Darkfall is very different than other Massive Multiplayer Games since it's real-time with fast-action combat. Some of the controls may seem foreign to players with a previous MMO background. First Person Shooter players will find them easier to get accustomed to.

The main controls for a starting player follow:

W, A, S, D Movement Keys: W-key to move forward, A-key to strafe left, S-key to move backwards, D-key to strafe right. This is a standard control method in most videogames where you can control every aspect of the movement of your character.

Mouse Look and Aim: You can choose the direction your character is facing by moving your mouse. This works whether you're standing still or you're moving. You also aim this way by putting the crosshairs on your target.

RIGHT MOUSECLICK - this will take you back and forth between action mode and interface mode.

• Action mode allows you to interact with the world, so you want to be in action mode in order to fight, use objects, banks, mounts, ships and non-player characters etc.
• Interface mode allows you to gain access to various menus and options that have to do with your character and the world around him. Here you will find your backpack, skills and spells, paperdoll, boards, etc.

F-Key, the USE key: The F-key is the default 'use' key. If you need to talk to a non-player character you run up to him and press the F-key. The F-key is very versatile,  it's the key you use to interact with a bank, to get on a mount, to loot a corpse etc.

G-Key, the other USE key: The G-key is the 'alternate use' key. Some interactive objects have more than one uses. The G-key will open up a menu with more options than the default use ones. An example of this is when you use the G-key on a mount, it will allow you to unsummon it and make it go back to being a figurine in your backpack. The G-key also opens your clan vault when interacting with a bank, it's how you trade with a player, or how you invite someone to your party, and has many more uses.

The R-key sheath/unsheathe: The R-key is the sheath and unsheathe key. If you have a weapon or a magic staff equipped, they are considered sheathed. By pressing the R-key your character will unsheathe his weapon and it's ready for combat. Pressing the R-key again will put the weapon away. If you have a melee weapon equipped then by unsheathing a weapon your character moves to the third person perspective to make it easier to keep full awareness during combat. You will need to sheathe your weapon before you can interact with any object in the game, so after you kill a monster, you have to press R before you can use the F key to loot it.

Space-Key Jump: Using the space key you make your character jump. Jumping uses up stamina so you want to be careful not to run out.

C-Key Crouching, Diving: Use the C-key to crouch. You can use crouching to hide, make less sound, duck from an attack, and to get into tight spaces. When swimming, the C-key makes your character dive.

Left Shift + Movement Key, Sprint: By pressing down on the left shift-key while running your character sprints. Sprinting also uses up stamina, so you should keep an eye on it.

Ctrl + Movement Key, Walk: By pressing the Ctrl key while moving, your character walks.

0-9,  Hotbar: You can move spells and items to your hotbar for fast access. You move them by dragging the icon and placing it into the hotbar slot you want to use.

Shift 0-9, Hotbar Selection: You can select the appropriate hotbar by holding down shift and cycle between 0 and 9.