Default Game Controls

Keyboard Controls

Move - WASD
Ascend (Jump) - Space
Dodge Modifier - Left Shift or B
Dodge Backwards - C
Dodge Forwards - X 
Dodge Right - V
Dodge Left - Z
Boost - L
Star Burst - Q
Switch Target - Tab
Change Character (1v1) - E
Main Shooting - J
Sub Shooting - K
Main Melee - U
Sub Melee - I
Guard - F
Communications Wheel - T
Comms Shortcuts - 1-8

Pad Controls

Move - Left Stick
Ascend (Jump) - A/X
Dodge Backwards - D-Pad Down
Dodge Forwards - D-Pad Up
Dodge Right - D-Pad Right
Dodge Left - D-Pad Left
Boost - L3
Star Burst - R3
Switch Target - B/Circle
Change Character (1v1) - LT/L2
Main Shooting - X/Square
Sub Shooting - RB/R1
Main Melee - Y/Triangle
Sub Melee - LB/L1
Guard - RT/R2
Communications Wheel - Start

Suggestions for EXVS Players (+ Arcade Stick)

Starward has more buttons than EXVS, but is still quite playable on stick/leverless thanks to being able to make combination binds like are seen in that game. Here are some suggestions to make it feel closer to Gundam:

• First, make it so your lever's double tap input is set to "dodge", allowing you to double tap a direction on your stick to step that way. Also, change your "Rise" button to C, with the double tap input set to "dash", so holding or tapping the button once makes you jump, but double tapping lets you boost dash.

• Next, to make sure you don't get a step on any lever input, uncheck these boxes here (if you uncheck one it should uncheck them all)

• For weapons, set the buttons individually next to each other with the "+" to make that attack require both to trigger. In this case we have:
  • Main Shooting on 'A'
  • Sub Shooting on 'AB'
  • Main Melee on 'B'
  • Sub Melee on 'BC'
  • Burst on 'ABC' (not pictured)

• To guard, you can check this flag to allow your 28 input to block like in Gundam, though it is still highly recommended to set an individual button to it for easier access.

Notation

This wiki primarily uses numpad notation, which is a common convention for modern fighting games. It is convenient for shorthanding information and is (generally) more easily shareable with those that speak other languages. The number of the numpad indicates the direction of movement (left stick/WASD). For example, backwards + main shooting would be 2A. The notation always assumes you are facing straight ahead.

The current notation is derived primarily from the Gundam EXVS series, a long running popular franchise that Starward takes direct inspiration from in many ways. The buttons are not 1:1 as they initially come from the default arcade stick layout, but are still very applicable to any input device.

Standard Input Notation

A - Main Shooting
AB - Sub Shooting 
B - Main Melee
BC - Sub Melee   
csA/csB - Charged Main Shot/Charged Main Melee
ABC - Burst Skill
G - Guard/Shield
d - Any direction (example: dBC meaning any direction and Sub Melee)
~X - Followup (example: 5AB ~A is a Main Shooting followup after pressing Sub Shooting)
T[X] - Talent level minimum required for that functionality

Combo-Specific Notation

-> - Cancel
> - Step
>> - Boost Dash
* - Jump
~ - Link
() - Stage (melee string) or Hit Count