Soulframe Controls & Keybinds (KB+M, Aim Assist)

Soulframe rebinding lives under Settings → Controls. Defaults below match the community-maintained community catalog Gameplay page for keyboard and mouse — always confirm your own binds after a patch.

Core combat (mouse & keyboard)

| Action | Default (KB+M) | Notes | |--------|----------------|-------| | Light attack | Left mouse | Also used for ripostes after a parry | | Block | Right mouse (hold) | Builds stagger on your bar when absorbing hits | | Parry | Block just before impact | No stagger cost on a successful parry | | Riposte | Light attack after parry | Requires the Riposte combat art on your weapon | | Dodge | Shift | i-frames; “perfect dodge” enables Spectre Strike if unlocked | | Kick | Dedicated bind in Controls | Some pacts replace kick with a unique ability |

Spectral Sight & Smite

| Action | Typical bind | Notes | |--------|--------------|-------| | Spectral Sight | Hold key in Controls | Reveals murals, charmable animals, loot auras | | Smite | Passive chance on hits | Glowing soul = Smite proc | | Pull Smite | Spectral Sight + light attack on a Smited foe | Recharges matching Arcanic; refreshes active Rune |

Pull Smite used to appear as “Soulsteal” in older Preludes keybind lists (renamed Preludes 12).

Movement & loot

• Interact — chests, keys, NPCs (must manually pick up some key drops).
• Throw weapon — charged throws can headshot standard enemies; used for Dermak ceiling traps.

Aim assist & controllers

• Open Settings → Controls (or Gameplay) and search for aim assist / look sensitivity — options have shifted across Preludes builds.
• Full gamepad layouts are not documented on community catalog yet; remap in the same menu and match in-game tutorials during Rise Envoy.

Verify in client: DE can rename binds without a public changelog line. Screenshot your layout before a major patch.

When controls feel wrong

| Symptom | Things to try | |---------|----------------| | Attacks not registering on slopes | Reposition for ground finishers; uneven terrain fails more often than standing finishers | | Block drains stagger instantly | Enemy attack may be unblockable — dodge instead (see combat mechanics) | | Pull Smite does nothing | Enemy soul must be visibly Smited; Spectral Sight must be active |

FAQ — rebinding after patches

| Issue | Fix | |-------|-----| | Binds reset after update | Re-open Settings → Controls and confirm defaults; screenshot your layout before major patches | | Controller vs KB+M | Both remap in the same menu; search aim assist and look sensitivity under Controls or Gameplay | | Pull Smite missing | Renamed from older Soulsteal labels (Preludes 12+) — bind Spectral Sight + light attack on Smited foes | | Rune Activation not firing | Assign Rune Activation explicitly in Controls (Preludes 15 UI); default may differ from older guides | | Kick replaced | Some Pacts swap kick for a unique ability — check your pact slot before rebinding |

Quick setup for new players

1. Complete Rise Envoy tutorial — in-game prompts teach block, dodge, and Spectral Sight
2. Open Controls and set Interact where your thumb rests — key pickups are manual for some quest drops
3. Test Parry → Riposte on a Mockery — Riposte requires the combat art on your equipped weapon
4. If using a controller, tune aim assist before ranged Virtue content in mid-game

Related guides

• Combat mechanics & virtues
• Beginner's guide — tutorial flow
• Runes & enchanting — assign Rune Activation in Controls (Preludes 15 UI; default may differ from older guides)