Introduction
Apex Legends has quickly become one of the most popular battle royale games in the world. Many players aspire to become the best in the game, but what role does the choice of mouse or controller play in achieving that goal? In this article, we will delve into the recent ALGS tournament, where we analyzed every player’s choice of input device to uncover some surprising results. Whether you’re a mouse and keyboard purist or a controller enthusiast, the findings we uncovered could have severe consequences for your gameplay. So, let’s dive into the debate and see what the pros are really using.
Controller vs. Mouse and Keyboard: The Controversial Debate
The controller vs. mouse and keyboard debate is not a new one. It has stirred up controversy in the gaming community for years, along with other heated topics like where to store ketchup or the proper way to wipe. In our analysis of the ALGS tournament, we discovered that 60.3% of players were using mouse and keyboard, leaving 39.7% opting for controllers. This statistic alone is enough to pique our interest and dive deeper into the choices made by professional Apex Legends players.
The Most Popular Mice at the ALGS Tournament
To understand the players’ mouse preferences, we examined the choices of the 73 mouse users at the tournament. Surprisingly, our findings revealed some distinct differences compared to other games like Valorant or CS:GO. In those games, the Logitech G Pro Super Light dominated the professional scenes, with up to 50% of players using the mouse in some tournaments. However, at the ALGS tournament, the Logitech G Pro Super Light’s share dropped to 38.9%. Other significant mouse manufacturers that gained prominence were Razer, Zowie, and Vaxi.
Can you guess the next three biggest brands? Leave a comment and make your guess!
The second-place recipient was Razer, with a 23.8% share, while a surprising tie between Lamzu and Final Mouse took third place. Strikingly, not a single player at the tournament used a Zowie mouse, despite the brand’s reputation in the esports world. It remains a mystery why players opted for Zowie monitors but overlooked their mice. We will explore the potential reasons for this discrepancy later in the article.
Razer’s DeathAdder V3 Pro emerged as the most popular Razer mouse at the ALGS tournament. Contrary to their popularity in CS:GO and Valorant, the Viper V2 Pro received significantly less recognition. Interestingly, Lamzu, a relatively new brand, garnered the same share as Final Mouse. Every player seemed to be using some version of the Starlight Mouse, piquing our curiosity about the potential increase in Final Mouse’s player share once their new ultralight X mouse is released. This new release is expected to be widely available, reducing the need to rely on scalpers’ inflated prices.
The Importance of Lightweight Mice in Apex Legends
One of the most striking differences we observed in the mice used for Apex Legends is the prevalence of lightweight designs. This preference stems from the fast-paced nature of the game, which demands agility and quick aiming. In Apex Legends, players frequently perform sweeping movements both horizontally and vertically, making lightweight mice a necessity. The ability to change directions rapidly requires mice that facilitate effortless movement.
Mice weighing over 70 grams may not initially feel heavy, but the repetitive movements involved in the game can lead to fatigue over time. Players need to be able to maneuver their mice quickly and effortlessly for extended periods. This requirement explains why heavier mice, such as those weighing over 75 grams, are not preferred by professional players. The average weight of mice used in Apex Legends at the ALGS tournament was 60.9 grams, significantly lower than the average weights seen in CS:GO and Valorant.
Lesser-known Mice That Made Special Appearances
While analyzing the mouse choices at the ALGS tournament, we discovered a few lesser-known mice that made special appearances. These one-off appearances added intrigue to the variety of input devices used by players. Some of these lesser-known mice included the Extrafy M8 by Realize, the X M4 by Ganberere Ochusan, the G305 by TSM Reps, the GNASK by Pioneers, the Ninjutsu Sora Feiju by MDY White, the End Game Gear XM2 Wireless Essentials by F-Chan, and the Viper Mini Signature Edition by Pulver X. Notably, one of the most unexpected choices belonged to Sky Telekes, who used a 110-gram G903 Lightspeed, a mouse that was released in 2017.
The Role of Controllers in Apex Legends
Now, let’s shift our focus to controllers. Unfortunately, it was challenging to identify individual players using controllers due to their positioning beneath their desks. However, we managed to gather some interesting information.
Based on our analysis, teams that utilized controllers had higher placements in the tournament compared to mouse and keyboard teams. The top three controller teams, including FaZe Clan, LG Shivas, and FC Destroying, finished 5th, 12th, and 13th, respectively. Meanwhile, the eight mouse and keyboard teams placed below them, with 100 Thieves achieving the highest placement at 14th. Notably, the winning team, Dark Zero, had two controller players and one player using a mouse and keyboard.
Analyzing the top five teams, Dark Zero, TSM, Oxygen Esports, Exit, and FaZe Clan, out of the 15 players, only five opted for mouse and keyboard. Among them were three Logitech Superlight users, one G305 user, and one Lamzu Atlantis user.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Input Device
From the evidence provided, it is safe to say that using a controller may increase your likelihood of winning in Apex Legends. These findings challenge the notion that mouse and keyboard always reign supreme in competitive gaming. While the debate may continue among players, it is crucial to maintain civility and respect one another’s preferences. After all, gaming is ultimately about having fun and enjoying the experience.
In conclusion, the choice of input device, whether it be a mouse or a controller, holds significant weight in Apex Legends. Professional players at the ALGS tournament predominantly favored lightweight mice that enabled fast and precise movements. Controllers proved to be a viable option, as evidenced by the success of several controller-driven teams. Ultimately, the “best” input device varies from player to player, and it is essential to find what works best for your personal playstyle. So, whether you’re a mouse and keyboard aficionado or a controller devotee, keep honing your skills, experiment with different devices, and most importantly, have fun while playing Apex Legends.