Comfortable Mouse and Keyboard Gaming

[Saelune]

Been playing a ton of Morrowind lately, but it is starting to be killer on my hand. Originally just a console gamer, and I still prefer controller any day, but well, many games I like or play now on PC instead of a console (most of my time in Morrowind was on Xbox).

So maybe there are methods or whatever I am unaware of to make M&K gaming more comfortable, and maybe even healthier (carpal tunnel is any gamer's nightmare Im sure)

I'm looking for any potential tips. From how I place or move my hands, to what mouse I use or other things I could use to help, to even how I sit or whatever. And if it matters, I am on a laptop and do have a proper mouse.

 

[Elvis Starburst]

Even though it would make my desk space a bit easier to manage, I can never have my keyboard lined up straight. I always have it curved diagonally to be more in line with my left monitor, since I have a slight 30' angle on each monitor for a better view of the far sides of the screens. Because of this tilt, it feels a lot more comfy. I dunno how you can pull that off with a laptop, but it's what I do.

A proper mouse is one thing, but if it's not comfortable to use, it won't matter. I have the G502 Proteus Core, and it fills my palm nicely, while letting me use my finger tips to click. I don't have a claw shape with my hand when using it, and it's long enough to give my palm some support. Depending on your grip preference, the size and length of your mouse could affect your comfort level. Knowing which way feels more natural to you can help with getting you a mouse that might do the job better, if you're interested in that sort of thing.

I also can adjust the weight of mine, and I tend to lean on the slightly heavier side with my adjustments, only 1 weight away from the max I can add to it

 

[Ender910_v1legacy]

For the mouse, I'd definitely recommend trying to get a feel for what kind of mouse works best for you. The shape, size, and general feel. This guy might be a good starting point, I came across his videos when I was desperately trying to figure out an ideal mouse replacement last year:

http://www.rocketjumpninja.com/find-a-mouse/
(The video on that page is especially handy imo)

As for the keyboard... my own take on it may or may not be useful. When I first tried using WASD years ago I found that I didn't like how it forced my fingers to be so close together all the time, was rather rough on the knuckles and such.

(I'll spoiler tag an example of my standard keybinds if you're curious, just want to avoid making a wall of text here):

Spoiler

E=Forward
R=Backwards
A=Strafe-Left
F=Strafe-Right
S=Jump
Z=Crouch
C=Reload
Spacebar=Use/interact

Besides spreading out the finger distance a tiny bit, I think part of why I found this worked for me is because it more evenly distributed the length of time I'd spend pressing a key with the same finger (and also gave the heavier load to my stronger fingers). Also this approach seems like it offered me more easy-access keys for other actions. (One extra tidbit, my approach does mean I can't easily strafe right and move backwards at the same time, although it's only rarely been an issue)

So what I'd suggest on the keyboard is to maybe try experimenting a little with how you arrange your primary movement/action keybinds. See if there's anything that you find is more comfortable and gives you a solid level of control and responsiveness over your character movement.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

As far as a mouse goes, if you want something that's good for your wrist I would recommend a vertical mouse.

I don't personally use one, mostly because I don't want to have to rebuild all my muscle memory for gaming, but I have a couple of friends that have them and they really enjoy their feel and comfort.

 

[JUMBO PALACE]

In addition to what everyone else has said, I got one of these and it's wonderful. I wrest both of my wrists on it when I'm playing a game with a controller too because I don't like just sitting with my hands in my lap.

http://www.pcgamingrace.com/products/glorious-mechanical-keyboard-gaming-wrist-pad-rest-black-thick

It literally says Glorious PC Gaming Race on it so you probably won't like it, but the company is completely satirical and makes good products.

 

[Saelune]

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I have wondered if my mouse is a bad size for me. Not sure if it is too small or too big, but I have small hands.

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I am always worried with rebinding. Not that I never do it, but many games that I do it on make it a pain, particularly when it forces the binding somewhere else. Or I get worried that I will neglect something I need. Also your settings seem crazy. I havent tried it myself obviously, but I have enough trouble with keyboard's as it is just when my hand shifts slightly. (One of the reasons I like controller better is I never have to look at it to know where everything is)

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Vertical Mouses look insane o. o
Not sure if I would be bothered using one or not, but they just are so weird looking. I'd want to try one before buying though.

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How do you use them exactly? Was hoping they would show a person using them in one of the screenshots, but they didnt.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

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I am always worried with rebinding. Not that I never do it, but many games that I do it on make it a pain, particularly when it forces the binding somewhere else. Or I get worried that I will neglect something I need. Also your settings seem crazy. I havent tried it myself obviously, but I have enough trouble with keyboard's as it is just when my hand shifts slightly. (One of the reasons I like controller better is I never have to look at it to know where everything is)

If one of your problems when playing is your hands shifting away from keys you need you could get a gaming specific keyboard like the razer tartarus.

No need for WASD for movement because of the joystick, and the palm rest prevents your hands from moving away from the keys you need, and I feel like there are very few games these days where 15 keys wouldn't be enough.

Of course you can't use this as a primary keyboard, it would just be something for gaming. I've considered getting one, but I can't really justify it to myself because I already have a good mechanical keyboard.

 

[Saelune]

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I am always worried with rebinding. Not that I never do it, but many games that I do it on make it a pain, particularly when it forces the binding somewhere else. Or I get worried that I will neglect something I need. Also your settings seem crazy. I havent tried it myself obviously, but I have enough trouble with keyboard's as it is just when my hand shifts slightly. (One of the reasons I like controller better is I never have to look at it to know where everything is)

If one of your problems when playing is your hands shifting away from keys you need you could get a gaming specific keyboard like the razer tartarus.

No need for WASD for movement because of the joystick, and the palm rest prevents your hands from moving away from the keys you need, and I feel like there are very few games these days where 15 keys wouldn't be enough.

Of course you can't use this as a primary keyboard, it would just be something for gaming. I've considered getting one, but I can't really justify it to myself because I already have a good mechanical keyboard.

Eh, no thanks. That thing looks like a nightmare, and Im not too into forcing things. I dont like modding to basically any degree. If I have to use Xpadder to use a controller, I just wont use a controller.

The closest is that I had hoped the Steam Controller would be perfect for me...it would if it had a second control stick though. A mouse-pad does not make a good second control stick.

And shifting keys slightly is not my biggest issue. Annoying when it happens, but Im more looking for ways to keep my hands from getting sore.

 

[Bad Jim]

1) Use the auto run key. Running is unfortunately slower than jumping around, but very easy on the hands. Just point and go. Try to build up your speed/athletics.

2) Consider plugging a proper keyboard into your laptop. A lot of laptops have awful keyboards.

3) Increase your mouse sensitivity as far as you can comfortably go. It's a lot easier to move the mouse half an inch than two or three inches and this can be noticeable after a few hours. You might also want to buy a high dpi gaming mouse so you have precision as well as sensitivity. One additional benefit of gaming mice is they often have extra buttons so you can bind useful functions to those instead of trying to find them on the keyboard.

 

[Saelune]

1) Use the auto run key. Running is unfortunately slower than jumping around, but very easy on the hands. Just point and go. Try to build up your speed/athletics.

2) Consider plugging a proper keyboard into your laptop. A lot of laptops have awful keyboards.

3) Increase your mouse sensitivity as far as you can comfortably go. It's a lot easier to move the mouse half an inch than two or three inches and this can be noticeable after a few hours. You might also want to buy a high dpi gaming mouse so you have precision as well as sensitivity. One additional benefit of gaming mice is they often have extra buttons so you can bind useful functions to those instead of trying to find them on the keyboard.

Did you also play Morrowind on Xbox first? Cause on Xbox I jumped everywhere, but on PC I found that uncomfortable and stopped early on.

I hold shift and run everywhere, but my left hand doesnt get tired out like my right does with the mouse. On long lazy walks I do just auto-run Q, though as far as I am, I just TP everywehre.

 

[Ender910_v1legacy]

I have wondered if my mouse is a bad size for me. Not sure if it is too small or too big, but I have small hands.

I hold shift and run everywhere, but my left hand doesnt get tired out like my right does with the mouse. On long lazy walks I do just auto-run Q, though as far as I am, I just TP everywehre.

Yeah, I think you're right. Definitely sounds like it's the mouse size/shape. If you're looking for a gaming mouse, I'd probably recommend taking a look at some of Logitech's smaller models:

G303 Daedalus Apex (Not my hand by the way, although I do currently use a G303)

G203 Prodigy (Not to be confused with the G100s, which can be iffy)

I am always worried with rebinding. Not that I never do it, but many games that I do it on make it a pain, particularly when it forces the binding somewhere else. Or I get worried that I will neglect something I need. Also your settings seem crazy. I havent tried it myself obviously, but I have enough trouble with keyboard's as it is just when my hand shifts slightly. (One of the reasons I like controller better is I never have to look at it to know where everything is)

Yeah, sometimes it can be a little annoying rebinding things for each game, but... I've mostly gotten pretty used to it. In a way it's actually easier since I don't have to deal with memorizing different default keybinds from one game to another. Still kind of surprised it's worked well in most of every game I've played for 14 years

Also, a fun tidbit, prior to that control setup I used a keyboard+joystick combo. That approach did not last long, lol.

 

[Bad Jim]

Did you also play Morrowind on Xbox first?

I did not. Actually I don't jump around either. I use the Boots of Blinding Speed.

For the mouse you might want to experiment with how you hold it. The palm grip is supposed to be the most comfortable, with your whole hand resting on the mouse. The claw grip and fingertip grip are arguably more precise, but may make your hand hurt after a while especially if you are not a regular PC gamer. Since you don't need twitch skills for Morrowind, I suggest trying the palm grip if you are not doing it already. Watch yourself and take note if you are reverting to claw grip whenever a fight starts.

After a few months you might develop your hand muscles a little and using the mouse for long periods won't hurt as much.

If you have tiny hands, it might be a good idea to try a tiny mouse. Unfortunately, while it's easy to find tiny mice it's hard to find small gaming mice. You might find a small mouse with a reasonably high DPI though. Over 1500 is good enough, you don't really need the crazy high DPIs that most gaming mice have.

EDIT : gaming mice for small hands:
http://thetechplanet.net/gaming-mouse-for-small-hands/
http://www.gaming-mice.com/gaming-mouse-for-small-hands/