Sir We Have an Orc Problem Sir, We Have an Orc Problem Controls

Overview

Sir, We Have an Orc Problem by Mumpitz Games is built for quick tower defense sessions on Steam. Controls stay deliberately simple: mouse for placement, number keys for tower selection, and Space to start each battle phase. The full release on July 28, 2026 supports Windows and SteamOS Linux with Vulkan 1.3; input behaves the same on both platforms aside from standard desktop environment shortcuts you may want to disable if they steal focus mid-wave.

This guide documents every control surface we have verified in the demo and full release: build-phase placement, battle-phase observation, meta upgrade menus, and quality-of-life habits that save time across a four-to-six-hour campaign. Pair it with Getting Started for strategic context and How to Play for when to press Space versus when to keep adjusting towers.

Mouse controls

Left-click and hold - select a tower type from the bottom bar (or via hotkey), then click and hold on a valid placement tile to deploy. The game uses hold-to-place in build phase so mis-clicks are slightly harder during frantic repositioning.

Right-click or drag removal - remove misplaced towers during build phase. Late-game maps punish static layouts; expect to rip out Gunners and shift Mortars between attempts. Removal refunds are governed by in-game rules - treat repositioning as part of the loop described in Choke Points.

UI clicking - upgrade tree nodes, ability buttons, and map selection all use standard left-click. Hover tooltips show total values on many upgrades after demo patches added clearer stat readouts.

Camera - if the map supports edge pan or drag, use it sparingly during build phase. During battle, minimize camera movement so you can track leak lines toward your base HP bar.

Keyboard shortcuts

Number keys (1, 2, 3, …) - quick-select tower types from the bottom menu. Gunners typically occupy the first slot; Flamethrowers, Mortars, and Cannons unlock later slots as the meta tree expands. Muscle memory here matters - mid-game repositioning in Mid-Game Walkthrough happens under time pressure even though build phase itself is untimed.

Space - start the battle phase once placement is ready. This is the most important key on the keyboard. Pressing Space too early is a common beginner mistake; press it only after choke overlap looks correct. See Early Levels Walkthrough for first-map pacing.

Pause / Escape - opens pause menu depending on context. Use pause to read ability cooldowns or upgrade tooltips without advancing the wave. Exact binding may mirror standard Steam overlay - avoid Shift+Tab accidents during dense horde moments.

Ability hotkeys - active tools like missiles, bombing runs, orbital lasers, and nukes may bind to letter keys once unlocked. Check the in-game ability bar for labels. Bombing Runs explains when to fire; controls only tell you how.

Build phase versus battle phase

The game splits each attempt into two phases:

1. Build phase - unlimited time to place, remove, and adjust towers. Meta upgrades purchased between runs apply here.
2. Battle phase - begins when you press Space. Orcs spawn according to map rules; abilities become clickable; base HP drains if leaks reach the trench.

You cannot place new towers mid-battle unless a specific upgrade or ability grants that exception - assume placement is build-only unless patch notes say otherwise. Failed battles return you to meta progression with currency, then back to build phase for the same or next map.

Controller and accessibility notes

The Steam listing emphasizes keyboard and mouse, and also lists Camera Comfort, Custom Volume Controls, Mouse Only Option, and Playable without Timed Input. You can clear without relying on timed QTEs or mandatory keyboard chords - useful for accessibility and Steam Deck play. Mouse precision still helps when dragging long Gunner lines on late maps.

For hardware gates (Vulkan 1.3, 4 GB RAM, ~200 MB storage), see System Requirements. Color and readability rely on distinct tower icons and orc silhouettes. Upgrade tooltips now show totals on many nodes - use them when planning purchases with the Upgrade Planner.

If audio distraction matters, use Custom Volume Controls; community feedback historically asked for true mute options, so verify current patch behavior in settings.

Meta screen and between-run flow

After each battle:

1. Review payout and unlocked nodes.
2. Open the upgrade tree and spend currency - losses still pay.
3. Select retry or next map.
4. Enter build phase with updated caps and damage.

Skipping the upgrade screen wastes the incremental loop explained in Economy and Meta Progression. Controls include knowing when to stop clicking towers and start clicking nodes.

Platform-specific tips

Windows - run fullscreen borderless if alt-tab breaks focus. Four gigabytes of RAM is the listed minimum; close heavy browser tabs before late waves.

SteamOS / Linux - Proton or native Linux builds should expose identical mouse and keyboard bindings. Vulkan 1.3 compatibility is required; update GPU drivers if battle-phase stutter appears when orc counts spike.

Steam overlay - disable conflicting global shortcuts if abilities misfire.

Efficiency habits for long sessions

• Bind eyes to the choke line first, base HP second.
• Select tower type with number keys before moving the mouse to placement.
• Press Space only after a full walkthrough of leak paths.
• Queue upgrade purchases before re-entering build phase.
• Practice ability keys on mid maps so late-game nukes are muscle memory.

Related pages

Strategic depth lives outside this control reference. After mastering inputs, read How to Play, Upgrade Priority, and the Walkthrough Hub for map pacing. Game Review covers whether the control simplicity matches your genre expectations.