List of Pro Gamer Keyboards

[ShakeR]

I'm a huge Starcraft fan, and I know likely every PC pro gamer uses a mechanical keyboard.  However, as hard as I strain to see in some streams, it's often hard to tell their exact model.

Anyone know the exact model keyboard used by any PC pro gamers?

I'll start it off...

WhiteRa (Starcraft 2) -- Tt eSPORTS MEKA G1 w/ Black MX (not sure if modified)

[Danule]

from what ive seen so far pro's use mostly

Razer black widow
Steelseries
Filco
WASD
Das Keyboard
Ducky

I've seen a rare few use realforce as well.

[CPTBadAss]

There is a huge thread on TeamLiquid that has a listing of SC2 pros and what boards they use. You can try searching for it there. If you can't find it, I'll post the link here later.

[davkol]

IIRC EGs were sponsored by Razer, thus probably BW.
Polt is sponsored by CM Storm.

[Thechemist]

just look at their sponsors /thread.

[CPTBadAss]

Check this out for now. It's a listing of gear compiled by Liquipedia. I'll hunt the thread I'm thinking of later.

http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/Pro_gear

[AriesX]

Scarlett - Zowie Celeritas
CranK - WASD keyboard

[Narcix]

*hate magnet*
xpeke (LoL) steelseries 6gv2
theoddone (LoL) corsair k60

[tp4tissue]

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

[Danule]

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

I disagree.  Mechanical keyboards can be more accurate especially if you know where the acuation point is on the keypress.

[orlando]

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

... good marketing strategy though lol

[tp4tissue]

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

I disagree.  Mechanical keyboards can be more accurate especially if you know where the acuation point is on the keypress.

No. go home. you're wrong.

[tp4tissue]

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

... good marketing strategy though lol

is that what this is?

well, then this is false marketing..

don't fall for the scam....


while i agree that pro-gaming evolved along side sponsorship,,  to claim improved performance due to mechanical keyboards is too outlandish..

It's what first got me into the scene, and now I know better.

You can buy a mechanical keyboard for any number of good reasons..

but GAMING is not one of them.

[missalaire]

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

... good marketing strategy though lol

is that what this is?

well, then this is false marketing..

don't fall for the scam....


while i agree that pro-gaming evolved along side sponsorship,,  to claim improved performance due to mechanical keyboards is too outlandish..

It's what first got me into the scene, and now I know better.

You can buy a mechanical keyboard for any number of good reasons..

but GAMING is not one of them.

Lies and blasphemy. This is specially designed for esport gamers.

[Danule]

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

I disagree.  Mechanical keyboards can be more accurate especially if you know where the acuation point is on the keypress.

No. go home. you're wrong.

But I''m not wrong...

[tp4tissue]

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

... good marketing strategy though lol

is that what this is?

well, then this is false marketing..

don't fall for the scam....


while i agree that pro-gaming evolved along side sponsorship,,  to claim improved performance due to mechanical keyboards is too outlandish..

It's what first got me into the scene, and now I know better.

You can buy a mechanical keyboard for any number of good reasons..

but GAMING is not one of them.

Lies and blasphemy. This is specially designed for esport gamers.

Show Image

:D

[CommunistWitchDr]

Now they can help a bit. But it's akin to giving a good writer (who still writes by hand) a good pen. He may not be able to write very well at all with a mostly empty ballpoint from the junk drawer that writes half the time(a 2kro roll up board) but anything even a little better (a full cheap ballpoint that comes in 10 packs, or a cheap solid dome with 4-6kro for our gamer) will work. The story won't be any better if he gets a fancy fountain pen, but he'll enjoy writing it a lot more.

[vun]

 

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

But it's still fun to know what equipment people's favourite gamers use because trivia is always fun.

Now they can help a bit. But it's akin to giving a good writer (who still writes by hand) a good pen. He may not be able to write very well at all with a mostly empty ballpoint from the junk drawer that writes half the time(a 2kro roll up board) but anything even a little better (a full cheap ballpoint that comes in 10 packs, or a cheap solid dome with 4-6kro for our gamer) will work. The story won't be any better if he gets a fancy fountain pen, but he'll enjoy writing it a lot more.

Also this, oftentimes getting better/more gear is not about getting technically better results, it's about enjoying what you're doing a bit more.

[ITzNybble]

I would much rather play Moba's or any game where skills are important on Cherry Blues than a rubber dome, Much nicer to know if a key is hit or not. Just saying. Also if it makes a difference when typing it will make a difference when playing a game. Not saying it will make you better just more comfortable. Bring on the flames now.

[Danule]

Now they can help a bit. But it's akin to giving a good writer (who still writes by hand) a good pen. He may not be able to write very well at all with a mostly empty ballpoint from the junk drawer that writes half the time(a 2kro roll up board) but anything even a little better (a full cheap ballpoint that comes in 10 packs, or a cheap solid dome with 4-6kro for our gamer) will work. The story won't be any better if he gets a fancy fountain pen, but he'll enjoy writing it a lot more.

He may not write a better story. but the acutal text will look better with a nicer pen

[Masterchief79]

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

Say this to an OSU gamer with a straight face, I dare you, I double dare you...

[CPTBadAss]

This is the thread I was thinking of. But I think that Liquipedia article is more up to date.

[jabar]

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

I don't think the point of this thread is to equate gaming performance to a particular keyboard, but rather see how effective gaming-oriented keyboard brands' (Razer, Tt, etc) marketing is.

Not surprised you didn't think deeper on it though...

[eyesmiles]

Whatever happen to using a keyboard that is comfortable to the player especially when their sponsor gives them a choice of which switch they want to use? I'm pretty sure Corsair isn't going to tell TSM they can only use MX blues. In terms of performance, it's subjective. Perhaps players can find it easier to double tap on certain switches or doesn't feel stressed when they have to hold down a key because the spring isn't fighting them. If comfort isn't a part of performing well then I don't know anymore.

 Most of the brands have been listed already ShakeR. I believe I saw a LoL player using an HHKB as well. A friend linked me some Korean player that was streaming and the first thing my eyes went to was a black HHKB.

[Polymer]

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

For almost everyone this is true..for some people that can ride an actuation point accurately (which is almost no one) then there might be a SLIGHT advantage but essentially none...

For others they will like the feel of a linear switch for gaming which may make a slight difference in your performance...if it feels better to you and makes more sense to your fingers when you're playing...This can also have a NEGATIVE impact as well..you may respond better to normal keyboards of X make rather than a mechanical...

But for basically everyone else..a gaming keyboard won't make any difference at all..it won't make you play better it won't make you do things any better, any more accurately, etc...

I do think people like the weight and stability a mechanical keyboard gives you...but that can be any keyboard really...

[CPTBadAss]

TT1 and MC have also used RealForce keyboards in competition (SC2 players).

[Lu_e]

This is the thread I was thinking of. But I think that Liquipedia article is more up to date.

and this is a nice gallery of pro hardware setups linked in that thread; http://imgur.com/a/ixDhR#0

TT1 and MC have also used RealForce keyboards in competition (SC2 players).

I saw someone from i think the IM team in up/down had a realforce with grey/ blue mod caps

[tp4tissue]

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

Say this to an OSU gamer with a straight face, I dare you, I double dare you...

their motivation is different, and greatly influence, if even corrupted by commercialism...

[tp4tissue]

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

For almost everyone this is true..for some people that can ride an actuation point accurately (which is almost no one) then there might be a SLIGHT advantage but essentially none...

For others they will like the feel of a linear switch for gaming which may make a slight difference in your performance...if it feels better to you and makes more sense to your fingers when you're playing...This can also have a NEGATIVE impact as well..you may respond better to normal keyboards of X make rather than a mechanical...

But for basically everyone else..a gaming keyboard won't make any difference at all..it won't make you play better it won't make you do things any better, any more accurately, etc...

I do think people like the weight and stability a mechanical keyboard gives you...but that can be any keyboard really...

doubt it... not a single game out side of fighting and rhythm actually DEPEND on keyboard accuracy...

[tp4tissue]

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

I don't think the point of this thread is to equate gaming performance to a particular keyboard, but rather see how effective gaming-oriented keyboard brands' (Razer, Tt, etc) marketing is.

Not surprised you didn't think deeper on it though...

No, it is you who is shallow minded and a dummy.

ShakeR the op's primary concern is not keyboards, he primarily cares about selling them... This is why this thread is a thinly veiled advertisement campaign...

I do think ShakeR is a good guy overall, but even then he should not be doing this....

I'm not against advertising, as long as your claims are true...  but to tie better keyboard to better performance in gaming is corruption...

[Danule]

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

For almost everyone this is true..for some people that can ride an actuation point accurately (which is almost no one) then there might be a SLIGHT advantage but essentially none...

For others they will like the feel of a linear switch for gaming which may make a slight difference in your performance...if it feels better to you and makes more sense to your fingers when you're playing...This can also have a NEGATIVE impact as well..you may respond better to normal keyboards of X make rather than a mechanical...

But for basically everyone else..a gaming keyboard won't make any difference at all..it won't make you play better it won't make you do things any better, any more accurately, etc...

I do think people like the weight and stability a mechanical keyboard gives you...but that can be any keyboard really...

doubt it... not a single game out side of fighting and rhythm actually DEPEND on keyboard accuracy...

you havent played starcraft...

[tp4tissue]

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

For almost everyone this is true..for some people that can ride an actuation point accurately (which is almost no one) then there might be a SLIGHT advantage but essentially none...

For others they will like the feel of a linear switch for gaming which may make a slight difference in your performance...if it feels better to you and makes more sense to your fingers when you're playing...This can also have a NEGATIVE impact as well..you may respond better to normal keyboards of X make rather than a mechanical...

But for basically everyone else..a gaming keyboard won't make any difference at all..it won't make you play better it won't make you do things any better, any more accurately, etc...

I do think people like the weight and stability a mechanical keyboard gives you...but that can be any keyboard really...

doubt it... not a single game out side of fighting and rhythm actually DEPEND on keyboard accuracy...

you havent played starcraft...

know how I know you're a noob?

[davkol]

...or gosu.

[typo]

they use what they are sponsored with. sort of like legal prostitution. does not mean it is good. put it this way. usually if something is endorsed it sucks. like I would not be using Emeril cookware. 

[Hyde]

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

I disagree.  Mechanical keyboards can be more accurate especially if you know where the acuation point is on the keypress.

People typically always bottom out when gaming.  Though I'd say reset point might matter in terms of double tapping.  Sorta why generally MX Blue is regarded as the worst gaming switch.

But otherwise I'd say MX Black/MX Red might have a slight advantage over MX Brown but even so it won't be like a do or die kind of difference.

they use what they are sponsored with. sort of like legal prostitution. does not mean it is good. put it this way. usually if something is endorsed it sucks. like I would not be using Emeril cookware. 

This is true, so judging by what player uses what isn't necessarily mean that it's better.  It' just that they really don't have a choice.

[Polymer]

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

For almost everyone this is true..for some people that can ride an actuation point accurately (which is almost no one) then there might be a SLIGHT advantage but essentially none...

For others they will like the feel of a linear switch for gaming which may make a slight difference in your performance...if it feels better to you and makes more sense to your fingers when you're playing...This can also have a NEGATIVE impact as well..you may respond better to normal keyboards of X make rather than a mechanical...

But for basically everyone else..a gaming keyboard won't make any difference at all..it won't make you play better it won't make you do things any better, any more accurately, etc...

I do think people like the weight and stability a mechanical keyboard gives you...but that can be any keyboard really...

doubt it... not a single game out side of fighting and rhythm actually DEPEND on keyboard accuracy...

Not sure what accuracy has to do with it....and not sure you understand what I'm saying.  I'm saying for a vast majority of people it will make no difference at all.  For those that can ride an actuation point for what they need it might MIGHT make a slight (and very slight) advantage and we're looking at a few ms..but a 1 frame advantage (with 60 frames) is still an advantage and at high levels of play, it is an advantage .

And as I said, for some..something like a linear switch may feel better..and again, it may give them a slight advantage over another keyboard...and as I said, the flipside is also true...someone's old RD keyboard might feel better to them than a mechanical...Again, this doesn't say anything about mechanical  specifically..just that things, especially like linear switches which are not that common may or may not make difference.

The percentage of people that actually fall into either of those two..are extremely small and it doesn't even apply to every type of game..

[Danule]

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

For almost everyone this is true..for some people that can ride an actuation point accurately (which is almost no one) then there might be a SLIGHT advantage but essentially none...

For others they will like the feel of a linear switch for gaming which may make a slight difference in your performance...if it feels better to you and makes more sense to your fingers when you're playing...This can also have a NEGATIVE impact as well..you may respond better to normal keyboards of X make rather than a mechanical...

But for basically everyone else..a gaming keyboard won't make any difference at all..it won't make you play better it won't make you do things any better, any more accurately, etc...

I do think people like the weight and stability a mechanical keyboard gives you...but that can be any keyboard really...

doubt it... not a single game out side of fighting and rhythm actually DEPEND on keyboard accuracy...

you havent played starcraft...

know how I know you're a noob?

is it my post count?

[foxer]

Using a mech keyboard will not make you a better player.

[CPTBadAss]

This is the thread I was thinking of. But I think that Liquipedia article is more up to date.

and this is a nice gallery of pro hardware setups linked in that thread; http://imgur.com/a/ixDhR#0

Oh that imgur thread is soooo nice. I've never seen that before. Nice backup there

[Danule]

Using a mech keyboard will not make you a better player.

I preform better on a mechanical keyboard.  I'm not saying everyone will.  Depends on what you find comfortable.

[Kmynis]

Using a mech keyboard will not make you a better player.

Correct, buy a cheap RD can make you a worse player.

[Rendom]

Most of the Dota 2 players uses Steelseries 6gv2, if it's not that, then it's the Razer BWU.

However, I've noticed that some of them uses Realforce, such as InvictusGaming, I've spotted iG.ChuaN use Realforce in The International 2.

I personally think that keyboard doesn't really matter much, but it can make you play better definitely, not by instantly turning you into a pro, but just a tad bit better. Mouse on the other hand is a lot more important.

[CommunistWitchDr]

At an olympic level, it maters how aerodynamic a persons clothes are. Even if it only makes a fraction of a second difference, the people are so good and so close in skill that .001 seconds means something.
The difference fancy keyboards and mice make gaming wise is that. It's shaving your arm hair to reduce drag. It helps, but not to the point it matters in most people.

[missalaire]

This is the thread I was thinking of. But I think that Liquipedia article is more up to date.

and this is a nice gallery of pro hardware setups linked in that thread; http://imgur.com/a/ixDhR#0

That's hot.

[davkol]

Using a mech keyboard will not make you a better player.

You may argue that better underwear won't make you a better runner, but when you're running marathon, every detail in comfort makes a huge difference. I guess it's something like this in top-level esports, and comfort makes sense even in case of casual gaming.

BTW looking at SC2 players' hands, I wonder why they don't use wrist rests. Even looking at those bent wrists sends chills down my spine.

[tp4tissue]

This is the thread I was thinking of. But I think that Liquipedia article is more up to date.

and this is a nice gallery of pro hardware setups linked in that thread; http://imgur.com/a/ixDhR#0

That's hot.

Why are most of these guys so bat **** ugly... 

[tp4tissue]

Using a mech keyboard will not make you a better player.

You may argue that better underwear won't make you a better runner, but when you're running marathon, every detail in comfort makes a huge difference. I guess it's something like this in top-level esports, and comfort makes sense even in case of casual gaming.

BTW looking at SC2 players' hands, I wonder why they don't use wrist rests. Even looking at those bent wrists sends chills down my spine.

wrist hovering is faster. much much faster.

[Rule16]

oh god no.. not this... omg...

MECHANICAL KEYBOARDS MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN GAMING PERFORMANCE....

For almost everyone this is true..for some people that can ride an actuation point accurately (which is almost no one) then there might be a SLIGHT advantage but essentially none...

For others they will like the feel of a linear switch for gaming which may make a slight difference in your performance...if it feels better to you and makes more sense to your fingers when you're playing...This can also have a NEGATIVE impact as well..you may respond better to normal keyboards of X make rather than a mechanical...

But for basically everyone else..a gaming keyboard won't make any difference at all..it won't make you play better it won't make you do things any better, any more accurately, etc...

I do think people like the weight and stability a mechanical keyboard gives you...but that can be any keyboard really...

doubt it... not a single game out side of fighting and rhythm actually DEPEND on keyboard accuracy...

Actually you're completely wrong, you're saying Starcraft 2 and Quake III don't depend on keyboard accuracy. In many (esport) FPS, the way you move can determine if you live or die. Plus the factor of comfort is always there, if you're not comfortable in a eSport level situation you're less likely to win.

[davkol]

BTW looking at SC2 players' hands, I wonder why they don't use wrist rests. Even looking at those bent wrists sends chills down my spine.

wrist hovering is faster. much much faster.

That depends on material of the hand rest.

[tp4tissue]

BTW looking at SC2 players' hands, I wonder why they don't use wrist rests. Even looking at those bent wrists sends chills down my spine.

wrist hovering is faster. much much faster.

That depends on material of the hand rest.

I'm talking about up and down row jumping.. you can't do that as fast if your wrist is stationary or rubbing against something.

SC2 requires the F keys and number row while hopping back to R1 quite a bit, the rest wouldn't be advantageous.

I agree you can probably overcome this... but it doesn't seem like most pros bother with the rest


and loads and loads of them have RSI,  ,  like football players.