This section covers the very basics of setting up your character's attributes, skills, and items, as well as moving and otherwise finding your way around.

All keyboard commands assume the default setup.

The Space Bar

This button has many uses, depending on what you are targeting.

Targeting another player: Follow that player.

Targeting a friendly non-player character: Talk to that character.

Targeting an enemy or small animal: Attack using your equipped weapon.

Targeting an item: Pick up the item.

This button is functionally identical to clicking on a targeted item, and much easier to use.

Movement:

W-Walk Forwards

A-Turn Left

S-Walk backwards

D-Turn Right

Q-Strafe Left

E-Strafe Right

(Strafing means moving in that direction while facing in your current direction)

The arrow keys also work for movement.  To strafe with the arrow keys, hold right-click and use left and right (I think).

Skill use

1-Use skill 1

2-Use skill 2

...

8-Use skill 8

Alternatively, click on the image of the skill.

Skills that require an enemy to be targeted will fail if you are not targeting an enemy.  You will move in range if you are out of range.

Skills that target other allies will fail if you are not targeting an ally other than yourself.  You will move into range if you are out of range. 

Skills that target any ally will target yourself if you are not targeting another ally.  You will move into range if you are out of range.

Items and the backpack

I-Open up the backpack and equipped items screen 

Double-clicking on an unequipped equippable item will equip it on the current character.

Click and drag will move an item within a bag, into another bag, or to or from your equipped items. 

Double-clicking on an Identification Kit, Salvage Kit, and the advanced forms will change your cursor so your next click will identify or salvage the item you click.

Clicking twice on an item on the ground (or targeting it then pressing "Space") will pick it up.  You will run over to the item if you are too far away. 

The Hero Screen

H-open the Hero screen

This presently lists attributes, titles, and faction (in 3 tabs, which you click to choose between).  With Nightfall, attributes will move to the skills page.

It also has other useful information about your character, such as level, skill points, experience, and level progress.

Attributes

The attributes section has unused skill points at the top right, attribute names along the left, and currently level and how to raise/lower it on the right.

Regarding raising and lowering attributes:

The first number (in a box) is the current level of the attribute.  If it is blue, a positive modifier is affecting it.

The second number does not always appear, and is in a triangle with the point down.  Clicking it lowers the attribute level by 1 and gives you a number of attribute points equal to the number that was on the triangle before you clicked it.  If you are not in a town or outpost, it will be greyer and unclickable.

The third number (in a triangle pointing up) raises the attribute level by 1, and costs the number of attribute points equal to the number in the triangle.  If you do not have enough, it will be greyer and unclickable.

200 is the maximum number of attribute points you can earn, and 12 is the highest you can raise the unmodified value of any one attribute.  Higher levels of attributes cost more points.

The Skill Screen
 

The attributes section will move to the Skill screen when Nightfall releases.  Also, this is where you will edit your Heroes' skills.  (A Hero is a NPC that you have partial control over, including attributes, skills, gear, and moderate skill use)

You can sort your skills in several different ways using the "Sort by" dropdown box. 

To add a skill, click and drag it from the menu to your skill bar.  To remove a skill, click and drag it from your skill bar to the menu.

There will be a section at the top where you can switch between different Heroes in your party, allowing you to edit their attributes and skills.

The Map

M-Display the full map

This map will take up the entire screen and be very far zoomed out.  Clicking on any town or outpost you have visited will let you travel there (after choosing a district)

Traveling with the map will save you days of time. 

U-Display the minimap

This map is a small window that you can move around the screen that shows your current position, path, and immediate surroundings, as well as any quests that can be completed nearby (but not directions to get to ones you cannot see)

It is very useful for finding how to get around large obstacles or for keeping your bearings.