserving one, I think).

I'm saying that I would like to do with keys what I can presently do with the mouse. I'm just the type of user who prefers not to switch back to the mouse unless I have to.
October 07 (12 years ago)
Axel Castilla
KS Backer
I'm saying that I would like to do with keys what I can presently do with the mouse.


Well, yes. Currently, Roll20 allows token rotation/facing for top-down tokens by using the mouse, in the same way you use the mouse for moving tokens around.

What I'm saying is that a complete control of token movement via keyboard should cover not only arrow keys, but diagonal directions (Apsara's point above) and also facing, that is to say, square-side or hex-side changes, which often are related to movement as well.