19 replies to this topic

[Ronin X]

So im having trouble finding a good setting for the sensitivity, smoothness and acceleration. Too high and i have real trouble group my shots and pinpointing damage. Too low and i feel like the reticle is sluggish. How do other people have theirs set?

[SethAbercromby]

Sesivity is highly dependant on your style and screen resolution, but my reccomendation is do disable any forms of smoothing and accaleration for gaming, because they mess with the consistency. With accaleration and smoothing, traveling the exact same distance back and forth can result in a noticably different cursor position, which is of course an undesirable outcome in a game focused on precision.

EDIT: Expanding on "style":
Some people prefer long, sweeping motions with their mouse to draw very accurate patterns at the cost of overall speed, while others like to do short, snappy movements with their mouse, sacrificing precision for speed.

To answer your question:
I'm using a R.A.T. 7 Mouse set to 2600 DPI on a screen resolution of 1920x1080.

In MWO I've set the values to
Sensivity: 1
Smooth: 0
Accaleration: 0

Edited by SethAbercromby, 27 September 2014 - 05:51 AM.

[Flapdrol]

I have acceleration and smoothing off and sensitivity set to the lowest value, mouse set to 450 dpi, then I just swipe like a madman.

[The Great Unwashed]

I have a mouse that can set its sensitivity in-game (Logitech Proteus); in my case by moving the mouse wheel left/right. Very easy to use. Acceleration and smoothing are off.

Edited by The Great Unwashed, 27 September 2014 - 06:56 AM.

[n r g]

Ronin X, on 27 September 2014 - 05:32 AM, said:

So im having trouble finding a good setting for the sensitivity, smoothness and acceleration. Too high and i have real trouble group my shots and pinpointing damage. Too low and i feel like the reticle is sluggish. How do other people have theirs set?

1) Don't use acceleration. Blasphemy for FPS/mouse orientated games (make sure "enable pointer precision" is ticked OFF in mouse options in control panel). Most players tend to run 6/11 on the windows sensitivity but there are some competitive CS:GO or FPS players that run weird fractions with different DPIs and such. I would simply keep it standard/default for now until you find "what you like".

2) install MarkC 7 Windows 7/8 Fix if you have excess acceleration in Windows (I installed it anyway since it really has no negative effect):
http://donewmouseacc...ration-fix.html

3) everyone has a different "innate" sensitivity that allows them to be accurate, while still maintaining decent speed to view around the map. One main trick that most players use is to "unlock" the arms when looking around or to quickly shield with the mech from incoming fire. It's almost impossible to do if you do NOT unlock the arms and even more impossible with slower mechs like the dire wolf.

Again, you don't have to take shots this way, since accuracy is decreased when the arms are unlocked, specifically when you have a mix of arm /torso mounted weapons (logically, if all weapons are arm mounted, then unlocking the arms has no disadvantages to accuracy when firing).

So you can simply toggle the arm lock OFF to view around the map quickly, or if you are brawling and need to "pop" a shot then spin around to shield the incoming shot from enemy.

The worst thing you could do is to set the mouse sensitivity high so you can view the map easily but then your aim will be horrible and inaccurate when you try to "fine-tune" components surgically (you probably notice how jittery it is with advanced zoom + lasers at 675m). Also, another bad thing to do would be setting the sensitivity so low to the extent that you can aim at targets accurately but have the drag the mouse 5 inches just to turn or acquire new targets (would work when sniping, but when people rushed you to brawl or played aggressively with you, you would be much slower)

For example, I use the sensitivity slider around the middle in-game (50%) with a DPI of 800 and polling rate of 1000MHz on my deathadder Razer.

I would not recommend copying, it's all about balance, and a medium between accuracy and ability to move the mouse around freely/smoothly and comfortably acquire targets.

4) Get a different mouse that really feels comfortable to you. Key word is comfortable, as trite or lame as that sounds. Most high-end mice will have great sensors, though some of the top/old school CS players still prefer optical to laser. And also, there is some research floating around on the web that optical performs/tracks better on soft/cloth mats vs. plastic mouse mats (I personally love the feel of an optical on a soft cloth and feel that it does track better, though it could be placebo)

The stuff out from Razer, Zowie, or Steelseries is great. There's also great stuff from Logitech, and hell, even coolermaster.

Find out whether you like claw grip or palm grip (I tend to favor palm i.e. deathadder). I really found over the years that I hate small mouse mats, mine is actually huge and you will see that most CS:GO pro players use huge table top mouse pads as-well (never run out of room). I also, as stated above, totally love the feel of an optical mouse on a soft cloth mouse mat. I really hated my g9x (laser mouse ~80$) on the Steelseries 9HD mouse mat that I had (like 40$ mouse mat). Just felt slippery and not accurate at all:
http://i.imgur.com/WpfJYTm.jpg

Obviously, besides the mouse, mouse mat, and picking your sensitivity, the other 75-90% of actually "being good" or obtaining "solid", accurate aim is to simply use the same sensitivity constantly over and over, and your muscles with adapt (cough, muscle memory). It really is that simple.

It's not as noticeable in MWO, since this game isn't that twitchy at all (unless your using mediums or heavies with arm's unlocked and using some snipe weapon like gauss), but if you were to play CS:GO or Battlefield, you would notice after a while you can reflexisively snap-back to targets and just fire, without having to take time to line-up the shot. It's really a great feeling and IMO one of the reasons why when you get "good" at a game, it tends to get more addicting because your movements/aim become so much more fluid and you start to do things that impress, even yourself!

I could go on about this topic and feel very confident about it (having tried tons of different mouse, been infatuated with different mouse sensitivities, made many mistakes/trial & error etc.. etc..) so feel free to throw out any more Q's

Edited by E N E R G Y, 27 September 2014 - 06:59 AM.

[Modo44]

There is a trick you can see JagerXII using. His mouse sensitivity is very high for general movement, but he toggles arm lock when firing. In addition to helping with weapon convergence, arm lock essentially works like a sensitivity switch.

Edited by Modo44, 27 September 2014 - 07:01 AM.

[n r g]

Modo44, on 27 September 2014 - 07:01 AM, said:

There is a trick you can see JagerXII using. His mouse sensitivity is very high for general movement, but he toggles arm lock when firing. In addition to helping with weapon convergence, arm lock essentially works like a sensitivity switch.

Yeah, I think most "good" players have started doing this since they made arm-lock toggle now.

I was doing it when it was still "HOLD" only, though I suppose I could have merely downloaded firecntrl.

Anyway, it's obviously logical, since it really makes no sense NOT to unlock the arms for just viewing/surveying the map, since you are not actually firing.

And then locking them to fire. Merely takes a little bit of practice to get used to doing it fluent/fluidly to the point where you are not accidentally hitting the wrong key and unlocking the arms when you go to fire.

I mentioned that above as-well.

[SethAbercromby]

E N E R G Y, on 27 September 2014 - 06:42 AM, said:

4) Get a different mouse that really feels comfortable to you. Key word is comfortable, as trite or lame as that sounds. Most high-end mice will have great sensors, though some of the top/old school CS players still prefer optical to laser. And also, there is some research floating around on the web that optical performs/tracks better on soft/cloth mats vs. plastic mouse mats (I personally love the feel of an optical on a soft cloth and feel that it does track better, though it could be placebo)

Lasers use very precise tracking calculations and soft mats will introduce more room of error into those calculations. I'm using a hard mat and my Rat 7 (twin-eye lasers) tracks like a beast, but I think when given the coice of optical on soft cloth and Laser on hard mat, I'd pick the laser. Optical just has way too many variables that could introduce error for my taste.

[n r g]

SethAbercromby, on 27 September 2014 - 07:11 AM, said:

Lasers use very precise tracking calculations and soft mats will introduce more room of error into those calculations. I'm using a hard mat and my Rat 7 (twin-eye lasers) tracks like a beast, but I think when given the coice of optical on soft cloth and Laser on hard mat, I'd pick the laser. Optical just has way too many variables that could introduce error for my taste.

And the end of the day, the majority of pro CS players use optical bro, and that is the "standard" for FPS gaming, or anything heavy with mouse aiming.

I thought lasers were great too, but then went optical and would never go back to laser. Then again, if you like it , by all means use it.

Also, I've heard nothing bad horrible things about the RAT mice and laser tracking issues.

Edited by E N E R G Y, 27 September 2014 - 07:14 AM.

[Dawnstealer]

Flapdrol, on 27 September 2014 - 05:49 AM, said:

I have acceleration and smoothing off and sensitivity set to the lowest value, mouse set to 450 dpi, then I just swipe like a madman.

I do this. I think it also matters what you do. I'm mostly a brawler, so I'm doing a lot of snap shots and torso twists: you don't want the mouse taking its sweet time getting from point A to point B.

But if you're a sniper, or a lot more accurate with ranged shots? Yeah, that accuracy can really matter. So...it depends.

[SethAbercromby]

E N E R G Y, on 27 September 2014 - 07:14 AM, said:

Also, I've heard nothing bad horrible things about the RAT mice and laser tracking issues.

4 Years and counting, no tracking issues aside from the random piece of dirt getting caught in the mouse, which would introduce the very same issues on an optical. I've read all the reviews after purchacing the mouse and was starting to get the impression of a coordinated hate-mob. I never exclude the chance of a manufacturing error, which happens even to the best every now an then, but the classic "three mice broken after just weeks of playing" sound a lot like misusing it or not handling it properly. It's a precision-instrument, not a brick you can throw around.

Also, here's a revelation for everyone complaining about the Z-axis issue: Don't throw your mouse around! Gee, that's a shocker.

[Modo44]

Praising the Twin-eye of all sensors makes me think you have not used a proper laser mouse. But hey, the Rat certainly looks cool.

[xMintaka]

Setting your sensitivity lower can help with precision aiming and tracking, especially in this game. Remember that your mech has its own torso twist and arm movement values it cannot exceed. For instance, if you set sensitivity very high and jump in an Atlas, your view will move but the crosshairs cannot keep up. I find this to be undesirable.

From playing various FPS games, I've gotten used to moving the mouse about 15cm to turn 360 degrees since I'm not great a twitch gameplay.

So for MWO I have my sensitivity and DPI set at a level where I do a "lock to lock" torso twist in about 30cm. Even going the extra mile and having different DPI settings for different weight classes.

My advice would be just play around until you find a level you are comfortable with, then tweak from there based on what you need.

Huge mousepads are OP.

[n r g]

Modo44, on 27 September 2014 - 07:43 AM, said:

Praising the Twin-eye of all sensors makes me think you have not used a proper laser mouse. But hey, the Rat certainly looks cool.

Doesn't matter, I again don't want to sound pompous, but Counter-Strike is the pinnacle of FPS eSports. You'll find some of the best shots in that game, and most tactics/strategies/philosophies come directly/derive from that game.

There's a reason a huge portion of CS:GO players are still using lower resolutions (not going to get into that now), running 120hz monitors, big mouse pads and optical mice.

But hey, if you want to completely disregard that, and just listen to random Mechwarrior players, than so be it.

It would be like trying to say you created a new form of mathematics or chemistry or something; the odds would be heavily against you (although obviously it is possible). But just being a "random PC gamer" and having used a laser mouse and trying to say it's great is fine, but you have realize that is NOT the standard at the highest level of FPS gaming.

Edited by E N E R G Y, 27 September 2014 - 08:06 AM.

[SethAbercromby]

E N E R G Y, on 27 September 2014 - 07:59 AM, said:

There's a reason a huge portion of CS:GO players are still lower resolutions (not going to get into that now), running 120hz monitors, big mouse pads and optical mice.

There's still people swearing by ball-mice . Everyone has a personal preference, but I think all mayor types have become so advanced, that any technical differences have to be measured in such small increments, that the whole discussion is kinda moot (assuming that every sensor is used under optimal conditions of course).

I just personally feel that twin-eye beats single laser in terms of responsiveness and no noticable drawbacks (to me) in accuraracy and I had some bad experiences with opticals, which is why I ultimately chose it.

Edited by SethAbercromby, 27 September 2014 - 08:09 AM.

[n r g]

SethAbercromby, on 27 September 2014 - 08:06 AM, said:

There's still people swearing by ball-mice . Everyone has a personal preference, but I think all mayor types have become so advanced, that any technical differences have to be measured in such small increments, that the whole discussion is kinda moot (assuming that every sensor is used under optimal conditions of course).

I personally feel that twin-eye beats single laser in terms of responsiveness and again, I see no noticable drawbacks in accuraracy.

No competitive, skilled and proven FPS gamer uses a ball mice.

You can swear up & down about whatever you want, and try a laser mouse or whatever "device" and proclaim about how great it is on a forum, but at the end of the day, results and evidence are what matters.

The common trend with the elite FPS players:

gaming mouse (tends to be optical) > 120hz monitor > mech. keyboard etc.. etc..

Edited by E N E R G Y, 27 September 2014 - 08:14 AM.

[SethAbercromby]

E N E R G Y, on 27 September 2014 - 08:08 AM, said:

gaming mouse > 120hz monitor > mech. keyboard etc.. etc..

I do not argue about what most elite FPS-players use, because the ones people use for reference often use sponsor equipment. Sure, it means that the stuff is worth it's money, but it does distract from the point of the discussion. I have to admit I do not see how a high refresh rate monitor beats a good mechnical keyboard. It's important, no question, but it doesn't really affect the "feel" of your play, which is why I think that finding a good keyboard first is much more important.

[n r g]

SethAbercromby, on 27 September 2014 - 08:16 AM, said:

I do not argue about what most elite FPS-players use, because the ones people use for reference often use sponsor equipment. Sure, it means that the stuff is worth it's money, but it does distract from the point of the discussion. I have to admit I do not see how a high refresh rate monitor beats a good mechnical keyboard. It's important, no question, but it doesn't really affect the "feel" of your play, which is why I think that finding a good keyboard first is much more important.

Haha, I didn't mean the ">" symbol to mean greater than lol.

My bad, just was trying to list out basics that top tier use i.e.fnatic, NiP , should have used = sign I suppose

[SethAbercromby]

E N E R G Y, on 27 September 2014 - 08:36 AM, said:

Haha, I didn't mean the ">" symbol to mean greater than lol.

My bad, just was trying to list out basics that top tier use i.e.fnatic, NiP , should have used = sign I suppose

Haha, that makes a lot more sense

But thanks to that misunderstanding, I think we've got ourselves a pretty good discusson thread about gaming peripherals here.

[TercieI]

SethAbercromby, on 27 September 2014 - 08:42 AM, said:

Haha, that makes a lot more sense

But thanks to that misunderstanding, I think we've got ourselves a pretty good discusson thread about gaming peripherals here.

Truth! Great stuff here. Good equipment makes a huge difference, whatever your level, new guys take note.