Gaming keyboard newbie question

[phillyman36]

Hey wanted to know if you were to reccomend a gaming keyboard to someone who has never used a keyboard for gaming(wsad for movement) what would you suggest? I'm trying to transition from console to pc (Fortnite) and have started reading up on switches etc.

I know there is a big learning curve and need to build muscle memory but is there a general consensus on type/brand etc etc?

I have a regular keyboard and my fingers hit everyt hi ing but the actual key I am trying to hit lol also I'm closer to 50 than I am to 40 so don't have the finger dexterity I use to have.

 

[DigDog]

There is no curve. The feeling between switches can be different but getting used to new switches is a matter of hours, really.

There are tons of good switches available, some easy to find, others not so much. Some are only available as custom builds.
Explaining what each switch feels like is impossible, and while i can recommend a good switch, i cannot know which is the perfect switch for you.

Said that, i recommend you buy this:
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2751

Tenkeyless format keyboards have more room on the right to move the mouse, thats why it is the preferred format for gaming.
Ducky is a reputable brand, and $90 shipped is a fair price. The kb comes with PBT keycaps which are grippier and generally better than ABS (two types of plastic used for keycaps).

This kb comes with Cherry MX Clear, which is a stiffer version of MX Brown. To call them stiff is an exageration, nothing like say, Kailh Box Navy.
In my opinion, Clears are the best gaming switch; the tactile bump allows you to know exactly where the switch actuates, and the stiffer spring allows you to get a good grip on the keys and to preload them before actuation.

So really that is the perfect gaming kb. But i would recommend that you purchase your peripherials in this order:
1. Mousemat
2. Mouse
3. Table
4. Chair
5. Headphones
6. Keyboard
Although i accept that some people do not use headphones, while some others would rank them higher.

Ill stick with my default recommendations and say Silent Monsters XXL, Zowie FK1+, a good flat large office desk, any tall-back chair with back support, your choice of headphones (leaning towards the HD650) and finally the Ducky One.

 

[bononos]

.............
I know there is a big learning curve and need to build muscle memory but is there a general consensus on type/brand etc etc?
.........

You're overthinking it. Almost all the switches are just variations of the common tactile, clicky or linear switches. The brown/red switches are generally favored for general use but some people like the heavier spring of blacks, blue if you want it to click. The reputable brands are ducky, filco, das, deck, etc but cheap $20 mechanicals are good value if you know how to replace or solder switches.

 

[bononos]

........
This kb comes with Cherry MX Clear, which is a stiffer version of MX Brown. To call them stiff is an exageration, nothing like say, Kailh Box Navy.
In my opinion, Clears are the best gaming switch; the tactile bump allows you to know exactly where the switch actuates, and the stiffer spring allows you to get a good grip on the keys and to preliad them before actuation.
.....

I found outemu browns to have a bigger bump compared to the cherry brown which gives it a more tactile feel. It feels heavier as a result since the bigger bump needs more force to actuate. But its a plus for many who think that cherry browns feel too much like dirty reds and want a stiffer feel. The outemu blues are also abit heavier and louder.

 

[arandomguy]

Does Fortnite support controller + mouse input? The real advantage with FPS games on the PC is the mouse for aiming and not the keyboard side of the peripheral pairing.

 

[DigDog]

I found outemu browns to have a bigger bump compared to the cherry brown which gives it a more tactile feel. It feels heavier as a result since the bigger bump needs more force to actuate. But its a plus for many who think that cherry browns feel too much like dirty reds and want a stiffer feel. The outemu blues are also abit heavier and louder.

Thats nice to know. But for some reason, Outemu browns are rarer than pink unicorns, at least in EU. Otoh outemu blue are *everywhere*.
I own a mx clear board, and i do not feel they are too stiff. If the choice is between mx brown, mx clear, or outemu blue, i would say to go with clears - might as well, if paying extra for genuine Cherry.
If outemu browns are an option, then by all means yes, go with those.

Does Fortnite support controller + mouse input? The real advantage with FPS games on the PC is the mouse for aiming and not the keyboard side of the peripheral pairing.

Yes it supports controller, yes mouse is better, yes a keyboard does not provide much benefit, unless you are having rollover issues.
It's still nice to have for the size reduction, weight (=stability), key feel, but also for the staggered activation ... assuming you are on a tactile switch.

 

[arandomguy]

Yes it supports controller, yes mouse is better, yes a keyboard does not provide much benefit, unless you are having rollover issues.
It's still nice to have for the size reduction, weight (=stability), key feel, but also for the staggered activation ... assuming you are on a tactile switch.

But if he's used to the controller stick for movement he could just stick with it and even for other games. He even stated he seems to have poor finger dexterity at this point in general (missing the intended key).

I'm not understanding what you mean by size reduction and etc? Unless he is horribly space constrained I don't think a single controller is going to be the tipping point.

I don't play Fortnite specifically or follow the scene, however I'm aware of Overwatch players (including Pros) who transitioned from console sticking with the controller for movement (although in this specific case there are some hero specific benefits) but just using mouse for aiming.

 

[DigDog]

In theory you could hold an analog stick in your left hand and use a mouse with the right, but that would leave you unable to use other buttons. The two hand grip on a controller allows for more buttons, but gripping it one handed means you would have a hard time using the same hand to grip, move AND use trigger buttons.

You're reading too much into the "im old" thing. Using a mouse and keyboard is simply superior to a controller, without necessitating any perticular effort to "learn".

Back around 2012 i duelled Gen1us in QuakeLive. Im not a dueller, and Gen1us is a guy who wrote a tuning software for the Xbox controller (and loves to brag about how awesome it is).
I wrecked him.

Let them man enjoy his mechanical keyboard. There is no need for him to continue suffering the use of a controller.

Now, specifically to your other question;
1. Tkl keyboards are smaller, and when adopting a correct ergo posture, you have more space for the mouse to move.
2. Mechanical keyboards are heavier, thus tend to slide less away from the optimal position. They also often have better feet.
3. Tactile switches can be preloaded. This means you press a key until you feel the bump, but do not actuate. Being able to keep weight on the keyboard without actuating switches allows for a firmer grip, useful for when you strech fingers to reach unusual keys, like C or 6.

 

[SMOGZINN]

Hey wanted to know if you were to reccomend a gaming keyboard to someone who has never used a keyboard for gaming(wsad for movement) what would you suggest? I'm trying to transition from console to pc (Fortnite) and have started reading up on switches etc.

I know there is a big learning curve and need to build muscle memory but is there a general consensus on type/brand etc etc?

I have a regular keyboard and my fingers hit everyt hi ing but the actual key I am trying to hit lol also I'm closer to 50 than I am to 40 so don't have the finger dexterity I use to have.

Honestly it barely matters. The difference between the best and worst gaming keyboards are minimal compared to going from a controller to a keyboard. My recommendation is to get a mid-priced Logitech and get used to using a keyboard, then in a few years decide what you like about keyboards and get one that works for you.

 

[VirtualLarry]

but some people like the heavier spring of blacks,

Is that why my fingers were feeling tired, after trying out this mechanical keyboard with Black switches, after being used to Blues? I didn't realize that they had a heavier spring to them, might explain needing more actuation pressure from my fingers, requiring more exertion.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I don't play Fortnite specifically or follow the scene, however I'm aware of Overwatch players (including Pros) who transitioned from console sticking with the controller for movement (although in this specific case there are some hero specific benefits) but just using mouse for aiming.

That's how I used to play UT '99, back in the LAN-party days. I would use a PSX controller (on a low-latency LPT home-brewed interface, with DirectX drivers) for movement, including double-tap dodges, and then use a Dell "Dove Bar" roller-ball mouse for aiming / firing. (I actually felt like I had a tad more direct control over my aiming, with a mechanical ball mouse, than an optical. YMMV. Hard to find ball mice these days anyways.)

 

[phillyman36]

@DigDog any thoughts on the Ducky One 2 Mini?
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=4322
They are out of the Mx Red but you can still pre order in the Cherry Mx Red Silent

 

[DigDog]

@DigDog any thoughts on the Ducky One 2 Mini?
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=4322
They are out of the Mx Red but you can still pre order in the Cherry Mx Red Silent

Well, i dont like 60% kbs.
Afaik this is the preferred layout in the mech kb community, but in MY opinion, you lose much functionality by not having the arrows and Fkeys.

I wouldnt mind trying mx silent, but would probably prefer silent black to silent red. In general i prefer tactiles and even clicky over linear switches; if i was to use mx silent, it would be for work only. For gaming i would always opt for a tactile switch.