SWTOR Controller Guide

How to set up and play Star Wars the Old Republic on an Xbox, Playstation, Steam Controller or Steamdeck.

You can absolutely play SWTOR on any controller using TodayinTOR’s SWTOR Controller guide created by Kain. This guide will help you set up and play SWTOR on any modern controller or steamdeck, replicating the official controller layout of Final Fantasy XIV.

Contents

Controller Support for SWTOR

Playing SWTOR on an Xbox, Playstation or Steam Controller (or Steamdeck) is possible when you connect your controller to Steam’s Big Picture Mode. This means that you will need to be using the Steam version of SWTOR in order to use a controller to play the game.

Please note that you can only play the standard game and minigames such as Space Ship Combat and Galactic Starfighter are not compatable with Controllers.

Setting Up Your Controller

There are several steps you need to take in order to properly set up your Controller to work in SWTOR. Firstly you need to tweak some in-game settings to make it controller ready before you connect your Controller.

Depending on the UI Layout you select, you can have up to 71 Abilities slotted onto your controller with 1 ability slot being open to you to keybind if you’d like. It is in the A/Jump slot.

There are default keybinds for each UI Layout to make controls as simple and straight forward as possible, so please make sure you have the corresponding keybinds with your selected UI Layout for the best results.
There are two different UI Versions, each one has a 3 Hotbar layout and a 6 Hotbar layout. If you are a Preferred player, you will only have 5 of the 6 quickbars.

SWTOR Settings

In-Game Preferences Menu Options

Camera Rotation Speed = 20%
If you find the sensitivity of the camera or mouse not to your liking, try changing the sensitivity in Steam Input first as changing the sensitivity in SWTOR will affect all mouse controls tied to Steam Input.
Auto Target Closest Enemy
I suggest turning this setting On. This will avoid you trying to activate your abilites but nothing happening as you are not targeting anyone.
Quick Ground Target Activation
Having this setting On will allow you to use your AOE abilities that usually require you to use the mouse cursor to aim your AOE. Once you are locked on to a target, you Double Press your chosen AOE ability to use it directly on top of your current target.
Use Operations Frames as Group Frames
Strongly suggested for Steam Deck players. This setting will swap the character portrait health bars for simplified ones. This is useful for freeing up screen space.

Enable Big Picture Mode

Once you have Steam turned on you must first sync your Controllers Config Files to Steam in order to play SWTOR with a controller through Steam Big Picture Mode.
Go to your web browser and enter one of the two Steam:// URL addresses to have Steam automatically sync and download the SWTOR Keybinds to your controllers:

For Steam Deck or Steam Controller:
steam://controllerconfig/1286830/3755863156
For Standard Controller (XBOX/PS):
steam://controllerconfig/1286830/3755864288

Controller Layouts

There are six default UI Layouts you can use for SWTOR with your chosen Controller, these have been bundled into a downloadable XML file you can place directly into your SWTOR folder to access the Controller UI’s instantly, mimicing the control scheme and layout of Final Fantasy XIV’s official controller layout.
Available from NexusMods www.nexusmods.com/starwarstheoldrepublic/mods/41

How to Install: Unzip the included Zip File with a program like 7zip
Navigate to C:\Users\[Your-PC-Username]\AppData\Local\SWTOR\swtor\settings location and Copy/Paste any of the .xml files you’d like to use from the provided Keybinds and UI folders into the associated Keybindings and GUI Profiles folders.

If you’re unable to locate the above listed folders in Windows, open File Explorer, click the View menu at the top, select Show, and check “Hidden items”.

The Steam Deck/ Steam Controller 2026 control scheme features dynamic Mouse Mode and Action Cam that will change on the fly as you use the associated buttons.
The Standard Controller control scheme features a separate Mouse Mode and Action Cam that you can swap to freely with a single press of a button.

Check out all 6 of SWTOR’s Controller Layouts below, including details of how each one plays and controls:

Gap Layout

Using the Gap Layout, the D-Pad and Face Button sections are separated with a gap in the middle of the screen where your character is featured.

With the 3 Bar version, you will have a default 31 abilities available. For the 6 Bar version as an example, the default D-Pad and Face Buttons occupy the first row, then R2, then L2 and so on.
With the 6 Bar version, you will have access to a default 71 abilities. Double Tap R1,R2,L2 to use the side quickbars.

3 Hotbar Gap Layout

6 Hotbar Gap Layout

Spread Layout

The Spread Layout mimics FFXIV ‘s controller layout closely. There are 47 default ability slots with the 6 bar layout and a 23 default ability slots with the 3 bar layout.

You’ll notice an empty slot in the middle of each quickbar, this acts as a divider for D-Pad and Face Buttons. Middle Top is quickbar 1. Below that is quickbar 6, R2+L2.
The top right bottom is R2, top is R1. Over to the left side bottom is L2, top is L1.
There is a second keybind for this layout. Instead of R1 & L1, it uses R2 & L2 Double Tap for the top two quickbars.

3 Hotbar Spread Layout

6 Hotbar Spread Layout

Stack Layout

The Stack layout is the most straightforward one. There are 47 default ability slots with the 6 bar layout and 23 default ability slots with the 3 bar layout.
There is a divider separating D-Pad and Face Buttons. Starting at the top D-Pad and Face Buttons, then R2, then L2 and so on.

3 Hotbar Stack Layout

6 Hotbar Stack Layout

Controls

Default Controls

Left Joystick is character movement, WASD Strafe. This ensures your character can move in any direction at any time. However, your character will not face the camera. You can still swing the camera around to the front of your character easily by holding L4 and moving the mouse with the Right Trackpad in Mouse Mode.
Right Joystick is Camera Movement. Action Cam will be automatically activated by touching the Right Joystick and will immediately swap if you are using Mouse Mode with the Right Trackpad. This is achieved by having the Right Click toggled on during Right Joystick usage. Because of this, if you touch the Right Joystick while the mouse is over a menu, you won’t be able to move the camera with just the Right Joystick. You will instead move the mouse cursor slowly as the mouse speed is lowered for stable Action Cam camera use. However, this is easily fixed by just touching the Right Trackpad, which will immediately swap to Mouse Mode, where you can then move the mouse from the window and resume Right Joystick use.
L4 is Left Click
R4 is Right Click
Start is Esc key
Select is Character Panel
R2+Select is Zoom In
L2+Select is Zoom Out
R1+Select is Toggle Minimap Overlay
R2 Double Tap+Select is Minimap Zoom In
L2 Double Tap+Select is Minimap Zoom Out
L1+Select is Toggle UI
The A button is Space/ Jump. You can also press A to skip dialogue and cutscenes.
D-Pad: You can use Up, Right & Down during Conversations with a Dialogue Wheel to select your dialogue choice.
D-Pad & Face Buttons on their own are 7 total Ability slots.
In the D-Pad section, from left to right… Ability Slot 1=Left , 2=Up , 3=Down , 4=Right
In the Face Button section, from left to right… Ability Slot 1=X , 2=A , 3=Y , 4=B
You may notice the numbers are out of order in the D-Pad sections when viewing them in the quickbars. This is to ensure use in conversation cutscenes via the dialogue wheel.
R1, R2, L1, L2, R2+L2, R1+L1 act as modifiers, like Shift and Ctrl, with the D-Pad and Face Buttons to unlock 8 more ability slots per modifier combination. Depending on your UI selection and number of quickbars used, you may also use R1, R2, L2 Double Tap for 8 more ability slots each. You may also use R1+R2 for additional keybinds or less used ones, like direct companion ability control.
R2 is Shift
L2 is Alt
R1 is Ctrl
L1 is Alt+Ctrl. This also changes R1 to Shift while L1 is held, so you may press L1+R1 for slots keybound to Shift+Alt+Ctrl for easier finger use.
R1, R2, L2 Double Tap Change D-Pad and Face Buttons to 8 more otherwise unused keys. The Arrow Keys for the D-Pad. 5,6,-,= for the Face Buttons. The specific keys aren’t important; what’s important is these keys unlock the ability to use 8 more abilities per shoulder button Double Tap, which is used for the Gap and alternative Spread UI Layout.
L3 is Target. I have it set to target Next enemy, but you can swap this to Center Screen enemy if you prefer that
L2+L3 is Target Next Friend
R2+L3 is Focus Target
R1+L3 is Acquire Focus Target’s Target
L1+L3 is Acquire Target’s Target
R2+L2+L3 is Target Marker Yellow Reticle
Hold L3 is Target Self
L2+Hold L3 is Target Companion
R3 is Sheathe/ Unsheathe weapon
R1+R3 is Mount Flourish
Right Trackpad is Mouse Movement. Mouse Mode will be automatically activated by touching the Right Trackpad and will immediately swap if you are using Action Cam with the Right Joystick.
I don’t have anything set to Press Right Trackpad, like a mouse click, as I found moving the mouse and also pressing down, while trying to be precise with the mouse cursor, was just too much. Feel free to add something here. I also have the lowest haptic feedback setting while using the Right Trackpad, but feel free to disable this entirely in Steam Input if you prefer.
Left Trackpad is Radial Menu 1 and has the menus that I use most and assume most others would as well. Mission Log, Activities, Cartel Market etc. Hover over your selection and Press down the Left Trackpad to open, or close, your chosen menu.
R5+Left Trackpad is Radial Menu 2. This menu has most of all the other menus or other tools you would need. Emotes, Stronghold, Toggle Run/ Walk etc. Hover over your selection and Press down the Left Trackpad to open, or close, your chosen menu.
There are some menus that simply do not have a keyboard shortcut, like Log In Rewards, so you’ll need to use your mouse and click on the associated UI element.
Hold L5 is End (Focus Target Modifier)
Double Tap L5 is Home (Self Target Modifer)
The Following R5 Controls are only available in Mouse Mode as there is no mouse cursor in Action Cam and little need for these controls outside of Mouse Mode.
R5+Y is Preview Item (Ctrl+Left Click)
R5+X is Modify Item (Ctrl+Right Click)
R5+R2 is Shift+Left Click (Item Tag and Stack Split). You can use this to tag an item in chat or easily fill out the search bar in the Galactic Trade Network (GTN) menu. You can also use this to select a specific number of items in a stack to separate, either to buy or withdraw from your storage etc.
R5+B is Scroll Wheel Down x3. Why? Galaxy Map. I’ve found this map to be extremely buggy, even whilst using a mouse. Trying to zoom in with the Scroll Wheel typically leads to randomly zooming into a corner with no clickable locations. For that reason, I have left out a Galaxy Map Zoom In specific button. You can still zoom in by Left Clicking a region with L4. Using R5+B will then Zoom Out fully for you to click another region.
R5+Up is Scroll Wheel Up. R5+Down is Scroll Wheel Down. You can use this to scroll vertically through menus, like Abilities, or zoom in and out of your character or other preview windows.
R5+Left is Scroll Wheel Up. R5+Right is Scroll Wheel Down. With this, you can scroll Horizontally through menus, like the Cartel Market.

XBox Playstation Controls

Tap R3(Right Joystick) to swap between Mouse Mode and Action Cam
Some Mouse Mode features: Right and Left Click, Scroll Wheel, Preview and Modify item
Move your character independently from the camera controls with Action Cam
Mouse Mode Controls:
R3 is Swap to Action Cam
Right Joystick is Mouse Movement
Left Joystick is character movement, WASD Strafe. This ensures your character can move in any direction at any time. However, your character will not face the camera.
L1 is Left Click
R1 is Right Click
L3 is Toggle Left Click (This is useful for moving windows, using scroll bars or rotating the camera to view your character)
Start is Esc key
Select is Character Panel
A is Space/ Jump. You can also press A to skip dialogue and cutscenes.
D-Pad: You can use Up, Right & Down during Conversations with a Dialogue Wheel to select your dialogue choice. For this reason, I’ve left the D-Pad the same as the Action Cam.
R2+Right Joystick is Radial Menu 1 and has the menus that I use most and assume most others would as well. Mission Log, Activities, Cartel Market etc. Hover over your selection and Release the Joystick to open, or close, your chosen menu.
R2+Left Joystick is Radial Menu 2. This menu has most of all the other menus or other tools you would need. Emotes, Stronghold, Toggle Run/ Walk etc. Hover over your selection and Release the Joystick to open, or close, your chosen menu.
There are some menus that simply do not have a keyboard shortcut, like Log In Rewards, so you’ll need to use your mouse and click on the associated UI element.
Y is Preview Item (Ctrl+Left Click)
X is Modify Item (Ctrl+Right Click)
R2+X is Shift+Left Click (Item Tag and Stack Split). You can use this to tag an item in chat or easily fill out the search bar in the Galactic Trade Network (GTN) menu. You can also use this to select a specific number of items in a stack to separate, either to buy or withdraw from your storage etc.
B is Scroll Wheel Down x3. Why? Galaxy Map. I’ve found this map to be extremely buggy, even whilst using a mouse. Trying to zoom in with the Scroll Wheel typically leads to randomly zooming into a corner with no clickable locations. For that reason, I have left out a Galaxy Map Zoom In specific button. You can still zoom in by Left Clicking a region with L3. Using B will then Zoom Out fully for you to click another region.
R2+Up is Scroll Wheel Up. R2+Down is Scroll Wheel Down. You can use this to scroll vertically through menus, like Abilities, or zoom in and out of your character or other preview windows.
R2+Left is Scroll Wheel Up. R2+Right is Scroll Wheel Down. With this, you can scroll Horizontally through menus, like the Cartel Market.

Action Cam Controls

R3 is swap to Mouse Mode
Left Joystick is character movement, WASD Strafe. This ensures your character can move in any direction at any time. However, your character will not face the camera.
Right Joystick is Camera Movement. This is achieved by having the Right Click toggled on during Right Joystick usage. Because of this, if you press L1 while the mouse is over a menu in Mouse Mode, you won’t be able to move the camera with the Right Joystick. You will instead move the mouse cursor slowly as the mouse speed is lowered for stable Action Cam camera use. However, this is easily fixed by pressing L1 again, which will swap back to Mouse Mode, where you can then move the mouse from the window and press L1 once more to then use the Right Joystick for camera control.
Start is Esc key
Select is Character Panel
R2+Select is Zoom In
L2+Select is Zoom Out
R1+Select is Toggle Minimap Overlay
R2 Double Tap+Select is Minimap Zoom In
L2 Double Tap+Select is Minimap Zoom Out
R1+L1+Select is Toggle UI
R2+L2+Select is Sheathe/ Unsheathe weapon
L1+Select is Mount Flourish
The A button is Space/ Jump. You can also press A to skip dialogue and cutscenes.
D-Pad: You can use Up, Right & Down during Conversations with a Dialogue Wheel to select your dialogue choice.
D-Pad & Face Buttons on their own are 7 total Ability slots.
In the D-Pad section, from left to right… Ability Slot 1=Left , 2=Up , 3=Down , 4=Right
In the Face Button section, from left to right… Ability Slot 1=X , 2=A , 3=Y , 4=B
You may notice the numbers are out of order in the D-Pad sections when viewing them in the quickbars. This is to ensure use in conversation cutscenes via the dialogue wheel.
R1, R2, L1, L2, R2+L2, R1+L1 act as modifiers, like Shift and Ctrl, with the D-Pad and Face Buttons to unlock 8 more ability slots per modifier combination. Depending on your UI selection and number of quickbars used, you may also use R1, R2, L2 Double Tap for 8 more ability slots each. You may also use R1+R2 for additional keybinds or less used ones, like direct companion ability control.
R2 is Shift
L2 is Alt
R1 is Ctrl
L1 is Alt+Ctrl. This also changes R1 to Shift while L1 is held, so you may press L1+R1 for slots keybound to Shift+Alt+Ctrl for easier finger use.
R1, R2, L2 Double Tap Change D-Pad and Face Buttons to 8 more otherwise unused keys. The Arrow Keys for the D-Pad. 5,6,-,= for the Face Buttons. The specific keys aren’t important; what’s important is these keys unlock the ability to use 8 more abilities per shoulder button Double Tap, which is used for the Gap and Spread UI Layout.
L3 is Target. I have it set to target Next enemy, but you can swap this to Center Screen enemy if you prefer.
L2+L3 is Target Next Friend
R2+L3 is Focus Target
R1+L3 is Acquire Focus Target’s Target
L1+L3 is Acquire Target’s Target
R2+L2+L3 is Target Marker Yellow Reticle
Hold L3 is Target Self
L2+Hold L3 is Target Companion

Temporary Quickbar

There are two types of Temporary Quickbars. The first is an additional quickbar that adds another to your existing quickbars that can be edited in the Interface Editor.

The second replaces your Quickbar 1 with temporary abilites, usually when you transform into another character or object, like a Walker or Droid. As both Temporary Quickbars are dynamic, the number of abilities and slots on screen will differ depending on the content you’re currently engaging with.

Additional Quickbar:
As the number of slots available will change from time to time, The keybinds are set up in a counter-clockwise motion, starting with the Face Buttons, followed by the D-Pad. Ability slots 1-8 are A,B,Y,X then Down,Right,Up,Left.
The most common Temporary ability you’ll have is a version of the Mount Boost. Depending on your Keybind selection, you could be pressing R1+L1 or Ctrl and A for Temporary ability slot 1 as an example, which in this case would be Mount Boost.
If you have more than 8 Temporary abilities, possible through the addition of Heroic abilities, you’ll need to create new keybinds or use your mouse cursor to select the skills.
Quickbar 1:
Depending on your UI and Keybind selection, you may run into trouble with the selection of abilities and their placecment on the quickbar as some keybinds have a blank slot inbetween the D-Pad and Face Button sections.
If a Temporary ability is placed in a slot with no keybind, you’ll need to use the mouse cursor to select the ability. If you find this too cumbersome, I would suggest making an additional keybind profile changing Quickbar 1 and any other quickbars changed so that your keybinds cover all the Tempoary abilities.

Guide created by Kain u/HoopaorGilgamesh for TodayinTOR.com

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