I bought this loopy cyborg keypad to enhance at PC video games. I nonetheless suck

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I’m not nice at video games. A minimum of, not on PC. I've no aptitude for utilizing a mouse and keyboard.

That’s proper—I play every little thing with a controller.

A minimum of, I play all of my regular genres with a controller. And, up till about three years in the past, the association labored. A non-zero variety of PC players could also be shrieking silently (or loudly) about how unideal it's to play sure video games with analog sticks, however I by no means had an issue.

Then my pal group determined to play PvP video games. On PC.

Sooner or later, I’m taking part in Sea of Thieves and drunkenly lurching off a ship into water (my character, not me), after which the subsequent, I’m making an attempt to line up headshots on a human opponent who most undoubtedly is aware of how to not get shot.

It didn’t take lengthy to comprehend I wanted lots of assist, and that help needed to come both from my associates or divine intervention, as a result of I actually didn’t appear able to serving to myself. So I did what everybody with wishful considering does. I purchased stuff to repair my drawback. Particularly, I purchased the weirdest, wildest, and arguably coolest gaming keypad accessible.

Enter the Azeron Cyborg gaming keypad

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_3627-sm.jpg?quality=50&strip=all&w=1200" alt="Azeron Cyborg Compact gaming keypad thumbstick" class="wp-image-1982306" width="1200" height="800" loading="lazy"/> I didn’t suppose I’d discover a keypad with an precise analog thumbstick. Alaina Yee / Foundry

My drawback with mouse and keyboard is the keyboard. For no matter purpose, utilizing the WASD keys for navigation nonetheless has but to click on in my mind. Add within the surrounding keys for triggering skills and the communication between my hand and my mind goes out a window.

Then again in April 2023, I stumbled upon this r/buildapc thread on Reddit. Amongst all of the unbelievable PC accent suggestions was one for the Azeron Cyborg. It regarded completely insane (and straight out of a Terminator film), however what caught my consideration was its precise thumbstick.

Through the first few weeks of on-line slaughter (mine, not my opponents), I had wistfully thought how having a left thumbstick for navigation however a mouse for aiming would mix one of the best of each my worlds. However the Razer Tartarus and related gaming keypads solely had d-pads, not full 360 analog sticks.

I took this new discovery as as signal, particularly once I regarded on the Azeron web site and noticed a gently used mannequin going for $140 USD. (A brand new one prices about $200 USD.) Impulse purchases are uncommon for me, however this appear fated. Desperation to not all the time be the weak hyperlink on my workforce could have added incentive to purchase.

Twenty-five bucks in delivery and a handful of days later, my bundle safely accomplished the journey from Latvia and landed on the PCWorld workplace’s doorstep. And that’s once I discovered some arduous truths about myself.

A brand new drawback emerges

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_3631-sm.jpg?quality=50&strip=all&w=1200" alt="Azeron Cyborg Compact gaming keypad upside down" class="wp-image-1982307" width="1200" height="800" loading="lazy"/> The quantity of adjustability is astounding. Alaina Yee / Foundry

The Azeron Cyborg is available in two flavors: commonplace, which positions a set of buttons above your fingertips, and Compact, which locations these buttons on shorter posts. You may also alter the thumbstick positioning on the usual mannequin—a function I utterly underestimated once I bought my used Compact mannequin in sparkly galactic purple.

This keypad is dizzyingly programmable and adjustable. You get 29 mappable keys total, which incorporates the 5-way rocker swap and thumbstick. Key mapping is very simple—you simply obtain Azeron’s software program and begin assigning keys—and also you get two separate profiles that you may program. Key presses really feel good too, with satisfying clicky suggestions.

For the video games I performed (primarily Overwatch 2), I didn’t even use all 13 buttons inside my fast attain. A part of this needed to do with match. Even weeks later, my pinky can’t faucet its close by keys simply. That is regardless of me shopping for the smaller of the keypad’s two sizes, and in addition fussing with the positions of every key tower. You possibly can change the gap and the spacing, however I by no means discovered the right candy spot for my complete hand.

However I can’t blame match completely for my new wrestle, which is overcoming my very fastened muscle reminiscence on controller.

I'm my very own worst enemy, as regular

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_3629-sm.jpg?quality=50&strip=all&w=1200" alt="Azeron Cyborg Compact gaming keypad top buttons" class="wp-image-1982305" width="1200" height="800" loading="lazy"/> I ended up utilizing just some of the buttons for my regular video games. Alaina Yee / Foundry

Throughout my early life, I performed platformers and action-adventure video games nearly to the exclusion of every little thing else—and it appears to indicate. A significant difficulty of mine in PvP video games is motion. I stroll in straight strains, because the worst (greatest) noobs do. However platformers, my favourite style, rewards that type of regular monitoring. That’s what I spent numerous hours optimizing for, whereas additionally missing publicity to genres (and sport modes) that reward the alternative.

So first drawback: I don’t suppose to strafe.

Second drawback: The movement for strafing on an analog stick feels flawed to me.

Sadly, proudly owning an Azeron gaming keypad does nothing to unravel these first two points, because it has a thumbstick. In truth, I didn’t even determine the second till I compelled myself to attempt utilizing WASD in a low-stakes Overwatch match. It is best to have seen my face once I realized how easy strafing felt when tapping two distinctive keys, slightly than wiggling a stick forwards and backwards.

Third drawback: I'm not used to utilizing fingers past my thumb and forefinger.

As an ordinary controller person, all I ever use are two fingers per hand. Now and again I'd usher in my center fingers if I've to press each the bumper and the set off buttons on the identical time, however it’s uncommon. (A fancier controller just like the Xbox Elite has extra buttons and thus can require extra fingers, however I don’t use that sort.)

Fourth drawback: The controls are distributed otherwise than on controller.

The Azeron Cyborg doesn’t change the what number of capabilities you carry out together with your left hand for a mouse and keyboard setup. It simply gives them in a special type issue. And in comparison with controller, it’s in regards to the reverse of what I’m used to. On a controller, I’m utilizing my proper hand for an analog stick (digicam angle/melee), the 4 face buttons (which often map to weapon alternative, reload, leap, and crouch in a shooter), and a set of shoulder and set off buttons (skills). On mouse and keyboard, my proper hand will get left click on (main capacity), proper click on (secondary capacity or zoom), and the scroll wheel (weapon alternative/melee). A minimum of, it does on a primary mouse, which is all I've at present.

Lengthy story brief, I've lots of retraining to do and new muscle reminiscence to construct if I wish to get anyplace in PvP.

The way it shook out

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_3637-sm.jpg?quality=50&strip=all&w=1200" alt="Azeron Cyborg Compact gaming keypad with hand on it" class="wp-image-1982308" width="1200" height="800" loading="lazy"/> I ought to have purchased the usual Cyborg mannequin for the adjustable thumbstick, since stretching my hand this far is just a bit too uncomfortable. Alas. Alaina Yee / Foundry

Whereas the Azeron has not been in a position to cowl for expertise I by no means developed, I’m not dissatisfied. I knew it was in all probability going to be a protracted shot. (I’ve been by means of this earlier than with pictures gear.) I believe it’s a fantastic keypad, and I like how a lot you possibly can customise it. That features the way it appears to be like, too. For those who purchase new, you possibly can choose shade (so many enjoyable shades!), palm relaxation model, thumbstick model, and which hand it’s designed for (proper or left).

And the Cyborg has performed greater than offering perception into my long-standing incapability to adapt to mouse and keyboard. My gameplay with hitscan characters in Overwatch is healthier—I don’t miss as many photographs with Ana when taking part in help, for instance. Don’t get me flawed, I nonetheless suck. However I can see glimpses of what life is like while you don’t utterly suck. It’s a pleasant counter to getting older and stiffer, which have dulled my reflexes and made precision thumbstick actions more durable. I as soon as dreamed of getting even half nearly as good as former colleagues on controller—they may go up towards PC gamers, a lot to the shock of builders throughout demos. However that’s past me now.

My solely actual grievance in regards to the Cyborg is that I purchased the flawed mannequin. The Compact model’s thumbstick isn’t adjustable, and for my slim hand it’s positioned a little bit too low to really feel snug. The place the directional swap sits, that’s the place I would like the thumbstick to be. I get an ache in my hand after taking part in for about 90 minutes or extra. If Azeron (or a neighborhood member) had been to launch a 3D printer file for a housing that reversed the positions of the thumbstick and rocker swap, I believe I may sport for longer stretches.

Regardless, the Cyborg has made mouse and keyboard really feel much less like a sink or swim proposition. Possibly at some point I’ll get to primary WASD competency. However to date, that day has but to come back. In the mean time, I’ve now bought floaties to maintain me from drowning.

Replace (September 2025): I initially documented this expertise with the Azeron Cyborg Compact early within the journey, again in spring and summer time of 2023. Within the two years since, I can say that I nonetheless am pleased with the funding—and it actually has acted like floaties whereas studying to swim.

I outlined 4 issues I had whereas taking part in in video games like Overwatch: simply not strafing, disliking the feeling of strafing on an analog stick, use of extra fingers than on an Xbox or PlayStation controller, and adjusting to a special structure of buttons relative to a console controller. The primary two points nonetheless stay, however I've since adjusted to the brand new mapping and my gameplay has improved a little bit. (I’m lastly not ranked as Potato 5. Yay!)

I additionally talked about that I regretted not buying the mannequin with an adjustable place for thumbstick. I nonetheless really feel that approach, however after Azeron launched a magnetic tenting stand for the controller, it helped ease a lot of the pressure on my thumb.

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ams_black_3-988x706-1.png" alt="Azeron Magnetic Stand" class="wp-image-2900785" width="988" height="706" loading="lazy"/> Azeron

Total, the enhancements I’ve made in mechanical ability has gotten me extra curious and keen to offer WASD navigation one other go. (I simply picked up this Lemokey X0 gaming keypad at a deep low cost, on the recommendation of my colleague and resident mechanical gaming keyboard guru Michael Crider.) I’ve additionally begun exploring the thought of making an attempt a correct mouse mat and one other gaming mouse to see if it improves my intention. As somebody who has extraordinarily deep console gaming roots, I all the time assumed my motor expertise had been solely in charge for my weak mechanical expertise in PC video games. I didn’t notice a few of it's primarily based in your gear and settings.

I really feel much less overwhelmed now in regards to the thought of creating the total swap to keyboard & mouse gaming. Whereas I don’t know if I’ll make the leap efficiently, the makes an attempt will likely be fairly entertaining, I’m positive. To different individuals, a minimum of.