Total War: EMPIRE – Definitive Edition: Keyboard Shortcuts & Hotkeys

The age of gunpowder and grand strategy calls once again! Relive the sweeping campaigns and intricate empire-building in Empire: Total War – Definitive Edition, a game that etched itself into the hearts of strategy fans and remains, even years after its release, a classic loved by all. Wanting to lead your chosen nation again to global dominance but finding that your mouse finger protests at relentless clicking? Well, fear not, commander, because this guide comes as your trusted aide-de-camp, equipping you with all the hotkeys & keyboard shortcuts that will enable you to outmaneuver your rivals with speed and precision like a seasoned general. Below is the complete list of keyboard shortcuts for easy reference; further below, you will also find a video that shows all available settings in the game if you prefer a more visually appealing reference.

All PC Settings

Campaign Controls

Camera Controls

• Move Up: W or Num 5

• Move Down: S or Num 2

• Strafe Left: A or Num 1

• Strafe Right: D or Num 3

• Increase Height: Num * or X

• Decrease Height: Num / or Z

Gameplay Controls

• End Turn: Enter

• Options Menu: Esc

• Animation Speed Up (Toggle): Space Bar

• Quick Save: Ctrl + S

• Quick Load: Ctrl + L

• Look at Nation Capital: Home

• Cancel Order: Backspace

Battle Controls

Camera Controls

• Move Forward: W or Num 5

• Move Backward: S or Num 2

• Rotate Left: Q or Num 4

• Rotate Right: E or Num 6

• Strafe Left: A or Num 1

• Strafe Right: D or Num 3

• Increase Height: Num * or X

• Decrease Height: Num / or Z

• Pitch Upwards: Num + or V

• Pitch Downwards: Num – or C

• Zoom (General): Home

• Zoom (Unit): End

• Track Unit: Delete

Gameplay Controls

• Show Unit Destinations: Space

• Select All Cavalry: Ctrl + C

• Select All Musketeers: Ctrl + M

• Select All Melee Only: Ctrl + H

• Select All Artillery: Ctrl + B

• Toggle Pause: Pause or P

• Toggle Game Speed: Ctrl + T

• Open Battle Chat (General): Shift + G

• Open Battle Chat (Team): Shift + T

Mouse Button Controls

In the Campaign

Left-Click:

Select character, building, etc.

Activate buttons or received messages.

Right-Click:

Move selected piece to target location.

Display target information in the Review Panel.

Issue orders to the selected unit (e.g., attack, take cover).

Double Left-Click:

Display target object information.

Zoom to unit via the unit card.

Double Right-Click:

Issue a run or full sail order to selected unit(s).

In Battles

Left-Click and Drag: Create unit selection box.

Right-Click and Drag:

Show route to the destination for selected pieces.

Create formation and change the facing of selected units.

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