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1-Windrose uses standard keyboard and mouse controls with some unique bindings for ship operation and naval combat. The game supports key rebinding for most on-foot actions, though certain ship controls have limited rebinding options. A controller is not officially supported in the current build.
1+Windrose uses standard keyboard and mouse controls with some unique bindings for ship operation and naval combat. The game supports key rebinding for most on-foot actions, though certain ship controls have limited rebinding options. Controller support is included but community feedback describes it as rough at Early Access launch, with improvements planned across the Early Access window.
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33 Movement Controls
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55 ActionDefault KeyMove ForwardWMove BackwardSStrafe LeftAStrafe RightDSprintHold ShiftDash/DodgeCTRLJumpSpaceCrouchC
6-The dash bound to CTRL is one of the most used inputs during combat. Some players rebind it to a mouse side button for easier access during fights.
6+The dash bound to CTRL is one of the most used inputs during combat. Some players rebind it to a mouse side button for easier access during fights. When locked on, dash becomes a dodge that tracks the locked target.
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88 Combat Controls
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10-ActionDefault KeyLight AttackLeft Mouse ButtonHeavy AttackHold Left Mouse ButtonBlock/ParryRight Mouse ButtonLock On TargetTSwitch TargetMouse WheelUse FirearmMiddle Mouse ButtonUse Healing ItemHotbar Key (1-5)
11-Target lock (T) is essential for reliable combat. Without it, parries and blocks may not face the correct direction. Always lock on before engaging an enemy, especially in multi-enemy situations.
10+ActionDefault KeyLight AttackLeft Mouse ButtonHeavy / F-Attack (weapon special)FBlock / ParryRight Mouse Button (hold)Lock On TargetTSwitch TargetMouse WheelUse FirearmMiddle Mouse ButtonUse Healing ItemHotbar Key (1-5)
11+Target lock (T) is essential for reliable combat. Without it, parries and blocks may not face the correct direction. Always lock on before engaging an enemy, especially in multi-enemy situations. The F-attack is a weapon-specific special ability: different weapons (Ghost Captain's Sword, Plague Halberd, etc.) have different F-attack effects and cooldowns.
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1313 Ship Controls
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15-ActionDefault KeySummon/Recall ShipKBoard ShipE (interact)Steer ShipA/D (while at wheel)Raise/Lower SailsW/S (while at wheel)Fire CannonsLeft Mouse ButtonAim CannonsRight Mouse ButtonShip InventoryTab (while on ship)Open MapMLoot Floating DebrisSpace
16-Pressing K summons your ship to the nearest shoreline. This works from anywhere on an island. The ship inventory (Tab) is only accessible while aboard the ship. On-foot inventory uses a separate key.
15+ActionDefault KeySummon / Recall ShipKBoard ShipE (interact) or Space when boarding prompt appearsSteer ShipA / D (while at wheel)Raise / Lower SailsW / S (while at wheel)Fire CannonsLeft Mouse ButtonAim CannonsRight Mouse Button (hold)Zoom out cameraF (while on ship)Open Ship ManagementQ (near wheel)Ship InventoryTab (while on ship)Open MapMLoot Floating DebrisSpace
16+Pressing K summons your ship to the nearest shoreline. This works from anywhere on an island. The ship inventory (Tab) is only accessible while aboard the ship. On-foot inventory uses a separate key. The Q key near the wheel opens the ship management menu for switching cannon ammo types, checking hull health, and viewing crew assignments.
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1818 Interaction and Inventory
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20-ActionDefault KeyInteractEOpen InventoryI (on foot) / Tab (on ship)Open Crafting MenuE (at crafting station)Open Building MenuBOpen MapMDrop Partial StackQQuick TransferShift + Click
21-The Q key for dropping partial stacks is a quality-of-life feature that makes resource management much smoother. When in a storage container, pressing Q on a stack lets you split it for organized storage.
20+ActionDefault KeyInteract / Pick UpEOpen InventoryI (on foot) / Tab (on ship)Open Crafting MenuE (at crafting station)Open Building MenuBOpen MapMDrop Partial StackQQuick TransferShift + ClickCharacter CustomizationO (reopens customizer anywhere)Dig Mode (Shovel equipped)X
21+The Q key for dropping partial stacks is a quality-of-life feature that makes resource management much smoother. When in a storage container, pressing Q on a stack lets you split it for organized storage. The O key to reopen character customization lets players change hair, tattoos, and cosmetic appearance anywhere in the game without visiting a specific station.
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2323 Building Controls
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25-ActionDefault KeyOpen Build MenuBPlace StructureLeft Mouse ButtonRotate StructureMouse WheelCancel PlacementRight Mouse ButtonDemolish StructureSelected in build menu
26-The building system uses silhouette-based placement. Structures snap to valid positions. Some structures like the Wharf must be placed on a shoreline, while crafting stations like the Alchemy Table require a roof.
25+ActionDefault KeyOpen Build MenuBPlace StructureLeft Mouse ButtonRotate StructureMouse WheelCancel PlacementRight Mouse ButtonDemolish StructureSelected in build menu demolition mode
26+The building system uses silhouette-based placement. Structures snap to valid positions. Some structures like the Wharf must be placed on a shoreline, while crafting stations like the Alchemy Table require a roof. Demolition mode returns 100% of materials, which is different from disassembling crafted items at the Disassembly Table (partial recovery).
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28+Shovel and Dig Mode
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30+With a Shovel equipped (crafted at Workbench for 3 Copper Ingots + 10 Wood), pressing X toggles Dig mode. In Dig mode, the player can excavate marked spots for buried treasure (e.g., the Rapier of a Thousand Cuts under the leaning tree with a red rag) and dig for worms used as fishing bait. Dig mode is also required for the Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest quest.
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32+Steam Overlay
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34+Pressing Shift+Tab opens the Steam overlay. From there, right-clicking a friend opens the "Invite to Play" option for co-op multiplayer, alongside standard Steam chat and browser functionality.
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2836 Key Rebinding
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30-Most on-foot keybinds can be rebound through the Settings menu. WASD movement, combat inputs, and interaction keys are all customizable. However, ship controls have limited rebinding options in the current build. The Tab key for ship inventory appears to be hardcoded and cannot be changed.
38+Most on-foot keybinds can be rebound through the Settings menu. WASD movement, combat inputs, and interaction keys are all customizable. However, ship controls have limited rebinding options in the current Early Access build. The Tab key for ship inventory appears to be hardcoded and cannot be changed. Community feedback has requested more comprehensive rebinding support, particularly for ship controls. The developers have been responsive to quality-of-life requests during the demo period, so improved rebinding is expected in future updates.
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32-Community feedback has requested more comprehensive rebinding support, particularly for ship controls. The developers have been responsive to quality-of-life requests during the demo period, so improved rebinding may come in future updates.
40+Controller Support
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42+Full controller support is included at Early Access launch but community feedback describes the mapping as rough, with some actions feeling awkward compared to keyboard. Kraken Express has indicated controller improvements are part of the post-demo QoL roadmap announced March 23, 2026, and deeper controller refinement is expected across the 1.5 to 2.5 year Early Access period.
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3444 Recommended Rebinds
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3646 Common rebinds recommended by experienced players:
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38-ActionRecommendationDash (CTRL)Rebind to a mouse side button for quicker access during combatLock On (T)Consider rebinding closer to WASD if you find T awkward to reach during movementHealing itemsAssign your most-used healing item to an easily accessible hotbar slot
48+ActionRecommendationDash (CTRL)Rebind to a mouse side button for quicker access during combatLock On (T)Consider rebinding closer to WASD if you find T awkward to reach during movementHealing itemsAssign your most-used healing item to an easily accessible hotbar slotF-attackIf your weapon's F-attack is critical to your build, ensure it sits on a key you can press without breaking WASD
49+See Also
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51+System Requirements - PC specsGetting Started - new player guideCombat - combat mechanicsTips and Tricks - gameplay tips