MMO Mouse vs FPS vs All round: Do you need a specific type of gaming mouse?

Given the immensely diverse variety of PC games, it’s no surprise that people bounce from game to game, genre to genre. Of course, on consoles, with their limited input methods, this means that you simply make do with the same controller regardless of the game.

However, we have far more options here on PC, meaning that you might be looking at your CORSAIR SCIMITAR RGB ELITE and wondering if it’s really the best option for Valorant or Counter Strike 2.

Technically, any mouse will work, even a prehistoric laser mouse or the amusingly ancient bulbous trackball style of mouse too. So, if you’re concerned that you won’t be able to play properly because you don’t have the newest, most expensive mouse. Don’t be, as you can have fun regardless of your equipment.

However, that doesn’t mean that you won’t benefit from the purchase of a gaming mouse designed specifically for the type of game in question. Luckily, there are only 2 main ‘Styles’ of gaming mouse that you need to be concerned with.

An MMO Mouse is differentiated from other mice by a grid of 9 or 12 buttons on the thumb side in addition to the regular buttons found up top.

Anyone who’s ever been immersed in the appealing and addictive world of MMOs will know that there are a lot of different keybinds that are needed, and often at a moment’s notice. Of course, you could just bind these to the keyboard, but that will inevitably slow you down.

This need for speed led to the creation of the typical MMO mouse design we know today. With a 3x4 grid of buttons positioned under the thumb, this design allows you to rapidly input any command you want, with minimal movement. It’s worth noting here that most of the benefits of this type of mouse are often applicable to MOBA games too, as they require a ton of very fast inputs.

The SCIMITAR RGB ELITE is our number one choice for this type of mouse. Not only do you get the larger shape that suits an MMO mouse, but you can also slide the 12-button grid back and forth, allowing you to adjust it to a position that perfectly suits your hand-size and grip style. This helps to fit your thumbs range of motion perfectly and speed up those inputs.

OK, so the MMO mouse has all the normal mouse buttons and 12 more. Surely that means it’s a good fit for all games, right? Well, yes it does work in any game, but you might find yourself disadvantaged in other titles, as the additional buttons and larger size of MMO mice make them heavier than their FPS counterparts. So, let’s talk about those for a moment.

FPS gaming mice are typically scaled-back, simplified mice. There are two vital aspects of an FPS mouse: weight, and shape.

Weight is the primary reason that the best FPS mice are simpler in nature. Less features = less weight, the reason a low weight is vital for FPS games is speed.

Generally speaking, FPS players use a low DPI, which means that they have to physically move the mouse a greater distance for any given, in-game, cursor movement. This makes aiming a lot more precise, however, this also means you’ve got to be able to move the mouse much quicker, and the lighter the mouse, the easier it is to do that. The CORSAIR KATAR ELITE WIRELESS, for example, weighs only 69g/2.4oz, so even the fastest movement won’t be impeded.

Shape is, as ever, an entirely personal preference, so it’s impossible to definitively state one design style is superior to the other. Luckily, for you, dear reader, our gaming mice come in a multitude of different shapes and sizes, meaning that you’ll easily be able to find a mouse that suits you.

Yes! Our intention for this page was not to insist that you have six different mice, each one dedicated to a specific genre. You’ll be able to play and compete to a decent level regardless of your equipment.

Options like the DARK CORE RGB PRO SE Wireless Gaming Mouse will keep you performing well in any game. The DARK CORE doesn’t weigh too much and has enough additional buttons for any specific key binds that have to become muscle memory for certain games.

But investing in a gaming mouse designed for the type of game in question could help you perform at a higher level.

Visit our gaming mouse page to find your next weapon of choice.