Cairn demands precision from your very first handhold, and knowing your inputs inside out makes the difference between reaching the summit and tumbling into the void. The Game Bakers designed the control scheme to feel intuitive whether you're scaling vertical walls or navigating base camps, but there's depth here that rewards mastery.
What Makes Cairn's Controls Unique?
Cairn's input system adapts based on context. The same button performs different actions depending on whether Aava is walking around camp or clinging to a rock face. This contextual design keeps the control scheme clean while offering the precision you need for technical climbing sequences.
The developers recommend using a controller, and for good reason. The analog stick precision helps with limb placement during tricky traversals. That said, keyboard and mouse players aren't left behind. You'll find the mouse movement particularly useful for scoping walls and planning routes.
Before diving into the complete controls breakdown, let's cover the core mechanics you'll use constantly.
Pro Tip: Spend time in the climbing gym early. It's a safe space to practice manual limb selection and quick actions before attempting the mountain's more punishing sections.
Controller Layout: Xbox & PlayStation
Your controller transforms based on what Aava's doing. When you're walking around, X (Xbox) or Square (PS5) initiates climbing. Once you're on the wall, that same button confirms hand and foot placements.
Climbing Inputs
The left stick handles all movement, whether you're rappelling down a rope or moving individual limbs during climbs. What most players miss is the manual limb selection system. While Cairn predicts which limb you want to move next, technical sequences sometimes require you to override this. Hold RB (or R1) and use the left stick to manually choose your next placement.
Walking & Navigation Controls
The running start mechanic is risky but necessary for certain gaps. Hit RT (or R2) and Aava sprints forward with limited turning capability. You'll want to line up your trajectory before committing, then hit A (or Cross) at precisely the right moment.
Warning
Running starts reduce your control significantly. One wrong angle and you're plummeting. Always scout your landing zone first.
PC Keyboard & Mouse Configuration
Keyboard players get equally robust controls with mouse movement providing excellent camera control for route planning.
PC keybinding options
Core PC Inputs
The key here is understanding how WASD shifts function. When walking, these keys move Aava around normally. During climbs, they control individual limb movement. W reaches up, S moves down, while A and D shift laterally across the rock face.
Advanced PC Controls
Manual limb selection on PC uses Spacebar plus your scroll wheel, giving you precise control over which hand or foot moves next. This becomes critical during overhangs and challenging sequences where the auto-selection might not predict your intended path.
Quick Actions & Item Management
Both control schemes use directional inputs for quick item access. These actions can save your life when you're hanging by your fingertips.
Standard Quick Actions
Alternate Quick Actions (Hold Modifier)
You'll want to master the alternate quick actions. On PC, hold X while pressing number keys. On controller, hold LT (or L2) while using the D-pad. This gives you:
- Quick rest (Modifier + Bag): Recover stamina without opening menus
- Barometer (Modifier + Bottle): Check altitude and weather
- Light (Modifier + Piton): Illuminate dark sections
- Finger state (Modifier + Chalk): Monitor grip condition
Important
Using chalk and pitons during climbs significantly improves your chances. Don't save them for emergencies. Apply chalk proactively when you spot challenging sections ahead.
Remapping Your Controls
Not satisfied with the defaults? Cairn offers complete remapping freedom for all inputs across keyboard, mouse, and controllers.
Navigate to Settings > Controls to access the remapping interface. You can reassign every action, which proves particularly valuable if you're coming from other climbing games with different button layouts.
The remapping system respects contextual actions, so you'll see separate entries for climbing versus walking inputs even when they share the same default button. This granularity lets you optimize for your playstyle without compromising functionality.
Manual Limb System
The automatic limb selection works brilliantly most of the time, but technical climbers need to understand manual override. Here's when you'll want manual control:
Overhangs: The auto-system sometimes picks inefficient paths. Manual selection lets you plan complex sequences.
Dynos: These explosive moves require precise limb commitment. You can't afford the game guessing wrong.
Traverses: Horizontal movement across faces often demands specific hand-foot combinations.
On controller, hold RB (or R1) and push the left stick toward your intended limb. On PC, hit Spacebar and scroll to highlight the limb you want to move. The selected limb glows, confirming your choice before you commit to movement.
Camera Control & Route Planning
The Tab key on PC or LB (L1) on controller activates scope mode. This zooms out your view, letting you study the wall ahead and identify holds, cracks, and potential rest points.
Use scope mode liberally. Cairn rewards planning over improvisation. Spot your chalk points, identify piton placements, and trace your intended path before committing to difficult sections.
The right stick (or mouse movement) controls camera positioning. You'll want to adjust your view constantly during climbs to spot holds that might be hidden from your default angle.
Pro Tip: Before attempting any new section, scope the entire route. Mark mental waypoints at roughly 20-foot intervals where you'll rest and reassess.
Common Input Mistakes to Avoid
Panic canceling: New players spam B (Circle) or right-click when things go wrong. This often makes situations worse. Take a breath, assess your position, and make deliberate corrections.
Ignoring stamina recovery: The Y (Triangle) or Q input lets you rest on holds. Use it. Exhausted climbers make fatal mistakes.
Running without planning: That RT (R2) or Ctrl sprint feels powerful, but it's gotten more players killed than saved. Always know your exact landing spot before building momentum.
Skipping manual selection practice: The climbing gym exists for a reason. Spend an hour mastering manual limb control before tackling Kami's upper reaches.
Platform-Specific Considerations
Controller advantages: Analog precision for limb placement, comfortable for long sessions, intuitive quick action access.
Keyboard & mouse advantages: Superior camera control with mouse, faster menu navigation, precise directional input with WASD.
Both input methods work excellently. Your choice comes down to personal preference and what feels natural for the split-second decisions climbing demands.
If you're interested in learning more about Cairn's development journey, check out how Cairn hit 500k Steam demo downloads, which showcases the game's impressive pre-release momentum.
Advanced Techniques
Quick action chaining: You can apply chalk, place a piton, and initiate a rest sequence in rapid succession using the modifier system. Practice this flow until it becomes muscle memory.
Momentum jumps: The running start into jump combo requires precise timing. Start your sprint at least 15 feet from the gap, build full speed, then hit jump at the edge. Too early and you fall short. Too late and you overshoot.
Emergency descents: Holding the cancel button (right-click, B, or Circle) initiates a controlled jump down. This saves time versus climbing down manually, but requires a safe landing zone below.
The controls in Cairn feel simple on the surface but reveal their depth through practice. Whether you're using a controller or keyboard setup, the contextual input system keeps everything accessible while offering the precision technical climbing demands. Master these inputs, and you'll find yourself flowing up Kami's face with confidence.
For more information about Cairn's features and upcoming content, visit the Cairn overview page.