The Outer Worlds 2 – Complete PC & Controller Keybinds Guide

If you’ve just started The Outer Worlds 2 and want to know the default keybindings and controller layout, this guide lists everything from movement and combat to menu navigation and companions, based on the in-game settings shown in the latest 2025 build.

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🎮 Overview

This guide covers:

• Default keyboard & mouse controls
• Default controller bindings (Xbox/PlayStation layouts)
• Menu and inventory shortcuts
• Tips for rebinding and adjusting preferences

You can change all bindings anytime under:
Settings → Controls → Edit Keybindings

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🧭 Movement Controls

Action	Key	Controller
Walk Forward	W	Left Stick Up
Walk Backward	S	Left Stick Down
Strafe Left	A	Left Stick Left
Strafe Right	D	Left Stick Right
Turn Left / Right	Mouse Movement / Arrow Keys	Right Stick
Look Up / Down	Mouse Movement	Right Stick
Sprint	Left Shift	L3 (Left Stick Press)
Jump	Space Bar	A / Cross
Crouch / Sneak	Left Ctrl	B / Circle
Auto-Sprint Toggle	Caps Lock	Click Left Stick Twice
Use / Interact (Primary)	E	X / Square
Interact (Secondary)	F	Y / Triangle

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⚔️ Combat & Weapons

Action	Key	Controller
Attack (Primary Fire)	Left Mouse Button	RT / R2
Power Attack / Holster (Hold)	R	Hold RT / R2
Aim / Block	Right Mouse Button	LT / L2
Quick Melee	T	R3 (Right Stick Click)
Reload	R	X / Square
Throw (Hold to Aim)**	G	RB / R1
Inhaler (Heal)**	Z	D-Pad Up
Gadget Activation (Toggle)**	Q	LB / L1
Companion 1 Special Ability	V	D-Pad Left
Companion 2 Special Ability	C	D-Pad Right
Weapon 1 / 2 / 3 / 4	1 / 2 / 3 / 4	D-Pad Down (Cycle)
Next Weapon / Previous Weapon	Mouse Wheel / Scroll	Right Bumper / Left Bumper
Last Weapon	5	Y / Triangle

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🧰 Utility & Equipment

Action	Key	Controller
Toggle Flashlight	L	D-Pad Down
Quick Save	F5	Not Available (Auto only)
Quick Load	F9	Not Available
Equipment Radial	Mouse Wheel Click / Middle Mouse	Hold LB / L1
Next Throwable	X	RB / R1
Next Gadget	5	RB / R1 (Hold)
Life (Alternate Shoulder)**	H	L3 / Left Stick Press

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📖 Menus & Interface

Action	Key	Controller
Pause / Main Menu	Esc	Start / Options
View Journal	J	Select / Touchpad
View Inventory	I	D-Pad Right (Hold)
View Character Menu	K	D-Pad Left (Hold)
View Ledger	Tab	Back / Touchpad (Hold)
View Map	M	Menu Shortcut / Back
View Companion Menu	Comma (,)	Press Right Stick
View Quest Log	TAB / J	Back / Touchpad
Toggle HUD	Y	None (PC Only)
Skip Cutscene	Enter / Space	A / Cross
Scroll Up / Down (Menus)**	Mouse Wheel / Arrow Keys	D-Pad Up / Down

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⚙️ Controller Settings

Setting	Default	Description
Controller Vibration	On	Enables haptic feedback
Controller Auto-Sprint	On	Automatically runs when moving forward
Invert X Axis	Off	Flip horizontal camera direction
Invert Y Axis	Off	Flip vertical camera direction
Aim Sensitivity	33%	Adjust camera sensitivity when aiming
Look Sensitivity	33%	Default camera movement speed
Dead Zone Left (Inner/Outer)	15% / 5%	Adjust left stick response
Dead Zone Right (Inner/Outer)	10% / 5%	Adjust right stick accuracy

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🖱️ Mouse & Keyboard Settings

Option	Default	Notes
Mouse Sensitivity	50%	Adjust for precise aiming
Mouse Aim Sensitivity	49%	Affects scoped or ADS control
Invert X / Y	Off	Standard FPS-style layout
Sprint Preference	Hold	Can switch to Toggle
Crouch Preference	Toggle	Useful for stealth
Aim Preference	Hold	Hold right-click to aim
General Input Mode	Mouse & Keyboard	Switchable to Controller anytime

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💡 Tips for Customization

• Crouch Toggle vs Hold:
  If you prefer stealth movement, set crouch to Hold for smoother transitions.
• Auto-Sprint:
  Keep it on if you’re exploring large outdoor areas — saves finger strain.
• Dead Zone Adjustments:
  Reduce dead zones slightly (5–8%) for more responsive aiming on controllers.
• Quick-Save Remap:
  You can safely bind Quick Save to another key like F6 or Mouse 4.

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🎯 Pro Controller Layout (Recommended Alternative)

If you prefer an action-focused setup:

Action	Suggested Change
Heal (Inhaler)	Move to Right Stick Click (R3) for faster reaction
Throw / Gadget	Keep both on Shoulders for quick tactical swaps
Flashlight	Map to D-Pad Up
Companion Abilities	D-Pad Left / Right (Default — good placement)

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🧠 Quick Reference Summary

Category	Primary Key / Button
Move	WASD / Left Stick
Jump	Space / A
Sprint	Shift / L3
Crouch	Ctrl / B
Attack	LMB / RT
Aim	RMB / LT
Reload	R / X
Interact	E / X
Heal	Z / D-Pad Up
Flashlight	L / D-Pad Down
Journal	J / Select
Map	M / Menu
Inventory	I / D-Pad Right
Save / Load	F5 / F9
Pause	Esc / Start

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✅ Notes for Players Testing the Early Build (2025)

• The Outer Worlds 2 defaults to a “Hold-to-Aim” and “Toggle Crouch” control scheme, unlike the first game’s Toggle-Aim setup.
• Controller settings retain auto-sprint, but you can disable it if you prefer manual control for precision shooting.
• The new radial equipment system allows faster switching between throwables, inhalers, and gadgets.

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🔧 Conclusion

These are the default and optimal keybindings for The Outer Worlds 2 (2025).
Whether you play on PC or console, these layouts offer full command over exploration, combat, and dialogue.

You can freely customize bindings to fit your comfort — just remember to save your preset in Settings → Controls → Save Custom Scheme before exiting the menu.

#The Outer Worlds 2