MMO Friday Fight Round 25: Hardware Wars

In the heat of MMO combat, every second and every button counts. However, not all players approach their hotbars the same way. So this week’s Friday Fight is headed outside of the game and onto your peripheral setup. In one corner, we have the classic setup with a keyboard and a standard mouse, where players master their rotations with muscle memory and precise keybinds. In the other corner, we have the MMO mouse, those beefy, button-packed peripherals designed to cram an entire action bar under your thumb. Players have raided for decades with both setups. But, just like every Friday Fight, in the battle of peripheral supremacy, there can be only one winner.

Keyboard Warriors

For many MMO veterans, the standard keyboard-and-mouse combo is all you’ll ever need. With strategic keybinds (hello, Shift+1 through 6) and a trusty left-click, these players develop muscle memory that’s lightning fast and flexible. Keyboard warriors argue that it’s not about how many buttons you have—it’s how well you use them.

This approach is often cheaper, more portable, and requires less adjustment when playing on different machines. Plus, staying nimble with a basic setup forces you to truly learn your class and prioritize your actions. Why rely on a mouse with 12 buttons when your brain and fingers are just as capable?

MMO Mouse Masters

Then there are the MMO mouse users—the elite few who wield peripherals like the Razer Naga or Logitech G600 like an extension of their hand. With a full number pad under your thumb, these players can bind every cooldown, potion, and emote to a single flick of the wrist.

The advantages are clear: faster reactions, fewer keyboard contortions, and a streamlined interface that lets you focus more on the game and less on your fingers. In games with dozens of abilities like World of Warcraft or Guild Wars 2, having that extra row of bindings can mean the difference between a clean rotation and a wipe.

Sure, there's a learning curve, but an MMO mouse can feel like a cheat code for efficiency once mastered.

My Take

I’m giving the win to MMO Mouse Masters. The sheer versatility of a mouse with 12+ buttons can transform your gameplay experience. It’s not just about reacting faster—it’s about playing smarter. Whether you're healing in a high-pressure raid or juggling cooldowns in PvP, having all your tools at your thumb’s reach is a game-changer. Not to mention that I’m an old dude and my hands and reflexes aren’t as nimble as they used to be. 

So gear up, thumb down, and let those side buttons sing. And, if you’re wondering what the best MMO mouse is, look no further than my favorite, the SteelSeries Aerox 9.